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

Chapter 278 Let Lu Zhan and Zhi Wan get married as soon as possible
Upon hearing this, Old Master Wei understood everything.

His face darkened, and he suppressed his anger, saying, "Your Highness, this is against the rules."

"Then I'll give you that painting in your hall." Xuan Yuan Hongjun's smile vanished, replaced by a sinister look that sent chills down one's spine.

Old Master Wei's expression turned very unpleasant.

The others didn't dare to breathe, believing the rumors to be true: this Crown Prince was eccentric and acted on a whim.

Just moments ago at the banquet, she was showing great respect to Old Master Wei, but in the blink of an eye, she started pressuring him.

No matter what Old Master Wei said, he used to teach him his studies, but he turned his back on him so quickly.

Seeing the Crown Prince's gloomy face, the Wei family members were all terrified.

The eldest son of the Wei family glanced at his father's expression and whispered, "Father, it's just a painting. Since His Highness wants it, why not..."

"Please forgive me, Your Highness, but I cannot give that painting away." Old Master Wei interrupted his son in a deep voice and glared at him coldly.

Xuan Yuan Hongjun narrowed his eyes, looking at the former Grand Tutor, and suddenly laughed loudly: "Although the Grand Tutor has resigned from office, his integrity remains. Good, very good!"

The entire Wei family was terrified, breaking out in a cold sweat. They knew all too well the Crown Prince's methods.

Anyone who defies him will not have a good ending.

Just as the atmosphere was tense, Lu Zhenbei walked in.

He was still wearing his armor, a sword hanging at his waist, his hand loosely gripping the hilt. He glanced at the tense atmosphere in the courtyard and asked, "What happened? Your Highness, what is the cause of your anger?"

Everyone breathed a sigh of relief upon seeing him.

Even Old Master Wei's expression softened a bit.

"My dear son-in-law, have you just returned from the camp?"

"I was delayed by military affairs and arrived late. Please forgive me, Father-in-law," Lu Zhenbei said, bowing respectfully.

Old Master Wei reached out to help him up. “It’s alright that you came, no matter how late it is. Come on, let’s have a couple of drinks, you and your son-in-law.” After saying that, he seemed to remember the Crown Prince and hurriedly apologized, “Your Highness, please take care. I’m sorry I can’t see you off.”

Xuan Yuan Hongjun glanced at Lu Zhenbei.

Seeing that he was still in armor and had a sword at his waist, she finally felt some apprehension and smiled again. "Grand Tutor, you flatter me. It's probably rare for you and the Duke of Dingguo to get together. I won't disturb your enjoyment any longer." With that, she turned and left.

"Respectfully seeing off His Highness the Crown Prince!" the crowd said in unison.

Ouyang Lei stood up, bowed to Lu Zhenbei and Grand Tutor Wei, and then followed the Crown Prince out.

He came with the Crown Prince to escort him back to the Eastern Palace.

"Go in." Old Master Wei patted Lu Zhenbei on the shoulder.

Lu Zhenbei nodded and followed him inside.

The kitchen sent over more food and drinks.

The father-in-law and son-in-law sat facing each other and drank together.

Considering his father-in-law's advanced age, Lu Zhenbei drank one cup and then put it down, bringing up the matter of the Crown Prince, "Why was the Crown Prince angry just now?"

Old Master Wei frowned slightly, but didn't say anything. He just glanced at him.

Lu Zhenbei was taken aback. "What does this have to do with me?"

"Yes and no," said Old Master Wei, then pointed to the "Pine and Crane Longevity" painting displayed in the hall. "Do you know who painted this?"

Lu Zhenbei was completely bewildered. "Please enlighten me, Father-in-law." "It was painted by Zhiwan," said Old Master Wei, sighing.

It's his fault, too. If he had known the Crown Prince would have ulterior motives, he wouldn't have introduced the painting at the banquet.

Lu Zhenbei looked at the painting with some surprise. "Was it actually painted by Wan'er?" He had no idea that Wan'er possessed such skills.

But he still didn't know what the Crown Prince's anger had to do with Wan'er's painting.
What kind of painting could the Crown Prince not have?
If you like something, just ask a painter in the palace to paint it. Why cause such an unpleasant incident on your father-in-law's birthday?

"If I'm not mistaken, the Crown Prince must have met Zhiwan and developed feelings for her." Old Master Wei's expression was quite unpleasant as he said this.

The Crown Prince possessed absolutely none of the virtues of propriety, righteousness, integrity, and a sense of shame.

Such a person, if he were to sit on the dragon throne one day, would be a scourge to the people.

Upon hearing this, Lu Zhenbei's face darkened, and he slammed his fist on the table. "How could he be so shameless?"

"It's my fault for not teaching him properly," said Old Master Wei, his face dejected.

“This has nothing to do with my father-in-law. You have already done your best,” Lu Zhenbei said hurriedly.

Old Master Wei sighed, "You should know the Crown Prince's temperament. In addition, the Emperor has deep feelings for the late Empress. Even though he knows the Crown Prince is not up to the task, he still has no intention of establishing another heir. Over the years, the Crown Prince's temperament has become more and more eccentric and violent. He will definitely take back anything or anyone he sets his sights on."

In my opinion, we should get Jinzhi and Zhiwan married as soon as possible.

That way, the Crown Prince might give up on his plans, since you hold military power, and he'll be more wary of you.

Lu Zhenbei understood his meaning and nodded, saying, "I understand. We'll move the wedding forward once Jinzhi returns."

"In addition, you and your son should be more careful in court. The Crown Prince has been trying to win you over. If he fails, he might resort to underhanded tactics," Old Master Wei advised.

"Thank you for your advice, Father-in-law. I've taken it to heart," Lu Zhenbei said.

Seeing that he could listen to what he said, Old Master Wei was quite pleased.

None of his sons, including his grandsons, were successful. It was rare that his son-in-law, who held a high position, was able to listen to his advice.

Zhiwan and Madam Wei sat at the women's table. After the banquet, neither of them followed the Wei family to see the guests off, so they were unaware of the incident that had just occurred in the front yard.

After the two escorted Madam Wei back to the backyard, they were about to leave when Xu and Tao, who had just seen off their guests, came in and gave Zhiwan a very strange look.

Upon seeing this, Madam Wei sneered, "If you have something to say, just say it directly. There's no need for such sarcastic remarks."

Tao looked somewhat sullen and remained silent, but Xu, still harboring resentment over her daughter being beaten, deliberately covered her mouth and laughed, "Little sister, you don't know, just now in the front courtyard, His Highness the Crown Prince, whether he was drunk or what, actually asked my father-in-law to give him the pine and crane longevity painting that Zhiwan had given him."

When his father-in-law refused, His Highness the Crown Prince said that he wanted Zhiwan to paint another one for him on the spot.

After being rejected by his father-in-law, the Crown Prince became furious, frightening everyone. Fortunately, his brother-in-law arrived, and out of consideration for him, the Crown Prince relented.

"Such a thing is true?" Old Madam Wei asked in astonishment.

“It’s absolutely true. It all started when His Highness the Crown Prince picked a flower and asked a maid to give it to Zhiwan, but Ouyang Lei stopped him. It’s really strange, His Highness the Crown Prince only saw Zhiwan once in the garden, yet he’s already sending her flowers and asking for a painting. I wonder what he’s up to?” Madam Xu sighed.

Upon hearing this, Madam Wei looked at Zhiwan with deep disgust and said to Wei Shi, "Hurry up and leave, don't get in my way."

Hearing Xu's words, Wei felt a chill in her heart. Hearing her mother's disdainful words, she could no longer contain her temper and sneered, "Don't call me if you need anything in the future. Do you think we want to stay here? Wan'er, let's go!"

"Yes." Zhiwan felt a heavy weight in her heart.

Just now, Madam Xu almost said outright that His Highness the Crown Prince had taken a liking to her.

This made her feel uneasy and irritable.