Transmigrated as a Cannon Fodder Wife A in Ancient Times - Chapter 36

Chapter 36

“It’s almost done,” Lu Zijin said. She dared not continue with Wei Lan, fearing the little Qianyuan could not handle it and would end up exhausted for most of the day, like last time.

“Thank you, Madam, for helping me,” Wei Lan said. She raised her eyes and thanked her obediently.

“No need to thank me,” Lu Zijin replied. “By the way, I heard people say Qing Lan’s jasper carvings usually sold for around five thousand taels at auctions. Later, I’ll have someone bring you five thousand taels in silver notes. When you meet Qing Lan, pay her the carving fee.”

Wei Lan’s eyes darted around. She quickly said, “No need for so much, Madam. She’s my friend. Two thousand taels is enough. Giving too much would make things awkward.”

After all, Qing Lan was herself. Taking her own Madam’s silver naturally meant giving her a discount. Wei Lan thought about it and felt happy. Her little treasury would soon gain another sum.

Lu Zijin shook her head. “We already feel bad asking for her help,” she said. “The price we offer shouldn’t be higher than the market, but it should at least match it to show our sincerity. Besides, this matter is quite urgent. My lord, can you talk to her properly and see if she can finish the carving in three or four days?”

“If Madam is in a hurry, it’s definitely possible,” Wei Lan said. She smiled at Lu Zijin and added, “I’ll talk to her properly, and she’ll surely agree.”

“Good, then don’t delay. Go there this afternoon, my lord,” Lu Zijin said quickly.

Wei Lan nodded. “Alright, then I’ll come to your place for dinner tonight,” she said.

“I know. Your meal is guaranteed,” Lu Zijin said. She smiled and gently tapped Wei Lan’s nose. “Come out now. The water’s getting cold.”

Wei Lan’s cheeks flushed slightly. She grabbed Lu Zijin’s wrist and shook it lightly. “Then wait for me outside,” she said.

Lu Zijin pinched Wei Lan’s cheek. “Alright, I’ll wait outside,” she said.

Knowing Wei Lan was shy, Lu Zijin didn’t tease her further and went to wait outside the screen.

Wei Lan got out of the bath. She wiped her body, then changed into clean clothes. She walked outside, drying her hair with a towel.

Lu Zijin saw her drying her hair. She took the towel from Wei Lan’s hand and gently helped her dry it.

“I’ll have dinner here later,” Lu Zijin said. “After dinner, I’ll go back to handle things. You should go early this afternoon too. When you meet Qing Lan, talk to her properly.”

“I know, Madam. Don’t worry,” Wei Lan said. She smiled at Lu Zijin.

“Good, then I’ll trouble you, my lord,” Lu Zijin said softly. Her eyes were full of gentleness.

She had thought the little Qianyuan only knew how to eat and drink. She never expected Wei Lan could help her so much one day.

This matter with the imperial merchant was important. Securing this order wasn’t just for this year. As long as Lu Mansion made no major mistakes, the order would belong to them for years to come. It was a long-term prize, so all the merchants in the city wanted to grab it.

“It’s no trouble,” Wei Lan said. She couldn’t just eat Madam’s soft rice for free. Since Madam needed her, she would perform well. But she still had to go to Yuya Pavilion in the afternoon. If she didn’t go out and carved the jade at the mansion, she’d surely give herself away.

Lu Zijin helped Wei Lan dry her hair. Wei Lan simply tied her hair into a bun and fixed it with a jade hairpin.

Lu Zijin instructed people to prepare lunch. Soon, the meal was ready.

Wei Lan sat clingily next to Lu Zijin. She found it strange. Before, she wished Lu Zijin wouldn’t come to her. But now, things felt different. She quite liked being with Lu Zijin, especially sleeping in her arms. It was very comfortable.

Lu Zijin reached to serve chicken soup from a small clay pot. When her gaze swept over Wei Lan, she saw her smiling. Lu Zijin’s eyes curved slightly. “What are you thinking about? Why so happy?” she asked.

“I’m thinking about sleeping with Madam tonight, so I’m happy,” Wei Lan said. She blurted out her thoughts smoothly.

Lu Zijin placed the served chicken soup in front of Wei Lan. She gently touched Wei Lan’s cheek and teased with a smile, “What? Does my lord like sleeping with me so much?”

Wei Lan seemed to enjoy Lu Zijin’s touch. Her eyes narrowed slightly. She nuzzled Lu Zijin’s wrist affectionately and said, “Sleeping while holding Madam is very comfortable.”

Lu Zijin enjoyed Wei Lan’s affection. She laughed and said, “Alright, tonight I’ll let you hold me. Be good and eat first.”

“Hmm,” Wei Lan said. She smiled, nodded at Lu Zijin, and started eating.

Wei Lan first ate a piece of specially made braised pork bone. She didn’t know what spices the cook used, but the bone was especially fragrant, especially the marrow inside. Wei Lan loved it. In a short while, she ate two pieces.

Compared to Wei Lan’s ravenous eating, Lu Zijin ate much more refined. She rarely touched meat. But seeing Wei Lan eat so eagerly, Lu Zijin picked up a piece to try.

She took one bite and set it aside. It wasn’t bad, but she grew up eating high-quality food, so this taste was ordinary to her.

Lu Zijin looked up at Wei Lan. Wei Lan ate with such relish. By now, she had switched to another dish, eating crispy fried small yellow fish.

Watching the little Qianyuan’s eating manner, Lu Zijin’s eyes curved softly. “Eat slowly. No one’s fighting you for it,” she said gently.

“Hmm, it’s delicious,” Wei Lan said vaguely.

She ate for a while longer and finally drank the chicken soup. She sighed contentedly, “So full.”

Wei Lan looked at Lu Zijin and saw her smiling warmly at her.

Wei Lan blinked at Lu Zijin, a bit embarrassed. “Madam, did I eat too much?” she asked.

“No, I can afford to feed you no matter how much you eat,” Lu Zijin said. She used her own towel to wipe Wei Lan’s mouth. Raising Wei Lan was like raising a small pet—simple, just keep her well-fed and happy.

“Hehe, Madam treats me so well,” Wei Lan said. She was overjoyed. Lu Zijin was truly generous, not only providing her meals but now giving her double pay. Originally, she planned to ask for less, but her rich wife insisted on five thousand taels, so she happily accepted.

“Alright, I should go back now. I still have many things to handle,” Lu Zijin said. She smiled at Wei Lan.

Wei Lan felt reluctant to let her rich wife leave. She softly grabbed Lu Zijin’s wrist and shook it.

Lu Zijin gently pinched Wei Lan’s cheek. “Be good. Come find me tonight,” she said.

“Hmm, hmm, then Madam, wait for me,” Wei Lan said reluctantly.

“Alright,” Lu Zijin said softly. She soon left with the people from Jingchen Courtyard.

Wei Lan had the servants clear the dishes from the bedroom. Then she took a nice nap.

When she woke up, Qing Zhi came with a few maids.

Qing Zhi knocked respectfully at the door. “My lord, I brought the jade and silver notes for you,” she said.

Wei Lan had already dressed. She said, “Come in.”

“Yes,” Qing Zhi said. She pushed the door open and led the maids into Wei Lan’s bedroom.

Wei Lan told them to leave the items and go. After they left, Wei Lan’s eyes sparkled as she looked at the five thousand taels in silver notes.

Lu Zijin truly was a rich lady, giving five thousand taels so casually.

Wei Lan happily tucked the silver notes away. She ran to the wardrobe with the notes, took out a brocade box from the top shelf, and opened it. Inside were five thousand six hundred taels in silver notes. She added the new five thousand taels.

Looking at the silver notes in the brocade box, Wei Lan was thrilled. Ten thousand six hundred taels—she was now somewhat of a little rich lady herself.

She put away the box with her private savings and looked at the white jade. The jade’s quality was excellent, perfect for carving a landscape ornament.

Wei Lan wrapped the white jade in cloth and went to her workshop. She placed the white jade there but used the red cloth to wrap a piece of jasper about the same size.

She took the red cloth bundle and left Fuqu Pavilion, heading to Yuya Pavilion.

Xiao Nanyan wasn’t at Yuya Pavilion today. But Wei Lan wasn’t there to find her. She just wanted to make a quick visit and leave the small bundle there for safekeeping.

She greeted Zhao Chengye, then went upstairs to a room with the bundle. Wei Lan placed the bundle on the round table, rested briefly, and left.

On her way back, Wei Lan’s hands were empty. This meant she had “delivered” the white jade to Qing Lan. She praised her own cleverness and happily walked back.

On the way, Wei Lan ran into Wang Zhen and Feng Hua, two former friends of her original body.

Wei Lan didn’t want to deal with them. She headed straight to Lu Mansion. But Wang Zhen and Feng Hua approached her.

“Wei Lan, long time no see. How have you been lately?” Wang Zhen asked.

Wei Lan glanced at him and said flatly, “I’m fine. I have things to do, so I’m going back to the mansion.”

“Wait, don’t go yet. Chat with us a bit more. Your brothers are waiting for you to lead us. Wei Lan, are you distancing yourself from us?” Feng Hua said sharply.

“It’s getting late. If I return late, Madam will worry about me,” Wei Lan said. She had no interest in these people and started to leave.

Wang Zhen blocked her path. “Wei Lan, what’s that supposed to mean? Now that you’re Lu Mansion’s son-in-law, you think you’re rich and look down on us?”

“What? Are you planning to do something to me?” Wei Lan said coldly. Her gaze swept over them.

Wang Zhen and Feng Hua didn’t dare act against her. They just didn’t want to let go of this “fat sheep.” They were short on cash and wanted some money.

Wang Zhen smiled at her. “Wei Lan, your brothers are a bit tight on funds. Can you lend us some silver? Lu Mansion isn’t short on money. You wouldn’t ignore your brothers, right?” he said.

Wei Lan’s face turned cold. “What? Are you trying to extort Lu Mansion’s lord in the street?” she said loudly.

Her voice drew attention from passersby.

Lu Mansion was Panyang City’s top merchant. Who dared offend them? Her words made Wang Zhen and Feng Hua panic. They were just street thugs, nowhere near bold enough to cross Lu Mansion.

Wang Zhen gave an awkward laugh. “No way. If you don’t want to lend, forget it,” he said.

Wei Lan didn’t bother with him. She walked past them and continued back.

After Wei Lan was far off, Wang Zhen spat toward her direction. “Pah, just a soft-rice-eating pretty boy, turning his back on us. I bet Lu Mansion will kick you out sooner or later,” he said.

“Forget it, don’t get mad. Wei Lan doesn’t seem favored. Maybe Lu Zijin doesn’t even give her money. Let’s go drink and ignore her,” Feng Hua said. He pulled Wang Zhen away.

Wei Lan didn’t take them seriously. She soon returned to Lu Mansion and went to her workshop.

She took out the white jade and examined it carefully. Since it was for a gift, she had to carve it well. She couldn’t let Madam’s silver go to waste.

Thinking this, Wei Lan took out a bottle of pomegranate juice. She poured it into a small dish and used a pointed brush to sketch rough lines.

After finishing, she didn’t plan to start carving today. It was late. She told the maids in the courtyard and headed to Jingchen Courtyard.

The weather wasn’t hot at this hour. Walking there meant she could eat more later.

When Wei Lan arrived at Jingchen Courtyard, she saw many shopkeepers at Lu Zijin’s study. Lu Zijin seemed busy giving them instructions.

Qing Zhi saw Wei Lan and hurried over. “My lord, I’ll inform Miss,” she said.

“Wait, don’t disturb her. I’ll wait in the bedroom,” Wei Lan said.

“Alright, I’ll have someone prepare tea for you,” Qing Zhi said. She quickly sent someone to fetch a fresh pot.

Wei Lan went to Lu Zijin’s bedroom. She picked up the teapot and poured herself a cup. It had honey, as usual, and tasted great.

Feeling bored, she slumped softly on the table, playing with a jade token she carved at Mingyue Tower.

That competition jade token couldn’t be kept by the organizers. After the jade appraisal contest, the participants’ tokens were returned to them.

Wei Lan had been wearing the token lately, taking it out to fiddle with now and then.

She nearly fell asleep playing when Lu Zijin finally finished in the study. The shopkeepers left.

Qing Zhi reported to Lu Zijin, “Miss, my lord has been here for a while. She’s waiting in the bedroom.”

Lu Zijin was slightly tired. But thinking of Wei Lan, a faint smile appeared in her eyes. “Good, I’ll go see her,” she said.

When Lu Zijin entered the bedroom, she saw Wei Lan slumped softly on the table, playing with something in her hand.

Lu Zijin walked in with a smile. “Waited long?” she asked gently.

Hearing Lu Zijin’s voice, Wei Lan looked up quickly. “Not long. Are you done?” she asked.

“Yes, almost everything’s handled,” Lu Zijin said. She walked over and touched Wei Lan’s cheek. The little Qianyuan was obedient. When she saw Lu Zijin reaching to touch her, she propped her face, letting her touch freely, even nuzzling her palm affectionately.

Lu Zijin enjoyed Wei Lan’s docile manner. Raising her was far more fun than raising cats or dogs.

“Madam, are you tired? Sit and rest,” Wei Lan said. She felt sorry for her benefactor. Lu Zijin couldn’t get worn out, or her soft rice would be gone.

“A bit tired, but seeing you makes me less tired. How did things go this afternoon?” Lu Zijin asked. She was still thinking about the carving.

“I’ve delivered the raw stone to her and the money too. I’ll pick it up in a few days,” Wei Lan said obediently.

“That’s great. I’ll leave this to you, my lord,” Lu Zijin said. She smiled and pinched Wei Lan’s cheek.

Wei Lan nodded docilely. “Hmm, hmm, Madam, don’t worry. I’ve arranged everything with her,” she said.

“Good. Shall I have dinner served? Then we can rest early?” Lu Zijin asked. She’d handled many things today and was tired.

“Yes, good,” Wei Lan said, perking up at the mention of food.

Lu Zijin instructed the servants to prepare. Soon, the meal arrived. She was exhausted and had little appetite, eating very little.

Wei Lan, in stark contrast, ate voraciously, as if she could finish the whole spread. But she didn’t forget to check on her rich wife.

“Madam, aren’t you eating?” Wei Lan asked, looking puzzled at the table of fine dishes.

“Not really hungry,” Lu Zijin said. “I’ll have two bowls of bird’s nest soup prepared. You have one later too.”

“Okay, thank you, Madam,” Wei Lan said happily. Following a rich lady was the best.

Qing Zhi soon had the rock sugar bird’s nest soup brought in. Lu Zijin took a few sips, feeling her stomach settle.

Wei Lan was nearly done eating. She finished her meal and drank a bowl of bird’s nest to top it off.

Lu Zijin watched Wei Lan’s satisfied look. Her eyes curved. The little Qianyuan was so easy to please. Just dinner made her this happy.

“I’m full, Madam. You bathe first, then rest early,” Wei Lan said considerately. Her rich wife was her benefactor. She had to stay healthy so Wei Lan’s soft rice could last longer. Of course, the male lead better not show up soon.

Speaking of Chen Zhou from the original book, Wei Lan hadn’t heard much about him since she arrived. That was good. Male leads should stay far away.

“Alright, I’ll have it prepared,” Lu Zijin said, pleased with Wei Lan’s thoughtfulness.

The maids came to clear the table and prepare hot water.

Lu Zijin thought Wei Lan might get bored alone. She stood, went to her dressing table, and took a small pouch from a drawer. She placed it in front of Wei Lan. “So you don’t get bored, play with this,” she said.

“I’m not a kid,” Wei Lan said softly, looking up at Lu Zijin. Since getting closer to her, Wei Lan enjoyed liking to act coy with her—a new experience she’d never done in her past life.

“Wait for me obediently,” Lu Zijin said. She touched Wei Lan’s cheek, opened the pouch, and poured out its contents.

Wei Lan saw a pile of small golden cubes. Each one was beautiful.

“What are these?” Wei Lan asked, looking up.

Lu Zijin smiled at her. “Small gold pieces. Play with them,” she said.

Hearing they were gold, Wei Lan’s eyes lit up. She thanked Lu Zijin immediately. “Thank you, Madam,” she said.

She happily played with the gold pieces, marveling inwardly. Lu Zijin was truly a rich lady. Even the toys she casually gave were gold. She had to hold onto this soft rice tightly.

While waiting for Lu Zijin to bathe, Wei Lan got bored. She stacked the gold pieces high, then built a little house with them.

When Lu Zijin came out from her bath, she saw Wei Lan, who just said she wasn’t a kid, playing happily with the gold pieces.

Her eyes curved. She dried her wet hair and asked, “Like them?”

“I love them. I love everything Madam gives me,” Wei Lan said sweetly. She stopped playing and helped dry Lu Zijin’s wet hair.

After the bathtub was cleared, Lu Zijin urged her to bathe. Wei Lan hadn’t carved jade today, so she wasn’t dirty. She soaked briefly, changed into clean clothes, and went out.

When she went to dry her hair, Lu Zijin was already in bed.

Wei Lan sped up, switching to a dry towel. “Madam, wait for me before sleeping,” she said.

Lu Zijin looked at her with a smile. “Alright, I’m waiting,” she said.

Finally, Wei Lan dried her hair. She climbed into bed in her inner clothes, lying on the outer side.

Seeing Lu Zijin’s eyes closed, Wei Lan carefully hooked her pinky with her finger.

Lu Zijin’s lips curved. She opened her eyes and looked at Wei Lan. “What’s wrong?” she asked.

“Madam, want to sleep holding each other like last time?” Wei Lan asked, her eyes bright with anticipation.

Lu Zijin sighed. She shouldn’t grow dependent on Wei Lan. But the little Qianyuan helped her greatly today. Holding her to sleep was no big deal—just a reward.

She beckoned Wei Lan with her finger. Wei Lan’s eyes lit up, and she scooted over.

“Lie down,” Lu Zijin said. She pressed Wei Lan’s shoulder, signaling her to lie flat. Lu Zijin rested in Wei Lan’s arms.

Wei Lan wrapped her arm around Lu Zijin’s waist. Her eyes curved. Madam’s waist was quite slim, but her figure was nice.

As Wei Lan daydreamed, she felt a tickle at her neck. Lu Zijin’s hand had somehow reached her mark, gently pressing it now and then.

Wei Lan softened instantly. Her mark was toyed with by Lu Zijin’s fingertips, and the scent of fresh snow wafted out occasionally. “Madam, it tickles~” she said.

Lu Zijin looked at her. Her touch grew firmer. “This is a reward for my lord. Comfortable?” she asked.

Wei Lan nodded obediently. “Comfortable, but it feels a bit strange,” she said.

Seeing the little Qianyuan’s innocent look, Lu Zijin’s fingers moved faster. “Really? Does my lord like this? Hmm?” she asked.

“I kind of like it,” Wei Lan said softly. Her eyes grew misty.

Lu Zijin’s dark eyes deepened. When her fingers grazed the mark, it was scorching, and her heart trembled lightly.

“My lord’s mark has too much scent. Shall I help you?” Lu Zijin asked gently, coaxing. Her fingers kept moving.

“Okay,” Wei Lan said, soft and delicate. She grabbed Lu Zijin’s hem pitifully, trusting her completely.

Lu Zijin’s lips curved. She leaned in, gently nibbling. The person beneath her seemed to soften further.

Lu Zijin didn’t use force this time, but Wei Lan felt stranger. Not only was her mark comfortable, but her whole body felt good, though she was a bit weak.

“Madam, I’m out of strength,” Wei Lan said softly, still clutching Lu Zijin’s clothes obediently.

Lu Zijin seemed amused. She nibbled again, but not harshly like before. She toyed lightly with the mark. Wei Lan couldn’t handle it, her body trembling.

Lu Zijin stroked Wei Lan’s cheek, coaxing gently, “Be good, it’ll be over soon. Too much scent in your mark will make you uncomfortable.”

She said soothing words, ignoring that she was the one who made Wei Lan’s neck swell.

“Then, Madam, help me get it out,” Wei Lan said, believing her fully. She replied obediently, soft and delicate.

“Alright, I’ll help,” Lu Zijin said. She pressed her lips to the mark again, drawing in the fresh snow scent in gulps.

After a while, when Wei Lan lacked even the strength to clutch her hem, Lu Zijin stopped.

She wiped the sweat from Wei Lan’s forehead and poked her softened mark. “All done. Shall we rest early?” she asked gently.

“Okay,” Wei Lan said, her voice trembling, still dazed from the sensation. She felt like Madam had nearly “broken” her, a kind of indescribable comfort.

Wei Lan looked at Lu Zijin pitifully, saying nothing.

Lu Zijin pinched her cheek, coaxing softly, “Be good. Tomorrow morning, I’ll have them make your favorite milk cake, okay?”

“Okay,” Wei Lan said, humming softly. She hugged Lu Zijin tightly.

Lu Zijin’s smile deepened. The little Qianyuan was so easy to coax. After being toyed with for so long, her scent drained, a milk cake was enough to soothe her.

But Lu Zijin felt a bit worried. She pinched Wei Lan’s chin and said softly, “Don’t let anyone else touch your mark, understand?”

“I know, only Madam can play with it,” Wei Lan said obediently, her eyes fixed on Lu Zijin alone.

Lu Zijin nodded, satisfied. She tapped Wei Lan’s lips lightly. “So good,” she said.