The Minister: Cold by Day, Hot by Night-Chapter 27: Out of One’s League

"You can ask Xin’er if what I said is true," Lady Wei said lightly.

At these words, Lady Lou glared angrily at Lu Xin. "Is what your eldest aunt said true?"

Lu Xin was both shocked and terrified. She had just admitted to bringing Wang Zeren into the residence, but she could never confess that she had intended to harm Zhi Wan.

But if she kept quiet, she would be guilty of secretly meeting with an unrelated man—an equally grave offense.

For a moment, Lu Xin was on the verge of tears, filled with despair.

"You still refuse to tell the truth?" Seeing her daughter’s hesitation, Lady Lou clung to a sliver of hope, convinced that Lady Wei was spouting nonsense. She softened her tone. "Xin’er, don’t be afraid. As long as you didn’t do it, no one can falsely accuse you." As she said this, she shot a glance at Lady Wei.

Lady Wei let out a cold laugh but said nothing, her eyes fixed on Lu Xin with a piercing gaze.

Lu Xin gritted her teeth. "I... I... I did bring Wang Zeren into the residence, but he and I..."

SLAP! Before she could finish, an exasperated Lady Lou struck her hard across the face. Pointing a finger at her nose, she shrieked, "You wretched girl, have you no sense of shame? Daring to secretly meet with a man, and a disreputable scoundrel like him at that!"

Lu Xin stumbled and fell to the ground from the force of the blow. She clutched her face, sobbing wretchedly.

Ever since she was a child, her mother had never hit her. At worst, she would get a few scolding words when she caused trouble.

’But today, she actually struck me, and so hard...’

At that moment, Lady Lou was so furious she could have killed her.

She had been planning for her daughter to marry into a prominent family, but now Lu Xin had thrown it all away with this shameless behavior. If word of this got out, she would have trouble finding a husband at all, let alone a high-ranking one.

The more Lady Lou thought about it, the angrier she became. She slapped Lu Xin again. "You filthy creature! Are you trying to be the death of me?"

After another slap, Lu Xin was crying so hard that snot ran from her nose.

"You still have the nerve to cry?" Lady Lou roared.

After watching coldly for a while, Lady Wei finally spoke up to mediate. "Alright, don’t take all your anger out on the child. The best course of action now, before this incident becomes public, is to quickly find a good match for her and marry her off. We can’t let this affect Jun’er’s marriage prospects. Remember, he’s taking the Spring Examinations next year."

Lady Lou grew even more flustered at these words.

’That’s right. If word of my daughter’s indiscretion gets out, it will definitely affect my son.’

At this thought, Lady Lou gritted her teeth in hatred. "This rebellious girl! Her reputation is already ruined. What kind of good match could she possibly find now?"

"If you can’t find someone in the Capital City, then look elsewhere. Do you think a young lady of the Lu Family can’t be married off?" Lady Wei prompted.

An idea sparked in Lady Lou’s mind.

’That’s right, she doesn’t have to marry someone in the Capital City. There are plenty of powerful and wealthy men in the provinces. And being far from the capital, they won’t know about the foolish things my daughter has done.’

This thought calmed her considerably. She said with some shame, "I’ve made a fool of myself in front of you, Sister-in-law. I’ll take this wretched girl back right now and have her reflect on her actions in seclusion. She won’t be allowed to take a single step out of her room until her wedding day. But as for what happened today..."

Lady Wei’s expression turned serious. "We are all family. Do you think I would publicize such a scandal?"

Lady Lou was at a loss for words.

The word "scandal" was like a needle, making her skin crawl, but she couldn’t lash out. Seeing Lu Xin still kneeling there, her anger flared up again. "Why are you still here? Get out! Do you want to stay here and continue to embarrass us?"

Seething with anger and resentment, Lu Xin got to her feet and stormed out.

Seeing this, Lady Lou was beside herself with rage. "That wretched girl! She’s the one who made a mistake, yet she dares to show such an attitude to her elders! She’s in dire need of discipline!"

Lady Wei said, "Xin’er has always been willful, daring to do anything she pleases. You must watch her closely. Don’t let her bring any more shame to the Lu Family. If for no other reason, you must think of Jun’er."

When it came to her son, Lady Lou didn’t dare be careless in the slightest. She immediately promised, "You’re right, Sister-in-law. Tomorrow, I’ll ask a matchmaker for help. I don’t care what family it is, I’ll marry her off as soon as possible to put this matter behind us."

"Good."

Lady Lou gave a curtsey and then departed in a flurry.

After the mother and daughter had gone, Lady Wei’s expression remained tense.

’So, it really was Lu Xin who brought Wang Zeren into the residence during the flower viewing banquet.’

’Lu Xin would rather be accused of having a clandestine affair with Wang Zeren than reveal her true purpose for bringing him here. It seems she truly intended to harm Wan’er.’

’In that case, the danger Wan’er faced today in the Peach Grove at the Fu Family’s Villa must also be connected to Lu Xin.’

’I never would have thought that wretched girl Lu Xin could be so malicious.’

The more Lady Wei thought about it, the angrier she became, and she slammed her palm down on the table. 𝗳𝚛𝗲𝕖𝚠𝚎𝚋𝗻𝗼𝕧𝗲𝐥.𝚌𝚘𝐦

Nanny Fang jumped in surprise and hurried forward to take her hand. "My Lady, please calm yourself. Don’t injure your hand over someone so unworthy."

Lady Wei said, full of self-reproach, "I have failed Min Fu. I let Wan’er be plotted against and framed right under my nose. Today, she was nearly... violated."

"My Lady, you’ve treated the Miss wonderfully. Who could have known the Third Miss would be so malicious as to try and harm her? Fortunately, the heavens protect the good, and the Miss wasn’t seriously hurt. Besides, you’ve already helped her get some measure of revenge today," Nanny Fang comforted.

’For the sake of the Miss’s reputation, my lady didn’t reveal that Lu Xin was using Wang Zeren to ruin her. Instead, she pinned the accusation of having a secret affair on Lu Xin.’

’For a young woman, her reputation is paramount. This is already a severe punishment.’

’And given Lady Lou’s temperament, upon learning that Lu Xin was involved with Wang Zeren, she will definitely marry her off as quickly as possible.’

’That way, Lu Xin will no longer have the opportunity to bully the Miss.’

Lady Wei sighed. "This is all I can do for her."

...

「The next day.」

Worried about Zhi Wan’s injuries, Lady Wei came to see her at Yaoguang Pavilion after breakfast.

"Are your injuries still painful?"

"They don’t hurt anymore." Zhi Wan shook her head. Seeing the pleasant weather outside, she suggested, "Shall I accompany you for a walk in the garden, Aunt?"

Seeing that she was indeed all right, Lady Wei’s heart was put at ease. She smiled and nodded. "That would be nice."

The two of them then made their way to the garden.

As the girl walked obediently by her side, Lady Wei, wanting to cheer her up further, mentioned that Lu Xin would soon be married off.

Zhi Wan was surprised.

’But if my aunt said so, it must be true.’

’Seeing my aunt’s guarded expression, she guessed the person Lu Xin was going to marry was likely no one desirable.’

’She knew in her heart that her aunt must have orchestrated all of this.’

’She was grateful to her aunt for avenging her.’

"My Lady, the Marchioness Xuanping is here to see you," a servant came to report just then.

Lady Wei was a little surprised.

’But then again,’ she thought, ’Wan’er went to the Fu Family’s Villa for the flower viewing banquet yesterday. Could it be that Lady Lin has taken a liking to her?’

’She had met that Fu Hongyi before; his looks and character were both excellent.’

Her heart stirred. She instructed, "Please invite her to the front hall for tea."

"Yes, My Lady." The servant left at once.

Lady Wei was about to leave when she suddenly thought of Zhi Wan beside her.

She hesitated for a moment before asking, "Wan’er, did you happen to see Heir Fu yesterday?"

"I did," Zhi Wan nodded.

"Then what did you think... of him?" Lady Wei asked delicately.