The Minister: Cold by Day, Hot by Night-Chapter 66: Zhi Wan Falls into Lu Zhan’s Arms

Chapter 66: Chapter 66: Zhi Wan Falls into Lu Zhan’s Arms

"Thank you, Cousin." Zhi Wan accepted it and sat down near the carriage door.

The carriage was actually quite spacious, but this was Zhi Wan’s first time riding with Lu Zhan, and the enclosed space made her feel a little uneasy. The carriage felt suffocatingly small, making her heart pound.

Holding the cloth, she first wiped the droplets of water from her face, then started on her hair.

Her movements were gentle, as if she were afraid of making any sound that might disturb her cousin.

A moment later, Shuang’er entered.

Zhi Wan secretly breathed a sigh of relief.

With Shuang’er in the carriage, much of her unease subsided.

"Greetings, Princely Heir," Shuang’er said, curtsying to Lu Zhan.

Lu Zhan’s gaze remained fixed on his book. He didn’t look up, merely humming in acknowledgment.

Shuang’er was clearly a little tense as well. She sat down next to Zhi Wan, took the cloth from her, and carefully wiped the remaining droplets from her hair and dress.

The carriage fell silent. Zhi Wan rested her head against the wall, listening to the rain fall outside.

Perhaps because she hadn’t slept well the night before, the sound of the rain made her drowsy.

Lulled by the swaying of the carriage, she leaned against the wall and drifted off to sleep before she knew it.

After reading a few more pages, Lu Zhan raised a hand to knead the bridge of his nose, planning to rest his eyes for a moment. Just then, he caught sight of the girl sleeping against the carriage wall.

Lu Zhan’s gaze lingered on Zhi Wan’s face for a moment before he looked away.

He picked up his cloak and handed it to Shuang’er.

"Cover your lady with this. Don’t let her catch a chill."

"Thank you, Princely Heir." Shuang’er was delighted. She whispered her thanks, took the cloak, and carefully draped it over Zhi Wan.

Sleeping against the carriage wall was hardly comfortable.

Zhi Wan soon woke up with a sore neck.

She started to reach up to rub the back of her neck, but stopped when she remembered Lu Zhan was still in the carriage.

When she glanced down, she saw the cloak draped over her.

’This is...’

The crisp scent of cedarwood filled her nostrils.

She froze.

’Come to think of it, the man in my dream had a similar scent. It was very pleasant.’

’Why does Cousin’s cloak have it too?’

’Or do all men these days prefer this kind of scent?’

At this thought, she glanced questioningly at Shuang’er.

Shuang’er whispered in her ear, "It’s the Princely Heir’s cloak. He was afraid you’d get cold and told me to put it on you."

Hearing this, a warm feeling spread through Zhi Wan’s heart. Touched, she couldn’t help but glance in Lu Zhan’s direction.

The man who had been reading now had his eyes closed; she couldn’t tell if he was truly asleep or just resting. The book he’d been holding was now lying facedown on the small table beside him.

Zhi Wan’s gaze lingered for a moment on his handsome face.

Even in sleep, her cousin exuded a cold, commanding presence.

Zhi Wan wanted to thank him, but seeing him like this, she didn’t dare make a sound and disturb him. Instead, she folded the cloak and set it aside.

"My lady, is your neck bothering you?" Ever the attentive personal maid, Shuang’er had already noticed Zhi Wan’s discomfort and asked in a whisper.

Zhi Wan nodded slightly and whispered back, "It’s a little sore."

"Then lie down, and I’ll massage it for you," Shuang’er said quickly, patting her lap in a low voice.

With Lu Zhan right there, Zhi Wan was too embarrassed to lie down on Shuang’er’s lap. She simply turned to the side and let her maid knead her neck.

After a few moments, the ache in her neck had eased considerably. Just as she sat up straight again, her eyes met Lu Zhan’s dark gaze.

She froze for a second before asking, "Cousin, did I wake you?"

Lu Zhan looked away and shook his head. "No." He then retrieved two cups from a hidden compartment. "Would you like some tea?"

Zhi Wan was indeed feeling a little thirsty. Seeing him produce two cups and noticing the teapot on the low table, she nodded. "Mm."

Lu Zhan picked up the teapot, poured two cups, and handed one to Zhi Wan.

"Thank you, Cousin." Zhi Wan started to take the cup, but just then, the carriage gave a violent lurch. She let out a cry as she lost her balance and stumbled forward.

"My lady!" Shuang’er cried out as well, reaching to grab her, but it was too late. Zhi Wan fell directly into Lu Zhan’s arms.

The carriage fell deathly silent.

Zhi Wan froze, her mind going completely blank.

Lu Zhan stiffened for a moment, but he remained composed. He quickly recovered, helping the girl who had fallen into his arms upright.

Just then, Chen Jiu’s voice came from outside. "Princely Heir, the rain’s so heavy I didn’t see clearly—the wheel went into a pothole! Are you alright in there?"

Looking at the girl frozen stiffly, Lu Zhan called back, "We’re fine."

Zhi Wan finally snapped out of it, her face beet red. She was so embarrassed she wished the ground would swallow her whole. Biting her lip, she stammered, "I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to..."

"I know," Lu Zhan cut her off.

Zhi Wan breathed a sigh of relief when she saw he wasn’t blaming her. But when she noticed the large wet spot on his robes, she was mortified all over again.

’She had lost her footing, fallen into her cousin’s arms, and spilled her tea all over his robes.’

"Give me the cup," Lu Zhan said suddenly.

"Huh?" Zhi Wan looked at him blankly.

Lu Zhan pointed at her hand. "The cup in your hand."

Hearing this, Zhi Wan finally reacted and hurriedly handed the empty cup back to him.

Lu Zhan took it and poured her another cup of tea.

Zhi Wan was in no mood for tea, but when Lu Zhan offered her the cup, she still took it. "Thank you, Cousin."

Lu Zhan didn’t say anything more.

He raised his cup and drank his tea in silence, but his mind inevitably drifted back to the soft, slender waist he had felt just moments before.

’Are all young women’s waists this soft and slender?’

’He was reminded of his dream from the previous night.’

’In the dream, the girl had tried to snatch a painting from his hands and, in her haste, had also fallen into his arms. His cousin falling into his arms just now felt strangely familiar.’

’They were clearly two completely different people, yet the feeling was the same.’

’Could it be that all young women are the same?’

’He’d never been close to any other women. The only two he had any contact with were the girl from his dream and his cousin right here.’

At this thought, Lu Zhan’s brow furrowed as he looked over at Zhi Wan.

The girl was sitting pressed up against her maid, looking tense and uneasy, likely from the earlier shock.

Lu Zhan paused. ’I must be overthinking things.’

’His cousin was timid and gentle, while the girl from his dream was bold, uninhibited, and even a bit spoiled and fiery.’

’They were two completely different people.’

Lu Zhan breathed an imperceptible sigh of relief. He broke the silence, asking, "Where did you go earlier?"

Zhi Wan was still stewing in her embarrassment. Hearing his question, she blurted out, "I went to a bookshop and to Zhimei Restaurant."

"A bookshop?" Lu Zhan inquired.

Zhi Wan, having calmed herself, replied, "Yes. I went to buy a couple of books."

’She was hiding her painting from her own aunt; there was no way she could tell her cousin.’

Fortunately, Lu Zhan didn’t press the issue.

He just hummed in response and said nothing more.