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

Chapter 68 There are plenty of opportunities, today is no exception.
After seeing Lu Lan off, Zhi Wan returned to her inner room, but couldn't fall asleep.

She took the book and sat leaning against the headboard, flipping through it.

Shuang'er, who was serving nearby, couldn't help but say, "Miss Lu, you look strange today."

"What's strange about it?" Zhiwan raised her eyes and asked.

Shuang'er frowned and said, "This servant can't explain it either, but Fourth Miss rarely came to see Miss before. I didn't expect that Miss had just refused to go to the second branch of the family, but she came here on her own. It's raining outside, and she doesn't have anything important to do, so why would she come in the rain?"

Upon hearing this, Zhiwan fell silent.

Actually, she also felt that Lu Lan was acting a bit strange today.

But out of sympathy for Lu Lan's plight, she didn't think of anything else.

I never expected that Shuang'er would have this feeling too.

Seeing Shuang'er's worried expression, she couldn't help but comfort her, "Maybe we're overthinking it. She's probably just feeling stifled and wants to talk to someone."

"But Miss isn't familiar with her. Why would she choose to talk to Miss when there are so many other people to talk to? Could it be that she's blaming Miss for what happened to her last time?" Shuang'er guessed.

Zhiwan was taken aback.

Blame her?
If she had gone there last time, the disaster might have fallen on her instead, and Lu Lan might not have been in trouble.

Just now, Lu Lan specifically mentioned that Lu Xin had also invited her over to talk.

Could it be that Lu Lan really blamed her for the misfortune she encountered?
This makes no sense.

Zhiwan frowned.

Seeing this, Shuang'er quickly added, "Perhaps I'm overthinking it, Miss, please don't worry too much."

Zhiwan snapped out of her daze and squeezed her hand. "Whether we're being paranoid or not, it's always good to be cautious. It's never wrong to be a little more vigilant."

“Miss is right.” Shuang’er nodded.

The next day, Lu Xin got married. Zhi Wan didn't go to join the fun. It is said that Lu Zhenbei and Lu Zhan didn't show up either. Only Wei Shi went.

When Madam Lu received the letter and rushed back, Lu Xin had already been married for several days, and she hadn't even made it back to her parents' home.

"Miss, the old lady's carriage will be arriving at the gate soon. She asked me to inform you so you can prepare to go to the gate to greet her." That day, Yinliu, Wei Shi's maid, came to inform Zhiwan.

Zhiwan nodded. "I'll go right away."

Madam Lu was an extremely picky old lady, so Zhiwan dared not neglect her and hurried to the gate of the mansion.

When she arrived, everyone in the Lu family was there. Even Lu Zhenbei, who was busy with military affairs, put down his work and waited in front of the mansion.

Zhiwan glanced around casually and noticed that only Lu Zhan was not there.

"They're here! The old lady's carriage has arrived!" At that moment, a servant ran over to report.

Sure enough, a carriage slowly drove up, and Lu Zhan was riding in front.

It turned out he had gone to pick up Madam Lu.

As soon as the carriage came to a stop, Lu Zhenbei, Madam Wei, and the others went forward to greet it.

"Mother." Several people waited respectfully beside the carriage.

The carriage door was pushed open, and two maids came out first, followed by Old Madam Lu and Lu Jinglan.

Madam Lu is over sixty years old this year, but she is in very good spirits.

She walked out, supported by Lu Jinglan.

"Eldest brother, eldest sister-in-law, second brother, second sister-in-law." After getting off the carriage, Lu Jinglan immediately let go of Old Madam Lu's hand and bowed to Lu Zhenbei and the others.

"It's been a while since I last saw Jinglan, and she's grown even more beautiful." Lou Shi pulled her up and showered her with praise.

"It's been a while since I last saw you, and your skills at coaxing people have gotten even better," Lu Jinglan said playfully.

Everyone laughed. Even Old Madam Lu's face broke into a smile.

At this moment, Madam Wei beckoned to Zhiwan, "Wan'er, come and greet the old lady."

As instructed, Zhiwan stepped forward and obediently bowed to Madam Lu, saying, "Wan'er greets Madam Lu."

The smile on Madam Lu's face faded slightly, and she nodded, "Get up."

"Thank you, Madam." Zhiwan straightened up.

Lu Jinglan chuckled and said, "Wan'er, in terms of seniority, you should call me 'Aunt' like Jinzhi does. You've been so busy bowing to the old lady that you haven't even greeted me?"

Zhiwan smiled slightly, "It was my oversight, Wan'er has seen..."

"I was just kidding. Jinzhi hasn't called me 'aunt' even once yet. If you really call me 'aunt,' you'll make me sound old." Lu Jinglan quickly pulled her back, but glanced in Lu Zhan's direction.

"You little rascal, can you tone it down a bit?" Old Madam Lu said with a laugh.

Lu Jinglan playfully stuck out her tongue.

Madam Wei glanced at her indifferently and said, "Mother, you must be tired from your journey. Let's go inside first and talk there."

Madam Lu nodded. "Alright."

Lou immediately stepped forward, wanting to help her up, but she brushed him away.

"Second son's wife, what exactly is going on with Xin'er's marriage? You'd better explain it to me properly in a moment." The smile on Old Madam Lu's face vanished instantly, and she glared at her sternly.

Seeing this, Lou felt angry. Xin'er's marriage was not something she had arranged alone. The old woman didn't blame her son, but blamed her, the daughter-in-law.

"Yes." Lou suppressed her dissatisfaction and respectfully replied.

Upon entering the mansion, Zhiwan intended to return to Yaoguang Pavilion, but Lu Jinglan affectionately grabbed her hand, saying, "Wan'er, let's go to Fushou Hall for a while. We haven't seen each other for a long time, and I have a lot to tell you."

Zhiwan blinked.

Lu Jinglan remained the same as before.

He was incredibly warm and friendly to her in public, but colder than anyone else in private.

Seeing that everyone was watching, she nodded, "Okay."

Lu Jinglan looked delighted and turned to Lu Zhan, saying, "Jinzhi, your grandmother at Jiuhua Temple talks about you the most. Don't use official business as an excuse to sneak away again, or your grandmother will be heartbroken."

Lu Zhan's expression was indifferent. "I do have official business to attend to, and this is not an excuse. I just went to pick up my grandmother, which has already delayed many things. There will be plenty of opportunities to talk to her, so today won't make a difference."

Lu Jinglan shrugged and didn't say anything more.

"Grandmother, I'll have dinner with you again tonight. I have to go to the Dali Temple now," Lu Zhan said to the old lady, ignoring her.

Madam Lu feigned anger and said, "Compared to official duties, I, an old woman, am indeed insignificant. Alright, go if you want to leave."

"Yes," Lu Zhan replied, then turned and left.

Upon seeing this, Old Madam Lu frowned.

Lu Jingsi noticed her dissatisfaction and sighed, "Mother, Jinzhi is devoted to the affairs of the court. It is so difficult for me, his own uncle, to even see him. We live in the same mansion, and I haven't seen Jinzhi for a long time. Please don't blame him, Mother."

Madam Wei glanced at him and smiled, “In previous years, Jinzhi was also busy with government affairs and rarely stayed at home. This year, after being promoted to Minister of the Court of Judicial Review, he has been even busier. Not to mention my second brother, even I, as his mother, find it difficult to see him.”

Upon learning of his mother's return today, Ke Jinzhi still put aside his affairs and personally went to the city gate to greet her. His filial piety towards his grandmother is well-known.

Lu Jingsi's eyes flashed, and she was about to say something when she was interrupted by Old Madam Lu, "Alright, Jinzhi isn't going out to play. He's on duty for the Emperor. How can he stay in the mansion all day? He's not doing nothing."

Upon hearing this, Lu Jingsi's face darkened.

Doing nothing?

His mother was clearly targeting him.

(End of this chapter)