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

Chapter 288 Wedding Dress
Dingguo Gongfu.

As soon as Lu Zhan returned to the mansion, he saw Zhao Changping, his father's servant, waiting there.

"Your Highness." Zhao Changping stepped forward and bowed.

"But is Father looking for me?" Lu Zhan asked.

"Yes, the Duke instructed me to wait here for the young master. If the young master returns, please invite him to the Vermilion Bird Hall," Zhao Changping replied.

Upon hearing this, Lu Zhan said nothing more and went straight to the Vermilion Bird Hall.

When he arrived, he saw his father sitting in a chair, holding a towel, wiping his sword.

“Father.” Lu Zhan walked over slowly.

Lu Zhenbei looked up at him, pointed to the chair opposite him, and said, "Sit down."

Lu Zhan sat down as instructed.

Lu Zhenbei put down the towel and sheathed his sword.

“This sword was forged for me by your grandfather when he was alive. I have been using it ever since I went to the battlefield. It has been with me for decades and it can still cut through iron like mud.” After saying this, Lu Zhenbei handed the sword to his son.

Lu Zhan took the sword and examined it. It was made of the finest black iron and was incredibly sharp. His father used this sword every time he went to the battlefield, and it had cut off the heads of countless enemies. As a result, the sword had been honed to be even sharper and exuded a chilling aura.

But he knew that his father wasn't talking about the sword, but about his father himself.

Thinking of this, he put down his sword and said helplessly, "Father, I have no intention of rebelling."

Lu Zhenbei was taking a sip of tea when he heard this and choked on his tea. "Cough cough cough... You don't have any?"

“Of course not,” Lu Zhan said seriously.

“But I saw that you broke off relations with the Crown Prince in court this morning. You should know that the Crown Prince is the son of the late Empress and the Emperor’s favorite son. The throne will definitely be his in the future. You offended him today. Not only you, but even our Duke of Dingguo’s mansion will not escape misfortune…” Lu Zhenbei said with a solemn expression, “Rather than being purged in the future, it is better to make plans now while you still have the initiative.”

“We must plan, but this is not treason,” Lu Zhan said. “The Lu family’s century-old reputation cannot be ruined in our hands. Besides, there are wise men in the royal family.”

Lu Zhenbei knew his son was right, but he couldn't help feeling disappointed when he learned that his son didn't have that ambition. He had originally planned to make a big splash.

He had made up his mind to fight for his son, but his son only wanted to support others.

Seeing his father's somewhat sullen expression, Lu Zhan found it amusing. He coughed lightly and said gently, "Father, you've spent half your life on the battlefield. It's time for you to enjoy your retirement. How can you still worry about me and run around for me? Don't worry, I can handle it and keep the Lu family intact."

Seeing that his son was confident, Lu Zhenbei could only say, "Since you have your own ideas, I won't say anything more. But if there's anything I can do to help you, just let me know."

"Understood." Lu Zhan nodded.

He had just returned to Qingyun Residence when Chen Jiu followed him in.

"Your Highness, our men have made some progress regarding the Crown Prince's offense."

Lu Zhan was not surprised to receive news so quickly.

His men are all skilled at gathering intelligence, especially the Crown Prince, who, because of the Emperor's protection, has always acted arrogantly and without restraint.

"What leads?" Lu Zhan asked.

"The Crown Prince is involved in the abduction and trafficking of women," Chen Jiu said in a low voice.

Even though Lu Zhan knew that the Crown Prince had behaved improperly and committed all sorts of evil deeds, he never expected that the Crown Prince would dare to get involved in this matter.

In Da Chen, abducting and trafficking innocent women is a serious crime punishable by beheading, and the emperor detests it greatly.

If the Emperor knew that the Crown Prince had done such a thing, he would surely be disappointed in him.

"Is this true?" Lu Zhan asked.

“It’s absolutely true! One of the Crown Prince’s men, named Feng Ziliang, does this for him. He gathers women abducted from various places, locks them up in one place, trains them, and then sells them to different regions. All the money he earns is given to the Crown Prince.” Chen Jiu said indignantly, “How could the Crown Prince, who is supposed to be the heir apparent, do such a heinous thing!” Lu Zhan sneered, “The Crown Prince has done countless heinous things. This is probably just the tip of the iceberg. However, this incident is enough to make the Emperor greatly disappointed in him.”

Upon hearing this, Chen Jiu was somewhat invigorated. The Crown Prince was unworthy of the position, and if he were to ascend the throne in the future, the people would surely suffer greatly. It would be better to depose him now.

"Your Highness, what should we do next?" Chen Jiu asked, clenching his fist.

Lu Zhan asked, "Have you found out where those women are being held?"

“I’ve already found it,” Chen Jiu replied.

Lu Zhan pondered for a moment and said, "The autumn hunt is just around the corner. If the Emperor and all the officials see those women, even if the Emperor wants to protect the Crown Prince, I'm afraid he won't be able to."

Chen Jiu's eyes lit up. "I'll get on it right away."

"Be careful, don't let the news leak out," Lu Zhan cautioned.

"Yes."

……

A few days later, Zhiwan's wedding dress was finished, and Madam Wei personally delivered it to her.

Ouyang Zhenzhu happened to be there too, and when she saw Zhiwan's wedding dress, she was amazed. "This wedding dress is so beautiful."

"Really? I think it looks beautiful too." Madam Wei smiled and urged Zhiwan to change. "Go try it on and see if it fits. If it doesn't fit, there's still time. We can ask them to alter it."

"Wanwan, hurry up and put it on for us to see," Ouyang Zhenzhu urged, eager to see Wanwan in her wedding dress.

Zhiwan also wanted to see if the wedding dress fit, so she went and changed into it as instructed.

When she came out of the inner room in her wedding dress, Ouyang Zhenzhu was stunned. "Wanwan, you are so beautiful."

Madam Wei nodded repeatedly in praise, saying, "Our Wan'er is already beautiful, but she looks even more beautiful in this wedding dress. The dress also fits her perfectly."

Upon hearing this, Zhiwan looked in the mirror.

The reflection in the mirror showed her wearing a bright red wedding dress, looking absolutely stunning.

"Miss, the young master has arrived." At this moment, Shuang'er walked in and reported.

Before Zhiwan could react, she heard Ouyang Zhenzhu say with a grin, "Lord Lu has arrived just in time! Shuang'er, quickly invite Lord Lu in!"

Zhiwan was startled and quickly stopped her, "No..."

But Shuang'er had already turned and left.

Upon seeing this, Zhiwan hurriedly lifted her skirt and tried to enter the inner room, but was stopped by Wei.

She smiled and reassured him, "It's alright, let your cousin take a look, it won't hurt, we're all here anyway."

But Zhiwan still felt a little awkward and uncomfortable; she wasn't ready to show it to her cousin yet.

But she had no chance to back down, because Lu Zhan quickly followed Shuang'er in.

When Lu Zhan saw Zhi Wan standing in the room in a bright red wedding dress, he was stunned for a moment.

However, upon seeing his mother and Ouyang Zhenzhu beside him, he quickly regained his composure.

"Mother," he greeted Madam Wei in a low voice.

Ouyang Zhenzhu, who was waiting to see the show, was somewhat disappointed to see his indifferent reaction. Wanwan is so beautiful, how could Lord Lu's reaction be so bland?

Thinking about it, she said unwillingly, "Lord Lu, did you see the wedding dress Wanwan was wearing?"

Ahem, I've started a new book. Please check it out when you have time. The title is "After a Night of Passion with a Powerful Minister, My True Identity Was Exposed." Please give it your support!