The Minister: Cold by Day, Hot by Night-Chapter 26: Walking into a Dead End

Lu Xin was startled. She never thought Lady Wei had called her over to talk about this.

Her eyes flickered as she feigned confusion. "Aunt, why are you asking me? I have no idea. So many guests came that day. Perhaps he entered with one of them."

Lady Wei said, "I’ve already questioned the servants who were greeting guests at the front gate. They were carefully checking invitations that day. All the young masters from prominent families entered the mansion with an invitation. The servants saw no one bring a friend, and they certainly never saw Wang Zeren enter through the front gate."

Lu Xin forced a smile. "But there were so many guests that day. The servants couldn’t possibly have checked every single person perfectly. It’s possible they were careless."

"This is hardly the first time our Duke Dingguo Mansion has hosted a banquet. Our servants have never made such a blunder. Besides, there was more than one or two of them greeting guests," Lady Wei said coolly.

Lu Xin put on a puzzled expression. "If Wang Zeren didn’t enter through the front gate with the other guests, then how did he get in?"

"That is a question for you!" Lady Wei’s voice suddenly grew stern, her gaze sharpening as she stared at Lu Xin.

Lu Xin’s heart skipped a beat, but she forced herself to remain calm. "Aunt, why would you say such a thing? Why would you ask me? What does this have to do with me?"

"What does it have to do with you? You were the one who brought Wang Zeren into the mansion during the flower viewing party!" Lady Wei’s tone was frigid.

Lu Xin’s heart sank, but she refused to admit it, instead retorting plausibly, "I don’t even know Wang Zeren. I have no idea how I’ve offended you, Aunt, for you to accuse me so wrongly."

"I’m wrongly accusing you?" Lady Wei sneered and called out, "Nanny Fang, bring her in!"

A moment later, Nanny Fang led an old woman into the room.

The sight of the old woman made Lu Xin’s pupils shrink. She clenched her fists.

The old woman knelt on the floor. "This servant greets you, my lady."

"You were on duty at the back gate during the flower viewing party. Answer truthfully. Did the Third Young Miss ask you to let a man in that day?" Lady Wei asked in a low, stern voice.

Without the slightest hesitation, the old woman nodded. "Yes, that’s what happened."

Lady Wei turned her gaze to Lu Xin. "What do you have to say for yourself?"

Lu Xin’s expression changed. ’I’m so furious!’ she thought, regretting ever bringing Wang Zeren into the mansion.

’Not only did I fail to harm Zhi Wan, but I’ve brought all this trouble on myself.’

’Who would have thought that after all this time, Lady Wei would suddenly decide to investigate?’

’Whatever her reasons, I absolutely cannot admit it!’

With that thought, she immediately said, "I did bring a man in, but it wasn’t Wang Zeren. It was my cousin."

’The old woman has never seen my cousin anyway. She has no idea who I let in that day, so I can say whatever I want.’

Lady Wei saw right through her and sneered inwardly. "Oh, your cousin?" she said coolly. "You mean Lou Junyou?"

Lou Junyou was the only male heir of his generation in the Lou Family.

Without thinking, Lu Xin nodded. "Yes, that’s him."

"If it was your cousin, why did you have him come through the back gate? Furthermore, I didn’t see your cousin at the party that day. It’s clear to me you’re lying!" Lady Wei slammed her hand on the armrest and snapped.

Lu Xin’s face went white with fright. She lowered her head and stammered, "My cousin arrived late that day. It’s faster to come in through the back gate, so... so I had him come in that way."

"Is that so? Then I’ll have your cousin summoned so you two can speak face-to-face. I trust a man of his character wouldn’t lie for you," Lady Wei said icily.

Hearing this, Lu Xin broke out in a cold sweat.

’My cousin is a rigid, stuffy scholar. He fancies himself a gentleman and would never deign to lie. If he’s brought here, my lie will be exposed on the spot.’

At that moment, Lu Xin was filled with regret. ’Of all the people to use as an excuse, why did I have to pick my cousin Lou Junyou?’

"My... my cousin is preparing for next year’s spring examinations. My maternal aunt is very strict with him. He’s buried in his studies every day. She won’t let him go out."

"A trip to the Duke Dingguo Mansion won’t take up much of his time. I’m sure your aunt isn’t that rigid. Someone, go and summon Mr. Lou!" Lady Wei shot her a glance and gave the order directly.

"Yes, my lady." Nanny Fang replied respectfully and turned to leave.

Lu Xin shuddered in terror.

’No, I can’t let my cousin come here.’

’But how can I stop Aunt?’

Lu Xin was in a full-blown panic.

She knew she could no longer hide the truth.

Overcome with panic, she dropped to her knees. "Aunt, I was wrong! Wang Zeren... I was the one who brought him in."

Seeing that she had finally confessed, Lady Wei demanded in a low voice, "And why did you bring him in?"

Cold sweat beaded on her brow. ’Of course I can’t say it was to harm Zhi Wan.’

"He... he was just curious about what our Duke Dingguo Mansion looked like, so he begged me to bring him inside."

"So, you and Wang Zeren are on very good personal terms?" Lady Wei asked, her gaze mocking.

Lu Xin blanched. "Aunt, how can you say that? There is nothing improper between me and Wang Zeren." ’If that rumor gets out, my reputation will be ruined.’

"If there is nothing improper between you, then why did you sneak Wang Zeren into the mansion?" Lady Wei pressed in a low voice.

"He kept begging me, and I... I didn’t have the heart to refuse," Lu Xin said, her eyes darting around.

"Why would he beg you and not someone else? And you still won’t admit you’re having an affair with him? You’ve brought shame upon the entire Lu Family!" Lady Wei slammed her hand on the armrest. "Go and fetch the Second Madam!"

Lu Xin’s face was ashen.

’How did I end up in such an impossible situation?’ 𝙛𝒓𝓮𝒆𝔀𝒆𝙗𝓷𝒐𝙫𝒆𝙡.𝒄𝓸𝓶

’I can’t tell the truth, but I can’t keep lying either.’

’If I tell the truth—that I brought Wang Zeren into the mansion to harm Zhi Wan—Lady Wei will skin me alive. But if I don’t tell the truth, Lady Wei will insist I’m having an affair with Wang Zeren.’

Before long, Lady Lou arrived.

Seeing her daughter kneeling on the floor in such a sorry state, Lady Lou felt a pang of displeasure. She looked at Lady Wei. "Sister-in-law, what is the meaning of this?"

Lady Wei sighed. "It is a disgrace to our family. This child, Xin’er, has been so reckless. She’s been carrying on an affair with that Wang Zeren. You can deal with her yourself!"

"What?" Lady Lou was aghast, looking at her daughter in disbelief.

Lu Xin frantically shook her head in denial. "Mother, I didn’t! You have to believe me..."

Hearing this, Lady Lou composed herself and turned to Lady Wei, her expression grim. "Sister-in-law, Xin’er may be a bit willful, but she would never do something like that. There must be a misunderstanding. A young woman’s reputation is paramount. Saying such things will ruin her."

"Are you suggesting I’m wrongly accusing Lu Xin?" Lady Wei asked, displeased.

"That’s not what I meant..." Lady Lou said resentfully.

Lady Wei scoffed. "You’re still in the dark, aren’t you? During the flower viewing party, Xin’er secretly brought Wang Zeren into the mansion, sneaking him in through the back gate. The woman on duty can testify to it. On top of that, Lu Xin just confessed to it herself."

Seeing how certain she was, Lady Lou’s heart sank. "Did that... really happen?"