Transmigrated as a Cannon Fodder Wife A in Ancient Times - Chapter 61

Chapter 61

Lu Zijin looked at her reluctant little Qianyuan and laughed. Wei Lan seemed quite fond of that spot.

Lu Zijin lay down under Wei Lan’s eager gaze, taking Wei Lan’s place.

She closed her eyes slightly and said, “If you want to eat, come get it yourself. A Qianyuan should be proactive, understand?”

Wei Lan, feeling wronged, scooted closer. Her wife was usually the one to take the lead, and she didn’t know how.

Wei Lan leaned down, burying her face in Lu Zijin’s neck to act coy. “Madam, I don’t know how,” she said.

Lu Zijin looked at the little puppy nuzzling her, her eyes curving slightly. She reached out, pinching Wei Lan’s earlobe, and smiled. “If you don’t know, then do nothing. I’m going to sleep,” she said.

“No way,” Wei Lan said, leaning in to kiss Lu Zijin’s lips. Seeing Lu Zijin had no intention of helping, she decided to try herself.

Wei Lan, ears red, fumbled with Lu Zijin’s sash. The little Qianyuan was clearly unskilled, taking forever just to undo the sash. When she finally succeeded, sweat beaded on her face.

Next, she grew even shyer. “Madam, can you undo it yourself, please?” she said.

Lu Zijin raised an eyebrow and shook her head calmly. “No,” she said.

Hearing her wife refuse to help, Wei Lan deflated like a punctured ball. Her gaze fell on the little phoenix sewn with gold thread. Unable to resist, she leaned in and took a deep sniff. The little phoenix smelled so sweet.

Lu Zijin watched Wei Lan bury her face in the little phoenix, sniffing endlessly, her ears and cheeks turning red.

Wei Lan felt her nose and mouth filled with sweetness, sweeter than the cheese or fruits she ate during the day, with a hint of sandalwood.

Wei Lan rubbed against it softly for a while, but after a short time on the bed, she grew sleepy.

She kissed Lu Zijin’s lips obediently, signaling she was tired, then lay down, hugging Lu Zijin to sleep.

Lu Zijin’s gaze, however, seemed ready to devour Wei Lan. Was she really going to sleep like this after getting her worked up?

Lu Zijin laughed in frustration, pinching Wei Lan’s earlobe. “You’re just going to sleep now?” she asked.

Wei Lan nodded innocently. “Hmm, I’m full and ready to sleep. Madam, you should sleep early too. We have lots to do tomorrow,” she said.

Lu Zijin looked at Wei Lan, who had closed her eyes, and felt ready to explode. The little Qianyuan lit a fire and ran, eating her fill without caring about her?

Wei Lan, of course, lacked such awareness. She didn’t know how to do anything else, and even if asked, she couldn’t.

Lu Zijin saw the wet marks on both sides of the little phoenix and fumed. She pushed Wei Lan down.

Wei Lan looked at Lu Zijin, confused. Lu Zijin bit her lip hard.

Wei Lan felt wronged. She was full and ready to sleep—why did her wife suddenly bite her?

“Madam, what are you doing? I was about to sleep,” Wei Lan said, rubbing her eyes, looking genuinely sleepy.

Lu Zijin didn’t care if she was sleepy. Wei Lan was so outrageous that she needed a lesson.

Thinking this, Lu Zijin tore off the plaster on Wei Lan’s gland and bit down.

A wave of fresh snow scent spilled out. Wei Lan let herself be bitten, but she was puzzled. Her wife was fine earlier—why was she suddenly angry?

“Madam, why do you seem angry?” Wei Lan asked while being bitten.

“You tell me, bad puppy,” Lu Zijin said, biting again. Sure enough, puppies needed biting. She was determined to drain Wei Lan’s pheromones today.

As expected, soon Wei Lan’s eyes misted, and she softened, drained of strength.

Her gland was bitten several times, and Wei Lan felt it flattening, her pheromones nearly gone again.

Lu Zijin, still not satisfied, bit Wei Lan’s lips a few times, then kissed her fiercely until Wei Lan couldn’t breathe. Even then, Lu Zijin didn’t let go.

She wanted to kiss the fire-starting, non-extinguishing Qianyuan dizzy, but she couldn’t bear to. Seeing Wei Lan push her pitifully, Lu Zijin pulled back slightly. Wei Lan gasped heavily. She was just sleepy and ready to sleep—her wife was so petty.

Lu Zijin sat up a bit, kissing Wei Lan while teasing her gland, not stopping until it was completely flat, yielding no more pheromones. Only then did she stop.

Looking at the exhausted Wei Lan beneath her, Lu Zijin leisurely found a spot in Wei Lan’s arms and lay down to rest.

Wei Lan, having lost too many pheromones, fell asleep soon, not even savoring the little cherry’s taste.

Luckily, Wei Lan had nothing to do the next day. She slept until late morning. When she woke, the spot beside her was empty, the bed cold.

Wei Lan whined, rolling twice in bed. Drained by her wife last night, she lacked energy to get up, so she hugged the blanket and slept more, dozing until noon.

Wei Lan got up groggily, washing up as Lu Zijin returned. Seeing Wei Lan just awake, Lu Zijin smiled. “Still sleepy?” she said.

Wei Lan nodded. “Dead tired. I can’t open my eyes,” she said.

Her pheromones were drained, leaving her listless. Good thing it was today—if tomorrow, she’d be too weak for the book signing.

“Eat first, then sleep well after,” Lu Zijin said softly.

“Hmm,” Wei Lan said, agreeing, her eyes nearly closing again.

So, after eating simply with Lu Zijin, Wei Lan stripped her outer dress and slept again, dozing until dark. She didn’t bother with dinner, eating only a bowl of iced rock sugar bird’s nest in bed before sleeping more.

Lu Zijin bathed and joined her in bed, seeing the little Qianyuan still asleep. She sighed inwardly, wondering if she shouldn’t drain Wei Lan’s pheromones completely next time, or she’d be listless all day.

Wei Lan slept a whole day. When she woke, it was bright morning. She hurried up, bathed, ate breakfast, and returned to Fuqu Pavilion, fully refreshed after yesterday’s rest.

Today, she’d compete with Chen Zhou. Back at the pavilion, Wei Lan ordered the cook to make three large cakes, thinking three would suffice. First-come, first-served for the signing attendees, and those missing out would likely return next time, her hunger marketing strategy.

After preparations, Wei Lan took three servants, each carrying a large metal basin with another basin inverted over it to keep the cakes clean.

She had the bookshop prepare clean plates and spoons to distribute during the signing to attendees.

Meanwhile, Chen Zhou began preparations. Chen’s Bookshop headquarters was on the same street as the Lu Family Bookshop’s. Many, curious about Chen Zhou’s looks, went to watch. Seeing him handsome with sharp brows and starry eyes, some queued up, soon forming a long line.

But Chen Zhou, used to being a young master, wasn’t polite. He signed his name on book pages, ignoring the girls talking to him, only writing his name, unlike Wei Lan’s personalized signings.

A girl, charmed by his looks, asked for a signature, starry-eyed. “Can you write some encouraging words on the first page?” she said.

“No, I only sign names. Next,” Chen Zhou said, shooing her off impatiently.

He regretted competing with Wei Lan, now stuck signing for these people.

Many in the line noticed his irritation and whispered.

“Why’s Chen signing so fast? He just sat, hasn’t settled, and he’s done.”

“Yeah, look at his face. He’s so annoyed, like we owe him. Forget it—I’m not queuing. I’ll wait for Wei Lan.”

“I’m going to Wei Lan too.”

“Wait for me.”

“Exactly. We’re spending money here. Five hundred taels per book isn’t cheap, and he’s unhappy. I’m out. So disappointing.”

“Let’s go find Miss Wei Lan.”

“Hmm, she’s much nicer.”

Soon, half of Chen Zhou’s line left. His face nearly cracked, but with people still queuing, he couldn’t lash out, only signing on.

At Wei Lan’s side, the Lu Family Bookshop’s main store had two long queues stretching outside. First, as usual, were Lu Xun and her friends.

They’d planned to arrive early, hoping Wei Lan would remember them.

After about an hour, Wei Lan arrived, her servants carrying large metal basins, and two shop clerks with stacks of clean bowls and plates for the table.

Wei Lan sat behind the desk, smiling. “You’re first again? Waited long?” she said.

“Not bad, about an hour,” Lu Xun said, thrilled Wei Lan remembered her, winking at her friends.

“I was preparing things, or I’d have come sooner,” Wei Lan said, smiling.

“Oh? No bookmarks today?” Lu Xun asked.

Wei Lan smiled and said, “Today, I prepared another surprise—something to eat. One piece each.”

She signaled Siyun to open a basin.

Lu Xun and those in front peered in curiously.

“So fragrant. What is it? I’ve never seen it.”

“I haven’t either. Looks delicious.”

“Yeah, yeah,” the crowd said, stirring.

Lu Xun looked at Wei Lan curiously. “What’s this?” she asked.

“It’s called cream cake, a special surprise I made for everyone. It’s delicious. Try it,” Wei Lan said, cutting a slice, placing it on a clean white porcelain plate with a spoon, and handing it to Lu Xun.

Lu Xun, delighted to be first, thrilled. Her friends urged, “Hurry, taste it. Good?”

“Yeah, is it good?” another said.

Lu Xun quickly took the white porcelain spoon, scooped a piece, and ate. It was soft, creamy, full of milk flavor, and delicious.

Her eyes lit up, nodding repeatedly. “Really good! How’s this cake counted? One piece per book?” she asked.

Wei Lan smiled, shaking her head. “No, one piece per person, no matter how many books you buy. It’s tasty but gets heavy if you eat too much. How many books today? Fourth and fifth volumes are out,” she said.

“Then ten of each, fourth and fifth, twenty books,” Lu Xun said quickly.

Wei Lan nodded, starting to write personalized signings.

Lu Xun finished soon, agreeing with Wei Lan that it was perfect—one more piece might be too rich.

Thinking, she asked, “How many books in ‘Rebirth of the Abandoned Consort of the Marquis’s Mansion’?”

“Six total. I’ve written them all. The sixth should be on sale soon,” Wei Lan said, smiling.

“What? Don’t end it so fast! I want more sweet stories of Cui Niang and Ninth Princess. They’re focused on business now, with no sweet moments,” Lu Xun said, reluctant to finish.

Wei Lan laughed. “Don’t worry, fourth and fifth have their sweet moments.”

“Good, good,” Lu Xun said.

They chatted briefly before the next person’s turn. Wei Lan cut cake first, then signed.

Soon, someone bragged at the tea house across the street.

“Do you know, at Wei Lan’s signing, you get a cream cake slice? She invented it. Nowhere in Panyang City sells it. It’s amazing,” a male Kunze boasted to friends.

“Really? What’s it like?” someone asked.

“Can’t describe it. Milky, with other scents, soft texture, super delicious. There’s not much, first-come, first-served. Don’t say I didn’t warn you—go now, or it’ll be gone.”

After he spoke, foodies settled their tea house bills and rushed to queue at the Lu Family Bookshop, curious about the cake’s flavor.

Those who tried it wanted to buy more for family, its taste so unique, but Wei Lan had principles: it wasn’t for sale, only free for signing attendees.

The queue reached the bookshop’s door. Wei Lan had the manager stop people, warning that latecomers might miss cake. But some fans, there for Wei Lan, not cake, insisted on queuing. Qu Qiushou couldn’t stop them—they were determined.

On the same street, Chen Ji’s Bookshop to the south had only a dozen people, queuing for Chen Zhou’s looks.

Soon, a girl came looking for her friend. “You’re still queuing here? Come on, go to the Lu Family Bookshop! They give out Wei Lan’s invented cake. It’s so good. Hurry, or you’ll miss it.”

“What’s a cake?” her friend asked.

“Can’t explain, just really tasty. Let’s go!”

The dozen-person queue shrank by five or six. The atmosphere was too oppressive, with Chen Zhou’s sour face. They were customers, not debtors, and wouldn’t indulge him.

Finally, Chen Zhou’s queue had three people left. His copied books piled on the table, untouched.

Chen Zhou signed the last person, face green with anger. “Wei Lan, you useless trash!” he said.

“Young Master, calm down. We spent a lot copying those books. What now?” the manager said, worried. The shop’s revenue couldn’t pay clerks.

Chen Zhou, grim-faced, said, “Go buy peach blossom pastries from the market. Give one to each signing attendee.”

“Yes, Young Master,” the manager said, sending someone to buy.

But Chen Zhou didn’t know that common peach blossom pastries couldn’t compete with the novel cream cake.

By noon, Wei Lan’s cream cakes were gone, her hand cramped from signing. She told everyone to return in the afternoon and sent word to Fuqu Pavilion for two cooks to make three more large cakes. The girls were enthusiastic, many coming for cake, buying books as an afterthought.

Wei Lan, with Xi Ye and Siyun, went to a nearby tavern for lunch. That morning, cream cake’s fame spread among youths, who told friends. Wealthy young masters and misses, too lazy to queue, sent servants early.

Zhou Yufu, busy with her shop in the morning, sent a servant to secure first place in the afternoon. Lu Xun, returning from lunch, was annoyed her first spot was taken. She wanted to impress Wei Lan by always being first.

More people queued later, and Qu Qiushou had to turn them away, saying they lacked enough books. Chen Ji’s Bookshop stood empty and quiet.

Wei Lan’s trio ate and hurried back. Three new large cakes arrived.

Seeing a new first, Wei Lan greeted, “Boss Zhou, so early today?”

“Not early. If I wasn’t busy this morning, I’d have come then,” Zhou Yufu said, winking at Xi Ye. “Right, little Qianyuan?”

Xi Ye’s ears reddened, unprepared for this lively figure.

Zhou Yufu, seeing her shy, chuckled lightly. “Hey, did you use the rouge I sent last time?” she asked.

“No, I don’t usually wear that,” Xi Ye stammered.

“No matter. I’ll put it on you myself later. Have you thought of me these days, hmm?” Zhou Yufu asked, raising an eyebrow.

Xi Ye, blushing from face to ears, shook her head. “No, I’m busy every day,” she said.

“So, little Qianyuan means you’d think of me when not busy?” Zhou Yufu said, interpreting it her way, not needing Xi Ye’s flattery.

Wei Lan nearly laughed, seeing Xi Ye overwhelmed, and stepped in. “Boss Zhou, this is my gift cream cake. I’ll cut you a piece to try,” she said.

As Wei Lan moved to cut, Zhou Yufu stopped her. “Wait, I want my little Qianyuan to cut it,” she said.

Wei Lan shook her head, amused, feeling snubbed, and handed the knife to Xi Ye. “You do it,” she said.

Xi Ye took the knife, cut a small piece, placed it on a plate, and handed it to Zhou Yufu.

Zhou Yufu reached for the plate, her fingertips brushing Xi Ye’s hand. Xi Ye flushed from face to ears.

Zhou Yufu laughed. “Wow, little Qianyuan is so pure,” she said.

Then, as if remembering, Zhou Yufu said, “From the first volume, twenty books each for me.”

“Fine,” Wei Lan said, resigned, starting to sign. She heard Zhou Yufu tease Xi Ye, who, too honest, couldn’t handle it, turning red soon.

Finally, when Xi Ye tugged Wei Lan’s sleeve the fifth time, Wei Lan finished signing Zhou Yufu’s books, sending her off before Xi Ye collapsed.

Next was Lu Xun, who’d waited long, her legs numb from Zhou Yufu’s large order. “Sister, from the first volume, ten books each, okay?” she said.

Wei Lan nodded, smiling. “Of course,” she said.

She cut cake for the girl.

Lu Xun ate, chatting with Wei Lan. “Sister, write more novels. My friends and I love them,” she said.

“Yeah, don’t stop after this one,” her friend behind her said.

Wei Lan smiled. “I’ll try, if I have time,” she said.

“Great, and hold more signings like this. We love chatting with you,” Lu Xun said.

Wei Lan smiled back. “Good, I’ll try,” she said.

But recalling being tied up by her wife last time, Wei Lan decided to bathe thoroughly tonight, or her wife would punish her again.

Meanwhile, Chen Zhou had no one queuing. His peach blossom pastries went unsent. Finally, he had his carriage return home. Passing the Lu Family Bookshop, he lifted the curtain and saw the queue spilling onto the road, Qu Qiushou urging latecomers to leave.

It felt like two slaps to Chen Zhou’s face. No one attended his signing, while Wei Lan’s couldn’t be cleared.

Chen Zhou’s face burned, his teeth nearly breaking. “Wei Lan, you trash, just wait!” he said.