Shuang’er was furious. Seeing her young mistress treated so disgracefully, she wished she could fight this scoundrel to the death, but Zhi Wan stopped her with a look.
Zhi Wan sized up Wang Zeren. The man appeared refined and scholarly, yet his words were so vile and obscene. The way he stared with lecherous eyes was especially nauseating and unsettling. However, she did not lose her temper. After all, the garden was filled with guests at the moment. Making a scene would bring her no benefit whatsoever. On the contrary, if Wang Zeren turned the tables and accused her of seducing him, her reputation would be ruined.
After weighing the situation, Zhi Wan pretended to be shy and took two steps back. “So, Young Master has already inquired about me?”
Under the gaze of her captivating eyes, Wang Zeren felt a surge of heat throughout his body. Thinking his charm had won her over, he couldn’t help but feel elated.
Flaunting his self-proclaimed sophistication, he fanned himself with a folding fan. “The moment I saw you, I was captivated. But I won’t look down on your background. As long as you agree to be with me, I promise to cherish you dearly, granting you endless wealth and luxury.”
“In that case, should I be grateful to you, Young Master?” Zhi Wan’s smile did not reach her eyes.
“There’s no need for gratitude. Just serve me well in the future.” Wang Zeren stared at Zhi Wan with a frivolous gaze, as if she were already his possession. His mind even began to conjure up indecent scenes, and his eyes grew clouded.
Zhi Wan glanced at the pond behind her, blinked her beautiful eyes, and beckoned to him. “Young Master, come a little closer.”
Overjoyed, Wang Zeren hurriedly closed his fan and eagerly spread his arms, lunging toward her.
But just as he was about to embrace Zhi Wan, she suddenly crouched down, avoiding his touch.
Wang Zeren missed his target but assumed she was playing hard to get. A lecherous smile spread across his face. “You little minx, how playful you are!”
As he spoke and was about to turn around, a sudden kick landed on his backside, sending him stumbling uncontrollably forward.
“Splash!”
Water sprayed in all directions.
Wang Zeren had fallen straight into the pond ahead.
After gulping down a mouthful of water, he finally reacted, panicking and shouting, “Help! I can’t swim…”
Soon, the commotion drew the surrounding guests over.
“How did he end up in the water?”
The onlookers pointed at Wang Zeren, who was flailing and struggling in the water, and burst into laughter.
Hiding behind a pillar, Zhi Wan watched Wang Zeren in the water and curled her lips into a cold smile.
Afraid of being seen, she quickly seized the chaos to slip out of the waterside pavilion with Shuang’er.
At the same time, she saw Lu Xin from the pavilion opposite pushing through the crowd and rushing toward the pond in a fluster.
Understanding dawned on her. It seemed Wang Zeren had been deliberately arranged by Lu Xin to humiliate her and ruin her reputation.
A surge of anger rose within Zhi Wan.
During the five years she had lived in the Duke of Dingguo’s residence, she had been cautious in every way, avoiding conflicts with others.
In the past, no matter how much Lu Xin provoked her, she had chosen to endure and retreat. Little did she expect that the other harbored such deep malice toward her.
For a young woman, reputation was as important as the heavens. Had she lost her composure even slightly earlier and made a scene with Wang Zeren, he would surely have dragged her down with him. And Lu Xin, waiting in the shadows, would have undoubtedly rushed out with others at the first opportunity.
When the time comes and everyone is watching, she will be unable to defend herself, and even the Duke Dingguo’s estate won’t be able to protect her. Aside from becoming a nun, her only other path would be to become Wang Zeren’s concubine.
Lu Xin’s scheme was truly vicious.
Zhi Wan clenched her handkerchief tightly.
It seemed she had been too polite and gentle with these people!
A sharp glint flashed in Zhi Wan’s eyes.
When they reached a secluded spot, Shuang’er said angrily, “What kind of person is that, daring to be so disgusting to you, miss?”
Seeing her face pale with anger, Zhi Wan comforted her, “Don’t be angry. After all, he didn’t gain any advantage.”
“That’s true. In front of everyone, he turned into a drowned rat. Now, he’s utterly humiliated,” Shuang’er said with satisfaction.
As they passed by the rockery, Zhi Wan suddenly stopped.
“What’s wrong, miss?” Shuang’er asked, puzzled.
“Shh!” Zhi Wan pressed her index finger to her lips, signaling for silence.
Was someone crying?
Curious, she leaned close to the rockery and peeked around to the other side.
On the open ground behind the rockery, a young woman knelt on the ground, while another beautifully dressed young woman stood nearby. In front of them stood a man.
When she clearly saw the man’s face, Zhi Wan was surprised—it was her cousin!
What were they doing here?
Just then, the kneeling woman pleaded tearfully, “Your Honor, my father has always been honest and upright. How could he possibly embezzle? He has been wrongfully accused. I beg you to investigate thoroughly, reopen the case, and restore my father’s innocence.”
“Did your father send you?” Lu Zhan’s tone was cold.
The woman was taken aback, then shook her head. “I came on my own. My father—”
“The evidence against your father is irrefutable. Although he was not the principal offender, he was an accomplice. The Emperor’s verdict has been passed and cannot be changed. If you don’t want to harm your father, leave now. I can pretend you never came,” Lu Zhan said calmly.
Upon hearing this, the woman felt a chill run through her entire body, freezing in place. Had she made a mistake by coming today?
Terrified, she clenched her fingers, panic-stricken.
“Lord Lu, could you, for my sake, help Qingyou? Uncle Li is in poor health, and the place of exile is too harsh and cold. Setting aside the case for now, could you perhaps pull some strings to reduce Uncle Li’s sentence?” The beautifully dressed woman, seeing her friend in such distress, couldn’t bear it and spoke up softly, pleading on her behalf.
The frozen woman, hearing these words, felt hope rekindle in her eyes and also looked pleadingly at Lu Zhan, saying weakly and helplessly, “Please, Your Honor, show some leniency.”
Lu Zhan’s gaze finally shifted to the beautifully dressed woman.
Her face flushed, and she shyly lowered her head, so she didn’t see the icy coldness that appeared on Lu Zhan’s handsome face.
“What status do you hold? Why should I give you face?” Lu Zhan’s voice was as cold as ice and snow.
The beautifully dressed woman was stunned, thinking he didn’t know her identity. Then, recalling Wei Shi’s words of satisfaction toward her, she couldn’t help but smile confidently. “I am Lin Yutang, the legitimate daughter of the Lin family. Today, I was invited by Madam Lu. We—”
“The Lin family? The daughter of Minister Lin of the Ministry of Works?” Lu Zhan interrupted her coldly.
The woman nodded shyly. “That’s right.”
“I understand. I will certainly report today’s matter to the Emperor—that Minister Lin is dissatisfied with the verdict against former Vice Minister Lin of the Ministry of Revenue,” Lu Zhan said unhurriedly, but his words were colder and more piercing than the depths of winter.
“What?” The woman in the opulent dress froze, her smile stiffening. She swayed slightly, nearly collapsing to the ground. Seeing no trace of amusement on Lu Zhan’s face—unlike someone joking—her delicate face instantly turned as pale as paper.
Last year, a disaster struck Qingzhou, but the officials dispatched to provide relief embezzled the disaster funds, lining their own pockets and causing widespread starvation. When the incident came to light, it provoked the emperor’s fury.
All officials involved were dismissed and investigated, with some even sentenced to immediate execution.
The repercussions of this affair extended into the current year, and even the Li family suffered as a result.
The emperor’s lingering anger had not subsided. If it were discovered today that she had pleaded on behalf of Li Qingyou, her own Lin family would likely face disaster as well.
Realizing this, Lin Yutang’s lips trembled slightly. Forcing a smile, she said, “Lord Lu, this humble woman has overstepped. Today, please pretend I was never here.”
Lu Zhan remained cold and silent.
Seeing this, Lin Yutang’s eyes dimmed. She curtsied to him, her face pale, and hurried away, too preoccupied to even spare a thought for her kneeling friend.
Li Qingyou was also frightened and dared not plead further. She quickly rose and followed behind.
Behind the rockery, Zhi Wan, who had witnessed everything, patted her chest lightly with her small hand. Her cousin truly was terrifying!
She took Shuang’er’s hand, intending to slip away quietly, but at that moment, Lu Zhan’s voice suddenly rang out, “Come out.”