The Minister: Cold by Day, Hot by Night-Chapter 71: Lu Zhan: My Cousin Is Pure and Innocent
"Wanwan, it’s still early. Let’s stay out a little longer before we go back."
After leaving the Hundred Flavors Building, Ouyang Zhenzhu looped her arm through Zhi Wan’s and wouldn’t let go.
Zhi Wan discreetly rubbed her stomach.
She had been afraid of wasting the dishes her cousin ordered, so she had stuffed herself just now.
She wanted to walk around for a bit to digest, too.
But after thinking it over, she shook her head and refused. "I can’t. My cousin has to be up early for court tomorrow, so we should be getting back."
"Then let Mr. Lu head back first. My brother and I will see you home later," Ouyang Zhenzhu said.
"Well..." Zhi Wan hesitated.
"I’m a bit full myself. I’d like to walk for a while before heading back," Lu Zhan said, glancing at her.
Zhi Wan was surprised.
But he had already started walking on ahead.
"Come on, let’s go!" Ouyang Zhenzhu urged, pulling Zhi Wan by the hand.
At first, Lu Zhan and Ouyang Lei walked ahead, but Ouyang Zhenzhu and Zhi Wan gradually took the lead, leaving the two men to follow slowly behind.
The streets at night were filled with wandering street performers. Their brilliant acts attracted crowds of onlookers, and Zhi Wan was captivated along with them.
She watched, mesmerized. During the most exciting parts, she couldn’t help but cry out and applaud vigorously. "Bravo!"
So thrilled and excited, she was like a different person from her usual, demure self.
When she turned around, she found Lu Zhan, Ouyang Lei, and Ouyang Zhenzhu standing behind her, all looking at her in astonishment.
Zhi Wan: "..."
Thinking of her unrestrained behavior just now, she cleared her throat and tried to explain herself. "This is my first time being out at night, and my first time seeing such an incredible performance. I got carried away... I’ve made a spectacle of myself."
Hearing this, Ouyang Lei looked at Lu Zhan and said disapprovingly, "Old Lu, you’re really slacking as a cousin. Our cousin Zhi Wan has gotten this old, and you’ve never once brought her out at night?"
Ouyang Zhenzhu chimed in, "The Lu Family is far too strict. It’s a good thing Wanwan is patient enough to bear it. If it were me, I’d have gone mad."
Listening to the siblings’ banter, Zhi Wan frowned. Their words made it sound as if she were unhappy with the Duke Dingguo Mansion.
She quickly explained, "It’s not what you think. My aunt and everyone aren’t strict with me. I’m the one who was too afraid to go out alone at night."
Seeing the young woman’s distress, Lu Zhan said calmly, "He’s right. It was our oversight."
Zhi Wan froze, then grew flustered. "Cousin..."
"I’ll take you out more often when I have time," Lu Zhan said gently.
Zhi Wan was overwhelmed by his kindness. Her long, curled lashes trembled as she murmured, "Thank you, Cousin."
Seeing her sweet, docile expression, Lu Zhan’s fingers twitched. He wanted to pat her head but ultimately restrained himself, though a faint smile graced his lips.
’Having a sister like this isn’t so bad.’
The group wandered for a long time. On their way back, they passed a grand, bustling building, its brilliant lights making it seem even livelier than the surrounding areas.
Zhi Wan’s steps faltered when she saw it. She couldn’t help but stare curiously. "What is that place?"
Ouyang Zhenzhu’s eyes darted about before she leaned in to whisper in her ear, "That’s... a brothel."
"A brothel?" Zhi Wan exclaimed in surprise.
Hearing this, Lu Zhan and Ouyang Lei, who were walking ahead, both stopped and looked back at Zhi Wan.
Embarrassed, Zhi Wan grabbed Ouyang Zhenzhu’s hand and quickly walked ahead of them.
She had heard of brothels but had never seen one, so she hadn’t made the connection when she first saw the building.
At this thought, she couldn’t resist sneaking another peek at the building.
Lu Zhan caught her subtle glance and paused. ’I’ve been careless,’ he thought. ’I shouldn’t have brought her down this street.’
"Your cousin is truly innocent. Not like Ouyang Zhenzhu—that girl knows everything," Ouyang Lei remarked.
Lu Zhan felt a pang of remorse at his words.
’His cousin was pure and innocent. He shouldn’t have let such a sordid place pollute her sight.’
’It was my mistake.’
"Let me tell you," Ouyang Zhenzhu whispered in Zhi Wan’s ear, "that brothel is called the Chunxiang Building. It’s the biggest one in the Capital. All the girls inside are stunning and exceptionally talented. Lots of young masters from the noble families love to come here for drinks."
Zhi Wan looked at her, astonished. "How do you know so much about it? Have you been there?"
Ouyang Zhenzhu cleared her throat. "Of course I haven’t been. I read about it in a novel. But next time I get the chance, I’m definitely going to see for myself what’s so ’soul-snatching’ about this so-called ’den of ecstasy.’"
Zhi Wan felt a flicker of temptation.
She was curious, too.
But she also knew that a proper young lady should never go to such a place. If anyone found out, her reputation would be ruined.
"You can’t go to a place like that. Don’t do anything foolish," Zhi Wan urged.
Ouyang Zhenzhu retorted indignantly, "Why is it that men can go, but women can’t?"
Zhi Wan was at a loss for words.
"I’m telling you, my brother, Duan Ling, and your cousin—they definitely go all the time," Ouyang Zhenzhu said with conviction. 𝘧𝓇𝑒𝑒𝑤ℯ𝑏𝓃𝘰𝑣ℯ𝘭.𝘤ℴ𝘮
"My cousin... No way!" Zhi Wan shook her head.
’Her cousin was always so disciplined and proper; he would never step foot in a place like that.’
’She could believe it of Ouyang Lei and Duan Ling, though.’
Ouyang Zhenzhu shot her a look. "A crow is a crow, no matter where it flies. Don’t be fooled because your cousin looks so respectable. Deep down, they’re all the same. I refuse to believe he’s that proper in private."
"My cousin is a proper person! He’s a gentleman!" Zhi Wan retorted. "Your brother, on the other hand, looks like a regular at the brothels."
Ouyang Zhenzhu: "..."
She wanted to retort, but when she thought about how her brother usually came across—decidedly improper—and that he did, in fact, frequent brothels, she found herself unable to say a word in his defense.
Feeling her brother had made her lose face, she turned and snapped at Ouyang Lei, "Brother, can’t you learn a thing or two from Mr. Lu?"
Ouyang Lei gave her a baffled look. "Why would I learn from Old Lu?"
"Look at Mr. Lu! He’s so refined and well-mannered! Could you maybe visit the brothels a little less often? You’re so embarrassing!" Ouyang Zhenzhu said with a look of utter disgust.
Ouyang Lei: "..."
He was so furious he could feel his teeth ache.
Pointing a trembling finger at her, he said, "I’m not embarrassed by you, but you’re embarrassed by me? When have I ever gone to a brothel? And don’t be fooled by Lu Jinzhi’s appearance. This guy has been to brothels too, and more than once."
Lu Zhan: "..."
Zhi Wan stared at him in shock.
Ouyang Zhenzhu’s anger suddenly vanished. She took Zhi Wan’s hand and said earnestly, "See? I told you. They’re all the same. Your cousin frequents brothels, too."
At these words, Zhi Wan gave Lu Zhan an indescribable look, a clear hint of disappointment in her eyes.
A vein throbbed on Lu Zhan’s temple. He shot a cold glare at Ouyang Lei. "I go there to investigate cases. For official business. You’re someone who runs to a brothel ten times a month, yet you claim you’ve never been?"
"Ten times?" Ouyang Zhenzhu shrieked. "No wonder your allowance is never enough each month and you have to ask Mother for more money! So it’s all spent on wining and dining courtesans! I’m telling Mother as soon as we get back."
Ouyang Lei was horrified. "That’s not true! Don’t listen to Lu Jinzhi’s nonsense!"
"Duan Ling often goes messing around with him, too. You can ask him," Lu Zhan added unhurriedly, glancing at Ouyang Zhenzhu.
"Ouyang Lei, you are so dead!" Ouyang Zhenzhu said furiously.
Ouyang Lei shot a furious glare at Lu Zhan. "You sold me out?"
"I am merely stating the facts," Lu Zhan said coolly.
Ouyang Lei: "..."
After parting ways with the Ouyang siblings, Zhi Wan and Lu Zhan returned to the Duke Dingguo Mansion.
Just before they entered the mansion, Lu Zhan stopped. "I only go there to investigate cases."
