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

Chapter 77 The Goddess's Intent, the King's Unrequited Love

Zhiwan vaguely noticed that Lu Jinglan was holding her hand, and she froze for a moment.

She paused, then turned to look at the seemingly harmless Lu Lan. She had never known before that Lu Lan could be so outspoken.

But was she unintentional?
If others heard this, what would they think of her and her cousin?

Zhiwan suppressed her anger and said nonchalantly, "Lu Lan, are your eyes injured?"

Lu Lan was taken aback, "My eyes aren't injured..."

“If you’re not injured, why would you be seeing things?” Zhiwan sighed. “My cousin treats me like a sister, and I respect him as an elder brother. We’re wearing the same color clothes and standing together, shouldn’t we look more like siblings?”

Lu Lan choked.

Lu Jinglan smiled and said, "Yes, Jinzhi has long regarded Wan'er as his younger sister." After saying that, she looked at Lu Lan and reminded her seriously, "Lu Lan, it's one thing to be outspoken at home, since family members won't think much of it. But if outsiders hear what you just said, it will definitely damage Jinzhi's reputation and bring gossip to the Duke of Dingguo's mansion."

Lu Lan's expression changed slightly. "Auntie, I was just saying that casually, it was a joke."

“This is outside, and it’s the Prince of Gaoyang’s residence, not at home. Even when joking, you have to consider the occasion. Today, since you’re here at the Prince of Gaoyang’s residence, remember to be careful with your words and actions, and don’t cause trouble for our Duke of Dingguo’s residence,” Lu Jinglan said in a deep voice.

"I understand." Lu Lan lowered her head.

Zhiwan glanced at her.

Lu Lan's deliberate or unintentional provocation today has confirmed her previous suspicions.

Lu Lan did indeed blame her for her misfortune.

When Xuanyuan Jing learned that Lu Zhan had come to the Prince's Mansion, she personally came out to greet him.

"Lu Zhan!" She exclaimed with delight, seemingly having forgotten the unpleasant incident that had occurred in front of the Duke of Dingguo's mansion last time.

Lu Zhan's expression was indifferent. "The princess invited my younger sister, and my mother asked me to escort them here."

This is to explain that he didn't come for her birthday.

Xuan Yuanjing didn't care about the reason; she was happy as long as Lu Zhan came.

"Please come inside and take a seat." Xuan Yuanjing's tone was light and cheerful, and she even found Zhi Wan much more pleasing to the eye, though her expression remained arrogant. "Zhi Wan?"

"Greetings, Princess." Zhiwan stepped forward and bowed, then took the box from Granny Fang's hand and handed it over. "It's a small token of my appreciation, please accept it, Princess."

Lu Jinglan and Lu Lan also bowed to Xuan Yuanjing in turn.
Xuanyuan Jing glanced at the contents of the box, neither saying she liked it nor disliked it. She then handed the box to the maid behind her, her eyes fixed intently on Lu Zhan.

Lu Zhan turned his head to look at Chen Jiu.

Chen Jiu immediately presented a box.

Xuan Yuanjing eagerly took it, but upon opening it, her expression stiffened slightly. "Tea leaves?"

"I have nothing of value to offer but a box of tea," Lu Zhan said indifferently.

If it had been a gift from someone else, Xuan Yuanjing would have thrown the box away long ago.

But it was a gift from Lu Zhan, and although it didn't suit her taste, she still accepted it. "I'm already very happy that you came."

"And what about us? Are you happy?" At this moment, a mischievous voice rang out.

Zhiwan looked over and saw that it was Duan Ling and Ouyang Lei.

Seeing the two appear together, Zhiwan was somewhat surprised. Just then, a head popped out from behind them and called out with a smile, "Wanwan!"

"Pearls!" Zhiwan exclaimed, both surprised and delighted.

Ouyang Zhenzhu had already run over.

She first bowed to Xuan Yuanjing and presented the gift, then affectionately took Zhi Wan's hand. Seeing Duan Ling and Ouyang Lei, Xuan Yuanjing raised her chin and said disdainfully, "What's so great about seeing you two?"

Duan Ling smiled enigmatically, "Is that so? It's a pity that the goddess is willing, but the king has no dream."

Xuan Yuanjing's expression changed, and she said angrily, "Shut up!"

"Today is the princess's birthday, so you should be happy." Duan Ling smiled broadly.

Xuanyuan Jing clenched her fist, wanting to lash out, but seeing Lu Zhan beside her, she held back and instructed the servants, "Take them to see my father."

"Yes." The servant responded and walked up to Lu Zhan and the others. "Please, gentlemen, come with me."

As Lu Zhan was leaving, he said to Zhiwan, "I will wait for you outside the mansion after the banquet."

"Yes." Zhiwan nodded obediently.

Seeing her like this, Lu Zhan paused and turned his gaze to Xuan Yuanjing, "Princess, my cousin is always timid and shy, so I'll have to trouble you to take good care of her."

Xuan Yuanjing was initially pleased that he was speaking to her, but after hearing his words, her face immediately fell. "What do you mean? Do you think I would make things difficult for her?"

“The princess is exceptionally magnanimous and would certainly not make things difficult for a young girl,” Lu Zhan said calmly.

“I’m still a little girl.” Xuan Yuanjing pouted.

"Cough cough cough..." Ouyang Lei almost threw up his leftover food from the previous day.

Of course, Xuan Yuanjing is not very old, but she is known in the capital for her willfulness and shrewishness. She is also known for her ruthlessness and willingness to fight and kill. Her current act of behaving like a little girl is really uncomfortable.

Duan Ling also felt a little nauseous, but he held it in.

Lu Zhan ignored Xuan Yuanjing and left with the servants of the Prince's mansion.

"Old Lu never participates in these kinds of banquets, so why is he here today? And why did he drag the two of us along?" Duan Ling asked, puzzled.

"My mother asked me to come here to avoid suspicion." Lu Zhan frowned.

"Your mother really cherishes your cousin Zhiwan." Duan Ling exclaimed, then her gaze fell on him, and she exclaimed in surprise, "Huh? The robe you're wearing today looks the same color as the dress your cousin Zhiwan is wearing?"

“You’re not mistaken, it’s the same color.” Ouyang Lei said, glancing at Lu Zhan teasingly, “I never knew you had such a taste.”

Lu Zhan said coldly, "It's just a coincidence."

The two had intended to exchange a few more jokes, but upon arriving at the main hall of the Prince of Gaoyang's residence, they stopped talking.

Zhiwan and her group followed Xuanyuan Jing to the garden.

Upon reaching the entrance, Xuan Yuanjing stopped and looked at Zhiwan with suspicion. "Why are you wearing purple too?"

Zhi Wan knew that she had also noticed her and her cousin's attire, and explained, "Today is the princess's birthday banquet, so I naturally had to dress formally and solemnly to show my respect for the princess. That's why I chose this purple dress. But I didn't know that my cousin would also be here, and that he was wearing the same color. It was purely a coincidence!"

Xuan Yuanjing then gave up, but looking at her pretty face, he frowned and warned, "You must not have any improper thoughts about Lu Zhan!"

Zhiwan's expression changed. "Zhiwan regards her cousin as an elder brother. How could she have such filthy thoughts? Princess, please be careful with your words!"

Seeing that her face had turned pale, Xuan Yuanjing finally believed her. "That's good, otherwise..." She leaned closer, staring at her beautiful face, and said venomously, "I would definitely ruin your face and throw you into a beggar's den!"

After saying that, she went into the garden first.

Seeing that Zhiwan's complexion was not good, Ouyang Zhenzhu supported her and comforted her in her ear: "You don't need to be afraid of that poisonous woman, there is someone who can deal with her."

"What?" Zhiwan asked, puzzled.

(End of this chapter)