Chapter 134: Chapter 134: A Disturbed Good Dream
Jiang Shi sized him up, finally at a loss for words.
"Hey, whatâs with that look?" Chen Jiu was displeased.
"The Princely Heir said you look coarse, and I couldnât agree more." After speaking, Jiang Shi drained his cup and rose to leave.
Chen Jiu looked himself over.
âThis is called being brawny and strong, all right?â
âNo taste!â
Turning his head, he was shocked to see the Princely Heir pick up an unopened wine jar, break the clay seal, and start chugging it.
Chen Jiu was startled and quickly tried to dissuade him. "Princely Heir, drinking too much is bad for you. The men Liang Qixian sent are long gone. You donât need to keep up the act."
"I know my limits. You may leave," Lu Zhan said, dismissing him directly.
Hearing this, Chen Jiu had no choice but to withdraw, though he couldnât help but wonder to himself, âThe Princely Heir isnât a heavy drinker. Heâs always so restrained. Why is he guzzling it down tonight?â
Only after finishing the entire jar of wine did Lu Zhan return to his room, his steps unsteady.
He shed his robes and entered the washroom.
ăLi Mansion.ă
Liang Qixian was horrified when he heard his scoutâs report.
But he had to be thankful for one thing: the account book hadnât fallen into Lu Zhanâs hands yet.
At this thought, he calmed down and commanded, "Gather our men. Tomorrow, use any means necessary to get that account book back for me!"
"Yes, sir!" his subordinate replied.
At the Lu Family Villa, the night was deep. Zhi Wan, sleeping soundly, suddenly drifted into a dream.
She found herself in a washroom where a man with an excellent physique was asleep in a steaming bathtub, his head propped on one hand.
The thick scent of alcohol in the air made her frown.
She leaned down, sniffed at the man, and then shoved him awake rather roughly. "Hey, how much did you drink? You reek of alcohol!"
Pushed by her, the sleeping man nearly toppled into the water.
After steadying himself, his eyes landed on her, and a faint smile touched his lips. "Youâre here."
Hearing this, Zhi Wan looked at him suspiciously. "It seems like you were waiting for me?"
Lu Zhan didnât speak. Instead, he reached out, took her wrist, and caressed it for a moment before suddenly pulling her into the tub with him.
SPLASH! Hot water splashed all over the floor.
Zhi Wan wiped the water from her face and stared at him, stunned. "What are you doing?"
The man didnât answer. His deep, dark eyes stared at her lips for a moment before he suddenly leaned in, cupped the back of her head, and kissed her deeply.
His movements werenât rough, but they were domineering, forcefully drawing out her unique sweetness.
Zhi Wan was dazed for a moment. When she came to her senses, she couldnât help but blush.
âWhy is this man a little... ahem, lecherous today?â
But she didnât find it repulsive; in fact, she rather enjoyed it.
Until she felt the manâs hand slip under the hem of her clothes.
His slightly calloused palm grazed over her skin, sending a shiver through her entire body. Finally, his fingers came to rest on her waist.
He seemed to love her waist, his fingertips lingering there, caressing it until Zhi Wanâs heart trembled.
"Donât..."
Zhi Wan finally couldnât take it anymore and begged for him to stop.
But her voice was so soft and seductive it was as if she were flirting.
Lu Zhanâs breathing grew ragged, and a thin sheen of sweat beaded on his smooth forehead.
He pressed Zhi Wan into his embrace, his fingers finding the sash of her dress and slowly untying it.
A moment later, a light garment floated in the steaming water. The girlâs skin, as smooth and soft as fine silk, was exposed to the air and the manâs eyes.
The cool air on her shoulders brought a sliver of Zhi Wanâs lost sanity back.
She was startled to see her clothes slipping off, but when she turned and saw the manâs smooth, jade-like chin, she was somehow possessed to kiss it.
First his chin, then his Adamâs apple, and then his collarbone...
The bone-deep, tingling sensation made Lu Zhanâs entire body tense, yet he indulged the girlâs boldness.
For a moment, the washroom filled with a sensual, fragrant air. An uncontrollable emotion caused them both to lose a bit of control.
Until Zhi Wan suddenly cried out and woke up.
The erotic dream vanished. Zhi Wan looked at the leg draped over her waist, and the corner of her eye twitched.
âIf I had known, I never would have agreed to let Ouyang Zhenzhu sleep with me. She interrupted my fun.â
Thinking about what had almost happened in the dream, Zhi Wan couldnât help but feel a little regretful.
She moved Ouyang Zhenzhuâs leg off her, got up, and downed two cups of cold tea.
âStrange, why are the dreams so frequent this time?â
At the same time, Lu Zhan also woke up in the bathtub.
Remembering what had just happened in the dream, he raised a hand to touch his lips. Having had a taste, he now longed for more.
ăThe next day.ă
At the crack of dawn, a carriage quietly departed from the back gate of the Lu Family Villa, heading for the city gates.
Zhi Wan didnât yet know that someone disguised as her had gone to Jurong.
After waking in the middle of the night, she had fallen asleep again and was now sleeping soundly with Ouyang Zhenzhu.
Until Nanny Fang came knocking on the door.
"Miss, the Princely Heir is here."
Zhi Wan, who had been fast asleep, woke up immediately at her words.
âMy cousin?â
She quickly shook Ouyang Zhenzhu.
"What?" Ouyang Zhenzhu grumbled, rolling over.
"Get up, my cousin is here," Zhi Wan said, hastily getting up to dress.
Ouyang Zhenzhu was instantly awake as well. "Why is your cousin here?" she asked, confused.
"I donât know either." Zhi Wan shook her head. "But it must be for something important."
The two of them hurriedly dressed and washed up before opening the door and stepping out.
They were surprised to see Lu Zhan standing in the courtyard.
He stood before a crabapple tree.
The crabapple blossoms were in full, brilliant bloom. He held a single petal between his long fingers.
The bright, delicate petal made his fingers look even longer, with slender, pale knuckles.
Zhi Wan was captivated by the scene, unsure for a moment whether the flower was more beautiful, or his hand.
"Wanwan, is this what they call being cruel to a helpless flower?" Ouyang Zhenzhu suddenly whispered, leaning close to her ear.
Zhi Wan: "..."
Just then, Lu Zhan turned around. "Youâre up?" When he saw Ouyang Zhenzhu standing beside her, his handsome face froze for an instant. "Miss Ouyang, what are you doing here?"
"Iâve been here all along," Ouyang Zhenzhu said nonchalantly, adding with a grin, "I even slept with Wanwan last night. But you, Mr. Lu, didnât you have a beauty to keep you company last night? Why are you up so early today?"
Lu Zhan: "..."
Seeing a faint trace of embarrassment on the manâs handsome face, Zhi Wan quickly interjected to smooth things over. "Cousin, did you come to see me about something important?"
Lu Zhan paused. His gaze fell on her face, and thinking of their rendezvous in the dream last night, his own handsome face flushed.
"Iâm going on an outing in a little while. If you and Ouyang Zhenzhu are free, you should come along," Lu Zhan said, clearing his throat with a slight cough.
Zhi Wan looked at him in surprise.
âMy cousin is so busy, how does he have time for an outing?â
Ouyang Zhenzhu, however, didnât think too much of it. The moment she heard "outing," she asked enthusiastically, "Mr. Lu, where are we going?"
"Youâll know when we get there." Lu Zhan didnât explain further.
"Wanwan, letâs go! I want to go," Ouyang Zhenzhu said at once, shaking Zhi Wanâs hand.
Zhi Wan had no choice but to nod in agreement. "Then, please wait for us a moment, cousin."
"Mm," Lu Zhan grunted. Then, as if remembering something, he added, "Remember to wear your veils."
Hearing this, Zhi Wan didnât think much of it.
She usually wore a veil or a veiled hat when she went out anyway.
"Understood."
"When youâre ready, come to the front gate. You donât need to bring your maids," Lu Zhan instructed further.
"Mm," Zhi Wan nodded obediently.
Ouyang Zhenzhu, unable to wait, had already rushed inside to get ready.
Zhi Wan was about to go inside as well when she saw her cousin walking toward her.
She paused, startled, and asked, "Cousin, is there anything else you need to tell me?"
Lu Zhan didnât speak. After stopping in front of her, he suddenly took the crabapple blossom he was holding and tucked it into her hair bun.
Zhi Wan froze.
"This crabapple blossom suits you well, cousin," Lu Zhan said lightly, then turned and walked away.