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

Chapter 8 Lu Zhan: You want me to come and drag you over?

Zhiwan froze. Wasn't this referring to her?
"Do you want me to come and drag you over?" the man's deep voice rang out again.

Zhiwan felt a chill run down her spine. Not daring to take any chances, she took Shuang'er and went outside.

Lu Zhan was not wearing his official robes today. Instead, he wore a moon-white robe, which was different from his usual imposing and awe-inspiring official robes. The moon-white color made him look exceptionally noble and elegant. From a distance, he looked like a refined and graceful young master.

But the murderous aura that this "young master" exuded in just a few words frightened the Minister's daughter so much that she turned pale and left without any dignity.

If he finds out that he's eavesdropping, how will he punish him?

Zhiwan felt uneasy.

Upon approaching the man, she felt an even stronger sense of oppressive authority, and cautiously curtsied, saying, "Cousin, cousin."

Noticing the man's gaze, she quickly added before he could speak, "We just happened to be passing by and didn't mean to eavesdrop."

Lu Zhan didn't speak, but simply looked down at his little cousin.

Just now, I caught a glimpse outside the moon gate and realized that the little girl I remembered as still innocent had grown up.

Looking at her up close now, I was surprised to find that my little cousin has grown into such a beautiful young woman.

Thinking of this, he took two steps back without making a sound, in order to create some distance.

Seeing that he remained silent for a long time and instead took two steps back, Zhiwan became even more anxious.

Her cousin was not only angry at her for eavesdropping, but also seemed to despise her!
Realizing this, Zhiwan lowered her head further and further, her fair forehead already damp with a layer of fine sweat, and she deeply regretted eavesdropping.

But she thought to herself, she hadn't heard anything confidential.

But that Miss Lin seems to be the wife my aunt is looking for for my cousin.

But my cousin scared the person away.

Thinking of this, she had a sudden inspiration and quickly whispered a promise: "Cousin, don't worry, I won't tell anyone."

"What is it that can't be told to others?" Lu Zhan narrowed his dark eyes and asked in a deep voice.

Zhiwan: "..."

She opened her mouth, wondering whether she should remind him of the time he threatened Miss Lin.

After thinking for a moment, she gently reminded her, "Aunt... really likes Miss Lin."

"So?" Lu Zhan raised an eyebrow.

“Miss Lin…you scared her away,” Zhiwan whispered.

"I'm just telling the truth," Lu Zhan said dismissively.

Zhiwan blinked, and seeing that he didn't seem to intend to punish her, she cautiously asked, "Then... if there's nothing else, may I leave?"

Lu Zhan observed her cautious and careful demeanor, and after a moment, nodded, "Mm."

Zhiwan breathed a sigh of relief and was about to leave when she suddenly heard her cousin add in a cold, deep voice, "Don't listen to what you shouldn't hear, understand?"

Zhiwan said with shame, "I know, I will never dare to do it again."

"Ah Zhan! Oh, Wan'er is here too?" Just then, Madam Wei walked over.

"Aunt," Zhiwan called out urgently, as if she had found a savior.

Madam Wei approached, patted her hand, looked at Lu Zhan, and asked in an annoyed tone, "Where is Miss Lin?"

Lu Zhan paused, said nothing, but glanced at Zhi Wan.

Zhiwan noticed this and quietly retreated behind Wei Shi.

Wei was taller than her, so she stood behind Wei, which effectively concealed her figure.

Little did she know, Lu Zhan had already seen through her little tricks.

His dark eyes narrowed slightly, and his voice deepened, "Mother, ask my cousin."

Zhiwan froze. Why was she being asked that?

It was her cousin who scared the person away; what does it have to do with her? Madam Wei asked in surprise, "Why ask Wan'er?"

"My cousin knows what happened. I have things to take care of, so I'm leaving now." Lu Zhan glanced at the direction behind her, left a sentence, and went straight away.

Wei shouted somewhat angrily, "The flower viewing banquet isn't over yet!"

Lu Zhan had already gone far away.

The Wei family was somewhat frustrated.

This unfilial son, she meticulously planned everything, but he paid no attention to it whatsoever.

"By the way, Wan'er, do you know what happened? Where is Miss Lin?" Madam Wei asked, turning around.

Seeing that Lu Zhan had left the problem to her and then walked away, Zhi Wan had reason to suspect that her cousin didn't want to deal with her aunt.

Faced with her aunt's question, she couldn't hide it, so she told her everything that had just happened.

Upon hearing this, Madam Wei was indeed furious. "I thought Lin Yutang was a well-educated, intelligent, and virtuous girl. I never expected her to be so stupid as to do something like this, almost harming your cousin. I really misjudged her this time!"

“You can’t blame your aunt for this. You can know a person’s face but not their heart. Besides, your aunt hasn’t had much contact with Miss Lin, so how would she know what kind of person she is?” Zhiwan comforted her.

Lin Yutang's behavior was indeed inappropriate.

She didn't know anything about the imperial court, but from their conversation, it seemed that the reason Miss Li's father was sentenced to exile was because he was involved in corruption.

In this dynasty, corruption is a serious crime.

All officials who are guilty of embezzlement and bribery must undergo a joint trial by the three judicial departments before being judged by the Emperor. However, Lin Yutang brought the daughter of a convicted official to the Duke of Dingguo's mansion in a blatant manner and even went to Lu Zhan, the Minister of the Court of Judicial Review, to plead for leniency. Was she questioning the ability of the three judicial departments to handle cases, or was she questioning the Emperor's judgment?
If this gets out to those with ulterior motives, not only will Lu Zhan be impeached, but the Duke of Dingguo's mansion will also likely get into trouble.

Lin Yutang, however, was completely unaware of the serious implications of this situation. Relying on her aunt's favor, she arrogantly demanded that Lu Zhan give her face.

The law seemed like child's play to her.

Looking back now, my cousin was actually being polite to them. If he had really reported it to the imperial court, the Lin family would probably have been finished.

Madam Wei clutched her chest, sighed, and said, "Forget it, let's not talk about that person anymore."

Seeing that she was still angry, Zhiwan said, "Aunt, shall I help you to sit in the pavilion for a while?"

"it is good."

Upon arriving at the pavilion, Zhiwan poured a cup of tea for Wei Shi.

After drinking the tea, Madam Wei turned around and saw her sitting quietly and obediently to the side. Her anger turned to joy. She patted her hand and asked with a smile, "Did you see a suitable gentleman today?"

Zhiwan honestly shook her head, "Not yet." She hadn't even had time to look yet, first she encountered that scumbag Wang Zeren, and then she stumbled upon the two girls, Lin and Li, pleading with their cousin.

"It's alright. There are many talented young men here for the flower viewing banquet today. Let's take our time and enjoy them," Madam Wei encouraged.

Zhiwan nodded shyly, "Mm."

When the two returned to the garden, a group of young men and women from prominent families were discussing and appraising several pots of fine camellias, creating quite a lively scene.

Just then, someone shouted, "Miss Zhiwan is here!"

The young men from prominent families all raised their heads and looked at Zhiwan.

The girl had an almond-shaped face and peach-like cheeks, and her beautiful eyes were bright and charming. When she looked at people, she appeared delicate and sweet, making people unable to help but feel affection for her.

All the scions of prominent families present were captivated by Zhiwan's beauty.

When she entered the park, everyone thought she was exceptionally beautiful. Now, upon closer inspection, they felt that she was so beautiful that she seemed otherworldly.

When the young ladies saw how favored Zhiwan was, some were envious, and some were jealous.

"She's just an orphan, what's so special about her?"

Someone in the crowd said something.

Zhiwan was used to hearing such words and didn't feel anything, but Madam Wei's face immediately darkened.

Her gaze swept across the faces of the young ladies, then she raised her voice and said, "Zhiwan is my niece, and I have always treated her as my own daughter. Anyone who dares to look down on her is looking down on my Duke Dingguo's mansion!"

(End of this chapter)