The Minister: Cold by Day, Hot by Night-Chapter 68: There Are Plenty of Opportunities, It Doesn’t Have to Be Today

Chapter 68: Chapter 68: There Are Plenty of Opportunities, It Doesn’t Have to Be Today

After seeing Lu Lan off, Zhi Wan returned to her inner chamber but no longer felt sleepy.

She picked up a book and sat leaning against the headboard, flipping through it.

Shuang’er, who was waiting on her, couldn’t help but say, "Miss Lu seems strange today."

"How so?" Zhi Wan asked, looking up.

Shuang’er frowned. "I can’t quite put my finger on it, but Miss Lu rarely came to see you before. You just refused to visit the second branch, and then she came over herself. It’s even raining outside. She didn’t have anything urgent to discuss, so why would she brave the rain to come here?"

Hearing this, Zhi Wan fell silent.

She had actually felt that today’s Lu Lan was a bit strange too.

But out of sympathy for what Lu Lan had been through, she hadn’t given it much thought.

She didn’t expect Shuang’er to have the same feeling.

Seeing Shuang’er’s worried expression, she couldn’t help but reassure her. "Perhaps we’re overthinking it. She was probably just feeling cooped up and wanted someone to talk to."

"But you’re not close with her. Couldn’t she have found someone else to talk to? Why insist on coming to you? Could it be that she blames you for what happened to her last time?" Shuang’er guessed.

Zhi Wan froze.

’Blame me?’

’Last time, if I had gone, the disaster might have befallen me, and Lu Lan might have been fine.’

’And just now, Lu Lan specifically mentioned that Lu Xin had also invited her over for a chat.’

’Could Lu Lan really be blaming me for the misfortune she encountered?’

’That makes no sense at all.’

Zhi Wan frowned.

Seeing her reaction, Shuang’er quickly added, "Maybe I’m just being paranoid. Please don’t worry too much, Miss."

Zhi Wan came back to her senses and squeezed her hand. "Whether we’re being paranoid or not, it’s always wise to be on guard. It can’t hurt to be a little more cautious."

"You’re right, Miss," Shuang’er nodded.

The next day, Lu Xin was married off. Zhi Wan didn’t go to join the festivities. She heard that neither Lu Zhenbei nor Lu Zhan made an appearance; only Lady Wei went.

By the time Old Madam Lu received the news and rushed back, Lu Xin had already been married for several days. She had even missed Lu Xin’s homecoming visit.

"Miss, the Old Madam’s carriage is about to arrive at the main gate. The Madam sent me to inform you to get ready and come to the gate to welcome her." One day, Lady Wei’s maid, Yin Liu, came to inform Zhi Wan.

Zhi Wan nodded. "I’ll go at once."

Old Madam Lu was an extremely particular old woman, so Zhi Wan dared not dally and hurried to the main gate.

When she arrived, everyone from the Lu Family was already there. Even the militarily-occupied Lu Zhenbei had put aside his duties to wait at the front gate.

Zhi Wan scanned the crowd casually and noticed that only Lu Zhan was absent.

"She’s here, she’s here! The Old Madam’s carriage has arrived," a servant ran over to announce.

Sure enough, a carriage soon approached slowly. Riding on horseback at the front was none other than Lu Zhan.

’So he went to pick up Old Madam Lu.’

As soon as the carriage came to a steady halt, Lu Zhenbei, Lady Wei, and the others went forward to greet it.

"Mother," the group said respectfully, waiting by the carriage.

The carriage door was pushed open. Two maids emerged first, followed by Old Madam Lu and Lu Jinglan.

Old Madam Lu was in her late sixties this year, but she was in high spirits.

She stepped out, supported by Lu Jinglan.

"Big Brother, Sister-in-law, Second Brother, Second Sister-in-law." After getting out of the carriage, Lu Jinglan immediately let go of Old Madam Lu’s hand and curtsied to Lu Zhenbei and the others.

"It’s been a while, and our Jinglan has grown even more beautiful," Lady Lou said, pulling her up and showering her with praise.

"It’s been a while, and Second Sister-in-law’s talent for flattery has gotten even better," Lu Jinglan replied playfully.

Everyone laughed.

A smile also appeared on Old Madam Lu’s face.

At that moment, Lady Wei beckoned to Zhi Wan. "Wan’er, come and greet the Old Madam."

Zhi Wan did as she was told, stepping forward and curtsying obediently to Old Madam Lu. "Wan’er greets Old Madam Lu."

The smile on Old Madam Lu’s face faded slightly. She nodded. "You may rise."

"Thank you, Old Madam Lu." Zhi Wan straightened up.

Lu Jinglan giggled. "Wan’er, by generation, you should call me ’Aunt’ just like Jinzhi does. You were so focused on greeting Old Madam Lu, why didn’t you say hello to me?"

Zhi Wan smiled faintly. "That was my oversight. Wan’er greets—"

"I’m just kidding! Jinzhi has never once called me ’Aunt’ to this day. If you really call me that, you’ll make me sound old." Lu Jinglan quickly pulled her arm, but her gaze flickered in Lu Zhan’s direction.

"You little rascal, try to behave yourself," Old Madam Lu chided with a laugh.

Lu Jinglan stuck her tongue out playfully.

Lady Wei gave her a faint glance and said, "Mother, you must be weary from the journey. Let’s head inside first. We can talk more in there."

Old Madam Lu nodded. "Very well."

Lady Lou immediately stepped forward, intending to support her arm, but she was brushed aside.

"Second Daughter-in-law, what exactly is this business with Xin’er’s marriage? You will explain it to me properly in a moment." The smile vanished from Old Madam Lu’s face in an instant as she glared sternly at her.

At this, Lady Lou felt a surge of anger. ’It’s not like I arranged Xin’er’s marriage all by myself. The old hag doesn’t blame her own son, but she blames me, the daughter-in-law.’

"Yes," Lady Lou replied respectfully, suppressing her dissatisfaction.

Once inside the estate, Zhi Wan had intended to return to Yaoguang Pavilion, but Lu Jinglan affectionately grabbed her hand. "Wan’er, come sit in Fushou Hall for a while. We haven’t seen each other in so long, and I have so much to tell you."

Zhi Wan blinked.

’Lu Jinglan is still the same as ever.’

’So warm to me in public, yet colder than anyone else in private.’

Seeing that everyone was watching, she nodded. "Alright."

A delighted expression on her face, Lu Jinglan turned to Lu Zhan. "Jinzhi, while at Jiuhua Temple, Grandmother talked about you more than anyone else. Don’t you dare use official business as an excuse to sneak away again, or you’ll break her heart."

Lu Zhan’s expression was cold. "I do have official business to attend to; it’s not an excuse. Picking up Grandmother just now already delayed many things. There will be plenty of opportunities to talk with her. It doesn’t have to be today."

Lu Jinglan shrugged and said no more.

"Grandmother, I will join you for dinner this evening. I must go to the Ministry of Justice now," Lu Zhan said, ignoring her and turning to Old Madam Lu.

Old Madam Lu feigned annoyance. "Compared to your official duties, this old woman is indeed not worth mentioning. Fine, if you must go, then go."

"Yes," Lu Zhan replied, then turned and left.

Seeing this, Old Madam Lu frowned slightly.

Lu Jingsi noticed her displeasure and sighed. "Mother, Jinzhi is completely devoted to court affairs. Even for me, his own uncle, it is incredibly difficult to see him. We live in the same estate, yet I haven’t seen him in a long time. You mustn’t blame him."

Lady Wei glanced at him and smiled. "Jinzhi has always been busy with political affairs in previous years, rarely spending time at the estate. After his promotion to Minister of the Ministry of Justice this year, he’s become even busier. Forget Second Brother—even for me, his mother, it isn’t easy to get a moment with him.

"But when Jinzhi learned that you were returning today, Mother, he still put aside his duties to personally pick you up at the city gates. Jinzhi’s filial piety toward his grandmother is known to all."

A glint flashed in Lu Jingsi’s eyes. Just as he was about to say more, Old Madam Lu cut him off. "Enough. Jinzhi isn’t going out for fun. He’s running errands for the Emperor. How could he stay in the estate all day? It’s not like he has nothing to do."

Hearing this, Lu Jingsi’s face darkened.

’Nothing to do?’

’Mother is clearly taking a jab at me.’