Transmigrated as a Cannon Fodder Wife A in Ancient Times - Chapter 66

Chapter 66

Honestly, Wei Lan only recently learned about her family’s businesses when she competed with Chen’s Bookshop to spite Chen Zhou. Otherwise, she wouldn’t have known the Lu family owned a bookshop. This time was no different—she had no idea they also ran a tavern.

From the worker’s words, Wei Lan understood that the troublemakers were deliberately causing a scene, likely instigated by someone.

Wei Lan nodded at the worker. “Wait for me in the courtyard. I’ll come soon. Also, call Deng Jin to join us,” she said.

With that, she put down her jade, returned to her bedroom, and changed clothes.

The servants hurriedly fetched Deng Jin.

When Wei Lan finished changing, Deng Jin arrived. She brought Xi Ye, Deng Jin, and a few courtyard servants, following the worker to the back gate.

The Lu family’s tavern wasn’t far from the Lu Mansion, just two streets away, so Wei Lan and her group arrived quickly.

At the tavern’s entrance, Wei Lan saw four men. One appeared to have just vomited and was lying at the entrance of the Lu Family Tavern, with a pile of filth beside him.

The man groaned weakly, “The Lu Family Tavern scams and harms people. Their food isn’t fresh and can kill you.”

“Exactly. Manager, your tavern is crooked. My friend ate and vomited. What did you put in the food?” another man said.

“Right, it’s a shady place. Everyone, be careful. Don’t eat here—it’s deadly,” another added.

The manager still persuaded politely, “Gentlemen, I’ll get a doctor to check on you and compensate you with some silver. Can we settle this?”

“No way. Who cares about your measly silver? We’re warning everyone not to eat at this shady tavern,” one replied.

“Right, it’s a crooked place. Whoever comes here gets unlucky,” another said.

The young Qianyuan men were arrogant. With one lying on the ground, the constables hesitated to arrest them, fearing a death might implicate them.

Wei Lan and her group watched from outside for a bit. She waved, signaling Xi Ye to clear the crowd.

“Make way, everyone. Our master is here,” Xi Ye said, directing the servants to part the crowd. Wei Lan walked through the gap.

Seeing Wei Lan, the manager immediately bowed. “Master, you’re here. I’m sorry. I tried persuading them, even called the city guards, but they won’t leave,” he said.

The manager was exhausted. He’d dealt with unreasonable customers before, usually settled with money, but these men refused to budge.

Wei Lan nodded faintly at the manager, her gaze coldly fixed on the man lying on the ground.

He glanced at Wei Lan disdainfully and mocked, “You’re that kept wife of the Lu Mansion? A mere dependent—does your word even count? Call your madam instead.”

“Right. If you don’t resolve this today, we’re not leaving,” the man said, still looking menacing.

Wei Lan’s lips curved slightly, and she nodded with a faint smile. “Deng Jin, check his pulse. Find out the real reason for his vomiting. Also, examine that pile of vomit on the ground to see if he’s truly ill or just causing trouble,” she said.

“Hey, what’s that supposed to mean?” a tall man said, pointing at Wei Lan. He stepped forward to push her, but Xi Ye shoved him back, sending him to the ground.

Unable to fight, he shouted, “Come look! Constables, do something! The Lu Mansion bullies us common folk, ignoring our lives. Is anyone in charge?”

The constable, annoyed by their arrogance, pointed at him. “Nonsense. You tried to hit first. We’re right here, and you dare slander? Think we won’t act?” he said.

“Don’t dare let a doctor check your pulse? Afraid they’ll find you’re fine and can’t keep faking?” Wei Lan said, looking coldly at the man on the ground with a sneer.

She turned to the constable. “Sir, these men are clearly causing trouble. It’s almost dinnertime, and they’re blocking the entrance to stop the Lu family’s business,” she said.

“Right, they’re obviously scamming,” someone in the crowd said.

“Yeah, that guy’s been lying there for an hour, looking lively,” another added.

“Haha, look at his rosy face. No wonder he won’t let a doctor check—he’s not poisoned,” another said.

The onlookers gradually understood, pointing and whispering about the men.

Wei Lan’s smile widened. She bowed to the constables. “Sirs, this seems premeditated. I want to sue these men. Please detain them,” she said.

“Alright,” the constable replied, appreciating Wei Lan’s courtesy and agreeing readily.

Seeing the situation turn, the rogues tried to pull the man on the ground and flee, but the constables and Wei Lan’s servants blocked them.

Wei Lan scanned them coldly. “The Lu Family Tavern isn’t a place for your antics. If this isn’t thoroughly investigated, it could harm our reputation. I’ll personally sue you all,” she said.

The man on the ground panicked. Chen Zhou had only told them to harass the Lu Family Tavern, not that they’d be arrested. Had they known, they wouldn’t have taken the job.

“No, I suddenly feel better. No need to trouble you. We’ll leave now,” the man said, frantically signaling his companions to rush out of the encirclement.

But Xi Ye was faster, dragging all four to the ground. The constables swarmed, apprehending them.

Wei Lan told the manager, “Have someone collect some of his vomit and bring it to court. This isn’t over. Since they want to ruin the Lu Family Tavern’s reputation, I’ll play this out to the end,” she said.

With that, she led her group and the constables to the yamen.

Panyang City’s yamen was overseen by City Lord Lu Feng. Many curious onlookers followed Wei Lan’s group to the court.

A constable reported inside, and soon Lu Feng, in official robes, emerged from the back hall. The constables had briefed him, so he had a rough idea.

Wei Lan bowed to Lu Feng. “Sir, these men caused a disturbance at our tavern, pretending to vomit and be poisoned from our food. I suspect they were instigated with ulterior motives,” she said.

“Unjust, sir! I really felt sick and vomited, thinking it was their food. I feel better now and just want to leave, but she insists on dragging us to court,” the man who faked poisoning said, debating.

“If you’re truly sick, let my mansion’s doctor check your pulse,” Wei Lan said, glaring coldly.

“No, sir, her doctor will side with her and slander us,” the rogue continued to argue.

Lu Feng glanced at the rogues, recognizing them as familiar East Market troublemakers, idle loafers who’d been jailed before for petty theft, released after a few days.

Disgusted by such people, Lu Feng said, “You’re repeat offenders. If you’re worried about the Lu Mansion’s doctor slandering you, I’ll have the yamen’s doctor check your pulse.”

He instructed a guard, who immediately left to fetch someone.

Soon, an elderly man arrived with the guard at the court.

Lu Feng pointed below. “Check his pulse. See if he’s poisoned from eating,” he said.

“Yes,” the elderly man said, approaching to check the rogue’s pulse. In court, the rogue couldn’t avoid it and let the doctor examine him.

Soon, the doctor said, “Sir, this man isn’t poisoned. His stomach is fine. The only issue is excessive liver fire.”

Lu Feng glared coldly. “What else do you have to say?” he said.

“Sir, I’m wrong! I really had stomach pain after eating. Believe me, you must believe me,” the rogue said.

“Hmph, swindlers like you should’ve been locked up long ago. Guards, detain them,” Lu Feng said, despising such people.

“Sir, please wait a moment,” Wei Lan said, bowing.

Lu Feng looked at Wei Lan. His daughter often praised her, buying many of Wei Lan’s storybooks. He sized her up—she was indeed good-looking and refined, not like a lowly kept wife.

“What else?” Lu Feng asked.

“Sir, these men have no grudge against the Lu Family Tavern. They likely didn’t act on their own. Someone probably instigated them. Also, their disturbance affected our afternoon business, costing at least a thousand taels of silver. Shouldn’t they bear these losses?” Wei Lan said, smiling faintly, speaking unhurriedly.

She didn’t know the tavern’s daily revenue but figured exaggerating wouldn’t hurt. Even if the mastermind wasn’t caught, these rogues should stay jailed longer, lest anyone dared to trouble the Lu family.

“Indeed,” Lu Feng said, nodding in agreement.

The four rogues, hearing a thousand taels, were stunned. That much money—selling them wouldn’t cover it.

“Sir, we can’t afford that much!” one rogue said, adopting a defiant attitude.

Lu Feng laughed in anger. “No money? Then pay with jail time. Normally, for causing trouble, you’d be out in ten days. But since you owe the Lu Family Tavern a thousand taels, you’ll stay at least three years. Guards, take them away,” he said.

“Wait, sir, I have something to say,” one rogue said, panicking at the mention of three years.

Chen Zhou hadn’t told them this—only to cause trouble at the Lu Family Tavern, saying Lu Zijin was out of town, ensuring their safety. He gave each four hundred taels, so they took the job, not expecting three years in jail.

“What do you have to say? I have other matters. If you’ve got something, confess honestly. I’ve no time for nonsense,” Lu Feng said, angered, seeing a chance to make an example.

“Sir, we want to see Chen Zhou,” one said.

“Right, we want Chen Zhou,” another added.

“He instigated us, gave us each a hundred taels to cause trouble. I’ve got the banknote on me,” one said, producing it.

“Sir, we rogues couldn’t have this much money. Chen Zhou gave it to us,” another said.

Lu Feng hadn’t expected a mastermind. His face darkened. He knew of merchants’ underhanded competition but not so blatantly. Chen Zhou dared send people to disrupt the Lu family.

He looked at the constable leader. “Go bring Chen Zhou,” he said.

“Yes, sir,” the constable said, taking ten men to the Chen Mansion.

The Chen Mansion’s gate guards were surprised. With their wealth, constables rarely dared offend them.

“What’s this about, sirs?” the head guard asked.

“Official business. Clear out. Where’s Chen Zhou?” the constable leader asked.

“Our young master’s probably in the study. What’s this for?” the guard asked, but the constables stormed into the mansion.

“Official business. Take us to Chen Zhou,” the leader said, grabbing two servants to lead the way.

The Chen Mansion was in chaos. Su Er soon got word and ran to inform Chen Zhou. “Young Master, bad news,” he said.

Chen Zhou, instructing his men in the study, darkened his face. “What’s with the panic? What’s bad about me?” he said.

“Young Master, constables are here, asking for you by name,” Su Er said, sweating.

“Constables?” Chen Zhou frowned. He hadn’t done much lately, just hired rogues to disrupt the Lu Family Tavern. Did those fools betray him?

“Damn it!” he said. Could those idiots have ratted him out?

As they spoke, the constable leader burst in with his men.

“You’re Chen Zhou? Come with us,” the leader said.

“What crime have I committed? Why arrest me?” Chen Zhou asked.

“Less talk. You’ll see. Move,” a constable said, pushing Chen Zhou.

Chen Zhou’s veins bulged with anger. When had he faced such humiliation? But the constables, mindful of his wealth, didn’t bind him, just surrounded him and led him out.

Zhou Yufu, hearing the news, rushed out. Chen Zhou was her lifeline. “My son, what’s going on? Why arrest him?” she said.

“The city lord will decide. Delay our work, and we’ll arrest you too,” the constable leader said, annoyed by rich families’ arrogance.

He signaled his men to hurry, ignoring Zhou Yufu.

Zhou Yufu, with Chen Mansion guards, chased after, fearing for her son.

“Don’t be afraid, Zhou’er. Mother’s here. I won’t let anything happen to you,” she said, too rushed for a carriage, following on foot.

Soon, they reached the yamen.

Lu Feng, seeing Zhou Yufu with over a dozen guards, turned livid. “Madam Zhou, what? Planning to attack officials?” he said.

“No, no. My son’s always honest, a renowned talent in Panyang City. How could he err? Sir, there must be a misunderstanding,” Zhou Yufu said hurriedly.

“No misunderstanding. They’re here. If you don’t want jail, confess clearly,” Lu Feng said, glaring at the four rogues.

One rogue immediately addressed Chen Zhou. “Young Master Chen, we just wanted some money. You sent us to disrupt the Lu Family Tavern, saying it was safe since Lu Zijin was away. You didn’t mention getting arrested,” he said.

“Right, you said I just needed to lie at the tavern’s entrance, and nothing would happen,” another added.

Chen Zhou’s face nearly turned green. How did he hire such fools? Couldn’t they read the situation and back off? He hadn’t told them to enrage the Lu family into reporting to officials.

Taking a few breaths, he pointed and cursed, “Slander! Absolute slander!”

He bowed to Lu Feng. “Sir, they’re framing me. I never did this,” he said.

Then he pointed at Wei Lan, furious. “It’s her. She must’ve instigated them,” he said.

Wei Lan laughed. “Am I crazy, Chen Zhou? You make excuses, but don’t be ridiculous. Would I ruin my own family’s reputation to frame you? Who do you think you are, worth framing? Your words are full of holes. Even ghosts wouldn’t believe them,” she said.

“No, you’re framing me! I’m not convinced,” Chen Zhou said. Already shaken from a ghost scare recently, his nerves were frayed. With a crowd watching, if convicted, the Chen Mansion’s reputation would suffer.

Wei Lan said calmly, “It’s simple. I checked—the banknotes these rogues have are new, with serial numbers recorded at the bank. Just verify who received them, and we’ll know.”

Lu Feng nodded, impressed by Wei Lan, and had guards collect the rogues’ banknotes, all new. “Check them immediately,” he said.

The constables took the banknotes to the bank. Chen Zhou’s heart sank, sweat beading on his face. Damn it, those banknotes were indeed from when he sent someone to deposit silver.

As expected, the constables returned soon. The leader bowed to Lu Feng. “Sir, we verified the banknotes. They were issued to the Chen Mansion’s accountant five days ago,” he said.

Lu Feng looked at Chen Zhou, sneering. “Take him. What else do you have to say?” he said.

“Sir, forgive me. I was momentarily foolish. I only meant for them to cause trouble, not make it big. It’s their fault for being idiots,” Chen Zhou said, kneeling as yamen runners held him, his usual refinement gone.

Wei Lan shook her head, exasperated. Chen Zhou deserved harsh punishment.

“Chen Zhou, you instigated others to disrupt the Lu Family Tavern, causing losses of over a thousand taels. With clear evidence, I sentence you to fifteen days of reflection in jail and full compensation for the tavern’s losses. If the Lu family agrees to settle, you may avoid jail,” Lu Feng said. It wasn’t a major issue, with no deaths, so he followed protocol. Many such cases settled.

Hearing this, Chen Zhou looked at Wei Lan. “Wei Lan, I’ll pay double to settle. We’re family—Zijin’s cousin. You wouldn’t let me go to jail, right?” he said.

Wei Lan shook her head. “You dare call yourself Zijin’s cousin? Harming your own kin proves your vile character. The Lu family has no such relative, and Zijin has no such cousin. We won’t settle. Reflect in jail,” she said.

“You’re just a kept wife! What right do you have to say this?” Chen Zhou said, nearly lunging at Wei Lan if not restrained.

The crowd despised Chen Zhou’s behavior.

“That’s Chen Zhou? What a low character, harming his own kin,” one said.

“Right, so crooked. I won’t buy from their shops anymore,” another said.

“Me too. Wei Lan’s good-looking, writes stories, and speaks sensibly,” another said.

“Right, I’m jealous of Lu Zijin. Who wouldn’t want such a Qianyuan?” another added.

Lu Feng, tired of Chen Zhou’s face, waved at the runners to lock him up.

Zhou Yufu panicked, rushing toward the court but was stopped by order-keeping runners.

“Lord Lu, we’ll pay. Please spare my son. He’s pampered—how can he endure jail?” she said.

She pleaded with Wei Lan. “Wei Lan, name your price. I’ll pay anything. Spare my son, please,” she said.

Wei Lan shook her head. “You’re mistaken. Your son should spare us. The Lu family runs honest businesses. Tell your family to stop smearing us with underhanded tactics,” she said.

With that, Wei Lan prepared to leave. Lu Feng spoke. “Wait. Have the Chen family pay the compensation first,” he said.

He looked at Zhou Yufu. “Madam Zhou, pay the silver first, or I can’t release your son after fifteen days,” he said.

Zhou Yufu didn’t want to pay, hating Wei Lan, but hearing this, she sobbed. “Go to the mansion for five thousand taels,” she said.

A servant ran to the Chen Mansion.

Wei Lan and the onlookers waited. The servant returned with the banknotes.

Zhou Yufu handed them to Wei Lan, pleading, “Wei Lan, I know Zhou’er was wrong. How about this? I’ll add twenty thousand taels as compensation. Settle with him, please. We’ll behave and never do this again.”

Wei Lan smiled faintly. “No. The Lu family doesn’t lack twenty thousand taels. Manage your son better. He keeps breaking the law—such a disgrace,” she said.

Ignoring Zhou Yufu’s expression, Wei Lan left with her group. Zhou Yufu nearly fainted from anger, but no one cared. Lu Feng had the runners clear out the Chen family, and the gossip-hungry crowd, having enjoyed the drama, gradually dispersed.

With ancient people’s limited entertainment, gossip spread fast. Within half a day, Chen Zhou’s scheme to smear the Lu Family Tavern spread through Panyang City, impacting the Chen family’s businesses.

People thought, if the owner was so despicable, their shops must be too. Conversely, the Lu family’s shops gained free publicity, boosting sales.

When Lu Zijin heard the news, she rushed back from the suburbs. Arriving anxiously at the Lu Family Tavern, she saw it had reopened, bustling with customers.

Lu Zijin dismounted. The manager greeted her immediately.

“Miss, I’m incompetent for troubling you,” the manager said, bowing.

Lu Zijin frowned. “What happened? Where are the troublemakers?” she asked.

“The master resolved it, sending them to the yamen. She uncovered the mastermind—Chen Zhou sent them to cause trouble. He’s been arrested and will be jailed for days,” the manager said quickly.

Hearing Wei Lan handled it, Lu Zijin’s expression relaxed. She knew her little dog was only soft and sweet with her—outside, Wei Lan was capable.

“Good. All’s well then. But this reminds us to ensure fresh ingredients and materials,” Lu Zijin instructed.

“Yes, I understand,” the manager said.

Lu Zijin gave a few more instructions, then left with her guards for the Lu Mansion.

She missed Wei Lan a bit. Her little dog was reliable when it mattered, someone she could count on.