Chapter 99: Turns Out Cousin Has a Temper Too

Chapter 99: Chapter 99: Turns Out Cousin Has a Temper Too

Zhi Wan lowered her head and said softly, "That’s not what I was thinking. If there’s nothing else, Cousin, I’ll head back now." With that, she didn’t wait for Lu Zhan to reply and quickly turned to return to her cabin.

SLAM!

The door slammed shut with a loud noise.

Lu Zhan: "..."

’Is my cousin angry?’

𝓯𝙧𝓮𝓮𝒘𝓮𝙗𝙣𝒐𝒗𝒆𝓵.𝓬𝓸𝒎

He raised a hand to rub the bridge of his nose.

’So, my cousin has a temper after all,’ he thought to himself.

Inside the cabin, Zhi Wan had just returned when Nanny Fang came back right after her.

Zhi Wan asked, "Miss Liu went to Zhenzhu’s room. Did anything happen?"

"Miss Liu wanted to cause trouble, but she didn’t get the chance. Miss Ouyang is smart; she didn’t let her in," Nanny Fang said with a smile.

Hearing this, Zhi Wan relaxed.

But Nanny Fang was a bit puzzled. "Miss, didn’t you just go up to the deck for some fresh air? Why are you back so soon?"

Zhi Wan sat down in a chair, propped her chin on her hand, and didn’t answer. Instead, she said, "Chen Jiu told me that Cousin has visited every brothel in the Capital."

"What?" Nanny Fang’s eyes widened in astonishment. "The Princely Heir is of noble status and has always been upright and chaste. How could he go to a place like that? That scoundrel Chen Jiu, how dare he spread such slander about the Princely Heir? Isn’t he afraid of being punished by the madam!"

Recalling her cousin’s reaction just now, Zhi Wan paused, then couldn’t help but speak up for Chen Jiu. "Nanny Fang, I’m afraid it might be true. It’s not something Ah Jiu made up."

Nanny Fang shook her head. "Impossible. The Princely Heir is a man of great character. How could he set foot in such a place? Unless it was for a case. That would be understandable."

Zhi Wan thought to herself: ’But you don’t need to visit every brothel just to investigate a case, do you? Besides, as the Minister of the Ministry of Justice, what kind of case would require him to personally investigate every brothel?’

In her view, her cousin had punished Chen Jiu by sending him to the lower deck because he was embarrassed and angered by having his secret exposed.

Zhi Wan couldn’t help but feel a flicker of disappointment toward her cousin.

She clearly remembered that the last time they returned from dinner, her cousin had personally explained to her that he went to the brothels to investigate a case. Back then, she had naively believed him.

But it turned out to be a complete lie.

’To think my cousin is someone whose actions don’t match his words.’

’And I thought he was a true gentleman.’

’Just as I thought. Men are all the same—none of them are any good!’

After a round of internal grumbling, Zhi Wan remembered something and asked seriously, "Nanny Fang, in your contact with Miss Liu these past few days, you haven’t revealed my surname, have you?"

Nanny Fang quickly shook her head. "I have followed your instructions, Miss. I’ve had very little contact with Miss Liu these few days, only when absolutely necessary, and I haven’t revealed any information to her."

"I haven’t either," Shuang’er added, also shaking her head.

Hearing this, Zhi Wan found it strange.

’How did Miss Liu know her surname?’

She believed Ouyang Zhenzhu wouldn’t have told Miss Liu either.

With so many people on the ship, if it wasn’t someone close to her who said it, then it must have been...

A sudden realization dawned on Zhi Wan. She finally understood why her cousin had punished Chen Jiu by sending him to the lower deck.

The lower deck housed the boatmen, the crew, and a number of guards. Miss Liu was staying there as well, so it was a mixed crowd.

If Miss Liu was determined to find something out, she could easily gather information from those people.

’Plus, given how Miss Liu was trying to seduce Chen Jiu outside Cousin’s door earlier, she’s probably already seduced the boatmen and crew, making them her devoted admirers.’

’That’s why Cousin found an excuse to punish Chen Jiu and send him to the lower deck. He wants Chen Jiu to keep an eye on Miss Liu, as well as the boatmen and crew.’

At this thought, everything became clear to Zhi Wan.

’No wonder Cousin didn’t seem that angry earlier but still punished Chen Jiu by sending him to the lower deck. This was the real reason!’

In the next cabin, Lu Zhan, who was reading through case files, suddenly let out several sneezes.

His brows furrowed.

Seeing the open window, he assumed it was because the river wind was too strong at night and went to close it.

「Lower Deck.」

As Chen Jiu came down, carrying his bundle dejectedly, he ran right into Miss Liu.

"Chen Guard, what brings you here?" Miss Liu asked with a beaming smile, glancing at the bundle in his hands.

Chen Jiu casually tossed his bundle aside and complained, "I just said a few words to the Miss about the Princely Heir’s private affairs, and he got angry and threw me down here."

Miss Liu said sympathetically, "Chen Guard, everyone can see how loyal and hardworking you are. For Mr. Lu to banish you over such a small matter is truly unreasonable."

Chen Jiu’s face was grim as he remained silent.

Seeing his resentful expression, which clearly showed his displeasure with Lu Zhan, Miss Liu’s lips curved into a slight smile. "Chen Guard, just make do here for a few days. Once Mr. Lu has cooled down, he might call you back."

"I fucking don’t want to do this anymore!" Chen Jiu grumbled under his breath.

A glint flashed in Miss Liu’s eyes. She said no more, but instead began diligently making his bed for him.

Seeing this, Chen Jiu felt a bit embarrassed and stopped her. "I couldn’t trouble you, Miss Liu. I can do it myself."

"Meeting here is fate. There’s no need to be so polite with me, Chen Guard. Besides, you were the one who pulled me out of the water. If not for you, my worthless life would have been long gone. You’re my great benefactor. If there’s ever anything you need from me, Chen Guard, just say the word," Miss Liu said with a sincere expression.

Chen Jiu scratched his head and stammered, "M-Miss Liu, you’re exaggerating."

Seeing him like this, Miss Liu giggled. "You’re not that young anymore, are you, Chen Guard? Why are you still so shy?" As she spoke, she reached out and caressed his chest.

Chen Jiu: "..."

Miss Liu laughed heartily. "Alright, I’ll stop teasing you, Chen Guard. I’ll go get you something to eat."

As soon as she left, Chen Jiu started smacking his own chest, as if trying to beat away the lingering trace of her touch.

’This task from the Princely Heir is no easy job. It even requires me to sacrifice my body! I’ve guarded my chastity for over twenty years, and I might not be able to hold out for these next few days.’

At this thought, he clutched his robes tightly.

...

「The next day.」

Zhi Wan was painting in her cabin when Shuang’er came in with a plate of pastries. "Miss, the Princely Heir had someone send some pastries for you."

Surprise flickered across Zhi Wan’s face. "Cousin had them sent?"

"Yes." Shuang’er nodded and said with a smile, "And it’s the sweet pea pudding that you like."

Zhi Wan pressed her lips together and looked at the plate in her hand.

It was indeed the sweet pea pudding she loved.

’Why would Cousin suddenly...’

Zhi Wan recalled how her cousin had been harsh with her last night and paused. ’Could this be his way of apologizing to me?’

The possibility stunned her for a moment, but in the end, she picked up a piece of the sweet pea pudding and began to eat.

In the afternoon, just as Lu Zhan finished his discussion with Duan Ling, there was a knock on the cabin door.

Duan Ling went to open the door and returned with Shuang’er behind him.

"Princely Heir." Shuang’er curtsied.

"What is it?" Lu Zhan asked.

"My Miss said the sweet pea pudding was delicious, and she thanks you, Princely Heir. She had nothing else nice to give, so she painted a River Map for you to enjoy." After speaking, Shuang’er presented a rolled-up scroll.

Lu Zhan was taken aback for a moment, then said lightly, "Your Miss is very thoughtful."

"If there is nothing else, I will take my leave." With that, Shuang’er withdrew.

Lu Zhan unrolled the scroll in his hand. It was indeed a River Map, and judging by the ink, it had just been finished.

He raised an eyebrow. ’When did this girl become so polite and proper?’

’I only had someone send a plate of pastries, yet she personally painted a picture to give me in return.’

Just as Duan Ling leaned in for a closer look, Lu Zhan quickly rolled the scroll back up.

"What did she paint? Am I not allowed to see it?" Duan Ling grumbled.