Chapter 246: Chapter 246: That’s Just What My Cousin Likes

Zhi Wan nodded in approval. "That’s a good idea. You should invite Junior Minister Duan to go with you. I’m sure he’ll be very pleased that you’re so considerate."

Ouyang Zhenzhu: "..."

’How did I never notice how infuriating Wanwan can be?’

"Fine, fine, everyone go! We might as well all go together," Ouyang Zhenzhu pouted.

Zhi Wan stifled a laugh behind her hand.

"You’re still laughing?" Ouyang Zhenzhu gave her an annoyed shove.

Zhi Wan cleared her throat, suppressing her laughter. "Alright, alright, don’t be mad. I’ll take you to see my new residence."

"Your residence?" Ouyang Zhenzhu asked, puzzled.

"My aunt prepared a residence for me. I’ll be moving in in a couple of days. She wants me to get married from there," Zhi Wan explained.

"Then take me to see it now!" Ouyang Zhenzhu said, her curiosity piqued.

"Alright," Zhi Wan agreed.

Just as the two of them reached the front courtyard, Jiang Shi approached. "Miss, may I have a word?"

Knowing he had something to report, Zhi Wan said to Ouyang Zhenzhu, "Go on ahead and wait for me in the carriage."

"Alright." Ouyang Zhenzhu nodded and left with her maid.

As soon as she was gone, Jiang Shi immediately reported, "As you instructed, I had my men follow the Fourth Miss. She went out this morning, wandered around for a while, and then returned. Afterward, she went to the kitchen, stewed some chicken soup, and had it sent to the old madam. Aside from staying in the old madam’s rooms for a long time, we found nothing else out of the ordinary."

Zhi Wan fell into thought upon hearing this.

’Why is Lu Lan suddenly being so attentive to the old madam?’

"Have someone from Fushou Hall find out what Lu Lan and the old madam talked about," Zhi Wan instructed.

"Yes, miss." Jiang Shi responded respectfully. After a pause, he asked, "Are you and Miss Ouyang heading out?"

"Yes, I’m taking Zhenzhu to see the Zhi Mansion," Zhi Wan nodded.

"I have no other urgent matters. I can escort you," Jiang Shi offered.

"Alright." After a moment’s thought, Zhi Wan accepted.

After arranging for someone to gather information from Fushou Hall, Jiang Shi followed Zhi Wan out of the Duke Dingguo Mansion.

When they arrived at the Zhi Mansion, Ouyang Zhenzhu toured the entire property before exclaiming in admiration, "Madam Lu truly dotes on you! To be so generous as to prepare such a magnificent residence for you."

"My aunt certainly does dote on me." Zhi Wan nodded, a warmth spreading through her heart.

"Your aunt is becoming your mother-in-law. Since Madam Lu dotes on you so much, you definitely won’t have any of the usual conflicts between a wife and her husband’s mother. Wanwan, you’re so lucky!" Ouyang Zhenzhu sighed with genuine feeling.

"I know." Zhi Wan also felt she had been very fortunate ever since meeting her aunt five years ago.

’And all this good fortune was thanks to her aunt.’

After they finished touring the residence, they saw it was still early and decided to go to a teahouse for tea.

After requesting a private room, they followed an attendant upstairs.

Just as they reached the landing, a sharp voice suddenly cried out, "Zhi Wan!"

Zhi Wan had just turned her head when a figure rushed toward her, hand raised to strike.

"Miss, look out!" Shuang’er cried out in alarm, jumping in front of Zhi Wan. But Jiang Shi was faster. He shot out a kick, sending the assailant sprawling to the ground.

"OOF!"

The person cried out in pain.

"Who do you think you are? Attacking someone in broad daylight! Aren’t you afraid we’ll hand you over to the government?" Ouyang Zhenzhu demanded, her hands on her hips.

By then, Zhi Wan had gotten a clear look at the person’s face. She frowned. "Wei Jinyi?"

It was indeed Wei Jinyi. She looked up and snarled, "Zhi Wan, you ordered your servant to attack me! I’m going to tell my aunt and have her punish you!"

"What a joke! You were the one trying to hit Wanwan, and now you dare to blame her? Wei Jinyi, how can you be so shameless?" Ouyang Zhenzhu, having also recognized her, questioned furiously.

"When it comes to shameless, no one can beat Zhi Wan, can they?" Wei Jinyi got to her feet, glaring at Zhi Wan with a face full of jealousy and hatred. "Zhi Wan, let me ask you, why is my cousin marrying you?"

A small smile touched Zhi Wan’s lips. "You want to know? Why don’t you go ask him yourself?"

"Exactly! Go ask Mr. Lu. Why are you giving Wanwan a hard time?" Ouyang Zhenzhu found the situation laughable.

’So Wei Jinyi is just jealous of Wanwan.’

Wei Jinyi was left speechless. She clenched her fists, glaring at Zhi Wan with resentful jealousy. "You must have used some vixen’s trick to seduce my cousin!"

"And what if I did? What if I didn’t?" Zhi Wan stepped closer and whispered in her ear, "He just happens to fall for it."

Wei Jinyi’s eyes widened as she stared in disbelief. "What... did you just say?"

"You heard me, didn’t you?" Zhi Wan blinked innocently.

Wei Jinyi was so furious her chest heaved. She raised her hand to teach Zhi Wan a lesson, but Zhi Wan caught her by the wrist.

SLAP!

Zhi Wan slapped her backhanded across the face.

Wei Jinyi clutched her cheek, staring in astonishment. "You... You dare hit me?"

Zhi Wan said coolly, "He will be my husband soon. Get rid of your filthy ideas, or next time, it won’t be just a slap."

A mixture of shock and rage, Wei Jinyi clenched her fists. "You just wait!" With that, she turned and stormed off.

"Wanwan, that was amazing!" Ouyang Zhenzhu said with a thumbs-up.

Zhi Wan replied with a helpless look, "Sorry you had to see that. It’s all because my fiancé is too exceptional. There are always women who have their eyes on him, so I have no choice but to resort to such measures."

Ouyang Zhenzhu: "..."

’Why does that sound so strange?’

’Is Wanwan blaming Mr. Lu or praising him?’

After they entered the private room, an attendant brought them tea and snacks.

Zhi Wan and Ouyang Zhenzhu chatted about amusing things as they drank their tea.

Just then, a knock came at the door of their private room.

Shuang’er went to open the door.

An unfamiliar old matron was standing next to Jiang Shi.

Seeing the door open, the matron said with a stern face, "Is the Miss here? My Old Madam has invited her."

"And who might your Old Madam be?" Shuang’er asked, frowning.

"As a mere maidservant, what right do you have to question me about my Old Madam? Tell your young miss to come out here!" the matron said haughtily.

"I may be a maidservant, but aren’t you a servant as well? If I have no right to ask about your Old Madam, what right do you have to demand my young miss come and see you?" Shuang’er found this utterly ridiculous and refused to back down.

"Such a sharp-tongued little wench! Is this how your young miss teaches you manners?" the matron fumed.

"Before you criticize others, perhaps you should reflect on yourself, Nanny. What sort of manners are you displaying?" Shuang’er sneered.

The matron was so angry she was left speechless, her chest heaving.

Jiang Shi cleared his throat and prompted Shuang’er, "This is Nanny Wang, from Old Madam Wei’s staff."

Shuang’er froze for a second, then it dawned on her. ’No wonder this nanny is so imperious.’

’She’s from the Madam’s natal family.’

Shuang’er’s heart sank. She went inside to report the matter to Zhi Wan.

Zhi Wan and Ouyang Zhenzhu had heard everything that just transpired at the door.

"Wei Jinyi must have gone crying to Old Madam Wei. I bet she said all sorts of awful things about you," Ouyang Zhenzhu said with a frown.

Zhi Wan had come to the same conclusion.

’It seems Old Madam Wei is also at the teahouse today.’

"What should we do? They’re summoning you. Are they planning to give you a hard time?" Shuang’er asked worriedly.