Transmigrated as a Cannon Fodder Wife A in Ancient Times - Chapter 45

Chapter 45

Wei Lan came out after taking a bath, and the sky had already darkened. She thought for a moment and still wanted to visit Lu Zijin. She needed to discuss today’s events with Lu Zijin, as someone was eyeing the imperial merchant position, and Lu Zijin needed to take precautions early.

With this in mind, she instructed Li Zhufeng, who was standing nearby, “Later, you all can bring the food to Wei Qing’s room. I am going to visit Madam and might not return tonight.”

“Alright, Master, rest assured, we will take good care of Miss Wei Qing,” Li Zhufeng replied with a flattering smile. She smiled while thinking that Wei Lan was quite capable. In such a short time, she had won over the young lady’s heart. If she and Zhao Linghui had known about her ability, they would not have dared to offend her earlier.

Wei Lan tied her hair into a simple bun and casually inserted a jade hairpin. Then she set off toward Jingchen Courtyard, accompanied by four maids. After walking for nearly half an hour, Wei Lan arrived at Lu Zijin’s Jingchen Courtyard.

She was sweating. In the past, Wei Lan did not mind, thinking it was fine that Fuqu Pavilion was far from Jingchen Courtyard, as she did not want to see Lu Zijin back then. But now things were different. When she was not carving jade, she often thought of Lu Zijin, and coming here was too tiring.

As she thought about this, she entered the gate of Jingchen Courtyard. Qing Zhi and a group of servants and maids hurriedly bowed to Wei Lan, including Yun Xiang.

The injury on Yun Xiang’s face had mostly healed, but she had paid a heavy price. Just buying beauty and skincare pills from the mansion’s doctor had cost her most of the silver she had saved over the years.

After recovering, Yun Xiang became much more cautious. When she saw Wei Lan, she bowed hurriedly like the other maids.

Wei Lan smiled at everyone and said, “Stand up. Where is Madam?”

Qing Zhi quickly replied, “Miss is still handling some matters and is in the study now.”

“Hmm, I will wait for her in the bedroom. Is there any cheese or similar snacks? Bring some over; it’s too hot,” Wei Lan said.

“Yes, this servant will have it prepared,” Qing Zhi said with a smile, quickly instructing the maids to prepare, knowing how much Miss cared about the Master.

Wei Lan did not disturb Lu Zijin and walked to the bedroom. Ice blocks cooled Lu Zijin’s bedroom, making it much cooler than outside. In ancient times, there were no air conditioners, but wealthy households used ice to cool rooms.

Wei Lan sat down comfortably. Soon, a maid brought her a bowl of iced cheese with cheese, various fruit pieces, and plenty of crushed ice.

Wei Lan took a spoonful and immediately felt refreshed. Her soft life was truly delightful.

She sat in the bedroom, eating most of the bowl of cheese. Lu Zijin finished her tasks and was preparing to return to the bedroom.

Qing Zhi hurriedly reported, “Miss, the Master is here.”

Lu Zijin had been tired after handling matters all day, but hearing that Wei Lan was here, a smile appeared on her face.

“Hmm, let’s go. Have someone prepare dinner. At this hour, the Master is probably hungry,” Lu Zijin said as she walked.

“Yes, this servant will arrange it,” Qing Zhi replied, quickly instructing the kitchen maids to prepare the meal.

Wei Lan continued eating her cheese. When she saw Lu Zijin, her eyes lit up.

“Madam, are you done with your work?” Wei Lan asked, her eyes curving as she looked at Lu Zijin.

Lu Zijin smiled and walked toward her. “Hmm, I just finished. What about you? How is your father’s matter?”

Speaking of this, Wei Lan reached out and tugged at Lu Zijin’s wrist, shaking it. She had fearlessly smashed the Dacheng Gambling House, all because she had the backing of the Lu Mansion, thanks to her Madam.

“Hehe, it’s all settled. I had someone smash the gambling house,” Wei Lan said, scooting closer to Lu Zijin, wanting to rest her head on Lu Zijin’s shoulder.

Lu Zijin saw Wei Lan’s small movements, and her smile grew. The little Qianyuan was quite clingy.

“Are you alright?” Lu Zijin asked, moving closer to Wei Lan so she could lean comfortably on her shoulder.

“I’m fine, thanks to bringing enough people,” Wei Lan said, looking up at Lu Zijin. “By the way, Madam, the mastermind behind Xue Sanbiao is likely after the imperial merchant position. He asked for half of the imperial merchant share, which I naturally refused. But you need to be careful. It seems many people are still eyeing the imperial merchant position.”

Lu Zijin’s lips curved slightly, and she nodded. She had a rough guess about who was behind this. Many coveted the imperial merchant position, but Chen Zhou hated her the most, as she had directly disrespected him. He would naturally seek revenge, but he probably did not expect Wei Lan to be so assertive this time.

She looked at Wei Lan, leaning on her shoulder. The little Qianyuan was only so soft and delicate in her presence. Outside, she seemed quite tough.

“Don’t worry, I will have people keep an eye out. What about your father? How is he?” Lu Zijin continued to ask.

“I don’t know. I didn’t bother with them. I just had the gambling house smashed and came back,” Wei Lan said calmly, leaning on Lu Zijin’s shoulder, as if Wei Wenyuan was not her father.

“You didn’t bother with them?” Lu Zijin asked, surprised for a moment.

“Hmm, Wei Wenyuan is not a good person. I was sold to the Lu Mansion by him. If you weren’t good to me, I might have been bullied. He never treated me as a daughter, so I naturally don’t see him as my father. Besides, someone addicted to gambling like him is a bottomless pit. You can’t get involved. If you show him kindness once, he’ll take advantage every time,” Wei Lan analyzed rationally, her mouth chattering.

Lu Zijin chuckled lightly. “Alright, you handle your family matters as you see fit. I won’t interfere.”

“Hmm, thank you, Madam. I knew you were the best to me,” Wei Lan said softly, acting spoiled toward Lu Zijin.

Lu Zijin’s eyes curved, and she pursed her lips, feeling an urge to tease the little Qianyuan. Just then, the maids brought in the meal.

Lu Zijin gently poked Wei Lan’s nose tip and said softly, “Get up first. Tonight, I’ll let you hold me to sleep.”

“Alright then,” Wei Lan said, blinking at Lu Zijin, sitting up straight and moving her face away from Lu Zijin’s body.

Madam smelled so good. Why hadn’t she noticed before? Maybe her mind was full of jade back then.

In the room, Qing Zhi and the other maids kept their eyes lowered, not daring to look around, fearing they might see something they shouldn’t.

Wei Lan felt great after resolving the gambling house issue, and her appetite improved. She ate a lot at dinner. Lu Zijin, worried she might overeat, suggested she walk around the courtyard to digest. Meanwhile, Lu Zijin went to bathe.

Wei Lan strolled around Jingchen Courtyard a few times before returning to the bedroom. While waiting for Lu Zijin, she washed up briefly.

“Madam, I’ll wait for you in bed,” Wei Lan called out. She had bathed in the afternoon, so she simply took off her outer dress and got into bed to wait for Lu Zijin.

Lu Zijin heard the little Qianyuan’s call and replied with a smile, “Alright, you go up first.”

She recalled the feel of Wei Lan’s lips, her heart itching slightly. She didn’t soak long, quickly changed into her inner clothes, and began wiping her hair with a towel.

Wei Lan lay on the bed, staring intently at Lu Zijin. Madam looked beautiful with wet hair.

When Lu Zijin turned to grab another towel, she saw her little Qianyuan watching her with bright eyes. Lu Zijin’s lips curved, and she teased, “Is it nice to look at?”

Wei Lan nodded quickly. “It’s nice.”

Lu Zijin’s eyes curved as she smiled. “Good girl, I’ll come join you soon.”

“Alright, I’m waiting for Madam,” Wei Lan said, hugging the blanket, still watching Lu Zijin.

Lu Zijin knew Wei Lan was watching her. She deliberately slowed her movements, wiping her hair bit by bit, unhurriedly.

Wei Lan felt her heart tickle, like a cat scratching at it. She wanted Lu Zijin to come join her quickly.

“Madam, aren’t you done yet? I miss you,” Wei Lan said softly, hugging the blanket, her eyes fixed on Lu Zijin.

Hearing this, Lu Zijin put down the towel, satisfied. Her hair was no longer dripping.

Lu Zijin walked slowly to the bed, raising an eyebrow. “Where do you miss me?”

“Everywhere,” Wei Lan said, propping herself up and hugging Lu Zijin’s waist, nuzzling her face against Lu Zijin’s chest, acting spoiled.

Seeing Wei Lan so obedient, Lu Zijin’s smile never faded. She stood by the bed, lifting Wei Lan’s chin with her hand, her thumb skillfully pressing on Wei Lan’s lower lip.

Wei Lan looked up at Lu Zijin, her lips turning rose-red from the touch, her ears burning red. Yet, she didn’t dodge, letting Lu Zijin play with her obediently.

Lu Zijin’s gaze deepened, increasingly unable to resist the obedient little Qianyuan.

She leaned down and kissed Wei Lan. Soon, Wei Lan felt her body soften, and Lu Zijin pressed her onto the bed, kissing her for a while.

When Wei Lan couldn’t take it anymore and pushed Lu Zijin slightly, Lu Zijin eased up, letting her catch her breath.

Wei Lan panted heavily, but Lu Zijin pressed her back onto the bed, straddling her as usual, leaning down to kiss her.

Wei Lan weakly grabbed Lu Zijin’s clothes, kissed into a daze, her eyes misty. She couldn’t be blamed; Lu Zijin was just too good at kissing.

After a while, Lu Zijin pulled back slightly. She tore off the plaster on Wei Lan’s bonding mark, her fingertips gently rubbing it. She leaned close to Wei Lan’s red ear and asked, “Do you like this? Does it feel good? Hmm?”

Wei Lan felt strange, both comfortable and restless. Her voice softened. “I like it. Madam makes it so ticklish.”

Hearing the little Qianyuan’s delicate whining, Lu Zijin’s gaze deepened. She kissed Wei Lan’s earlobe lightly, feeling Wei Lan tremble.

Lu Zijin’s throat felt dry. She kissed Wei Lan’s rose-red lips again, deepening the kiss. When she pulled back, Wei Lan was limp, too weak to speak.

Lu Zijin enjoyed the little Qianyuan’s state. She kissed Wei Lan’s bonding mark again, biting lightly. The scent of fresh snow spread in the air. Indeed, a little Qianyuan should be thoroughly teased.

“Madam, it’s ticklish. No more,” Wei Lan said, her eyes mistier, yet she remained obedient under Lu Zijin’s actions.

“Be good, it’ll be over soon,” Lu Zijin said, biting again. More fresh snow scent spilled out. She removed the plaster from her own bonding mark, and the scent of sandalwood mixed with fresh snow.

Wei Lan weakly hugged Lu Zijin’s waist. “Madam smells so good, so fragrant.”

Looking at the soft little Qianyuan beneath her, Lu Zijin’s smile grew. “Want to kiss mine?”

Lu Zijin’s fingertip tapped near her bonding mark. Wei Lan nodded obediently. “I want to kiss it.”

Wei Lan propped herself up, thinking Lu Zijin wanted her to kiss from above, but Lu Zijin pressed her back down.

“Qianyuan should obediently lie beneath, got it?” Lu Zijin coaxed softly, stroking Wei Lan’s cheek.

Wei Lan, like a petted cat, felt comfortable under Lu Zijin’s touch. Her eyes stayed on Lu Zijin’s face, utterly enchanted, nodding obediently. Whatever Madam said was right. “Got it.”

Seeing Wei Lan’s dazed expression, Lu Zijin chuckled. “Good girl, sit up a bit.”

She supported Wei Lan’s lower back, helping her sit up slightly, then brought her bonding mark to Wei Lan’s lips, coaxing softly, “Kiss it.”

Wei Lan’s cheeks burned. Did other Qianyuan kiss their Madam’s bonding mark like this? Madam was practically feeding it to her.

Wei Lan shyly nuzzled Lu Zijin’s shoulder, then leaned up and bit lightly. The sandalwood scent shot through her nerves to her head, like a cat overdosed on catnip. She collapsed back onto the bed.

Lu Zijin, having been bitten, felt weak and leaned into Wei Lan’s arms to catch her breath.

While resting, her fingers weren’t idle, occasionally poking Wei Lan’s bonding mark, letting the fresh snow scent spill out.

Wei Lan sniffed softly, hugging Lu Zijin tightly. “Madam, you’re so nice.”

Lu Zijin nearly laughed. Wei Lan was completely softened by her teasing, yet still softly said she was nice.

She propped herself up and kissed Wei Lan’s forehead. “Such a good girl. Want more, or should we sleep?”

Wei Lan whimpered, hugging Lu Zijin tightly, her nose nuzzling Lu Zijin’s shoulder. “More~”

The next moment, Lu Zijin kissed her again. Such a soft, delicate little Qianyuan deserved to be kissed senseless.

They went on for a while until Wei Lan’s bonding mark could no longer release any scent. Only then did Lu Zijin stop.

That night, she slept soundly, and Wei Lan slept deeply too.

The next morning, Lu Zijin had matters to attend to. She woke early but, looking at Wei Lan, didn’t want to get up. However, the cloth business was important, and she had to oversee it personally.

She kissed Wei Lan’s lips gently, got out of bed quietly, and said to the maids outside, “Prepare washing items. Be quiet when you come in; the Master is still sleeping.”

“Yes,” the maids replied, preparing the items.

Lu Zijin changed into clean clothes, washed up, and, to avoid disturbing Wei Lan, had breakfast in the study. Afterward, a carriage waited in the courtyard. She was going to inspect the cloth shop below. The cloth for the court couldn’t have any errors, so she had to check it herself.

Before leaving, Lu Zijin instructed Qing Zhi, “If the Master wakes, tell her I have many tasks today and might not return for lunch. Let her eat on her own.”

“Yes, Miss, this servant understands,” Qing Zhi replied.

Lu Zijin nodded and got into the carriage, leaving slowly.

Wei Lan slept until late morning. Last night, Lu Zijin had drained her of all her scent, leaving her limp and without strength. By nearly noon, she regained some energy.

Wei Lan rubbed her eyes, whimpering and rolling in the blankets, which still held the lingering sandalwood scent.

She parted the bed curtains and saw it was already bright outside, but Lu Zijin was not in the room.

She lay on the bed a bit longer before getting up.

Qing Zhi, hearing movement outside, knew Wei Lan was awake. She knocked on the door and asked, “Master, would you like to wash up or bathe?”

Wei Lan thought for a moment and said, “Bathe. Have the water prepared.”

“Yes,” Qing Zhi replied, arranging for maids to prepare hot water before entering. “Master, Miss said she’s very busy today and might not return for lunch.”

“Hmm, got it. I’ll have lunch here and then go back,” Wei Lan said, thinking. She knew Lu Zijin was busy, but waking up without her made Wei Lan feel empty, like a pitiful pet left at home.

She bathed, then ate heartily at Lu Zijin’s place before preparing to return to Fuqu Pavilion. Since Lu Zijin wasn’t here, staying was boring. She’d rather go back to carve her zodiac plaques.

When Wei Lan returned to Fuqu Pavilion, the little girl was eating in her room. Looking at the table of food, she couldn’t eat.

Her sister had gone to Miss Lu’s last night and hadn’t returned all morning. Was her sister serving Miss Lu for her sake? She knew the Lu Mansion’s luxuries didn’t come easily.

Her sister, to let her stay temporarily, had pleased Miss Lu all night. Wei Qing sat on a stool, imagining how much her sister suffered for her, her eyes nearly red.

Wei Lan, unaware of this, returned to Fuqu Pavilion. Wei Qing, hearing movement, ran out of her room.

Wei Lan saw Wei Qing’s red eyes, like she had just cried, and was confused about what happened.

“Why are your eyes so red? Did you cry?” Wei Lan asked.

“Sister, it’s all my fault. You suffered,” Wei Qing said, sniffing.

Wei Lan was puzzled. “I’m fine. What suffering? Madam treats me well. Don’t overthink. Have you had lunch?”

Wei Qing shook her head. Her sister was comforting her, not saying how Miss Lu bullied her yesterday. Thinking this, Wei Qing looked at Wei Lan with gratitude. Her sister had sacrificed so much for her.

Wei Lan, oblivious, thought that though she was drained last night, Madam made her feel good.

She patted Wei Qing’s shoulder, comforting her. “I’m fine. Go eat. I need to work.”

Hearing this, Wei Qing felt her sister’s life was too hard. Even as the Master of the Lu Mansion, she had to work daily to earn money. Determined, the little girl decided to start embroidering pouches after lunch to ease her sister’s burden.

Wei Lan returned to her bedroom, tied her hair into a high ponytail, changed into work clothes, and entered her workshop. She planned to carve a cute, soft dog that afternoon. She prepared and sat at the lathe to start polishing.

Meanwhile, Lu Zijin left the dyeing workshop and took a carriage to Mingyue Tower. The Panyang City Chamber of Commerce was dining there at noon. Lu Zijin decided to attend, giving them face.

She didn’t join the male Qianyuan’s table, even though they were leaders in various industries in Panyang City. Instead, she went to another private room where the bosses were all Kunze, though their influence was slightly less than the male Qianyuan.

When Lu Zijin arrived, many seats were empty. Many wanted to curry favor with her. She scanned the room and saw Xiao Nanyan.

Lu Zijin sat next to Xiao Nanyan. Seeing her, Xiao Nanyan smiled. “Boss Lu, a pleasure to meet you.”

Lu Zijin nodded. “A pleasure. Since my Master and Boss Xiao are friends, we should count as friends too.”

“Naturally,” Xiao Nanyan said, smiling. No wonder she married a Qianyuan like Wei Lan. Lu Zijin was indeed beautiful, even making her want to look a few more times.

Xiao Nanyan glanced away but noticed the phoenix jade plaque on Lu Zijin’s chest. She couldn’t help but admire it. “This jade plaque is too beautiful.”

Lu Zijin smiled. “My Master gave it to me.”

Xiao Nanyan nodded, knowing Wei Lan carved it herself, but others at the table didn’t. They thought Wei Lan bought it to please Lu Zijin.

“It’s really beautiful. Boss Lu and Wei Lan have such a deep bond.”

“Yes, yes, if my Qianyuan were that thoughtful, I’d be happy.”

“No wonder Boss Lu has such good taste in choosing a Qianyuan.”

The flattery continued, and Lu Zijin enjoyed it. Her taste was indeed good, choosing a Qianyuan like Wei Lan.

Xiao Nanyan felt a bit envious. Lu Zijin was so wealthy yet married a money-making tree like Wei Lan. What luck.

Lu Zijin sipped tea instead of wine with the others. When she turned to talk to Xiao Nanyan, she noticed a jasper plaque on Xiao Nanyan’s neck, carved with a nine-tailed fox using openwork techniques, flawless green without a single blemish.

Lu Zijin looked twice, feeling the carving style was familiar. She glanced at her own plaque, almost certain Xiao Nanyan’s and hers were from the same hand.

Seeing Lu Zijin staring at her plaque, Xiao Nanyan explained with a smile, “Qing Lan carved this. I found it cute and wore it.”

Lu Zijin’s lips curved slightly, but her gaze darkened. When did her little Qianyuan give another Kunze a plaque?

Lu Zijin rubbed her fingertips, deciding to ask Wei Lan about this when she got home.

Xiao Nanyan sensed Lu Zijin’s displeasure and was surprised. She didn’t expect Lu Zijin to care so much about Wei Lan, clearly jealous now. Holding back a laugh, she didn’t explain for Wei Lan, wondering if Wei Lan would get in trouble later.

Watching a friend get into trouble was quite amusing, so Xiao Nanyan decided not to clarify.