The Minister: Cold by Day, Hot by Night-Chapter 124: Zhi Wan Inexplicably Feels Flustered
"In that case, Miss Fang Fei, please hurry and keep Mr. Lu company," Liang Qixian said with a broad smile, suddenly giving Fang Fei a push.
Fang Fei let out a delicate cry and stumbled toward Lu Zhan.
Lu Zhan didn’t move. A faint smile even played on his lips, but a closer look would reveal the coldness in his eyes.
Seeing that he didn’t try to avoid her, Fang Fei’s heart leaped with joy. ’Hmph, he acted so aloof last time. I actually thought he was different from other men. But tonight, isn’t he still going to fall at my feet?’
Fang Fei was smug, thinking she could win Lu Zhan over tonight.
But just as she was about to fall into Lu Zhan’s arms, a figure suddenly flashed to his side. Unable to stop, she crashed right into this person.
"THUD!"
Fang Fei felt like she was seeing stars. Dazed, she looked up to see a guard with a stern face standing stiffly before her, his nose in the air, not even sparing her a glance.
When had she ever been treated with such disrespect? She immediately snapped in frustration, "Who are you? How rude!"
"You are the one being rude, miss. My master has no fondness for flighty women who throw themselves at him. You should withdraw," Chen Jiu said, clutching his sword. He didn’t even look at her, his voice cold and full of disdain.
Fang Fei was so angry she almost fell over backward.
She was the Oiran of Haitang Pavilion! Countless men longed for even a glimpse of her, yet never got the chance. And now, some guard was looking down on her like this.
"You!" Her lips trembled with rage. She cast a mournful glance at Lu Zhan. "Mr. Lu, look at this man..."
She expected him to stand up for her and teach this insolent guard a lesson, but to her surprise, he didn’t even look at her. 𝕗𝚛𝚎𝚎𝐰𝗲𝗯𝗻𝚘𝚟𝚎𝗹.𝕔𝐨𝕞
Her heart sank as she instantly understood.
The guard’s words were Mr. Lu’s. He didn’t fancy her at all.
Fang Fei was devastated.
Liang Qixian had been about to scold Chen Jiu for ruining Mr. Lu’s good time, but seeing this, he found he couldn’t quite figure out Lu Zhan’s intentions.
He had paid a hefty price to invite Fang Fei to accompany Lu Zhan, but it seemed Lu Zhan wasn’t interested.
Liang Qixian hesitated. "Mr. Lu..."
Lu Zhan said lightly, "Don’t listen to my guard’s nonsense. I’m not picky. However, Junior Minister Duan seems to be quite taken with Miss Fang Fei. Why not have Miss Fang Fei join him for a few drinks? It would make him happy."
Duan Ling: "..."
He stared at Lu Zhan, stunned.
’When did I ever say I was taken with some Miss Fang Fei?’
’You can’t just set me up like this!’
Liang Qixian was taken aback for a moment, then immediately chided himself. "Look at how muddled I’ve been. Miss Fang Fei, please, go have a few drinks with Junior Minister Duan."
Fang Fei composed herself. As she walked toward Duan Ling, her signature smile returned to her face. "I am honored by your favor, Junior Minister Duan. I will certainly join you for a few drinks."
Duan Ling: "..."
Seeing Fang Fei try to nestle up to him, he frantically pushed her away and said with a stern face, "Don’t get too close."
His action caused everyone to erupt in laughter.
"I heard Junior Minister Duan is quite the veteran of the pleasure quarters. Why so modest now that you’re in Yangzhou?"
Duan Ling: "..."
’This is so unfair!’
It was true that he and Ouyang Lei enjoyed visiting brothels, but they only ever drank with the courtesans and never did anything else.
’That Lu Jinzhi is really something else, using me as his shield!’
He shot a resentful look at Lu Zhan.
’I really am a terrible judge of friends!’
Lu Zhan, as if not seeing his accusatory gaze, nonchalantly started drinking with the official next to him.
Elsewhere, after finishing their meal, Zhi Wan and Ouyang Zhenzhu went downstairs with the other officials’ families to watch the song and dance performance.
On a circular, elevated stage, several beautiful Dancing Girls performed the Sogdian Whirl dance to the music.
The exotic dance immediately captured the attention of Zhi Wan and Ouyang Zhenzhu.
On the circular stage, the Dancing Girls twirled and spun to the music, their movements so fast that their faces became a blur.
The two of them watched, completely captivated.
When the dance ended, both were still lost in a daze.
Not until Chen Jiu’s voice sounded from behind them. "Miss, Miss Ouyang, it is time to go back."
Zhi Wan turned her head and was surprised to see her cousin standing behind her.
The man stood tall and elegant. A faint blush colored the corners of his eyes, suggesting he had drunk quite a bit. His slightly intoxicated gaze was fixed intently on her.
Zhi Wan froze for a moment, then stood and called out softly, "Cousin."
Lu Zhan paused before nonchalantly averting his gaze, his long lashes lowered. "Let’s go."
Zhi Wan secretly breathed a sigh of relief. ’The way Cousin was looking at me just now made my heart race for some reason.’
"Okay," she answered obediently, pulling Ouyang Zhenzhu up.
Ouyang Zhenzhu glanced at the Dancing Girls on the stage, reluctant to leave. But when she turned her head and saw Duan Ling standing intimately with a woman, she curled her lip and said sarcastically, "You really aren’t picky, are you, old man?"
Duan Ling: "..."
He subconsciously distanced himself from Fang Fei. His lips parted as if to explain something, but in the end, he gave up.
Although it was Fang Fei who was clinging to him, he felt he didn’t need to explain himself to a little slip of a girl.
Fang Fei’s face fell with displeasure.
Being rejected by Mr. Lu was one thing, but now even a little slip of a girl was looking down on her.
"Mr. Duan, why does that girl’s tone sound so jealous? Could it be she has taken a liking to you?" Fang Fei said with a smirk.
At these words, both Duan Ling and Ouyang Zhenzhu froze.
When she came to her senses, Ouyang Zhenzhu exploded. "What kind of eyes do you have? You think I would fall for him?"
Fang Fei covered her mouth and giggled. "Why are you so angry, miss? Or did I hit the nail on the head? But Mr. Duan is a dragon among men, a truly rare gentleman. Plenty of ladies like him. It’s nothing to be ashamed of if you like him too."
Ouyang Zhenzhu’s chest heaved with anger. She cursed, "I’d have to be blind to fall for him! You shameless Brothel whore!" With that, she grabbed Zhi Wan and stormed out.
Even after getting into the carriage, her anger hadn’t subsided.
Seeing how furious she was, Zhi Wan gently consoled her, "Don’t be angry. That woman was just trying to provoke you on purpose."
Ouyang Zhenzhu said furiously, "That dog Duan Ling, I hate him!"
Zhi Wan was taken aback.
’The one who angered her was clearly that woman, so why is Zhenzhu taking it out on Junior Minister Duan?’
"Junior Minister Duan, please come visit Haitang Pavilion when you’re free. I’ll be sure to have my sisters keep you good company!"
Just then, a flirtatious and coquettish voice drifted in from outside.
Ouyang Zhenzhu pushed open the window and, sure enough, saw it was Fang Fei.
She was standing next to the carriage in front, waving a handkerchief and talking to Duan Ling.
"SLAM!"
Ouyang Zhenzhu forcefully slammed the window shut.
Zhi Wan was startled by her action.
She clutched her chest and stared at her blankly. "Zhenzhu..."
It took Ouyang Zhenzhu a moment to realize what she’d done. She explained awkwardly, "I was just... angered by that prostitute."
Zhi Wan nodded along with her. "What she said was indeed infuriating."
"Exactly! How could I possibly fall for a playboy like Duan Ling? Is she blind? I’d fall for a beggar before I’d ever fall for him!"
Just as Zhi Wan was about to say something, she suddenly heard a knock on the window.
"KNOCK KNOCK!"
