The Minister: Cold by Day, Hot by Night

Nanny Fang had only meant to let the Princely Heir know how much the Miss cared for him, which was why she’d added that last remark.

But Chen Jiu had clearly misunderstood.

’It looks like the Princely Heir’s feelings aren’t one-sided. The Miss has him in her heart, too.’

’How happy will the Princely Heir be when he finds out?’

At this thought, he flashed a wide grin and patted his chest, assuring Nanny Fang, "Don’t worry, Nanny Fang. I’ll pass on your message." With that, he took the food container, hurried inside, and carefully locked the courtyard gate behind him.

Watching the courtyard gate swing shut in her face, Lu Jinglan’s fingers tightened around the handle of her own food container.

"Miss Jinglan, if I may offer a word of advice," Nanny Fang began. "Although you are the Princely Heir’s aunt in name, propriety must be observed between men and women. You truly shouldn’t be so close to him. If rumors were to spread, it would be bad for both you and the Princely Heir. Please, Miss Jinglan, be more careful." After speaking, Nanny Fang curtsied and returned to the adjacent courtyard.

Lu Jinglan’s face turned ashen with rage.

’An old crone dares to lecture me?’

She sneered as she looked at the two adjoining courtyards.

’Nanny Fang has some nerve.’

’Propriety between men and women?’

’Then why doesn’t she go lecture Zhi Wan and tell her not to live right next door to Jinzhi?’

’Nanny Fang is clearly targeting me!’

Fuming, she returned to her own courtyard, just in time to see Lu Lan preparing to leave.

Seeing her foul expression, Lu Lan’s eyes flickered. She stepped forward and said, "Little Aunt Jinglan, Sister Zhi Wan sent someone to invite me over for a chat. I’m just heading there now."

Lu Jinglan paused. "Do you know what she wants to see you for?"

"I’m not sure. Shuang’er didn’t say," Lu Lan replied.

Lu Jinglan sneered. "It must be about Lady Wei."

Lu Lan fell silent.

"I have nothing better to do. I’ll go with you," Lu Jinglan said.

Lu Lan nodded. "Alright."

Meanwhile, in Lu Zhan’s courtyard, Chen Jiu took the congee and side dishes out of the food container. After setting them before Lu Zhan, he said with a proud, eager-to-please look, "Princely Heir, do you know who made this congee and these dishes?"

Lu Zhan was writing a report for the Court.

He had already written a report on the events in Yangzhou yesterday and sent it to the Capital City, but the execution of Liang Qixian today still required another report to the Court.

Furthermore, the crimes of corrupt officials like Zeng Gong also had to be detailed and submitted to the Court for judgment.

Hearing Chen Jiu’s question, he paused his writing and said with displeasure, "Don’t bring anything related to Lu Jinglan before me."

"I didn’t bring in the food Miss Jinglan cooked. This is from the Miss," Chen Jiu said quickly.

"My cousin made this?" Lu Zhan’s gaze finally settled on the congee and side dishes.

"That’s right! Nanny Fang said the Miss made this chicken congee for you with her own hands. Nanny Fang also said she scalded her hand while making it."

Lu Zhan’s brow furrowed. "My cousin was scalded?"

"I’m not too clear on the details. Why don’t you go see the Miss after you’ve eaten?" Chen Jiu suggested tentatively.

Lu Zhan said nothing, but he set down his brush.

Chen Jiu quickly ladled a bowl of congee and handed it to him.

Meanwhile, in the adjacent courtyard, Zhi Wan was not surprised to see Lu Lan arrive with Lu Jinglan.

She had no desire to interact with the pair, but she was truly worried about her aunt. Fearing something had happened, she’d sent Shuang’er to fetch Lu Lan, hoping to learn some news.

The moment Lu Jinglan stepped into the courtyard, she began to size it up.

Seeing how spacious it was, with so many flowers planted within, she couldn’t help but feel a pang of displeasure.

’This must be the best courtyard in the entire villa.’

And as she thought it, she said it aloud, "Wan’er, I do believe this courtyard of yours is the finest in the entire villa."

Zhi Wan detected the sour note in her tone. She glanced at Lu Jinglan and nodded. "This is indeed the best courtyard in the villa. I am fortunate my cousin has taken such good care of me, letting me stay in such a fine place."

Staring at Zhi Wan’s beautiful, charming face, Lu Jinglan’s lips parted. She wanted to demand what vixen’s tricks she’d used to seduce Lu Zhan.

But her sense prevailed, and she swallowed the words just in time. Still, jealousy nearly consumed her.

They were both orphans, and she had even entered the Duke Lu Mansion before Zhi Wan, had known Lu Zhan longer. Yet Lu Zhan had never shown her the slightest bit of warmth.

She was filled with jealousy and resentment.

’Why should Zhi Wan be the one to receive Lu Zhan’s special favor?’

"Sister Zhi Wan, Big Brother is so good to you," Lu Lan said, her tone full of envy.

Zhi Wan smiled, not denying it. "My cousin is indeed very good to me."

"Sister Zhi Wan... you’re so fortunate," Lu Lan praised.

"I’ll take that as a good omen, then. I hope the rest of my life is just as fortunate," Zhi Wan replied smoothly.

Lu Jinglan had heard enough. Impatient and wanting to land a blow, she said directly, "Your good fortune today is all thanks to Lady Wei. Without her, you wouldn’t be where you are today. But did you know that something major has happened at the mansion? Lady Wei has been having a very difficult time lately."

Although Zhi Wan had suspected something had happened to her aunt, her heart tightened at the confirmation. She dropped all pretense. "What happened to my aunt?" she asked directly.

Lu Jinglan sighed but said nothing.

Zhi Wan looked to Lu Lan.

Lu Lan looked hesitant, but finally said, "The Duke... has been keeping a mistress. He even has a son with her, and the boy is eight years old. When Lady Wei found out, she fell ill from the shock and anger."

"What?" Zhi Wan’s heart sank, her face a mask of disbelief.

"Nonsense! The Duke and his wife are deeply in love! He would never do such a thing! You’re spouting lies!" Nanny Fang snapped, her voice filled with fury.

Seeing this, Lu Jinglan gloated. ’That Lady Wei, always so smug, relying on the Duke’s favor. She’s been acting like a tyrant in the mansion for years, not even showing the Old Madam proper respect. Serves her right. The Duke went and got a mistress. Let’s see how she can show her face now. How will she ever act so high and mighty again?’

Though gloating inwardly, she said aloud, "I knew you wouldn’t believe us. That’s why we didn’t just come out and say it. To be honest, we could hardly believe it ourselves when we first heard. But it’s the absolute truth. The woman showed up at the mansion herself."

Lu Lan nodded in agreement. "It’s true. We’re not lying."

Zhi Wan collected herself, her gaze sharp as she stared at the two of them.

’They probably wouldn’t dare invent a story like this. But I can’t just take their word for what happened.’

So she dismissed them coolly. "We understand. You may go now."

The two were surprised by her composure; they had expected her to be anxious and flustered.

’So much for the deep bond between Zhi Wan and Lady Wei.’

Just as the pair reached the door, they came face-to-face with Lu Zhan, who was about to enter.

They were stunned.

"Big Brother... are you here to see Sister Zhi Wan?" Lu Lan asked tentatively.