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

Chapter 12 What kind of good person could this be?

"Oh, by the way, Aunt, Pearl from the Ouyang family said she'll be coming to visit me tomorrow," Zhiwan said, remembering something.

Although she had agreed to Ouyang Zhenzhu's request, she still needed to tell her aunt about it.

"You mean Pearl? That girl is nice. If she wants to come, let her come. You've already come of age, so don't stay cooped up in the mansion all day. Make more friends and go out more. But when you go out, take more people with you," said Madam Wei.

"Thank you, Aunt," Zhiwan said sincerely.

"You little rascal, don't be so formal." Madam Wei tapped her pretty nose.

……

The next day, Ouyang Pearl arrived as promised.

Seeing that Zhiwan lived in a two-story attic, I felt a little envious.

"It seems that Mrs. Lu really dotes on you."

“My aunt is really good to me.” Zhiwan nodded in agreement, took the teacup from Shuang’er, and handed it to Ouyang Zhenzhu.

Ouyang Zhenzhu took the drink, took a sip, and then put it down. Looking at Zhiwan's pretty and obedient face, she came to a conclusion, "It seems that Lu Xin is targeting and bullying you because she is jealous of you!"

"Jealous of me?" Zhiwan asked in surprise.

“Yes, she’s jealous that Madam Lu dotes on you so much, and she’s also jealous of your beauty. But if you weren’t so gentle, she probably wouldn’t dare to mess with you. Zhiwan, listen to my advice: we shouldn’t be so honest. People always pick on the weak. If you were a little fiercer, no one would dare to mess with you.” Ouyang Zhenzhu coaxed patiently.

Seeing her speak in such a condescending tone, Zhiwan almost lost her composure.

She nodded seriously, "I'll listen to you, I'll definitely be stricter from now on."

Seeing that she had taken it to heart, Ouyang Zhenzhu was very pleased. "That's right."

She can't stand seeing pretty, gentle, and kind girls being bullied.

Seeing how gentle and meek Zhiwan was yesterday, and learning that she was often bullied by Lu Xin, her sense of justice was ignited. She worried so much that she couldn't sleep all night and wished she could stay by Zhiwan's side every day to protect her.

Looking at Zhiwan's beautiful face, which seemed like that of a fairy in a painting, Ouyang Zhenzhu's heart suddenly stirred. She took Zhiwan's hand and said, "Zhiwan, will you be my sister-in-law?"

"Cough cough cough..." Zhiwan had just taken a sip of tea when she heard this and choked instantly.

Ouyang Zhenzhu quickly reached out to pat her back.

"Actually, my brother is a very good person. Apart from being a bit gossipy, he doesn't have a single concubine. He's so much better than those scions of noble families in the capital! Of course, he does have some minor flaws."

He occasionally visits brothels, but a man who isn't a bit of a playboy is a wasted youth. He's actually quite reliable; if you marry him, he'll definitely protect you and keep you safe from anyone.

Zhiwan stared at her in astonishment.

I wanted to remind her if she wanted to listen to what she was saying.
What kind of good person would frequent a brothel?
"Pearl, your brother and I... aren't a good match." She could only politely decline.

“How could it not be suitable? My brother is good-looking, tall, and knows kung fu. I would feel very safe with him. Besides, he is not old and is already the Vice Minister of the Court of Judicial Review. He has a bright future ahead of him,” Ouyang Zhenzhu said immediately.

Zhiwan pictured Ouyang Lei in her mind; he was indeed quite tall, and his strength... must have been considerable as well.

She disliked the fact that he frequented brothels.

However, since Ouyang Zhenzhu was so enthusiastic, she couldn't refuse anymore. In any case, given her status, the Ouyang family would never look up to her, so she said, "Your brother... might not look up to me."

“If I can like him, he can like him too!” Ouyang Zhenzhu said confidently.

Zhiwan: "..."

"Didn't you say yesterday that your brother is worse than an outsider?"

"I was just saying that out of anger. Who told him not to help me and your cousin get together?" Ouyang Zhenzhu said with a frustrated expression.

When Lu Zhan was mentioned, Zhiwan couldn't say anything more.

After all, even her aunt couldn't do anything about her cousin. Ouyang Zhenzhu rubbed her hands and said, "Wanwan, could you..."

“No,” Zhiwan immediately refused.

"I haven't even said what it is yet!" Ouyang Zhenzhu pouted, looking quite annoyed.

Zhi Wan blinked; her thoughts were written all over her face. Anyone with eyes could tell what she was up to.

"So what do you want to say?" she compromised.

"I mean, I'm already at the Duke's mansion, could you think of a way to let me bump into your cousin?" Ouyang Zhenzhu said shyly, clutching her handkerchief.

Zhiwan looked troubled. "Pearl, I really can't do anything about it. My cousin is a terrible person. If he gets angry, he might kick me out of the Duke's mansion."

Upon hearing this, Ouyang Zhenzhu immediately gave up her idea. "Then, never mind, I don't necessarily... have to see him."

Although she really wanted to see Lu Zhan, she didn't want to leave Zhi Wan with nowhere to go.

Zhiwan secretly breathed a sigh of relief.

She quite liked Ouyang Zhenzhu and didn't want to have any unpleasantness with her because of this.

Fortunately, Ouyang Zhenzhu is a kind and reasonable girl who does not force people.

"Wanwan, shall we go out of the manor to play?" Ouyang Zhenzhu couldn't sit still for a while and suggested.

Remembering what her aunt had said yesterday, Zhiwan readily agreed, "Okay."

The two walked out of the Duke's mansion hand in hand.

Shuang'er followed behind, genuinely happy for her young mistress.

Miss Lu rarely goes out and has no friends other than Madam Lu.

Now that she's made friends with Miss Ouyang, Miss Ouyang won't be so bored anymore.

When Madam Wei learned that Zhiwan was going out shopping with Ouyang Zhenzhu, she specially asked Granny Fang to prepare some money for her.

“Miss, this money was sent to you by the Madam. She said that you can buy whatever you want to eat or play, and you don’t need to worry about the money.”

Seeing the silver handed over by Granny Fang, Zhiwan was deeply moved. She reached out and took it, then turned and handed it to Shuang'er, saying, "Granny Fang, please thank my aunt for me."

Granny Fang nodded with a smile and instructed, "Have fun, Miss."

"Okay," Zhiwan replied crisply, following Ouyang Zhenzhu toward the mansion gate.

"The Duchess of Dingguo is so good to you," Ouyang Zhenzhu said with emotion.

“Yes.” Zhiwan nodded.

Actually, over the years, her aunt had given her a monthly allowance, and would also give her money to spend during festivals. She didn't have any need to use the money, so she saved it all up, and that's why she had money on hand.

Unexpectedly, her aunt was so thoughtful that she even prepared extra money for her when she went out to play.

"Pearl, it's my treat later," Zhiwan said, shaking the purse in her hand.

“Alright, I won’t stand on ceremony with you.” Ouyang Zhenzhu looked eager to get started.

Zhiwan was amused by her and let out a silvery laugh.

But once she stepped out of the mansion, her smile vanished.

Because Lu Zhan was standing by the door, it seemed he was originally going to go inside.

(End of this chapter)