The abstinent and powerful minister is cold and aloof during the day, but he adores her in his dream

Chapter 266 That was prepared for my cousin.
Zhiwan was unaware of the little incident in the front hall. She felt it was a bit shabby to serve the princess wontons, so she sent someone to Zhiweizhai to fetch a salted goose and various kinds of pastries.

By the time she finished cooking the wontons, the salted goose and pastries had already been retrieved.

After tidying up, she led her people to deliver the food to the front hall.

"Why did you prepare so much?" Princess Chang Le looked at the table full of food, somewhat surprised.

"This salted goose, this three-ingredient bun, and these other snacks are all Yangzhou specialties, made by the chefs in my shop. I thought Your Highness might not have tried them, so I wanted to let Your Highness have a taste," Zhiwan explained with a smile.

"You've put your heart into this." Princess Chang Le was very satisfied.

Zhiwan would never forget that the night before last, Princess Changle had specially brought her food from the Dali Temple.

She had been keeping this matter in mind, and even if the princess didn't come today, she would find an opportunity to invite her to dinner.

"These were all prepared hastily, and we didn't prepare anything else. We don't know if these will suit Your Highness's taste," Zhiwan said.

"Whether it suits my taste or not, I'll know once I try it," Princess Chang Le said, not particularly concerned.

Upon hearing this, Zhiwan quickly handed her the chopsticks.

Princess Chang Le took the food and was about to pick it up when Yuan Bao, who was standing behind her, took out a silver needle and stopped her, saying, "Your Highness, please wait a moment. This servant will try it first..."

"Shut up and get out!" Princess Chang Le interrupted him in a stern voice.

“But…” Yuanbao was in a dilemma.

How could a princess, with her precious body, eat random things outside?
Even within the mansion, food had to be tested for poison first.

"If you say another word, don't follow me next time," Princess Chang Le said with displeasure.

Upon hearing this, Yuanbao dared not mention it again.

Zhiwan paused for a moment, then advised, "Your Highness, I think Eunuch Yuanbao's concerns are not wrong. Perhaps we should..."

"Do you think I don't know your character?" Princess Chang Le interrupted her.

Zhiwan certainly wouldn't poison her, but she was just afraid of the worst. After all, the princess's status was extraordinary, and she couldn't bear the responsibility if something happened to her.

Looking back now, she can't help but feel a little regretful.

The salted goose and pastries were all taken from the shop, just in case...

Thinking it over, she picked up another pair of chopsticks and said, "Your Highness, these dishes were all brought from outside. I'll eat first, and if there are no problems, Your Highness can start eating."

"Wanwan, let me do it." Ouyang Zhenzhu quickly picked up a piece of salted goose.

Zhiwan glanced at her helplessly.

After the two of them tasted all kinds of food and made sure there were no problems, they allowed Princess Chang Le to start eating.

"What a hassle," Princess Chang Le said, though she felt a little guilty.

Because of her status, those close to her always feel immense pressure.

This is why she doesn't make friends easily.

It was only with great difficulty that Zhiwan and Ouyang Zhenzhu were willing to get close to her, but because of her identity, the two of them were hesitant.

She wished she were just an ordinary person, free to do whatever she wanted without any worries.

Seeing that she was a little disappointed, Zhiwan diligently served her a lot of food.

"Your Highness, please try this..."

"Try this one too..."

Just as Ouyang Zhenzhu was feeling neglected, Zhiwan placed some food in her bowl, saying, "Zhenzhu, you should eat too."

Ouyang Zhenzhu beamed, "Wanwan is so kind." "Miss, the young master has arrived."

Just then, Granny Fang appeared at the door with Lu Zhan.

Zhiwan was stunned for a moment, and as soon as she turned her head, she met her cousin's eyes, which were devoid of any smile.

She paused for a moment. How long had her cousin been here? Why did he seem a little unhappy?
"Why has Lord Lu come to the Zhi residence as well?" Princess Chang Le put down her chopsticks and said in surprise, "It's a pity you're late. Zhi Wan prepared so much food for us, but she didn't prepare a portion for you."

His words were full of boasting.

Noticing that the hall was full of women, Lu Zhan did not go in.

He stood by the door, ignoring what Princess Chang Le said, and said indifferently, "This humble subject is injured and unable to bow to Your Highness. I hope Your Highness will forgive me."

Although he said this, he didn't wait for Princess Chang Le to speak. Instead, he went straight to Zhi Wan and said, "Guests are guests, cousin. Please entertain them well. I'll go back to my room now." After saying that, he asked Granny Fang to lead the way and left the front hall.

Zhiwan: "..."

"Lord Lu is as annoying as ever!" Princess Chang Le sneered.

Even someone as slow-witted as Ouyang Zhenzhu understood the implication in Lu Zhan's words.

This is implying that she and His Highness are guests, outsiders, while Lord Lu acts as if he's the host, with that arrogant attitude. It's infuriating! It's as if he's already married to Wanwan.

but--

"Your Highness, didn't you used to like Lord Lu?" Ouyang Zhenzhu suddenly turned her head and looked at Princess Chang Le with curiosity.

Princess Chang Le scoffed, "How could I be so blind?"

Ouyang Zhenzhu said awkwardly, "The girls who want to marry Lord Lu are lined up all the way to the city gate. Your Highness is clearly in love but can't have him!"

"Ouyang Zhenzhu!" Princess Chang Le narrowed her eyes. "If you spout any more nonsense, I'll rip out your tongue!"

Zhiwan quickly slapped Ouyang Zhenzhu, "Don't talk nonsense! His Highness already has Shen Longjin, and he likes Shen Longjin. If Shen Longjin hears you talking like this, he will definitely be jealous."

Upon hearing this, Princess Chang Le pointed at her with trembling hands, "Zhi Wan, how dare you even make fun of me?"

Zhiwan looked completely innocent. "I didn't. Your Highness already has Young Master Shen by your side."

Princess Chang Le: "..."

She gritted her teeth and said, "Considering the wontons are indeed delicious, I will spare you today. If there is a next time, I will definitely pull out your tongues." With that, she turned and left.

Seeing this, Ouyang Zhenzhu quickly followed, "Your Highness, wait for me."

Zhiwan saw the two of them out the door.

After the two got into the carriage and left, they returned to their residence.

Instead of going straight back to the courtyard, she went to the kitchen, cooked a bowl of wontons, and took it to the courtyard.

When she entered the room, she saw her cousin sitting in a chair, looking down at the painting she had placed on the table.

"Cousin, is your injury any better?" Zhiwan asked with concern as she walked over with a bowl of wontons in her hand.

Lu Zhan paused, his previously gloomy expression brightening as he looked at the wontons in front of him. "Did you make these yourself?"

"Hmm." Zhiwan sat down beside him. "I specially wrapped this for you this morning. I was going to send it to the Duke of Dingguo's mansion, but I didn't expect that the princess and Pearl would come together just as I got to the door."

They wanted to eat the wontons I made, so I had to stay and cook them for them first. With that, she picked up a spoon, scooped up a wonton, blew on it, and fed it to Lu Zhan, whispering, "Cousin, try some too. I just went to the kitchen to cook them for you."

Lu Zhan's gaze lingered on her rosy lips for a moment, then he gave a low "hmm" and lowered his head to eat his wontons.

"Is it delicious?" Zhiwan looked at him expectantly.

Lu Zhan looked intently at her with his dark eyes, "Delicious!"