Transmigrated as a Cannon Fodder Wife A in Ancient Times - Chapter 69

Chapter 69

Around noon, Shen Fangzhou returned from the palace. Fan Chuan and Shen Lingwei ate lunch together at the Prime Minister’s Mansion.

Shen Fangzhou chatted awkwardly with Fan Chuan and Shen Lingwei for a while before letting them leave.

Fan Chuan followed Shen Lingwei to her small courtyard. Shen Lingwei smiled at her and said, “Today’s rare with no rush. Want to nap a bit?”

“Good,” Fan Chuan said, nodding. This wasn’t the Marshal’s Mansion, so she couldn’t escape to handle work elsewhere. She also didn’t want too much interaction with Shen Lingwei, so sleeping seemed the best choice.

Soon, they returned to Shen Lingwei’s bedroom. Shen Lingwei dismissed the maids and closed the door, then looked at Fan Chuan. “I’ll help you undress,” she said.

“Thank you,” Fan Chuan said. She knew Shen Lingwei’s temperament. These past days, she tried refusing Shen Lingwei’s help with undressing but failed, so she stopped resisting and let her have her way.

Fan Chuan walked to the bed, arms slightly spread to make it easier for Shen Lingwei to change her clothes.

Shen Lingwei stepped closer, reaching around Fan Chuan’s waist to her waistband. She pulled it apart, removed it from the clasp, stepped back, and hung it on a nearby wooden rack.

While Shen Lingwei turned, Fan Chuan pursed her lips, took a deep breath, and stood like a wooden frame when Shen Lingwei returned to undo her sash.

Shen Lingwei untied the sash, hung Fan Chuan’s outer dress on the rack, and then began removing her own dress.

Fan Chuan averted her gaze, sat on the bed’s edge, and stopped looking at Shen Lingwei.

Shen Lingwei didn’t mind much. She finished undressing, climbed onto the inner side of the bed, and lay down. Fan Chuan then lay flat on the bed.

Fan Chuan pulled one side of the blanket over herself, closed her eyes to sleep, but again caught the faint scent of cold orchid.

She thought she wouldn’t sleep, but soon drifted off deeply.

The evening was similar. Fan Chuan and Shen Lingwei ate with the mansion’s people, then returned to rest. The next morning, they took a carriage back to the Marshal’s Mansion.

Shen Lingwei felt reluctant only about her little courtyard, not the mansion’s people.

At the Marshal’s Mansion, Fan Chuan, as usual, helped Shen Lingwei down from the carriage.

Walking inside, Fan Chuan said, “I have things to handle. Take Xiao Tao and the others back to the courtyard.”

“Okay,” Shen Lingwei said, her clear eyes looking at Fan Chuan with a gentle reminder. “Remember to come back for lunch.”

“Hmm, I’ll return soon,” Fan Chuan said, nodding. They’d eaten together these days, and she was used to it. After giving instructions, she went to handle her affairs. She needed to arrange things in the capital quickly, leaving trusted people to relay information. She sensed the old emperor might soon order her back to the Northern Border.

All morning, Fan Chuan made arrangements. Returning to the courtyard, she saw Xiao Tao and other maids chatting.

Seeing Fan Chuan, Xiao Tao and the others stood to bow. Fan Chuan waved them up, then looked at Xiao Tao and asked, “Does Madam like anything? We’re heading to the Northern Border soon, and I want to buy some things for her.”

Given Shen Lingwei’s considerate nature, asking her directly would likely yield a “nothing needed” response. So, Fan Chuan asked Xiao Tao, her personal maid, who knew her preferences.

“Miss mostly uses Yicui Pavilion’s rouge. She also likes Meiyuan’s osmanthus cakes. Nothing else, really,” Xiao Tao said. The Prime Minister’s Mansion lacked for nothing.

Fan Chuan nodded, noting it, then returned to the bedroom to eat lunch with Shen Lingwei.

In the afternoon, Fan Chuan took some guards out. She bought things she needed, then went to Yicui Pavilion for rouge.

The shop assistant, seeing Fan Chuan’s fine clothing and entourage, knew she was wealthy and approached eagerly. “Miss, what do you need?” he said.

This stumped Fan Chuan. She used rouge and powder but didn’t pay attention to brands. Asked directly, she didn’t know Shen Lingwei’s preferred shades.

Rouge’s color, even slightly darker or lighter, affected the look on lips.

“Pack one set of your best-selling rouge and powder, every kind,” Fan Chuan said after thinking.

The assistant beamed. “Yes, yes, right away. Please wait,” he said.

He took a large wooden box, filling it with various shades of rouge and powder until it was full.

Leaving the rouge shop, Fan Chuan went to Meiyuan for osmanthus cakes. They didn’t keep well, so she bought only a few and left.

Buying these for Shen Lingwei wasn’t because Fan Chuan had feelings for her. Their positions differed, and they wouldn’t grow close. But as nominal spouses, Fan Chuan felt she should care for her.

Back at the Marshal’s Mansion, Fan Chuan had her items stored for the trip to the capital.

She carried the wooden box and a pack of osmanthus cakes to the bedroom. Shen Lingwei was on a soft couch, reading a travelogue, and stood when she saw Fan Chuan.

“You’re back?” Shen Lingwei said.

“Hmm, got you osmanthus cakes and Yicui Pavilion’s rouge and powder,” Fan Chuan said, looking at her.

Shen Lingwei was surprised. Their relationship was awkward, and she hadn’t expected Fan Chuan to buy these. Fan Chuan hadn’t asked her, so she likely asked Xiao Tao.

“Thank you, Marshal,” Shen Lingwei said, walking to the table. She untied the string on the paper package, wiped her hands with a cloth, and picked up an osmanthus cake.

She didn’t eat it but offered it to Fan Chuan’s lips. “This shop’s cakes are delicious. I’ve loved them since childhood. Try one, Marshal?” she said.

“I’ll do it,” Fan Chuan said, reaching for it, but Shen Lingwei grabbed her sleeve.

“You haven’t washed your hands. I’ll feed you,” Shen Lingwei said, moving the cake closer to Fan Chuan’s lips.

She smiled at Fan Chuan, waiting for her to eat.

Fan Chuan glanced away briefly, but seeing Shen Lingwei’s insistence, she leaned forward and took a bite.

The cake was small; one bite was half. Fan Chuan chewed, the flavor fragrant and indeed delicious. But no one had fed her like Shen Lingwei, and her heart raced again.

Seeing the other half in Shen Lingwei’s hand, Fan Chuan leaned in and ate it.

Shen Lingwei’s eyes curved. “How is it? Good?” she said.

“Hmm, delicious,” Fan Chuan said, nodding, quickly changing the topic. “Check the rouge and powder. I didn’t know what you liked, so I picked some.”

Shen Lingwei looked at the wooden box, wiped her hands, and opened it. The two-layered box was filled with rouge and powder. She smiled helplessly—it would take years to use.

“I like Yicui Pavilion’s rouge and powder, but this is too much. Will you use some with me?” Shen Lingwei said, looking at Fan Chuan, her eyes curving.

Fan Chuan pursed her lips instinctively, nodding. “Good, but I don’t use these much in the military,” she said.

“No matter. You can use them at home,” Shen Lingwei said, looking at the rows of rouge and powder, feeling happy.

Regardless of Fan Chuan’s reasons, she was considerate and proper.

She closed the box, wiped her hands, and ate an osmanthus cake. “Hmm, delicious,” she said.

Eating, Shen Lingwei’s gaze lingered on Fan Chuan. Fan Chuan couldn’t handle the direct stare and said, “I have things to do. I’ll go. Eat slowly.”

Without waiting for a reply, Fan Chuan hurriedly left the bedroom.

Shen Lingwei laughed. She only looked at her a few times—why the panic?

—

Meanwhile, Wei Lan was having servants pack. She’d accumulated enough carvings, and if she didn’t deliver them to Xiao Nanyan, Xiao Nanyan might come confront her.

Wei Lan looked at two large landscape carvings, five hand-held pieces, and a set of twelve zodiac jade plaques, feeling great. These would soon turn into silver.

She planned to give the earnings to her wife, earning another reward from Lu Zijin.

With that thought, she was motivated, having two servants each carry a large jade carving, while the plaques and smaller pieces were packed in a bundle for Xi Ye to carry.

Wei Lan led the three out of the Lu Mansion. Since sending Chen Zhou to jail, she hadn’t been out and wondered how he was doing—perhaps he’d collapsed.

But Wei Lan didn’t care much about a clown like Chen Zhou. Her career came first.

They soon reached Yuya Pavilion. Zhao Chengye saw Wei Lan and greeted her warmly.

“Please come in. Our boss has been waiting,” Zhao Chengye said.

Wei Lan smiled and nodded. “Good, let’s go,” she said.

“Right, follow me,” Zhao Chengye said, leading them into the courtyard.

Wei Lan, familiar with the place, went straight to Xiao Nanyan’s study. The door was open, and Xiao Nanyan was reviewing accounts.

Hearing movement, Xiao Nanyan looked up and saw Wei Lan arriving.

“You’re finally here. I’ve been waiting since morning,” Xiao Nanyan said.

Wei Lan had sent Xi Ye last night to inform Zhao Chengye she’d come today to sell jade, so Xiao Nanyan arrived early.

“Good food isn’t afraid of being late. I saved up this time, so there’s more than last time,” Wei Lan said, gesturing to Xi Ye and the others to place the jade on the round table.

Xiao Nanyan stood and walked over. “You don’t know, I’ve been pestered lately. People come daily asking for Qing Lan’s carvings. I got so fed up, I pretended to be sick and closed the door for days, or more would’ve come,” she said.

Wei Lan laughed. “Not that exaggerated, right? I’m just a bit known in Panyang City. Who knows me outside?” she said.

Xiao Nanyan waved her hand. “You’re wrong there. People from nearby places are curious about you. Some wanted to buy your carvings from me, but I had no stock, so they couldn’t,” she said.

Looking at the table’s bundles, Xiao Nanyan said, “What did you carve this time? Show me quick.”

Wei Lan smiled, opening three bundles. One held a lotus-pink landscape carving, another a mutton-fat white jade landscape piece, and the last had five hand-held pieces and a complete set of twelve zodiac plaques.

Xiao Nanyan was stunned. “So many carvings this time?” she said.

“Of course,” Wei Lan said, proud of the pieces. Last time, her wife nearly threw them out, so she stopped hiding them in the bedding.

Xiao Nanyan, familiar with Wei Lan, didn’t hold back, picking up a piece to examine closely.

“This lotus-pink landscape piece is too beautiful,” Xiao Nanyan said, admiring it.

The material was clean, with lifelike mountains, rivers, flowers, and birds carved by Wei Lan. Xiao Nanyan decided not to sell it but to keep it for her collection.

“Oh, lend me your machine later. I have some scraps I couldn’t bear to toss. I’ll make beads with them,” Wei Lan said.

“Sure, use anything here. You’re so thrifty,” Xiao Nanyan said, impressed.

Wei Lan’s carvings earned plenty, and her wife was rich, yet she still used scraps for beads.

“That’s right. Saving is earning,” Wei Lan said. She brought many scraps to make beads.

Ancient people didn’t favor beaded bracelets much, preferring jade bangles. But Wei Lan loved the smooth feel of beads in her hand.

Xiao Nanyan glanced at the table, thought for a moment, and said, “The last zodiac plaques sold well, beyond my expectations. So, this time, seven thousand taels each. The hand-held pieces are well-car carved, with larger material, so eight thousand taels each. For the large landscape pieces, twenty thousand taels each.”

“You sure? Don’t give me too much and lose profit,” Wei Lan said, reminding her.

“Don’t worry. Your carvings are in demand. I’ll still profit,” Xiao Nanyan said, smiling. “And I’m keeping the lotus-pink piece for my collection, not selling.”

“Fine,” Wei Lan said, nodding.

Xiao Nanyan calculated. “Total is one hundred sixty-four thousand taels. Good thing I brought enough banknotes, or I’d need to send someone back,” she said.

She counted the banknotes and handed them over. “Check them,” she said.

Wei Lan took the banknotes, counted, and said, “Correct, just right. I’ll use the bead-making machine now.”

“Go ahead,” Xiao Nanyan said, not following. She wanted to admire Wei Lan’s carvings more.

Wei Lan had Xi Ye bring her scraps. She sat at the bead-making machine, starting on 12mm Qiemo blue beads and lotus-pink beads, making them first regardless of use.

All morning, Wei Lan made beads, producing twenty-five lotus-pink beads and one hundred fifty-two Qiemo blue beads.

She stood, stretched, packed the beads, and had Xi Ye carry them.

Seeing her leave the courtyard, Xiao Nanyan said, “It’s noon. Let’s eat together. Our Xiao family’s tavern is nearby.”

Wei Lan nodded. “Good,” she said.

Eating out meant she could bathe and rest well back at the mansion.

Xiao Nanyan put on her veil. Wei Lan, with her guards, followed Xiao Nanyan out of Yuya Pavilion.

As Xiao Nanyan said, the tavern was close. They arrived quickly.

Xiao Nanyan had the staff arrange for Xi Ye and the others to eat, then led Wei Lan to the second floor’s street-view private room, reserved for her. They entered one after another.

Nearby, a Kunze excitedly grabbed Lu Xun’s arm. “Look, who’s that?” she said.

Lu Xun didn’t care, thinking her friend was overreacting, then saw Wei Lan follow a veiled female Kunze into the private room.

It wasn’t that Lu Xun couldn’t afford a private room. She and her friends liked gossiping and found rooms stuffy, so they ate in the main hall.

Lu Xun paused, then smiled with joy. Since the last book signing, Wei Lan hadn’t appeared for nearly half a month. She and her friends visited the Lu Family Bookshop, but the manager didn’t know when Wei Lan’s next signing would be.

Lu Xun even asked her father to invite Wei Lan so she could meet her, but Lu Feng refused.

“It’s Wei Lan! Why’s she here? And who’s that veiled Kunze?” Lu Xun said, staring at the room, curious.

“Right, isn’t Wei Lan married? Is that Kunze Lu Zijin?” her friend said, equally curious.

They were Wei Lan’s avid fans, owning dozens of her signed books. Seeing Wei Lan dine with another Kunze, they were upset. Lu Zijin was fine, being her wife, but this woman didn’t seem like Lu Zijin, who stopped wearing veils after marriage.

Wearing veils depended on personal habit. Lu Xun and her friends didn’t like them, while Lu Zijin and Xiao Nanyan used to.

“What do we do? Should we check?” one said.

Lu Xun shook her head. “Not good. Going now, Wei Lan might think us rude. Let’s wait till she comes out,” she said.

“True,” another said.

So, the girls stared at Wei Lan’s room, unaware she knew nothing of this.

Xiao Nanyan had ordered food. Pointing downstairs, she said, “This spot has a street view, prettier at night. I’m used to eating here, so I reserved this room.”

Wei Lan nodded. Indeed, Xiao Nanyan, a wealthy woman, mainly ran jade shops but likely had other businesses.

Food arrived soon. Lu Xun and her friends outside wanted to barge in but didn’t.

Wei Lan glanced at the dishes: roast duck, braised lamb ribs, some stir-fries, and tea snacks.

“The roast duck is our tavern’s specialty. Try it,” Xiao Nanyan said, smiling. She was in a great mood, having received many jade pieces from Wei Lan—pure profit.

“Good,” Wei Lan said, hungry. She picked up a piece of duck, dipped it in sauce, and ate. The duck was well-roasted, the skin crispy and fragrant, but Wei Lan preferred it with sugar to cut the grease.

“Don’t you serve sugar with the duck skin?” Wei Lan asked.

Xiao Nanyan looked puzzled. “Why sugar with duck skin?” she said.

She found Wei Lan’s taste odd but respected it. Everyone’s preferences differed. She told the assistant bringing cheese to fetch a small bowl of sugar. He went immediately.

Wei Lan placed the sugar on the table, dipped a piece of duck skin in it, and ate.

Now, she felt satisfied. “Hmm, delicious. Try it. Duck skin with sugar is really good,” she said.

Xiao Nanyan thought Wei Lan was joking but tried it, dipping a piece in sugar and eating. After chewing, she found it surprisingly good.

Though greasy, the sugar made it fragrant and crisp.

“It’s kind of delicious,” Xiao Nanyan said, looking at Wei Lan.

“Of course. Next time, besides this sauce, have them serve a small dish of sugar for dipping duck skin,” Wei Lan said.

“Makes sense. Anything else? Any improvements?” Xiao Nanyan said.

“Don’t know if you have thin pancakes, very thin and translucent. Put sauced duck meat on it, add cucumber, scallions, and other vegetables, roll it up—it’s delicious and not greasy,” Wei Lan said.

Xiao Nanyan got hungry just hearing it. She called the tavern’s chef over. If it was good, improving it could attract more customers.

“Boss, you called?” the chef said, bowing to Xiao Nanyan.

“Yes, the roast duck needs improvement. Listen to Boss Wei’s suggestions and refine it,” Xiao Nanyan said.