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

Chapter 3 Suffering
"What are you doing?" Shuang'er realized what was happening and angrily pushed the maid, but was slapped by Lu Xin.

"You dog lackey, don't you know where you are? This isn't your Zhi family's place, where do you think you are to run wild? Apologize to my men!"

Shuang'er was already indignant at being slapped for no reason, and now she was forced to apologize, which made her feel extremely humiliated, and her eyes filled with tears.

But considering her young mistress's situation, she held back and said to the maid, "Yes..."

"Snapped!"

Suddenly, Zhiwan raised her hand and slapped the maid hard across the face, interrupting Shuang'er's words.

The air fell silent.

Shuang'er looked at her young mistress in surprise.

The maid who had been hit had finally realized what was happening. She covered her stinging face and angrily said, "Miss, what right do you have to hit me?"

Zhiwan subtly flicked her hand behind her back, a fierce glint flashing in her eyes. "You deliberately tore off our handkerchiefs, causing the petals to fall to the ground, and then deliberately trampled our petals. A slap was too lenient! You're the ones who should apologize!"

Upon hearing this, the maid felt a pang of guilt. Seeing her usually timid cousin suddenly speaking in a sharp tone, she felt a sense of fear and couldn't help but take a step back.

Lu Xin was clearly also taken aback by Zhi Wan's performance.

In the past, even if Zhiwan was bullied, she would not utter a word, let alone fight back.

But today, he changed his usual timid nature and actually stood up for the maid.

She was somewhat surprised.

But she was used to bullying Zhiwan and enjoyed seeing her swallow her anger, so how could she tolerate Zhiwan's change?
Her face darkened, and she took a step forward, attempting to use her imposing manner to subdue Zhiwan. She said coldly, "Zhiwan, do you dare to hit my people?"

When Zhiwan saw her like this, she found it both ridiculous and laughable.

She used to be tolerant in every way, partly because Lu Xin only gained some verbal advantage, and partly because she didn't want to make things difficult for her aunt.

But now that Lu Xin has already taken action, why should she still hold back?

Besides, her aunt is already arranging her marriage, and she should be getting married soon and leaving the Duke of Dingguo's mansion. As for Lu Xin, she won't care about her at all.

Faced with Lu Xin's overbearing attitude, Zhi Wan's lips curled into a smile, "Why wouldn't I dare? You were the one who hit my people first!"

Lu Xin's pupils contracted, and she stared at her in disbelief.

This bitch isn't afraid of me?
Because she was not used to it, Lu Xin was stunned for a moment.

"Also, that bag of flower petals was something Shuang'er and I painstakingly picked out over half a day, but your people destroyed it. Remember to pick out new ones and send them to Yaoguang Pavilion, otherwise I will definitely ask my aunt to take charge of this matter!" As she said this, Zhiwan stopped smiling and her tone became more serious.

Lu Xin was so angry that her chest heaved rapidly.

That little bitch Zhiwan deserves to be trampled underfoot. What right does she have to act so arrogantly towards her?
She suddenly let out a cold laugh and said sarcastically, "Zhiwan, you eat our Duke's food and live in our Duke's mansion, what are you so arrogant about in front of me? Where do you get the nerve? Aren't you afraid of being kicked out of the Duke's mansion?"

Zhiwan looked at Lu Xin with disdain, "The Duke's mansion is not your place to make decisions. You want to kick me out? Who do you think you are?"

Lu Xin's face flushed red and then turned pale. Her hand trembled as she pointed at Zhi Wan, "You, you, you dare to disregard me?"

Zhiwan scoffed and said impatiently, "Remember to deliver the flower petals to Yaoguang Pavilion, or I'll keep my word and ask my aunt to take charge!"

Lu Xin was so angry she felt like her lungs were about to explode, but ultimately, out of consideration for the Wei family, she didn't dare to make any more noise.

Her dear aunt treats that little slut Zhiwan much better than her own niece. If things really escalate to her level, her aunt will definitely side with Zhiwan, and she won't get any benefit at all; she might even be punished.

Lu Xin grew angrier and more resentful the more she thought about it.

Why should an orphan girl be able to lord it over her?
She is the only legitimate daughter in the Duke's mansion.

But ever since Zhiwan arrived, she has not been as valued.

She was especially jealous when she saw her aunt's special affection for Zhiwan.

So whenever she had the chance, she would teach Zhiwan a lesson and ridicule her.

In the past, even when Zhiwan suffered a loss at her hands, she would not retaliate or complain to her aunt, which emboldened her.

Every time she saw Zhiwan being bullied by her and unable to speak out in anger, she felt extremely happy.

But who would have thought that this little bitch Zhiwan would actually dare to confront her today, contrary to her usual behavior?
Lu Xin felt a surge of anger.

She stared at Zhiwan's retreating figure, a venomous glint in her eyes. She wouldn't let this go so easily!
"Miss, should I...should I pick flower petals for Miss Biao?" Xing'er asked softly, seeing her pale face.

Lu Xin glared at her and said, "You figure it out yourself!" Then she turned and left.

Xing'er resignedly squatted down and picked up the magnolia petals.

Yaoguang Pavilion.

As soon as Zhiwan returned to the room, she wrung out a wet cloth and applied it to Shuang'er's bruised face as a cold compress.

"Does it still hurt?"

Shuang'er smiled and shook her head, "This servant doesn't feel any pain anymore."

"You're still laughing?" Zhiwan said helplessly.

Shuang'er praised, "Miss was so amazing just now. Even Miss Lu San couldn't get the better of you."

Zhiwan said apologetically, "I've made you suffer because of me."

Shuang'er's expression changed. "Miss, please don't say that. It's a blessing for me to follow you. I'm happy to do so. How could it be a burden?"

Zhiwan was touched, but felt even more guilty.

Shuang'er was a maid in the Zhi family. After the Zhi family had an accident, all the servants left, but Shuang'er stayed and followed her to the Duke of Dingguo's mansion.

Over the years, she has been fortunate to have Shuang'er by her side, encouraging her.

But when problems arose, she always tried to avoid trouble, causing Shuang'er to suffer a lot of grievances.

Surprisingly, Shuang'er never complained about her.

"I will protect you from now on and never let you suffer again," Zhiwan said earnestly.

Shuang'er's eyes welled up with tears as she gripped her mistress's hand tightly, saying, "This servant will protect you with my life."

"Let's not talk about life or death, we all need to live well," Zhiwan said.

Shuang'er nodded, then, thinking of something, said worriedly, "But Miss, we have thoroughly offended the Third Miss today. With her narrow-mindedness, she certainly won't let it go so easily."

Zhiwan knew, of course, that Lu Xin would not give up so easily.

But over the years, she had been too tolerant, yet she hadn't gained any peace and quiet. Instead, Lu Xin had become even more ruthless towards her.

Therefore, she did not regret offending Lu Xin today.

Besides, once she gets married, Lu Xin will be even less of a threat.

"Don't worry, if she dares to mess with us again, we'll teach her a lesson."

Seeing that her mistress showed no fear, Shuang'er felt much more at ease.

In the afternoon, Xing'er brought over the magnolia petals she had picked.

Shuang'er gave it to Zhiwan for inspection.

After examining the petals and finding them all intact, Zhiwan said nothing and sent Xing'er back.

Two days passed peacefully.

That day, just after Zhiwan finished breakfast, Granny Fang came over and said that Madam Wei wanted to take her out.

Zhiwan didn't ask any more questions. After getting ready, she went to the front yard to wait.

As soon as she reached the front courtyard, she heard servants bowing, "Your Highness."

Lu Zhan?

Zhiwan instinctively tried to dodge, but it was too late; the man's tall figure had already stepped through the door.

Upon seeing her cousin, Zhiwan felt a surge of nervousness, but she could only brace herself and step forward to greet him, saying, "Cousin, cousin."

(End of this chapter)