The Minister: Cold by Day, Hot by Night-Chapter 62: Her Technique is Very Good

Wei Jinyi panicked. "I..."

"You don’t dare?" Zhi Wan asked.

Wei Jinyi forced herself to remain calm. "Wh-what is there to be afraid of?"

"Then make the vow. We’re listening," Zhi Wan said, her gaze clear as she looked at her.

"Yes, let us hear it. If you’ve lied, may you never marry and die old and alone," Lady Wei added immediately.

Wei Jinyi’s eyes widened as she looked at her, both furious and frantic. "Aunt..."

"Didn’t you say you weren’t lying? If you weren’t, a malicious vow won’t come true. What are you afraid of?" Lady Wei asked, her gaze gentle.

Wei Jinyi was speechless.

"Your refusal to swear the oath proves you were lying about everything." Lady Wei’s expression suddenly turned cold. "My Duke Dingguo Mansion cannot keep someone with such a crooked mind. Nanny Fang, go and pack her things. You will personally escort her back to the Wei Family and explain the situation to the elders."

"Yes, milady." Nanny Fang left at once.

Wei Jinyi’s face changed. She scrambled to kneel at Lady Wei’s feet, grabbing her sleeve. "Aunt, I was wrong! I know I was wrong! Please don’t send me away..."

"So you’re willing to admit it now? A pity, but it’s too late. I won’t punish you, since you are not part of my Lu Family. But from this day forward, you are no longer welcome in the Duke Dingguo Mansion. Do not come here again," Lady Wei said mercilessly, pulling her hand away.

Wei Jinyi’s expression was ugly. "Aunt, I am your own niece! Yet you treat me this way for an outsider."

"You’re mistaken. Wan’er is no outsider. Enough. Say no more and go back," Lady Wei said, her face full of impatience.

Wei Jinyi burst into tears. "Aunt, I can’t bear to leave you! Just let me stay with you for a few more days..."

Lady Wei was long since fed up with her.

It wasn’t Lady Wei she couldn’t bear to leave, but the Duke Dingguo Mansion. If she left, she would lose her chance to get close to Lu Zhan.

During her time in the Duke Dingguo Mansion, Wei Jinyi had tried every trick in the book to get near Lu Zhan, forcing Lady Wei to have someone watch her every day to guard against her schemes.

Now that there was a perfect reason to drive her out, how could she possibly change her mind?

"Go and see if Nanny Fang has finished packing," Lady Wei said to a nearby servant.

Seeing that there was no room for negotiation, Wei Jinyi’s heart filled with bitter hatred. She made up her mind: she absolutely had to marry her cousin.

’Once I marry into the Duke Dingguo Mansion, I will have my revenge for today.’

’She would forgive neither her aunt nor Zhi Wan.’

’Especially Zhi Wan.’

’When I become the mistress of the Duke Dingguo Mansion, the first person I’ll get revenge on will be Zhi Wan.’

At this thought, she dabbed her tears with a handkerchief, stood up, and said pitifully, "Then, Aunt, please take care of yourself. Jinyi will come to see you again when I have time."

"There’s no need to come back." Lady Wei waved her hand dismissively. She couldn’t handle it. ’This girl is nothing but trouble. It’s best if we have no contact from now on.’

Wei Jinyi gave a bitter smile. "Aunt, I’m your own niece. Blood is thicker than water. Even if you dislike me, I will always respect you."

Lady Wei: "..."

She bit her tongue again and again to keep from saying something harsher, merely waving her hand. "Just hurry up and go."

Wei Jinyi walked over to Zhi Wan and said apologetically, "Sister Zhi Wan, I am truly sorry for what happened today. I hope you can forgive me."

Zhi Wan was a little surprised by her completely different attitude.

She replied with a sincere expression, "To know your faults and be able to change is the greatest virtue. Sister Jinyi, please don’t lie next time. You should be more mindful of your words."

Hearing this, Wei Jinyi’s chest heaved.

’Who does this little bitch think she is, lecturing me?’

’The slap I received today... I’ll return it twofold in the future.’

"Fifth Miss Wei, I have finished packing your belongings. Please come with me," Nanny Fang said, walking in just then.

Wei Jinyi followed her out, resentful and unwilling.

Once she was gone, Lady Wei visibly relaxed.

"Finally, that little troublemaker is gone."

Zhi Wan said with some concern, "Will Jinyi spread rumors when she gets back? Will Eldest Aunt Wei come and make trouble for you, Aunt?"

Lady Wei said, "Don’t worry, Nanny Fang will handle it. Lady Xu won’t dare to have a complete falling out with me."

"That’s good." Zhi Wan felt relieved.

"You, however, need to be careful. I don’t think that girl Jinyi will let this go. If she asks you to go out somewhere, you must refuse," Lady Wei warned.

Thinking of Wei Jinyi’s attitude as she left, Zhi Wan nodded. "I understand." Seeing the weariness on Lady Wei’s face, she said, "Aunt, shall I give you a massage?"

Hearing this, Lady Wei nodded. "I’ll have to trouble you, then."

Zhi Wan shook her head and rose, moving to stand behind her.

Her technique was excellent, the pressure just right.

Lady Wei grew drowsy from her massage.

After she fell asleep, Zhi Wan tucked her in before leaving Lan Courtyard.

「 ... 」

Lady Yu’s skills were indeed excellent. Zhi Wan had her make a few of her specialties. After tasting each one, she decided the shop would sell only Three-Dice Buns, Thousand-Layer Oil Cakes, Soup Dumplings, and Double Sesame Crisps.

Having decided on the pastries to sell, Zhi Wan had the shop renovated.

Half a month later, the shop was finally ready and was named Zhimei Restaurant.

In the days before the grand opening, Zhi Wan hired people to spread the word that the shop’s chef was a master from Yangzhou, specializing in Yangzhou-style pastries.

Yangzhou’s pastries were already famous, so with this promotion, many customers came on opening day, drawn by the reputation. Fortunately, Zhi Wan had brought her two maids, Shuang’er and Dongxiang, to help at the shop.

By afternoon, all the pastries made that day were completely sold out. More people came after hearing the news, only to leave empty-handed.

After closing, Lady Yu asked for instructions, "Miss, should we make more tomorrow?"

Zhi Wan shook her head. "No, the same amount as today will be fine."

Today was the grand opening, and they’d also hired lion dancers, so it attracted a lot of customers. Business would likely dip a little tomorrow. If they made too much, it probably wouldn’t sell out.

Zhi Wan gave a few instructions to the couple, then prepared to leave with Shuang’er and Dongxiang.

Just then, someone knocked on the shop door.

Everyone thought it was another customer coming to buy pastries, but when Zhao Dong went to open the door, he found Chen Jiu standing outside.

"Ah Jiu?" Zhi Wan was a little surprised. "Weren’t you on an assignment in Qingzhou with Cousin?"

Chen Jiu, covered in dust from his journey, stepped inside and smiled. "We’re almost finished, so we came back. Is there anything left to eat in the shop? The Princely Heir hasn’t eaten yet."

Hearing this, Zhi Wan looked outside and saw a horse-drawn carriage parked there.

"All of today’s pastries are sold out, but I set some aside. I was planning to take them back for my aunt, but since Cousin is back, he can have them." As Zhi Wan spoke, she handed the food box Shuang’er was holding to Chen Jiu.

Lady Wei liked the Three-Dice Buns, so she had saved some. She also had Lady Yu prepare a salt-water goose to take back.

Chen Jiu took it. "Thank you, Miss." He was about to take out some silver, but Zhi Wan stopped him. "There’s no need for silver. Just hurry and take it to my cousin."

Chen Jiu could only relent, and he left with the food box.

Inside the carriage, Lu Zhan was looking through some files, a hint of exhaustion on his face.