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

Chapter 130 This... is against etiquette, isn't it?
Zhiwan's mind was buzzing, and she forgot to react.

Lu Zhan looked down at the obedient girl in his arms, a slight smile playing on his lips.

Chen Jiu, standing to the side, was dumbfounded.

Why is the young master carrying the young lady?!
This...this...isn't this against etiquette?

Hearing footsteps approaching, Chen Jiu's heart skipped a beat, and he quickly went over and stopped the person.

We can't let anyone see this.

Otherwise, the Crown Prince's lifelong reputation would be ruined.

Sigh, there aren't many subordinates as responsible as him anymore.

Chen Jiu was truly worried sick about his young master's reputation!
Zhiwan finally realized what was happening and hurriedly pushed her cousin away, her peach blossom eyes filled with astonishment and embarrassment.

Why did my cousin put his arm around her waist again just now?
The same thing happened last time in the back mountain of Red Leaf Village...

For a moment, she couldn't tell whether her cousin had done it intentionally or unintentionally.

Seeing the scrutiny in the girl's eyes, Lu Zhan paused and asked, "What's wrong?"

Zhiwan was taken aback by his question. She looked up and saw that the man's expression was normal, as if what had just happened was just an accident.

She frowned slightly. Was she being too sensitive?

"N-nothing," she said softly, lowering her head after a long pause.

She must have been overthinking it. Her cousin was a gentleman who always valued rules and etiquette. He didn't put his arm around her waist on purpose. She was just too careless and fell into his arms. She was the one who was being impolite.

Zhiwan convinced herself.

Lu Zhan noticed the conflicted look on her face, paused, shook the box in his hand, and asked in a low voice, "Is this for me?"

Upon hearing this, Zhi Wan finally remembered this matter. She looked up at the box in his hand, opened her lips, and finally nodded in acknowledgment, "Yes."

"Then why not give it to me, hmm?" Lu Zhan asked, puzzled.

Just as Zhiwan was about to say something, she suddenly caught sight of the jade pendant hanging at his waist, and her face immediately burned.

My cousin is of noble status and has no shortage of jade. The jade pendants he wears are all priceless. The jade pendant she bought was only worth ten taels of silver. How could she dare to give such a jade pendant to her cousin?
The more Zhiwan thought about it, the more guilty she felt, and she couldn't help but try to snatch the box back.

But thinking about the little accident that had just happened, she had to give up the idea.

"The contents of the box are not worthy of you. I'll try again next time..."

Zhiwan's voice stopped abruptly, and the man opened the box and took out the jade pendant.

The green jade pendant, held in Lu Zhan's hand, made his fingers appear even whiter and longer, with blue tassels fluttering between them, a truly beautiful sight.

Zhiwan was stunned.

"I really like the jade pendant my cousin gave me." The man's voice was deep, as if he were even smiling.

Zhiwan snapped out of her daze and looked at him in surprise, "You... don't mind?"

Lu Zhan didn't speak, but instead pulled off the jade pendant from his waist and looked at her. "Thank you for your trouble, cousin..." He suddenly paused and didn't continue. He lowered his head and hung the green jade pendant on his waist.

Upon seeing this, Zhiwan was so surprised that she couldn't speak.

She never expected that her cousin would simply hang the jade pendant she had given him on his waist.

Zhiwan couldn't help but take a second look.

My cousin is naturally aloof and reserved, and today he is wearing a black robe, which makes him appear even more profound and dignified, making him seem unapproachable. However, the green jade pendant hanging at his waist seems to soften his aura and add a touch of gentleness.

As Zhiwan looked around, her gaze suddenly fell on her cousin's narrow waist, accentuated by the belt.

My cousin is tall and slender; he looks good in any kind of robe.

Looking at her cousin's narrow waist, Zhiwan couldn't help but think of the man in her dream.

The man was tall and slender, with a lean and firm waist and abdomen, and felt very good to the touch...

"cousin?"

The man's deep voice brought Zhiwan back to her senses.

Meeting her cousin's eyes, she felt extremely guilty and quickly brought up the jade pendant again. "Cousin, this jade pendant was bought by Pearl and me in the bustling market this morning. It only cost ten taels of silver. It's so cheap, it doesn't match your status at all."

Upon hearing this, Lu Zhan looked at her calmly with his dark eyes. "Just because it's cheap, my cousin thinks it doesn't suit me? Then what do you think is a jade pendant that would be worthy of me?" Zhi Wan said seriously, "Cousin, you are of noble status, so naturally you need a priceless jade pendant to be worthy of you."

Lu Zhan paused, his slender fingers caressing the jade pendant at his waist, his voice deep and pleasant, "But the jade pendant my cousin gave me is also priceless to me."

Zhiwan was taken aback.

What is my cousin saying?
To him, the jade pendant she gave him was also priceless.
Although her cousin's words sounded more like he was just trying to comfort her, she couldn't help but feel a little happy inside.

But after calming down, she couldn't help but have some concerns. "If my cousin likes it, he can wear it at home, but if he goes out, he should wear the original one."

Lu Zhan didn't speak, but handed her the jade pendant in his hand, saying, "This is for you."

Zhiwan was taken aback, then waved her hand and said, "I don't want to."

"It's only right to reciprocate," Lu Zhan said calmly.

Zhiwan: "..."

The jade pendant she gave was only worth ten taels of silver, but her cousin's jade pendant was priceless.

How could she possibly accept it?

"I can't accept it," she shook her head and insisted.

"Listen to me, accept it." Lu Zhan's tone became slightly harsher.

Before Zhiwan could react, the man suddenly grabbed her hand and stuffed the jade pendant into it.

Zhiwan stood there, stunned.

"Go inside," Lu Zhan said calmly, releasing her hand.

Holding the jade pendant, Zhiwan turned around and went into the courtyard in a daze.

Lu Zhan stood there for a while, and just as he entered his courtyard, Chen Jiu followed him in.

“Your Highness…” Chen Jiu’s tone was very heavy.

Lu Zhan glanced at him. "What is it?"

"Your Highness, are you serious? I saw it all outside the courtyard just now," Chen Jiu asked excitedly.

Lu Zhan paused for a moment, then asked in return, "What do you think?"

“People say a rabbit doesn’t eat the grass near its burrow, let alone that’s your cousin. Haven’t you always treated her like a younger sister? Why are you suddenly making advances towards her? If the Duke and his wife find out, you’ll be in deep trouble…” Chen Jiu became more and more agitated as he spoke, until he met his young master’s cold, warning gaze, at which point he stopped and silently added the word “get lost” in his mind.

"If you dare to utter a single word or let the news leak out, I'll rip out your tongue!" Lu Zhan said coldly.

Chen Jiu immediately covered his mouth.

The Crown Prince is truly ruthless!

But why is the Crown Prince afraid of the news leaking out?
Could it be that the young master only wants to play around and doesn't want to take responsibility for the young lady?

Realizing this, Chen Jiu's eyes widened as he stared at his young master in disbelief.

What a beast.

He not only went after his own cousin, but he also doesn't want to take responsibility?
Should he tell the Duke and his wife about this?

Chen Jiu was caught in a dilemma.

Lu Zhan ignored him and took off the jade pendant from his waist, examining it closely.

He never cared about the accessories he wore.

All the items he wore were prepared for him by his mother.

But today, his cousin actually gave him one.

A smile flickered in Lu Zhan's eyes.

"Your Highness, Prefect Liang has arrived... and he's brought a few... a few..." At this moment, a servant reported from outside the door, his voice hesitant.

Lu Zhan frowned and asked in a deep voice, "What did you send?"

“A skinny…horse,” the servant replied cautiously.

(End of this chapter)