"By the way, Aunt, Miss Zhenzhu of the Ouyang Family said she's coming to the mansion to visit me tomorrow," Zhi Wan said, recalling the matter.
Although she had already agreed, she still felt she should inform her aunt.
"You mean Zhenzhu? That girl is quite nice. If she wants to come, let her. You've already come of age, so don't just stay cooped up in the mansion all day. Make more friends, go out more often. But when you do go out, make sure to take more people with you," said Lady Wei.
"Thank you, Aunt," Zhi Wan said sincerely.
"You silly girl. Don't be so formal." Lady Wei tapped her pert nose.
...
The next day, Ouyang Zhenzhu arrived as promised.
Seeing that Zhi Wan lived in a two-story pavilion, she was a little envious.
"It seems Madam Lu really dotes on you."
"My aunt is indeed very good to me." Zhi Wan nodded in agreement, taking a teacup from Shuang'er and offering it to Ouyang Zhenzhu.
Ouyang Zhenzhu took it, had a sip, and set it down. Gazing at Zhi Wan's beautiful and sweet face, she came to a conclusion. "It seems that Lu Xin is always targeting and bullying you because she's jealous!"
"Jealous of me?" Zhi Wan was surprised.
"Yes, jealous that Madam Lu dotes on you so much, and jealous that you're so beautiful. But if your personality weren't so soft, she probably wouldn't dare. Zhi Wan, take my advice: you can't be so timid. People always pick on the weakest ones. If you were a bit fiercer, others wouldn't dare to provoke you," Ouyang Zhenzhu coaxed her patiently.
Seeing her speak in the tone of an elder, Zhi Wan almost burst out laughing.
She put on a serious face and nodded. "I'll listen to you. I'll definitely be fiercer from now on."
Seeing that she had taken the advice to heart, Ouyang Zhenzhu was very pleased. "That's more like it."
She was the type of person who couldn't stand to see a girl who was not only beautiful but also gentle and sweet get bullied.
After seeing how gentle Zhi Wan's disposition was yesterday and learning that she was often bullied by Lu Xin, her sense of justice had been ignited. She had been so worried she couldn't sleep well all night, wishing she could stay by Zhi Wan's side every day to protect her.
Gazing at Zhi Wan's face, which was as beautiful as a fairy in a painting, Ouyang Zhenzhu was suddenly struck by an idea. She grabbed Zhi Wan's hand and said, "Zhi Wan, how about you become my sister-in-law?"
"COUGH, COUGH, COUGH..." Zhi Wan had just taken a sip of tea and choked upon hearing this.
Ouyang Zhenzhu quickly reached out to pat her back.
"My brother is actually a great guy! Other than being a bit of a gossip, he doesn't even have a single concubine or bed-servant. He's countless times better than those other young masters from prominent families in the Capital! Of course, he has some minor flaws.
He occasionally visits Brothels, but he's not a womanizer. A young man's gotta have some fun, right? He's a very reliable person. If you marry him, he'll definitely protect you well and not let anyone bully you."
Zhi Wan stared at her, stunned.
'Does she even hear what she's saying?'
'Someone who frequents Brothels... How can he be a good person?'
"Zhenzhu, your brother and I... we're not a good match," she could only refuse tactfully.
"How could you not be a good match? My brother is handsome, tall, and knows martial arts. You'd feel so safe with him! Plus, he's not old, and he's already the Junior Minister of the Ministry of Justice. His future is limitless," Ouyang Zhenzhu said immediately.
An image of Ouyang Lei appeared in Zhi Wan's mind. He was indeed quite tall, and his strength... was probably immense too.
But the fact that he visited Brothels was something she didn't like.
But Ouyang Zhenzhu was so enthusiastic that she couldn't bring herself to refuse again. Besides, with her status, it was unlikely the Ouyang Family would ever approve of her anyway. So she said, "Your brother... might not be interested in me."
"If I think you're good enough, then he will too!" Ouyang Zhenzhu said, full of confidence.
Zhi Wan: "..."
"Didn't you say yesterday that your brother was worse than a stranger?"
"I was just angry. It's his fault for not helping me get closer to your cousin," Ouyang Zhenzhu said, her face clouding over with frustration at the mention of it.
When Lu Zhan was brought up, Zhi Wan didn't know what to say.
After all, not even her aunt could do anything about her cousin.
Ouyang Zhenzhu wrung her hands and said, "Wanwan, could you possibly..."
"I can't," Zhi Wan refused immediately.
"I haven't even said what it is yet!" Ouyang Zhenzhu pouted, looking quite dejected.
Zhi Wan blinked. Her intentions were written all over her face; anyone who wasn't blind could tell what she wanted.
"Then what did you want to say?" she compromised.
"I mean, since I'm already here at the Duke Mansion, could you think of a way for me to 'accidentally' run into your cousin?" Ouyang Zhenzhu said shyly, fidgeting with her handkerchief.
Zhi Wan looked troubled. "Zhenzhu, I really can't help with that. My cousin... he's a very scary person. If he gets angry, I'm afraid he might throw me out of the Duke Mansion."
When Ouyang Zhenzhu heard that, she immediately dropped the idea. "Th-Then forget it. It's not like I... absolutely have to see him."
Although she really wanted to see Lu Zhan, she didn't want to cause trouble for Zhi Wan and leave her with nowhere to go.
Zhi Wan secretly breathed a sigh of relief.
She quite liked Ouyang Zhenzhu and didn't want to have a falling out with her over something like this.
Fortunately, Ouyang Zhenzhu was a kind and reasonable girl who wouldn't force the issue.
"Wanwan, let's go out and have some fun, shall we?" After sitting for a little while, Ouyang Zhenzhu grew restless and suggested.
Zhi Wan remembered what her aunt had said yesterday and readily agreed, "Okay!"
The two of them left the Duke Mansion, arm in arm.
Shuang'er followed behind them, genuinely happy for her mistress from the bottom of her heart.
Her mistress lived a secluded life and rarely went out. Other than Madam Lu, she had no other friends to talk to.
Now that she had made a friend in Miss Ouyang, her mistress wouldn't be so lonely.
When Lady Wei learned that Zhi Wan was going out shopping with Ouyang Zhenzhu, she specifically had Nanny Fang prepare some silver for her.
"Miss, the Duchess had this old servant bring this silver for you. She said to buy whatever you want to eat or play with. Don't worry about the cost."
Looking at the silver Nanny Fang offered, Zhi Wan was deeply moved. She took it, handed it to Shuang'er, and then said, "Nanny Fang, please thank my aunt for me."
Nanny Fang nodded with a smile and said, "Have a good time, Miss."
"I will," Zhi Wan replied crisply, then followed Ouyang Zhenzhu toward the mansion gates.
"The Duchess Dingguo is so good to you," Ouyang Zhenzhu remarked with feeling.
"Yes, she is," Zhi Wan nodded.
In fact, over the years, her aunt had given her a monthly allowance and also money during holidays and festivals. She didn't have much to spend it on, so she had saved it all up. She already had silver of her own.
But she never expected her aunt to be so thoughtful as to prepare extra silver for her just for a day out.
"Zhenzhu, it's my treat later," Zhi Wan said, shaking the money pouch in her hand.
"Alright! I won't be polite with you, then," said Ouyang Zhenzhu, rubbing her hands together in anticipation.
Zhi Wan was amused by her and let out a laugh like tinkling bells.
But as she stepped out of the mansion gates, her laughter died.
Because Lu Zhan was standing by the gate, looking as if he had been about to enter.