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

Chapter 88 did some reckless things.
Qingyun Residence.

Looking at the ginseng tea in front of him, Lu Zhan recalled the old hen and ginseng soup his mother had stewed for him last time, and his handsome face froze for a moment.

Why is it ginseng tea again?

He frowned slightly and asked Chen Jiu, who was serving him, "Did Miss Biao send this over?"

"Yes," Chen Jiu replied respectfully, a hint of envy on his face. "The young lady is so kind to the young master. Shuang'er told me that this ginseng tea was brewed for you by the young lady herself."

Lu Zhan, who had originally intended to offer him the ginseng tea, paused upon hearing this. "She brewed it herself?"

"Yes, Shuang'er also said that Miss Biao scalded her hand with boiling water while making ginseng tea for the young master," Chen Jiu reported truthfully.

Upon hearing this, Lu Zhan frowned. "Did you burn your hand?"

"Yes, but it should be nothing serious," Chen Jiu said hurriedly.

Lu Zhan pursed his thin lips, looking at the ginseng tea in front of him with some hesitation.

"Young Master, drink it while it's hot, don't let Miss Biao's kindness go to waste." Chen Jiu reminded him when he saw that he hadn't touched the ginseng tea. The ginseng flavor was so strong, Miss Biao was probably brewing the whole ginseng root, it would be a waste.

"Mm," Lu Zhan responded, picking up his cup.

He had just taken a sip when his handsome brows furrowed sharply, and he almost vomited.

"What's wrong, Your Highness? Is there something wrong with this ginseng tea?" Chen Jiu asked hurriedly upon seeing this.

Lu Zhan paused for a moment, then shook his head. "It's nothing."

It's because Zhiwan put too many ginseng slices in it.

It seems this was the first time I brewed ginseng tea, and I didn't get the amount right.

After finally finishing the ginseng tea, Lu Zhan asked Chen Jiu to pour him a glass of water to rinse his mouth.

Once the bitterness had subsided, he said calmly, "Go ask Miss Biao if she wants to go to Yangzhou with me."

Chen Jiu was surprised, "Why does the young master have such thoughts? Shuang'er brought ginseng tea just now, but she didn't mention this matter."

Lu Zhan glanced at the empty cup on the table.

Chen Jiu suddenly realized, "So, Miss Cousin suddenly brought you ginseng tea for this reason?"

Lu Zhan didn't say much, only calmly saying, "Return the cup as well."

"Understood," Chen Jiu replied, tidied up the cups, and went to Yaoguang Pavilion.

Yaoguang Pavilion.

Zhiwan paced back and forth in the room.

My cousin is so smart, he should know her purpose in bringing him ginseng tea this time, right?
He's so particular about etiquette; after drinking the ginseng tea she brewed, he should agree to take her with him to Yangzhou, right?
Just as she was thinking this, Shuang'er walked in excitedly. "Miss, Chen Jiu is here. He said the young master asked if you would like to go to Yangzhou with him?"

Zhiwan's eyes lit up; her cousin had indeed not disappointed her.

She nodded quickly, "Yes, go and report back."

"Yes." Shuang'er went immediately.

Zhiwan breathed a sigh of relief. Now, all she had to do was persuade her aunt.

Chen Jiu returned to Qingyun Residence and reported, "Young Master, you guessed right. Miss Biao sent word that she wants to go to Yangzhou with you."

"Understood," Lu Zhan replied, opening a file.

This is an archive documenting officials from various parts of Jiangnan.

Although his trip to Jiangnan to investigate and punish corrupt officials was only on the surface, if there were indeed corrupt officials, he would naturally take action against them.

Remembering something, Lu Zhan raised his head and said, "Go to the Prince of Huainan's residence and tell Duan Shaoqing to make preparations so that he can come with me to Jiangnan the day after tomorrow."

"Yes," Chen Jiu replied and went out.

After reviewing the case files of officials from various parts of Jiangnan, Lu Zhan carefully examined all the criminal cases submitted from Jiangnan, and then selected a few cases with doubts and made a detailed note of them.

I plan to personally review the case when I go to Jiangnan.

By the time I finished dealing with all these matters, it was already late at night.

After taking a bath, Lu Zhan did not go to bed.

He asked Chen Jiu to make him a strong cup of tea.

When Chen Jiu brought over the strong tea, he said with great confusion, "It's so late. Drinking strong tea will keep you awake. Young Master, you shouldn't drink it."

"It's better if you can't sleep," Lu Zhan said softly, taking the teacup from his hand. Chen Jiu was completely baffled.

What do you mean?
He stood there, hesitated for a moment, and asked, "Has the young master encountered some problem?"

Only in this way can we explain why the Crown Prince said it's good if he can't sleep.

Strong tea can be refreshing. Is there a case that the Crown Prince can't figure out and needs to stay up all night to think about?

Lu Zhan paused for a moment, then said, "It's nothing, you can go and rest."

"Yes," Chen Jiu replied and left.

Lu Zhan sat by the window, enjoying the cool breeze and drinking strong tea, which finally helped to dissipate some of the restlessness in his body.

My cousin's ginseng tea was just as potent as the ginseng and old hen soup my mother made last time.

Once he falls asleep, he will inevitably dream.

Last time, because of that ginseng soup, he did some reckless things to that girl.

Although I didn't actually do anything to her, but...

Lu Zhan felt a slight burning sensation on his ears, lowered his head, took a sip of strong tea, and cleared his mind of distractions.

The next day.

After much persuasion, Zhiwan finally convinced Wei to let her accompany Lu Zhan to Yangzhou alone.

“…I can choose not to go, but Granny Fang must go with you,” said Madam Wei.

Zhiwan hesitated for a moment, "But that would be too difficult for Granny Fang."

Granny Fang smiled and said, "Miss, don't worry about this old servant. I'm in very good health and won't get seasick. Besides, I'd be more than happy to go to Yangzhou with you."

When Zhiwan heard her say that, she nodded in agreement, "As long as Granny Fang doesn't find it difficult."

"No, no," Granny Fang hurriedly replied.

With her accompanying her, Madam Wei felt much more at ease.

"If your cousin bullies you, be sure to tell me when you get back, and I will teach him a lesson."

“Auntie is overthinking it. Cousin isn’t that kind of person,” Zhiwan said with a smile.

"What benefits did he give you that you're speaking up for him?" Madam Wei feigned anger.

"I'm just telling the truth," Zhiwan said, unable to suppress a laugh.

She had just come out of the Orchid Courtyard when Dongxiang hurriedly came looking for her.

"Miss, Miss Ouyang has arrived."

"Pearl?" Zhiwan asked in surprise, "Where is she?"

"We've already invited you to the flower hall for tea," Dongxiang replied.

Zhiwan nodded and hurried back to Yaoguang Pavilion, where she found Ouyang Zhenzhu sitting there.

"Pearl, what brings you here?"

Ouyang Zhenzhu's eyes flickered, and she stood up to take her hand. "Didn't you tell me last time that you were going back to Yangzhou tomorrow?"

“Yes.” Zhiwan nodded.

“I’ve decided, I’m going to Yangzhou with you,” Ouyang Zhenzhu announced excitedly. “I’ve never been to Yangzhou before.”

Zhiwan was stunned. "You want to come with me?"

Ouyang Zhenzhu pouted, "Is that not allowed?"

Zhiwan took her hand and said, "It's not that it's impossible, it's just that the journey to Yangzhou is long and involves traveling by water. I'm afraid you won't be able to handle it."

“No, I’m used to being tough and thick-skinned, I’m not the kind of delicate girl,” Ouyang Zhenzhu retorted.

Zhiwan pinched her smooth cheek, both amused and exasperated. "You call this thick-skinned?"

“Anyway, I can endure hardship,” Ouyang Zhenzhu said confidently, pulling a bundle from behind her. “Besides, I’ve already talked to my parents, and they agree to let me go with you.”

Looking at the bundle in her hand, Zhiwan was stunned. "You even brought a bundle?"

(End of this chapter)