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

Chapter 69 Lu Zhan is truly like a considerate older brother
Upon arriving at Fushou Hall, the elders were all talking in the hall, so Lu Jinglan pulled Zhiwan and Lu Lan into her room.

"It's inconvenient to buy things at Jiuhua Temple, so I didn't bring you any other gifts. However, I did get you two amulets for good luck," Lu Jinglan said, handing two amulets to the two of them.

"Thank you so much, Auntie." Lu Lan said gratefully.

Like an elder, Lu Jinglan patted her head and said, "I'm glad you don't mind."

"Thank you, Jinglan," Zhiwan replied.

"Wan'er, you should call me Sister Jinglan. After all, I'm two years older than you," Lu Jinglan said with a smile.

"Didn't you want me to call you aunt earlier?" Zhiwan asked, looking surprised.

"If you really call me aunt, it makes me sound old," Lu Jinglan said helplessly.

“But Lu Lan calls you aunt, doesn’t she? And my cousin, according to seniority, should also call you aunt.” Zhi Wan said seriously.

Lu Jinglan paused for a moment, then snorted coldly, "Your cousin has never called me aunt. After all, I'm younger than him, so he definitely can't bring himself to say it."

“I’ll still call you Aunt according to the seniority in the household,” Zhiwan said.

Lu Jinglan sighed, "Whatever you want, it's just a form of address."

"Aunt Jinglan," Zhiwan called out sweetly, blinking her eyes.

Lu Jinglan reached out and pinched her cheek, asking, "By the way, nothing happened while I was away from the manor, right?"

Zhiwan smiled and said, "A while ago, my aunt held a flower-viewing banquet, inviting noble ladies from all over the capital, hoping to find a suitable girl for my cousin. It was a very lively event. It's such a pity you weren't there."

"A flower-viewing banquet?" Lu Jinglan looked surprised. "But Jinzhi doesn't want to get married yet, does he?"

“My cousin doesn’t want to, but my aunt wants a grandson. Besides, the other day, the princess of the Prince of Gaoyang’s mansion even came to the Duke of Dingguo’s mansion, declaring that she has feelings for my cousin,” Zhiwan continued, her eyes subtly observing Lu Jinglan’s reaction.

Lu Jinglan raised an eyebrow. "Is that so?"

Lu Lan was quite shocked. "That Princess of Gaoyang is too audacious."

"Isn't that right? I was terrified." Zhiwan nodded.

Lu Jinglan picked up her cup, took a sip of tea, and looked at her face. She smiled and said, "When a princess chased you all the way to the gate of your mansion, what was your cousin's reaction? Was he happy?"

"I don't know about that," Zhiwan shook her head.

“But didn’t you say you saw it with your own eyes? That means you were there at the time,” Lu Jinglan said.

“I was there, but who could understand my cousin’s thoughts?” Zhiwan sighed.

“Yes, my elder brother is always serious and doesn’t smile much. How could anyone else understand what he’s thinking?” Lu Lan nodded in agreement.

Lu Jinglan didn't say anything more, but took out another small box and said to Zhiwan, "You live close to Jinzhi, so please take this gift to him later."

Zhiwan glanced at the box and shook her head. "Didn't my cousin say he would come over to dine with the old lady tonight? You can give it to him yourself then."

Upon hearing this, Lu Jinglan hesitated, "I'm afraid I'll forget it later."

“If I forget today, I can give it to you tomorrow. But the gift you give to your cousin should be handed to him by yourself to show your sincerity. Besides, your cousin’s Qingyun Residence is off-limits to outsiders. I’ve never been there. If I were to deliver it, I’m afraid I would be turned away.” Zhiwan said with great difficulty.

Lu Jinglan smiled and said, "Don't blame your cousin. He treats everyone like this, extremely cold and unapproachable. I even got a cold shoulder from him today."

Recalling the scene in the front yard just now, where her cousin coldly retorted to Lu Jinglan, Zhiwan's eyes flickered.

night.

The Wei family held a welcome banquet for Madam Lu, and Zhiwan was also left at Fushou Hall.

To avoid tiring Old Madam Lu, Madam Wei arranged for the banquet to be held at Fushou Hall.

Lu Zhan rushed back just before the banquet began.

"Jinzhi must be very busy, right? Someone, quickly bring tea to the young master," Old Madam Lu hurriedly instructed.

The maid had just brought in the tea when Lu Jinglan took it from her, saying, "Jinzhi, here you go."

Lu Zhan took it, but didn't drink it; he put it aside.

Seeing this, Lu Jinglan frowned slightly. "Now that everyone is here, I will give the order to begin the banquet," Madam Wei said.

Madam Lu nodded.

Before long, the servants had set out the meal.

After the elders took their seats, Lu Zhan and the others followed suit.

Seeing that there was an empty seat next to Lu Zhan, Lu Jinglan was about to sit down when she heard Lu Zhan say indifferently, "This is my cousin's seat."

Lu Jinglan froze for a moment, then casually teased, "When did Jinzhi become so good at taking care of his cousin?"

Zhiwan looked at Lu Zhan in surprise.

Lu Zhan glanced at her indifferently, "Why aren't you sitting down? Are you making everyone wait for you?"

Seeing everyone's eyes on her, Zhiwan felt embarrassed and had no choice but to bite the bullet and sit down next to him.

Lu Jinglan clenched her handkerchief and sat down next to Lu Lan.

During the meal, Old Madam Lu glanced at Zhiwan sitting next to Lu Zhan, frowned slightly, looked at Madam Wei, and said indifferently, "When I came back this time, I thought Zhiwan had already been married off by you."

These words were extremely impolite, almost implying that Zhiwan was still in the mansion.

The others understood and all looked at Zhiwan with subtle expressions.

Zhiwan put down her chopsticks somewhat awkwardly.

Suppressing her anger, Madam Wei smiled and said, "Mother is joking. In fact, Jinglan is two years older than Wan'er. Jinglan is not married yet, so Wan'er has no need to rush."

Madam Lu said unhappily, "How could Zhiwan be with Jinglan..."

“Grandmother is overthinking it. I only have one younger sister, Zhiwan. Mother will naturally be cautious about her marriage.” Lu Zhan suddenly spoke up, interrupting her.

Madam Lu frowned. "Sister?"

“Of course, my cousin is also my sister. Besides, over the years, my mother has long treated her as her own daughter.” Lu Zhan’s expression was calm, and his tone was unhurried. After speaking, he picked up the serving chopsticks and put a piece of meat into Zhiwan’s bowl. “Eat!”

Zhiwan was grateful to him for getting her out of that predicament, but when she saw him put the meat in her bowl, a look of surprise appeared on her face.

My cousin...

She glanced at him instinctively, but when she met his dark, deep eyes, she froze, quickly looked away, and obediently picked up her chopsticks to eat.

Lu Zhan's expression softened slightly, and he picked up some more food for her.

Those who witnessed this scene were even more astonished than when they heard what Old Man Lu had just said.

Lu Zhan actually serves food to others?

His considerate manner really made him seem like a good older brother.

Something flashed in Lu Jinglan's eyes.

Lu Lan looked at Zhi Wan with a mixture of envy and jealousy.

I never expected even her older brother would protect her...

Old Madam Lu was furious, but she couldn't retaliate against her beloved grandson, so she said to Madam Wei, "She's just an outsider..."

"Mother, watch your words!" Lu Zhenbei interrupted her in a deep voice.

Madam Lu was furious, her chest heaving rapidly. "You all..." Fortunately, she still had some self-control and didn't explode on the spot.

But his face was drawn long.

Zhiwan felt very uncomfortable, thinking that she shouldn't have been there tonight.

Ultimately, she is indeed an outsider.

Why is she joining in on someone else's family dinner?
Just as she was feeling extremely uncomfortable, a deep, cold male voice suddenly sounded above her head, "Have you eaten?"

(End of this chapter)