[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-the-minister-cold-by-day-hot-by-night":3,"chapter-the-minister-cold-by-day-hot-by-night-the-minister-cold-by-day-hot-by-night-chapter-66":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"english","The Minister: Cold by Day, Hot by Night",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},748096,991,"Chapter 66: Zhi Wan Falls into Lu Zhan’s Arms","the-minister-cold-by-day-hot-by-night-chapter-66",66,"\u003Cp>\"Thank you, Cousin.\" Zhi Wan accepted it and sat down near the carriage door.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The carriage was actually quite spacious, but this was Zhi Wan’s first time riding with Lu Zhan, and the enclosed space made her feel a little uneasy. The carriage felt suffocatingly small, making her heart pound.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Holding the cloth, she first wiped the droplets of water from her face, then started on her hair.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her movements were gentle, as if she were afraid of making any sound that might disturb her cousin.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A moment later, Shuang’er entered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhi Wan secretly breathed a sigh of relief.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With Shuang’er in the carriage, much of her unease subsided.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Greetings, Princely Heir,\" Shuang’er said, curtsying to Lu Zhan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Zhan’s gaze remained fixed on his book. He didn’t look up, merely humming in acknowledgment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shuang’er was clearly a little tense as well. She sat down next to Zhi Wan, took the cloth from her, and carefully wiped the remaining droplets from her hair and dress.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The carriage fell silent. Zhi Wan rested her head against the wall, listening to the rain fall outside.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Perhaps because she hadn’t slept well the night before, the sound of the rain made her drowsy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lulled by the swaying of the carriage, she leaned against the wall and drifted off to sleep before she knew it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After reading a few more pages, Lu Zhan raised a hand to knead the bridge of his nose, planning to rest his eyes for a moment. Just then, he caught sight of the girl sleeping against the carriage wall.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Zhan’s gaze lingered on Zhi Wan’s face for a moment before he looked away.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He picked up his cloak and handed it to Shuang’er.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Cover your lady with this. Don’t let her catch a chill.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Thank you, Princely Heir.\" Shuang’er was delighted. She whispered her thanks, took the cloak, and carefully draped it over Zhi Wan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sleeping against the carriage wall was hardly comfortable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhi Wan soon woke up with a sore neck.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She started to reach up to rub the back of her neck, but stopped when she remembered Lu Zhan was still in the carriage.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When she glanced down, she saw the cloak draped over her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>’This is...’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The crisp scent of cedarwood filled her nostrils.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She froze.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>’Come to think of it, the man in my dream had a similar scent. It was very pleasant.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>’Why does Cousin’s cloak have it too?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>’Or do all men these days prefer this kind of scent?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At this thought, she glanced questioningly at Shuang’er.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shuang’er whispered in her ear, \"It’s the Princely Heir’s cloak. He was afraid you’d get cold and told me to put it on you.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing this, a warm feeling spread through Zhi Wan’s heart. Touched, she couldn’t help but glance in Lu Zhan’s direction.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The man who had been reading now had his eyes closed; she couldn’t tell if he was truly asleep or just resting. The book he’d been holding was now lying facedown on the small table beside him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhi Wan’s gaze lingered for a moment on his handsome face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even in sleep, her cousin exuded a cold, commanding presence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhi Wan wanted to thank him, but seeing him like this, she didn’t dare make a sound and disturb him. Instead, she folded the cloak and set it aside.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"My lady, is your neck bothering you?\" Ever the attentive personal maid, Shuang’er had already noticed Zhi Wan’s discomfort and asked in a whisper.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhi Wan nodded slightly and whispered back, \"It’s a little sore.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Then lie down, and I’ll massage it for you,\" Shuang’er said quickly, patting her lap in a low voice.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With Lu Zhan right there, Zhi Wan was too embarrassed to lie down on Shuang’er’s lap. She simply turned to the side and let her maid knead her neck.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After a few moments, the ache in her neck had eased considerably. Just as she sat up straight again, her eyes met Lu Zhan’s dark gaze.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She froze for a second before asking, \"Cousin, did I wake you?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Zhan looked away and shook his head. \"No.\" He then retrieved two cups from a hidden compartment. \"Would you like some tea?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhi Wan was indeed feeling a little thirsty. Seeing him produce two cups and noticing the teapot on the low table, she nodded. \"Mm.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Zhan picked up the teapot, poured two cups, and handed one to Zhi Wan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Thank you, Cousin.\" Zhi Wan started to take the cup, but just then, the carriage gave a violent lurch. She let out a cry as she lost her balance and stumbled forward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"My lady!\" Shuang’er cried out as well, reaching to grab her, but it was too late. Zhi Wan fell directly into Lu Zhan’s arms.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The carriage fell deathly silent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhi Wan froze, her mind going completely blank.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Zhan stiffened for a moment, but he remained composed. He quickly recovered, helping the girl who had fallen into his arms upright.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just then, Chen Jiu’s voice came from outside. \"Princely Heir, the rain’s so heavy I didn’t see clearly—the wheel went into a pothole! Are you alright in there?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Looking at the girl frozen stiffly, Lu Zhan called back, \"We’re fine.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhi Wan finally snapped out of it, her face beet red. She was so embarrassed she wished the ground would swallow her whole. Biting her lip, she stammered, \"I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I know,\" Lu Zhan cut her off.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhi Wan breathed a sigh of relief when she saw he wasn’t blaming her. But when she noticed the large wet spot on his robes, she was mortified all over again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>’She had lost her footing, fallen into her cousin’s arms, and spilled her tea all over his robes.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Give me the cup,\" Lu Zhan said suddenly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Huh?\" Zhi Wan looked at him blankly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Zhan pointed at her hand. \"The cup in your hand.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing this, Zhi Wan finally reacted and hurriedly handed the empty cup back to him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Zhan took it and poured her another cup of tea.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhi Wan was in no mood for tea, but when Lu Zhan offered her the cup, she still took it. \"Thank you, Cousin.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Zhan didn’t say anything more.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He raised his cup and drank his tea in silence, but his mind inevitably drifted back to the soft, slender waist he had felt just moments before.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>’Are all young women’s waists this soft and slender?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>’He was reminded of his dream from the previous night.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>’In the dream, the girl had tried to snatch a painting from his hands and, in her haste, had also fallen into his arms. His cousin falling into his arms just now felt strangely familiar.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>’They were clearly two completely different people, yet the feeling was the same.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>’Could it be that all young women are the same?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>’He’d never been close to any other women. The only two he had any contact with were the girl from his dream and his cousin right here.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At this thought, Lu Zhan’s brow furrowed as he looked over at Zhi Wan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The girl was sitting pressed up against her maid, looking tense and uneasy, likely from the earlier shock.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Zhan paused. ’I must be overthinking things.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>’His cousin was timid and gentle, while the girl from his dream was bold, uninhibited, and even a bit spoiled and fiery.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>’They were two completely different people.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Zhan breathed an imperceptible sigh of relief. He broke the silence, asking, \"Where did you go earlier?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhi Wan was still stewing in her embarrassment. Hearing his question, she blurted out, \"I went to a bookshop and to Zhimei Restaurant.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"A bookshop?\" Lu Zhan inquired.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhi Wan, having calmed herself, replied, \"Yes. I went to buy a couple of books.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>’She was hiding her painting from her own aunt; there was no way she could tell her cousin.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fortunately, Lu Zhan didn’t press the issue.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He just hummed in response and said nothing more.\u003C\u002Fp>",1336,"2026-06-02T12:03:35.462Z",1,"novelbin.me","cade75b0cdb489e3da4de0ea005d4517fdd3a7f3242f451df6a82e95793d09d5","the-minister-cold-by-day-hot-by-night-chapter-67","the-minister-cold-by-day-hot-by-night-chapter-65",270,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fthe-minister-cold-by-day-hot-by-night-cover.jpg"]