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

Chapter 82 My cousin smells of... perfume.
After sending Zhiwan back to Yaoguang Pavilion, Granny Fang returned to Lan Courtyard to report back to Madam Wei.

"How did it go? Nothing bad happened, right?" Madam Wei asked.

Granny Fang then recounted what had happened at the banquet at the Prince's residence.

"...In that situation, I was afraid that Miss Biao would suffer, so I went to the front courtyard of the Prince's mansion to find the Prince. The Prince told me not to worry, that someone would come to Miss Biao's rescue. At the time, I didn't understand what he meant. It wasn't until I returned to the banquet that I learned that Princess Chang Le had come and had upheld justice for Miss Biao, punishing the Wang family girl."

"You didn't see it, Madam, but you couldn't harm Miss Gaoyang. The Princess of Gaoyang's face was practically contorted with rage." As she finished speaking, Granny Fang couldn't help but laugh. "How gratifying!"

Upon hearing this, Madam Wei breathed a sigh of relief and smiled, "That boy does have some conscience; he even knows to find someone to protect his sister."

Granny Fang was taken aback. "Madam, are you saying that Princess Chang Le was invited by the Heir Apparent?"

“I don’t know what methods he used, but Princess Chang Le’s visit to Prince Gao Yang’s residence must be related to him, otherwise he wouldn’t have said those words to you,” said Madam Wei.

Granny Fang nodded. "It seems that the young master knew all along that Princess Chang Le would go to the Prince of Gaoyang's residence."

"Hmm." Madam Wei nodded, then her expression turned cold as she thought of something. "Those two traitors, seeing their own family being bullied, they just stood by and watched. I've remembered them."

The two people she was referring to were naturally Lu Jinglan and Lu Lan.

“In the past, this old servant thought that Miss Jinglan and the Fourth Miss were good people. But after following them all the way today, I realized that the two of them are two-faced and are openly and secretly undermining Miss Biao,” said Granny Fang, frowning.

"Lu Jinglan was never a kind person. Only the old lady treated her like a treasure. I saw through her long ago. Back then, the old lady wanted to register her under my name and ask me to take her in as my goddaughter. I didn't agree, so the old lady registered her under her own name. That's how Lu Jinglan got the title of Miss Lu for nothing."

"If she were well-behaved, I could let her be, but her heart is filthy, she covets people she shouldn't, and now she even dares to target Wan'er, so don't blame me for being impolite to her." Madam Wei sneered, "And that Lu Lan, if I had known she was so narrow-minded, I should have let her marry into the Chen family along with Lu Xin."

Granny Fang comforted them, "Fortunately, these two don't dare to act openly. This old servant will keep an eye on them."

Wei nodded.

In the evening, Zhiwan brought the set of jewelry to Lanyuan.

“Aunt, this was a gift from the Princess of Gaoyang’s Mansion. I can’t wear so many, so please give them to you.” Zhiwan opened the box and showed Wei Shi the contents.

Upon hearing this, Madam Wei smiled broadly. She looked down and examined each piece of jewelry in the box one by one, praising, "They are truly beautiful. Today's trip to the Prince of Gaoyang's residence was definitely worthwhile."

Zhiwan smiled and said, "As long as Aunt thinks it's pretty, that's fine." With that, she closed the box and had Granny Fang carry it to Madam Wei's inner room.

Granny Fang didn't move, but looked at Madam Wei for instructions.

Madam Wei pulled Zhiwan's hand, both amused and exasperated, "You silly girl, you don't even keep anything good for yourself?"

“I have kept them all. I’ve carefully kept all the good things my aunt gave me,” Zhiwan said earnestly.

Madam Wei chuckled, then said seriously, "You're very kind, but you should keep these pieces of jewelry for yourself. Your aunt has plenty of jewelry, more than she can wear. After you return from Yangzhou, I will start helping you find a husband. Keep some valuables for yourself, so you'll have more security in the future."

Zhiwan was taken aback. "What do you mean by returning from Yangzhou?"

Madam Wei patted her head affectionately and said, "Didn't I tell you last time? The anniversary of your parents' death is coming soon. You haven't visited their graves for so many years. Before you get married, go and offer incense to your parents so that they can rest in peace. I've already made arrangements. In a few days, I will personally take you back to Yangzhou."

Zhiwan felt touched and conflicted. She hadn't expected that even though she had refused to go back last time, her aunt would still make arrangements.

Since things had come to this, she didn't refuse any longer and said gratefully, "Thank you, Auntie."

"Silly girl, there's no need to thank me," Madam Wei shook her head.

After leaving the Orchid Courtyard, Zhiwan took Shuang'er to the garden. Gazing at the starry sky, she stood by the pond, lost in thought.

She was about to return to Yangzhou in a few days, and suddenly felt a little apprehensive about going home.

She hasn't been back for so many years, does she know if anything has changed in Yangzhou?
Also, will her parents blame her for not visiting their graves to sweep incense all these years?
Shuang'er overheard what Wei said and, seeing the worry on her mistress's face, understood her thoughts. She comforted her, saying, "Miss, Master and Madam won't blame you. Please don't worry." Then, she added casually, "I wonder how Nurse Chen is doing? Are her children being dutiful to her? She would be so happy to see you return. Also, I wonder if the pastry shop you love is still open?"

Hearing her talk about the people and things in Yangzhou, a smile finally appeared on Zhiwan's face. "When I get back to Yangzhou, I'll go see my wet nurse and then check if that shop is still there."

Seeing the smile on her face, Shuang'er felt relieved and said with a smile, "When the wet nurse sees you, she'll probably faint from happiness."

"That won't do. If that happens, the wet nurse's two sons will blame me," Zhiwan said with a smile.

After Shuang'er interrupted, she felt a little more relaxed, and the two of them walked back.

"Miss, it is the young master."

As they passed a pavilion, Shuang'er suddenly spoke up to remind them.

Zhiwan looked up and saw Lu Zhan standing with his hands behind his back in the pavilion ahead.

What is my cousin doing standing there so late?
Zhiwan had some doubts, but she still went over.

"Cousin." She stood outside the pavilion and curtsied.

Lu Zhan was lost in thought when he heard the voice. He turned around and saw that it was Zhi Wan. He nodded and asked, "Cousin, why are you still lingering here so late?"

"I'm just taking a walk, I'll be heading back soon," Zhiwan said.

Lu Zhan hummed in agreement and stepped out of the pavilion.

As soon as he came out, Zhiwan smelled a perfume scent and a look of surprise flashed across her face.

Under the bright moonlight, Lu Zhan clearly saw the strange look on her face. He paused and asked, "What's wrong?"

Zhiwan glanced at him quickly, then lowered her head again. "It's nothing."

"Speak!" Lu Zhan frowned, emphasizing his tone.

Zhiwan was startled, twisting her handkerchief, and whispered, "My cousin smells of... cosmetics."

It's quite rich!
Zhiwan added a sentence in her mind.

Lu Zhan: "..."

After a long pause, he calmly said, "You've smelled it wrong."

Zhiwan blinked, as if to say that her nose was very sensitive and that she hadn't misheard.

But when she met her cousin's cold eyes, she could only swallow her words.

"Hmm, I guess I smelled it wrong," she said obediently.

(End of this chapter)