Transmigrated as a Cannon Fodder Wife A in Ancient Times - Chapter 35

Chapter 35

She held the bracelet and looked at it again and again. She liked it so much that she couldn’t stop. Only when the sky darkened did Wei Lan return to her bedroom. She asked the servants to prepare hot water for her bath.

Wei Lan rested in the bathtub. The hot water steamed up, and it washed away her day’s exhaustion.

She played with the water in the tub and thought about how she could start making the jade hairpin tomorrow morning. Since the jade plaque would be carved with a phoenix pattern, she decided to carve the hairpin into a phoenix hairpin as well.

She soaked in the tub for a while, then changed into a clean dress. She asked the maids to prepare her meal.

On the other side, Lu Zijin had been busy the entire day. She just started eating her meal. When she was busy, she didn’t notice, but in her free time, Lu Zijin thought of Wei Lan again.

She raised her eyes to look at Qianxue and asked, “What did the master do today? Did she leave the mansion?”

Knowing that the young lady cared about the master, Qianxue had asked the secret guards to keep an eye on Wei Lan’s courtyard. When Lu Zijin asked her, Qianxue quickly replied, “The master stayed in the mansion all day today. She seemed to be carving jade stones. She only returned to her bedroom when it got dark. She should be eating now.”

Lu Zijin nodded. The corners of her lips curved slightly. Was Wei Lan rushing to make a jade bracelet and plaque for her?

Hearing that Wei Lan didn’t go out to fool around today, Lu Zijin felt quite good. Even her appetite improved a bit.

Just as Lu Zijin finished her meal and prepared to bathe, a guard’s report came from outside.

“What’s the matter?” Lu Zijin raised her eyes and asked.

The servant bowed to Lu Zijin at the door and then said, “Young lady, it’s… it’s Cao Qiushuang. He stopped breathing.”

Lu Zijin nodded faintly. “Have someone take him outside the city and deal with it. You all clean the woodshed properly.”

“Yes, I’ll do it right away,” the guard said, immediately following her orders.

Cao Qiushuang’s matter wasn’t worth mentioning to Lu Zijin. Speaking of which, the servants in the mansion had been very well-behaved lately. Even Yun Xiang stayed quietly in her room because her face was swollen.

Lu Zijin didn’t bother with these small matters anymore. After bathing, she went to bed to rest. But she thought of Wei Lan again. Last night, the little Qianyuan was obedient and sweet, holding her to sleep all night.

This time, Lu Zijin wasn’t in her rain-and-dew period, so she noticed the difference from before more easily. It seemed Wei Lan really had a calming effect on her. In the past, no matter how tired she was, she needed a long time to fall asleep after lying down. But last night, even though it wasn’t her rain-and-dew period, she fell asleep quickly in Wei Lan’s arms.

Lu Zijin suddenly missed Wei Lan’s bed. But she closed her eyes and pushed the thought away. She didn’t want to rely on any Qianyuan, not even Wei Lan. Thinking this, Lu Zijin’s mood calmed down a bit.

The next morning, Lu Zijin got up early as usual. While she ate breakfast, a guard from the side gate came to report. He said a sneaky person outside was looking for Tian Da. The guards had already detained him.

Lu Zijin drank two sips of porridge and said, “Bring the person to my courtyard. You all interrogate him properly.”

“Yes.” The man was already tied up and brought outside Lu Zijin’s courtyard. Now, the guards dragged him in and forced him to kneel in her courtyard.

Several guards began interrogating the man. When he didn’t answer or lied, the guards hit him with fists and kicks. Soon, bl00d appeared on his face and body. After a while, the man cried and confessed everything.

“Miss Lu, please spare me! It was our young master Chen Zhou who sent me to find Tian Da. It’s not my fault. My young master made me do it,” the man cried. Two of his teeth had been knocked out by the mansion’s guards.

Lu Zijin drank a few sips of porridge slowly and said, “Is that so? What did Young Master Chen want with my servant? Did he want someone to spy on me?”

“I don’t know, I don’t know! I’m just a messenger. Please let me go, Miss Lu,” the servant cried, tears streaming down his face.

Lu Zijin’s face turned cold. She thought Tian Da’s death would make Chen Zhou behave for a few days. But just a few days later, he couldn’t sit still again.

“Let you go? Fine. Tie him up and throw him at the Chen Mansion’s gate,” Lu Zijin said. She wiped her hands with a cloth and ignored him, heading straight to her study.

The guards acted quickly. Six of them tied the man up, threw him at the Chen Mansion’s gate, and left. The guards at the Chen Mansion’s gate didn’t react in time. Only when they heard the man’s cries for help did they rush to assist him.

“Pockmark, what happened to you? How did you get beaten like this? Who were those people just now?” the guards at the Chen Mansion’s gate asked.

“Young master, take me to see the young master quickly,” Pockmark said, his mouth leaking air as he spoke.

Several people supported Pockmark to find Chen Zhou.

Chen Zhou was in his study, discussing with a few shop managers how to poach Qing Lan from Yuya Pavilion to their side. Hearing the commotion outside, his face darkened. He asked, “Su Er, what’s going on outside?”

Su Er hurried out to check. Soon, he ran back in a panic. “Young master, it’s bad, it’s bad.”

“What happened? Why are you so flustered?” Chen Zhou asked with a grim face.

“It’s Pockmark. He’s been beaten and injured all over. They threw him at the Chen Mansion’s gate,” Su Er explained quickly.

“What? Bring him in for me to see,” Chen Zhou said, his face even darker. He dismissed the shop managers. Soon, Pockmark was brought in.

Pockmark knelt on the ground and cried, “Young master, it was the Lu Mansion’s people who beat me like this. I went to the side gate of the Lu Mansion to ask the guards to find Tian Da for me. But they grabbed me and took me to Miss Lu. Miss Lu had them interrogate me and beat me until I was covered in wounds.”

Chen Zhou’s face grew worse. He took a deep breath and asked, “What did Lu Zijin say? Tell me exactly, word for word.”

“She asked what Young Master Chen wanted with her servant and if you wanted someone to spy on her. I don’t remember much after that. They beat me senseless. Young master, you have to stand up for me,” Pockmark sobbed, hoping Chen Zhou would help him seek revenge.

Chen Zhou stood up expressionlessly and walked to Pockmark. He kicked him hard. “Stand up for you? You ruined my plans! What did you say to Lu Zijin? Speak!”

Pockmark trembled and lay on the ground, crying, “I only said the young master sent me to find Tian Da. I didn’t know anything else.”

“Fool, you fool!” Chen Zhou kicked Pockmark twice more, making him spit bl00d. Then he asked, “Where’s Tian Da? Did you see him? And Yun Xiang, did you see her?”

“No, they grabbed me as soon as I got there. I didn’t see Tian Da. Young master, spare me, spare me!” Pockmark knelt on the ground, begging Chen Zhou.

Chen Zhou’s face was grim. He hadn’t received any news lately and worried that his spies in the Lu Mansion had problems. So he sent someone to check. He didn’t expect the Lu Mansion’s guards to grab and interrogate the person.

Now it was over. What did Lu Zijin mean by those words? Did she realize he had planted spies in her mansion? If so, that was bad. His image in Lu Zijin’s eyes would take a big hit.

Chen Zhou thought for a moment and said, “Su Er, have someone take this beast with me to the Lu Mansion to apologize.”

Pockmark was stunned. Wasn’t it their young master who sent him? Why did they need to apologize now? “Spare me, young master, spare me!”

They gagged Pockmark and dragged him out of the mansion with the Chen Mansion’s guards. Chen Zhou took a carriage to the Lu Mansion’s gate.

Chen Zhou sent a servant to knock on the door. The servant went quickly. In the past, when they knocked, the Lu Mansion’s people would welcome them in. But now, things were different. The guards at the gate didn’t let them in immediately. Instead, they sent someone to report.

Chen Zhou clenched his fists tightly at his side. He cursed these fools silently for not reading the situation. He would be the master of the Lu Mansion sooner or later, yet they dared to block him at the gate?

But he wasn’t in a hurry. The Lu Mansion’s people wouldn’t dare refuse them entry, especially since the two families were related.

Soon, the guard who went to report ran back. He stood before Chen Zhou and said, “My young lady said she’s too busy today to see guests. Young Master Cousin, please go back.”

“What? How is that possible? Zijin won’t let me in?” Chen Zhou felt his face burn, as if someone had slapped him publicly.

“Yes, that’s what the young lady instructed,” the guard said, then returned to his post at the gate.

Chen Zhou gritted his teeth so hard they creaked. He stared at the Lu Mansion’s gate for a long time before saying, “Let’s go.”

The servants followed Chen Zhou back to their residence. When they returned, Chen Zhou went to his room alone. Soon, the sound of porcelain shattering came from the room.

“Lu Zijin, you wretched woman! Just a Kunze, yet you dare give me attitude and beat my man. One day, one day I’ll make you kneel and beg me!” Chen Zhou said, smashing another porcelain vase.

His chest ached with frustration. He couldn’t contact Yun Xiang to understand the situation, so he had to stay put for now.

Chen Zhou threw porcelain all over the floor, then adjusted his clothes and said, “Come in and clean this up.”

Then he took Su Er to the study and asked, “Did you find out anything about Qing Lan as I asked?”

Su Er shook his head. “No, I asked many people, but they all said they didn’t know such a person. The people at Yuya Pavilion are tight-lipped. We can’t get anything out of them. All we know is that only Xiao Nanyan can contact Qing Lan.”

“Useless!” Chen Zhou cursed angrily. This morning, nothing had gone his way.

At that moment, in Jingchen Courtyard, Yun Xiang had just heard the commotion. She was terrified. The swelling on her face hadn’t gone down yet. She feared the man might have ratted her out. With the young lady’s ruthless methods, she might really have her beaten to death.

She also didn’t dare show her face lately. Her injuries hadn’t healed. If the young master cousin saw her, he’d surely dislike her. So Yun Xiang had been extra well-behaved, only leaving her room to get medicine from the mansion’s physician.

At this moment, Lu Zijin was in her study, handling various matters. Huang Ming stood respectfully nearby. He thought of Chen Zhou being blocked outside the mansion and couldn’t help but say, “Young lady, not letting the young master cousin in, won’t that offend him?”

Lu Zijin didn’t even lift her eyes. She said, “No matter. Ignore him.”

She wasn’t the same Lu Zijin from a year ago. Now, the Lu Mansion’s business had regained its footing. She didn’t need to care about these people’s opinions anymore. In a few days, the city lord would select the imperial merchant to supply court clothing materials in Panyang City. Both she and Chen Zhou wanted this deal.

This selection was mainly for the imperial merchant supplying materials for court officials’ clothing. The materials for the royal family were usually chosen from Jiangnan City and Jiangbei City. Merchants from Panyang City weren’t qualified to compete for that. But even supplying court officials’ clothing was a big order. If she secured it, the Lu Mansion’s top position in Panyang City would be unshakable.

“Are the clothing materials for the imperial merchant selection ready in a few days?” Lu Zijin looked up and asked a manager standing in the study.

“They’re selected,” the manager said, glancing cautiously at Lu Zijin. He added, “Young lady, I heard City Lord Lu loves jade like his life. These days, the young master cousin has started looking for fine jade items in the city. I also heard he’s looking for the champion of the jade appreciation contest.”

Lu Zijin’s brows furrowed slightly. She said, “The champion of the jade appreciation contest? Is it Liu Bingkun or Huo Feng?”

“Neither. It’s a female carver named Qing Lan, said to be from Yuya Pavilion. The city lord seems to love Qing Lan’s carved jade. He even joined the auction at the contest but didn’t win because others outbid him,” the manager explained.

Gift-giving was essential in such matters. Lu Zijin had planned to send the city lord a jade piece by Liu Bingkun or Huo Feng. She hadn’t expected Panyang City’s top jade carver to change. She might need to visit Xiao Nanyan.

“Did Chen Zhou buy Qing Lan’s carved piece?” Lu Zijin asked quickly.

“No. Those who won Qing Lan’s pieces at the jade contest refused to sell. They don’t lack money, so no one would sell to him. He sent people to Yuya Pavilion several times but couldn’t find Qing Lan. I heard only Xiao Nanyan can contact the carver named Qing Lan,” the manager continued.

In Panyang City, the weaving and dyeing merchants had similar skills. The city lord’s preference decided the winner. Catering to his tastes was necessary. Lu Zijin had planned to buy a Liu Bingkun piece and deliver it herself. But now, it seemed whoever got Qing Lan’s piece had a better chance of winning.

Lu Zijin suddenly remembered Wei Lan had gone to the jade appreciation contest with Xiao Nanyan. Could Wei Lan know the carver named Qing Lan?

But she dismissed the idea. Xiao Nanyan kept Qing Lan hidden and likely didn’t want others contacting her. She probably wouldn’t let Wei Lan meet Qing Lan either. Still, since Wei Lan knew Xiao Nanyan, she could take Wei Lan to visit her.

“Manager Wang, go prepare an invitation for the Xiao Mansion. I want to visit Xiao Nanyan’s residence with the master this afternoon,” Lu Zijin said.

“Should I include the master’s name on the invitation?” Manager Wang asked.

Lu Zijin nodded. “Naturally. Go handle it.”

“Yes,” Manager Wang replied, hurrying to write the invitation.

Lu Zijin quickly handled her tasks. After finishing most of her external matters, she said, “Qing Zhi, prepare a soft sedan. I’m going to see the master.”

“Yes, young lady,” Qing Zhi said, rushing to arrange it.

Soon, Lu Zijin sat in the soft sedan. The group quickly headed to Fuqu Pavilion.

At that moment, Wei Lan was in her workshop. She had started carving phoenix patterns on the jade hairpin. She woke early today to finish the emerald jewelry set sooner.

Wei Lan sat at the lathe, steadily carving the jade hairpin. She occasionally sprinkled water-mixed jade-dissolving sand on it. Her focus was entirely on the small hairpin.

Suddenly, footsteps and greetings came from the courtyard.

Wei Lan’s brows furrowed slightly. She disliked interruptions while carving jade. After finishing a cut, a young maid came to report.

“Master, the young lady is here.”

“I know,” Wei Lan said. She stood, brushed the dust off her clothes, and opened the workshop door to step out.

“Madam, why did you come so early? I haven’t finished carving the emerald jewelry for you,” Wei Lan said.

Lu Zijin smiled and walked over. Seeing sweat on Wei Lan’s forehead, she took her own cloth to wipe the fine sweat away. “Why did you sweat so much?”

“Hmm, I was carving jade inside,” Wei Lan replied obediently.

“Let’s go to your bedroom to talk,” Lu Zijin said. Then she added, “Qing Zhi, have someone prepare water for the master.”

“Yes,” Qing Zhi said, hurrying to arrange it.

“Madam, do you have something to discuss with me?” Wei Lan asked. She knew Lu Zijin usually handled business in the morning and wouldn’t come to see her.

Lu Zijin reached out and pinched Wei Lan’s cheek, smiling. “What? Don’t you want me to come?”

“No, no, I’m just worried you’re too busy and might get tired,” Wei Lan explained quickly.

Lu Zijin smiled at her and said, “I had them prepare water. Go bathe first, then we’ll talk.”

“Hmm,” Wei Lan nodded obediently. She was sweaty, and since she wasn’t carving now, the stickiness felt uncomfortable.

Soon, the maids prepared the water. Wei Lan went to bathe. She soaked in the tub, and most of her fatigue melted away.

Lu Zijin rolled up her sleeves and walked over. She smiled faintly at Wei Lan. “I’ll help the master wash.”

Hearing Lu Zijin say this, Wei Lan’s ear tips turned slightly red. Her cheeks flushed too. Was Madam going to wash her mark again? Last time, Madam helped her wash it, and by the end, she was so exhausted she had no strength.

Wei Lan looked up obediently at Lu Zijin. She consciously peeled off the plaster on her mark. Her eyes sparkled as she looked at Lu Zijin, like a puppy seeking praise from its owner.

Lu Zijin laughed, amused by her. She only meant to help Wei Lan scrub her back and mention the afternoon’s plans. She didn’t expect Wei Lan to be so eager, peeling off the plaster on her mark as soon as she approached.

Lu Zijin’s eyes curved. She reached out and gently rubbed Wei Lan’s mark. With just a few light touches, the scent of fresh snow wafted out.

Wei Lan’s ear tips reddened. She let Lu Zijin rub her mark, seeming to enjoy it. She even nuzzled Lu Zijin’s wrist affectionately.

Seeing the soft little Qianyuan in the tub, Lu Zijin’s gaze deepened. But she controlled her touch, not daring to play as freely as last time. They had to go out in the afternoon, and exhausting Wei Lan wouldn’t do.

“When you went to the jade appreciation contest with Xiao Nanyan, did you see the carver named Qing Lan?” Lu Zijin asked.

Wei Lan’s ear tips turned redder. She replied with a hint of guilt, “I saw her. What’s wrong, Madam?”

“I want to ask Qing Lan for a favor. I want to buy a jade carving from her. But I heard she’s elusive, so I thought of asking Xiao Nanyan to help contact her,” Lu Zijin said.

Wei Lan paused. Qing Lan was her. She hid her identity because she didn’t want others to know. But now Lu Zijin was looking for her. Why go through Xiao Nanyan?

“Madam, you don’t need to find Xiao Nanyan. I know Qing Lan,” Wei Lan said, looking up.

“You know her?” Lu Zijin’s eyes brightened. She asked eagerly.

“Hmm, I met her twice at Xiao Nanyan’s place. Madam, what kind of carving do you want to buy? You can tell me directly, and I’ll talk to her,” Wei Lan said.

“Won’t that be too abrupt? Should I visit her myself?” Lu Zijin said. She felt having Wei Lan pass the message might seem disrespectful. Qing Lan was Panyang City’s top carver, so visiting in person showed more sincerity.

“No, no, she doesn’t like meeting strangers. She’s quite odd. Madam, just tell me, and I’ll talk to her. She’ll definitely agree,” Wei Lan said, her eyes sparkling.

“Alright, then I won’t send the invitation to the Xiao Mansion?” Lu Zijin asked.

“Hmm, no need. I already know Qing Lan. There’s no need to go through Xiao Nanyan. That’s taking the long way,” Wei Lan said.

“Good,” Lu Zijin nodded. She pinched Wei Lan’s cheek and stepped toward the door. Wei Lan knowing Qing Lan was even better. This way, she wouldn’t owe Xiao Nanyan a favor.

She gave a few instructions to the maids outside, asking them to tell Manager Wang not to send the invitation. Then she returned to Wei Lan’s bedroom.

When Lu Zijin came back, she saw Wei Lan waiting eagerly.

Lu Zijin’s eyes curved. She rolled up her sleeves again and lightly tapped Wei Lan’s mark with her fingertip. “The master helped me so much. What reward do you want, hmm?”

Wei Lan felt shy. She nuzzled Lu Zijin’s wrist obediently and looked at her. “Then I want to have dinner at Madam’s place tonight and sleep with Madam. Is that okay?”

Lu Zijin’s smile widened. The little Qianyuan was so easy to please. After helping her so much, all she wanted was to eat dinner at her place and share a bed. So innocent and pure.

“Of course,” Lu Zijin agreed with a smile.

Wei Lan thought for a moment and asked, “Madam, what kind of carving do you need? Who is it for?”

Lu Zijin said, “It’s for the city lord. In a few days, our family will compete for the imperial merchant position. The city lord makes the decision. I heard he loves Qing Lan’s carvings, so I want to cater to his taste.”

Wei Lan nodded. “Alright. What about the raw stone? Will Madam provide it?”

“Hmm, it’s ready. It’s a piece of white jade the size of a human face,” Lu Zijin said.

“Good. Then Madam can give the white jade to me. I’ll have Qing Lan carve it,” Wei Lan said obediently.

“That’s perfect,” Lu Zijin said. She gently pressed Wei Lan’s mark, and Wei Lan softly nuzzled her wrist, acting spoiled.

“Madam, it tickles~”

“Be good, it’ll be done soon,” Lu Zijin said. She lightly rubbed the tender mark a few more times. Wei Lan’s neck and shoulders turned faintly pink.

Lu Zijin’s dark eyes deepened. They say Kunze are born seductive, but she felt her little Qianyuan was just as alluring. With this soft, delicate appearance, Lu Zijin didn’t want to leave. She had many tasks to handle later. If this continued, she’d end up lingering in bed with Wei Lan again.