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

Chapter 46 Taking Angry Out on Zhiwan

Zhiwan felt warm inside, sensing Ouyang Zhenzhu's genuine concern, even though she understood everything Ouyang Zhenzhu said.

"I understand, don't worry, I'll be careful."

After what happened these past two days, she has seen through Wei Jinyi's character and will no longer associate with her.

"That's good." Ouyang Zhenzhu was relieved. "I'll come see you another day."

"it is good."

After seeing Ouyang Zhenzhu off, Zhiwan calmed down and stayed in the room to paint diligently.

Undisturbed, Zhiwan stayed in Yaoguang Pavilion painting for two consecutive days and did not go anywhere else.

That day, she had accumulated twenty paintings and planned to take them to the bookstore and hand them over to Manager Jin.

After resting for a while, Shuang'er's health had improved significantly, so Zhiwan decided to take Shuang'er out and have her go sightseeing.

When Shuang'er learned that Zhi Wan's painting was to be sold to a bookstore, she was very happy for her. She carefully wrapped the painting and carried it on her back.

The master and servant had just left Yaoguang Pavilion and were about to go to the front yard when they saw Wei Jinyi walking towards them, fanning herself with a round fan.

"Sister Zhiwan, are you going out?" Wei Jinyi asked with concern, but her eyes glanced discreetly at the bundle on Shuang'er's back.

Seeing the gentle smile on her face, Zhiwan recalled the cold look in her eyes that day in the garden.

That day, Wei Jinyi was clearly angry with her because her goal had not been achieved.

Recalling what happened that day, Zhiwan responded indifferently, "Yes."

Upon hearing this, Wei Jinyi quickly replied, "I was just thinking of going out for a walk too, let's go together..."

"I'm afraid it's inconvenient, I have other appointments with you," Zhiwan interrupted her.

Wei Jinyi's smile froze slightly, and her fingers tightened around the fan.

"We're in a hurry, please excuse us," Zhiwan said, and then left with Shuang'er.

Staring at her retreating figure, Wei Jinyi's smile vanished completely, replaced by a gloomy expression.

She's just an orphan, what's with the arrogance?
If it weren't for that wretched girl ruining her plans that day, she would have already gotten involved with her cousin.

Thinking about this, she became anxious.

Her plans to get closer to her cousin have repeatedly failed, and she can't stay in the Duke of Dingguo's mansion for long. What should she do?

Unfortunately, that wretched girl Zhiwan seems to be wary of her, so her plan to use Zhiwan to get close to her cousin is probably not going to work.

In fact, it wasn't just Zhiwan who was wary of her; even her aunt was.

Every time she got close to Qingyun Residence, or the place where her cousin would appear, a maid would appear and stop her in time.

If she can't win over her cousin, wouldn't her trip have been in vain?
Once she returned to the Wei family, she had even less chance to get close to her cousin.

Wei Jinyi became increasingly anxious and once again took her anger out on Zhiwan.

That day in the garden, such a good opportunity was ruined by Zhiwan.

Upon returning to Lanyuan, she went directly to see Madam Wei.

"aunt."

Ms. Wei was standing by the window, holding scissors, trimming the flowers on the window.

Seeing Wei Jinyi's hesitant expression, I casually asked, "What's wrong?" Wei Jinyi hesitated for a moment before saying, "Actually, it's nothing. I just ran into Sister Zhiwan. She and her maid were carrying a bulging bundle and were about to go out. When she saw me, she looked very flustered. I wanted to go out with her, but she refused. It seemed like she didn't want me to come along."

After she finished speaking, she looked disappointed.

Wei paused for a moment, then continued pruning the flowers as if nothing had happened. "Since Wan'er doesn't want you to come along, then forget it. If you want to go out, I'll have someone accompany you."

Wei Jinyi frowned slightly.

Was what she just said really that hard to understand?
Can't your aunt understand that she's implying that Zhiwan stole things from the mansion to sell?
After thinking for a moment, she said with feigned concern, "Aunt, I feel that Sister Zhiwan is acting strangely today. Has she encountered some difficulties? For example, is she short of money and has no choice but to sell the belongings left to her by her parents?"

She knew all about Zhiwan's family situation. She had heard that they had been robbed of everything by bandits, and her parents had also died tragically at the hands of the bandits. So, what belongings could Zhiwan's parents have left her?
She couldn't directly say that Zhiwan had stolen things from the manor to sell, so she could only say it that way.

Aunt knew Zhiwan's family situation better than anyone else. After hearing her words, she would definitely realize that Zhiwan was selling things from the mansion.

After speaking, Fu Jinyi quietly observed Wei's reaction.

Wei continued pruning the flowers in the flowerpots, completely unaffected by her words. "Jinyi, if you have nothing to do, go back to your room and read a book, or do some embroidery."

Upon hearing this, Wei Jinyi frowned slightly, almost imperceptibly.

She couldn't believe that her aunt didn't react at all, and instead told her to go back to her room.

She glanced discreetly at Wei's expression.

My aunt must have taken her words to heart, right?
However, Zhiwan was, after all, the child of her aunt's friend, and had always lived in the Duke's mansion. Her aunt had never treated Zhiwan badly, but Zhiwan's act of stealing must have already chilled her aunt's heart.

They're just too proud to show it, but they probably already have a grudge in their hearts.

Thinking about it, Wei Jinyi smiled slightly and said, "Then I'll go back to my room."

As soon as she left, Madam Wei stopped pruning.

Granny Fang frowned and said, "Did Cousin Zhiwan really take something out of the manor to sell? But the Zhi family didn't leave behind anything valuable back then. Could it be that Cousin Zhiwan is..."

"Don't talk nonsense, Wan'er isn't that kind of person!" Madam Wei scolded.

Granny Fang shut her mouth.

They also felt that given Miss Biao's character, it was impossible for her to steal things from the mansion and sell them outside.

Moreover, the lady has never mistreated Miss Cousin; Miss Cousin's food, clothing, and daily necessities are all comparable to those of the young ladies in the manor.

"Surely Miss Wei Wubiao wouldn't speak carelessly, would she? Or perhaps she made a mistake?"

Madam Wei picked up her teacup, took a sip, and brought up another matter, "These past few days, I've had you keep an eye on Jin Yi's behavior. Has she done anything out of line?"

"Regarding the incident in the garden where she fell into the water, this old servant had someone investigate, and it should have been just an accident. However, on that day, the young master happened to be passing by the garden with two colleagues, and it was the young master who lent a hand and rescued Miss Wei Wubiao. However, the young master did not have any direct contact with her."

"But these past two days, Miss Wei Wubiao has been appearing unintentionally near Qingyun Residence, or wherever the young master appears. However, she hasn't had a chance to get close to the young master; she's been stopped by the people this old servant arranged," Granny Fang replied truthfully.

Wei seemed to be deep in thought. "Was it really just an accident?"

Granny Fang remained silent.

Wei Jinyi was, after all, the lady's own niece, and it was not appropriate for a servant like her to judge her so casually.

Madam Wei rubbed her temples. Wei Jinyi was her brother's daughter, and she didn't want to slander her, so she said, "Have someone keep a close eye on her. Let her stay a few more days, and then send her back."

"Yes."

"In addition," Madam Wei paused, took out a few silver notes from her private stash, and handed them to Granny Fang, "when Wan'er comes back, send these to her. She is an adult now, and she has made friends. She has social engagements and expenses. Having more silver on her will give her more confidence when interacting with others."

(End of this chapter)