“The day after tomorrow’s flower-viewing banquet is both to select a husband for Wan’er and to choose a wife for you. You wear your official robes all day, scaring away all the young ladies. Of course, you must wear casual attire,” Wei Shi said matter-of-factly.
Lu Zhan’s handsome face darkened. He turned to Chen Jiu and said, “Quickly go and stop Ouyang Lei from leaving.”
Chen Jiu hesitated. “Young Master Ouyang has probably already boarded the ship and departed…”
“What do you mean by stopping Lei Zi?” Wei Shi asked, puzzled.
Lu Zhan: “…” He pinched the bridge of his nose, feeling some regret. If he had known earlier, he would have gone to Xuzhou himself. Then he wouldn’t have to attend any flower-viewing banquet.
Seeing his expression, Wei Shi vaguely understood something.
She said angrily, “I’ve put so much effort into arranging this, and not only are you ungrateful, but you also want to run away? Lu Zhan, I’m telling you this now: if I don’t see you at the flower-viewing banquet the day after tomorrow, I’ll just pick any girl for you to marry.” With that, she threw the robe at him and, taking Nanny Fang with her, stormed off in a rage.
Lu Zhan: “…”
“Young Master, should I still go and stop Young Master Ouyang?” Chen Jiu asked inopportunely.
Lu Zhan glanced at him coldly. “Didn’t you say Ouyang Lei has probably already boarded the ship and left? Can you still catch up?”
Chen Jiu: “…”
He muttered to himself, It’s not like I asked the madam to hold the flower banquet. The young master is just taking his anger out on me!
…
On the day of the flower banquet, Zhi Wan woke up early to wash and dress.
Remembering what Wei Shi had said that day—that many talented young men would be attending—she thought for a moment and chose a pomegranate-red dress to wear.
This was one of the dresses Wei Shi had picked out for her at the Brocade Tower.
Her skin was already fair, and wearing the pomegranate-red dress made her skin appear as white as jade, delicate and radiant.
Shuang’er, with her skillful hands, styled Zhi Wan’s hair into a “following clouds” chignon. She then took out the jewelry Wei Shi had chosen for Zhi Wan at the Treasure Pavilion and adorned Zhi Wan’s hair with them one by one.
“Miss, what do you think? Is this styling acceptable?” After a moment, Shuang’er put down the comb and asked her mistress with a smile.
Zhi Wan looked into the mirror.
At the front of her chignon was an exquisitely crafted and beautiful hair ornament adorned with rubies that sparkled brilliantly. A butterfly-shaped gold hairpin was tucked diagonally into her chignon, its dangling beads swaying gently with her movements, making her appear bright and lively yet still noble and elegant.
Zhi Wan admired her reflection in the mirror for a while and nodded in satisfaction. “This will do.”
As they were about to leave, Shuang’er brought a shawl of the same color as the dress for Zhi Wan to drape over her arm.
Nanny Fang happened to come to fetch her. Seeing Zhi Wan’s charming and captivating appearance, she couldn’t stop praising her. “Young Miss, you look absolutely stunning! This dress suits you perfectly!”
“Auntie picked out the dress,” Zhi Wan said with a curved smile.
“Madam has always had a unique eye,” Nanny Fang replied with a smile. “Since Young Miss is ready, let’s head to the garden first. Guests have already started arriving.”
“Alright.”
Zhi Wan followed Nanny Fang to the garden.
By the time they reached the garden entrance, it was already bustling with activity. From afar, they could hear the sounds of laughter and conversation.
“Young Master,” Nanny Fang suddenly stopped and bowed respectfully toward the front.
Zhi Wan’s thoughts were still on the guests who had arrived today when she suddenly heard Nanny Fang’s greeting. Her reaction was somewhat delayed as she looked ahead.
There, at the moon gate, stood a dignified man with his hands clasped behind his back.
Perhaps hearing Nanny Fang’s voice, he turned his head and glanced over.
Zhi Wan’s eyes unexpectedly met his deep gaze.
Startled, she came back to her senses, her long, curled lashes fluttering like butterfly wings. She thought to herself, Why have I run into my cousin again?
But since he was still standing there, she couldn’t simply turn and leave. Instead, she took two steps forward and curtsied. “Wan’er greets Cousin.”
“Hmm.” Lu Zhan responded in a low voice, his gaze sweeping over her briefly before he said indifferently, “Go on in.” With that, he entered the garden first.
Zhi Wan secretly breathed a sigh of relief.
Only after Lu Zhan had walked seven or eight steps ahead did she slowly make her way into the garden, following at a distance.
As the two entered the garden one after the other, the chatter and laughter inside faded away, and all eyes turned to them.
The young ladies blushed, stealing glances at Lu Zhan, while the young gentlemen looked at Zhi Wan with admiration.
“I thought we wouldn’t see the Chief Minister today,” one young lady whispered regretfully. If she had known Lu Zhan would appear, she would have dressed more carefully.
“Who is that young lady?” a young gentleman asked curiously, looking at Zhi Wan.
“I heard she’s a distant niece of the Duchess of Dingguo,” someone well-informed immediately explained.
Zhi Wan followed behind Lu Zhan, paying no attention to the whispers.
Several young nobles, upon seeing Lu Zhan, immediately stepped forward to greet him.
“Chief Minister.”
Lu Zhan paused and gave them a slight nod.
Wei Shi, who had been exchanging pleasantries with others, now noticed her son and Zhi Wan. She completely ignored her son and instead beckoned to Zhi Wan. “Wan’er.”
Zhi Wan glanced at her cousin walking ahead and, seeing him engaged in conversation with guests, continued walking toward Wei Shi. She curtsied and said, “Aunt.”
Wei Shi looked at her attire, her eyes and brows filled with delight.
Her Wan’er was naturally beautiful. With just a little adornment, she looked stunning.
Wei Shi felt a sense of pride—after all, this was the young lady she had raised.
“How did you end up coming with that unfilial son?” Wei Shi asked quietly, taking Zhi Wan’s hand.
There was no need to ask whom she meant by “unfilial son”—it was clearly Lu Zhan.
“We met outside the moon gate,” Zhi Wan replied softly.
Wei Shi understood. “I see.” She glanced at her son, who was still chatting with guests, and quickly said to Nanny Fang, “Has Miss Lin arrived?”
“Not yet,” Nanny Fang shook her head.
“Hurry and send someone to wait outside the mansion gate. Report as soon as she arrives,” Wei Shi instructed. She had finally managed to catch her son and couldn’t let him find another excuse to avoid this.
She thought highly of Miss Lin and believed her son would like her once they met.
Nanny Fang went to make the arrangements.
“There are many talented young men here today, Wan’er. Take a good look around, and if you find someone you like, be sure to tell me,” Wei Shi whispered to Zhi Wan.
Zhi Wan lowered her head shyly and replied softly, “I understand, Aunt.”
Wei Shi patted the back of her hand contentedly. “Go and enjoy yourself.”
Zhi Wan then took Shuang’er and began strolling through the garden.
Just as she reached the waterside pavilion, a scholarly-looking man suddenly approached and bowed to her. “I am Wang Zeren. Greetings, Miss Zhi Wan.”
Zhi Wan calmly sized him up, curtsied in return, and said, “Greetings, sir. Please carry on.” With that, she led Shuang’er into the pavilion.
“Miss, Mr. Wang has followed us in,” Shuang’er whispered, tugging at Zhi Wan’s sleeve.
Zhi Wan glanced back and indeed saw Wang Zeren trailing closely behind. Instantly on guard, she asked, “Is there something else, Mr. Wang?”
Wang Zeren opened his folding fan, his eyes fixed unwaveringly on her face, and praised, “Miss Zhi Wan is truly the most beautiful woman I have ever seen in my life.”
Shuang’er’s expression changed, and she quickly stepped in front of Zhi Wan. “Mr. Wang, please show some restraint.”
Wang Zeren impatiently pushed her aside and snapped, “What business is it of yours?” When his gaze returned to Zhi Wan, a lecherous glint flashed in his eyes. He said dismissively, “I’ve inquired about you. You’re just an orphan girl living under the Duke of Dingguo’s roof. It’s your good fortune that I, this young master, am willing to spare you a glance. How about it? Become my concubine, and I promise to treat you well.”