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

Chapter 89 Zhiwan fears her cousin's displeasure

Ouyang Zhenzhu said with a smile, "You're leaving tomorrow morning, so I'll sleep here with you tonight and we can set off together tomorrow, so we won't be in a rush and waste time."

Zhiwan: "..."

Seeing her somewhat troubled expression, Ouyang Zhenzhu asked cautiously, "What's wrong? Is there a problem? Or are you worried that Madam Lu won't agree? It's alright, I'll go talk to her myself."

Zhiwan sighed and said, "My aunt isn't going. I'm leaving with my cousin tomorrow."

"Huh?" Ouyang Zhenzhu exclaimed in surprise.

Looking at the bundle in her arms, Zhiwan couldn't bear to refuse. After thinking for a moment, she said, "If you really want to go, I'll ask my cousin first. If he agrees, then there's no problem."

“Okay, then go quickly,” Ouyang Zhenzhu said hastily.

Just as Zhiwan was about to leave, she remembered something and stopped her, adding, "Tell Lord Lu that I will be very honest and obedient, and I will definitely not cause him any trouble."

"Okay." Zhiwan replied and left with Shuang'er.

When they were almost at Qingyun Residence, Zhiwan stopped and did not approach, but instead asked Shuang'er to ask Lu Zhan for permission.

A short while later, Lu Zhan actually came out with Shuang'er.

"Cousin." Zhiwan quickly stepped forward to greet him.

Lu Zhan asked, "What happened?"

"It's like this, Pearl just came to the manor. She said she wants to go to Yangzhou for fun and wants to travel with us. Her parents have already agreed. She didn't know before that her aunt wasn't going. I saw that she had already brought her luggage, so I came to ask my cousin if she could come along?" Zhiwan said somewhat shyly.

Taking her along is already troublesome enough; adding Ouyang Zhenzhu on top of that would likely displease her cousin.

But she couldn't bear to see Ouyang Zhenzhu return disappointed, so she had no choice but to come and ask.

“Then let’s go,” Lu Zhan said.

Zhiwan looked at him in surprise. She hadn't expected her cousin to agree so readily without any hesitation.

Meeting the girl's surprised gaze, Lu Zhan paused and explained, "The journey is long. Ouyang Zhenzhu will come along and keep you company."

Upon hearing this, Zhiwan was both delighted and touched. "Thank you, cousin."

Lu Zhan shook his head and asked gently, "Is there anything else?"

"That's all," Zhiwan said hurriedly. "Then cousin, you go ahead with your work. I'm going back now."

"Okay, wait outside the mansion gate at dawn tomorrow." Lu Zhan gave the instructions and then turned and entered Qingyun Residence.

Having accomplished this task, Zhiwan was overjoyed and eager to share the good news with Ouyang Zhenzhu.

"Wan'er, what were you and Jinzhi talking about just now?"

Just then, two people emerged from behind the flowering tree.

It was Lu Jinglan and Lu Lan.

Seeing the two of them, Zhiwan felt a bit unlucky and said indifferently, "It's nothing."

Lu Jinglan frowned slightly, her expression somewhat disapproving. "No? But I seem to have heard you asking Jinzhi to take Ouyang Zhenzhu with you to Yangzhou? Wan'er, what you're doing is a bit inconsiderate. Jinzhi is going on official business, and taking you along is already troublesome enough for him. Bringing outsiders along will definitely affect Jinzhi's business."

Zhiwan found it somewhat amusing. It turned out that she had heard everything, yet she still pretended to ask her questions, and now she was acting like an elder lecturing her.

She felt disgusted, but put on an innocent face, "But my cousin has already agreed."

Lu Jinglan narrowed her eyes, scrutinizing Zhiwan's beautiful face.

How come she never noticed before that Zhiwan was so good at finding opportunities to show off in front of Jinzhi?
Although the two addressed each other as cousins, they were not actually cousins ​​at all, not even distant relatives, and this time, they were going to travel together again. Yangzhou was no small place.

If Zhi Wan were on the road, and took the opportunity to get close to Jin Zhi, then...

A cold glint flashed in Lu Jinglan's eyes.

She absolutely cannot allow this to happen!
“Sister Zhiwan, my brother is on an errand. Although Ouyang Zhenzhu is on good terms with you, she is still an outsider. You really shouldn’t cause trouble for him.” Lu Lan frowned slightly, her face showing disapproval.

"So what do you think I should do now? My cousin has already agreed, and I've also promised Pearl that she could go with me." Zhiwan looked at her with a pleading expression.

Lu Lan rubbed the handkerchief in her hand, lowered her eyes and said, "If Sister Zhiwan could be considerate of Brother, she should take the initiative to cancel this matter with him."

Zhiwan hesitated, "You're right, but I've already talked to my cousin about this, and I'm really embarrassed to bother him again. Lulan, you're kind and gentle, why don't you go and talk to my cousin?"

Lu Lan thought of her elder brother's stern face, her pupils contracted, and she took a step back.

In her heart, her older brother was more intimidating than her father.

Her gaze flickered, and she said softly, "This is something that Sister Zhiwan caused herself, and she should resolve it herself."

“You’re too scared to go? I’m scared too.” Zhiwan blinked.

Lu Lan clenched the handkerchief tightly.

Zhiwan thought it was just a minor incident and didn't take it to heart. However, she never expected that in the evening, Old Madam Lu would send someone to invite her over.

She vaguely guessed that it must be related to Lu Jinglan and Lu Lan.

She calmly followed the servants to Fushou Hall.

Unexpectedly, Lu Zhan and Madam Wei were also there.

"Greetings, Madam Lu, Aunt, and Cousin." Zhiwan bowed to each of them.

"Please sit down," said Old Madam Lu, her expression indifferent.

After having Zhiwan sit down beside her, Madam Wei asked, "Mother, why did you call us here so late?"

Madam Lu glanced at her and, without beating around the bush, said directly, "Jinglan has never been to Jiangnan before and has always longed to go there. Since Jinzhi is going to Jiangnan on business this time, Jinglan can go with him. On the way, she can also take care of Jinzhi and Zhiwan."

Upon hearing this, Zhiwan couldn't help but look at Lu Jinglan. So that was her plan; she also wanted to go to Yangzhou.

Lu Jinglan was looking at Lu Zhan at that moment.

Noticing Zhiwan's gaze, Lu Jinglan looked away and smiled gently at her, as if the unpleasantness of the day had never happened.

Zhiwan withdrew her gaze.

She never expected that Lu Jinglan would also want to go to Jiangnan together.

That makes sense, given Lu Jinglan's wicked nature; how could she possibly let go of the opportunity to spend time with her cousin?
“Grandmother knows that I am going on official business, not for sightseeing. Bringing so many women with me is inconvenient and inappropriate. I do not agree to this,” Lu Zhan said in a deep voice.

Madam Lu's expression changed.

Lu Jinglan also gripped the handkerchief tightly.

Madam Wei was initially very angry, but when she heard her son refuse, her brows relaxed and she said, "Granny Fang has served me for so many years and is very meticulous in her work. She will take good care of the two children, so there's no need for Jinglan to trouble herself. If Jinglan wants to go to Jiangnan, there will be plenty of opportunities in the future. When she gets married, she can go with her husband, which would be more appropriate."

Old Madam Lu was furious at being humiliated and looked at Lu Zhan with displeasure. "You're willing to let Ouyang Zhenzhu, an outsider, come along, but why can't your own aunt come? You won't even give your grandmother face?"

(End of this chapter)