Chapter 284: Chapter 284: Lu Zhan: My Cousin Is Not to Be Outdone

"We know!" the two said in unison. "We just wanted to say, if there’s anything you need us to do, just give the command!"

Seeing their resolute attitudes, Lu Zhan finally nodded. "I understand."

"By the way, who do you plan to support?" Duan Ling asked curiously.

"You will know in due time," Lu Zhan said simply, without elaborating.

Hearing this, the two didn’t ask again, but they both knew he surely had someone in mind.

"Princely Heir, we’ve arrived at the Ministry of Justice," Chen Jiu reported from outside the carriage.

Lu Zhan glanced impassively at the two of them. "Time to get out."

"I just got back from Jiangnan. I need to rest for a few days, so I’m not going to the Government Office today. I’ll accompany you to see Cousin Zhi Wan," Duan Ling said.

Lu Zhan looked at him, his face a blank mask. "Are you getting out by yourself, or do you need my help?"

Duan Ling: "..."

In the end, he was dragged off the carriage by Ouyang Lei.

Watching the carriage kick up dust as it sped away, Duan Ling tutted. "So heartless!"

"You’re the one who’s completely clueless," Ouyang Lei said, rolling his eyes. "Old Lu hasn’t seen Cousin Zhi Wan in so long. He finally gets a chance to be alone with her, and you have to go and be a third wheel?"

"You think I don’t get it?" Duan Ling said sulkily. "I just wanted to see Old Lu get all worked up."

"Get Old Lu worked up and you’ll be the one thrown into the river to feed the fish!" Ouyang Lei scoffed, waving a dismissive hand. "Go on, get out of here. I have to deal with official business."

"Don’t be like that, Leizi. I just got back, let’s go out for some fun with the ladies later..." Duan Ling’s voice died in his throat. He was staring blankly at Ouyang Zhenzhu, who had just appeared on the other side of the street.

Ouyang Zhenzhu walked over, planting her hands on her hips. "I heard everything! The second you get back, you’re trying to drag my brother out to brothels. I guess a leopard really can’t change its spots!"

Ouyang Lei cleared his throat, giving her a pointed look. "You’re a young lady. Speak with a little more grace."

"You two aren’t worried about decency when you’re going to brothels, so why should I be graceful?" Ouyang Zhenzhu shot back, folding her arms.

"We were just joking! We weren’t really going," Duan Ling said defensively, his scalp tingling. He found himself wondering, ’Why am I scared of this young girl?’

Ouyang Zhenzhu glared at him, annoyed. "I don’t care whether you were joking or not, but don’t you dare lead my brother astray!" As she spoke, she reached out and snatched the money pouch from Ouyang Lei’s belt.

Ouyang Lei: "..."

Snapping out of it, he cried, "At least leave me two taels for meal money!"

"They serve meals at the Government Office, you don’t need any silver. You want two taels so you can go to a brothel later. I’ll keep it safe for you," Ouyang Zhenzhu said, tucking the pouch into her sleeve pocket as if it were the most natural thing in the world. Then she turned and walked away.

Ouyang Lei shot Duan Ling an irritated glare. "Why in the world did you have to bring up going to brothels?" Now, just great. He had finally saved up a bit of silver, only for his sister to fleece him again.

Duan Ling had no time for him. Seeing Ouyang Zhenzhu walking away in the distance, he waved a dismissive hand. "I’m leaving. I’ll find you for that drink another day." And with that, he hurried off in Ouyang Zhenzhu’s direction.

Ouyang Lei’s eyelid twitched at the sight. ’What is Duan Ling doing, chasing after my sister?’

...

「Zhi Mansion.」

Just as Lu Zhan arrived, he happened upon a woman dressed as a handmaid leading an Imperial Physician into the mansion.

His brows knitted together. "You are...?"

Seeing his official robes, Xi Ying dropped into a curtsy. "This servant is Xi Ying. I am here on the orders of the Crown Princess Consort to bring an Imperial Physician to examine Miss Zhi."

"On the Crown Princess Consort’s order, or the Crown Prince’s?" Lu Zhan asked coolly.

Xi Ying faltered for a moment, then said, "It is the Crown Princess Consort’s order, naturally."

Lu Zhan took note of her split-second hesitation and said calmly, "I thank the Crown Princess Consort for her concern for my fiancée. Since the Imperial Physician has arrived, please, go in and have a look. It would put my mind at ease."

"Yes, sir." Xi Ying covertly wiped away sweat from her brow. ’This man is terrifyingly sharp,’ she thought.

Lu Zhan had Nanny Chen go and announce them to Zhi Wan, then personally led the party toward Zhi Wan’s courtyard.

When Zhi Wan heard that the Eastern Palace had brought an Imperial Physician, she was secretly thankful that she had prepared in advance.

A short while later, Shuang’er led Xi Ying and the Imperial Physician into the room.

"Miss Zhi, this servant, acting on the Crown Princess Consort’s orders, has brought an Imperial Physician to examine you," Xi Ying’s voice sounded from beyond the bed curtains.

"COUGH, COUGH, COUGH... I am grateful for the Crown Princess Consort’s concern," Zhi Wan said, her voice faint.

"Please extend your hand, Miss," the Imperial Physician said respectfully.

At his words, Shuang’er quickly stepped forward, lifted a corner of the curtain, and placed Zhi Wan’s hand on the edge of the bed. She then draped a silk handkerchief over her mistress’s wrist.

The Imperial Physician took a step closer, placed his fingers on Zhi Wan’s pulse point, and concentrated on his diagnosis.

After a moment, he withdrew his hand.

Seeing this, Xi Ying hurriedly asked, "Well?"

The Imperial Physician nodded at her. "Miss Zhi has caught a chill. She’s come down with a cold."

Xi Ying let out a discreet sigh of relief. "Then I must ask Doctor Wang to prescribe some medicine for Miss Zhi."

"Of course," Doctor Wang agreed.

As the two of them exited, they saw Lu Zhan sitting in the outer room, sipping tea.

"How is my fiancée?" Lu Zhan’s gaze fell upon the two of them.

"To answer Mr. Lu, Miss Zhi has caught a cold. I shall write her a prescription immediately," Doctor Wang replied, stepping forward.

"Thank you for your trouble," Lu Zhan said with a nod.

The pair bowed and took their leave.

Only after the two were a good distance away did Lu Zhan rise and enter the inner chamber.

He drew back the gauze curtains to find the girl with her face buried in a pillow, trying to stifle her laughter.

"What’s so funny?" Lu Zhan arched a brow, sitting down on the edge of the bed.

"You’re such a good actor, Cousin. I doubt anyone suspected a thing," Zhi Wan said with a quiet laugh, her beautiful eyes fixed on him.

"My cousin is quite the actress herself," Lu Zhan’s lips quirked as he took out an imperial edict and handed it to her.

"What is this?" Zhi Wan asked, quickly sitting up.

"Open it and see for yourself," Lu Zhan said gently.

Zhi Wan gave him a curious look, then unrolled the imperial edict and began to read.

When she finished reading, she looked up in astonishment. "The Emperor has made me a County Princess?"

"Is that the only thing written on it?" Lu Zhan asked, watching her with a smile.

"And... a decree betrothing me to you..." Zhi Wan bit her lip, her voice soft. "Did you request all this for me, Cousin?"

"Mm," Lu Zhan nodded.

Zhi Wan was deeply touched. "Thank you, Cousin."

"No need to thank me," Lu Zhan said, shaking his head.

Seeing the fatigue on his handsome face, Zhi Wan knew he couldn’t have rested well the previous night. She said considerately, "Cousin, if you have nothing else to do, why don’t you rest here for a while?"

Lu Zhan paused, the corners of his lips turning up slightly. "I’d like that."

Zhi Wan was about to scoot further into the bed, but then she realized he had likely just come from the morning court session and hadn’t eaten breakfast. "On second thought, perhaps you should eat something before you rest?"

"Mm."

At his agreement, Zhi Wan got up and called for someone to prepare and bring in some breakfast.

Seeing how she was panting with every step, Lu Zhan’s brow furrowed. In a gentle voice, he said, "The Imperial Physician has already come and gone. The Eastern Palace is unlikely to send anyone else. You should go take your medicine."

"Mm." Zhi Wan was feeling quite uncomfortable herself, so she immediately took the pills the other physician had prepared for her.

After they ate, she felt her strength gradually returning. Mindful of her cousin’s injured hand, she took the initiative to help him take off his official robes.