Chapter 103: Lu Zhan Is Hiding His Discomfort

Chapter 103: Chapter 103: Lu Zhan Is Hiding His Discomfort

"But it’s my fault, too!" Ouyang Zhenzhu said, suddenly blaming herself.

Zhi Wan snapped out of her daze and asked, confused, "Why would it be your fault?"

Ouyang Zhenzhu said with a regretful expression, "If I hadn’t seen Miss Liu in the water that day and run to tell Mr. Lu and Duan Ling, then he wouldn’t have ordered her to be pulled out. If she hadn’t been pulled out, none of this would have happened. You wouldn’t have been held hostage, and you certainly wouldn’t have been pushed into the river."

Zhi Wan didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. "How could this possibly be your fault? Their plan was premeditated. Even if you hadn’t seen Miss Liu that day, there would have been another person, and another after that. Someone else would have eventually discovered them and had them pulled out of the water.

Besides, anyone who sees someone in the water can’t just look the other way.

You did nothing wrong. The ones at fault are those with ulterior motives."

Ouyang Zhenzhu paused, her eyes brightening. "You make a good point. How did I not think of that?"

"So, you shouldn’t blame yourself," Zhi Wan said with a smile.

Ouyang Zhenzhu said with a serious expression, "I really was blaming myself, since I was the one who found Miss Liu. But after hearing you analyze it like that, I feel much more relieved." With that, she took Zhi Wan’s hand and said with a grin, "Wanwan, you’re so smart."

Zhi Wan let out a laugh.

The rest of the journey went smoothly. They encountered no more pirates, and two days later, Nanny Fang also woke up.

One day, while a few of them were gathered in Zhi Wan’s room chatting, there was a sudden knock on the door.

Shuang’er went to open the door, then returned and reported, "Miss, it’s Jiang Shi. He says the Princely Heir requests your presence to speak with him."

Zhi Wan froze for a moment.

Since waking up and seeing her cousin that day, she had spent the past few days recuperating in her cabin and hadn’t gone out, so naturally, she hadn’t seen him either.

’Why is cousin suddenly looking for me? I wonder what it could be about?’

Zhi Wan recalled the events of that night and felt a knot of apprehension. She didn’t really want to see Lu Zhan, but she couldn’t refuse.

In the end, she stood up and went out.

Jiang Shi was another one of Lu Zhan’s personal guards, but his temperament was the complete opposite of Chen Jiu’s. Chen Jiu was talkative and helpful, while Jiang Shi was taciturn and as silent as a shadow.

Zhi Wan rarely saw him, as Lu Zhan usually sent him away on missions.

Seeing Zhi Wan emerge, Jiang Shi bowed respectfully. He said nothing, simply gesturing for her to proceed, and then led the way.

Zhi Wan followed him all the way to the meeting hall.

When she entered, she was surprised to see Duan Ling was also there.

Upon seeing Zhi Wan enter, he quickly asked with concern, "Cousin Zhi Wan, are you feeling better?"

"Thank you, Junior Minister Duan. I’ve recovered," Zhi Wan replied.

Although the bruises on her back hadn’t completely faded, they no longer hurt much.

Her gaze shifted to the man sitting in the chair. She gave a slight curtsy. "Cousin."

"Sit," Lu Zhan said flatly.

Zhi Wan did as she was told and sat down.

The meeting hall was quiet, the only sound being the BUBBLE BUBBLE of water on the small red-clay stove.

Just then, Duan Ling gave a light cough and stood up. "You two talk. I’m going to step out for some fresh air."

Once he left, the meeting hall seemed even quieter. Zhi Wan, feeling ill at ease, nervously twisted the handkerchief in her hands.

Lu Zhan noticed her reserve. He pursed his thin lips and asked, "Would you like some tea?"

Zhi Wan shook her head. "No, thank you."

Lu Zhan paused, then poured her a cup of hot water. "I forgot you’re still taking medicine. It’s indeed not a good idea to drink tea."

"Thank you, cousin." Zhi Wan was taken aback for a second. She reached out, took the cup, blew on it gently, and took a small sip.

Sensing her restraint and distance, Lu Zhan’s sharp brows furrowed slightly as he fell into thought.

’Why has she suddenly reverted to her old, timid self around me?’

’Could it be that what happened that night has created a rift between us in her heart?’

Remembering what he had said that night, Lu Zhan’s brow tightened. After a long moment, he explained in a low voice, "What happened that night... was a matter of expediency. I never intended to abandon you. You must not... take it to heart."

After speaking, he picked up his teacup and looked down, taking a sip as if to hide his own discomfort.

Zhi Wan was startled, surprised that her cousin would actually explain himself to her.

She stared at the man opposite her in utter astonishment.

Lu Zhan’s long, thick lashes were slightly lowered, and he pretended not to notice his cousin’s gaze.

Zhi Wan came back to her senses, withdrew her gaze, and said softly, "I actually knew you had your reasons for acting that way, cousin."

Lu Zhan looked at her in surprise. "You knew?"

"Mhm." Zhi Wan nodded, lowering her eyes. "I didn’t take it to heart."

"Then why are you..." Lu Zhan looked at her, uncertain.

Zhi Wan blinked, a faint smile touching her lips. "I’ve lived this long, and that was the first time I’ve ever been held at knifepoint and thrown into a river. I was just frightened." ’She would never admit that her cousin’s cold attitude that day was what truly frightened her.’

"I was careless," Lu Zhan said with a frown.

He hadn’t expected Miss Liu to take his cousin hostage, which was why he had only posted one guard outside her cabin when the incident occurred, putting her in danger.

Hearing the apology in his tone, Zhi Wan shook her head. "It’s not your fault, cousin. Everyone has blind spots. By the way, was there something you wanted to see me about?"

Lu Zhan collected his thoughts and said flatly, "We will reach Yangzhou tomorrow morning."

Hearing this, Zhi Wan brightened up. "Really?"

"Mhm." Watching the radiant smile on her face, Lu Zhan hesitated for a moment before adding, "However, tonight, you all will have to leave first on a small boat."

"What?" Zhi Wan was stunned.

Lu Zhan thought she was afraid and reassured her in a gentle voice, "I will have Jiang Shi escort you. The rest of the journey is very safe. Nothing will happen."

Hearing this, Zhi Wan blurted out, "What about you? Where are you going?"

Lu Zhan paused, lowered his head to sip his tea, and said nothing more.

Only then did Zhi Wan realize her slip of the tongue. ’Her cousin’s business concerned the Court’s secrets; it wasn’t her place to ask questions.’

She stood up. "Then I’ll go back and pack."

"Mhm." Lu Zhan nodded.

...

「Late at night.」

As Zhi Wan’s group boarded the small boat with Jiang Shi, Ouyang Zhenzhu complained, "What is Mr. Lu thinking, making us take a small boat to Yangzhou in the middle of the night? Isn’t he worried that in the pitch-black, the boat might capsize and we’ll all end up as fish food in the river?"

"Hush, hush! Miss Ouyang, don’t say such things!" Nanny Fang, frightened, quickly stopped her.

"Miss Ouyang, there are some things you shouldn’t just say," Shuang’er added reproachfully.

"Miss, you should say less. It’s really scary," Xi’er chimed in.

Ouyang Zhenzhu fell silent, looking disgruntled.

In the silent night, the only sound was the splashing of the wooden oars against the water.

Zhi Wan knew in her heart that her cousin must be doing this because of Miss Liu and her band of pirates.

’Miss Liu and her people are so cunning. Will cousin be in danger on this trip?’

Zhi Wan was worried.

𝑓𝑟ℯ𝘦𝓌𝘦𝘣𝑛𝑜𝓋𝑒𝓁.𝑐ℴ𝓂

"Miss, it’s the Princely Heir!" Shuang’er suddenly tugged on her sleeve.

Zhi Wan started, turning to look. Sure enough, a figure was standing by the railing of the large ship.

The night was too dark, making the figure look blurry, but Zhi Wan still recognized him at a glance. It was her cousin.

The night wind sent his robes fluttering wildly, and the sword at his waist glinted coldly in the moonlight.

Her heart jumped. ’Just as I suspected. Cousin is going to fight the pirates.’

Her mouth opened, and she couldn’t help but call out, "Cousin..."