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

Chapter 87 Skin-to-Skin Intimacy
Knowing that she planned to marry into the family and refused to reveal her identity, he should have distanced himself from her.

But entering dreams is beyond his control.

He didn't want to get entangled with her anymore, yet he kept dreaming of being intimate with her.

In addition, last time, he had already...

He has a responsibility towards her.

Regardless of whether she needs it or not, he wants to find her and offer her some compensation.

Furthermore, the dream-like experience might be dispelled after meeting the person in real life.

Since she doesn't want to marry him, the two of them shouldn't dream about each other anymore!

……

The following day, after court, Lu Zhan was summoned to the imperial study by the emperor.

"Your Majesty, I have come to pay my respects." Lu Zhan lifted his robe and knelt down.

The emperor sat behind his desk, reviewing memorials, and said kindly, "Minister Lu, please excuse your formalities."

The emperor is now over sixty years old. He has lost the decisiveness and ruthlessness of his youth, but his majesty is even greater, making him even more unpredictable.

"I wonder what Your Majesty has summoned me for?" Lu Zhan asked, rising to his feet.

The emperor suddenly sighed and stepped out from behind his throne. "I have been troubled by something lately."

"I wonder what troubles Your Majesty? I am willing to share Your Majesty's worries," Lu Zhan said, bowing his head.

The emperor nodded with satisfaction. "Lu Zhan, I was right about you." He then walked up to Lu Zhan and patted him on the shoulder. "After much thought, I believe that only you can solve this problem for me."

Lu Zhan said calmly, "Please give your instructions, Your Majesty."

The emperor did not speak, but turned around, walked to the window, looked out and said, "Prince Jin is still my younger brother. Although he had rebellious intentions back then, I couldn't bear it and let him go. But recently, I have received news that Prince Jin's descendants have been making frequent disturbances in Jiangnan and may have rebellious intentions. For the sake of the country, I absolutely cannot tolerate him!"

Upon hearing this, Lu Zhan's brows furrowed almost imperceptibly.

As far as he knew, Prince Jin had already died by the emperor's sword, but it turned out that Prince Jin had not died and had left behind descendants.
The emperor turned around and said in a deep voice, "This matter is of great importance and should not be publicized. Otherwise, it will surely alert the enemy and cause the descendants of the Prince of Jin to make a desperate gamble and fight the court to the death. In that case, it will be the common people who suffer."

Therefore, I intend to send you to Jiangnan under the pretext of investigating corrupt officials. You must secretly find out the descendants of the Prince of Jin.

If you can handle this matter well, I will reward you handsomely!

Lu Zhan frowned slightly and said calmly, "Your Majesty, I will definitely investigate this matter thoroughly. If it is just a misunderstanding, there is no need to make a big fuss. Please rest assured, Your Majesty."

"No, the descendants of the Prince of Jin must be eliminated. If you find them, you don't need to ask me for permission; just execute them directly!" The emperor's previous amiability was immediately replaced by a chilling aura.

Lu Zhan's heart skipped a beat. "Yes!"

"This is my warrant. When we arrive in Jiangnan, you are free to act as you see fit." The emperor took out a token and handed it over.

Lu Zhan accepted it.

"Lu Zhan, among all the young officials, I have the highest hopes for you. Don't disappoint me!" The emperor patted him on the shoulder and looked at him with a deep gaze.

"Yes." Lu Zhan lowered his eyes.

Dingguo Gongfu.

As soon as Zhiwan and Weishi stepped out of the carriage, they saw Lu Zhan dismount.

"Cousin," Zhiwan greeted first.

Lu Zhan was lost in thought when he suddenly heard this voice. He paused, turned around, and saw Zhiwan and his mother standing there.

He paused, collected his thoughts, and nodded. "Mother, cousin."

"Ah Zhan, you just returned from the palace?" Madam Wei asked with concern. "Yes," Lu Zhan replied, not wanting to discuss palace matters further, and changed the subject, "Did Mother and my cousin go out?"

Madam Wei nodded. "The day after tomorrow, I will take Wan'er back to Yangzhou. I went out to buy some things we'll need for the journey."

"Back to Yangzhou?" Lu Zhan asked in surprise, glancing at Zhiwan.

Zhiwan nodded and explained, "The anniversaries of my parents' deaths are coming soon."

Lu Zhan paused for a moment, then said, "I'll be going to Yangzhou in a few days, so you can come along."

Wei was somewhat delighted, "Really?"

"Yes, His Majesty has ordered me to go to Jiangnan to investigate corrupt officials." Lu Zhan nodded.

Upon hearing this, Zhi Wan pondered for a moment before asking, "Cousin, will my travels with you cause you any trouble?"

"What trouble can you cause me?" Lu Zhan retorted.

Zhiwan twisted the handkerchief in her hand and spoke her mind, "I was thinking that if I could travel with my cousin, then I wouldn't have to trouble my aunt to accompany me to Yangzhou. After all, my aunt is in charge of the household affairs and has so many things to do every day that she simply can't spare the time."

Upon hearing this, Madam Wei was taken aback for a moment, then quickly said, "Accompanying you back won't be a problem..."

“But my aunt gets seasick, and we’re going to Yangzhou by water.” Zhiwan frowned, quite worried.

"If all else fails, we'll just take the land route," Wei said nonchalantly.

“But that would waste even more time on the road.” Zhi Wanxin had concerns. She was afraid of troubling her aunt, so she had never mentioned returning to Yangzhou for so many years. This time, however, she couldn’t refuse because her aunt had already made arrangements in private.

But she knew that her aunt's trip back to Yangzhou would cause many delays, and since her aunt was prone to seasickness, the journey would be unpleasant.

Now that my cousin is going to Jiangnan, she can go with him, so my aunt doesn't have to go at all.

Thinking of this, she couldn't help but turn her gaze to Lu Zhan, hoping that her cousin could help her persuade her aunt.

Meeting the hopeful eyes of the little girl, Lu Zhan paused for a moment before saying, "Mother, my cousin is right. You don't have to go. My cousin will come with me, and I will take care of her."

Madam Wei was still somewhat hesitant. Her son was ruthless and heartless when he was on official business, and he didn't know how to take care of people. If Wan'er went with him, she was afraid she would suffer.

Moreover, Wan'er used to be very afraid of her son. Although she doesn't seem so afraid now, if they travel together, Wan'er will have to face her stern and unapproachable son every day. How much torment will that cause Wan'er?

Even if she suffered grievances at her son's hands, Wan'er probably wouldn't dare to say it and would just swallow it down.

She could almost see Wan'er huddled in the corner, looking weak, helpless, and pitiful.

The more Wei thought about it, the more worried she became. "Lu Zhan, will you... bully Wan'er?"

Lu Zhan: "..."

Seeing that his face had darkened, Zhiwan quickly tugged at Wei's sleeve, "Aunt, you're overthinking it. My cousin is very good to me. How could he bully me? My cousin wouldn't!"

"But……"

"Since you're so worried, why don't you take her back yourself?" Lu Zhan said calmly, then entered the mansion first.

Wei: "..."

She was a little annoyed; this kid had quite the temper.

She was just a little worried, which is why she asked the extra question.

She snorted coldly, turned her head and patted Zhiwan's hand, comforting her, "No need for him to take you, I'll take you back myself."

Zhiwan still felt that it would be best to travel with Lu Zhan, because that way she wouldn't have to trouble her aunt to take her.

Therefore, after returning to Yaoguang Pavilion, she took out the ginseng that Wei had given her before, intending to brew it into ginseng tea and send it to Lu Zhan.

(End of this chapter)