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

Chapter 119 What man isn't lustful?

Realizing what was happening, Duan Ling said angrily, "It's just a cup of tea, and you won't even give me a drink!"

Lu Zhan glanced at him indifferently, then finished the tea in his cup. "This cup wasn't poured for you."

Duan Ling asked in surprise, "If it wasn't poured for me, then who was it poured for? Before I came, who else had been here?"

"No one." Faced with his question, Lu Zhan subconsciously concealed the fact that Zhi Wan had just come by.

Duan Ling's heart skipped a beat, and he teased, "Could it be that some girl has come?" Before Lu Zhan could say anything, he quickly got up and started searching the room for the girl, muttering, "The cup is still warm, maybe that girl is hiding in the room."

However, after walking around and even searching behind the door, he still couldn't find any girl.

"Old Lu, did I come at the wrong time and interrupt your good time?" Duan Ling smiled meaningfully.

Lu Zhan's temple throbbed, and he said coldly, "What do you want from me?"

Speaking of this, Duan Ling became completely dejected. He sat down again, picked up a cup, and poured himself a cup of tea. "I'm so tired of being on the ship every day. Can't I even get off the ship to relax? Let me stay here with you for a few days."

“There are still bandits and stolen goods on board. This is a matter of great importance and cannot be taken lightly. We must not make any mistakes before the officials sent by the imperial court arrive to take over the goods,” Lu Zhan said in a deep voice.

Duan Ling frowned. "Those bandits are all locked up; nothing should go wrong."

"Better safe than sorry!" Lu Zhan said. "This matter has already been reported to the imperial court. If any mistakes are made, neither of us can bear the consequences."

Duan Ling thought for a moment and compromised, saying, "Tonight it is. Tonight you have Jiang Shi and Chen Jiu keep watch on the big ship. I will stay here for one night and go back to the ship tomorrow morning."

Lu Zhan pondered for a moment, then agreed, "Okay."

Duan Ling breathed a sigh of relief and resumed his carefree demeanor. "Old Lu, I've heard that the girls in Yangzhou are all beautiful and interesting. Shall we go and have some fun tonight?"

"I'm not going!" Lu Zhan refused calmly.

Seeing his detached and indifferent appearance, Duan Ling suddenly scoffed, "There's no need to pretend to be so reserved in front of your brother, is there? I've heard that you visited every brothel in Yangzhou on the very first night you arrived."

We're all men, I know. What man in this world isn't lustful? If there is, then there's definitely something wrong with him.

Lu Zhan's eye twitched suspiciously, and he said coldly, "Do you think everyone is like you?"

Duan Ling frowned, unconvinced, and said, "What's wrong with being like me? A man who isn't a bit of a flirt in his youth is wasting his life! Old Lu, you're just too proper. You're not a womanizer because you're too picky. Speaking of which, my cousin Zhiwan is incredibly beautiful, with natural allure. If she weren't your cousin, I..."

"How are you?" Lu Zhanjun's face darkened, his gaze like icicles, radiating coldness, and his voice carried a hint of murderous intent.

Duan Ling was startled by his murderous look, rubbed her arms, and quickly said, "Nothing, I was just saying."

Lu Zhan lowered his eyes, concealing the coldness within them, and warned in a deep voice, "My cousin is not someone you can joke around with. If I hear her again, don't blame me for turning on you!"

Duan Ling had already regretted it.

They grew up together, and he knew Lao Lu's personality best. No one was allowed to disrespect or even joke with anyone who cared about him.

Besides, his cousin Zhiwan is so pure and innocent, how could he joke about her?

He wiped the cold sweat from his forehead; he had indeed been presumptuous.

"I understand, I won't say it again," he solemnly promised.

"Get out!" Lu Zhan's mood was ruined by him, and his handsome face was still displeased.

Knowing he was in the wrong, Duan Ling quickly left.

……

night.

As soon as Zhiwan and Ouyang Zhenzhu reached the gate of the villa, they heard Duan Ling's smiling voice, "Cousin Zhiwan, little girl Ouyang."

When Zhiwan saw him, her face lit up with joy. She stepped forward and bowed, saying, "Young Master Duan, it's been a long time. How have you been?"

Seeing this, Duan Ling couldn't help but recall his rudeness in Lu Zhan's room that afternoon, and felt a pang of guilt. His cousin was so kind, yet he had spoken to her like that.

It’s so inappropriate!
He coughed lightly and nodded. "Not bad."

Ouyang Zhenzhu glanced at him sideways and said, "So you're still alive. I thought you fell into the river and got eaten by the fish."

Duan Ling paused, then laughed in exasperation, "You're both young ladies, but look at Cousin Zhiwan, how eloquent she is! And look at yourself, where is the air of a proper young lady?"

“You and Lord Lu are both from prominent families. Look at how cultured Lord Lu is, and look at you, full of the vices of a spoiled brat!” Ouyang Zhenzhu said defiantly.

Duan Ling: "..."

Seeing that he was speechless because of her retort, Ouyang Zhenzhu felt a surge of smugness.

Zhiwan was both amused and exasperated. Sure enough, these two would always bicker when they got together.

Fortunately, Lu Zhan came out at that moment, and the two stopped talking.

"Let's go," Lu Zhan said calmly, glancing at the group.

Zhiwan then took Ouyang Zhenzhu's hand and got into the carriage first.

She was worried that Ouyang Zhenzhu would be bored staying alone in the villa, so in the evening she asked Shuang'er to ask Lu Zhan for permission to take Ouyang Zhenzhu to the banquet, and Lu Zhan agreed.

Hongyun Restaurant.

The restaurant, which is usually bustling and lively, is quiet today because the prefect has booked the entire place to entertain distinguished guests.

In front of the restaurant, Liang Qixian, along with several officials and his female family members, had been waiting for a long time.

Zeng Jiayi's legs were aching from standing, and she was very dissatisfied that no one had arrived yet.

Who exactly is this imperial envoy that the prefect and so many other officials are waiting here in person, and that these women are also required to accompany and serve him, simply because the imperial envoy brought his female relatives with him.

"coming."

Someone said something, and everyone immediately looked up.

Sure enough, two magnificent carriages drove up one after the other.

Liang Qixian immediately led his men to meet them.

Lu Zhan got off first, followed by Duan Ling.

"Greetings, Lord Lu." Liang Qixian led a group of officials in bowing and paying their respects.

Lu Zhan nodded slightly, "No need for such formalities."

"Lord Lu, who is this...?" Liang Qixian straightened up and saw Duan Ling. Seeing that he also had an extraordinary temperament, he couldn't help but ask.

"This is Vice Minister Duan of the Court of Judicial Review," Lu Zhan introduced.

Liang Qixian was startled. "I was unaware of Duan Shaoqing's arrival. Please forgive my rudeness."

Duan Ling waved his hand, "Lord Liang, you're too kind. I was just bored today, so I came with Lord Lu to freeload some drinks. Please don't blame me for coming uninvited, Lord Liang."

"You flatter me, Young Master Duan. It is an honor for us that you would grace us with your presence," Liang Qixian quickly replied.

"Lord Liang is quite the talker," Duan Ling laughed heartily, displaying a carefree and unrestrained demeanor.

Upon seeing this, the officials breathed a sigh of relief.

The presence of a high-ranking official in the Court of Judicial Review was already enough to terrify them, but now that a junior official has arrived, they are truly afraid that the political landscape of Yangzhou will change drastically.

Now, seeing that one of them frequents brothels and the other is a playboy, they seem to be nothing to fear.

(End of this chapter)