Transmigrated as a Cannon Fodder Wife A in Ancient Times - Chapter 57

Chapter 57

Qianxue didn’t catch the sarcasm in her miss’s tone, assuming Lu Zijin was asking about the master’s mood today. Qianxue smiled and replied, “The guards said the master was in a great mood today. She chatted and laughed with the people who came to the signing.”

Lu Zijin’s lips curved into a slight arc. “Very good. I didn’t know she had such skills.”

“Yes, the head shopkeeper at the main branch said volumes two and three of the storybook, five hundred copies each, and three hundred more copies of volume one were printed. They all sold out in one day at the high price of five taels per book. The master is truly impressive,” Qianxue praised.

Selling at the original price of one tael per book would have earned only thirteen hundred taels, but Wei Lan’s method brought in six thousand five hundred taels, several times more.

“So, the master is indeed impressive. Since I’m free now, I’ll go see her,” Lu Zijin said, her lips curling, though her tone remained light.

“Yes, I’ll have a soft sedan prepared,” Qianxue said, thinking her miss was going to reward the master for earning so much money from the storybooks.

Lu Zijin nodded slightly and walked to the courtyard to wait for the sedan. She planned to ask Wei Lan thoroughly about how she laughed and talked with those girls today.

Wei Lan, unaware of this, sent off the shop’s customers and had the shopkeeper check today’s accounts, confirming the six thousand five hundred taels were correct before preparing to leave.

Qu Qiushui looked at Wei Lan with glowing eyes and flattered, “The master has great talent. Today alone, we earned several months’ worth. Thanks to you, Master.”

Wei Lan waved her hand and smiled. “This is nothing. In the future, we’ll come up with more ideas to attract more customers.”

“Yes, yes, we’ll follow your orders, Master,” Qu Qiushui said immediately. She no longer had any doubts about Wei Lan and would do whatever she was told.

“Good. It’s been hard work these days. Tomorrow, urge the printing house more. If we can sell books but have none to sell, that won’t do,” Wei Lan instructed.

“Don’t worry, Master. I’ll go early tomorrow to oversee them and ensure they print more books.”

Wei Lan nodded. “Good.”

She supervised the counting of the shop’s money, confirmed it was correct, and left with Xi Ye and Siyun.

Siyun was especially happy, feeling a sense of achievement. Everyone loved her master’s storybooks, and standing nearby, she felt proud too.

Xi Ye, however, was silent, lost in thought. Near the Lu Mansion, she stammered, “Um, Master, what do I do with the rouge that girl gave me?”

Wei Lan looked at Xi Ye, shocked. “Use it yourself. What else would you do?”

“Master, why don’t you use it? I don’t like these things,” Xi Ye said, twisting her hands behind her back. She had accepted the gift but felt it was too hot to handle.

“How could I? It’s her heartfelt gift. Zhou Yufu is the biggest rouge shop owner in Panyang City, and she’s quite pretty. What, you don’t like her?” Wei Lan asked.

Xi Ye’s face burned red. “It’s not that. I just don’t want to think about these things yet.”

“Why’s your face red? Shy?” Wei Lan found it amusing. Xi Ye was usually quiet, carrying a large ringed sword and looking cool. She hadn’t expected her to be so innocent and teased deliberately.

“How could I be? I’ve been to war and seen everything. I’m not shy. It’s just hot,” Xi Ye said, making an excuse.

Wei Lan patted her shoulder and leaned in. “A pretty, rich lady like her? You won’t find another like this. Being a consort is great. Look at me, happy every day, right?”

Xi Ye looked at Wei Lan, speechless. Her master was extraordinary, capable of earning big money and buying a grand house, yet content as a consort in the Lu Mansion.

She recalled her time in the military camp, where female Qianyuans she was close to discussed what kind of Kunze they liked. Xi Ye just listened, a blank slate herself. She hadn’t expected to face this so soon after leaving the camp and felt at a loss.

Seeing Xi Ye go quiet, Wei Lan comforted, “If you like her, be together. If not, make it clear next time you meet. Life is about being happy, so don’t stress over it.”

Xi Ye felt less tense after Wei Lan’s words, though the brocade box in her chest still felt hot.

Wei Lan walked toward the mansion, reassuring Xi Ye not to feel pressured. Being fancied by a rich lady should be a good thing. She didn’t know Lu Zijin was waiting in the bedroom.

The three found the front gate too far and took the back gate to Fuqu Pavilion.

As Wei Lan entered, Nanny Li greeted with a smile. “Master, you’re back. The miss is waiting in the room.”

“Really? I’ll go right away,” Wei Lan said, her eyes lighting up. Hearing Lu Zijin was there, she was thrilled. She’d been busy with the signing and hadn’t seen Lu Zijin in days.

Wei Lan excitedly jogged to the bedroom. Xi Ye, watching her change, was confused. The master was mature and steady with serious matters, so why did she transform at the mention of seeing the miss?

Wei Lan rushed into the bedroom. “Madam, you’re here?”

Lu Zijin nodded with a faint smile and waved at Qianxue, signaling her to leave.

Qianxue bowed to Lu Zijin and Wei Lan, smiled at Wei Lan, and withdrew.

Wei Lan was happy, wondering if her Madam had heard about her money-making today. She planned to brag to her Madam.

Ice blocks cooled the bedroom, so Qianxue closed the door after leaving.

Wei Lan smiled at Lu Zijin. If she had a tail, it would be wagging like a dog’s. “Madam, I earned a lot of silver today. I bet I crushed Chen’s Bookshop’s business.”

Lu Zijin smiled gently at her, though her eyes darkened slightly. “Really? What fun things did the master do today? Tell me, so I can share your joy.”

“Sure, I was just about to say. This morning, people started queuing to buy books. At first, it was a few girls. I signed and chatted with them. Later, more people came, forming two long lines in the shop. Some rich ladies bought dozens of copies at once. My fingers got tired. In the afternoon, even more came, including many who’d been there in the morning, buying more storybooks. It was busy but fun.”

Wei Lan smiled at Lu Zijin, seeing her listen attentively. Thinking she wanted more, Wei Lan continued, “Madam, you wouldn’t believe how many people came. In the end, dozens didn’t get books, but there was no way, only next time. Oh, and something funny happened. I’ll tell you.”

Lu Zijin kept smiling and nodded lightly at Wei Lan. “Go ahead.”

“Zhou Yufu, from Panyang City’s rouge shop, seemed to fancy Xi Ye. She bought ninety books just to talk to Xi Ye longer. My hand cramped, but Zhou Yufu’s pretty, and she seems to match Xi Ye.”

Lu Zijin watched her little Qianyuan chatter happily, her smile growing warmer.

She grabbed the dog tag on Wei Lan’s chest, pulling her closer.

Wei Lan, thinking Lu Zijin wanted to kiss her, obediently leaned forward. Seeing no move, she leaned in to kiss Lu Zijin herself.

But before her face got close, Lu Zijin pinched her cheeks and pushed her back.

Lu Zijin, still holding the dog tag, leaned in and sniffed Wei Lan lightly. Her gentle expression finally cracked, unable to hold.

Still gripping the dog tag, Lu Zijin sat up straighter and looked at Wei Lan.

Wei Lan sensed a hint of danger and put on an innocent, radiant expression. “Madam, what’s wrong?”

“What’s wrong? Does the master think a naughty dog deserves punishment from its owner? Hmm?” Lu Zijin’s deep, ink-like eyes brimmed with danger.

Only then did Wei Lan think to back away, but Lu Zijin held her dog tag, making retreat impossible. She felt retreating would make her Madam angrier, so she didn’t dare.

“But I didn’t do anything wrong today and earned so much silver,” Wei Lan said, held by the dog tag, supporting herself on the round table and bending to face Lu Zijin.

Lu Zijin pinched Wei Lan’s chin with her right hand, her thumb pressing lightly. “Looks like the little dog hasn’t learned and doesn’t know her mistake.”

Lu Zijin pulled the dog tag, drawing Wei Lan closer, and bit down.

Her kiss was aggressive, urgent, and resentful. Wei Lan’s lips soon turned rosy red, her lower lip bitten several times.

Her eyes misted from the kiss, and she could barely stand. Wei Lan, breathless, whimpered and pushed Lu Zijin several times before Lu Zijin slightly pulled back.

Lu Zijin, holding the dog tag, dragged Wei Lan to the bed and pushed her. Wei Lan fell flat on her back.

As she tried to get up, Lu Zijin deftly straddled her waist. “Where’s the master going?”

“Nowhere, nowhere. Madam, why are you suddenly angry?” Wei Lan asked obediently, her lips swollen from bites, lying there with Lu Zijin atop her.

She had earned so much today and couldn’t figure out why Lu Zijin was mad. Qianxue had smiled at her when leaving, suggesting she did well today, and even her Madam’s people knew Lu Zijin was pleased with her, right?

Lu Zijin laughed in exasperation and pulled out two red silk ribbons she’d prepared.

Wei Lan felt the ribbons seemed off. Nervously licking her lips, she asked in her most innocent tone, “Madam, what are these?”

Lu Zijin smiled warmly, her eyes like autumn water, gentle and lingering. “A naughty dog naturally needs to be tied up and disciplined by its owner. Wouldn’t you agree, Master?”

Wei Lan’s back sweated. She forced an awkward smile, trying to please. “Yes, yes, a naughty dog should be disciplined. But I’m the most obedient dog. You wouldn’t bear to discipline me, right?”

Lu Zijin’s smile grew gentler, but she shook her head at Wei Lan. “No.”