Chapter 262: Chapter 262: Lu Zhan: Cousin, Want to Sleep Together for a While?

Ouyang Lei smiled. "I was just doing my duty. The one you should really be thanking is Old Lu. Now, I must present the case to the Emperor for his review, so I won’t see you and Lady Lu out."

"It’s fine, you should attend to your duties. No need for formalities," Lady Wei said with a wave of her hand.

Zhi Wan took Ouyang Lei’s words to heart.

’He’s right. If my cousin hadn’t risked his life to save Huan’er’s family, they would have perished in the fire. They never would have been able to come forward and identify Lu Lan, and the case would have remained at a standstill.’

’And as long as the case remained unsolved, the suspicion against me could never be cleared.’

She was deeply moved by what her cousin had done for her and felt a desperate urge to see him.

She suppressed the turmoil in her heart and said to Mr. Chen and Wang Wuzuo, "Mr. Chen, Wang Wuzuo, thank you so much." She curtsied to the two men.

"There is no need for such courtesy, Miss Zhi. We were merely performing our duties, as is expected of us." The two men clasped their hands and bowed in return. "Since the matter is settled, we will take our leave."

"Take care, you two," Zhi Wan nodded.

Mr. Chen and Wang Wuzuo bowed once more to Lady Wei before leaving the Public Testimony Hall.

Looking at the four words, "Enforce the Law Impartially," hanging above the public bench, Zhi Wan was filled with emotion.

"Wan’er, let’s go home." Lady Wei’s voice pulled her from her thoughts.

She nodded and moved to help Shuang’er, but Jiang Shi stopped her. "Miss Shuang’er is covered in injuries and cannot walk easily. Allow me." As he spoke, he swept Shuang’er up into his arms.

"Thank you, Jiang Shi," Zhi Wan said gratefully.

Jiang Shi shook his head and carried Shuang’er, walking steadily out of the Public Testimony Hall.

Being held by a man for the first time, a faint blush spread across Shuang’er’s pale face.

She gazed at Jiang Shi, momentarily speechless.

As Zhi Wan followed Lady Wei out of the Public Testimony Hall, she remembered the bloody clothes she was wearing. "Aunt, please wait for me outside for a moment," she said hurriedly. "I’m going to change back into my clothes."

Hearing this, Lady Wei finally remembered as well. She nodded and said, "Go on, then. Quickly."

Zhi Wan returned to the room where Lu Zhan usually rested and changed back into her dress.

When she walked out of the Ministry of Justice, she saw Princess Chang Le and Ouyang Zhenzhu waiting there.

"Wanwan!" The moment Ouyang Zhenzhu saw her, she rushed forward and hugged her. "I’m so glad you’re okay."

Zhi Wan hugged her back. "I’m sorry for making you worry."

"Honestly, it’s so dusty here at the Ministry of Justice. I’ve got something in my eye again," Ouyang Zhenzhu pouted, gently pushing her away.

"You’re the one crying, but you’re blaming it on dust! If you want to cry, just cry. No one’s going to laugh at you," Princess Chang Le scoffed.

Ouyang Zhenzhu said, annoyed, "Could you please not call me out like that?"

"I am merely stating a fact," Princess Chang Le said with a shrug.

"You’re so infuriating..." Ouyang Zhenzhu blurted out.

"Hm? What did you say?" Princess Chang Le’s eyes narrowed dangerously.

"I wasn’t talking about you," Ouyang Zhenzhu said sheepishly, ducking behind Zhi Wan.

Zhi Wan smiled and curtsied to Princess Chang Le. "Thank you, Your Highness, for looking out for me."

"Who looked out for you? Don’t flatter yourself!" Princess Chang Le snorted.

Unbothered, Zhi Wan simply smiled happily.

"Your man got burned, and you’re still able to smile?" Princess Chang Le suddenly leaned close to her ear and teased.

Hearing this, Zhi Wan said in a panic, "Is my cousin badly hurt?"

"I don’t know the details," said Princess Chang Le, "but I happened to see the Lu Family summoning an Imperial Physician. I heard he was burned..."

"Your Highness, th-then I’ll be going. I’ll treat you to dinner another time to thank you properly." After speaking, Zhi Wan frantically scrambled onto the Lu Family’s carriage and urged the coachman, "Quick, to the Duke Dingguo Mansion!"

Watching the departing carriage, Princess Chang Le let out a "TSK TSK." "Look how worried she is. That fellow Lu Zhan is probably feeling quite pleased with himself."

Seizing the moment while the princess was distracted, Ouyang Zhenzhu was about to sneak away when she was grabbed by the collar.

"Did I say you could leave?"

Ouyang Zhenzhu: "..."

[Duke Dingguo Mansion]

The moment the carriage came to a stop, Zhi Wan hurriedly exchanged a word with Lady Wei before being the first to disembark, running through the mansion gates.

Lady Wei, who had been worried sick about her son, saw this and smiled knowingly, not rushing to follow.

’With Wan’er so anxious and concerned for him, my son would probably endure even the most grievous injuries gladly.’

After running all the way into the Duke Mansion, Zhi Wan cast aside all concerns for propriety. Her mind was consumed with worry for her cousin’s injuries, and she ran all the way to Qingyun Residence without stopping for breath.

It was the first time she had ever walked through the courtyard gates of Qingyun Residence, but in that moment, she had no heart to take in her surroundings. She rushed toward her cousin’s bedchamber.

The servants standing guard outside were all a little surprised to see her, but they dared not show any disrespect. They bowed in greeting, "Greetings, Miss."

Zhi Wan nodded without a word, her brow furrowed as she entered her cousin’s bedchamber.

There was no one in the outer room, so she went directly into the inner chamber.

The inner chamber was quiet. With the bed curtains drawn low, she could vaguely make out a figure lying within.

"Cousin," she called out softly.

Getting no response, she grew even more anxious. She hurried over and swept the curtains aside.

There on the bed, the man lay with a pale, handsome face, his eyes closed as if he were unconscious.

"Cousin..."

Zhi Wan crouched down by the bed. She had just started to shake his hand when she heard a muffled groan.

Startled, she quickly let go.

Only then did she see that her cousin was bare-chested, both of his arms wrapped in gauze.

’Even though I was gentle, I must have pulled at his wounds.’

A wave of guilt washed over her. Seeing the man open his eyes, she said guiltily, "Did I aggravate your wounds? Does it hurt?"

Lu Zhan’s gaze lingered on her face. He had intended to shake his head but changed his mind at the last second. "It hurts a little."

"I’m sorry..." Zhi Wan lowered her head and gently blew on his arm. "I was just so anxious, I forgot you were hurt."

"It’s alright." Watching her lower her head to blow on his injured arm, Lu Zhan’s Adam’s apple bobbed. "Do you want to lie down for a bit?" he asked, his voice raspy.

"Huh?" Zhi Wan was stunned, thinking she must have misheard.

Lu Zhan arched a brow. "Want me to help you up?" With that, he lifted his arms, posturing as if to pull her into an embrace.

Fearing he would aggravate his injuries, Zhi Wan kicked off her shoes without a second thought and lay down beside him.

Seeing her lying there so obediently, a small smile played on Lu Zhan’s lips. He suddenly rolled onto his side and captured her lips with his.

Zhi Wan froze.

When she snapped out of it, she said urgently, "Your injuries..."

"They’re fine," he murmured, his lips brushing against hers.

Before Zhi Wan could say another word, the man seized his chance.

Her voice was lost in his passionate kiss.

Just then, Lady Wei’s voice sounded from outside the door. "Ah Zhan, how are you? Are you alright?"

Zhi Wan, who had been lost in the moment, jumped in alarm at the voice. Hearing the approaching footsteps, she scrambled to push her cousin away and hastily got off the bed.

She heard a muffled groan from behind the curtains.

Zhi Wan heard it and was worried, but she had no time for that now. She quickly smoothed her disheveled hair and turned to face the beaded curtain at the entrance.

Sure enough, the next moment, Lady Wei walked in.