Chapter 292: Chapter 292: A Great Test for Lu Zhan

Lu Zhan was stunned, thinking he must have misheard. "What did you say?"

Zhi Wan lifted her head and said seriously, "I’m saying that if I get pregnant, I want to have the baby."

Hearing this, Lu Zhan’s handsome brows knitted together. He hadn’t expected his cousin to react this way.

But while his cousin looked delicate, she was actually quite bold and headstrong deep down. If she said this, she meant it.

He fell silent, looking down at her flat stomach. His long fingers couldn’t help but reach out and touch it.

But he quickly regained his senses and said disapprovingly, "You can’t. We’re not married yet. If you really are pregnant, it will be bad for your reputation. Besides, it would be better to plan for children in a couple of years."

Seeing his opposition, Zhi Wan frowned slightly. "It’s only a half-month difference, it won’t be a problem. I’ve heard Nanny Chen say that some women give birth ten days or even half a month early. You’re overthinking it."

Lu Zhan said helplessly, "But you’re still young. Becoming a mother so early won’t be good for you."

"I’m not that young," Zhi Wan retorted. "Plenty of girls become mothers at my age these days, and they’re fine. Besides, didn’t Auntie give birth to you when she was fifteen?"

Lu Zhan: "..."

"Anyway, I’ve made up my mind to have this baby. You can’t stop me," Zhi Wan said with a willful pout.

Lu Zhan: "..."

Seeing him rendered speechless, Zhi Wan’s lips curved into a slight smile. She poked his chest with a finger and chided playfully, "Did you hear me?"

Lu Zhan curled his hand around her finger, holding it in his palm. He looked down at her and said, somewhat resigned, "Whatever you want." ’We’ve only done it once,’ he thought. ’It can’t be that much of a coincidence. She can’t really be pregnant.’

"Then what about this medicine?" Zhi Wan asked, pointing to the medicinal soup on the small table.

"I’ll drink it, then," Lu Zhan said, pretending to pick up the bowl.

Zhi Wan jumped in alarm and quickly stopped him. "Are you crazy? This is a contraceptive soup for women to drink! What if something happens to you?"

Lu Zhan was only teasing her and had no real intention of drinking it. Seeing her serious expression, he couldn’t help but smile. "I’m not really going to drink it, don’t worry."

Zhi Wan finally realized he was teasing her and hit his chest in slight annoyance. "How could you scare me like that?"

A flicker of amusement showed in Lu Zhan’s eyes. He took the opportunity to grab her hand and trap her in his arms.

Their eyes met, and the air between them seemed to grow charged.

Remembering that her cousin was leaving the Capital City tomorrow, Zhi Wan paused, then took the initiative to kiss his lips. "Cousin, you must be careful and protect yourself."

Lu Zhan hummed distractedly, raising a hand to the back of the girl’s head and deepening the kiss.

But he was still mindful that his cousin’s body hadn’t recovered yet, so he kept it brief.

After lifting his cousin, who was straddling him, and placing her on the bed, he said in a husky voice, "Lie down. I’ll give you a massage."

"Mm," Zhi Wan agreed softly, her face blushing as she obediently lay down.

Lu Zhan sat on the edge of the bed, his long fingers pressing into the side of her waist.

At first, Zhi Wan felt a little awkward, but watching her cousin gently massage her, she suddenly recalled how cold and unapproachable he used to be and couldn’t help but let out a "PFFT" of laughter.

Back then, she would never have dared to imagine her cousin would be so gentle with her.

She had also never thought she would be so intimate with her cousin, let alone marry him.

And their fated connection all began with those wondrous dreams.

Speaking of dreams, she suddenly remembered that the two of them hadn’t shared a dream in a long time...

"What are you laughing at?" Lu Zhan asked, confused.

Zhi Wan blinked her beautiful eyes. "I’m laughing because my cousin used to be so serious and unattainable, yet one day he’s giving me a massage. I find it novel."

Hearing this, Lu Zhan’s sword-like brows arched slightly. "I also never thought that my timid little cousin would one day..."

"Would what?"

"Run into my dreams and seduce me."

"I did not seduce you! You were clearly the one who lured me in first," Zhi Wan retorted, unconvinced.

Lu Zhan chuckled and said good-naturedly, "Alright, I lured you in first. It was my fault."

Zhi Wan was finally satisfied and said no more.

She rolled over, lying on her stomach.

Her cousin’s pressure was just right, and the massage felt very comfortable.

Several times, she couldn’t help but cry out.

And for Lu Zhan, this was a great test.

Listening to the sounds coming from his cousin’s mouth, he was covered in sweat.

By the time his cousin finally fell asleep, his inner shirt was soaked through.

Looking at his peacefully sleeping cousin, he didn’t dare stay any longer and hastily left.

After returning to the Duke Dingguo Mansion, he took a cold bath to suppress the heat coursing through his body.

"Princely Heir." At that moment, Chen Jiu’s voice sounded from outside.

"Come in," Lu Zhan said.

Chen Jiu did as he was told and walked in. "Everything you ordered has been arranged."

"Are you certain nothing can go wrong?" Lu Zhan asked.

"Rest assured, Princely Heir. I guarantee it is foolproof," Chen Jiu said with conviction.

Lu Zhan nodded. "Good work. Go get some rest."

"Yes, sir," Chen Jiu acknowledged and withdrew.

Lu Zhan sat for a while, running through the upcoming arrangements in his mind. Once he was sure there would be no problems, he finally rose, intending to rest.

"Princely Heir."

Just then, a knock came at his door, and Chen Jiu’s voice sounded once more.

Lu Zhan went to open the door. "What is it now?"

"Princely Heir, this young lady says she has something important to tell you." Chen Jiu took a step to the side, gesturing to the person behind him.

Only then did Lu Zhan notice that someone else was standing behind him.

His sword-like brows furrowed as he asked in a low voice, "Who are you?"

The person didn’t speak, but instead lowered the hood of their cloak and curtsied to him. "Greetings, Mr. Lu. Might I be permitted to come inside to speak with you?"

Seeing who it was, a flicker of surprise crossed Lu Zhan’s eyes. He nodded impassively. "Come in."

Seeing this, the person breathed a sigh of relief and quickly followed him into the room.

Chen Jiu stood by the door, about to stand guard outside, when he suddenly heard the Princely Heir call out, "Chen Jiu, you come in too."

Chen Jiu was a little surprised, but he turned and went inside anyway.

The room was lit by lamps, so he immediately saw the young lady’s delicate features and tall figure. ’As expected of the Crown Princess Consort’s personal maid,’ he thought. ’She has a different air about her.’

"What business do you have with me?" Lu Zhan asked. He had recognized the Palace Maid at the door as Xi Ying, the Eastern Palace Maid who had brought the Imperial Physician to treat his cousin that day.

Xi Ying took a letter from her sleeve and presented it to him respectfully. "This is a personal letter from my mistress, the Crown Princess Consort. Please read it, Mr. Lu."

Lu Zhan took it, unfolded it, and began to read.

When he read that the Crown Prince planned to move against his cousin while he was accompanying the Emperor to the hunting ground, a frosty look crossed his face.

Xuanyuan Hongjun!

He clenched the letter in his hand.

Noticing Xi Ying studying him, Lu Zhan quickly regained his composure and said in a low voice, "Why would the Crown Princess Consort tell me this?"