Transmigrated as a Cannon Fodder Wife A in Ancient Times - Chapter 54

Chapter 54

Lu Zijin finished bathing and dried her hair before getting into bed. The maids changed the water, and Wei Lan went to bathe. While bathing, she recalled seeing Lu Zijin bathing earlier, and her ears turned red.

As expected of her wife, every part of her was beautiful. Wei Lan loved it so much, but she felt shy and didn’t dare look too long, fearing Lu Zijin would get angry.

Thinking this, Wei Lan spun around in the tub, splashing the water, and leaned on the tub’s edge, sighing.

The water in the tub was comfortably warm, and Wei Lan nearly fell asleep. But thinking she could hold her wife later, the warm tub suddenly seemed less appealing.

Wei Lan got up, put on her inner robe, and stepped out from behind the screen, wiping her hair with a towel.

Outside, the sky was completely dark, but the room was brightly lit with many lamps and candles. This was thanks to Lu Zijin being wealthy. Ordinary households only lit one candle or oil lamp in the bedroom, but the Lu Mansion lit so many that the room was brilliantly illuminated.

Only when Lu Zijin and Wei Lan were ready to sleep would the maids come in to extinguish the lamps, leaving just one candle on the round table to burn through the night.

Wei Lan was wiping her hair for the second time. Her habit was to wipe it three times with a dry towel to ensure it didn’t drip.

As she wiped her hair, Lu Zijin lay on her side, propped on her arm, watching her with deepening eyes.

Wei Lan was slightly taller than her, with a slender figure, slim waist, and long legs. Her damp dark hair fell loosely behind her. Perhaps because Lu Zijin had bitten her too hard earlier, Wei Lan’s lips were still swollen, their usual pink now a rosy red.

Lu Zijin absentmindedly pinched the corner of the blanket, her gaze fixed on Wei Lan. After all, Wei Lan was her Qianyuan, so she could look as much as she wanted.

Lu Zijin thought for a moment, her lips curling slightly. But she still felt an itch in her heart. Just biting the mark or kissing wasn’t satisfying her anymore.

Her fingers gripped the blanket tighter, her eyes falling on the jade pendant at Wei Lan’s neck. Other people’s little dogs were fierce and bold, so why was hers so obedient and soft?

Lu Zijin shook her head with a smile. When Wei Lan finally dried her hair and got into bed, before she could lie down, Lu Zijin straddled her lap.

She leaned against Wei Lan’s shoulder, staring at her intently, and noticed Wei Lan’s ear tips turning red.

Lu Zijin, like she’d found a new toy, pinched Wei Lan’s red ear tips to play with them. While playing, she deliberately rubbed her nose against Wei Lan’s mark, occasionally letting her warm breath graze it.

That spot was sensitive, and Wei Lan couldn’t handle such teasing, especially with her sensitive ear tips being toyed with in Lu Zijin’s hands. “The master smells so good,” Lu Zijin said.

She deliberately pressed her nose to Wei Lan’s mark, took a deep breath, and then nestled into Wei Lan’s arms like a satisfied kitten, her fingers occasionally flicking Wei Lan’s ear tips.

Wei Lan felt her heart race faster and faster. She couldn’t describe the feeling, only knowing she loved being close to Lu Zijin and being teased like this.

She obediently let Lu Zijin play, though her throat felt tight. “Madam? I’m going to lie down.”

Lu Zijin heard her and lifted her eyelids slightly, lazily pressing her lips to Wei Lan’s, nibbling lightly twice. “Hmm.”

With permission, Wei Lan wrapped her arms around Lu Zijin’s lower back, carefully lying down. She remembered when they first married, during Lu Zijin’s susceptible period, when Lu Zijin needed to bite her mark to soothe herself but wouldn’t let Wei Lan touch her. Now it was different—Lu Zijin not only kissed her but let her hold her freely like this, which made Wei Lan happy.

Wei Lan tightened her arms around Lu Zijin’s waist, then heard Lu Zijin let out a soft gasp by her ear. “Slow down, you’re holding too tight. My waist hurts.”

She deliberately nibbled Wei Lan’s lower lip, her tone softer and more delicate than usual, as if nuzzling and acting spoiled. “Rub it for me. You hurt me.”

Wei Lan was surprised. She hadn’t used any strength, so how was her Madam so sensitive now that a hug hurt her waist?

She only dared think this, though. Obediently, Wei Lan reached out to rub Lu Zijin’s lower back.

At first, it was fine, and Wei Lan watched Lu Zijin’s expression closely, afraid of hurting her. But soon, she couldn’t focus on Lu Zijin anymore. Sweat beaded on her forehead, and her hands trembled.

The reason was simple: with just a light rub, Lu Zijin let out delicate gasps by her ear, soft and melodic. Wei Lan’s ears itched, unable to escape, and her heart felt like a kitten was scratching it—strange and restless.

Especially when Lu Zijin gasped, Wei Lan felt her body heat up. She pursed her lips and stammered, “Madam, is this pressure okay? I didn’t use much force. It doesn’t hurt, right?”

“Who says it doesn’t hurt? Hmm, lighter. You must’ve made it red,” Lu Zijin said, nuzzling Wei Lan and acting spoiled.

Wei Lan was sweating profusely, feeling her bath was for nothing. Lu Zijin had made her sweat all over.

“Okay, I’ll go lighter. No rush, no rush,” Wei Lan said, taking a deep breath to cool herself with fresh air. But Lu Zijin suddenly released her scent, and the fragrance of white sandalwood filled Wei Lan’s nose and mouth.

Her eyes widened, like a cat overdosed on catnip, overwhelmed. Meanwhile, Lu Zijin didn’t stop, urging by her ear, “Why’d you stop rubbing? It hurts.”

As she spoke, her lips occasionally brushed Wei Lan’s earlobe, teasing her already red ears. Wei Lan felt her heart was about to leap out, no longer under her control. The one controlling it was in her arms, acting spoiled and urging her to continue.

Wei Lan was dazed. Her wife was so alluring today, acting spoiled and gasping so beautifully. She loved it!

But Wei Lan obediently continued rubbing lightly. When her hand touched Lu Zijin, she nuzzled Wei Lan’s ear tip again, dissatisfied. “It hurts. Lower, lighter.”

Wei Lan swallowed instinctively. “Okay.”

Her hand moved slightly lower, still gentle, afraid of hurting Lu Zijin again.

But Lu Zijin seemed still unsatisfied, squirming against Wei Lan, her hot breath grazing Wei Lan’s ears, accompanied by occasional gasps.

Wei Lan could only endure, her cheeks and neck burning red, not to mention her ears. Her hands on Lu Zijin’s waist were sweaty.

“It feels injured. Lift my clothes and check,” Lu Zijin said, wrapping her arms around Wei Lan’s neck, showing no intention of getting up.

Wei Lan propped herself up, pulled back the blanket, and slightly lifted the back of Lu Zijin’s inner robe, revealing a stretch of fair, jade-like waist.

Wei Lan felt even hotter, but Lu Zijin’s waist looked fine. She had used little force, and the skin wasn’t even red. How could it hurt?

“Madam, your waist looks fine. How could it hurt?” Wei Lan asked with difficulty, her eyes fixed on Lu Zijin’s fair waist.

“I don’t know. Rub it again,” Lu Zijin said, burying her face in Wei Lan’s arms. She meant for Wei Lan to rub without the robe in the way, but Wei Lan had already lowered the robe and resumed rubbing.

Lu Zijin sighed. Her little Qianyuan was too obedient. She had been so obvious, yet Wei Lan acted like a perfect gentleman, doing nothing.

It was like dancing a striptease for a blind man. Lu Zijin had no temper left for Wei Lan.

She leaned against Wei Lan’s shoulder, closed her eyes, and said, “Stop rubbing. Let’s sleep.”

Hearing this, Wei Lan sighed in relief. She had been sweating bullets tonight.

Lu Zijin heard her relief and immediately frowned. She hadn’t said anything, yet Wei Lan dared feel tired?

Unhappy, Lu Zijin propped herself up, bit Wei Lan’s lips several times, then ignored her, closing her eyes to sleep. Her little Qianyuan had no sense of romance.

Wei Lan, bitten, didn’t resist. She felt Lu Zijin was angry but didn’t know why. Was her technique so bad that it made her uncomfortable? Wei Lan reflected, unaware that she and Lu Zijin were thinking of entirely different things.

Finally, Wei Lan slept, feeling like she’d been walking on thin ice all night.

The next morning, Lu Zijin was in a bad mood. Last night, she had tried so hard, but Wei Lan only rubbed her waist. She had no choice but to train her slowly. No rush.

Seeing Lu Zijin’s low spirits, Wei Lan thoughtfully asked, “Madam, is your waist still hurting? Should we call the mansion’s physician?”

Lu Zijin glared at her. She wasn’t really in pain!

“No need. I have a lot to do today. I’m going back,” Lu Zijin said, her mood low. She told Wei Lan and left.

Wei Lan pouted. She had been rejected by her wife for her poor technique.

With little energy, Wei Lan ate breakfast and went to the workshop to carve jade. Since the zodiac plaques sold well, she planned to carve another set.

She had bought six pieces of Hetian jade, used one last time, and still had plenty left. With that, Wei Lan sat at the lathe and started working.

The next few days went like this. Though Lu Zijin had finished her imperial merchant duties and wasn’t as busy, she still had many follow-up tasks, including rebuilding the burned dyeing workshop warehouse.

Wei Lan, meanwhile, focused on carving jade. She had finished three pieces, planning to complete a set before sending them to Xiao Nanyan.

—

Wei Wenyuan had been rescued from Dacheng Gambling House some time ago, and his injuries had mostly healed.

“Xinlan, why hasn’t Wei Qing returned? Didn’t you say she was just staying with Wei Lan temporarily?” Wei Wenyuan asked, displeased.

“You were framed and owed so much money. The boss of Dacheng Gambling House wanted us to use Wei Qing to pay the debt. She probably doesn’t want to come back,” Zhao Xinlan said, her eyes reddening.

These days, Wei Wenyuan’s temper had grown worse. He demanded money from Zhao Xinlan several times, disappearing for entire days. When asked, he only said he was discussing business, but he never brought money back, only asking for more.

Hearing this, Wei Wenyuan got angry. “What’s that supposed to mean? I’m not dead yet, and she’s gone to Wei Lan to live the good life? No way. She’s my daughter and should stay home obediently. Go bring her back.”

Zhao Xinlan cried and shook her head. “I don’t have the face to go to the Lu Mansion. If you want her, go yourself.”

“Fine, I’ll go,” Wei Wenyuan said, standing up angrily to leave. But as soon as he stepped out, he faltered, recalling how Wei Lan had someone smash his shop. He felt scared but still couldn’t swallow his anger.

When he reached the Lu Mansion’s gate, he adjusted his clothes before approaching.

“Who are you?” the guards shouted, seeing a stranger.

Wei Wenyuan glanced at them and said, “I’m Wei Lan’s father. Why haven’t you invited me in?”

The guards exchanged looks, and one quickly ran to Fuqu Pavilion.

Wei Lan was carving jade when she heard the commotion outside.

“Master, someone at the gate says he’s your father and wants to see you,” the guard said hurriedly.

Wei Lan frowned. “I won’t see him. Send him away.”

The guard was stunned but quickly said, “Yes.”

He ran back to the gate. Wei Wenyuan, growing impatient, began scolding the guards.

“I’m your master’s father, and you low-eyed dogs dare stop me? I’ll go in anyway,” Wei Wenyuan said, trying to push through, but the guards blocked him.

The guard who reported returned.

Wei Wenyuan looked at him arrogantly. “Well? Is Wei Lan inviting me in?”

“The master said to send him away,” the guard said. They exchanged looks and pushed Wei Wenyuan down the steps.

Wei Wenyuan cursed endlessly. “You low-eyed dogs, I’ll make you pay.”

After venting, still angry, he thought of gambling to cool off. But checking his pockets, he had no money. Then he remembered he could put it on Wei Lan’s tab. The Lu Mansion was rich, so even if he lost a lot, it wouldn’t matter. With that, he went to a nearby gambling house.

“Hey, Master Wei’s here! Come in, the brothers are waiting,” the thugs flattered. Wei Wenyuan was a sucker who never won at their place, the kind of fool they loved.

“Hmm, I didn’t bring money today, but you can put it on my daughter’s tab. She’s the master of the Lu Mansion,” Wei Wenyuan said, holding his head high.

The gambling house boss immediately sent someone to verify. Confirming Wei Wenyuan’s claim, he became even more attentive.

“Master Wei, want some pastries or drinks?” a clerk asked eagerly.

“Yes, bring plenty. Put it all on my daughter’s tab,” Wei Wenyuan said with a smile.

Why hadn’t he thought of this before? He had no money, but he could charge it to Wei Lan. He was so clever.

Over the next few days, Wei Wenyuan gambled recklessly, losing over five hundred taels of silver, equivalent to five hundred thousand in modern times.

It was a small gambling house, so five hundred taels was significant. The boss sent people to collect the debt.

The Lu Mansion’s guards didn’t dare let them in and sent someone to report to Wei Lan.

Hearing it was debt collectors from a gambling house, Wei Lan laughed in anger. “Let’s go. I want to see who dares come to the Lu Mansion to collect debts.”

“Yes, Master,” the guard said, following Wei Lan to the gate.

Soon, Wei Lan reached the gate. The gambling house thug, seeing her expensive clothes, bowed quickly. “You must be Boss Wei? Your father owes five hundred taels at our place, said to put it on your tab. So?”

Wei Lan smiled at him. “Just five hundred taels?”

“Yes, yes, it’s nothing to you, right?” the thug said, implying she should pay quickly.

Wei Lan shook her head. “I’m not short of five hundred taels, but I won’t pay for him. The Lu Mansion doesn’t do tabs. Whoever owes you, go collect from them. I don’t have a father like that.”

The thug panicked. “What? You’re not going to pay? Your father owes money, and you won’t cover it? You just said it’s nothing to you.”

“I’m not short of money, but even if I fed it to dogs, I wouldn’t pay a cent of his gambling debts. Get lost. If you come back, I won’t be so polite,” Wei Lan said, glancing at him coldly.

“You won’t pay? Then we’ll go to your parents’ house. Don’t blame us for being rough. Your father might lose a hand or foot,” the thug continued, though less confidently, wary of the many guards at the gate.

Wei Lan’s face turned cold. “You’re right. Debts have owners. Whoever owes you, collect from them. Whether it’s cutting off his hand or foot, he deserves it. Don’t be polite with him.”

The thug was stunned by Wei Lan’s words. Why did it seem like Wei Wenyuan wasn’t her real father? She seemed pleased at the idea of him losing limbs.

In fact, Wei Lan was pleased. A hopeless man like him, even if he were her real father, she wouldn’t care, let alone Wei Wenyuan, who wasn’t.

Wei Lan waved her hand, and the guards drove the thug away. She returned to Fuqu Pavilion.

The small gambling house couldn’t afford such a loss. The thug reported back to the boss, who thought he misheard.

“Wei Lan said not to be polite with him?” the boss asked.

“Yes, yes. It seems Wei Lan and he have a bad relationship. She’d rather he die. She definitely won’t pay,” the thug said.

The boss’s face darkened. He cursed, “That Wei Wenyuan played me? His daughter disowned him, and he dared rack up a tab? Tell the brothers to grab their tools.”

“Yes!” the thug hurried to gather people.

Meanwhile, Wei Wenyuan was drinking in his small courtyard, the wine also charged to his tab from the gambling house yesterday.

He sat at a wooden table in the courtyard, sipping and daydreaming about his past life. But soon, his dreams were shattered as the boss and a group of thugs stormed in.

Zhao Xinlan was nearly scared to death. “What’s going on? What’s this about?” she asked.

The gambling house boss looked coldly at Wei Wenyuan. “Wei Wenyuan, you racked up five hundred taels at our place. Time to pay.”

Seeing a dozen men, Wei Wenyuan panicked. “I—I put it on a tab. What’s this about? Can the Lu Mansion’s master not afford it?”

The boss sneered. “They can afford it, but they won’t pay. Wei Lan said she has no father like you.”

“She—she, don’t be rash. I’ll go talk to her myself. Give me a few days, and I’ll get the five hundred taels,” Wei Wenyuan said, sobered by fear, recalling his last ordeal at Dacheng Gambling House.

“Too late. You can’t make Wei Lan pay, yet you act like a big shot? Boys, chop off one of his fingers,” the boss ordered.

The thugs swarmed in. Zhao Xinlan tried to save Wei Wenyuan but was kicked aside by a thug.

Wei Wenyuan was pinned to the wooden table in the courtyard, one hand held down. A thug pulled out a boning knife.

Wei Wenyuan cried out in fear, regretting his actions. He had narrowly escaped trouble at Dacheng Gambling House, yet now he was in trouble again.

“I won’t do it again, I swear. I’ll pay, I’ll pay,” Wei Wenyuan said, trembling and crying.

The boss cursed, “Pay, my ass. Five hundred taels isn’t small change. If Wei Lan won’t cover it, where will you get the money? Chop off his right index finger.”

“Yes,” the thug with the knife said, slicing down. With a crack, bl00d gushed, and Wei Wenyuan screamed in agony.

“My hand, my hand,” Wei Wenyuan cried endlessly.

Zhao Xinlan, worried about the family’s lack of money, had been tirelessly embroidering, weakening her health. The kick knocked her out. When she woke, the house was in ruins.

Tables and chairs were smashed, and anything valuable was gone, including a basket of embroidered sachets from last night.

The courtyard was littered with broken porcelain. Zhao Xinlan felt dizzy. As Wei Lan had said, this family was truly finished.

Hearing faint noises from the bedroom, Zhao Xinlan shakily stood, leaning on the wooden door, and walked in. She saw Wei Wenyuan, pale, wrapping his finger with cloth to stop the bleeding.

“It hurts, it hurts so much,” Wei Wenyuan said. Hearing footsteps, he shouted, “Hurry and bandage me, then get some money. My hand needs a doctor.”

Zhao Xinlan felt overwhelming helplessness. She suddenly recalled Wei Lan’s words: pity a man, and you’ll suffer a lifetime. She didn’t want to believe it, but it came true.

She sighed and said, “There’s nothing left in the house. They took everything, even the bowls and pots were smashed. Where would I get money for you? The house is like this, what more do you want?”

Wei Wenyuan, already furious, exploded. He didn’t dare confront the thugs, but yelling at Zhao Xinlan was easy.

“You useless woman, how do you manage the house? No money? If you don’t get money today, I’ll beat you to death!” Wei Wenyuan, pale, slapped Zhao Xinlan twice with his uninjured hand.

Zhao Xinlan slid to the floor, unable to believe it. Even though Wei Wenyuan gambled, he had never hit her before.

He ignored her, cursing, “No money? I’ll sell this courtyard.”

He rushed to the bedroom, pulled a deed and a dozen taels of silver from a wooden box under the bed.

Furious, Wei Wenyuan kicked Zhao Xinlan in the chest. “You said there’s no money? I’ll pawn these now, and nothing will be left.”

With that, he stuffed the valuables in his pocket, clutched his severed finger, and ran out.

Zhao Xinlan sat numbly in the courtyard, silent as tears fell. She was almost glad her youngest daughter wasn’t here, or Wei Wenyuan might sell her.

After crying silently, Zhao Xinlan stood, found a broken inkstone and ink, and took a brush to write a short letter for her two daughters.

Finished, Zhao Xinlan endured her pain, packed a few clothes, and left. Her jewelry had been taken by the gambling house, but she had a few taels of silver, enough to avoid starvation.

Carrying her bundle, Zhao Xinlan left the courtyard. She saw no hope. Wei Wenyuan had changed, and staying was futile.

She handed the letter to a guard at the Lu Mansion’s gate and left. She had no face to see her daughters, and they probably didn’t want to see her either.