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

Chapter 41 What will her cousin think of her?
"Aunt, Aunt Wei."

"Madam Lu, Madam Wei."

Zhiwan and Ouyang Zhenzhu greeted the two elders together.

Upon seeing Zhiwan, Madam Xu paused for a moment, then smiled and said, "It's been half a year since I last saw you, and Miss Wan'er has grown into such a beautiful young woman."

After Wei had Zhiwan and Ouyang Zhenzhu sit down, she smiled and said, "Our Wanwan is just like her mother; she's been a beauty since she was little."

Hearing this, Madam Xu glanced at her daughter sitting beside her, then at Zhiwan's beautiful face, which was as radiant as a lotus flower. Her smile faded slightly, and she said, "Judging by her age, Miss Wan'er has already reached marriageable age and should start looking for a husband. It can't be that..."

She couldn't possibly say anything, but she didn't.

Madam Wei understood the implication in her words, and her smile faded somewhat. "Sister-in-law, you're not only worried about Jin Yi's marriage, but now you're also worrying about my Wan'er. You're really keeping yourself busy."

Sensing the displeasure in her sister-in-law's words, Madam Xu snorted inwardly, but said aloud, "Look at what you're saying, I was just saying it casually." Out of the corner of her eye, she glanced at Zhiwan and smiled, "But Miss Wan'er is truly blessed to have an aunt like you."

As Wei listened, she grew increasingly impatient, fearing that Zhiwan would overthink things. Just as she was about to retort, she heard Zhiwan say in a clear voice, "Aunt Wei is right. It is indeed my blessing to have my aunt's help and care."

"What a sensible girl," Xu praised, then said to her daughter, "Jinyi, you should learn more from Wan'er."

Upon hearing this, Wei Jinyi looked up and glanced at Zhiwan.

Upon seeing her excessively beautiful face, she frowned slightly, then suddenly stood up and said, "Wan'er, I haven't been to the Duke's mansion in a long time. Could you show me around?"

Zhiwan looked at Wei Shi.

Madam Wei nodded. "Wan'er, take Pearl and Jin Yi out for a stroll, and then come to my place for dinner tonight."

"Yes, Aunt." Zhiwan replied, got up, and led Ouyang Zhenzhu and Wei Jinyi out.

Watching the three girls leave, Madam Xu picked up her cup, took a sip of tea, and then casually remarked, "Jinyi and I have been here for a while now, why haven't we seen Jinzhi come over to greet his aunt?"

Suppressing her impatience, Madam Wei said, "Jinzhi is busy with official duties and is not at home. I just sent someone to invite him, but he wasn't here. Otherwise, he would have come over earlier."

"Then Jin Yi and I have come at a really bad time." Madam Xu was somewhat disappointed.

“There’s nothing we can do about it. Next time you come, sister-in-law, please have someone notify you in advance. I’ll have Jinzhi wait for you at the mansion,” said Madam Wei.

This is her fault; she came today without notifying anyone in advance.

Madam Xu's eyes flickered slightly, and she sighed, "Alas, there are so many things in the mansion waiting for me to handle, how can I come here every day? If Jinzhi has time, you can ask him to come to the Wei family for a visit. His maternal grandparents often talk about him."

"Then what brings you here today, sister-in-law?" Wei asked, feigning surprise.

"I just happened to have some free time today, and Jin Yi missed you, her aunt, so I brought her over for a visit." Madam Xu said, glancing at her with her eyelids raised. "By the way, why didn't you invite Jin Yi to join the flower-viewing banquet at the Duke of Dingguo's mansion last time? That girl has already come of age, and she stays cooped up in the mansion all day, like a block of wood. If you had invited her, she would definitely have been happy to come."

"The last flower-viewing banquet was organized by me for Wan'er, so that she could make some friends. It was my oversight. Next time there is a flower banquet in the manor, I will definitely ask someone to invite Jin Yi to come and join in the fun," said Madam Wei.

Xu sneered inwardly.

This sister-in-law is really clueless. She actually held a flower-viewing banquet for an orphan girl. Anyone who didn't know better would think that Zhiwan was her own daughter.

Suppressing her dissatisfaction, she stood up and said, "Jin Yi rarely comes, and she's the same age as Miss Wan'er. The two young girls will surely have a lot to talk about. Let Jin Yi stay here for a few days, so she won't go back and become like a block of wood, cooped up in the mansion. I still have things to take care of in the mansion, so I won't stay any longer. Don't see me off." After saying that, she hurriedly walked out. Madam Wei frowned and said to Granny Fang, "What does she mean? She ran away herself, but left her daughter here."

Granny Fang guessed, "Just now the First Madam said that Fifth Miss stays cooped up in the mansion all day. Perhaps the First Madam wants Fifth Miss to interact with more people. She happens to be close in age to Cousin Wan'er, and young girls are more likely to play together."

Madam Wei shook her head and said, "I'm afraid it's not that simple. Besides, the Wei family doesn't only have Jin Yi as a girl. Second Brother's daughter, Jin Xiu, is also thirteen years old this year. The two are not far apart and can play together. But since she's been left behind, you should have someone keep a close eye on her. Jin Yi has already come of age, so you absolutely cannot let her have any contact with the young master, lest things become unclear later."

Upon hearing this, Granny Fang paused, then hesitated and said, "Madam, the First Madam wouldn't be thinking of having the Fifth Miss marry the Young Master..."

Wei's expression changed, but she immediately shook her head. "It shouldn't be that bad. Jin Yi is only fifteen this year, a full ten years younger than Jin Zhi. Besides, the two of them aren't a good match."

She never considered having her son marry a girl from her own family.

She had no intention of strengthening family ties through marriage, so naturally she wouldn't think about it in that direction.

However, Wei Jinyi, who had just left Lanyuan, seemed to be heading towards Qingyunju, whether out of ignorance or on purpose.

Zhiwan didn't think much of it at first, but when she saw Qingyun Residence, she realized what was going on and quickly tried to dissuade Wei Jinyi.

"Miss Jinyi, my cousin's residence is just ahead. Let's go around it."

Wei Jinyi looked surprised. "That's my cousin's place?"

"Yes." Zhiwan nodded, glancing at her.

Ouyang Zhenzhu scoffed, "Wei Jinyi, is this your first time visiting the Duke of Dingguo's mansion? Don't you know that's Lord Lu's residence?"

Wei Jinyi blushed slightly. "I'm sorry, I really don't know. Let's go quickly." After saying that, she turned around and walked back, but at that moment, a person came from the side road.

Just as they were about to collide, the person dodged to the side.

Wei Jinyi was walking too fast and lost her balance. She cried out in surprise and fell into the flower bushes.

Both Zhiwan and Ouyang Zhenzhu were stunned.

The latter was rather unkind; after realizing what had happened, he actually laughed out loud, "Wei Jinyi, how come you can fall down even while walking?"

When Zhiwan realized what was happening, she immediately looked at the person who had come in. When she saw that it was Lu Zhan, her heart sank.

She had already been misunderstood in the afternoon, and now she was leading people to his residence.

What will her cousin think of her?

"Cousin." She forced herself to step forward and bow.

At this moment, Wei Jinyi had already been helped up by the maid.

Leaves and petals were stuck to her head and dress, and her hair was tangled in the branches and leaves, making her look somewhat disheveled.

She glanced quickly at Lu Zhan, broke free from the maid's support, and blushed as she stepped forward to greet him, "Jin Yi greets cousin."

(End of this chapter)