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

Chapter 283 involves lives and fortunes.
During the court assembly, the emperor raised the issue of the Yellow River floods and asked his officials for their opinions, but no one stepped forward.

Just as the emperor was about to get angry, Lu Zhan came out and said, “Following the late Emperor Taizu’s instruction to ‘control water disasters in three ways,’ we should take a three-pronged approach. First, we should build a 280-mile-long dike, imitating Pan Jixun’s method of ‘constraining water to attack sand.’”

Secondly, the disaster-stricken areas will be exempt from grain tribute for the next two years.

Thirdly, an imperial edict was issued ordering the imperial inspector to rigorously investigate powerful local figures who controlled the polder fields.

Upon hearing this, the emperor's expression softened. "What Minister Lu said makes a lot of sense. I will consider your proposal."

Afterwards, the emperor and his ministers discussed some border wars.

Before leaving the court, the emperor, in front of all the officials, lavishly praised and encouraged Lu Zhan for his inspection tour of Jiangnan. He then spoke of Zhi Yu, the magistrate of Jurong County, expressing great regret for him. Out of pity for his orphaned daughter, Zhi Wan, he specially bestowed upon her the title of county princess and arranged her marriage to Lu Zhan.

Upon hearing this, Xuan Yuan Hongjun stared at Lu Zhan with a gloomy expression.

Facing the Crown Prince's gloomy gaze, Lu Zhan remained calm and composed. He lifted the corner of his robe, knelt down, and bowed towards the Emperor, saying, "Thank you, Your Majesty. On behalf of my fiancée, Zhiwan, I kowtow to express my gratitude for Your Majesty's grace!"

"Minister Lu, please rise." The emperor was overjoyed and had the imperial edict handed to Lu Zhan.

After the court session, Ouyang Lei followed Lu Zhan with a relaxed expression and said in a low voice, "Old Lu, as expected of you, you actually petitioned for a title for your cousin Zhiwan and even obtained an imperial decree for her marriage. Now, no matter how many ideas the Crown Prince may have, he will not dare to act recklessly anymore."

Lu Zhan remained silent.

Duan Ling, who is usually very talkative, was somewhat silent at this moment.

"What's wrong with you guys? Isn't this a good thing? Why aren't you happy?" Ouyang Lei asked curiously.

Duan Ling glanced at him, then hesitated, as if he wanted to say something but didn't.

"What do you want to say? Just say it! When did you become so long-winded?" Ouyang Lei was getting impatient.

Duan Ling glanced at Lu Zhan, but before she could speak, she shook her head and said, "It's nothing."

He was worried about Lao Lu and his cousin Zhiwan.

Zhiyu is the son of the Prince of Jin, and Zhiwan is the granddaughter of the Prince of Jin. Yet Lao Lu is asking for merit for Zhiyu and requesting that his cousin Zhiwan be granted the title of county princess. Isn't this just drawing the Emperor's attention to the two of them?

If the Emperor discovers anything, then we'll be in big trouble.

In his opinion, Lao Lu's move was far too risky.

However, he could understand that the Crown Prince was eyeing his cousin Zhiwan covetously, and only the Emperor could keep him in check.

With the imperial decree bestowing the marriage upon him, Xuanyuan Hongjun dared not act rashly.

However, he still felt that this method was too risky, and if he was not careful, the Duke of Dingguo's mansion would be finished.

Just as I was thinking this, I suddenly saw Xuan Yuan Hongjun walking over.

He gave Lu Zhan a thumbs-up, but his eyes were sinister. "Lu Zhan, what a clever trick!"

"Your Highness is too kind," Lu Zhan said calmly.

Xuan Yuan Hongjun stared at him for a moment, then suddenly strode forward and grabbed his collar. "Lu Zhan, going against me will only lead to your death!"

"Is that so?" Lu Zhan's tone was indifferent, tinged with disdain, before he suddenly grabbed the other person's hand at the base of their thumb, forcing them to release their grip.

The pain from the tiger's mouth made Xuan Yuan Hongjun furious, "Lu Zhan, you..."

"Let me offer Your Highness a word," Lu Zhan interrupted him calmly.

"What?" Xuan Yuan Hongjun stared at him with a gloomy expression.

Lu Zhan slowly said, "It is still unknown who will emerge victorious. Your Highness, please do not rush to conclusions, lest you become complacent and be greatly disappointed in the end!"

Xuan Yuan Hongjun's pupils contracted.

Realizing what was happening, he was furious. "Lu Zhan, how dare you!" Lu Zhan bowed respectfully and said calmly, "It is impolite not to reciprocate! I take my leave!"

Duan Ling and Ouyang Lei also bowed to Xuan Yuan Hongjun, and then hurriedly followed Lu Zhan.

Staring at the departing figures of the three, Xuan Yuan Hongjun flew into a rage, turned around, and kicked the eunuch following behind him to the ground.

"Damn it!" Xuan Yuan Hongjun roared.

After leaving the palace gates, Duan Ling and Ouyang Lei tacitly squeezed into Lu Zhan's carriage.

Lu Zhan had just sat down when he saw the two of them follow him up. He frowned and asked, "What are you doing here?"

"Old Lu, are you going to see your cousin Zhiwan? I haven't seen her in a long time, and I miss her terribly. Let's go together," Duan Ling said with a grin.

Ouyang Lei became slightly more serious and said, "I need to go to the Dali Temple. I didn't see my carriage earlier. Could you please give me a ride and take me to the Dali Temple?"

Duan Ling glanced at him sideways.

How can this guy lie through his teeth?
The Ouyang family's carriage was parked right outside, and he said he didn't see it?
Lu Zhan stared coldly at Duan Ling, his thin lips uttering two words, "Get down!"

Duan Ling felt a chill run down his spine, but he retorted indignantly, "Old Lu, you're showing favoritism! Why are you kicking me out? Ouyang Lei's carriage is right outside, why aren't you kicking him out too?"

Ouyang Lei, who had been gloating and glad he hadn't said anything about missing his cousin Zhiwan that would have been asking for a beating, immediately gritted his teeth when he heard Duan Ling dragging him into this. "Why are you dragging me into this?"

"I'm stating the facts," Duan Ling said firmly.

Ouyang Lei was so angry he wanted to bite him, but thinking of the important matter, he ignored him and looked at Lu Zhan, saying, "Old Lu, you just offended the Crown Prince. He might retaliate against you fiercely."

"If I don't offend him, do you think he'll let me off the hook?" Lu Zhan said calmly, his brows furrowed with coldness.

Upon hearing this, Ouyang Lei fell silent.

Old Lu is right. Given the Crown Prince's narrow-minded nature, he has taken a liking to his cousin Zhiwan, but cannot have her. He will inevitably seek revenge on Old Lu.

Rather than waiting to be beaten, it's better to take the initiative.

Anyway, he's not the only prince in the royal family.

Moreover, the crown prince has committed many unjust acts and is completely unfit to be a ruler.

Thinking of this, he immediately stated, "Whatever decision you make, I will support you."

Lu Zhan paused for a moment, then reminded him, "Lei Zi, don't rush to express your opinion. Besides, your family's situation is different and more complicated."

"You mean my aunt's side? Although my cousin is the Crown Princess, she is not favored by the Crown Prince. If the Crown Prince were to ascend the throne one day, my cousin would definitely be deposed. To be honest, my uncle has long harbored resentment towards the Crown Prince."

"It's a pity my cousin married into the royal family; even if she asked for a divorce, she couldn't get one," Ouyang Lei sighed.

Lu Zhan remained silent.

When it came to serious matters, Duan Ling looked at Lu Zhan with a serious expression and said, "Have you already decided who you want to support?" Before Lu Zhan could speak, he continued, "What Lei Zi just said is also what I wanted to say. Whatever decision you make, we will support you. I've disliked that Crown Prince for quite some time now. Besides, you all know my family's situation. It sounds nice, but it's just an empty shell. It's only a matter of time before they're stripped of their title."

Lu Zhan and Ouyang Lei were naturally aware of the situation at the Prince of Huainan's residence.

Duan Ling's grandfather followed Emperor Gaozu in conquering the world and made many outstanding contributions. After the world was settled, he was granted the title of a king of a different surname, and the Duan family rose in status and became extremely prominent.

However, by the time of Duan Ling's father, the royal family's power gradually waned until it was stripped of all its authority.

The Prince of Huainan had submitted several memorials requesting that Duan Ling be granted an inherited title, but the emperor had not granted his request.

It is clear that the Duan family's title will end with Duan Ling's generation.

Now that the Prince of Huainan is getting old and only has Duan Ling as his son, it is understandable that Duan Ling wants to secure a future for himself and the Prince's mansion.

After a moment of contemplation, Lu Zhan said, "I understand your intentions, but this is not a game; it involves your lives and fortunes. You must be careful!"