The Minister: Cold by Day, Hot by Night-Chapter 128: Lu Zhan: Fulfilled, in a Way

Zhi Wan paused, saying hesitantly, "Cousin is so good to me. I wanted to buy this for him, but this Jade Pendant is a bit inexpensive. I feel like it isn’t presentable, and I’m worried he’ll look down on it."

Ouyang Zhenzhu’s eyes widened in realization. "So you wanted to give it to Mr. Lu?"

"Mhm."

"But didn’t you fall in love with this Jade Pendant at first sight? That means you like it a lot. If you give something you love to Mr. Lu, isn’t that a sign of true sincerity? I don’t think Mr. Lu is so shallow that he would look down on it just because it’s inexpensive," Ouyang Zhenzhu said.

Her words made so much sense that Zhi Wan relaxed. "You’re right. I’ll go pick out some suitable silk cords to string the Jade Pendant."

"I’ll go with you," Ouyang Zhenzhu said, making sure to grab the bracelet the stall owner had included as a gift.

It was a red agate bracelet, and the quality was quite good.

Looking at the bracelet, Ouyang Zhenzhu hesitated. "Wanwan..."

"What is it?" Zhi Wan, preoccupied with what color of silk cord would best match the Jade Pendant, was a little distracted.

"This bracelet... can you give it to me?" Ouyang Zhenzhu blurted out, watching Zhi Wan nervously, terrified she would say no.

Zhi Wan was taken aback and looked at her in surprise. "You actually want this?"

Ouyang Zhenzhu looked puzzled. "Why wouldn’t I?"

"It was free. It’s not anything valuable," Zhi Wan reminded her.

"It may not be valuable, but if it’s a gift from you, then it’s precious to me," Ouyang Zhenzhu said.

Zhi Wan couldn’t quite understand her friend’s logic but nodded anyway. "If you want it, then take it."

"Then I won’t be shy." Ouyang Zhenzhu said, immediately slipping the bracelet onto her wrist.

The red agate complemented her skin, making it appear fair and radiant. It was very beautiful.

"Look, isn’t it beautiful?" Ouyang Zhenzhu said, delighted.

"It really suits your skin tone." Zhi Wan nodded. Suddenly, she understood why her friend had wanted the bracelet.

’Zhenzhu didn’t care about the bracelet itself; she cared that it was a gift from me.’

She couldn’t help but feel a pang of guilt. ’Zhenzhu was always so good to her, yet she had been so focused on buying a gift for her cousin that she’d completely forgotten to get something for Zhenzhu.’

After they finished picking out the silk cords, the group continued to browse.

Spotting a bookstore ahead, Ouyang Zhenzhu didn’t hesitate for a second, pulling Zhi Wan inside.

When they emerged, each was carrying a few storybooks and picture albums.

"Wanwan, let’s come back and browse again tomorrow. This bookstore has so many good books," Ouyang Zhenzhu said, flipping through a storybook in her hands.

Just as Zhi Wan was about to reply, she caught a furtive figure trailing them out of the corner of her eye.

But when she turned to look, the person had already vanished into the crowd.

"What is it?" Ouyang Zhenzhu asked, puzzled to see her standing frozen.

"I think someone’s following us," Zhi Wan said, her brows furrowed.

"Are you sure you didn’t see things?" Ouyang Zhenzhu asked, her face a picture of surprise.

Zhi Wan shook her head. "I don’t think so."

Hearing this, Ouyang Zhenzhu frowned. "Do you think some thugs have their eyes on us?"

Zhi Wan paused. ’It’s not as simple as being targeted by common thugs.’

’Although the man had been fast, she had noticed the fabric of his clothes. It looked to be of good quality, like the uniform of a servant from a major household.’

She had a suspect in mind, but she didn’t voice her thoughts, not wanting to worry Ouyang Zhenzhu. So she just nodded. "Perhaps."

"Then we should hurry back," Ouyang Zhenzhu said.

The two of them had come out today without a carriage, bringing only their two maids, Shuang’er and Xi’er. It would be a disaster if they actually ran into thugs.

Zhi Wan had lost her desire to continue browsing as well, and they quickly returned to their courtyard residence.

As soon as she was back in her rooms, Zhi Wan remembered the silver notes and hurriedly asked, "Nanny Fang, is my cousin back yet?"

"He just got back," Nanny Fang replied with a smile.

Upon hearing this, Zhi Wan immediately put down her things. She checked the handkerchief that had been left to dry on the windowsill. Finding it dry, she folded it up, gathered a few other items, and went next door to the adjacent courtyard.

"Miss has arrived." Chen Jiu, standing outside the study, greeted her as soon as he saw her approach.

Zhi Wan nodded and asked, "Is my cousin inside?"

"He is," Chen Jiu replied, then knocked on the door. "Princely Heir, the Miss is here."

"Let her in." Lu Zhan’s deep voice drifted out from inside the room.

Chen Jiu immediately pushed the door open, allowing Zhi Wan to enter.

Zhi Wan paused as the study door swung open before her. Clutching her things, she stepped inside.

’Without her even realizing it, her relationship with her cousin had become so good that she could now enter his study at will.’

’A few months ago, she wouldn’t have dared to even dream of such a thing.’

At this thought, a smile bloomed on her face. ’It feels so good to have an older brother like him!’

"Cousin."

Stepping into the study, she saw the man working behind his desk and called out in a soft, sweet voice.

The hand Lu Zhan was using to hold his brush paused. He lifted his gaze to the young woman before him.

She was wearing a pea-green dress today, a bright smile on her face, looking utterly charming and sweet.

Lu Zhan froze for a second as the memory of the girl’s bold words and actions from his dream last night surfaced in his mind.

’His cousin was poles apart from the girl in his dream. If he hadn’t stumbled upon certain information by a stroke of luck, he likely would have gone his entire life without ever making the connection.’

"Cousin?" When he remained silent, Zhi Wan had no choice but to call his name again.

Lu Zhan snapped out of his reverie and lowered his gaze, acknowledging her with a soft, "Mhm."

"I’ve washed and dried the cloak and handkerchief. I’m bringing them back to you." Zhi Wan placed the neatly folded items on the desk, then produced a box, setting it down and sliding it toward him. "And also, I can’t accept these silver notes."

"And why not?" Lu Zhan lifted his gaze to her, his voice impassive.

Zhi Wan was taken aback by his question.

"You’re already far too good to me, Cousin. I can’t possibly take your silver notes. Besides, I have money of my own," Zhi Wan said earnestly.

"And where did you get this money?" Lu Zhan asked.

’Last time in the Capital City, on the day they left for Yangzhou, Mother had prepared a stack of silver notes for her, but hadn’t she only taken a single one?’

Lu Zhan frowned. "There’s no need to be so formal. I gave them to you, so you should keep them."

Zhi Wan shook her head. "I’m not trying to be formal. Over the years, Aunt has given me plenty of Silver, and I’ve saved all of it. On top of that, my little shop is turning a small profit, so I really can’t take your money, Cousin."

’He could absolutely never find out about her selling paintings.’

’Especially since the things she painted were rather... explicit.’

’If Cousin found out, he would surely think she was frivolous.’

’Their relationship had finally gotten a little closer. She couldn’t possibly risk disappointing him now.’

’Thankfully, she’d set up that shop earlier, giving her a plausible source for her Silver Coin.’

Hearing this, Lu Zhan regarded her for a moment before nodding. "I see. However, it’s inconvenient for me to carry these silver notes. For now, you can hold on to them for safekeeping." With that, he passed the box back to her.

Zhi Wan froze.

’Leave them with her for safekeeping?’

’Did Cousin really trust her that much already?’

She was almost overwhelmed, feeling incredibly flattered.

She wanted to refuse, but one look at her cousin’s cold, imposing face made her swallow her words.

’Well, it’s just for safekeeping. I can always give it back to him later.’

"A-All right." She took the box.

Lu Zhan’s long, raven-like lashes drooped slightly, concealing the hint of a smile in his eyes.

’He had, after all, promised to give her money in the dream.’

’Now, he had made good on that promise.’