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

Chapter 99 Turns out my cousin has a temper too.
Zhiwan lowered her head and whispered, "I didn't mean that. If you have nothing else to say, cousin, I'll head back now." Without waiting for Lu Zhan to speak, she quickly turned and went back to her cabin.

"boom!"

The door slammed shut, making quite a noise.

Lu Zhan: "..."

Is my cousin angry?
He raised his hand and rubbed his temples.

However, it turns out my cousin has a temper too.

He thought about it calmly.

Inside the cabin, Zhiwan had just returned when Granny Fang also returned.

Zhiwan asked, "Did anything happen when Liu Niang went to Pearl's room?"

“Even if Liu Niang wanted to cause trouble, she wouldn’t have the chance. Miss Ouyang is very clever; she didn’t let her in,” Granny Fang said with a smile.

Upon hearing this, Zhiwan felt relieved.

Granny Fang asked with some puzzlement, "Didn't Miss just want to go up to the deck for some fresh air? Why did you come back so soon?"

Zhiwan sat down in the chair, resting her chin on her hand. She did not answer her question, but said, "Chen Jiu said that my cousin has visited all the brothels in the capital."

"What?!" Granny Fang's eyes widened in astonishment. "The young master is of noble birth, upright and honest, and has always been self-disciplined. How could he go to such a place? How dare that scoundrel Chen Jiu speak ill of the young master like that? Isn't he afraid of being punished by the madam!"

Thinking of her cousin's reaction just now, Zhiwan paused and couldn't help but speak up for Chen Jiu, "Granny Fang, this matter is probably true, and it's not something A-Jiu made up."

Granny Fang shook her head. "Impossible. The young master is a man of noble character. How could he set foot in such a place? Unless it's for a case, then it would be understandable."

Zhi Wan thought to herself: "Does investigating a case require visiting every brothel? Besides, as the Minister of the Court of Judicial Review, what kind of case would require my cousin to personally visit every brothel to investigate?"

In her opinion, her cousin must have been angry and embarrassed because Chen Jiu had exposed him.

Zhiwan couldn't help but feel a little disappointed in her cousin.

She still clearly remembered that the last time she went out to eat with her cousin, he personally explained to her that he went to the brothel to investigate a case. At that time, she naively believed him.

It turned out to be completely fake.

I never imagined my cousin would be such a hypocrite.

She even thought he was a true gentleman.

Sure enough, all men are the same; none of them are good!

After a moment of internal grumbling, Zhiwan remembered something and quickly asked seriously, "Granny Fang, you haven't revealed my surname when you've been in contact with that Liu Niang these past few days, have you?"

Granny Fang quickly shook her head, "I have followed Miss's instructions and have had very little contact with that Liu Niang these past few days. Unless necessary, I have not revealed any information to her."

"This servant doesn't have any either," Shuang'er shook her head.

Upon hearing this, Zhiwan found it somewhat strange.

How did Liu Niang know her surname?

She believed that Ouyang Zhenzhu would not have told Liu Niang this either.

With so many people on board, if it wasn't said by someone close to them, then it must be...

Zhi Wan suddenly realized why her cousin had punished Chen Jiu by sending him to the lower cabin.

The lower cabin was where the boatmen and crew lived, as well as a group of guards, including Liu Niang, so the population was quite diverse.

If Liu Niang wanted to know something, she could easily find out from those people.

Given Liu Niang's behavior of trying to seduce Chen Jiu outside her cousin's room, it's possible that all the boatmen and crew members on the boat have already been seduced by her and become her devoted followers.

That's why the cousin found a pretext to punish Chen Jiu by sending him to the lower deck, so that Chen Jiu could supervise Liu Niang, as well as the boatman and crew.

Thinking of this, Zhiwan suddenly understood.

She said that her cousin didn't seem that angry just now, but he still punished Chen Jiu by sending him to the lower cabin. So that's why.

In the next cabin, Lu Zhan, who was reviewing files, suddenly sneezed several times.

His brows furrowed.

Seeing the open window, I assumed it was because of the strong wind from the river at night, so I went over and closed it.

As Chen Jiu, carrying his bundle and looking dejected, descended the cabin, he bumped into Liu Niang.

"Why is Guard Chen here too?" Lady Liu asked with a smile as she noticed the bundle in his hand.

Chen Jiu tossed his bundle aside and complained, "I only spoke a few words with Miss Biao about the young master's private affairs, and the young master got angry and kicked me out."

With a look of sympathy, Liu Niang said, "Guard Chen is loyal and hardworking, which everyone can see. It's too heartless of Lord Lu to expel you for such a trivial matter."

Chen Jiu remained silent, his face grim.

Seeing his indignant expression, clearly dissatisfied with Lu Zhan, Liu Niang curled her lips and said, "Guard Chen, you can stay here for a few days. Once Lord Lu calms down, he might recall you."

"I fucking don't want to do this anymore!" Chen Jiu muttered under his breath.

Liu Niang's eyes flashed, but she didn't say anything more. Instead, she diligently helped him make up the bedding.

Seeing this, Chen Jiu felt a little embarrassed and stopped her, saying, "I wouldn't dare trouble you, Madam Liu. I can do it myself."

“It’s fate that we met here. Guard Chen, please don’t stand on ceremony with me. Besides, it was Guard Chen who pulled me out of the water. Otherwise, my worthless life would have been gone long ago. Speaking of which, you have done me a great favor. Guard Chen, if there is anything you can do for me, please just ask.” Liu Niang said sincerely.

Chen Jiu scratched his head and stammered, "Mrs. Liu, you flatter me."

Seeing his reaction, Liu Niang chuckled. "Guard Chen isn't young anymore, is he? Why is he still so shy?" As she spoke, she reached out and touched his chest.

Chen Jiu: "..."

Liu Niang laughed loudly, "Alright, I won't tease Guard Chen anymore. I'll go get him some food."

As soon as she left, Chen Jiu pounded his chest hard, as if he could wipe away the marks Liu Niang had left on it.

The task assigned by the Crown Prince is truly difficult; he even has to sacrifice his virtue. He has guarded his chastity for over twenty years, and he might not be able to keep it up for the next few days.

Thinking of this, he tightened his clothes around his neck.

……

The next day.

Zhiwan was painting in her cabin when Shuang'er came in with a plate of snacks. "Miss, the young master sent some snacks for you."

A look of surprise flashed across Zhiwan's face. "Cousin had someone deliver this?"

"Yes." Shuang'er nodded and said with a smile, "It's still the pea flour cake that Miss likes to eat."

Zhiwan pursed her lips and looked at the plate in her hand.

It was indeed her favorite pea flour cake.

Why did my cousin suddenly...?

Zhiwan paused, thinking of how her cousin had scolded her last night. Could it be that her cousin was apologizing to her?
The thought of this possibility surprised her, but she still picked up a piece of pea flour cake and started eating it.

In the afternoon, just as Lu Zhan and Duan Ling finished their discussion, there was a knock on the cabin door.

Duan Ling opened the door, and when he returned, Shuang'er was following behind him.

"Your Highness," Shuang'er bowed.

"What is it?" Lu Zhan asked.

"Miss said that the pea flour cake is delicious. Thank you, Your Highness. Since Miss has nothing else to give, she painted a picture of a river for Your Highness to enjoy." After saying this, Shuang'er presented a scroll of painting.

Lu Zhan paused for a moment, then said calmly, "Your young lady is very thoughtful."

"If there's nothing else, I'll take my leave now." After saying that, Shuang'er left.

Lu Zhan unfolded the painting in his hand, and it was indeed a picture of a river. Judging from the ink marks, it must have been just finished.

He raised an eyebrow. When did this girl become so polite and well-mannered?

He merely sent someone a plate of snacks, and she personally painted a picture to present it to him.

Just as Duan Ling was about to get closer to take a look, he quickly rolled up the painting.

"What did I draw? Can't I see it?" Duan Ling said, displeased.

(End of this chapter)