The Minister: Cold by Day, Hot by Night

Zhi Wan rested her cheek in her hand, having stared at the Jade Pendant on the table for a long time.

She couldn’t understand why her cousin would give her something so valuable.

’Just for the sake of reciprocity?’

’But this exchange isn’t equal at all.’

Besides, her cousin had already given her a silver note this morning.

"Miss, that Jade Pendant is so beautiful," Shuang’er exclaimed as she came in and saw it on the table.

Zhi Wan snapped out of her daze and clasped the Jade Pendant in her hand.

Her cousin’s Jade Pendant was carved from the finest white nephrite jade. Its texture was delicate, its appearance gentle and pure. An exquisite carving of a bamboo pattern adorned its surface. It would be no exaggeration to call it priceless.

"This is my cousin’s Jade Pendant," she explained in a low voice.

"So it belongs to the Princely Heir. No wonder I found it familiar." Shuang’er nodded. "But why would the Princely Heir give you his personal Jade Pendant?"

Zhi Wan froze for a moment before saying, "Didn’t I also give Cousin a Jade Pendant? He said it was a matter of reciprocity, so he gave this one to me in return."

She felt guilty and ashamed as she said this.

She had traded a Jade Pendant she’d bought for ten taels of silver for her cousin’s priceless one.

She had truly taken huge advantage of her cousin.

Hearing this, Shuang’er didn’t think much of it. "The Princely Heir has always been very courteous. Last time, Miss, you gave him a writing brush, and he gave you a valuable Red Silk Inkstone in return."

Zhi Wan remembered that incident as well.

’Thinking of it that way, maybe Cousin giving me a Jade Pendant in return isn’t such a big deal after all.’

’My cousin has always been very courteous.’

"Wanwan, come out, quick!" Ouyang Zhenzhu hollered from outside the door.

Zhi Wan quickly put the Jade Pendant away and went outside.

"What is it?"

"Quick, there are ’slender horses’! Let’s go take a look," Ouyang Zhenzhu said, her face alight with excitement.

Zhi Wan was surprised. "Where did they come from?"

"We’ll know when we see them." Ouyang Zhenzhu grabbed her hand and ran outside.

When they reached the front courtyard, the two of them hid behind a corridor pillar and peeked out.

A line of beautiful girls stood in the courtyard.

Most of the girls looked to be only fifteen or sixteen. They were slender and graceful, with skin as smooth as cream and alluring figures.

They were the "slender horses" of Yangzhou.

The so-called "slender horses" were women raised to be concubines for the wealthy or to serve as Courtesans. Bought at a young age, they received training in various arts—such as music, chess, calligraphy, painting, and etiquette—so they could be sold for a high price upon reaching adulthood.

Looking at these girls, Zhi Wan felt a sudden bitterness in her heart.

They were once girls from good families, but they had been sold off due to poverty. Now that they were grown, they would be treated like commodities, waiting to be sold to the highest bidder, unable to control their own fates.

In the courtyard, Liang Qixian was speaking to Lu Zhan with a humble expression.

"Mr. Lu, last time, this subordinate was unaware of your preferences and acted rashly. This time, you can rest assured. These ’slender horses’ were personally selected by me. And they..." He paused, lowering his voice. "...are all pure, very clean. They absolutely will not disappoint you, Mr. Lu."

Lu Zhan stood with his hands behind his back, saying nothing. His face betrayed no emotion, but his downcast eyes and furrowed brows gave him a profound and imposing air.

Seeing this, Liang Qixian couldn’t quite grasp his thoughts, so he could only shut his mouth, not daring to say more.

Just when he thought his efforts would be in vain again, he heard Lu Zhan say lightly, "Such a generous gift. Mr. Liang is too thoughtful."

Upon hearing this, Liang Qixian’s heart eased, and he quickly said, "It is this subordinate’s honor to serve you, Mr. Lu. As long as you are not displeased, I will certainly do my utmost to serve you."

Lu Zhan’s expression softened slightly. "I have just arrived and am not very familiar with the local customs. I’m afraid I will have to trouble Mr. Liang more in the days to come."

"If there is any way this subordinate can be of use, Mr. Lu, please do not hesitate to command me," Liang Qixian immediately declared.

Lu Zhan nodded. "Mr. Liang, are you aware that I am here on orders to inspect Jiangnan?"

"This subordinate has heard some rumors," Liang Qixian said seriously.

"Then Mr. Liang must not know that inspecting Jiangnan is only one part of my mission. Last month, the Ministry of Justice received a secret report stating that the death of the Jurong County Magistrate back then was tied to a major corruption case. The Emperor was exceptionally furious when he learned of it and ordered me to investigate this matter strictly," Lu Zhan said unhurriedly.

Hearing this, Liang Qixian was terrified, but he forced himself to remain calm. "There was such a matter?"

"I am not entirely clear on the details either, but since the order has come from above, I can only obey. I’m afraid I will need Mr. Liang’s assistance with this matter," Lu Zhan said.

"This subordinate will certainly do his best to assist you, Mr. Lu." Liang Qixian appeared calm, but in reality, he was breaking out in a cold sweat.

’I killed everyone who knew about Zhi Yu’s case back then to silence them. Five years have passed. How could it be brought up again?’

"If Mr. Lu has no other business, this subordinate will take his leave. These girls..."

"How could I possibly disappoint Mr. Liang’s kind intentions?" Lu Zhan raised an eyebrow.

Hearing this, Mr. Liang chuckled and said in a low voice, "Then please enjoy them, Mr. Lu. In a few days, I will send another batch over."

Lu Zhan did not respond, instead turning his head to command, "Chen Jiu, see Mr. Liang out."

"Mr. Liang, this way, please." Chen Jiu stepped forward.

Liang Qixian cupped his hands in a farewell salute to Lu Zhan and followed Chen Jiu out of the villa.

The girls secretly sized up Lu Zhan.

Seeing that he was young and handsome, they all breathed a secret sigh of relief.

Although they were in this line of work and had no right to choose, they still hoped in their hearts to meet a decent patron. That way, they might suffer a little less.

Lu Zhan didn’t look at the girls. Instead, he turned his head toward the corridor pillar not far away and said in a deep voice, "Come out."

Behind the pillar, Zhi Wan and Ouyang Zhenzhu jumped in fright. They pressed themselves against the pillar, not daring to move.

They had planned to leave after they finished watching, but they hadn’t expected to be discovered by her cousin.

The two looked at each other, neither daring to step out.

After all, their eavesdropping was terribly impolite.

Hearing approaching footsteps, Zhi Wan jumped. ’It must be Cousin coming over.’

She held her breath, trying to think of a way out of this.

Just then, a shadow fell over her.

She looked up and met her cousin’s deep, dark eyes. He had walked over and was standing right in front of her.

While Zhi Wan was still lost in a daze, someone suddenly pushed her hard from behind.

She let out a soft cry as her entire body flew uncontrollably into Lu Zhan’s arms.

Zhi Wan: "..."

Lu Zhan’s thin lips pressed together. He took the opportunity to wrap an arm around her slender waist, pinning her against the corridor pillar.

With her back against the pillar, Zhi Wan finally came to her senses.

But her first reaction was to look for Ouyang Zhenzhu.

But the spot where Ouyang Zhenzhu had been standing was now empty.

Zhi Wan understood what had happened and couldn’t help but grind her teeth.

’That disloyal Ouyang Zhenzhu! She pushed me out and then ran off herself!’

"Cousin, what are you doing hiding here?"

The man’s low voice sounded from above her head, finally snapping Zhi Wan back to reality.

Seeing their overly intimate and ambiguous position, she belatedly realized the situation, and her face flushed crimson.