The Minister: Cold by Day, Hot by Night-Chapter 91: Masterful Surface Work

Old Madam Lu was furious, her chest heaving as her expression turned grim.

Seeing this, Lu Jinglan hurriedly patted the old madam’s back to soothe her before turning to Lady Wei with a disapproving look. "Sister-in-law, we know you dote on Wan’er, but Mother meant no harm. Why must you speak so harshly and upset her?"

Lady Wei shot her a cold glance and said bluntly, "If you hadn’t stirred up trouble today, Mother wouldn’t have had to endure this so late at night. If you were truly sensible, you wouldn’t be a constant source of worry for her."

Lu Jinglan’s sharp nails dug into her palm. She lowered her eyes and spoke to Old Madam Lu, her face a mask of apology. "Mother, it was I who was thoughtless today. When I heard Jinzhi and the others were going to Jiangnan, I foolishly wanted to tag along. I even made you summon them for my sake, which made everyone unhappy. I won’t be so thoughtless again." Her tone was cautious, her expression tinged with forced forbearance.

Old Madam Lu was already in a foul mood. Seeing Jinglan’s meek and cautious act only soured it further. She slammed her hand on the table and snapped, "Lady Wei, is it because I’m old and useless that you dare to disrespect me? As long as I have a breath left in my body, it is not your place to throw your weight around in this family!"

Lady Wei glanced at Lu Jinglan and sneered internally. She faced Old Madam Lu’s outburst without a hint of panic, her tone mild. "Mother, your words are truly heartbreaking. In my eyes, you are the great benefactor of the Lu Family, our venerable ancestor. If I have done something wrong, you need only point it out, and I will correct it at once."

Old Madam Lu was at a loss for words.

Though Lady Wei might not hold much respect for her, she always maintained a flawless veneer of courtesy.

Whenever Lady Wei was in the residence, she paid her respects every morning and evening and managed all affairs impeccably. It was impossible to find a single fault.

Faced with Lady Wei’s seemingly respectful expression, Old Madam Lu awkwardly changed the subject. "Jinglan merely wants to go to Jiangnan with Jinzhi. Why must you all make things so difficult for her? Tomorrow, Jinzhi must take her with him. If he doesn’t, it will be an act of filial impiety against me!"

Lady Wei’s expression darkened.

Were they making things difficult for Lu Jinglan?

It was clearly Lu Jinglan, the little troublemaker, who was causing all this unrest.

"So, in your heart, Mother, your own grandson is less important than an adopted orphan? For this orphan, you’re willing to ruin his bright future? Have you no regard for our ancestors?" Lady Wei shook her head, her expression one of utter disappointment. "Jinzhi has already explained that he is not going on a scenic tour. He bears a decree from the Emperor and is on official business. Yet you use filial piety as a threat. Jinzhi cannot bear such an accusation, so I suppose he will have no choice but to yield."

Her tone was grave.

Old Madam Lu flinched as if struck.

Ruining her grandson’s bright future—that was an accusation she could not bear.

She pointed a trembling finger at Lady Wei. "Don’t you spout such nonsense! When did I ever say I wanted to ruin Jinzhi’s future?"

Lady Wei had no desire to argue further. She stood up. "You should think about it carefully. By the way, I had planned to discuss Jinglan’s marriage prospects with you tonight. She is eighteen, after all. If we delay any longer, she’ll become an old maid, and it will be even harder to find her a good match. As it happens, the wife of the Minister of the Ministry of Housing introduced me to several good families a few days ago, and I was thinking of arranging for Jinglan to meet them."

"But it seems I was overstepping. Please, do as you see fit. I shall take my leave now." With that, she turned and left with her attendants without a backward glance.

Old Madam Lu clutched her chest, nearly choking with rage.

Lu Jinglan’s expression was just as foul. With every mention of "old maid," Lady Wei had all but declared her unmarriageable.

Suppressing her fury, she knelt before Old Madam Lu and said comfortingly, "Mother, please don’t be angry. It’s all my fault. I won’t mention going to Jiangnan again. I will stay here at home and keep you company."

Old Madam Lu patted her hand and sighed. "Even though Jinzhi didn’t agree, you are still his aunt. Pack your bags and be ready to leave with him tomorrow morning. Could he really refuse you then? It’s only one more person on the road. It’s hardly a big deal."

Lu Jinglan lowered her eyes. "I will do as you arrange, Mother."

After Lady Wei left Fushou Hall, she spoke in a low voice to Nanny Fang.

A glint appeared in Nanny Fang’s eyes. "Are we really doing that?"

"That little slut won’t give up until she gets her way," Lady Wei said coldly. "Remember to use plenty of croton beans. I refuse to believe she’ll still have the gall to go if she’s about to shit her pants."

"Understood," Nanny Fang replied, then left to make the arrangements.

Zhi Wan was unaware of what had transpired in Fushou Hall after she left. Upon returning to Yaoguang Pavilion, she chatted with Ouyang Zhenzhu for a while before going to bed.

The night passed without a dream.

The next day, Zhi Wan rose early and woke the soundly sleeping Ouyang Zhenzhu.

The two of them washed up, had a quick breakfast, and then led their attendants to the front courtyard.

Nanny Fang was already waiting there.

Seeing them approach, she went to greet them, her face wreathed in smiles. "Miss, Miss Ouyang."

Noticing her joyful expression, Zhi Wan smiled. "Nanny Fang, you seem very happy. Has something wonderful happened?"

Nanny Fang’s eyes twinkled. "This old servant is going to see the world with you in Jiangnan. Of course I’m happy." Then, she leaned closer to Zhi Wan and whispered, "I’ll tell you more once we’re in the carriage."

Zhi Wan understood at once that there was more to it and nodded. "Alright."

Just as the group stepped out of the estate gates, they saw Duan Ling waiting on horseback.

He looked half-asleep with his eyes barely open. When he saw Zhi Wan and Ouyang Zhenzhu emerge, he thought he was seeing things.

"Ouyang Zhenzhu, what are you doing here?"

"None of your damn business!" Ouyang Zhenzhu shot back. She glanced around nervously, said a hasty word to Zhi Wan, and quickly climbed into the carriage.

"Did that brat eat gunpowder for breakfast?" Duan Ling muttered through clenched teeth.

"Greetings, Junior Minister Duan," Zhi Wan said with a curtsy.

Duan Ling’s expression immediately softened. "No need for such formalities, Cousin Zhi Wan."

As they were speaking, Lu Zhan emerged.

He was not in his official uniform today, but a dark blue robe with a cloak draped over his shoulders.

"Cousin," Zhi Wan said with a curtsy.

Lu Zhan grunted in acknowledgment. Just as he was about to tell her to get into the carriage, Lady Wei appeared with her attendants.

She pressed a thick stack of silver notes into Zhi Wan’s hand. "I won’t be accompanying you home this time. Take good care of yourself. Use this money as you need. When you visit your parents’ graves, please offer a stick of incense on my behalf and burn some extra paper money for them."

"Don’t worry, Aunt, I will," Zhi Wan said. She pulled out a single silver note and tried to return the rest to Lady Wei. "I have money. You should keep this for yourself."

Before Lady Wei could protest, Zhi Wan scurried into the carriage.

"That child..." Lady Wei sighed in exasperation. Turning to her son, her expression grew stern. "You take good care of your cousin. If even a single hair on her head is harmed, I will hold you responsible!"

A vein throbbed on Lu Zhan’s temple. He couldn’t resist retorting, "Be honest. Is my cousin your and Father’s real child, and I’m the one who was adopted?"

Lady Wei: "..."

Snapping out of it, she laughed in exasperation. "I wish Wan’er was my daughter and you were the one we found on the street."

Lu Zhan: "..."