The Minister: Cold by Day, Hot by Night-Chapter 19: Taking Her as a Concubine Is Not Unacceptable

Chapter 19: Chapter 19: Taking Her as a Concubine Is Not Unacceptable

Just as Zhi Wan turned her head, she saw a handsome young man walking toward them.

’So he’s the Heir of Xuanping Marquis, Fu Hongyi!’

’He’s not bad-looking and rather tall, but he looks far too thin, like he doesn’t have much strength...’

In a fleeting moment, Zhi Wan had finished sizing up Fu Hongyi. She then turned her head back to continue admiring the peach blossoms on the trees.

Among the many young ladies, Fu Hongyi’s gaze landed on Zhi Wan at once.

Though her attire was on the plain side, her face was more enchanting than any peach blossom, beautiful enough to steal one’s breath away.

The young lady was unlike the others, who would blush shyly the moment they saw him. She merely gave him a fleeting glance before looking away.

It seemed the peach blossoms on the trees held more appeal for her than he did.

Receiving such a cold shoulder for the first time, Fu Hongyi found it novel. He felt this young lady was different from the others—very interesting.

When Lu Xin saw him approaching, she was delighted. Seeing his handsome face, her heart immediately began to race. She quickly checked her appearance, afraid she might look improper.

"Miss Zhi, we meet again."

Fu Hongyi stopped about three paces away and gave Zhi Wan a refined, gentlemanly bow.

The delight on Lu Xin’s face froze. Seeing that Fu Hongyi hadn’t even glanced at her, his gaze fixed directly on Zhi Wan, she was instantly embarrassed and angry.

’That vixen, Zhi Wan!’

Hearing his voice, Zhi Wan turned her head. Just then, a flower petal drifted down from a tree and happened to land right on the tip of her nose.

Zhi Wan paused for a moment, then reached up to take the petal. She glanced at it, held it between her fingers, and then curtsied in return to Fu Hongyi. "Heir Fu."

The scene just now was so breathtakingly beautiful that Fu Hongyi stared, dumbstruck, forgetting to react.

Seeing him staring blankly at her, Zhi Wan felt a flicker of displeasure. She straightened up and said to the manor servant who had led them there, "Is the Marchioness at the villa? Please be so kind as to introduce us."

The Marchioness was hosting today’s flower-viewing banquet at the villa, so she should be present.

Since they had come to her villa, it was only proper to pay their respects to the Marchioness first.

The servant who had led them, seeing his own Princely Heir standing there in a daze, felt a little awkward. He quickly spoke up to prompt him, "Princely Heir, this lowly one will first lead these young ladies from the Lu Family to the main courtyard."

Fu Hongyi finally snapped out of it. Realizing his impoliteness, he quickly tried to remedy the situation. "I happen to be going to the main courtyard as well. I’ll take you ladies there. Miss Zhi, the three of you, please follow me this way."

Zhi Wan had no favorable impression of him, but with Lu Lan and Lu Xin present, she didn’t object. "We’ll trouble you then, Heir Fu."

Just then, other young ladies arrived. Hearing that the group was going to pay their respects to the Marchioness, they joined them.

On the way to the main courtyard, Lu Xin suddenly moved close to Zhi Wan and whispered a cold warning in her ear, "You’re just an orphan. The Heir of Xuanping Marquis has a noble status; it’s impossible for him to marry you. I advise you not to harbor any unrealistic fantasies, or you’ll only end up humiliating yourself!"

Zhi Wan shot her a glance. Although she had no designs on Fu Hongyi herself, it wasn’t Lu Xin’s place to lecture her.

She replied in an unhurried tone, "You seem to be in quite a rush. It looks like you’re the one harboring unrealistic fantasies about the Princely Heir. But given your looks and status, the Princely Heir might not even spare you a glance. I’d advise you not to get your hopes up over a one-sided crush, lest you become a laughingstock! Of course, with skin as thick as yours, you probably aren’t afraid of being laughed at!"

Walking beside them, Lu Lan overheard. She gave Zhi Wan a surprised look, and a moment later, she saw the suppressed rage on her elder sister’s face.

She lowered her head, the corners of her lips quietly curling into a smile.

Lu Xin was so furious she clenched her fists. If not for the inappropriateness of the occasion, she probably would have lunged at Zhi Wan and started tearing at her.

’That bitch!’

The Xuanping Marquis Mansion’s villa was very large. It took the group about fifteen minutes to walk to the main courtyard.

"Miss Zhi, after you!" Fu Hongyi, walking in front, made a welcoming gesture.

Zhi Wan’s brow furrowed slightly. Many other young ladies had come along with them. With Fu Hongyi acting as if no one else existed, she was afraid she would become the target of everyone’s animosity.

Just as she had that thought, she saw a young lady in a green dress beside her staring daggers at her.

She paused. Although she didn’t want to cause trouble, what was done was done. Backing down now would only make others look down on her even more.

"Thank you for your trouble, Heir Fu." Her tone was distant, but not impolite.

Just as Zhi Wan was about to enter, a breathless voice called out from behind her, "Wanwan, wait for me!"

Upon hearing this voice, a smile appeared on Zhi Wan’s face. It was Ouyang Zhenzhu. She had come too.

Turning around, she saw Ouyang Zhenzhu indeed hurrying over.

She was half-jogging, and the golden hairpin on her head swayed violently.

"Zhenzhu!" Zhi Wan reached out a hand to steady her.

"This villa of the Xuanping Marquis Mansion is just too big," Ouyang Zhenzhu said, panting, with a hint of complaint in her voice.

Zhi Wan squeezed her hand.

Only then did she notice Fu Hongyi standing beside them. 𝒇𝙧𝙚𝓮𝔀𝓮𝒃𝙣𝓸𝒗𝒆𝒍.𝙘𝒐𝒎

She blinked, then changed her tune to praise, "The villa of Heir Fu’s family is truly magnificent and grand."

"You flatter us, Miss Ouyang." Fu Hongyi wasn’t angry. On the contrary, seeing how close the two friends were, he seemed to have a bit more patience. "Please, you two, the others have already gone inside."

Hearing this, Zhi Wan took Ouyang Zhenzhu’s hand and quickly entered the reception hall.

Marchioness Xuanping, Lady Lin, sat in the seat of honor, a proper and dignified smile on her face.

The young ladies came forward to greet her and pay their respects, and she met them all with a constant smile.

When she saw Zhi Wan and Ouyang Zhenzhu enter behind Fu Hongyi, the smile on her face faltered for a moment, and her gaze turned scrutinizing as she looked at Zhi Wan.

’So this is the orphan girl Duchess Dingguo adopted?’

’She is indeed beautiful. She’s not old, but her body is curvaceous—she looks fertile, good for bearing children.’

’Since my son likes her, there’s no harm in bringing her into the household as a concubine.’

"Greetings, Madam Fu." Zhi Wan and Ouyang Zhenzhu came forward together to pay their respects.

"Please, rise." Lady Lin wore a kind expression. She then addressed all the young ladies, "Tea and refreshments have been prepared in the Peach Blossom Forest. Please go and enjoy the flowers and tea. The villa will host a luncheon at noon, at which time you can all come back for a few cups of wine."

"Thank you, Madam Fu." The ladies curtsied, then turned and left the reception hall, heading for the Peach Blossom Forest.

Having brought them to the main courtyard, Fu Hongyi took his leave. Many young men from noble families had also come to the flower-viewing banquet, and he needed to entertain them.

Before leaving, however, he gave Lady Lin a meaningful look.

Lady Lin returned a reassuring glance.

Only then did Fu Hongyi leave, feeling at ease.

Zhi Wan and Ouyang Zhenzhu also planned to go to the Peach Blossom Forest.

Say what you will, the Fu family’s Peach Blossom Forest was truly impressive.

Once everyone had left, Lady Lin said to Nanny Chen beside her, "Have someone keep a close eye on Miss Zhi’s every move."

"Yes, my lady." Nanny Chen replied respectfully.

Lady Lin thought idly, ’Even as a concubine, she has to be presentable. Otherwise, she isn’t qualified to serve my son.’

"By the way, has Miss Wang arrived yet?" Lady Lin then asked.

Nanny Chen smiled. "Not yet. I’ve already given the order to be notified immediately as soon as she arrives, my lady."

Lady Lin nodded in satisfaction.