Chapter 239: Chapter 239: A Strange Feeling

Zhi Wan was speechless.

She finally realized what he was about to do.

But thinking back on their previous experiences, she didn’t refuse.

She enjoyed it, but the way her cousin had handled her before always left her feeling like something was missing, as if he wasn’t quite hitting the mark.

With this in mind, she pushed lightly against her cousin’s chest and negotiated, "Could you... do it somewhere else?" 𝒻𝑟𝘦𝘦𝘸ℯ𝒷𝑛𝘰𝓋ℯ𝘭.𝘤𝘰𝘮

Lu Zhan paused. His handsome brows furrowed in confusion. "What do you mean, somewhere else? Where?"

Zhi Wan pulled up her trousers and pointed to her own thigh. "The last few times, it chafed right here and really hurt."

Lu Zhan was silent.

Zhi Wan watched as her cousin’s handsome face turned visibly red.

She couldn’t help but find it strange. Her cousin could blush?

She’d never seen him blush when he was with her.

Looking at the naive girl, Lu Zhan was suddenly struck by a sense of guilt.

During their past trysts, her bold and uninhibited behavior had once made him think she was from a brothel, well-versed in the affairs between men and women.

Even after learning she was his cousin, it never occurred to him that she actually had only a vague understanding of such matters.

After all, every painting she created was so sensual.

Who would have known that she was actually...

Lu Zhan pressed his thin lips together, a flicker of unease crossing his handsome face. After a long moment, he lowered his head to her ear and murmured, "It’s my fault."

Zhi Wan looked at him in surprise. Just as she was about to speak, she suddenly felt her cousin pulling down her trousers.

His long, slender fingers brushed against the skin of her thigh...

The strange sensation made Zhi Wan cry out involuntarily. Her eyes flew open, only to find herself in her own room.

She froze for a moment before realizing she had been dreaming.

But thinking about what her cousin had done to her in the dream, she suddenly understood.

So that was it...

She bit her lip. All this time, she had been mistaken. Her cousin had never truly been with her.

Ripples spread through her heart, and a tingling numbness washed over her body.

Once she recovered, she hastily got up.

After changing into a fresh pair of undergarments, she felt much cleaner.

She buried her face in her pillow, her cheeks still burning.

Early the next morning, Lady Wei came to Yaoguang Pavilion.

Seeing Zhi Wan sitting at the table with a flushed face, she thought the girl was ill.

"Why is your face so red? Do you have a fever?" she asked, reaching out to feel her forehead.

"No, it’s probably... just warm," Zhi Wan said, pulling her aunt’s hand down. She avoided her gaze, feeling a little guilty.

"As long as you’re fine." Lady Wei breathed a sigh of relief. "Come, I’m taking you somewhere."

"Where are we going?" Zhi Wan asked curiously.

Her aunt had mentioned yesterday that she would be taking her somewhere today.

"You’ll know when we get there," Lady Wei said with a mysterious smile.

This only made Zhi Wan more curious, but she didn’t press the matter.

Once they were settled in the carriage, she couldn’t help but ask, "Is there any news of Lu Jinglan?"

"None." Lady Wei shook her head. "It’s strange, really. We’ve sent so many people out to search, but there hasn’t been a single trace. Who knows where she’s hiding?" Originally, she had planned to ensure Lu Jinglan could never return to the Lu Family, but now it seemed she wouldn’t have to lift a finger.

Hearing this, Zhi Wan thought of what her cousin had said to her in last night’s dream.

Lu Jinglan’s disappearance was indeed related to her cousin.

Since her cousin was the one who had arranged it, her aunt could send out as many people as she wanted, but they would never find her.

However, she had no intention of telling her aunt about this.

When it came to her cousin, the fewer people who knew, the better.

Even though her aunt wouldn’t leak the information, every additional person who knew added another layer of risk.

Lu Jinglan was, after all, the adopted daughter of the Lu Family. If people found out her disappearance was connected to Lu Zhan, it would surely damage his official reputation.

Even if Lu Jinglan had brought it upon herself.

Thinking of this, Zhi Wan changed the subject. "The old madam said she was going to Jiangning to find my cousin. She probably doesn’t have the mind for that anymore."

"The old madam dotes on Lu Jinglan as if she were the apple of her eye. With her still missing, how could she have the energy for anything else?" Lady Wei said sarcastically. "But this is for the best. This way, she won’t have the mind to bother anyone else."

Zhi Wan deeply agreed.

"Oh, right, Wan’er, this is 300 taels. Here." At that moment, Lady Wei remembered something and placed a few silver notes into Zhi Wan’s hand.

Zhi Wan paused for a moment before finally accepting them. "Thank you, Aunt."

"Silly girl, why be so polite? You’ll be my daughter-in-law soon. Everything I have will be yours," Lady Wei said cheerfully.

Zhi Wan blushed, hearing the teasing tone in her aunt’s words.

Before long, the carriage came to a stop.

Lady Wei took her hand. "We’re here. Let’s get out."

Zhi Wan followed her out of the carriage and found herself standing before a residence. On the plaque above the main gate were the two large characters: Zhi Mansion.

"Aunt, this is..." Zhi Wan was utterly astonished.

Lady Wei said lovingly, "This is a residence I’m giving to you. I originally planned to give it to you when you found a suitable live-in husband, but now you won’t need to find one. This mansion will serve as your home to be married from.

"Also, in a couple of days, I’ll send people to bring Nanny Chen and her family to the Capital City. When you get married, they can act as your maiden family and see you off."

Hearing this, Zhi Wan’s eyes couldn’t help but grow moist.

Her aunt had planned so much for her, and she was deeply moved.

"Thank you, Aunt." Her voice was already choked with emotion.

"You’re welcome," Lady Wei said softly, using a handkerchief to wipe away her tears. "Come, let’s go inside and take a look. If there’s anything you don’t like, we can have it renovated."

The residence was large, a three-courtyard manor. It was tidied up immaculately, and the courtyards were planted with flowers and trees, giving it a vibrant look.

Zhi Wan fell in love with it the moment she stepped inside.

"Take a look. Is there anything that needs to be renovated?" Lady Wei asked.

Zhi Wan shook her head. "I don’t think so. It’s already wonderful as it is."

"As long as you have no objections," Lady Wei nodded.

After touring the entire residence, Zhi Wan was reluctant to leave.

This residence had completely captured her heart.

Although it wasn’t as spacious as the Duke Dingguo Mansion, it felt much cozier.

Lady Wei could see how much she liked it and smiled. "In a couple of days, you can move in. Once Nanny Chen and her family arrive, we will formally present the betrothal gifts."

Hearing this, Zhi Wan’s brows furrowed slightly. "Aunt, there’s no need to go to so much trouble. My family... has no other elders left. Let’s just keep things simple."

Lady Wei disagreed. "That won’t do. You must have everything other young ladies have. Our Lu Family absolutely cannot let you be slighted. A ceremony as important as presenting betrothal gifts certainly can’t be skipped. Even if the Zhi family has no other elders, I will ensure you are married off in grand style."

"But that’s too much trouble for you, Aunt," Zhi Wan said, feeling a bit apologetic.

"Don’t be silly. You’re the girl I raised. Although you’re marrying my son, I’m also practically your maiden family. It’s only right that I arrange your wedding. You just need to focus on being a happy bride," Lady Wei said, patting her hand reassuringly.

With that, Zhi Wan couldn’t say anything more. "I’ll listen to whatever you say, Aunt."

"Good girl." Lady Wei affectionately stroked her hair.

Meanwhile, at the Imperial Palace.

Princess Chang Le had entered the palace today. After chatting with her mother, the Empress, for a while, she headed to the Imperial Study Room, planning to pay her respects to her father, the Emperor, before leaving.

Unexpectedly, just as she reached the entrance to the Imperial Study Room, she saw Xuanyuan Jing was also there.

When Xuanyuan Jing saw her approaching, her pupils contracted, and she looked rather nervous. "A-Aunt."

"What have you done to get such a guilty conscience? Why do you look so flustered the moment you see me?" Princess Chang Le eyed her suspiciously from head to toe. Noticing a long, thin box in her hands, she asked, "What’s that you’re holding?"

"N-nothing," Xuanyuan Jing stammered, her hand gripping the box growing damp with sweat.