The Minister: Cold by Day, Hot by Night-Chapter 60: Foxy Wiles

Lu Zhan also looked at Zhi Wan in surprise.

Seeing them both looking at her, Zhi Wan lowered her eyes. "When I returned this morning, I ran into Second Brother Lu in the front courtyard," she explained. "He said that Lu Xin has been preparing for her wedding and was confined to her room by the Second Madam, unable to go anywhere. She was getting bored and wanted me to come over for a chat. I was feeling a bit tired at the time, so I declined and didn’t go."

"I didn’t expect to wake up from a nap and hear that something had happened to Lu Lan in Lu Xin’s room... If I hadn’t turned down Second Brother Lu and gone to keep Lu Xin company, would I have been the one in trouble?"

After she finished speaking, both Lady Wei’s and Lu Zhan’s expressions darkened.

"So, Lu Xin originally wanted to talk to you, but because you didn’t go, she sought out Lu Lan instead?" Lady Wei asked in a low voice.

Zhi Wan wrung her handkerchief, hesitated for a moment, and then said, "When I refused Second Brother Lu, I mentioned that Lu Lan was their sister, and that it would be more appropriate for her to keep Lu Xin company."

Lady Wei exchanged a look with her son. They both understood now—today’s incident was no accident, but a scheme orchestrated by Lu Xin.

Moreover, the person Lu Xin had originally intended to frame was Zhi Wan. But since Zhi Wan didn’t go to the second branch’s residence, Lu Xin’s plan changed, and she turned her attention to Lu Lan instead.

At this thought, Lady Wei said in a fury, "That girl, Lu Xin, is truly vicious!"

Zhi Wan said, panicked and self-reproachful, "Did Lu Lan meet with this misfortune because of what I said? I didn’t know something would happen to her. If I had known, I would never have said that. It’s all my fault..."

"Nonsense! How could this possibly be your fault? Lu Xin was determined to harm someone. Even if you hadn’t mentioned it, she would have certainly sought out Lu Lan. This has nothing to do with you," Lady Wei quickly reassured her.

Lu Xin orchestrated this scheme today to avoid marrying Chen Hongwen.

She had originally planned to frame Zhi Wan and have her take her place in the marriage, but Zhi Wan didn’t take the bait. Naturally, she could only turn her attention to Lu Lan.

Therefore, what happened to Lu Lan had nothing to do with Zhi Wan at all.

"It’s a good thing you were sharp enough not to go to the second branch’s residence, otherwise..." Lady Wei trailed off, then said, "Alright, you and your cousin should head back first. I have some other matters to attend to, so I need to make another trip to their residence."

Zhi Wan obediently replied, "Okay."

As she left, she heard Lady Wei instruct Nanny Fang to summon a physician.

’Aunt is calling for a physician. Does she suspect Lu Lan was drugged?’

’But the food and drink in Lu Xin’s room have probably already been destroyed to hide the evidence. It all depends on whether the physician can detect if there are any drugs in Lu Lan’s system.’

’If the physician finds that Lu Lan was drugged, Lu Xin’s plot will be exposed, and Aunt will have a reason to deal with her.’

’But Lu Lan... will probably still have to marry into the Chen Family.’

Seeing the young woman walking silently behind him, Lu Zhan spoke coolly, "Are you scared?"

Lost in thought, Zhi Wan was caught off guard by his words. She looked up at him blankly. "What?"

Lu Zhan looked at her fair, delicate face and said patiently, "Were you frightened by what happened to Lu Lan?"

Zhi Wan paused for a moment, then nodded. "A little." After a short pause, she said softly, "I never thought it wouldn’t be safe even in my own home."

"When there are people with malicious intentions around you, you won’t be safe anywhere. You can only be more vigilant yourself and not let others scheme against you," Lu Zhan advised, his tone softening unconsciously.

"Cousin, I understand," Zhi Wan said, nodding earnestly.

Seeing her so well-behaved, Lu Zhan paused, then gave a low "Mm" and said no more.

"Cousin!" Just then, Wei Jinyi came rushing over in a panic. Only when she got closer did she see Zhi Wan trailing behind Lu Zhan.

Her brow furrowed in displeasure. "Zhi Wan, you’re here too."

Zhi Wan nodded. "Jinyi."

Wei Jinyi glanced toward the second branch’s residence and asked with feigned concern, "How is Lu Lan? Is she alright?"

Zhi Wan glanced at Lu Zhan. Seeing he had no intention of speaking, she had no choice but to reply, "Aunt said she’s still unconscious."

Hearing this, Wei Jinyi sighed. "Poor Lu Lan. To think something like this would happen to her."

Zhi Wan nodded but said nothing more.

Wei Jinyi peeked at Lu Zhan’s cold, distant face, a bitter feeling rising in her heart.

’I’ve been in the Lu Family for so long, yet Cousin won’t even give me a proper glance.’

’If this keeps up, what am I going to do?’

Wringing her handkerchief, she tried to make small talk. "Cousin, you seem quite free today. Do you have no official business?"

Lu Zhan replied coolly, "I do. I have to attend to it in a moment."

Seeing that he had responded to her, Wei Jinyi’s heart leaped with joy. She couldn’t resist pushing past the inconveniently-placed Zhi Wan and taking two steps closer to him. "I’ll make some desserts myself and bring them to you later."

Lu Zhan’s gaze fell on Zhi Wan, who had been pushed aside. His brow furrowed, and he refused coldly, "There’s no need."

Wei Jinyi’s expression froze.

"Escort the Miss back safely." Lu Zhan looked at the two maids, Shuang’er and Dongxiang, and ordered in a low voice.

"Yes, sir," the two replied respectfully.

After giving his order, Lu Zhan walked away without another word.

Watching his cold, distant back, Wei Jinyi felt lost and dejected. When she turned and saw Zhi Wan, surrounded by her maids, also about to leave, her expression turned icy, and she blocked her path.

"Zhi Wan, what kind of tricks have you been playing on my cousin?"

Zhi Wan’s brow furrowed slightly. "I don’t know what you’re talking about," she said calmly.

"You don’t know?" Wei Jinyi sneered. "If you haven’t been playing tricks on my cousin, why does he treat you differently from everyone else?"

"Then what kind of tricks do you think I’ve been playing?" Zhi Wan retorted.

Wei Jinyi looked her up and down, then said mockingly, "The tricks of a harlot, of course!"

SMACK!

The response she received was the crisp sound of a slap.

Wei Jinyi clutched her face, staring at her in disbelief. "You dare to hit me?"

Zhi Wan lowered her hand, dabbing the corner of her eye with a handkerchief as she choked out, "Your mouth is full of filth! I can tolerate you saying such things about me, but how dare you blaspheme my cousin! My cousin is a man of noble and unimpeachable character. How could you slander him like this?"

"When did I blaspheme him? When did I slander him?" Wei Jinyi fumed.

"You claimed I used a harlot’s tricks to seduce my cousin. Isn’t that blaspheming and slandering him?" Zhi Wan accused.

Dongxiang, who had been stunned, now shared in the outrage. "Fifth Miss Wei, you have gone too far! I will be sure to report this matter to the Madam."

Wei Jinyi glared at her furiously. "I was talking about Zhi Wan, not my cousin! If you dare to spout nonsense, I’ll have your tongue torn out!"

Dongxiang was not the least bit intimidated. "Not only did you insult Miss Zhi Wan, but you also dishonored the Princely Heir, and now you’re threatening me. I am not afraid. I will report everything to the Madam exactly as it happened!"

"I’ll be your witness!" Shuang’er chimed in from the side.

Wei Jinyi nearly choked with rage.

’I was the one who got slapped, and in the end, it’s somehow my fault?’

She was both shocked and furious, her lips trembling as she said, "You... you’re all ganging up on me! I’m going to tell my aunt and have her stand up for me!"

"Fifth Miss Wei, you’re truly skilled at making false counter-accusations!" Dongxiang retorted, also angered.

"You wretched wench, just you wait to be punished by my aunt!" Wei Jinyi spat out the threat and then ran off in a huff.

Seeing this, Shuang’er said with some concern, "What if she really goes and spouts nonsense in front of the Madam? After all, our miss did, in fact, strike her."