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

Chapter 72: Her cousin probably liked her as his younger sister.
Zhiwan was taken aback.

It took him a while to realize what he meant.

She was extremely surprised.

Her cousin actually explained it to her.

“Of course I trust my cousin.” Zhiwan immediately stated her position, and to make herself seem more sincere, she looked at Lu Zhan with exceptional seriousness.

Staring at him through her beautiful peach blossom eyes, Lu Zhan paused for a moment, then looked away and said calmly, "Let's go in."

"Ah."

The two entered the mansion gate one after the other.

"Jinzhi, Wan'er?"

As soon as the two stepped inside, they heard a surprised voice shout.

Zhiwan was taken aback. She looked up and saw Lu Jinglan standing there.

"Aunt Jinglan?" Zhiwan called out, "What are you doing here?"

"I ate too much for dinner, so I'm just taking a walk to digest," Lu Jinglan explained with a smile, glancing at the two of them before asking curiously, "You two have left the manor?"

Lu Zhan ignored her and turned to Zhi Wan, saying, "It's too late, go back and rest early."

“Okay, I’ll go back right away,” Zhiwan replied obediently.

Lu Zhan didn't say anything more and left.

Watching the man's figure quickly disappear into the night, Lu Jinglan paused, took Zhiwan's hand, and sighed, "Jinzhi is still as indifferent as ever."

Zhiwan nodded. "My cousin is always like this."

"Really?" Lu Jinglan glanced at her and teased with a smile, "But I feel that Jinzhi treats you a little differently this time I came back."

Zhiwan looked at her in surprise, "Why do you say that?"

Lu Jinglan blinked. "Why are you so surprised? Isn't that right?"

Zhiwan looked bewildered: "I didn't feel any difference. My cousin treats everyone the same."

Lu Jinglan glanced at her, then suddenly smiled and said, "That's true. By the way, where did you and Jinzhi go just now?"

“Ouyang Shaoqing’s sister asked me to go out with her. It just so happened that Ouyang Shaoqing had something to discuss with his cousin, so we went together,” Zhiwan said briefly.

Lu Jinglan wanted to ask more, but Zhiwan yawned and said, "Aunt Jinglan, it's late, I have to go back and rest. You should go back and rest early too."

Lu Jinglan nodded with a smile, "Okay."

Once Zhiwan was out of sight, the smile on her face immediately faded, and her brows furrowed tightly.

She heard from the servants that Zhiwan had gone out with Jinzhi.

She didn't believe it at the time, so she waited there on purpose.

Unexpectedly, I saw the two of them returning from outside together.

Where did they go? What did they do?
According to what Zhiwan just said, there doesn't seem to be anything special about it.

Could it be that she is too worried?
But she had never seen Lu Zhan protect anyone.

That evening at Fushou Hall, Lu Zhan repeatedly defended Zhiwan.

Lu Zhan wasn't like this before.

Why is Lu Zhan being so nice to Zhiwan after she and the old lady went out for a while?
Did Lu Zhan really treat Zhiwan as a younger sister?

Even though she's just a younger sister, she's still someone to be jealous of.

Although she was nominally Lu Zhan's aunt, Lu Zhan had never shown her any kindness.

In his eyes, she was probably no different from a servant.

In Lu Zhan's eyes, Zhi Wan used to be the same as her, but this time when she came back, Lu Zhan's attitude towards Zhi Wan was obviously different.

This made Lu Jinglan feel a little jealous.

She clearly entered the mansion before Zhiwan and met Lu Zhan first.

Lu Jinglan clenched her fists, a look of resentment flashing in her eyes.

As soon as Zhiwan returned to Yaoguang Pavilion, Granny Fang came over carrying a food box.

"In the evening at Fushou Hall, the lady noticed that you hadn't eaten much and was worried that you were hungry, so she asked this old servant to bring you some food."

"Granny Fang, when you go back later, please thank your aunt for me," Zhiwan said gratefully. Granny Fang kindly advised, "Miss, please don't take what the old lady said to heart. Madam loves you very much."

“I know, but I didn’t take it to heart,” Zhiwan said.

Granny Fang was relieved. "Then Miss, please eat these while they're hot."

After thinking for a moment, Zhiwan felt that she should not hide it from her aunt, so she whispered, "Granny Fang, my cousin took me out to eat earlier, so I'm not hungry."

Upon hearing this, Granny Fang was indeed very surprised, "The young master took you out to eat?"

"Mm." Zhiwan nodded.

Granny Fang smiled and said, "It seems that the young master also dotes on Miss Biao."

Zhiwan said shyly, "My cousin said he treats me like a younger sister."

Granny Fang nodded. "Madam only has the young master as her child, and the young lady is so well-behaved. The young master must really like this younger sister of his."

Upon hearing this, Zhiwan pursed her lips, feeling a surge of joy.

Does her cousin like her as his younger sister?

He probably likes her, which is why he takes such good care of her.

Back at the Orchid Courtyard, Granny Fang told Madam Wei about Lu Zhan taking Zhi Wan out to eat.

Lu Zhenbei happened to be there as well. When he heard what Granny Fang said, he was first shocked, and then felt gratified. "Lu Zhan really acted like an elder brother today."

His son has always been too calm, with only laws and regulations in his eyes. No one or no person can make him flustered. He was once very worried, after all, too much rigidity is easy to break.

Now it seems that Lu Zhan's ability to care for his sister shows that he is not entirely cold-blooded, ruthless, or stubborn; he still has some humanity.

Wei smiled and said, "It seems I misunderstood him before."

“With Lu Zhan protecting Zhiwan, you don’t need to worry too much. It’s getting late, let’s rest.” Lu Zhenbei said.

Granny Fang tactfully withdrew.

……

Zhiwan slept soundly through the night and felt refreshed. After breakfast, she continued to paint at her desk.

After her hard work over this period, she has sold several paintings and has accumulated more than a thousand taels of silver in savings.

She saved up some more money, and when she had enough, she went to the outskirts of the city to buy a manor.

That way, she wouldn't have to rely on her aunt to have a place to live.

If a suitable candidate is found, he can be recruited as a son-in-law.

With a goal in mind, she worked even harder when painting.

Several days passed like this.

That day, a servant from Fushou Hall came to invite Zhiwan over.

Zhiwan was somewhat surprised.

Madam Lu has always disliked her, so how can she ask someone to invite her over?

Despite her doubts, she still took Shuang'er with her.

When she arrived at Fushou Hall, she learned that Madam Wei and Madam Lou were also there, with Lu Lan and Lu Jinglan sitting on either side of Old Madam Lu.

"Wan'er greets the Old Madam, Aunt, and Second Madam." Zhiwan stepped forward and bowed.

"Please sit down," said Madam Lu calmly.

"Thank you, Madam." Zhiwan straightened up.

"Wan'er, sit here." Madam Wei patted the seat next to her.

Zhiwan immediately went over.

Seeing the two sitting intimately together, Old Madam Lu found it very irritating, but she didn't say anything. Instead, she brought up another matter.

"It's the Princess of Gaoyang's birthday. In previous years, no invitations were ever sent. But this time, an invitation was suddenly sent, and the three young ladies of the manor were specifically requested to attend. It's really strange."

"Mother, there's no need to worry too much. It just so happens that our three daughters are all of marriageable age. It would be good for them to visit the Prince's residence," said Madam Lou with a smile.

After thinking for a moment, Madam Lu nodded, "Then tomorrow, the three girls will go together."

(End of this chapter)