The Minister: Cold by Day, Hot by Night

Zhi Wan had no idea what had transpired in Yangzhou after her departure.

She was traveling on a merchant ship, and since Lu Zhan had previously cleared the river of pirates, the journey was now quite smooth.

During the day, she would chat with Ouyang Zhenzhu to pass the time and admire the river scenery. At night, she would stay in her room and paint.

Time passed quickly, and on this day, she, Ouyang Zhenzhu, and the others finally arrived in the Capital City.

Just as they stepped off the docks, a voice called out in a teasing scold, "So you finally decided to come back?"

"Brother!" Ouyang Zhenzhu cried upon seeing who it was, and she rushed toward him.

Ouyang Lei quickly took a few steps back and chided her, "Ouyang Zhenzhu, you spend some time having fun in Yangzhou, and you still haven’t matured at all? You’re a young lady now. Shouting and carrying on like this—how improper!"

Ouyang Zhenzhu didn’t mind being chided in the slightest. In fact, she found it rather endearing.

"Ouyang Lei, it’s been a while. I must say, you’re actually looking a bit more agreeable. Too bad I can’t make good on my promise to get you a slender horse."

This time, Ouyang Lei couldn’t stand it. He rapped her on the head. "Keep talking nonsense, and I’ll throw you in the river to feed the fish!"

"Junior Minister Ouyang." Zhi Wan came forward and gave him a curtsy.

"Cousin Zhi Wan." Ouyang Lei’s expression immediately softened. "How was it? Did you have fun during your time in Yangzhou?"

"It was quite nice," Zhi Wan replied with a smiling nod.

"Wanwan, I just remembered something," Ouyang Zhenzhu said, suddenly taking her arm with a grave expression.

"What is it?" Zhi Wan asked, confused.

"Have you forgotten? There are still five slender horses living at Pan Yun Mountain Villa. Didn’t you say that Chuchu’s intentions weren’t pure? Telling Mr. Lu to move to Pan Yun Mountain Villa—aren’t you just creating an opportunity for her?" Ouyang Zhenzhu said.

Upon hearing this, Zhi Wan finally recalled the matter, and her heart sank.

’That’s right, she’d forgotten there were still a few slender horses living at Pan Yun Mountain Villa.’

’She’d been on guard against Lu Jinglan but had forgotten all about Chuchu at Pan Yun Mountain Villa.’

She clutched her handkerchief. "My cousin... he... surely wouldn’t be bewitched by that Chuchu."

"You can never be sure about that. That Chuchu is quite a beauty, and coming from a ’slender horse’ background, she must be an expert in the art of pleasing men. Don’t let Mr. Lu’s proper demeanor fool you; he might not be able to pass a beauty’s test!" Ouyang Zhenzhu said with great conviction.

Zhi Wan grew even more worried hearing this.

"What are you two talking about? Old Lu is keeping slender horses? Did I hear that right?" Ouyang Lei cut in, his tone excited.

Hearing this, Zhi Wan immediately explained, "Junior Minister Ouyang, it’s not what you think. My cousin isn’t keeping slender horses."

"Then what was that about slender horses you were just discussing?" Ouyang Lei asked, clearly interested.

"If I had known you were this interested, I would have made sure to buy a slender horse to bring back for you," Ouyang Zhenzhu said.

Ouyang Lei said sternly, "Ouyang Zhenzhu, don’t be ridiculous. Your brother is a respectable man."

"Oh, give me a break. A man who frequents brothels has the nerve to call himself respectable." Ouyang Zhenzhu’s face was full of scorn.

Ouyang Lei cleared his throat and changed the subject. "By the way, are you back so soon because of what happened with Madam Lu?"

Hearing him bring up her aunt, Zhi Wan quickly asked, "Junior Minister Ouyang, have you heard any rumors?"

"A while ago, the business with Uncle Lu caused a huge uproar in the Capital. It wasn’t just me who heard about it; even the Emperor himself inquired about the matter," Ouyang Lei said with a sigh.

At these words, Zhi Wan’s heart sank. "So, it’s true?"

Ouyang Lei said, "Outsiders don’t know the full details. However, that Lady Wang is quite resourceful. She took her son and raised a fuss all the way to the Inspectorate. Uncle Lu was impeached by an Imperial Censor and even reprimanded by the Emperor. Fearing damage to the family’s reputation, Old Madam Lu made the decision to welcome the mother and son into the mansion and grant them official status."

"What?" Zhi Wan’s face fell.

She had thought Lu Jinglan was exaggerating, but she never expected the situation to be even more complicated than she’d imagined.

Now that the mother and son were living in the Duke Lu Mansion, wouldn’t her aunt be even more heartbroken?

"Miss, I’ve hired a carriage. It’s just up ahead," Chen Jiu reported, walking over to Zhi Wan.

Zhi Wan nodded, in no mood to linger any longer. "Junior Minister Ouyang, Zhenzhu, I must be going. We’ll get together another time."

"Alright, be careful," Ouyang Zhenzhu urged.

After saying goodbye to the brother and sister, Zhi Wan took Nanny Fang and Shuang’er and boarded the carriage back to the Duke Lu Mansion.

Zhi Wan was so worried about her aunt that she had no heart to appreciate the sights of the Capital City after being away for so long.

Chen Jiu urged the carriage onward, and they soon arrived at the Duke Lu Mansion.

The moment she alighted from the carriage, Zhi Wan had Shuang’er and Chen Jiu carry the luggage inside while she, with Nanny Fang in tow, went straight into the mansion and headed for Lan Courtyard to see Lady Wei.

Unexpectedly, just as the two of them reached Lan Courtyard, they saw a young woman holding a child’s hand, standing before the gate. She was speaking to Yin Liu in a plaintive voice, "Miss Yin Liu, please inform the Madam that I have brought Xuan to pay his respects."

"Aunt Wang, please return. The Madam is unwell and it is not convenient for her to see you," Yin Liu said with a flat expression. Suddenly, she saw Zhi Wan and Nanny Fang, and her face lit up. "Miss! Nanny Fang! Why are you back?"

Zhi Wan glanced at Aunt Wang and her son. ’So this is the woman and son my uncle kept on the side?’ she thought.

Her brow furrowed almost imperceptibly, but she smiled as she looked at Yin Liu. "Yin Liu, how is my aunt?"

At the mention of Lady Wei, Yin Liu’s eyes immediately reddened. She took Zhi Wan’s hand and said, "It’s so good that you’re back, Miss. Please, hurry inside and see the Madam. She’ll surely be happy to see you."

Without further delay, Zhi Wan hurried into the courtyard with Nanny Fang.

Yin Liu ignored Aunt Wang and her son, shut the courtyard gate, and quickly followed.

Inside, Lady Wei was reclining on an Imperial Concubine Chair. Her face was pale and gaunt, devoid of her former vitality and spirit.

A pang of pain shot through Zhi Wan’s heart, and she hurried over. "Aunt!"

Lady Wei started, turning her head in surprise. "Why are you back?"

"Wan’er missed you," Zhi Wan said, kneeling beside the chair. She took her aunt’s hand and pressed her cheek against it.

Lady Wei’s heart softened. She sat up and pulled Zhi Wan into her arms. "I missed you too, dear."

A bittersweet feeling welled up in Zhi Wan’s heart. "From now on, Wan’er won’t go anywhere. I’ll just stay and keep you company, Aunt."

Lady Wei teased, "You won’t even get married?"

"No. As long as you don’t find me a burden, Aunt, I am willing to attend to you for the rest of my life," Zhi Wan said with all her heart.

"Why have you come back from Yangzhou acting so silly? Or did your cousin bully you?" Lady Wei asked, amused, as she patted her head.

"My cousin didn’t bully me. He took very good care of me," Zhi Wan said quickly, afraid her aunt would misunderstand him.

"Really?"

"Of course."

"That’s good. My careful instructions to him before he left weren’t in vain, then." Lady Wei breathed a sigh of relief. A thought occurred to her, and her brow furrowed. "Was it Lu Jinglan? Did she run her mouth and say something to you?"

Zhi Wan paused, then tightened her grip on her aunt’s hand. "Aunt, we know everything. You’ve suffered so much."