The Minister: Cold by Day, Hot by Night-Chapter 18: Just for Fun

This was also a warning to Lady Lou not to get her hopes up, lest she be disappointed in the end.

Lady Lou understood the implication of her words but inwardly scoffed. ’Her Xin’er is the legitimate daughter of the Duke Mansion’s second branch and exceptionally beautiful. Why wouldn’t the Xuanping Marquis Mansion take a liking to her?’

Outwardly, however, she said, "I was just... speaking idly. It was only for a bit of fun."

Lady Wei said no more, but she sneered inwardly.

’Lady Lou must have forgotten that Lu Xin just made a fool of herself at our own flower-viewing party not long ago. Her reputation must have already suffered because of it.’

’Now that the Xuanping Marquis Mansion has sent an invitation specifically asking for all three young ladies, as far as I’m concerned, Lu Xin and Lu Lan were only invited as a matter of course. After all, since they all live in the same mansion, it would have been awkward to invite only Zhi Wan.’

’But Lady Lou clearly thinks the Xuanping Marquis Mansion has taken an interest in her Lu Xin.’

"Prepare yourselves. You will all go together tomorrow," Lady Wei said.

Lu Xin could hardly sit still after hearing this. 𝐟𝐫𝕖𝗲𝘄𝚎𝗯𝕟𝐨𝕧𝐞𝚕.𝕔𝕠𝐦

’The Heir of Xuanping Marquis had attended the last flower-viewing party at their mansion. She had seen him then—he was handsome, with an extraordinary bearing, and she had taken quite a liking to him.’

’This sudden invitation to a flower-viewing party at his residence... could it be that he’s taken an interest in me?’

’If that’s the case, I must go back and carefully prepare my clothes and jewelry. I have to be dressed to the nines tomorrow.’

"Sister-in-law, if there’s nothing else, I’ll take the two sisters back. With this sudden invitation to a flower-viewing party, I’ll need to prepare quite a few things for them." Lady Lou said this, yet she remained seated.

Lady Wei naturally caught the hint in her words. Her expression remained placid as she said, "As their mother, you should indeed prepare well for them. You may all go back first."

Seeing that Lady Wei made no offer, Lady Lou was both disappointed and indignant.

’My sister-in-law doesn’t even have a daughter. And yet, she’s unwilling to spare even one or two pieces of her fine jewelry for her own niece.’

As she left, her eyes darted to Zhi Wan, who was sitting beside Lady Wei, and a sense of displeasure washed over her.

’My Xin’er is a proper young lady of the Lu Family, Lady Wei’s own niece. Is she not better than some outsider?’

’Yet Lady Wei would rather give all the good things to that orphan, Zhi Wan, than show the slightest favor to her own niece.’

’I really don’t know what Lady Wei is thinking.’

After the three of them had gone, Lady Wei took Zhi Wan’s hand and explained, "Lu Xin’s confinement wasn’t supposed to be over yet, but the Xuanping Marquis Mansion sent an invitation that specifically named the three of you."

"I understand," Zhi Wan said with a nod.

Lady Wei sighed and patted her hand. "Wan’er, come with me."

Zhi Wan, not understanding why, followed her into the inner chamber.

There, laid out on the dressing table, was a dazzling array of jewelry.

"Aunt, what is all this...?"

Lady Wei smiled. "The flower-viewing party at the Xuanping Marquis Mansion tomorrow is sure to be a grand affair. Take a look at my jewelry. If you see anything you like, feel free to take it. Dress up beautifully tomorrow and outshine all the other young ladies."

Zhi Wan was taken aback for a moment, then politely declined. "Aunt, I don’t need so much jewelry. I’ve hardly worn the pieces you picked out for me at the Treasure Pavilion last time."

"You silly girl," Lady Wei said, exasperated. "Others are practically begging to get something from me, yet here you are, refusing what’s right in front of you."

Zhi Wan knew she was talking about Lady Lou.

She had also understood the meaning behind Lady Lou’s words just now.

’Lady Lou was always shrewd and calculating.’

"But I really can’t wear so much," Zhi Wan said earnestly. "Please put them away. You can give them to my cousin’s wife in the future."

Hearing this, Lady Wei grew a little dejected. "With your cousin’s disposition, who knows when he’ll finally get married?"

"When fate decrees it, his bride will naturally arrive," Zhi Wan said comfortingly.

"You little rascal, you’re quite good at cheering people up." Coaxed into a smile, Lady Wei said, "If you won’t choose, then I’ll choose for you." With that, she selected a few pieces of jewelry, placed them in a box, and pressed it into Zhi Wan’s hands.

"Thank you, Aunt."

Zhi Wan couldn’t refuse any longer and had no choice but to accept them. ’I’ll find a chance to give them back to Aunt later,’ she thought.

...

「The next day.」

Considering she was a guest on someone else’s territory and that many other noble young ladies would be in attendance, Zhi Wan didn’t want to stand out too much. She chose a pale lilac dress and adorned her hair with simple velvet flowers. However, she couldn’t disgrace the Duke Dingguo Mansion or let others think her aunt mistreated her. So, from the pieces Lady Wei had given her the day before, she selected an ornate collar necklace to wear.

At first glance, her attire was unremarkable, but upon closer inspection, one would realize the collar around her neck was immensely valuable.

When Zhi Wan arrived at the front courtyard, Lu Xin and Lu Lan were already waiting.

Lu Xin had long grown impatient. Seeing Zhi Wan’s leisurely arrival, she snapped, "You have some nerve, making us wait for you!"

Wanting to avoid an argument on a day they were going out, Zhi Wan ignored her and said to Lu Lan, "Lan’er, let’s get in the carriage."

Lu Lan was quietly sizing her up.

Her gaze flickered when she saw the ornate collar around Zhi Wan’s neck.

’That one collar Zhi Wan is wearing is worth more than all the jewelry Lu Xin, the legitimate daughter, is wearing from head to toe.’

When Zhi Wan spoke to her, she immediately nodded. "Alright."

Once they were in the carriage, Lu Xin finally noticed the collar on Zhi Wan’s neck. Her expression soured as she said sarcastically, "Our aunt certainly does dote on you."

Zhi Wan glanced at her and raised a hand to touch the collar. "Yes, she does. My aunt dotes on me very much."

Lu Xin’s eyes followed the movement, landing on her neck. The sight of the lustrous pearls and gems glittering on the collar made her instantly clench her teeth.

’Aunt truly favors that little bitch, Zhi Wan.’

’To think she would casually give away such a precious collar to her.’

’And yet, she’s so stingy with me, a legitimate daughter of the Lu Family.’

Seething with jealousy and anger, Lu Xin’s eyes reddened. The memory of the last flower-viewing party fueled her malice. "What’s there to be so smug about?" she spat viciously. "So what if Aunt treats you well? Can she do it for the rest of your life? Once you leave the Duke Dingguo Mansion and lose her protection, you’ll be worse off than a beggar!"

"Third Sister, please don’t speak to Zhi Wan like that..." Lu Lan couldn’t help but say.

"Who do you think you are? What right do you have to speak to me?" Lu Xin shot her a venomous glare, then added with a sneer, "Some people are so desperate to curry favor, they don’t even care who they’re sucking up to. What can an orphan give you? Be careful all your efforts don’t amount to nothing!"

Lu Lan’s face flushed. "I... I wasn’t..."

Lu Xin snorted and turned away, ignoring her.

Zhi Wan glanced at Lu Xin, paying her no mind. Seeing Lu Lan at a loss, she reached out, patted her hand, and said softly, "Don’t listen to a word she says."

Lu Lan’s expression eased slightly. She nodded. "Mm-hmm."

The Xuanping Marquis Mansion’s villa was in the suburb of the capital.

After leaving the city gates, the carriage traveled for another half hour before arriving.

This particular villa of the Xuanping Marquis Mansion was filled with peach trees, and it was the perfect season to see them in full bloom.

Zhi Wan and the others were led into the villa by a servant from the Xuanping Marquis Mansion.

Everywhere they looked was a blaze of brilliant blossoms. It was like stepping into an ocean of flowers, an intoxicating sight.

Zhi Wan lifted her head to admire the vast Peach Blossom Forest when, suddenly, someone shouted excitedly, "The Heir of Xuanping Marquis is here!"