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

Chapter 273 is definitely related to her cousin wanting to marry her.

Upon hearing the voice, Zhiwan knew without looking that it was Wei Jinyi.

As soon as she raised her head, she met Wei Jinyi's contemptuous and disdainful gaze, the malice in her eyes blatant and undisguised.

When Zhiwan saw this, she didn't take it to heart; instead, she found it somewhat amusing.

Wei Jinyi's repeated targeting of me must be related to my cousin's intention to marry me.

Wei Jinyi is jealous of her!

Wei Jinyi only feels at ease when she sees her make a fool of herself and be ridiculed.

Thinking of this, Zhiwan lowered her eyes and said with a wry smile, "I am indeed not a big shot. When I received the invitation yesterday afternoon, I originally wanted to prepare some tonics as a birthday gift, but when I thought that my grandfather did not lack these things, I thought of making a painting to celebrate my grandfather's birthday."

I am not a big shot, but I still want to do my part to show my filial piety to my maternal grandfather.

But now it seems I was indeed presumptuous.” With that, she withdrew her hand, intending to put the brocade box away.

But Old Master Wei reached out and took the painting from her hand first. "Don't listen to Wei Jinyi's nonsense. As long as it's something you give me, no matter what it is, your grandfather will like it. Besides, this is a painting you made yourself."

Zhiwan paused for a moment, then said softly, "I'm glad that my maternal grandfather doesn't mind."

"No, no, how could I possibly mind? Get up quickly," Old Master Wei said hurriedly.

"Yes." Zhiwan stood up as instructed.

Seeing this, Wei Jinyi almost gritted her teeth. That bitch Zhiwan really knows how to use retreat as a tactic to advance.

Just as she was about to speak, Old Master Wei glared at her sternly, "Wei Jinyi, where is your upbringing? How could our Wei family have raised such a snobbish person like you?"

Wei Jinyi's expression changed, "Grandpa..."

"Luckily, everyone in this house is one of our own, otherwise you would have completely disgraced the Wei family!" Old Master Wei interrupted her in a deep voice, displeased.

He was not only disappointed in his granddaughter, but also utterly disappointed in his eldest daughter-in-law, Xu, who was in charge of the household.

Just now, Zhiwan said that she only received the invitation yesterday afternoon.

What is Xu trying to do?
Which family doesn't send out invitations several days in advance when hosting a banquet? But Xu's family only sent them out yesterday afternoon. Isn't this deliberately making things difficult for them?
Moreover, even though they had gone to great lengths to prepare a birthday gift for him, he was still ridiculed by Wei Jinyi.

The more Old Master Wei thought about it, the more upset he became.

I just felt that this mother and daughter were really too insensible.

Wei Jinyi clenched her fists tightly, feeling wronged.

What's wrong with Grandpa? Why is he siding with outsiders?

Ms. Wei was initially very angry, but seeing that her father had already severely reprimanded Wei Jinyi, she let it go, though she still held a grudge against Wei Jinyi.

She said to Old Master Wei, "Although Wan'er is not a famous scholar, she put her heart into this painting. Moreover, she didn't rest last night to make it. She is much more sincere than some people who just buy things from shops to give as birthday gifts."

The "certain people" she was referring to were naturally Wei Jinyi.

Wei Jinyi was furious.

My aunt used to treat me quite well, but now, she's mocking and ridiculing me because of that vile woman, Zhiwan.

Feeling indignant, she said, "How can my brothers and sisters and I bear to say such things, Aunt? Even though the gifts we brothers and sisters gave to Grandpa were bought, we chose them with care. Aunt can't belittle her nephews and nieces just to protect her future daughter-in-law."

Upon hearing this, the younger members of the Wei family, who had been watching the spectacle, all turned to look at Wei Shi.

They dared not show it on their faces, but they were very dissatisfied inside.

My aunt's words were really too much.

The birthday gift they gave to their grandfather, though not handmade, was still a token of their affection.

After their aunt said those words, their good intentions immediately became worthless.

“My aunt has repeatedly praised Miss Zhi’s paintings, so they must be exceptionally well done. Grandpa, please open the painting so we can all see them,” someone immediately said. “Yes, let us witness Miss Zhi’s painting skills,” others chimed in.

Madam Wei frowned and gave Wei Jinyi a cold look.

She underestimated her niece; she was so good at stirring up trouble.

She was clearly referring to Wei Jinyi, but Wei Jinyi insisted on saying it was a group of her nephews and nieces.

Her nephews and nieces were naturally unhappy to hear this.

But they dared not blame themselves, so they turned their anger towards Wan'er.

Didn't she say that Wan'er's paintings were good?

They then used Wan'er's paintings as a pretext, attempting to use them to slap her in the face.

Unfortunately, they didn't know that Wan'er was a skilled painter.

Thinking of this, Madam Wei didn't say anything. Anyway, they would shut up after seeing Wan'er's painting.

Seeing that her brothers and sisters had indeed been stirred up by her words and started targeting Zhiwan, Wei Jinyi felt a little smug.

If a painting by Zhiwan is pleasing to the eye, that's fine; but if it's unpleasing, then expect to embarrass yourself and be hated and despised by everyone.

How could Old Master Wei not know what the younger generation was thinking?
He was displeased, and at the same time, he was worried about the future of the Wei family.

The Wei family is truly getting worse with each generation.

In an instant, Old Master Wei seemed to have aged several years.

He sighed inwardly, ignoring the commotion, and slowly opened the brocade box, taking out the painting from it.

Led by Wei Jinyi, a group of younger members of the Wei family crowded around to take a look.

They had already decided in their hearts that Zhiwan's paintings were mediocre, and they were prepared to ridicule Zhiwan.

But when they saw the painting unfold from Grandpa's hands, they immediately fell silent.

Even though they don't understand painting, they can't lie and say that the painting in front of them is clumsy or ugly.

Even Wei Jinyi, who was waiting to see Zhiwan make a fool of herself, reluctantly shut her mouth.

Looking at the painting of pine trees and cranes symbolizing longevity in his hand, Old Master Wei was extremely amazed.

He had expected the painting to be of good quality, otherwise Zhiwan wouldn't have given it to him.

But he didn't expect that Zhiwan's painting skills were so good.

A painting of pine trees and cranes symbolizing longevity reveals the different styles of painting.

After regaining his senses, Old Master Wei said "good" several times and praised, "This painting skill is truly remarkable. In my opinion, it is in no way inferior to that of famous masters. Wan'er is so thoughtful. I really like this painting you gave me."

"I'm glad my maternal grandfather is happy." Zhiwan breathed a sigh of relief.

She could tell that Old Master Wei genuinely didn't mind, and that his words were sincere.

Judging from his reprimand of Wei Jinyi just now, it's clear that he's different from the other members of the Wei family; he's a virtuous elder.

When Madam Wei saw her father praising Zhiwan, she was even happier than when she herself was praised. She had the birthday gifts she had prepared brought in and said with a smile, "Jinzhi is on official business for the Emperor and is not in the capital, so he cannot celebrate your birthday. Zhenbei should arrive later. This tortoise shell birthday screen is a gift that my husband and I prepared for you. Please accept it." With that, she unveiled the red cloth covering the birthday gifts.

When the red cloth was lifted, everyone was stunned.

That was a tortoise shell longevity screen.

The screen frame is made of huanghuali wood with cloud and bat patterns carved on it, and the screen center is inlaid with tortoise shell patterns. The screen is decorated with three sets of pictures made with intricate craftsmanship: the tortoise and crane longevity picture, the meeting at Yaochi, and Peng Zu asking questions.

The image on the screen alone is breathtaking, let alone the entire screen.