The Minister: Cold by Day, Hot by Night-Chapter 46: Taking It Out on Zhi Wan

Zhi Wan felt her genuine concern, and a warmth spread through her heart. She understood everything Ouyang Zhenzhu was saying.

"I know. Don’t worry, I’ll be careful."

After the events of the past two days, she had seen Wei Jinyi’s true colors and had no intention of associating with her anymore.

"That’s good." Ouyang Zhenzhu was relieved. "I’ll come see you again another day."

"Alright."

After seeing Ouyang Zhenzhu off, Zhi Wan settled her mind and focused on painting in her room.

With no one to disturb her, Zhi Wan spent two straight days painting in Yaoguang Pavilion, not going anywhere.

By this day, she had accumulated twenty paintings and planned to take them to the bookshop for Manager Jin.

After some time recuperating, Shuang’er had fully recovered, so Zhi Wan decided to take her out and let her walk around the city for a bit.

When Shuang’er learned that Zhi Wan’s paintings were to be sold at the bookshop, she was thrilled for her. She carefully wrapped the paintings and carried the bundle on her back.

The mistress and maid had just left Yaoguang Pavilion and were heading for the front courtyard when they saw Wei Jinyi approaching, fanning herself with a round silk fan.

"Sister Zhi Wan, are you going out?" Wei Jinyi asked with a look of concern, though her eyes surreptitiously glanced at the bundle on Shuang’er’s back.

Seeing the gentle smile on her face, Zhi Wan was reminded of the ice-cold glare Wei Jinyi had given her in the garden that day.

That day, Wei Jinyi had clearly been taking her frustration out on her after her plan had failed.

Recalling that incident, Zhi Wan replied coolly, "Yes."

Hearing this, Wei Jinyi quickly said, "What a coincidence, I was just thinking of going out for a stroll myself. We could go together..."

"I’m afraid that’s not convenient. I’m meeting someone," Zhi Wan interrupted.

The smile on Wei Jinyi’s face stiffened slightly, and her fingers tightened around her fan.

"We’re in a hurry, so if you’ll excuse us." With that, Zhi Wan left with Shuang’er.

Staring at her departing back, the smile vanished completely from Wei Jinyi’s face, replaced by a grim expression.

’She’s just an orphan. What’s she so proud of?’

’If that little bitch hadn’t ruined my plans that day, I would have already established a connection with my cousin.’

At this thought, she grew anxious.

’My plans to get close to my cousin have failed one after another, and I can’t stay in the Duke Dingguo Mansion forever. What am I supposed to do?’

’And to make matters worse, that bitch Zhi Wan seems to be on her guard against me now. My plan to use her to get close to my cousin is probably impossible now.’

In truth, it wasn’t just Zhi Wan who was wary of her; even her aunt was.

Every time she got close to Qingyun Residence or any place her cousin might be, a maid would appear and promptly stop her.

’If I can’t win over my cousin, won’t this whole trip have been for nothing?’

’Once I return to the Wei Family, I’ll have even fewer chances to get near him.’

The more Wei Jinyi thought about it, the more frantic she became, and her anger once again turned toward Zhi Wan.

’That day in the garden was such a perfect opportunity, but Zhi Wan ruined it.’

As soon as she returned to Lan Courtyard, she went straight to find Lady Wei.

"Aunt."

Lady Wei was standing by the windowsill, trimming the flowers there with a pair of scissors.

Noticing Wei Jinyi’s hesitant expression, she asked casually, "What is it?"

Wei Jinyi hesitated for a moment before saying, "It’s nothing, really. I just ran into sister Zhi Wan. She and her maid were carrying a bulging bundle and were on their way out. When she saw me, she looked very flustered. I offered to go out with her, but she refused. It seemed like she didn’t want me to follow."

She finished with a look of disappointment on her face.

Lady Wei’s movements paused for a second before she resumed trimming the flowers as if nothing had happened. "Since Wan’er doesn’t want you to follow, then let it be. If you want to go out, I’ll have someone accompany you."

Wei Jinyi’s brow furrowed.

’Were my words really that hard to understand?’

’Couldn’t Aunt tell that I was implying Zhi Wan was stealing things from the mansion to sell?’

After a moment’s thought, she added with feigned concern, "Aunt, I think sister Zhi Wan was acting a little strange today. Do you think she’s run into some trouble? For example, maybe she’s short on money and has no choice but to sell the heirlooms her parents left her?"

She was well aware of the Zhi family’s situation. She had heard they were robbed blind by bandits years ago, and Zhi Wan’s parents had been brutally killed. How could they have left her any heirlooms?

She couldn’t directly accuse Zhi Wan of stealing from the mansion to sell things, so she could only phrase it that way.

’Aunt knows the Zhi family’s circumstances better than anyone. After hearing what I said, she’ll surely realize that Zhi Wan must be selling things from the mansion.’

Having said her piece, Wei Jinyi quietly observed Lady Wei’s reaction.

Lady Wei continued trimming the potted flowers, completely unaffected by her words. "Jinyi, if you have nothing to do, you should go back to your room. Read a book, or do some embroidery."

Hearing this, Wei Jinyi’s brow twitched almost imperceptibly.

’I can’t believe Aunt had no reaction and instead told me to go back to my room.’

She secretly studied Lady Wei’s expression.

’Aunt must have taken my words to heart, right?’

’But Zhi Wan is, after all, Aunt’s good friend’s child and has been living in the Duke Mansion all this time. Aunt has never treated her poorly. For Zhi Wan to resort to stealing, it must have truly disappointed Aunt.’

’She’s probably just holding back to save face. I’m sure a thorn of resentment has already been planted in her heart.’

With that thought, Wei Jinyi smiled faintly. "Then I’ll return to my room."

As soon as she was gone, Lady Wei stopped her trimming.

Nanny Fang frowned. "Did Miss Zhi Wan really take things from the mansion to sell? But the Zhi family didn’t leave behind anything valuable back then. Could it be that Miss..."

"Don’t be ridiculous. Wan’er is not that kind of person!" Lady Wei scolded.

Nanny Fang fell silent.

She also felt that, given Miss’s character, it was impossible she would steal from the mansion to sell things.

Besides, the mistress had never treated Miss poorly. Her food, clothing, and expenses were all on par with the young ladies of the mansion.

"Then Fifth Miss Wei probably wouldn’t just make things up, would she? Or perhaps, she saw wrong?"

Lady Wei picked up her teacup, took a sip, and changed the subject. "These past few days, I’ve had you keep an eye on Jinyi. Has she done anything out of line?"

"Regarding her fall into the water in the garden, this old servant had it investigated. It seems to have been an accident. However, the Princely Heir happened to be passing by the garden that day with two colleagues. He lent a hand in rescuing Fifth Miss Wei, but he had no direct physical contact with her."

"But these last two days, Fifth Miss Wei has been ’coincidentally’ appearing near Qingyun Residence or wherever the Princely Heir might be. However, she never got a chance to get close to him, as the people this old servant arranged have always stopped her," Nanny Fang reported truthfully.

Lady Wei was pensive. "Is it really just ’coincidental’?"

Nanny Fang remained silent.

Wei Jinyi was, after all, the mistress’s own niece. As a servant, it wasn’t her place to judge her freely.

Lady Wei rubbed her temples. Wei Jinyi was her brother’s daughter, and she didn’t want to slander her unfairly. "Have people keep a close watch on her. Let her stay for a few more days, and then send her back."

"Yes, ma’am."

"Also," Lady Wei paused, taking a few silver notes from her personal savings and handing them to Nanny Fang, "when Wan’er returns, give these to her. She’s a grown woman now and has made friends. Socializing costs money. With some extra silver on her, she can hold her head a little higher when she’s out with others."