She did not look up, but she could faintly sense the man’s gaze lingering on her for a moment before he responded with a faint “Hmm.”
Hearing his footsteps as he walked away, Zhi Wan secretly breathed a sigh of relief, yet she couldn’t help but turn her head slightly to steal a glance at this cousin of hers.
He was the heir to the Duke of Dingguo’s household and the youngest Chief Minister of the Dachen Empire’s Court of Judicial Review, a high-ranking official of the third rank in the imperial court. Exceptionally capable, just five years ago, he was merely a Deputy Minister, but this year he had been promoted to the head of the Court of Judicial Review. It was said he was deeply favored by the emperor and was the man every young lady in the capital was vying to marry, even going to great lengths to catch his attention.
Yet, despite being such a favored son of heaven, at twenty-five, he still had no intention of marrying, and there wasn’t even a single concubine or maid by his side.
Her aunt often worried about his marriage prospects, but Lu Zhan showed no urgency whatsoever.
In fact, there were even rumors in the capital that Lu Zhan had a preference for male charms…
Just then, Lu Zhan’s footsteps suddenly came to a halt.
Zhi Wan noticed and her heart skipped a beat.
Had her cousin noticed her secretly watching him?
At this thought, she hurriedly turned back around, patting her chest in quiet fear.
Ever since her first visit to the Duke of Dingguo’s household and meeting this cousin, she had felt intimidated by him.
Especially after hearing that he was strict with himself, adhered strictly to propriety, and placed great importance on rules, she became even more cautious in his presence, afraid of accidentally offending him.
Whenever possible, she avoided him.
Fortunately, this cousin was usually busy with official duties, and she preferred staying in Yaoguang Pavilion, so the two rarely crossed paths. It had been half a year since they last met, and she hadn’t expected to run into him yesterday in the Orchid Courtyard and again here today.
“Why are you only returning now? Did you stay up all night handling cases again?”
At that moment, Wei Shi’s voice sounded from behind.
Aunt had arrived.
Zhi Wan breathed a sigh of relief.
Lu Zhan withdrew his gaze from the young girl behind him, his thin, cool lips tightening slightly. “Yes.”
Wei Shi frowned and scolded, “Don’t take advantage of your youth to recklessly ruin your health. Can’t you handle things during the day? Even an iron body can’t withstand the way you’re pushing yourself. You haven’t rested for two nights now, have you?”
“This case is of great importance, and the emperor is pressing for results,” Lu Zhan explained.
Wei Shi sighed. “Alright, go back and rest. Remember to eat something before you sleep.”
“Alright.”
After Lu Zhan had walked away, Zhi Wan curtsied to Wei Shi as she approached. “Aunt.”
A smile appeared on Wei Shi’s face as she took Zhi Wan’s hand and patted it. “Let’s go.”
“Yes, Aunt,” Zhi Wan replied obediently.
Seeing her like this, Wei Shi found her utterly endearing. “It’s so much better having a young lady around, unlike your cousin who spends all his time at the Court of Judicial Review and rarely comes home.”
“Cousin is favored by the emperor,” Zhi Wan said.
Hearing this, Wei Shi felt a sense of pride.
Although her son spent very little time with her, he had been clever and diligent since childhood. Now, at only twenty-five, he was already the Chief Minister of the Court of Judicial Review. Countless people envied her for having such a fine son.
“Come, come, let’s go to Zhenbao Xuan and pick out some beautiful jewelry for you,” Wei Shi said cheerfully.
Zhi Wan was taken aback.
Pick out jewelry?
She had thought her aunt was taking her out today to introduce her to potential suitors.
Feeling somewhat disappointed, Zhi Wan was no longer keen on going out. “Aunt, you’ve already bought me plenty of jewelry. There’s no need to add more.”
Wei Shi smiled and said, “What girl would ever think she has too many clothes and jewelry? It’s not too much at all. As for those old pieces, just don’t wear them anymore. Let’s go pick out some fashionable ones. In a couple of days, I plan to host a flower-viewing banquet at the mansion. I’ll be inviting all the young masters and ladies from the capital, so you must dress beautifully and let everyone see.”
Upon hearing this, Zhi Wan’s eyes flickered.
A flower-viewing banquet?
Nowadays, when ladies host flower-viewing banquets, it’s usually to select husbands for the younger generation in their families or to choose daughters-in-law.
Her aunt’s decision to host a flower-viewing banquet this time probably wasn’t solely for the purpose of finding her a husband.
Her cousin’s marriage still hadn’t been settled yet.
Zhi Wan didn’t refuse again. “Thank you, Aunt.”
Wei Shi first took Zhi Wan to Zhenbao Xuan to pick out fashionable jewelry, then brought her to the most famous embroidery house in the capital to select the latest styles of dresses.
After choosing Zhi Wan’s dresses, Wei Shi picked up a man’s robe and showed it to Zhi Wan. “Wan’er, what do you think of this robe for your cousin?”
It was a moon-white wide robe, with bamboo leaves embroidered in gold thread on the collar and cuffs, looking very elegant and refined.
Zhi Wan thought of how, when she ran into her cousin that morning, he was wearing a dark blue official robe, appearing solemn and dignified.
She couldn’t quite imagine what her cousin would look like in a moon-white robe, but since he was handsome, it should be fine. So she said, “It should be suitable.”
Wei Shi nodded. “I think so too.” At this point, she couldn’t help but mutter a couple more sentences. “Your cousin usually wears his official uniform and rarely has occasions to wear casual clothes. Whenever I try to make clothes for him, he always refuses. Never mind, let’s go with this one.”
After all the running around, it was already noon.
The two then went to Baiwei Lou for lunch.
By the time they returned to the Duke of Dingguo’s mansion, it was already afternoon.
After half a day of shopping, Zhi Wan’s legs were sore. As soon as she returned to Yaoguang Pavilion, she kicked off her shoes, collapsed onto the couch, and refused to get up.
Shuang’er tidied up the newly bought clothes and jewelry, and when she turned around, she saw that her young lady had fallen asleep.
Shuang’er shook her head with a smile, fetched a thin blanket to cover her, then closed the door and left.
After Zhi Wan fell into a deep sleep, she found herself in a study.
The study was very large, with huge bookshelves lining all four walls, filled with books.
Behind a large desk, a man sat there, asleep.
She stood in place for a while before approaching the desk. She leaned down, wanting to see the man’s face, when suddenly, the sleeping man moved. Before she could get a good look, a strong arm had already wrapped tightly around her waist, pulling her onto his lap.
“You’re here,” the man said in a familiar tone, though it carried a hint of weariness he couldn’t quite conceal.
Zhi Wan blinked. “Are you tired?”
“Hmm,” the man responded in a low voice.
Zhi Wan paused for a moment, then suddenly reached out, wanting to touch the man’s face.
She couldn’t see his face clearly, but surely she could touch it, right?
But as soon as her hand stretched out, the man caught it. His voice deepened slightly. “How presumptuous!”
Zhi Wan pouted, thinking this man was really too much.
Last time, he had even undone her sash. Although he hadn’t actually removed her clothes in the end—he had just held her tightly—it was still very inappropriate.
Now, all she wanted was to touch his face, and he wouldn’t allow it.
Feeling a bit angry, Zhi Wan struggled free from the man and stood up. “Then don’t hold me.”
The man seemed to raise an eyebrow. “Are you angry?”
“Yes!” Zhi Wan planted her hands on her hips, her voice petulant.
She didn’t know if he could see her face clearly, but this was her dream after all—she could do whatever she wanted.
Seeing her like this, the man chuckled lowly, but he didn’t seem inclined to indulge her. Instead, he picked up a book from nearby and began reading, paying her no further attention.
Watching this, Zhi Wan puffed up with anger.
This was her dream—how dare he act so arrogantly?