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

Chapter 98 Seduction
Looking at his serious, handsome face, Zhiwan suddenly hesitated, afraid that she had guessed wrong.

Seeing the girl's hesitation, Lu Zhan softened his voice, "Don't be afraid, just speak freely."

Upon hearing this, Zhiwan voiced her suspicions, "I think there might be something wrong with that Liu Niang."

Lu Zhan raised an eyebrow slightly and asked calmly, "What's the problem?"

Zhiwan frowned and said, "Last night, when Granny Fang and Shuang'er were helping Liu Niang change her clothes, they found that she was covered in wounds, as if she had been abused for a long time. But today in Liu Niang's cabin, I saw that she had a beautiful face and her exposed skin was smooth and delicate, not like someone who was in a difficult life. Later, she calmly asked us where we were going.

Her reaction and behavior were completely unlike that of someone who had experienced darkness and survived a near-death experience.

Lu Zhan was somewhat surprised, not expecting his cousin to be so thoughtful.

He praised her, saying, "My cousin is incredibly meticulous and observant."

Zhiwan felt embarrassed by the praise. Her cousin was the Minister of the Court of Judicial Review, and if she could observe these things, he must have noticed them long ago.

She seems to have been showing off her limited skills before an expert.

Thinking of this, she blushed and hurriedly said, "I...I'll go back first."

Seeing the little girl's embarrassment, Lu Zhan wanted to say a few words of comfort, but in the end he gave up and only instructed her: "The journey ahead may not be peaceful. You and Granny Fang should be careful."

Zhiwan glanced at him in surprise, but quickly understood. "I understand."

"Ah."

Back in her cabin, Zhiwan carefully gave a few instructions to Granny Fang and Shuang'er.

Both of them became somewhat nervous after hearing this.

"Could it be that this waterway is not peaceful, and there are water bandits?" Granny Fang asked worriedly.

Upon hearing this, Shuang'er's face turned pale with fright. "Water bandits?"

“Don’t be too nervous. Your cousin and Duan Shaoqing are here. I’m telling you this so that you can be more vigilant and not sleep too soundly at night,” Zhiwan said.

"Yes," the two replied respectfully, feeling less nervous.

Yes, with the Crown Prince and Duan Shaoqing there, and so many guards accompanying them, even if bandits come to attack, they are not without a chance of winning.

"Also, keep this matter to yourselves and don't make a fuss about it, lest you cause panic," Zhiwan instructed.

“We understand.” The two nodded.

However, after hearing Zhiwan's words, they became more vigilant, and when they slept in the outer room at night, they placed the dagger under their pillows.

After giving instructions to the two women, Zhiwan called Ouyang Zhenzhu into the room and gave her some more instructions so that she would be well-informed.

Because of this, the two of them spent most of their time indoors and rarely went out on the deck.

That evening, Zhiwan felt a bit bored in her cabin, so she thought of standing on the deck for a while to get some fresh air.

Unexpectedly, when he opened the door, he saw Liu Niang talking to Chen Jiu.

"Guard Chen, I would like to thank Lord Lu in person again. Please inform him."

Chen Jiu said expressionlessly, "Madam Liu already thanked my master that day. My master is very busy and cannot receive guests. Please leave."

"How can you be so unreasonable, you little guard?" Liu Niang said coquettishly, her soft, boneless hand about to climb onto Chen Jiu's shoulder, but she saw Zhi Wan coming out from the side, and stopped her movement instantly, bowing to Zhi Wan, "This concubine greets Miss Zhi."

A look of astonishment flashed across Zhiwan's eyes.

Was Liu Niang trying to seduce Chen Jiu just now?

Also, who told Liu Niang her surname?

She concealed her surprise and said casually, "No need for such formalities, Madam Liu." Madam Liu's eyes darted around, and she smiled and said, "I'm getting bored in the cabin and would like to talk to someone. I wonder if it would be convenient for you, Miss Zhi?"

"It's not very convenient, it's getting late, and I'm going to bed soon." Zhiwan also had a smile on her face.

Liu Niang chuckled, "It's not even completely dark yet, and Miss Zhi is already going to rest?"

Zhiwan sighed, "To be honest, I'm still not used to being on a boat. I can't sleep at night, but I'm so sleepy right now, so I can only go to bed early."

Liu Niang said awkwardly, "Alright then, Miss Zhi, you should rest early. I won't bother you any longer. I'll go and chat with Miss Ouyang for a bit." With that, she swayed away.

Upon seeing this, Zhiwan frowned and looked at the guards on the deck.

Fortunately, they were all well-trained and did not give Liu Niang a second glance.

But Liu Niang is now going to find Ouyang Zhenzhu...

She thought for a moment and said to Granny Fang, "Go quickly and help out in Pearl's room."

Granny Fang understood her meaning and left immediately.

Zhiwan breathed a sigh of relief and turned to look at Chen Jiu.

Chen Jiu felt embarrassed by her gaze and said awkwardly, "She stuck to me on her own." Fortunately, he had been by the young master's side for a long time and had learned his composure. Ordinary seductive vixens could not shake his will in the slightest.

Thinking of this, he puffed out his chest with considerable pride.

Zhiwan, unaware of his thoughts, asked, "What is she doing here?"

Chen Jiu glanced back at the closed cabin door behind him and said in a low voice, "They're probably here to seduce the young master."

Zhiwan was astonished.

“But what kind of person is our young master? He wouldn’t even give a second glance to someone like her,” Chen Jiu said to himself.

Zhiwan couldn't help but say, "Although Liu Niang harbors evil intentions, she is still quite beautiful."

Chen Jiu shook his head. "Compared to the most beautiful courtesans in the capital, they are nothing. The young master has visited every brothel in the capital, but none of them have caught his eye."

"What?" Zhiwan stared at him with wide eyes.

My cousin has visited all the brothels in Beijing?
Chen Jiu then realized he had spoken out of turn, covered his mouth, and said anxiously, "Miss, please pretend you didn't hear it, please don't tell the young master."

As soon as he finished speaking, the cabin door behind him opened, and Lu Zhan stood there.

Chen Jiu's knees buckled, and he almost knelt down, stammering, "Your Highness..."

"Chen Jiu, get out of here and go down to the lower cabin. I don't want to see you these next few days!" Lu Zhan said coldly.

"Yes." Chen Jiu left, looking dejected.

Zhiwan was startled. Seeing her cousin's cold and stern face, she clenched her fists and said, "Cousin, although Ajiu misspoke, he didn't mean to slander you. Could you please not be angry with him for the sake of his loyalty to you?"

"Ah Jiu? Are you close to him?" Lu Zhan asked casually.

Zhiwan was taken aback, then explained, "Ajiu has helped me a lot. He's hardworking and honest, and we've gotten to know each other quite well, so..."

"So you think I'm moody and hard to please?" Lu Zhan raised his eyes and looked at her calmly.

Zhi Wan frowned, suddenly finding him somewhat incomprehensible.

My cousin was acting strangely tonight.

He didn't seem that angry, so why did he still send Ajiu to the lower cabin?
I updated three chapters today, and I didn't even go out all day!
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(End of this chapter)