Reborn Spoiled Girl Tames the Regent

Chapter 59: Saw her having a private meal with a man

Inside Yueminglou.

Behind the screen in the private room sat a woman playing the guqin, the melodious sound of which, accompanied by a cup of tea, created a very leisurely atmosphere.

Duan Zhian peered through the window, his gaze casually sweeping across the bustling street, as if deep in thought or perhaps waiting.

A guard beside him asked softly, "Grand Tutor, if that Crown Princess comes, are you really going to help Miss Jiang? But didn't you say that His Highness the Crown Prince..."

Duan Zhian smiled slightly: "If what she said about the Third Prince is true, then protecting Jiang Xun is a worthwhile deal."

The municipal party committee member nodded and stepped aside.

Pedestrians hurried past the window, and the air smelled of cooking smoke.

It was already noon when the waiter came in and asked, "Sir, would you like to order some dishes?"

The guard replied, "No rush, my young master is waiting for someone."

"Alright." The waiter withdrew.

A moment later, Duan Zhian noticed a woman in white pacing downstairs. She seemed to have mustered up a great deal of courage before stepping into the building.

Duan Zhian smiled, waved his hand, and signaled for the music to stop.

The woman playing the zither behind the screen picked up her instrument and slowly retreated to the door.

The guards should also be instructed to wait at the door.

Soon, the woman in white downstairs pushed open the door and entered. She slightly gripped her sleeves, her steps were slow, and her face showed a hint of nervousness.

"I am Wen Qian from the Marquis of Pingnan's residence. I greet the Grand Tutor."

Her voice was barely audible, so soft that only she could hear it. This way of bowing was actually extremely impolite; normally, no one in the palace would dare to do such a thing in front of him.

Duan Zhian didn't seem to mind and gestured for her to sit down.

Wen Qian sat down awkwardly, her heart pounding with anxiety.

Just now, Jiang Mian told her that this person was the Grand Tutor of the current dynasty, a man of high rank and great power. Because he had something to ask of her, she had no choice but to have her dine with the Grand Tutor.

Wen Qian didn't know why this person insisted on having dinner with her, but powerful ministers were always unpredictable in their actions.

She was actually nervous, afraid of messing up Jiang Wan's plans.

Seeing her lower her head and remain silent, Duan Zhian chuckled and personally picked up the teapot to pour her tea.

"Grand Tutor..." she hurriedly raised her hand to stop him, her face showing nervousness, "How could I trouble you? I can do it myself."

She reached for the teapot, accidentally spilling some hot water, which scalded her so much that she gasped softly, her hand turning slightly red, and she looked somewhat embarrassed.

Duan Zhian didn't react much, but when he put down the teapot, his gaze lingered on her wrist, as if he had noticed something.

He asked softly, "How did you get your hand injured?"

"Ok?"

Wen Qian was taken aback. She looked up and saw his probing gaze. She lifted a section of her sleeve and saw the scars on her wrist. She was immediately stunned.

That was from when I first entered the Marquis's mansion, and I was reprimanded by my aunt for making a few mistakes. The wound has healed, but some marks remain.

Such domestic matters are not honorable and should be kept hidden.

She hesitated for a moment, then whispered, "It was a minor injury I caused myself."

Duan Zhi'an raised an eyebrow slightly, his gaze calm, and asked softly, "Is it a whip or a bamboo stick?"

"Bamboo strips," she said instinctively.

After saying that, she covered her mouth, realizing she had spoken out of turn.

She was worried. If word got out that she had been beaten at the Marquis's residence, it would likely cause controversy, and the young master would probably say that she had disgraced the Marquis's residence.

She spoke timidly, "I beg you, Grand Tutor, to keep this a secret."

"Don't worry, I never meddle in other people's business." He picked up his teacup and drank it in one gulp.

Then, seemingly casually, he asked, "When did you get married?"

"The sixth day of the second lunar month this year."

"Are you pregnant?"

"Not...not yet."

Wen Qian blushed slightly. Was this the kind of topic that could be discussed so casually?

Seeing her embarrassment, Duan Zhian didn't ask any more questions.

"Let's order. What would you like to eat?"

......

Meanwhile, downstairs at Yueming Tower, Moping and Jiangmian waited anxiously.

After a long time, Wen Qian finally came down.

Jiang Wan hurried forward and asked anxiously, "How did it go? What did the Grand Tutor say?"

Wen Qian thought for a moment and whispered, "It's nothing, it seems like just casual conversation... but the Grand Tutor's actions are rather familiar."

Jiang Mian thought to herself that few people could guess Duan Zhi'an's thoughts, as long as he didn't make things difficult for Wen Qian.

She breathed a sigh of relief and bowed again, saying, "Thank you for your help today, Princess Consort."

"Miss Jiang, you're too kind. If this can help you, that would be wonderful."

The two were talking outside the building, unaware that the person upstairs still had their eyes fixed on Wen Qian.

A guard entered and asked in a low voice, "Grand Tutor, today's medicine has been prepared. Shall we go straight back to the palace, or...?"

Duan Zhian tapped his fingers lightly on the table, hesitated for a moment, and then said softly, "Since we're in the capital, let's visit the Marquis of Pingnan's residence while we're at it."

......

That afternoon, after seeing Wen Qian off in the carriage, Jiang Mian returned to her residence. Although Duan Zhi'an had promised to help her that day, she still dared not relax and wanted to talk to Jiang Xun about the pros and cons again.

She searched the entire mansion but couldn't find Jiang Xun. Her heart tightened slightly, and she hurried towards Xiao Hengzhi's courtyard.

Just as she stepped onto the veranda, Ruiju hurried over and said, "Second Miss!"

She stopped and saw Ruiju hurrying over, saying, "Second Miss, Young Master Xiao asked me to tell you that he went to the military camp with Master to prepare for their departure. He also said that you don't need to worry about it."

Her heart tightened; she felt both angry and disappointed.

Why is it that my father cannot see such obvious reasoning and refuses to listen, insisting on doing things his own way?

She clenched her fists, and for some reason, she thought of her mother...

Now, considering her age in her previous life, she should be about the same age as her mother. Back then, she must have felt just as disappointed in her father.

......

At the same time, Wen Qian also returned to the Pingnan Marquis's residence.

Before Li Zhijing arrived, she first put the medicinal herbs she had bought in the kitchen, and then planned to go to the main house to see Madam Hou.

However, just as they stepped into the courtyard, Aunt Fu's voice suddenly rang out.

"Oh, so you actually came over here?"

Wen Qian saw that she was holding a hand warmer, as if she had been waiting in the courtyard.

"Greetings, Auntie." Wen Qian bowed.

Aunt Fu snorted coldly, her tone sarcastic: "You dare to come here after doing such a shameful thing? You're really shameless. You pretend to be innocent and pure all day, but behind my back you do such filthy things. Tsk tsk tsk."

Wen Qian was slightly taken aback, not understanding her meaning: "What do you mean by that, Aunt?"

Aunt Fu raised an eyebrow and sneered, "Don't you know what you've done?"

As they were talking, Lady Hou came out from the inner hall, frowned, and asked, "What are you shouting about?"

Aunt Fu quickly leaned over and said, "Madam, I just saw her dining with a handsome man at Yueming Tower. The man even draped a cloak over her cloak himself, and they were very affectionate."

As soon as Aunt Fu said this, all the servants in the courtyard turned their gazes toward her.

Lady Hou's face darkened slightly, and she turned to look at Wen Qian with a scrutinizing gaze.

Wen Qian's heart tightened. When she was about to leave after finishing her meal, she had forgotten to take her cloak. It was indeed Duan Zhi'an who reminded her.

But when did I put it on her myself?

Aunt Fu's words were clearly meant to mislead everyone.