Sure enough, Wei Shi continued, “Originally, I shouldn’t discuss such matters with you, but since you have no other relatives at home, I thought it over and decided I must consult with you.”
Zhi Wan was momentarily stunned—after all, this was too sudden. She had thought her aunt would wait at least a little longer before broaching the subject of marriage.
But then, thinking of the benefits of marrying, a secret delight stirred in her heart.
Once married, she would no longer have to live under someone else’s roof, and she would certainly stop having those… shameful spring dreams.
With this in mind, she obediently said, “Wan’er will leave it entirely to Auntie’s discretion.”
Wei Shi gripped her hand tightly. “Since you have no objections, starting tomorrow, I will begin making arrangements for you. Don’t worry, I will definitely choose a good husband for you.”
“Thank you, Auntie,” Zhi Wan said gratefully.
Wei Shi smiled. “Tell me, do you have any thoughts about your future husband? For example, what kind of gentleman would you like to marry? That way, I can search accordingly.”
Zhi Wan’s delicate face flushed. For some reason, the image from her dreams flashed through her mind—the man’s tall, straight stature, his lean and narrow waist, his powerful arms…
Her face grew hotter and hotter, and she suddenly realized that she kept having such dreams precisely because she lacked a man too much.
Seeing her face reddening as if about to drip blood, Wei Shi thought she was merely shy and chuckled teasingly, “Why is your face so red?”
“Wan’er…” Zhi Wan snapped back to reality. As soon as she uttered the two words, she noticed her voice was slightly hoarse. Hurriedly, she picked up her teacup and took a sip to mask her unusual state. After calming down, she said softly, “Wan’er has no particular thoughts. Wan’er trusts Auntie’s judgment.”
Her voice was naturally gentle, and when she spoke these words, it gave an even more obedient impression.
Hearing this, Wei Shi felt both happy and relieved, but she still said, “No matter what, your thoughts are the most important. If you have any ideas, you must tell me.”
Looking at her elder’s caring and affectionate expression, Zhi Wan’s lips twitched, and she nearly blurted out: I want to find a tall and strong man.
Fortunately, she still had her wits about her and stopped herself in time.
If she had said that, her aunt would surely have thought her frivolous.
Zhi Wan secretly patted her chest and put on a shy expression, lowering her voice slightly. “Auntie, I want to marry… a refined and courteous gentleman.”
Marrying a refined and courteous gentleman was the proper thing for a young girl like her to say.
What she didn’t know was that Lu Zhan had excellent hearing. Even though she had lowered her voice, he could still hear every word clearly from the inner chamber.
Thinking of his little cousin’s youthful face as she said she wanted to marry a refined and courteous gentleman, Lu Zhan, for some reason, felt like laughing.
How old was this little girl?
It seemed the conversation outside wouldn’t end anytime soon, and since it involved private matters of a young woman, it was inappropriate for him to continue listening. So he cleared his throat softly and walked out from the inner chamber.
Seeing the man emerge from behind the beaded curtain, Zhi Wan was utterly stunned.
Why was her cousin in the inner chamber?
Recalling her earlier behavior and the words she had spoken, she immediately wished she could find a hole to crawl into.
Heavens, he didn’t hear what she just said, did he?
Zhi Wan felt deeply embarrassed.
Her already flushed face now turned crimson all the way down to her neck, and she lowered her head until it nearly touched her chest.
“Lu Zhan, where are your manners?” Wei Shi glared at her son, clearly displeased with his sudden appearance.
“I still have many official duties to attend to,” Lu Zhan said calmly.
Wei Shi had nothing to say in response.
Her son was indeed very busy.
As Lu Zhan left, his footsteps paused. He suddenly turned his head to Wei Shi and said, “Isn’t she still just a child? Isn’t it too early to be looking for a husband?”
Zhi Wan was startled and looked up, but only saw the man’s retreating back.
Wei Shi felt both annoyed and helpless.
This son of hers had always been independent and strong-willed; others’ opinions could never sway him in the slightest.
Thinking of her son’s words, she couldn’t help but mutter, “Then what, should she end up like you, still unmarried at twenty-five? What kind of example would that set?”
As she spoke, Wei Shi began massaging her temples with a headache.
This son of hers was perfect in every way except for his refusal to marry.
People his age already had children who could run and jump.
Fearing that Zhi Wan might be influenced by him, she quickly said to Zhi Wan, “Don’t listen to your cousin. He himself won’t marry, yet he wants to hold you back. We’re not rushing you to marry immediately; we can take our time and choose carefully. Once we find a good match, then we can discuss marriage.”
Zhi Wan’s face was still flushed. Suppressing the embarrassment in her heart, she obediently replied, “Yes, Wan’er will listen to Auntie.” After speaking, seeing that Wei Shi seemed uncomfortable, she stood up and walked behind her, saying considerately, “Let me massage you for a bit.”
Wei Shi patted her hand. “Our Wan’er is truly obedient and sensible.”
Seeing that she didn’t refuse, Zhi Wan rubbed her hands together to warm them, then began massaging Wei Shi’s temples.
Her pressure was just right, making Wei Shi feel very comfortable.
Before long, Wei Shi’s eyelids drooped, and after a while, she fell asleep.
Seeing this, Zhi Wan slowly stopped her movements.
Nanny Fang brought a blanket and gently covered Wei Shi with it.
Then the two quietly left the room.
Outside the door, Nanny Fang smiled and praised, “Young Miss, your technique is truly excellent. No wonder Madam always praises you.”
“That’s just Auntie being kind to me,” Zhi Wan said modestly.
Nanny Fang looked at her and sighed inwardly. What a fine young lady, it’s just a pity she has no family left.
“Since Auntie is asleep, I’ll head back now,” Zhi Wan said.
“This old servant will see you off,” Nanny Fang quickly offered.
“It’s only a few steps, no need to trouble yourself,” Zhi Wan declined.
After leaving Lan Courtyard, Zhi Wan took Shuang’er with her and walked to the garden.
It was already spring. The garden was filled with blooming flowers and fluttering butterflies, a scene of warm spring sunshine.
Zhi Wan stood under a magnolia tree and, seeing many petals scattered on the ground, crouched down to pick them up, wrapping them in a handkerchief.
She loved the fragrance of magnolia flowers and would dry some every year to make sachets.
Shuang’er also crouched down to help gather them.
As they were picking, a pair of feet suddenly appeared before the mistress and maid.
Before the two could react, those feet forcefully crushed the magnolia flowers on the ground.
The once perfectly fine magnolia petals were instantly ground into a messy pulp.
Zhi Wan looked up. When she saw Lu Xin’s face filled with malice, she wasn’t particularly surprised.
In the entire Dingguo Duke’s residence, only Lu Xin would do something so foolish.
“Zhi Wan, have you fallen so low that you need to pick petals from the ground to make incense? Has our Duke’s Mansion treated you so poorly?” Lu Xin looked down at Zhi Wan from her elevated position, deliberately nudging the crushed petals on the ground with her toe, her tone dripping with sarcasm.
The obvious provocation caused Zhi Wan’s brow to furrow slightly, but she said nothing. Instead, she glanced down regretfully at the ruined petals on the ground and stood up.
She brushed off her skirt, ignoring Lu Xin, and turned to leave with her maid.
Seeing this, Lu Xin gave a meaningful glance to the maid beside her.
Understanding the hint, the maid rushed forward and slapped away the handkerchief Shuang’er was holding, scattering the petals.
In an instant, the entire bundle of petals fell to the ground.
Before Shuang’er could react, the maid stomped on the petals, crushing them to pieces.