The Minister: Cold by Day, Hot by Night

"Aunt, I actually think Bai Yi... is quite nice too," Zhi Wan said shyly.

Lady Wei paused, only then remembering Bai Yi, whom they had been ignoring.

’That’s right, why didn’t I think of him?’

’Bai Yi might not be as handsome as Shen Longjin, but he isn’t ugly. He’s also steady and diligent. When it comes to building a life together, someone kind and reliable is better.’

At this thought, her spirits lifted. She praised, "You’re the clever one, Wan’er."

Standing nearby, Chen Jiu pricked up his ears, listening to their conversation.

When he heard them setting their sights on Bai Yi, his eyelid twitched.

’After all the trouble I went through to bring Princess Chang Le over and get rid of Shen Longjin, I completely forgot about Bai Yi.’

’Who would have thought the Miss would actually be interested in a rough man like Bai Yi?’

’If this really happens, wouldn’t it be like a beautiful flower planted in a pile of cow dung?’

’No, no. If this really happens, the Princely Heir will have me torn limb from limb and thrown in the river to feed the fish!’

’What should I do?’

Just as he was racking his brain, he saw Dongxiang returning from the privy.

They were in a viewing box on the second floor.

Because Lady Wei and the Miss wanted to watch the play, he had already booked out this entire section in advance. As a result, everyone seated here was from the Duke Dingguo Mansion. Shen Longjin and Bai Yi, who had been invited by Lady Wei, were naturally in the same section. However, to maintain propriety, the two men had been seated a little farther away, near the entrance.

This meant that for Dongxiang to return to her place, she would have to pass by Bai Yi’s seat.

An idea immediately struck Chen Jiu.

He stealthily picked up a peanut from the table and held it between his fingers.

Just as Dongxiang passed by Bai Yi’s seat, he flicked the peanut, hitting her squarely on the knee.

"Ah!"

Dongxiang cried out in pain. Losing her balance, she stumbled and fell right into Bai Yi.

Bai Yi, who had been engrossed in the play, was left completely bewildered by the sudden impact.

"S-Sorry..." Dongxiang stammered, scrambling out of his arms.

When Bai Yi snapped out of it, his face flushed a deep crimson.

He quickly waved his hands. "I-It’s nothing. Miss, a-are you hurt?"

Dongxiang, who had been feeling quite awkward, couldn’t help but let out a little laugh when she saw he was even more flustered than she was.

She shook her head and, blushing, hurried back to Zhi Wan’s side.

The incident had been hard to miss, and Zhi Wan and the others had, of course, seen everything.

Seeing Dongxiang return with a flushed face, Nanny Fang frowned and chided, "Do you have any idea what you were just doing?"

The blush drained from Dongxiang’s face. She dropped to her knees with a THUD. "This servant lost her composure. Please punish me, Nanny Fang."

Nanny Fang was furious.

’She had heard what the Miss had said to Lady Wei.’

’The Miss was thinking of having Bai Yi marry into the family.’

’Yet Dongxiang had just fallen right into Bai Yi’s arms for no apparent reason.’

’What was she trying to pull?’

"Nanny Fang, let it..." Zhi Wan didn’t think it was a big deal and was about to plead for Dongxiang. But before she could finish, Bai Yi rushed over, knelt on one knee, and said, "Madam Lu, Miss Lu, the young lady was only careless and that’s why she fell onto this humble subordinate. I ask that you please not punish her."

"Bai Yi, it’s nothing serious. You can go back to your seat. Dongxiang won’t be punished," Lady Wei said, though her tone was a little cool.

"Thank you, Madam Lu." Bai Yi breathed a sigh of relief. He saw Dongxiang was still kneeling and looked like he wanted to say something, but in the end, he just scratched his head and walked away, glancing back over his shoulder every few steps.

"Dongxiang, you may rise," Zhi Wan said.

"Thank you, My Lady, and thank you, Miss," Dongxiang said, getting to her feet with a heavy heart.

’It seemed Nanny Fang had misunderstood her accidental fall onto Bai Yi, thinking she had done it on purpose.’

’Did Lady Wei and the Miss think so too?’

The more Dongxiang thought about it, the more she panicked. She wanted to explain herself but had no idea what to say.

’Something had hit her knee. It had hurt a lot, which was why she lost her balance and fell on Bai Yi.’

Chen Jiu, afraid she might say something to arouse the Miss’s suspicion, quickly cut in, "Dongxiang, the play is almost over. Go and wait for us by the entrance."

Seeing that Zhi Wan didn’t object, Dongxiang nodded and left.

As soon as she was gone, Chen Jiu quietly approached Bai Yi from behind and whispered, "Brother Bai Yi, Dongxiang is waiting for you outside Qingyin Pavilion."

Bai Yi was still feeling apprehensive about the earlier incident. Hearing this, he shot Chen Jiu a surprised look and was about to ask why, but the other man had already hurried off.

After a moment’s thought, Bai Yi went downstairs to find Dongxiang outside anyway.

Nanny Fang, however, saw the two of them leaving one after the other.

She stealthily followed them.

Sure enough, she found the two of them standing outside, talking and smiling.

At this sight, Nanny Fang grew furious. Without approaching them, she returned upstairs and told Lady Wei and Zhi Wan what she had witnessed.

Lady Wei was very displeased to hear this. Fearing Zhi Wan would be upset, she comforted her in a gentle voice, "It seems that Bai Yi is no good, either. Your aunt will find someone else for you."

Zhi Wan sighed and nodded. "I’ll do as you say, Aunt." ’Still,’ she thought, ’it’s all so strange. How can things be this coincidental?’

’Never mind Shen Longjin catching Princess Chang Le’s eye, but now Bai Yi and Dongxiang have hit it off too?’

Seeing that Zhi Wan wasn’t upset, Lady Wei breathed a sigh of relief. She turned to Nanny Fang and said, "Dongxiang can’t stay here anymore. Since she and Bai Yi have taken a liking to each other, in light of her loyal service over the years, we’ll just marry her off to him."

"Yes, my lady," Nanny Fang replied. As she turned, she nearly bumped into Chen Jiu.

"Chen Jiu, why are you hovering so close?" Nanny Fang snapped.

Chen Jiu grinned. "The play was so captivating, I couldn’t help but get lost in it. I must have drifted forward a few steps without realizing. I didn’t bump into you, did I?"

Nanny Fang shot him a glare and scolded in a low voice, "You’re here to protect Her Ladyship and the Miss, not to watch the play."

"I understand," Chen Jiu said, hanging his head with a repentant expression.

Nanny Fang just shook her head.

The moment she turned away, a triumphant smirk spread across Chen Jiu’s face.

’I’m such a genius,’ he thought. ’Pushed Bai Yi and Dongxiang together just like that. The Miss should give up on him now, right?’

’I handled this assignment so perfectly. I wonder if the Princely Heir will give me a reward?’

Chen Jiu was giddy with delight.

After the play ended, the group left Qingyin Pavilion.

Watching Princess Chang Le walk on ahead, Shen Longjin breathed a sigh of relief. He turned to Zhi Wan and said, "Miss Lu, this humble subordinate..."

"Mr. Shen, my surname isn’t Lu, it’s Zhi," Zhi Wan interrupted, her tone pointed. "Should you achieve great success one day, Mr. Shen, I hope you won’t forget my aunt and me."

Shen Longjin was taken aback, wondering what she meant by that. Just then, Princess Chang Le’s voice called out from ahead, "Shen Longjin, you’re coming with me."

Bai Yi gave him a shove, whispering, "Go on, my friend. Don’t forget us when you’re rich and famous!"

Shen Longjin stumbled forward, his brow deeply furrowed.

When he reached Princess Chang Le, he gave a deep bow. "Your Highness, this humble subordinate is but a boorish soldier. I dare not tarnish Your Highness’s reputation. I implore you to retract your command!"