Transmigrated as a Cannon Fodder Wife A in Ancient Times - Chapter 23

Chapter 23

Wei Lan ate lunch and slept for a while in the room next to Lu Zijin’s. In the afternoon, Lu Zijin called her to continue working as an indoor air freshener.

Lu Zijin sat behind the desk, busy with Lu Mansion’s affairs, while Wei Lan lay on a soft couch, occasionally releasing a scent. However, she was not very good at being an air freshener. The study was warm, with sunlight streaming in, and Wei Lan soon fell asleep again, hugging a travelogue.

Admittedly, ancient books were very dull and boring. Wei Lan barely finished a page before her eyes grew heavy.

Lu Zijin handled the various matters of the shops over the past few days and sent her written instructions to each shop. When she returned to the study, she saw Wei Lan sleeping soundly on the couch.

Lu Zijin shook her head with a wry smile. Wei Lan was clearly not suited for studying, as she fell asleep so quickly.

“You sleep so freely,” Lu Zijin muttered softly. She did not disturb Wei Lan but sat back down behind the desk.

Lu Zijin leaned back in her chair to rest for a moment. Over the past year, she had not managed the mansion’s affairs closely, turning a blind eye to many things, which was intentional.

Since Lu Mansion’s foundation was unstable, she focused on stabilizing external businesses first. For internal matters, she kept a backup plan.

Though her courtyard had many servants, Lu Zijin trusted Qianxue the most. Qianxue appeared as her maid but was actually her guard. Besides Qianxue, the mansion had nine other secret guards who followed only Lu Zijin’s orders, their existence unknown to others in the mansion.

This year, Lu Zijin kept Qianxue by her side, with four other secret guards protecting her to prevent anyone from tampering with her food during the mansion’s chaos and to ensure her safety.

The other five secret guards were assigned to various parts of the mansion. Lu Zijin openly showed trust in people like Huang Ming and Cao Qiushuang, but secretly had guards watching them.

After all, Lu Mansion had faced turmoil this year. One wrong step could ruin the family’s legacy in her hands. She only had the guards monitor them without taking further actions. Problems needed solving one by one, and compared to business matters, internal mansion issues were less troublesome.

As long as she stabilized external affairs and gained the loyalty of the shop managers, the mansion’s servants would naturally adapt.

Moreover, the steward Huang Ming was clever. He knew his position as steward was secure only under Lu Zijin’s leadership. If someone else took over, he would be the first to be replaced.

Over the year, Huang Ming acted accordingly. Some servants left, and new ones arrived. Amid the chaos, he kept the mansion stable, at least on the surface. Monthly expenses were even lower than when her father and brother were alive, showing Huang Ming’s hands were clean.

Lu Zijin did not expect Huang Ming to root out every spy planted in the mansion. As long as he maintained stability, she would find opportunities to eliminate those spies herself. Now, the time was almost right.

As for Cao Qiushuang, Lu Zijin did not think he would betray her. He grew up in Lu Mansion, and his father was once the head guard. Cao Qiushuang was proud and arrogant, believing himself superior as the head guard. He disdained recruitment from other merchants and looked down on other wealthy families in Panyang City.

However, there was one more thing. Sometimes, Cao Qiushuang’s gaze toward her revealed unusual feelings, not those of a servant but like those of many Qianyuan men she met outside.

Their gazes held desire and obsession, which disgusted her.

Though she trusted Cao Qiushuang, she still assigned a secret guard to watch him. She trusted others but preferred to hold the initiative herself.

Cao Qiushuang would eventually be driven out of Lu Mansion, but the timing was not right yet. She needed a highly skilled and loyal person.

As for Yun Xiang by her side, Lu Zijin had no plans to touch her. She still needed Yun Xiang to pass false information to Chen Zhou. Why not use her?

After her brother’s accident, her cousin Chen Zhou frequently used their familial ties to subtly pressure her, suggesting marriage and handing over the Lu family’s business to him.

Lu Zijin never responded to his suggestions and later declared she would not let Lu Mansion’s legacy fall into others’ hands, planning to marry a man who would join the family. Only then did Chen Zhou restrain himself.

However, he did not stop. When Lu Zijin first took over the mansion’s businesses, Chen Zhou caused her trouble. Some shops she had to abandon were due to Chen Zhou collaborating with other merchants to compete maliciously, even cutting off supplies to some Lu Mansion shops.

Back then, Lu Zijin had to negotiate with suppliers one by one, sometimes begging for goods. At times, Qianyuan men provoked her with offensive words, but she endured it all. She paid higher prices than others to stabilize the situation.

When local merchants refused to supply goods, Lu Zijin risked traveling to other regions to find suitable suppliers.

Those days were tough. She had no time to grieve her brother’s death or lament her difficult situation. Her frustrations had no outlet, but she pressed forward, believing she could achieve what her father and brother had done.

She proved it. The shops now operated smoothly, and suppliers who once refused her now begged to work with Lu Mansion. Too bad—she now chose based on her mood.

She kept a mental ledger and would settle accounts with them one by one.

The chessboard was set, and after a year, it was time to close the net.

Thinking of this, Lu Zijin’s lips curved slightly. She glanced at Wei Lan, who slept soundly, and envied her carefree nature. The little Qianyuan carried no burdens, living freely.

Lu Zijin looked away and began writing a letter to her cousin in Zhuozhou. Her father had one sister, married to Fan Jingshan, the marshal of the northern army, with two sons and a daughter.

However, Zhuozhou was far in the northern desert, a harsh place constantly fighting Chu’s invasions. Fan Jingshan and his two sons died in battle, and her aunt Lu Jinghan passed away from grief, leaving only her cousin Fan Chuan in the north.

The Great Zhou’s aging emperor, wary of Fan Chuan’s command over 100,000 troops, required her to report to the capital annually. These “reports” were more like the emperor’s way of keeping her in check, especially in recent years. He tried to arrange marriages to monitor her, but Fan Chuan deflected them, citing her father and brothers’ unavenged deaths.

This year would likely be the same. Her cousin would soon head to the capital again, and Lu Zijin wondered how she would handle it.

Lu Zijin wrote to Fan Chuan to request reliable people from the army to replace Cao Qiushuang. The head guard position was crucial, and she needed someone trustworthy.

Over the years, Lu Mansion and the Fan family avoided open contact, pretending distance to protect the Lu family from being implicated. After all, the Fan family held military power, both relied upon and feared by the emperor.

Lu Zijin sighed. Her cousin’s situation was far more difficult than her own.

She wrote page after page, knowing the letter could only be delivered by her secret guards to avoid trouble if it fell into the wrong hands.

Lu Zijin put down her pen, waited for the ink to dry, and sealed the letter. At that moment, Wei Lan, who had slept all afternoon, opened her eyes.

Wei Lan looked confused for a moment but quickly recognized where she was.

She sat up, rubbed her eyes, and looked at Lu Zijin with a sleepy expression.

Lu Zijin smiled at her. “Awake?”

“Hmm.” Wei Lan rubbed her eyes, got off the couch, stretched, and walked to the table to pour herself tea.

She looked at Lu Zijin and asked obediently, “Madam, do you want tea?”

Lu Zijin smiled faintly and nodded.

Wei Lan brought the tea she poured to Lu Zijin.

Lu Zijin took the cup and sipped the tea before saying, “After dinner, you can go back. My heat period should be over.”

Wei Lan’s eyes lit up. Though everything at Lu Zijin’s was nice, she felt out of place. She missed Fuqu Pavilion, where she could carve jade freely, especially since her hands itched after days without carving.

“Great, I can finally go back,” Wei Lan muttered softly.

Lu Zijin’s smile faded. She raised an eyebrow at Wei Lan. “Does my lord not want to stay with me even for a moment?”

Wei Lan saw Lu Zijin’s cold expression and quickly explained, “No, no, it’s just that I feel you’re not comfortable with me here, and I’m not either. Fuqu Pavilion is nice. I like being alone quietly.”

“Hmph, fine. I’ll have dinner served soon. My lord, go to the bedroom and wait for me. I’ll join you after handling my work,” Lu Zijin said coolly.

Wei Lan nodded. “Alright, I’ll go now.”

She figured Lu Zijin needed to discuss serious matters and was dismissing her, but she didn’t mind. Serious matters had nothing to do with her.

After Wei Lan left, Lu Zijin said, “Call Qianxue over.”

“Yes, Miss,” the maid at the door replied and went to fetch Qianxue.

Soon, Qianxue entered the study and bowed to Lu Zijin. “Miss, what are your orders?”

Lu Zijin picked up the letter and said, “Deliver this to my cousin. Send two reliable people.”

Qianxue understood immediately and said, “This servant understands and will arrange it.”

Qianxue then left.

Lu Zijin left the study and went to her bedroom, where Wei Lan sat at the table, drinking tea and waiting.

Wei Lan’s eyes brightened when she saw Lu Zijin. “Madam, when’s dinner?”

Lu Zijin’s lips curved slightly. “I’ll have them serve it now.”

She called out, “Serve the meal.”

“Yes,” the maid outside replied.

Soon, an array of dishes arrived.

Wei Lan was in high spirits. After dinner, she could return to Fuqu Pavilion, meaning freedom and nearly a month to do as she pleased.

Lu Zijin noticed Wei Lan’s excitement but felt uneasy for some reason. Was Wei Lan so eager to leave?

Wei Lan, unaware of Lu Zijin’s thoughts, was hungry and dug in. The crispy meat was especially delicious, and she ate half the plate alone.

She kindly left half for Lu Zijin and moved on to the braised pork.

The braised pork made by Lu Zijin’s kitchen was exceptional, especially the tiger-skin quail eggs. Fried and simmered in the pork’s sauce, they were flavorful and fragrant, even better than the meat.

Lu Zijin watched Wei Lan eat heartily and ate more herself, feeling the food tasted better with Wei Lan around.

Wei Lan ate most of the meal, loving the food. Even though Lu Zijin ate more than usual, her appetite was small compared to Wei Lan’s.

Wei Lan drank a bowl of soup, rested on the stool, and said, “Madam, it’s almost dark. Can I go now?”

Lu Zijin glanced at her, annoyed by her eagerness, and waved her off. “Go.”

Wei Lan stood, smiled at Lu Zijin, and said, “Madam, rest early. I’m leaving.”

She hurried to open the door, stepped out, and closed it behind her.

Qing Zhi saw her leave and sent four maids to escort Wei Lan back.

After a long walk, Wei Lan reached her courtyard. After two days away, she missed it.

Li Zhufeng and Zhao Linghui greeted her eagerly.

“My lord, you’ve worked hard. Was everything smooth at Miss’s place?” Li Zhufeng asked.

“It was fine. Prepare bathwater. I’ll wash and sleep,” Wei Lan said, planning to take her jasper carvings to Yuya Pavilion tomorrow.

Li Zhufeng immediately sent someone to prepare water.

Zhao Linghui asked indirectly, “My lord, did you sleep with Miss last night?”

Wei Lan shook her head. “No, I slept next door. Madam doesn’t like others in her bed.”

Zhao Linghui looked pained. “Oh, my lord, why didn’t you try to stay with Madam? What a missed opportunity.”

“What would I do by her side? Enough, stop worrying. Go change the tea in my room.” Wei Lan handed the teapot to Zhao Linghui, sending her away.

She had no real intentions toward Lu Zijin, who didn’t like her anyway. The maids were overthinking it.

Soon, the bathwater was ready. Wei Lan soaked, feeling relieved that she had met her monthly obligations. Now she could carve jade in peace.

In a good mood, Wei Lan hummed a tune.

Outside, the two maids discussed her with frustration.

“Why doesn’t she care about Miss? A Qianyuan marrying into the family should try to win Miss’s heart. She’s so carefree,” Li Zhufeng said, disappointed.

“Exactly. We thought she slept with Miss, but she was next door,” Zhao Linghui sighed heavily.

“We’re stuck with such a lord,” Li Zhufeng said, exasperated, believing Wei Lan wouldn’t last long as lord.

Wei Lan, unaware, bathed comfortably, had the servants tidy up, and went to bed once her hair dried.

She woke early, ate breakfast at the mansion, and happily went to her workshop. She wrapped her jade carvings in a large cloth, as carrying them openly would look odd.

With everything ready, Wei Lan carried the bundle and left.

Li Zhufeng saw her and asked, “My lord, are you going out?”

Wei Lan nodded. “Hmm, I’m selling the jade I carved these days.”

Li Zhufeng was speechless. The lord of Panyang City’s largest merchant family needed to sell things to survive? If Wei Lan had any cunning, she’d curry favor with Miss, who might reward her with wealth or even the mansion.

Li Zhufeng couldn’t understand Wei Lan’s thinking. Why work hard when she could live in luxury?

She and Zhao Linghui exchanged glances, sighed, and shook their heads at Wei Lan.

Wei Lan didn’t care what others thought. She knew her position. The book had a male lead, and her soft life wouldn’t last. She needed to save money now, so if Lu Zijin divorced her, she could buy a small house and not be homeless.

With money in hand, she felt secure. As long as she could carve jade, she was content. Though, she’d miss Lu Mansion’s delicious food if she left.

Thinking this, Wei Lan headed to the back gate. The guard leader Wang Yiding saw her with a large bundle and frowned but opened the gate.

Wei Lan walked out. Wang Yiding thought for a moment and said, “Stay here and guard. I’ll be back soon.”

He remembered the steward’s and Cao Qiushuang’s orders.

Wang Yiding hurried to the steward. By the time he reached the front courtyard, he was sweating.

He asked a servant to report his arrival, and Huang Ming let him in.

“What is it?” Huang Ming asked, writing without looking up.

“The lord went out today,” Wang Yiding said.

Huang Ming’s face grew cold. “The lord isn’t confined by Miss. She can go out. No need to report this.”

“No, no, she carried a large black bundle. I don’t know what’s inside. I’m worried she took mansion valuables to pawn,” Wang Yiding explained quickly.

Huang Ming frowned at him and said, “Fine. Report anything else to me.”

“Yes,” Wang Yiding replied.

“Go. I know about this,” Huang Ming said, returning to his work.

Wang Yiding saw Huang Ming’s mild reaction and left dejectedly.

After he left, Huang Ming snorted. Last time, he reported Wei Lan’s actions because she bought many things at once, which warranted informing Miss.

This time, he wouldn’t report. Even if Wei Lan, a useless lord, took mansion items, it wasn’t his place to interfere. If it happened often, he’d subtly mention it to Miss. No big deal.

Wang Yiding reported to Huang Ming and then found Cao Qiushuang, who was patrolling with a small guard team. Seeing Wang Yiding, Cao Qiushuang asked, “Why aren’t you at the back gate?”

“It’s about the lord,” Wang Yiding said, hesitating with guards present.

Cao Qiushuang saw his hesitation, glanced at his six guards, and said, “Speak. They’re our brothers. What did Wei Lan do?”

“She left with a large bundle. I don’t know what’s inside, but it looked heavy, maybe mansion antiques. She might be pawning them since she can’t profit here,” Wang Yiding speculated.

Cao Qiushuang laughed. “I knew that useless woman was low-class. Any evidence? I can’t accuse her to Miss without proof.”

“It’s simple. The bundle seemed heavy, like antiques. If they’re gone when she returns, the back gate guards can testify,” Wang Yiding said, sensing Cao Qiushuang’s dislike for the lord.

Cao Qiushuang’s smile widened. “Good idea. Keep watch. If it’s as you say, I’ll treat you to drinks at Zuixian Tavern tomorrow night when I’m off duty.”

“Thank you, Leader Cao. I’ll watch closely,” Wang Yiding said eagerly.

Cao Qiushuang was his superior, and good relations helped him in the mansion. No one took the lord seriously.

After all, the lord went to Miss’s courtyard but wasn’t allowed to stay, showing Miss didn’t value her. Servants didn’t need to care much either.

With that, Wang Yiding hurried back to the gate.

Meanwhile, Wei Lan, unaware of this, reached Yuya Pavilion, Panyang City’s largest jade shop, with her carvings.

She had been here before. To get a good price, she chose the best shop.

Wei Lan entered, and a clerk recognized her. “You?”

“Hmm, is your manager here? I brought jade carvings to sell,” Wei Lan said.

The clerk, seeing she wasn’t buying, was less enthusiastic. “Wait here. I’ll get someone.”

He left another clerk to mind the shop and went upstairs to fetch the manager.

The manager asked, “What? A noble guest?”

“No, it’s that young female Qianyuan who wanted to sell jade last time. She brought a big bundle to sell,” the clerk explained.

The manager nodded and stood. “Let’s go see.”

“Alright, but don’t expect much. She doesn’t look like a carver,” the clerk said, finding Wei Lan’s improved attire odd for a carver.

“You’re shortsighted. Don’t judge by appearances. She might be a skilled carver,” the manager said, shaking his head at the clerk’s narrow view.

Downstairs, the manager smiled at Wei Lan. “Sorry for the wait, miss. What treasures did you bring?”

Wei Lan smiled back and carefully placed her bundle on the tea table.

The manager instructed the clerks, “Clear the table of cups.”

The two clerks cleaned the table but were skeptical, expecting to see Wei Lan embarrassed.

Every few days, carvers tried selling their work, but few impressed the manager. Yuya Pavilion, the city’s largest jade shop, had its own carvers and worked with local masters.

Wei Lan ignored their thoughts and opened her bundle, revealing jade ornaments, handpieces, and plaques.

The clerk almost said they were just worthless jasper, often marred by black spots, making them cheap even when carved. But looking closely, he saw no black spots, and the designs were unique.

For instance, a head-sized landscape and bird ornament had a layered, mountainous effect. The clerk’s mouth dropped open.

“What carving technique is this?” the clerk exclaimed.

The manager was stunned, looking at the jade and then at Wei Lan. He recovered and asked eagerly, “Miss, may I examine this ornament?”

Wei Lan nodded. “Sure, just don’t break it.”

“Yes, yes.” Though a manager, he loved jade. Jasper’s color was lovely, but its black spots were troublesome. Yet this ornament was pure green, carved with the difficult hollow-out technique.

Hollow-out carving tested a carver’s skill and patience. One mistake could ruin the piece. This landscape and bird ornament was perfectly hollowed out. The manager held it carefully, examining it closely.

The mountains and trees were lifelike, with flawless hollows and no visible black spots. The manager rubbed his eyes and looked at Wei Lan in shock.

“Miss, this craftsmanship must come from decades of experience. Was it carved by your family?” the manager asked.

Wei Lan shook her head. “I carved them all myself.”

The manager’s mouth fell open. “How is that possible?”

Wei Lan smiled. “With patience, it’s not hard to carve such things.”

The manager looked at Wei Lan’s hands. Her hands, calloused from carving, were still fair and slender, beautiful despite the work.

Still, he couldn’t believe she carved them. “Miss, you’re not joking?”

Wei Lan nodded. “Of course not. Can you tell me how much these ornaments and plaques are worth?”

“Miss, wait a moment. Our boss is in the back today. Your carvings are stunning. May I take a couple to show her?” the manager asked, smiling.

Wei Lan nodded. Yuya Pavilion was reputable and wouldn’t cheat her, which was why she came. “Sure, go ahead.”

“Great, please sit. Zhou Er, don’t stand there. Get our guests some fine tea,” the manager said. These carvings could be valuable, so they needed to treat Wei Lan well.

“Right away,” the clerk said, fetching the manager’s best tea and brewing it with boiling water.

Zhou Er’s attitude toward Wei Lan became respectful. “Miss, have some tea. The manager will be back soon.”

“Thanks,” Wei Lan said, sipping the tea. It was good, though ancient tea tasted astringent compared to modern methods. Still, it beat plain water, which she disliked.

The manager, Zhao Chengye, carefully carried Wei Lan’s landscape ornament in his left hand and a nine-tailed fox jasper pendant in his right. He loved both and believed his boss would too. If Wei Lan’s words were true, her talent was limitless.

Such a young, skilled carver was rare, even compared to Panyang City’s masters, Liu Bingkun and Huo Feng.

Zhao Chengye rushed to the back, calling, “Is the boss here? Great news!”

In the study, a woman with a veiled face sat at the desk. Hearing the commotion, her captivating fox-like eyes turned stern, her voice tinged with displeasure.

“What’s the matter? Why so noisy?”

Sensing her annoyance, Zhao Chengye bowed at the door. “Boss, a remarkable jade carver came. She brought ornaments and plaques, all hollow-carved. Even Liu Bingkun and Huo Feng couldn’t match this work.”

The woman raised her fox-like eyes. “Really? Show me.”

Zhao Chengye carefully placed the items on her desk.

She picked up the nine-tailed fox pendant.

The palm-sized pendant was pure green, with the fox’s body and nine tails carved with a layered effect, lifelike as if staring at her.

Each hollow was uniform, with clear textures. Though made of less valuable jasper, the carver removed all black spots, making the pendant worth dozens or hundreds of times more.

The woman’s eyes finally showed emotion. She examined the pendant, its fox seeming to smile at her.

Her lips curved. Such craftsmanship was lifelike, perhaps surpassing even Gong Jinsheng, the Great Zhou’s top carver.

She stood, ignoring the ornament, and said, “Where is she? Bring her to the back.”

“Right away,” Zhao Chengye said.

“Wait, I’ll go with you. A carver of this level deserves my personal invitation,” the woman said, hurrying out, with Zhao Chengye jogging to keep up.

Soon, they reached the front shop, where a beautiful female Qianyuan sat drinking tea, with various jade carvings before her.

The woman hesitated and asked Zhao Chengye, “She carved those? How? She’s so young.”

Zhao Chengye bowed. “I thought so too, but she was certain she carved them herself.”

The woman hesitated, then approached Wei Lan. “Miss, are these all your carvings?”

Wei Lan nodded. “Yes, all mine. How much can I get for them here?”

The woman smiled, her fox-like eyes curving. “Don’t worry, miss. Yuya Pavilion is Panyang City’s largest jade shop. We offer the best prices. Do you have time to talk in the back?”

Wei Lan thought for a moment and nodded. Selling her carvings wasn’t a one-time deal, and building ties with Yuya Pavilion’s owner could benefit her. “Sure. What about my items?”

“Zhou Er, you two take these jade pieces to my study,” the woman ordered.

“Yes, boss,” the clerks replied. One stayed to mind the shop, while the other two moved Wei Lan’s carvings to the study’s round table.

The woman looked at the group. “I need to speak with this miss alone. You all leave.”

She added, “Also, have the maids at the door step away.”

“Yes, boss,” Zhao Chengye said.

The servants left, leaving two sword-wielding female Kunze guards at the door, likely the woman’s trusted protectors.

Seeing Wei Lan glance outside, the woman smiled. “Don’t worry, miss. I sent them away to avoid gossip that might disrupt our talk. The guards outside are my trusted aides. You can rest assured.”

Wei Lan nodded. “What do you want to discuss?”

The woman removed her veil, revealing a stunning face. If Lu Zijin’s beauty was cool and aloof, this woman’s was vibrant and bold, hard to look away from, especially her lively fox-like eyes.

Wei Lan glanced briefly. She was pretty herself, and Lu Zijin was too, so she didn’t stare. “Why did you remove your veil?”

The woman smiled. “Since we’re discussing business, I should be open. I’m Xiao Nanyan, the owner of all Yuya Pavilions in the Great Zhou. May I have your name?”

“I’m Wei Lan,” Wei Lan replied calmly.

Xiao Nanyan looked at Wei Lan, noting her calm tone and lack of the predatory gaze male Qianyuan often gave her. Xiao Nanyan’s impression of Wei Lan improved.

She disliked Qianyuan eyeing her appraisingly, and no matter how skilled a carver, she wouldn’t work with them if they did.

“I’ll take all the jade you brought. In the future, if you have jade to sell, can you consider Yuya Pavilion first? I promise the fairest price, no lowballing, and we can work together long-term.”

Seeing Wei Lan stay silent, Xiao Nanyan continued, “Rest assured, Wei Lan, we can credit you for each piece. As a jade carver, you know that building a reputation as a renowned carver in the Great Zhou could increase your pieces’ value by dozens or hundreds of times. We can help you.”

Wei Lan smiled faintly. Wasn’t this just Xiao Nanyan wanting exclusive rights to her work? She was quite shrewd.