The Minister: Cold by Day, Hot by Night

Zhi Wan was stunned.

But Lu Jinglan had come to Yangzhou for her cousin in the first place. Now that she had an opportunity to be close to him, she certainly wouldn’t let it go.

"She’s really playing her cards well. Does she honestly think that living near Mr. Lu will make him see her in a new light?" Ouyang Zhenzhu said sarcastically.

"If that were all, it would be fine. I’m just afraid she’ll do something improper to my cousin," Zhi Wan said with a frown.

If she weren’t so worried about her aunt, she really shouldn’t have been in such a hurry to return, leaving her cousin to live alone in the villa with Lu Jinglan.

Lu Jinglan had feelings for her cousin, so she would definitely seize every opportunity to get close to him.

Although her cousin had always been cold to Lu Jinglan, it was impossible to guard against someone with ulterior motives all the time.

If Lu Jinglan did something vulgar to her cousin, his reputation would be tarnished, and he might even be forced to marry her.

Her aunt despised Lu Jinglan so much; she couldn’t let Lu Jinglan succeed.

Zhi Wan mulled it over for a long time. After they arrived at the docks, she walked up to Lu Zhan and said in a low voice, "Cousin, it’s not proper for you to be staying in the villa with Little Aunt Jinglan. Have you considered staying at Pan Yun Mountain Villa for a while?"

In a few days, her cousin was heading to Jiangning. Once he was in Jiangning, Lu Jinglan shouldn’t be able to cause any more trouble.

Lu Zhan looked at her, a little surprised.

’He had already planned to move to Pan Yun Manor after his cousin returned to the capital.’

’He just hadn’t expected his cousin to have the same idea.’

He paused for a moment before asking, "Why would it be improper? Isn’t Lu Lan there as well?"

Seeing that he seemed unaware of Lu Jinglan’s feelings for him, Zhi Wan grew anxious. "Lu Lan is no cause for concern—she’s your cousin, after all. But Lu Jinglan is different. She’s only your aunt in name. I’m afraid she might be... indelicate with you, Cousin."

Toward the end, Zhi Wan chose a more tactful word.

She believed that with her cousin’s intelligence, he would surely understand her meaning.

Watching the young lady’s anxious expression, Lu Zhan paused, then said unhurriedly, "You worry too much, Cousin. Lu Jinglan wouldn’t dare be so brazen."

Zhi Wan wanted to roll her eyes at his response, but she patiently tried to persuade him anyway. "You can’t be too careful. You should be more cautious, Cousin. Otherwise, if you fall into her trap, you’ll regret it forever."

Hearing this, a hint of a smile flashed in Lu Zhan’s eyes. He stopped teasing her and nodded. "I understand. But speaking of which, Cousin, do you remember what you promised me?"

"What was that?" Zhi Wan asked, confused.

Lu Zhan’s handsome brows furrowed slightly, a hint of displeasure showing. "You’ve already forgotten what we talked about in the pavilion last night?"

Zhi Wan frowned. ’They had said a lot of things in the pavilion last night.’

Lu Zhan rubbed the bridge of his nose and reiterated, "After you go back, don’t be in a hurry to find a live-in husband. Wait until I return. Otherwise..."

"Otherwise what?" Zhi Wan pressed.

"Otherwise, I’ll be angry," Lu Zhan said in a low voice, his dark eyes fixed on her.

Zhi Wan froze for a moment, then frowned.

’Strange. Why is my cousin so nervous about me finding a live-in husband?’

’If someone suitable comes along, I certainly won’t wait for him to return. After all, his inspection tour in Jiangnan will surely take a long time. Who knows when he’ll be back?’

’I don’t want to wait until it’s too late.’

She gave a perfunctory reply, "I know."

Lu Zhan clearly saw through her pretense. His voice grew a little heavier. "Be good."

Zhi Wan thought for a moment, then said, "Cousin, if you’re worried I’ll pick a bad person, then can you give me Jiang Shi?"

Lu Zhan was taken aback. "What do you want him for?"

"Ah Jiu told me that Jiang Shi is an orphan and has been with you since he was a child. I think he’s a good person, and his martial arts skills are excellent. Cousin, could you help me ask if he’s willing to be my live-in husband?" Zhi Wan said all in one breath.

But her cousin was a man, after all. No matter how close they were, Zhi Wan still felt a little embarrassed talking to him about such things.

Still, she didn’t think her request was too outrageous.

After all, Jiang Shi was her cousin’s trusted subordinate. He had always been loyal and hardworking, and her cousin would have to arrange a marriage for him sooner or later anyway.

If he gave Jiang Shi to her, her cousin wouldn’t have to worry about finding him a wife in the future.

However, just as she finished speaking, she saw the man’s handsome face suddenly darken.

"What did you say?" Lu Zhan’s dark eyes narrowed, his voice dangerously intimidating.

Zhi Wan looked at him in surprise.

’Why is Cousin so angry?’

’If he’s unwilling, I wouldn’t force him.’

She said sullenly, "Pretend I never said anything. I’m getting on the boat." With that, she tried to flee.

’He looks so scary right now, as if I’ve committed some unforgivable crime.’

But she had only taken a single step before her left wrist was grabbed.

The next moment, a powerful force pulled her, and she spun uncontrollably, falling into the man’s arms.

She was dizzy for a second before she realized what had happened. Just as she was about to push him away, the man released her.

"Be careful," the man said calmly.

Zhi Wan turned her head and only then saw several burly men carrying large sacks walking past.

She breathed a sigh of relief.

’So he pulled me because he was afraid I’d get knocked over.’

When she looked up again, her cousin’s expression was back to normal—his usual calm, self-possessed, and dignified demeanor.

It was as if his intimidating look just now had been a trick of her eyes.

Zhi Wan paused, then asked cautiously, "Cousin?"

Lu Zhan said flatly, "Jiang Shi is not suitable. I won’t give him to you. When I return to the capital, I will personally help you choose a live-in husband."

Hearing this, Zhi Wan nodded. "I understand."

It wasn’t that she absolutely had to have Jiang Shi.

She just felt he met her requirements for a live-in husband and found him somewhat pleasing to the eye.

Since her cousin disagreed, she naturally wouldn’t insist.

But when her cousin said he would personally choose a husband for her, she felt both surprised and flattered.

’Could it be that Cousin already has someone in mind?’

At this thought, her anticipation grew.

Lu Zhan personally escorted Zhi Wan onto the boat.

Only after inspecting the entire vessel and confirming there were no issues did he disembark.

"Chen Jiu, protect the Miss well. If anything happens to her, you’ll answer to me with your head!"

Chen Jiu’s heart skipped a beat. ’The Princely Heir is absolutely smitten with the Miss.’

"Rest assured, Princely Heir. This subordinate would rather die than allow the Miss to suffer the slightest harm," Chen Jiu promised, puffing out his chest.

"Also..." Lu Zhan paused.

"What other orders does the Princely Heir have?"

"If my mother tries to choose a husband for my cousin, you are to find a way to sabotage it," Lu Zhan instructed coolly.

Chen Jiu: "..."

Back on the boat, his expression immediately turned solemn when he saw the Miss standing by the railing.

"Ah Jiu, what are you doing?" Zhi Wan asked, confused, noticing him sizing her up.

"Heh heh, nothing," Chen Jiu said, scratching his head.

Ouyang Zhenzhu asked curiously, "Chen Jiu, you were with Mr. Lu for so long just now. What did you two talk about?"

"Top-secret matters," Chen Jiu said with a straight face.

Ouyang Zhenzhu rolled her eyes at him. "It must have been something shady."

"You can’t just say things like that, Miss Ouyang. You’ll ruin my Princely Heir’s good name," Chen Jiu said self-righteously.

Zhi Wan ignored their bickering and looked toward the shore.

She saw that her cousin was still standing there.

He remained there, unmoving, even after the boat set sail.

"Cousin, take care!" Zhi Wan waved vigorously at the man on the shore.