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

Chapter 6 Flower Banquet
"The flower-viewing banquet the day after tomorrow is not only to choose a husband for Wan'er, but also to choose a wife for you. You wear your official robes all day long, which scare away the young girls. Of course you should wear your everyday clothes," Madam Wei said matter-of-factly.

Lu Zhanjun's face darkened, and he said to Chen Jiu, "Go quickly and stop Ouyang Lei."

Chen Jiu hesitated, "I'm afraid Ouyang Shaoqing has already boarded the ship and left..."

"What do you mean by stopping Lei Zi?" Wei asked, puzzled.

Lu Zhan: "..." He pinched the bridge of his nose, feeling a little regretful. If he had known, he would have gone to Xuzhou himself, so he wouldn't have had to attend the flower viewing banquet.

Seeing his expression, Madam Wei vaguely understood what was going on.

She said angrily, "I went to great lengths to arrange this, and you not only don't appreciate it, but you also want to run away? Lu Zhan, I'm telling you right now, if I don't see you at the flower viewing banquet the day after tomorrow, I'll just pick any girl for you to marry." With that, she threw her robe at him and stormed off with Granny Fang.

Lu Zhan: "..."

"Your Highness, should I stop Ouyang Shaoqing from returning?" Chen Jiu asked inappropriately.

Lu Zhan glanced at him and said coldly, "Didn't you say that Ouyang Lei has probably already boarded the ship and left? You think you can catch up with him?"

Chen Jiu: "..."

He muttered to himself, "The flower appreciation banquet wasn't something I asked my wife to host. The young master is just taking his anger out on me!"
……

On the day of the flower-viewing banquet, Zhiwan got up early to wash and dress up.

Thinking of what Madam Wei had said that many talented young men would be coming today, she pondered for a while and then chose a pomegranate red dress to change into.

This was the one that Wei Shi took her to pick out at the Brocade Pavilion that day.

Her skin was already fair, and wearing the pomegranate red dress made her skin look even whiter and more delicate.

Shuang'er, with her skillful hands, styled Zhiwan's hair into a cloud-like bun. She then took out the jewelry that Wei had chosen for Zhiwan at the Treasure Pavilion last time and adorned Zhiwan's hair with it.

"Miss, look at this makeup, is it alright?" After a moment, Shuang'er put down the comb and asked her mistress with a smile.

Zhiwan looked into the mirror.

In front of her hair bun was a finely crafted and beautifully delicate hair ornament, with flowers adorned with rubies that sparkled brilliantly. A gold hairpin shaped like a butterfly was inserted diagonally into her hair bun, with dangling beads that swayed gently with her movements, making her look bright and lively, yet still noble and elegant.

Zhiwan admired herself in the mirror for a while, then nodded in satisfaction. "That's fine."

Before leaving, Shuang'er took a shawl that matched the color of her dress and had Zhiwan drape it over her arm.

Just then, Granny Fang came to fetch her. Seeing Zhiwan's charming and beautiful appearance, she praised her highly, saying, "Miss, you are truly beautiful! This dress suits you perfectly!"

“It was my aunt who picked out the dress,” Zhiwan said with a smile.

"Madam's vision has always been exceptional," Fang Mama said with a smile. "Since Miss is ready, let's head to the garden first. The guests have already started arriving."

"it is good."

Zhiwan followed Granny Fang to the garden.

When they reached the garden entrance, it was already quite lively inside, and they could hear various sounds of laughter and conversation coming from afar.

"Your Highness." Suddenly, Granny Fang stopped and bowed respectfully.

Zhiwan's thoughts were on the guests who had come today. Suddenly hearing Granny Fang bow, she looked ahead somewhat slowly.

At the moon gate, a noble man stood with his hands behind his back.

Perhaps he heard Granny Fang's voice, because he turned his head to look over.

Zhiwan's eyes unexpectedly met his deep gaze.

Zhiwan was startled, and when she came to her senses, her long, curled eyelashes trembled. She wondered to herself: Why did I run into my cousin again?

But since she was still standing there, she couldn't turn around and leave, so she took two steps forward, curtsied, and said, "Wan'er greets her cousin."

"Hmm." Lu Zhan responded in a low voice, his gaze sweeping over her as he said calmly, "Let's go in." With that, he took the lead and entered the garden.

Zhiwan secretly breathed a sigh of relief. After Lu Zhan had walked seven or eight steps away, she slowly stepped into the garden and followed at a distance.

As the two stepped into the garden one after the other, the sounds of conversation and laughter inside vanished, and all eyes turned to them.

The girls blushed and stole glances at Lu Zhan, while the young men looked at Zhi Wan with amazement.

"I thought I wouldn't be able to see Lord Lu Zhan today," a young woman muttered in annoyance. If she had known Lu Zhan would appear, she should have dressed up more carefully today.

"Who is that little girl?" a young man asked curiously, looking at Zhiwan.

"I heard she's a distant niece of the Duchess of Dingguo." Someone with inside information immediately provided the answer.

Zhiwan followed behind Lu Zhan, ignoring the sounds.

Several scions of prominent families saw Lu Zhan and immediately went up to him to strike up a conversation.

"Lord Temple Minister."

Lu Zhan stopped and nodded slightly to the group.

While exchanging pleasantries with others, Madam Wei noticed her son and Zhiwan, but ignored her son and waved to Zhiwan, saying, "Wan'er."

Zhiwan glanced at her cousin walking ahead and saw him exchanging pleasantries with the guests. She then walked towards Madam Wei without stopping and curtsied to her, saying, "Aunt."

Looking at her attire, Madam Wei's eyes and brows were filled with joy.

Her daughter, Wan'er, was naturally beautiful; with just a little makeup, she was breathtakingly gorgeous.

Madam Wei was quite proud; this was the girl she had raised.

"How did you end up with that rebellious son?" Madam Wei asked softly, holding Zhiwan's hand.

Who was the rebellious son she was referring to? Needless to say, it was Lu Zhan.

“We met outside the Moon Gate,” Zhi Wan replied softly.

Madam Wei suddenly realized, "So that's how it is." She glanced at her son, who was still exchanging pleasantries with the guests, and quickly asked Granny Fang, "Has Miss Lin arrived?"

"I didn't see him," Granny Fang shook her head.

"Quickly send someone to wait outside the gate. Report to them immediately when they arrive," Madam Wei instructed. She had finally caught her son and couldn't let him make excuses again.

She thought highly of Miss Lin and believed her son would like her when he met her.

Granny Fang went to make the arrangements.

"Many talented young men have come today. Wan'er, you should take a good look. If you see one you like, be sure to tell your aunt." Madam Wei turned her head and whispered to Zhiwan.

Zhiwan lowered her head shyly and replied softly, "I understand, Aunt."

Mrs. Wei patted her hand with satisfaction, "Go and have fun."

Zhiwan then took Shuang'er for a stroll in the garden.

Just as she reached the waterside pavilion, a refined-looking man suddenly approached her, bowed, and said, "I am Wang Zeren, greetings to Miss Zhiwan."

Zhiwan glanced at him discreetly, then curtsied and said, "Greetings, sir. Please, go ahead." With that, she led Shuang'er into the waterside pavilion.

"Miss, Young Master Wang has come in." Shuang'er tugged at Zhiwan's sleeve and whispered a reminder.

Zhiwan turned around and saw Wang Zeren following closely behind her. She immediately became alert. "Does Young Master Wang have anything else to say?"

Wang Zeren opened his folding fan, his eyes fixed on her face, and exclaimed, "Miss Zhiwan is truly the most beautiful woman I have ever seen in my life."

Shuang'er's expression changed, and she quickly stepped in front of Zhiwan, "Young Master Wang, please have some self-respect."

Wang Zeren impatiently pushed her away and scolded, "What's it to you?" When he looked at Zhiwan, a lewd light flashed in his eyes. He said dismissively, "I've inquired. You're just an orphan living in the Duke of Dingguo's mansion. It's your good fortune that I'm willing to take a second look at you. How about it? Be my concubine. I'll definitely treat you well."

(End of this chapter)