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

Chapter 71 Lu Zhan: My Cousin is Pure and Innocent

"Wanwan, it's still early. Let's play a little longer before going back."

After leaving Baiweilou, Ouyang Zhenzhu clung to Zhiwan's arm and wouldn't let go.

Zhiwan secretly touched her belly.

She was afraid that the food her cousin ordered would go to waste, so she ate like crazy and stuffed herself.

She also wanted to take a walk to digest her food.

After thinking about it, she shook her head and refused, "No, my cousin has to get up early for court tomorrow, we need to go back early."

“Then let Lord Lu go back first. My brother and I will see you off in a bit,” Ouyang Zhenzhu said.

“This…” Zhiwan hesitated.

"I'm a little full, I want to walk for a while before going back," Lu Zhan said, glancing at her.

Zhiwan was surprised.

But the man had already walked ahead.

"Let's go, let's go," Ouyang Zhenzhu urged, pulling on Zhiwan's hand.

Originally, Lu Zhan and Ouyang Lei were walking in front, but gradually, Ouyang Zhenzhu and Zhiwan moved ahead, and the two of them slowly followed behind.

The streets at night were filled with street performers, whose wonderful performances attracted many people to stop and watch. Zhiwan was one of them.

She watched intently, and when she came across something exciting, she couldn't help but shout out and clap her hands enthusiastically, "Bravo!"

Her excited and thrilled demeanor was completely different from her usual cautious self.

When she turned around, she found Lu Zhan, Ouyang Lei, and Ouyang Zhenzhu standing behind her, all looking at her in surprise.

Zhiwan: "..."

Thinking of her earlier indulgence, she coughed lightly to make amends, "This is the first time I've been out at night, and also the first time I've seen such a wonderful performance at night. I couldn't help myself... Please forgive my behavior."

Upon hearing this, Ouyang Lei looked at Lu Zhan and said disapprovingly, "Old Lu, you're a really irresponsible cousin. Our cousin Zhiwan has grown up so much, and you've never taken her out to play at night even once?"

Ouyang Zhenzhu also said, "Your Lu family is too strict. It's fortunate that Wanwan has a good temperament and can stay put. If it were me, I would definitely go crazy."

Listening to the brother and sister talking back and forth, Zhiwan frowned. It sounded like she was dissatisfied with the Duke of Dingguo's mansion.

She quickly explained, "It's not what you think. My aunt and uncle aren't strict with me. It's just that I'm afraid to go out alone at night."

Looking at the girl's anxious expression, Lu Zhan said calmly, "It was indeed our oversight."

Zhiwan was taken aback, then became somewhat flustered, "Cousin..."

"When I have time, I'll take you out more often," Lu Zhan said gently.

Zhiwan was flattered and overwhelmed. Her curled eyelashes trembled slightly, and she said in a soft voice, "Thank you, cousin."

Looking at the little girl's well-behaved appearance, Lu Zhan's fingers twitched, wanting to pat her head, but he restrained himself in the end, though the corners of his lips curved slightly.

Having a younger sister like that wouldn't be bad.

The group strolled around for a long time. On their way back, they passed a bustling and prosperous building that looked brightly lit and more lively than other places.

Upon seeing this, Zhiwan paused slightly, and couldn't help but take another curious look. "What place is that?"

Ouyang Zhenzhu's eyes flickered, and she leaned close to her ear and whispered, "That's... a brothel."

"A brothel?" Zhiwan exclaimed in surprise.

Lu Zhan and Ouyang Lei, who were walking ahead, stopped and looked at Zhiwan when they heard this.

Embarrassed, Zhiwan quickly grabbed Ouyang Zhenzhu's hand and hurried ahead.

She had heard of brothels but had never seen one, so when she suddenly saw one, she didn't make the connection.

Thinking of this, she couldn't help but steal another glance at the building.

Lu Zhan noticed her subtle movement, paused for a moment, and realized that he hadn't thought things through. He should have known better than to bring his cousin down this road.

"My cousin is so innocent, unlike Ouyang Zhenzhu, that girl knows everything," Ouyang Lei remarked.

Upon hearing this, Lu Zhan felt somewhat annoyed.

My cousin is pure and innocent; she shouldn't have her eyes defiled by such a filthy place. It was his oversight just now.

“Let me tell you, that brothel is called Chunxianglou. It’s the biggest brothel in the capital. All the girls there are beautiful and talented. Many young men from prominent families in the capital love to come here to drink,” Ouyang Zhenzhu whispered in Zhiwan’s ear.

Zhiwan looked at her in surprise, "How do you know so much? Have you been there?"

Ouyang Zhenzhu coughed lightly, "Of course I've never been there. I've only read about it in storybooks. But if I have the chance next time, I'll definitely go and see for myself what this so-called 'Soul-Stealing Cave' is all about."

Zhiwan was somewhat tempted by what she heard.

She was also curious.

But she also knew that such places were not places for respectable young women; if people found out, she would be finished.

“You can’t go to that kind of place. Don’t do anything foolish,” Zhiwan advised.

Ouyang Zhenzhu said somewhat indignantly, "Why can men go, but we women can't?"

Zhiwan was speechless.

“Let me tell you, my brother, Duan Ling, and your cousin definitely go there often,” Ouyang Zhenzhu said decisively.

“Cousin…it’s impossible!” Zhiwan shook her head.

My cousin is always self-disciplined and respectful of propriety, so there's no way he would ever set foot in such a place.

She believed it when he said that Ouyang Lei and Duan Ling went there often.

Ouyang Zhenzhu rolled her eyes at her, "All crows are black. Don't be fooled by how serious your cousin is. They're all the same at heart. I don't believe he's that serious in private."

“My cousin is such an upright person, he’s a gentleman!” Zhiwan retorted. “As for your brother, I think he’s a regular at brothels.”

Ouyang Zhenzhu: "..."

She wanted to refute him, but considering her brother's usual behavior, which was indeed quite frivolous and he frequently visited brothels, she couldn't bring herself to say anything.

Feeling that her brother had made her lose face, she turned to Ouyang Lei angrily and said, "Brother, can't you learn from Lord Lu?"

Ouyang Lei looked at her, puzzled. "Why would I imitate Lao Lu?"

“Look at Lord Lu, how refined and courteous he is! Can you please visit brothels less often in the future? You make me so ashamed!” Ouyang Zhenzhu said with a look of disgust.

Ouyang Lei: "..."

He was so angry that his teeth ached.

With trembling hands, he pointed at her and said, "I didn't look down on you, but you're looking down on me? When did I ever go to a brothel? Also, don't be fooled by Lu Jinzhi's appearance. This guy has been to brothels, and more than once."

Lu Zhan: "..."

Zhiwan stared at him in astonishment.

Ouyang Zhenzhu suddenly stopped being angry. She held Zhiwan's hand and said earnestly, "See? I told you, all crows are black. Your cousin also frequents brothels."

Upon hearing this, Zhiwan glanced at Lu Zhan with a look of mixed emotions, a hint of disappointment in her eyes.

Lu Zhan's temple throbbed, and he glanced coldly at Ouyang Lei. "I went there to investigate a case, for official business. You, who goes to brothels ten times a month, say you've never been to a brothel?"

"Ten trips?" Ouyang Zhenzhu screamed. "No wonder your salary is never enough every month, and you have to ask your mother for more. It turns out you've been spending it all on drinking and carousing. I'll definitely tell my mother when we get back."

Ouyang Lei was shocked. "That's not true. Don't listen to Lu Jinzhi's nonsense."

“Duan Ling often hangs out with him too, you can ask Duan Ling.” Lu Zhan glanced at Ouyang Zhenzhu and said unhurriedly.

"Ouyang Lei, you're dead!" Ouyang Zhenzhu shouted angrily.

Ouyang Lei glared at Lu Zhan, "You actually betrayed me?"

"I'm just telling the truth," Lu Zhan said calmly.

Ouyang Lei: "..."

After parting ways with the Ouyang siblings, Zhiwan and Lu Zhan returned to the Duke of Dingguo's mansion.

Before entering the mansion, Lu Zhan paused. "I'm going there only to investigate a case."

(End of this chapter)