Zhi Wan's lovely, almond-shaped eyes blinked. "I only had a little sip." She gestured with her fingers, her voice sweet and soft.
"Don't drink next time," Lu Zhan said icily, then turned and walked away.
Watching his retreating figure, Zhi Wan pouted.
'I really don't know what all those young ladies admire about him.'
'I have to be so careful just to say a word to him, terrified I'll say the wrong thing.'
Shuang'er said, "Miss, let me help you back to your room to rest."
"Mm," Zhi Wan nodded. She tilted her head and leaned against Shuang'er, feeling dizzy and light-headed.
Back at Yaoguang Pavilion, she kicked off her shoes and collapsed onto the daybed, falling fast asleep.
It was already evening when she woke up. Her head was still throbbing; it seemed she really couldn't hold her liquor.
"Miss, drink some of this sobering soup. It will make you feel better." Shuang'er brought a bowl of it to her.
After drinking the soup, Zhi Wan's headache did indeed ease a little.
"Miss, a little while ago, Lady Wei had Nanny Fang send over many things," Shuang'er reported, pointing to a mountain of gifts on the table.
Zhi Wan followed her gaze and froze.
The table was piled high with bird's nests, lingzhi mushrooms, silks, jewelry, tea, and pastries.
'It's not a holiday or any special occasion. Why would Aunt suddenly send so many things over?'
Zhi Wan frowned slightly.
Then, she recalled what had happened at the water pavilion earlier that day.
'Aunt must feel she didn't take good care of me, that she let Lu Xin bully me.'
At the water pavilion, she had brought up Lu Xin's degrading remarks to make everyone despise Lu Xin and take her side. She just never expected her aunt would feel guilty toward her because of it.
"Also, Lu Xin has been confined to her quarters by the Second Madam," Shuang'er added, her tone so cheerful she seemed ready to clap her hands in delight.
Zhi Wan wasn't surprised that Lu Xin had been confined; it was only to be expected.
After a moment's thought, she got up, freshened up, and went to Lan Courtyard.
Just as she was about to enter, she ran into Lady Lou, the Second Madam, who was on her way out.
"Second Madam," Zhi Wan curtsied.
Lady Lou stopped, her gaze heavy as she stared at Zhi Wan. Then, her lips curved into a smile. She raised a hand to adjust a pin in Zhi Wan's hair, a seemingly maternal gesture, but her words were sharp. "Zhi Wan, I see I've underestimated you. Because of you, my Xin'er has been utterly disgraced."
Zhi Wan looked innocent and alarmed. "Are you blaming me, Second Madam? But Lu Xin was the one who caused a scene at the banquet."
A flash of anger went through Lady Lou. Just as she was about to retort, Nanny Fang's voice came from behind her. "Is that the Miss? Madam invites you to come inside."
Zhi Wan glanced timidly at Lady Lou. "Second Madam, may I... go in now?"
Hearing this, Lady Lou fumed inwardly, her smile nearly faltering. "What a thing to ask. Of course you may. Go on in, don't keep your aunt waiting."
"Thank you, Second Madam." Zhi Wan curtsied before entering Lady Wei's room.
Lady Lou was seething with suppressed anger.
'Could I have been wrong?'
'Was Xin'er's disgrace today completely unrelated to Zhi Wan?'
'It makes sense. She's just an orphan. Where would she get the nerve to plot against a young lady of the Lu Family?'
'After all, my Xin'er is the only legitimate daughter of the Lu Family.'
'But after Xin'er's outburst at the flower-viewing banquet today, word about her reputation has surely spread.'
At this thought, Lady Lou's head began to ache.
She had confined Xin'er as a gesture for Lady Wei.
But Lady Wei was clearly not satisfied. When Lady Lou had gone to apologize just now, Lady Wei had deliberately brought up the matter of her son Lu Jun's marriage as a warning to her.
Though Lady Lou was unhappy about it, she had no choice but to confront the problem.
With a sister as ill-reputed as Lu Xin, she feared that the other noble families would be unwilling to marry their daughters to her son.
At this thought, Lady Lou grew anxious and angry, unable to stop herself from blaming her daughter for her recklessness.
「Inside the room.」
Seeing Zhi Wan enter, Lady Wei quickly waved her over. "Wan'er, come here."
Zhi Wan quickened her pace and came before her. "Aunt."
"Sit." Lady Wei had her sit down, then asked with concern, "Did you drink at the banquet?"
"Just a little. I didn't expect to nearly get drunk," Zhi Wan said, a little embarrassed.
"It's your first time, so you're not used to it. After a few more times, you'll be fine," Lady Wei said with a gentle smile.
Looking at her aunt's kind expression, Zhi Wan paused, then said sincerely, "Thank you for standing up for me today, Aunt."
Lady Wei sighed and took her hand. "Lu Xin has always bullied you. Why didn't you ever tell me?"
"It was always just verbal squabbles in the past, so I never took it to heart. Besides, you're so busy managing the household every day, Aunt. I didn't want to bother you with such trivial things," Zhi Wan answered honestly.
Hearing this made Lady Wei's heart ache for her. 'This girl is just too well-behaved and considerate,' she thought. 'She gets bullied and doesn't even make a sound.'
The thought made her resent Lu Xin even more.
'Just confining Lu Xin... The Second Branch is simply going through the motions!'
"How can it be a trivial matter when someone is walking all over you? Your temperament is just too gentle and easy to bully, which is why Lu Xin has become so relentless. But it's my fault, too. I've been too neglectful of you," Lady Wei said apologetically.
"Please don't say that, Aunt. You're so good to me and take care of me in every way. The incident with Lu Xin was just an accident. Please don't take it to heart," Zhi Wan said quickly.
Lady Wei advised her, "If anyone ever bullies you again, you must not keep it to yourself. Come and tell me directly."
"Okay," Zhi Wan meekly agreed.
Seeing her demure demeanor, Lady Wei couldn't help but worry. "With a temperament like yours, what will you do if you're bullied at your in-laws' home after you get married?"
Zhi Wan blinked. "That... probably won't happen, will it?"
Lady Wei was amused by her adorably naive expression, but her tone became serious. "But don't you worry. I will be sure to find a good match for you, one where you won't be wronged."
"Thank you, Aunt." Zhi Wan smiled as well.
"By the way, when the banquet was ending today, several young men from noble families came to inquire about you. I think they're interested. Did anyone catch your eye?" Lady Wei asked, changing the subject.
Zhi Wan mentally reviewed the young noblemen she had seen that day, then shook her head. "I was too busy talking with the other young ladies to notice anyone else."
"If you didn't notice, you didn't notice. It's fine." Lady Wei wasn't too concerned. After all, the girl was only fifteen, and with so many people present today, she was probably overwhelmed by all the choices.
After a moment's thought, she added, "The young men who inquired about you today all come from good families, and from what I could tell, their character seems decent as well. In a few days, they might find an excuse to visit. You can take a proper look then and see if there's anyone you fancy."
"I understand," Zhi Wan replied shyly.
Inwardly, however, she couldn't help but feel a flicker of anticipation.
There had been so many people at the banquet, and the matter with Wang Zeren had soured her mood, so she hadn't paid much attention to the young noblemen afterward.
'I never thought any of them would notice me, let alone inquire about me with Aunt.'
'Next time, I'll have to be sure to take a good look.'