"The flower-viewing party the day after tomorrow is to pick a husband for Wan'er, and a wife for you. You wear your official robes all day and scare off all the young ladies. Of course you have to wear casual clothes," Lady Wei said as if it were the most obvious thing in the world.
A shadow fell over Lu Zhan's handsome face. He said to Chen Jiu, "Go quickly and stop Ouyang Lei."
Chen Jiu hesitated. "Junior Minister Ouyang has probably already boarded the boat and left..."
"Stop Leizi? What do you mean by that?" Lady Wei asked, confused.
Lu Zhan: "..." He pinched the bridge of his nose, feeling a pang of regret. 'If I had known, I would have gone to Xuzhou myself. Then I wouldn't have to attend some flower-viewing party.'
Seeing his expression, Lady Wei vaguely understood.
She said angrily, "I've gone to so much trouble to arrange this. It's one thing if you're not grateful, but now you're trying to run away? Lu Zhan, I'm telling you right now: if I don't see you at the flower-viewing party the day after tomorrow, I'll just pick a girl for you to marry at random." With that, she threw the robes at him and stormed off with Nanny Fang.
Lu Zhan: "..."
"Princely Heir, should I still go and stop Junior Minister Ouyang?" Chen Jiu asked at the most inopportune time.
Lu Zhan shot him a glance and said coldly, "Didn't you say Ouyang Lei has probably already boarded the boat and left? You think you can still catch him?"
Chen Jiu: "..."
He grumbled silently in his heart. 'It's not like *I* was the one who asked the Duchess to hold a flower-viewing party. The Princely Heir is just taking his anger out on me!'
...
On the day of the flower-viewing party, Zhi Wan rose early to wash and dress up.
Remembering what Lady Wei had said—that many talented young men would be coming today—she thought for a moment before choosing a pomegranate-red dress to wear.
This was the one Lady Wei had helped her pick out at the Brocade Building the other day.
Her complexion was already fair, and the pomegranate-red dress made her skin look as smooth as jade, rendering her exquisitely beautiful and vibrant.
Shuang'er was deft with her hands. She styled Zhi Wan's hair into a cloud-like chignon, then took out the jewelry Lady Wei had selected for Zhi Wan at the Treasure Pavilion last time, adorning her hair with each piece.
"Miss, take a look. Is this arrangement all right?" After a moment, Shuang'er put down the comb and asked her mistress with a smile.
Zhi Wan looked into the mirror.
In the front of her chignon was a finely crafted, exquisite Flower Hairpin. The flower on it was dotted with a Ruby, sparkling brilliantly. A butterfly-shaped golden hairpin with dangling beads was inserted at an angle in her chignon, the pearls swaying gently with her every movement, making her appear bright and lively, yet also noble and elegant.
Zhi Wan admired her reflection for a moment, then nodded in satisfaction. "This is perfect."
As she was leaving, Shuang'er brought over a silk stole the same color as her dress for Zhi Wan to drape over her arms.
Nanny Fang arrived just in time to escort her. Seeing Zhi Wan's enchanting appearance, she praised her profusely. "Miss, you look absolutely stunning! That dress suits you perfectly!"
"It was the dress Aunt chose," Zhi Wan said with a smiling curve of her lips.
"The Duchess's taste has always been exceptional," Nanny Fang also smiled. "Since you are ready, Miss, please head to the garden first. The guests have started to arrive."
"Alright."
Zhi Wan followed Nanny Fang toward the garden.
By the time they reached the garden entrance, it was already bustling inside. From a distance, they could hear the sounds of cheerful chatter and laughter.
"Princely Heir." Suddenly, Nanny Fang stopped in her tracks and bowed toward the person ahead.
Zhi Wan's mind was on the guests arriving today. Hearing Nanny Fang's greeting so abruptly, her reaction was a bit slow as she looked ahead.
There, at the Moon Cave Gate, stood a noble-looking man with his hands clasped behind his back.
Perhaps hearing Nanny Fang's voice, he turned his head to look.
Zhi Wan's eyes unexpectedly met his deep gaze.
Zhi Wan froze for a second. When she came to her senses, her eyelashes, curled like a butterfly's wings, fluttered. She grumbled inwardly, 'How have I run into Cousin again?'
But he was still standing there, and she couldn't just turn and walk away. She had no choice but to take two steps forward and curtsy. "Wan'er greets Cousin."
"Mm," Lu Zhan acknowledged in a low voice. His gaze swept over her before he said lightly, "Go on in." After speaking, he took the lead and entered the garden.
Zhi Wan secretly let out a sigh of relief.
Only after Lu Zhan was a good seven or eight paces ahead did she slowly step into the garden, following from a distance.
As the two of them entered the garden, one after the other, the sounds of conversation and laughter inside vanished. Everyone's eyes were fixed on them.
The young ladies, blushing, stole glances at Lu Zhan, while the young gentlemen looked at Zhi Wan, their eyes filled with astonishment.
"I thought I wouldn't get to see the Lord Temple Minister today," one young lady muttered in frustration. 'If I'd known Lu Zhan would be here, I would have dressed up more carefully.'
"Who is that young lady?" a gentleman asked curiously, looking at Zhi Wan.
"I hear she's a distant niece of Duchess Dingguo," someone well-informed immediately explained.
Zhi Wan followed behind Lu Zhan, turning a deaf ear to the murmurs.
Seeing Lu Zhan, a few young men from noble families immediately went up to chat with him.
"Lord Temple Minister."
Lu Zhan stopped and gave them a slight nod.
Lady Wei, who was exchanging pleasantries with someone, also saw her son and Zhi Wan at this moment. However, she ignored her son completely and waved to Zhi Wan. "Wan'er."
Zhi Wan glanced at her cousin walking ahead. Seeing him occupied with guests, she walked straight to Lady Wei without stopping and curtsied. "Aunt."
Looking at her attire, Lady Wei's eyes crinkled with delight.
'My Wan'er is a natural beauty. Just a little bit of dressing up and she's breathtaking.'
Lady Wei felt quite proud. 'This is the girl *I* raised, after all.'
"How did you end up coming in with that rebellious son of mine?" Lady Wei asked in a low voice, holding Zhi Wan's hand.
Who was the "rebellious son" she spoke of? Needless to say, it was Lu Zhan.
"We ran into each other outside the Moon Cave Gate," Zhi Wan also replied softly.
Lady Wei's face cleared. "Ah, so that's how it was." She glanced at her son, saw that he was still chatting with guests, and quickly said to Nanny Fang, "Has Miss Lin arrived?"
"I haven't seen her," Nanny Fang said, shaking her head.
"Quickly, have someone wait at the mansion gates. The moment she arrives, have them report back immediately," Lady Wei ordered. 'I've finally caught my son here; I can't let him find another excuse to weasel his way out.'
She had high hopes for this Miss Lin and believed her son would like her once he met her.
Nanny Fang went to make the arrangements.
"Many promising young men have come today. Wan'er, you must take a good look. If you see anyone you fancy, be sure to tell your aunt," Lady Wei turned and whispered to Zhi Wan.
Zhi Wan lowered her head shyly and replied in a soft, delicate voice, "I know, Aunt."
Satisfied, Lady Wei patted the back of her hand. "Go on and enjoy yourself."
Zhi Wan then took Shuang'er and began to stroll through the garden.
She had just reached the water pavilion when a refined-looking man suddenly walked over, bowed, and said, "I am Wang Zeren. Greetings, Miss Zhi Wan."
Zhi Wan calmly sized him up, then curtsied. "Greetings, sir. Please, excuse me." With that, she took Shuang'er and entered the water pavilion.
"Miss, Mr. Wang followed you in," Shuang'er whispered, tugging on Zhi Wan's sleeve.
Zhi Wan turned to look and saw Wang Zeren indeed following closely behind her. She immediately became guarded. "Is there something else, Mr. Wang?"
Wang Zeren snapped open his folding fan, his eyes fixed on her face as he exclaimed, "Miss Zhi Wan, you are truly the most beautiful woman I have ever seen in my life."
Shuang'er's expression changed. She quickly stepped in front of Zhi Wan. "Mr. Wang, please conduct yourself with dignity."
Wang Zeren impatiently pushed her aside and snapped, "This has nothing to do with you!" When his gaze turned to Zhi Wan, a lecherous light flashed in his eyes. He said dismissively, "I've already made inquiries. You're just an orphan living off the Duke Dingguo Mansion. For me to even spare you a glance is your good fortune. How about it? Be my concubine. I will be sure to dote on you."