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

Chapter 28 Taking a Concubine
Meeting her aunt's eager gaze, Zhiwan paused for a moment before truthfully saying, "Young Master Fu comes from a good family and is outstanding in both character and appearance, but I... am not worthy of him."

Madam Wei couldn't bear to hear her say such self-deprecating words, and her brows furrowed.

In her opinion, Wan'er was no less than those noble ladies from aristocratic families.

"Don't talk nonsense! There are no people you are not good enough for, only others who are not good enough for you!" Wei said from the bottom of her heart.

Zhiwan was amused by her words, covered her lips with her handkerchief, and said softly with a smile, "Thank you for your kind words, Aunt, but the Fu family... well, let's not go with that."

Putting aside the fact that their family backgrounds were mismatched, she didn't like men like Fu Hongyi either.

In addition, perhaps she was too sensitive. That day when she went to see Madam Fu, although Madam Fu did not say much, she could feel that Madam Fu's gaze was somewhat disdainful.

Since Madam Fu despises her, how could she possibly allow Fu Hongyi to marry her?

She could sense that Fu Hongyi had feelings for her, but it was only because of her looks; how much of it was genuine?

Although she wanted to get married as soon as possible to escape her life of dependence on others, she wouldn't impulsively pursue an unequal marriage.

The fact that the Lin family has suddenly come to our door is probably not a good thing.

When Wei saw that she had no interest in the Fu family, the joy that had arisen from Lin's visit vanished instantly.

"I understand, but since they've already come to our door, I'll go and see them first. You can stroll around the garden for a bit, and if you feel tired, you can go back now."

“Okay,” Zhiwan obediently replied.

After leaving the garden, Wei went straight to the front hall.

lobby.

Just as Madam Lin took a sip of the tea brought by a servant, she saw Madam Wei enter. She quickly stood up and bowed, saying, "Madam Lu, I apologize for the intrusion."

Wei said calmly, "Please sit down."

Lin paused, sat back down, and glanced at Wei's indifferent face, feeling a little hesitant.

Wei was clearly not very welcoming of her visit.

Why is that?
If they looked down on the Xuanping Marquis's mansion, why would they have allowed several young ladies from the mansion to attend the banquet yesterday?
She assumed that the fact that Lady Wei allowed the young ladies of her household to attend the banquet meant that she was satisfied with the Marquis of Xuanping's household.

Therefore, logically speaking, since she personally came to visit today, Madam Wei should not have been so cold towards her.

Lin was puzzled. After considering it for a moment, she said, "Madam Lu, I heard that Miss Zhiwan fell and was injured in the peach grove of my villa yesterday. I felt very uneasy and have prepared some small gifts today to visit Miss Zhiwan."

Wei lifted her eyelids, glanced at her, and said indifferently, "That was just an accident. It has troubled Madam Fu. However, Wan'er is still recovering from her injuries and should not receive guests. I hope Madam Fu will understand."

Upon hearing this, Lin was not too disappointed.

She didn't actually want to see Zhiwan; she was just using this as an excuse to test Wei's intentions.

"In that case, let Miss Zhiwan recover properly."

Knowing that Zhiwan had no interest in the Fu family, Madam Wei didn't want to deal with Madam Lin anymore, so she asked, "Is there anything else, Madam Fu?"

Sensing that she was about to ask him to leave, Madam Lin became secretly anxious.

She pretended not to understand Wei's words and chuckled, "Everyone outside says that Madam Lu treats Miss Zhiwan as her own daughter. When I saw Miss Zhiwan yesterday, I saw how well she was raised and how beautiful and well-behaved she was. I know that what people outside are saying is true. Madam Lu is truly compassionate. She can be so kind to the daughter of an old friend." Hearing the other party praise Zhiwan's beauty and well-behaved appearance, Wei smiled slightly, "Wan'er is like her mother. She is naturally beautiful, gentle and well-behaved, and very easy to raise. I'm just taking on a good reputation. In reality, Wan'er doesn't require me to worry about anything."

Madam Lin's eyes flickered, and she smiled, "Madam Lu is too modest. Raising a child to adulthood is no easy task. Even one's own daughter is not easy to raise, let alone someone who comes into one's life halfway through... I imagine Madam Lu has suffered quite a bit over the years. In addition, Miss Zhiwan has already come of age, and from now on, we will have to arrange her marriage and prepare her dowry..."

Madam Wei disliked hearing her say that Zhiwan was troublesome. The smile on her face vanished instantly, and she said coldly, "You don't need to worry about that. I only have one son, Lu Zhan, and no daughters. I have long regarded Wan'er as my own daughter. I am happy to arrange her marriage and prepare her dowry. I don't think it is troublesome at all."

Lin sensed the displeasure in her words and quickly said, "I'm a straightforward person and I like to say what I think, so please don't take offense, Madam Lu."

Madam Wei gave her a cold glance. "If Madam Fu has nothing else to do, please make yourself at home. I have other matters to attend to, so please excuse me."

When Madam Lin saw that she was about to leave, she became anxious and hurriedly said, "Madam Lu, please wait."

"I don't like beating around the bush. What exactly are you trying to say?" Madam Wei said impatiently.

Lin clenched her fists, feeling very uncomfortable.

She was, after all, the wife of the Marquis of Xuanping; this Wei woman was far too impolite.

But considering the purpose of her trip, she could only suppress her dissatisfaction and said, "To be honest, Madam Lu, my Hongyi has a good impression of Miss Zhi, but unfortunately, his family has already chosen a girl from the Wang family to be his wife. If you agree, my Hongyi is willing to marry Miss Zhi Wan as his concubine."

"Regarding the betrothal gifts, we will treat them the same as those given to the Wang family. We will absolutely not allow Miss Zhiwan to suffer any injustice. Once she enters the household, we will treat her like a precious jewel and will ensure she doesn't suffer any loss. Madam Lu, you can rest assured!"

Madam Lin felt that giving the same betrothal gifts as the principal wife was already a great honor for the Duke of Dingguo's mansion, and there was no reason for Madam Wei to disagree.

Moreover, given her family's status, even if she were to become a concubine in the mansion, it would still be far more prestigious than marrying into a humble family as the principal wife.

Zhiwan was just an orphan. Even though she was fostered in the Duke of Dingguo's mansion, she was not a proper young lady of the Duke of Dingguo's mansion, and no hereditary noble family was willing to marry her.

But it would be quite suitable as a bedroom.

Moreover, her husband Hongyi is outstanding in both appearance and character. At a young age, he is already a senior official in the Ministry of Rites, with a promising future. There are many young ladies in the capital who want to marry him, and even if he were to become a concubine, there would be many people vying for him.

Zhang Linglong, the illegitimate daughter of the Ministry of Works official, was eager to become Hongyi's concubine.

For an orphan like Zhiwan to become a concubine of a noble family is an immense blessing; she must be so happy she can't sleep at night.

Lin became increasingly smug, but then...

"Snapped!"

A slap landed hard on her face.

Lin was knocked to the side by the blow, completely stunned.

Granny Chen rushed forward to support her, "Madam!"

"What do you take my Duke Dingguo's mansion for? You blind dog, how dare you come here and bark like a dog!" Madam Wei was furious and shouted.

After regaining her composure, Madam Lin was furious. "Madam Lu, you've gone too far!"

"I'm going too far? Do you want to hear what you just said? You know I treat Wan'er like my own daughter, yet you still dare to come and humiliate her, saying such disgusting things. Aren't you just asking for a beating?" Madam Wei said angrily.

Lin clenched her fists, suppressing her anger, and said, "Zhiwan is just an orphan. Her status is what it is. Although she is only to be a concubine, my Fu family will never mistreat her. We will definitely bring her into the family in a grand manner. As for Madam Lu, what right do you have to hit people? You must give me an explanation today!"

(End of this chapter)