The Minister: Cold by Day, Hot by Night-Chapter 63: Addictive

Before long, Chen Jiu entered the carriage with a food box. "Princely Heir, the Miss was also at the shop. However, all the food for today is sold out. There are a few buns left that were meant for the Madam, but the Miss said you should have them first to tide you over."

With that, he opened the food box, took out the buns inside, and placed them on the low table.

A rich aroma wafted into his nostrils, and Lu Zhan’s gaze shifted from the scroll to the low table.

Chen Jiu smelled it too and secretly swallowed. He handed over a pair of chopsticks and said, "I hear these three-ding buns are a famous snack from Yangzhou. They’re very delicious—even the Madam enjoys them. Princely Heir, please try one."

Lu Zhan set down the scroll, took the chopsticks, and picked up a bun. "You have one too."

"Thank you, Princely Heir." Chen Jiu was delighted, and he also took one and began to eat.

They had been traveling all day, so neither he nor the Princely Heir had eaten a proper meal, subsisting only on some dry rations along the way.

When Zhi Wan came out, she saw the carriage was still there. She walked closer and called out, "Cousin."

The carriage was silent. After a moment, the window slid open, revealing Lu Zhan’s handsome yet distant and cold face.

Zhi Wan had wanted to ask him how the three-ding buns tasted, but when she saw his expression, she suddenly lost the courage to speak.

’It’s been half a month, and he seems even colder now.’

Seeing the young woman standing by the carriage, quiet as a quail, Lu Zhan paused before asking, "Are you heading back now?"

"Yes, I was just about to head back." Zhi Wan nodded, a little reserved.

"How are you getting back?" Lu Zhan asked.

Zhi Wan pointed to a nearby carriage. "Aunt sent someone to pick me up."

"I see." Lu Zhan glanced over and nodded. "I’ll be going then."

"Take care, Cousin." Zhi Wan curtsied slightly.

Lu Zhan closed the window and told Chen Jiu to drive on.

Chen Jiu called out a farewell to Zhi Wan, then drove the carriage away.

Only after watching the carriage disappear into the distance did Zhi Wan board her own carriage with her two maids.

After a full day of helping at the shop, Zhi Wan returned to the mansion. She took a bath first, then brought the salted goose to Lan Courtyard.

It was already dark when Zhi Wan arrived, and she was surprised to find both Lu Zhenbei and Lu Zhan present.

"Wan’er, you’re here!" Lady Wei beamed and waved her over. "I was just about to send someone to get you. It’s rare for this father and son to both be home, so I had the kitchen prepare some extra dishes. We can all eat together tonight."

Snapping out of her surprise, Zhi Wan curtsied to each of them in turn. Then, taking the food box from Shuang’er, she said, "Aunt, this is the salted goose I had Yu Niangzi make at the shop. I brought some back for everyone to try."

"How thoughtful of you. This makes for a perfect extra dish," Lady Wei said with a smile, having Nanny Fang take the food box. Then she took Zhi Wan’s hand and asked, "The shop opened today. How was business?"

"It was pretty good," Zhi Wan replied. "We sold out of everything we made."

"Our Wan’er is so capable, opening her own shop and all," Lady Wei praised.

Zhi Wan blushed at the praise. "Please don’t tease me, Aunt. The only reason the shop could open at all was thanks to my cousin’s help."

Hearing this, Lu Zhenbei, who was in the middle of a game of Go with his son, glanced at him in surprise. "So, Jinzhi has his enthusiastic moments too?"

Hearing his father’s teasing, Lu Zhan looked up at him and said coolly, "Is Father implying that your son is cold-hearted?"

Lu Zhenbei rubbed his nose. "I certainly didn’t say that."

Lu Zhan ignored him and turned to the young woman. "I didn’t help much, Cousin. You needn’t be so polite." He paused, then added, "And the three-ding buns you gave me today were quite good."

Zhi Wan had been feeling a little nervous, but at his words, her face lit up with delight. Her eyes curved into crescents as she said, "I was worried you wouldn’t be used to the taste, Cousin."

Seeing her radiant, flower-like smile, Lu Zhan paused for a moment before looking away.

"What three-ding buns?" Lu Zhenbei immediately asked. "How come Wan’er didn’t bring any for me to try?"

Zhi Wan looked a little embarrassed. "I didn’t know you would be back today, Uncle. I’ll be sure to have the shop save some for you to try tomorrow."

"Excellent." Lu Zhenbei was satisfied. He placed a stone on the board. "Lu Zhan, your skills at Go still have room for improvement."

"You speak too soon, Father." Lu Zhan immediately placed a stone of his own, surrounding his opponent’s black pieces.

Lu Zhenbei was speechless.

"Thank you for the game, Father." Lu Zhan glanced at him and began returning the Go stones to their containers.

Lu Zhenbei snorted. "You brat! So cunning!"

"All’s fair in war. I would have thought that after leading troops for so many years, Father would understand this principle well," Lu Zhan remarked with a sidelong glance.

Lu Zhenbei was speechless again.

"Alright, you two. You start bickering the moment you see each other. Aren’t you afraid of becoming a laughingstock if word gets out?" Lady Wei chided with a laugh. "Go wash your hands. It’s time for dinner!"

As dinner began, Lady Wei had Wan’er sit next to her and poured some wine into her cup.

"Wan’er, this is a grape wine I acquired recently. Have a taste. You’re a grown-up now, so you can have a little."

Zhi Wan saw that it was indeed grape wine in her cup, and her heart stirred. "Thank you, Aunt."

Lady Wei poured some for Lu Zhenbei and Lu Zhan as well.

"I’ll be the first to try this goose Wan’er brought back," Lu Zhenbei announced, picking up his chopsticks.

Hearing this, Zhi Wan watched him intently.

After taking a bite, Lu Zhenbei’s eyes lit up. "This is delicious!" he praised.

"I’m glad you like it, Uncle." Zhi Wan felt relieved.

’I was worried Uncle wouldn’t be used to the taste of salted goose.’

"You all try some." Lu Zhenbei picked up the serving chopsticks and placed a piece in everyone’s bowl.

Zhi Wan looked at the goose leg in her bowl, speechless.

"Wan’er needs to eat more, to build up her strength," Lu Zhenbei said cheerfully.

"Thank you, Uncle," Zhi Wan said gratefully.

"Silly girl," Lu Zhenbei said, amused. "You’re the one who brought the goose. Why are you thanking me?"

"But I must thank you, Uncle," Zhi Wan said earnestly. ’After all these years, if it hadn’t been for his approval, I never would have been able to live in the Duke Dingguo Mansion.’

Lu Zhenbei turned to Lady Wei. "I’ve noticed this girl has a stubborn streak."

"You’re the stubborn one. Our Wan’er is perfectly sweet," Lady Wei retorted, shooting him a playful glare.

Lu Zhenbei roared with laughter. "If I hadn’t been stubborn back then, I never would have married you."

Hearing this, Lady Wei stomped on his foot under the table. ’The children are right here! This rascal will say anything that comes to his mind. He has no sense of shame!’

Lu Zhan, long accustomed to such displays, remained completely unfazed.

Zhi Wan, on the other hand, watched the couple with a feeling of genuine happiness.

’At home, Uncle isn’t as stern and intimidating as he is in public. He’s gentle with us juniors and so considerate toward Aunt.’

Watching the harmonious couple, Zhi Wan was reminded of her own mother and father.

’When my parents were alive, they were also deeply in love...’

She reined in her thoughts and raised her wine cup. "Uncle, Aunt, Cousin, Wan’er would like to propose a toast to you."

"In that case, you have to drink it all in one go," Lu Zhenbei teased.

"Alright." Zhi Wan smiled and, true to her word, drained her cup in a single gulp.

Seeing this, Lu Zhan’s handsome, sword-like brows furrowed slightly. ’What is she trying to prove?’

"Oh, you silly girl, why did you listen to him?" Lady Wei was too late to stop Zhi Wan. "This grape wine might not be strong, but drinking it that fast will go straight to your head." She could only glare at Lu Zhenbei. "Why are you making things difficult for the child?"

Lu Zhenbei hadn’t expected Zhi Wan to actually drink it all. He quickly raised his own cup, saying, "As a penalty, your uncle will drink a cup too." With that, he also drained his cup in one gulp.

"What’s your tolerance for alcohol compared to Wan’er’s? She had one cup, and you have the nerve to drink only one?" After saying this, Lady Wei picked up the wine jug, refilled Lu Zhenbei’s cup, and ordered, "Drink it!"

Lu Zhenbei was speechless.

’Why do I feel like an outsider in my own wife’s eyes?’

He shot his wife a mournful look, picked up the cup, and silently drank it down.

Seeing her imposing uncle act so docile in front of her aunt, a smile spread across Zhi Wan’s face.

When dinner was over, Lady Wei noticed Zhi Wan’s flushed face and worried she was drunk. She instructed Lu Zhan, "Ah Zhan, it’s getting late. Please escort Wan’er back on your way."

Lu Zhan glanced at the young woman and nodded. "Alright."