The Minister: Cold by Day, Hot by Night

Upon hearing this, Chuchu’s heart leaped with joy.

’As long as I can get into Mr. Lu’s courtyard, he probably won’t say anything when he returns. And once I’m by his side, I have plenty of ways to truly become his woman.’

She bent her knees and curtsied in thanks. "Thank you..."

Before she could finish, another voice cut her off.

"Old Madam, Aunt, this person is a Yangzhou courtesan. My cousin has absolutely nothing to do with her. Don’t let her fool you."

The newcomer was none other than Zhi Wan.

She had been listening outside the door for a while and had pieced together what was happening before she entered.

At her words, the expressions of everyone in the hall changed, and all eyes turned to her.

"What did you say? She’s a Yangzhou courtesan?" Lady Lou’s jaw dropped in astonishment.

Zhi Wan frowned. "Is Second Madam not aware? I thought Lu Lan would have told you, since she and Little Aunt Jinglan were the ones who brought her back."

Lu Lan’s expression flickered. Seeing Lady Lou’s sharp gaze land on her, she quickly said, "Sister Zhi Wan, isn’t there some misunderstanding? Miss Chuchu... how could she be a courtesan?"

"That’s right, Wan’er, you mustn’t speak so carelessly." Lu Jinglan also frowned, her tone full of disapproval. "Besides, Miss Chuchu was indeed living at the Lu Family Villa. If she had nothing to do with Jinzhi, why would he let her stay for so long?"

"Wan’er, is what you’re saying true?" Lady Wei ignored the others and quickly pulled Zhi Wan by the hand, seating her beside her. "What exactly is going on? Tell me everything."

Zhi Wan said, "Every word I say is true. There were seven courtesans sent to the Lu Family Villa at that time, and Chuchu was one of them. My cousin accepted them as a matter of expediency for official business, but he never did anything inappropriate with them. On the trip to Pan Yun Mountain Villa, my cousin brought Ouyang Zhenzhu and me along. Moreover, he only stayed at the villa for one night before leaving. In fact, Zhenzhu and I spent more time with this Miss Chuchu than he did."

Lady Wei understood immediately. Her face darkened as she shot a displeased glance at Lu Jinglan and Lu Lan. "You two are really something, betraying your own family. As members of the Lu Family, you help an outsider tarnish our family’s reputation."

Zhi Wan also looked at the two with disapproval. "My cousin has always conducted himself with integrity and is a man of noble character. Little Aunt Jinglan, Lu Lan, as members of the Lu Family, why would you help an outsider slander my cousin and ruin his good name? What are your intentions? How can you face the Lu Family?"

Being successively rebuked and questioned by the pair, Lu Jinglan and Lu Lan’s faces froze.

But soon, Lu Jinglan frowned and said, "How... how could you think of us like that? We only brought Chuchu all this way for Jinzhi’s own good. Otherwise, if word of this got out and Jinzhi earned a reputation for abandoning women, that would be a true stain on his honor."

"Little Aunt Jinglan, you’d rather believe an outsider’s words than trust in my cousin’s character? My cousin has done nothing with this Chuchu, so how can there be any talk of abandoning her? You’ve gone too far!" Zhi Wan’s face was a mask of disappointment and anger.

Lady Wei was also furious, pointing a finger at Lu Jinglan’s nose as she cursed, "Vile words from a vile mouth! What are your intentions, slandering Jinzhi like this?"

Lu Jinglan’s expression instantly turned ugly. She quickly tugged on Old Madam Lu’s arm, her voice aggrieved. "Mother, I only brought Chuchu back for the sake of the Lu Family and for Jinzhi’s own good. I never expected to be so misunderstood by Sister-in-law and Wan’er..."

Old Madam Lu patted her hand and frowned at Lady Wei and Zhi Wan. "There’s no need for you two to get so worked up. I think Chuchu is quite nice. Although her background is a bit humble, even if nothing happened with Jinzhi, she’s already here. We might as well let her stay. Wouldn’t it be good for Jinzhi to have one more person to look after him?"

Hearing this, Lady Lou also chimed in, "That’s right, Sister-in-law. This young woman Chuchu seems nice. She’s willing to be Jinzhi’s concubine. It’s just a matter of setting another place at the table. Sister-in-law, you should let her stay."

Listening to them go back and forth, Lady Wei was about to explode with rage.

She sneered and looked at Lady Lou. "Since you think Chuchu is so wonderful, why not have her become a concubine for your Lu Jun? Lu Jun isn’t a child anymore. With someone to attend to him so thoughtfully, he’s certain to succeed in next spring’s imperial examinations!"

Lady Lou said awkwardly, "Sister-in-law, you must be joking. Chuchu came here for Jinzhi. How could our Lu Jun steal something his elder brother fancies?"

"You can eat whatever you want, but you can’t speak so recklessly. You’re a grown woman, Sister-in-law, don’t you understand such a simple principle? Besides, this Chuchu has a dubious background. My branch of the family wouldn’t dare take her. If your Lu Jun doesn’t want her, I can go ask Second Brother. Perhaps he’s in need of a bed warmer in his chambers and would be willing to take Chuchu in. It’s possible," Lady Wei said unhurriedly.

Lady Lou’s face changed drastically. She said angrily, "How could you say such a thing, Sister-in-law?"

"I just saw how much you seem to like this Chuchu and thought she could keep you company! Of course, it was only a suggestion. If you don’t agree, then let’s drop it. Why get so angry?" Lady Wei said with a smirk.

Lady Lou immediately fell silent.

Listening to everyone’s words, Chuchu’s heart sank lower and lower.

’I didn’t expect the Lu Family to be so difficult to deal with.’

’Especially this Lady Wei and Zhi Wan.’

’But things have already come this far. I can’t just back down now.’

With that thought, she clenched her fist and said tearfully, "I know that Miss Wan’er dislikes me because of Mr. Lu. But the things between Mr. Lu and me are not for an unmarried young lady like you to understand. Although Mr. Lu dotes on you and takes you everywhere, there are some things... he wouldn’t do in front of you."

As soon as she said this, a gleam flashed in Lu Lan’s eyes. ’Chuchu is implying that Zhi Wan is targeting her out of jealousy because my elder brother is good to Chuchu. Moreover, her words hint at an intimate relationship between him and her.’

Thinking this, she couldn’t help but glance at Zhi Wan, expecting to see panic on her face.

But she was to be disappointed. Zhi Wan’s expression was perfectly calm, without the slightest change.

However, a flash of jealousy crossed Lu Jinglan’s eyes.

’If this Chuchu weren’t so good at irritating Lady Wei and Zhi Wan, I would never have brought her back to the Lu Family for anything.’

’The slut. As if she’s worthy?’

SLAP!

Suddenly, the crisp sound of a slap echoed through the room.

"You insolent creature!" Lady Wei lowered her hand, her rage uncontrollable. "What kind of filthy thing dares to act so presumptuously in my Duke Dingguo Mansion? Someone, ’escort’ her out of the mansion!"

Chuchu clutched her stinging cheek, her heart filled with resentment, but her face showed a miserable expression. She immediately dropped to her knees, sobbing uncontrollably. "This servant truly comes from a humble background, but I was once the daughter of a good family. How can Your Ladyship humiliate me like this? Before I met Mr. Lu, I was still a virgin. If Your Ladyship will not accept me, then this servant will be a common maid and serve you for the rest of my life. I beg Your Ladyship to give Chuchu a chance to live."

"Enough of this pitiful act. Did you think I wouldn’t see through your little tricks?" Lady Wei said with disgust, then looked at Nanny Fang and ordered, "Get her out!"

Seeing this, Zhi Wan leaned close to Lady Wei’s ear and whispered a reminder, "Aunt, don’t forget the incident with Wang Shuya. It’s best to send this Chuchu far away, lest she turns around and bites us back."