The Minister: Cold by Day, Hot by Night-Chapter 88: Did Some Reckless Things

Qingyun Residence.

Lu Zhan stared at the ginseng tea before him. He was reminded of the ginseng and old hen soup his mother had stewed for him last time, and his handsome face froze for a moment.

’Why ginseng tea again?’

He frowned slightly and asked Chen Jiu, who was waiting at his side, "Did the Miss have this sent over?"

"Yes," Chen Jiu answered respectfully, a hint of envy on his face. "The Miss is so good to you, Princely Heir. I heard from Shuang’er that the Miss brewed this ginseng tea for you herself."

Lu Zhan, who had been about to offer the tea to him, paused. "She brewed it herself?"

"Yes. Shuang’er also said that while brewing this tea for you, Princely Heir, the Miss scalded her hand with boiling water," Chen Jiu reported truthfully.

Hearing this, Lu Zhan’s brows knitted together. "She scalded her hand?"

"Yes, but it shouldn’t be anything serious," Chen Jiu said quickly.

Lu Zhan pursed his thin lips, his gaze falling on the ginseng tea with some hesitation.

"Princely Heir, you should drink it while it’s hot. Don’t let the Miss’s kind intentions go to waste." Seeing him hesitate, Chen Jiu couldn’t help but add a reminder. The ginseng aroma was so strong; the Miss had probably steeped an entire root. It would be a shame to waste it.

"Mm," Lu Zhan grunted, lifting the cup.

He took one sip, and his handsome brows furrowed tightly. He nearly spat it out.

"What is it, Princely Heir? Is something wrong with the tea?" Chen Jiu asked worriedly.

Lu Zhan paused, then shook his head. "It’s nothing."

’Zhi Wan must have put too many ginseng slices in it.’

’It was likely her first time brewing ginseng tea; she didn’t get the amount right.’

After finally managing to finish the ginseng tea, Lu Zhan had Chen Jiu pour him a cup of water to rinse his mouth.

Once the bitter taste had subsided, he said lightly, "Go ask the Miss if she wishes to accompany me to Yangzhou."

Chen Jiu was surprised. "Why would the Princely Heir think that? When Shuang’er brought the tea just now, she didn’t mention it."

Lu Zhan glanced at the empty cup on the table.

Understanding dawned on Chen Jiu. "The Miss suddenly sent you ginseng tea for this reason?"

Lu Zhan didn’t elaborate, only saying blandly, "Take the cup back with you as well."

"Understood." Chen Jiu acknowledged the order, gathered the cup, and headed for Yaoguang Pavilion.

Yaoguang Pavilion.

Zhi Wan paced back and forth in her room.

’My cousin is so clever. He must have figured out my motive for sending him ginseng tea, right?’

’He places such importance on propriety. After drinking the tea I brewed for him, he should agree to take me to Yangzhou, shouldn’t he?’

Just as she was thinking this, Shuang’er rushed in excitedly. "Miss, Chen Jiu is here! He says the Princely Heir wants to know if you wish to go to Yangzhou with him!"

Zhi Wan’s eyes lit up. ’My cousin didn’t disappoint me after all.’

She nodded eagerly. "Yes! Hurry and give him my answer."

"Yes, Miss." Shuang’er left immediately.

Zhi Wan breathed a sigh of relief. ’Now, I just have to convince Aunt, and everything will be settled.’

Chen Jiu returned to Qingyun Residence and reported, "Princely Heir, you guessed right. The Miss sent word back that she wants to go to Yangzhou with you."

"I know." Lu Zhan acknowledged him and opened a scroll.

It was a file containing records of various officials in Jiangnan.

Although his trip to Jiangnan to investigate corrupt officials was merely a pretense, if he did encounter any, he would naturally deal with them.

Remembering something, Lu Zhan looked up. "Make a trip to the Huainan Prince Mansion. Tell Junior Minister Duan to prepare to accompany me to Jiangnan the day after tomorrow."

"Yes, sir." Chen Jiu acknowledged and went out.

After reviewing the files on the Jiangnan officials, Lu Zhan meticulously examined the criminal cases submitted from the region. He pulled out a few questionable cases and made special note of them.

He planned to personally re-examine these cases once he arrived in Jiangnan.

By the time he finished with these matters, it was already late at night.

After returning to his room and bathing, Lu Zhan did not go to bed.

He had Chen Jiu brew a cup of strong tea.

When Chen Jiu brought the tea, he was quite puzzled. "It’s so late. Drinking strong tea will keep you awake. Princely Heir, perhaps you shouldn’t have it."

"Not being able to sleep is exactly the point," Lu Zhan said in a low voice, taking the cup from his hand.

Chen Jiu was completely baffled.

’What does he mean?’

He stood there, hesitating for a moment before asking, "Princely Heir, have you encountered some difficult problem?"

’That’s the only way it would make sense for the Princely Heir to say that not sleeping is a good thing.’

’Strong tea can keep you alert. Is there a case he can’t figure out that requires him to stay up all night thinking?’

Lu Zhan paused before speaking. "It’s nothing. You can go and rest."

"Yes, sir." Chen Jiu responded and withdrew.

Lu Zhan sat by the window, sipping the strong tea as the cool breeze blew in. The heat in his body finally began to dissipate.

His cousin’s ginseng tea was just as potent as his mother’s old hen and ginseng soup from last time.

If he fell asleep, he would surely start dreaming.

Last time, because of that ginseng soup, he had done some... forward things to that girl in his dreams.

Although he hadn’t done anything truly substantial to her, still...

Lu Zhan’s ears burned. He lowered his head, took a sip of strong tea, and banished the distracting thoughts.

「The next day.」

After a great deal of persuasion, Zhi Wan finally convinced Lady Wei to let her go to Yangzhou with just Lu Zhan.

"...I may not be going, but Nanny Fang must go with you," Lady Wei said.

Zhi Wan hesitated. "But that would be too much trouble for Nanny Fang."

Nanny Fang smiled. "Miss, don’t you worry about this old servant. My health is excellent, I don’t get seasick. Besides, I would be delighted for the chance to go see Yangzhou with you."

Since she put it that way, Zhi Wan nodded in agreement. "As long as you don’t find it a burden, Nanny Fang."

"Not at all, not at all," Nanny Fang said quickly.

With her going along, Lady Wei felt much more at ease.

"If your cousin bullies you, you must tell me when you get back. I’ll give him a good talking-to."

"Aunt, you’re worrying too much. My cousin isn’t that kind of person," Zhi Wan said, amused.

"What has he done for you that you’re already taking his side?" Lady Wei feigned anger.

"I’m just speaking the truth," Zhi Wan said, unable to stifle a laugh.

She had just left Lan Courtyard when Dongxiang hurried over to find her.

"Miss, Miss Ouyang is here."

"Zhenzhu?" Zhi Wan was a bit surprised. "Where is she?"

"She has been invited into the flower hall for tea," Dongxiang replied.

Zhi Wan nodded and hurried back to Yaoguang Pavilion. Sure enough, Ouyang Zhenzhu was sitting there.

"Zhenzhu, what are you doing here?"

Ouyang Zhenzhu’s eyes flickered. She stood and took her arm. "Didn’t you tell me last time that you’re going to Yangzhou tomorrow?"

"I did," Zhi Wan nodded.

"I’ve decided! I’m going to Yangzhou with you," Ouyang Zhenzhu announced excitedly. "I’ve never been to Yangzhou in my whole life."

Zhi Wan was stunned. "You want to go with me?"

Ouyang Zhenzhu pouted. "Can’t I?"

Zhi Wan took her hand. "It’s not that you can’t, but the journey to Yangzhou is long, and we’ll be traveling by water. I’m afraid you won’t be able to handle it."

"I’ll be fine! I’m tough, not one of those delicate girls," Ouyang Zhenzhu retorted.

Zhi Wan pinched her smooth cheek, not knowing whether to laugh or cry. "You call this tough?"

"I can handle hardship, anyway," Ouyang Zhenzhu said with conviction, pulling a bundle out from behind her back. "Besides, I’ve already spoken to my parents. They agreed to let me go with you all."

Staring at the bundle in her hands, Zhi Wan was flabbergasted. "You even brought your luggage?"