Lu Zhan grunted in acknowledgment and said no more.

But as he was leaving, he couldn’t help but add, "That Chen Junyu isn’t worthy of you. Cousin, you must be careful when choosing a husband."

Zhi Wan froze.

By the time she snapped out of it, her cousin was already gone.

’So Cousin really isn’t happy with Chen Junyu.’

’But Chen Junyu doesn’t seem that bad.’

’Besides, Ouyang Zhenzhu was the one who introduced him.’

’If Ouyang Zhenzhu vouches for him, there shouldn’t be anything wrong with his character.’

’But Cousin seems to dislike him immensely.’

’He was so blunt when he told him to leave just now.’

’Cousin is always so polite and proper. Why was he so... rude this time?’

Zhi Wan returned to Yaoguang Pavilion with a heavy heart.

「Qingyun Residence.」

After his bath, Lu Zhan summoned Chen Jiu.

"Go investigate Chen Junyu."

Chen Jiu was currently lost in his own thoughts.

’The Princely Heir actually rushed back from Jiangning, riding day and night to get here.’

’And just three days ago, I happened to send a message to the Princely Heir, telling him that the Madam was starting to arrange matchmaking meetings for the Miss again.’

’Could it be that the Princely Heir came all this way back specifically for the Miss?’

’Tsk, tsk, tsk. To think the Princely Heir also has moments where he loses his composure like this.’

"Chen Jiu?" Seeing him standing there in a daze, Lu Zhan frowned, his voice deepening slightly.

Chen Jiu jolted and snapped back to reality, quickly saying, "Yes, sir, I understand."

"Then what are you waiting for?" A hint of displeasure touched Lu Zhan’s features.

Peeking at his master’s expression, Chen Jiu mustered his courage and said, "Princely Heir, the Miss seems quite satisfied with that Chen Junyu, and Lady Wei also thinks highly of him. What if the Miss insists on marrying no one but him?"

The moment the words left his mouth, he felt his master’s icy gaze land on him. His scalp tingled, and he immediately and fawningly changed his tune, "Please rest assured, Princely Heir, that’s absolutely impossible. The Miss’s taste can’t be that bad."

Lu Zhan’s thin lips spat out a single word, "Scram."

"Yes, sir." Chen Jiu scrambled away.

「That evening, at Lan Courtyard.」

Lady Wei had a full table of dishes prepared and invited both Lu Zhan and Zhi Wan over.

When Zhi Wan arrived, Lu Zhan was already there, sitting in a chair and reading a book.

He must have rested, as he no longer looked as exhausted as he had that morning. Reading under the lamplight, he had a lazy, leisurely air, exuding the noble grace of a young lord.

"Cousin." Zhi Wan stepped forward and curtsied.

At the sound of her voice, the man’s gaze shifted from his book to her. His thin lips curved into a faint smile, his voice low and pleasant, "Cousin."

"Wan’er, you’re here? Let’s eat then," Lady Wei called out.

"Yes, Aunt." Zhi Wan secretly breathed a sigh of relief and hurried over.

When the meal began, she and Lu Zhan sat on either side of Lady Wei, in the seats just below hers.

Looking at the two young people beside her, Lady Wei felt a genuine sense of happiness and contentment.

She continuously placed food on both of their plates. "Eat more."

"Mother, that’s enough." Lu Zhan’s eye twitched as he looked at the mountain of food piled in his bowl, and he spoke up to stop her.

"What do you mean, enough?" Lady Wei shot him a chiding look. "You’ve been rushing about outside for so long, you’ve gotten thinner. Hurry up and eat more. You’re not allowed to leave the table until you finish all this food."

Lu Zhan: "..."

Seeing her cousin’s thwarted expression, Zhi Wan lowered her head, using the motion of eating to hide the smile at the corner of her lips.

Halfway through the meal, Lady Wei suddenly said, "Wan’er, that Chen Junyu, I think he’s quite decent. Tomorrow, I’ll have someone invite him out so you can get to know him better. If you feel there are no issues, I think we can settle the engagement."

Hearing this, Zhi Wan put down her chopsticks and said obediently, "I’ll listen to Au—"

Before she could finish, she was cut off by the man’s voice. "I don’t agree."

Zhi Wan was taken aback.

Lady Wei looked at her son in surprise. "Why don’t you agree?"

Lu Zhan lowered his eyes, hiding the anger within them. "Chen Junyu isn’t worthy of Cousin."

Lady Wei was stunned.

Zhi Wan couldn’t help but look at her cousin as well.

Under the lamplight, the man’s face was as still as water, looking exceptionally serious.

Zhi Wan paused, her thoughts suddenly in turmoil.

’This morning in the main hall, Cousin also stated clearly that Chen Junyu wasn’t worthy of me.’

’I didn’t expect him to say the same thing in front of Aunt.’

Lady Wei recovered and frowned. "Chen Junyu may be a bit poor, but he’s a well-spoken and educated young man. He should be able to secure some official post in the future."

"And for this uncertain possibility, Mother is going to hastily arrange Cousin’s marriage?" Lu Zhan’s brows tightened.

Hearing this, Lady Wei grew displeased. "Of course not. I favor Chen Junyu because he has a good character. If he marries Wan’er, he’ll surely be able to live a stable and honest life with her."

"Mother, today was the first time you met him, wasn’t it? How can you be so sure Chen Junyu’s character is good?" Lu Zhan’s tone was sharp.

Lady Wei was at a loss for words.

"You can know a person’s face, but not their heart. This world is full of people who are skilled at deception, only showing what others want to see," Lu Zhan said lightly.

At this, Lady Wei couldn’t help but glance at her son.

’Although what my son says makes sense, I can’t help but feel that something is strange.’

’Why is my son so concerned with Wan’er’s marriage this time?’

’He used to be completely absorbed in his official duties and never bothered with other matters. Now, he’s suddenly so invested.’

’Did something happen to provoke him?’

Lady Wei suppressed her doubts and asked, "Then in your opinion, what kind of man is worthy of Wan’er?"

Lu Zhan paused. He didn’t speak, simply lowering his head to drink his soup.

Seeing her son’s silence, Lady Wei couldn’t resist needling him. "Ah Zhan, while marriage is a serious matter that can’t be taken lightly, being too picky isn’t a good thing either. After all, nobody’s perfect. Someone who is ’good enough’ will do."

Hearing this, Zhi Wan picked up her chopsticks and lowered her head to eat.

’Aunt’s words seem to be about my situation, but she’s actually prodding Cousin for not having taken a wife yet.’

"Just getting by is one thing, but a person who simply settles will never be happy," Lu Zhan said coolly after a moment, lifting his gaze.

"You’re already twenty-five, you’re not young anymore! When your father and I were your age, you were already eight years old! If you keep being this picky, you’re going to end up a bachelor!" Lady Wei said, her patience at its end.

’If my son weren’t so picky, I’d be holding my grandchild by now.’

’I’m starting to seriously suspect there might be something wrong with my son’s body.’

Lu Zhan: "..."

Zhi Wan ducked her head even lower, trying to make herself as inconspicuous as possible.

"Mother, rest assured. Your worries are unnecessary. That won’t happen," Lu Zhan said suddenly, his gaze flicking toward Zhi Wan, who was sitting opposite him.

Zhi Wan faltered.

’Why is Cousin looking at me?’

’I suddenly remembered—Cousin seems to have a girl he’s fond of.’

’Before, it was just my own speculation, but from the meaning behind his words now, it seems to be true.’

Lady Wei clearly thought the same. She asked, surprised and delighted, "For you to say that, does it mean you have a girl you’re fond of?"

Hearing this, Zhi Wan looked at her cousin curiously.

Unexpectedly, her cousin’s ink-black eyes were fixed on her as he replied with a low "Mhm."

Zhi Wan’s heart skipped a beat.

’Cousin... what does he mean by this?’