Transmigrated as a Cannon Fodder Wife A in Ancient Times - Chapter 80

Chapter 80

Five more days passed, and Fan Chuan’s group finally arrived at the Marshal’s Mansion on the morning of the sixth day. Fan Chuan ordered the generals to lead the soldiers back to the military camp in Zhuozhou to settle in, while she herself returned to the Marshal’s Mansion.

For convenience, the Marshal’s Mansion in the Northern Border was built near the border pass. From the Marshal’s Mansion, it took only half an hour to reach the checkpoint of the Northern Border. Heavy troops guarded this area. Not only the checkpoint itself but also its outskirts were filled with the Fan Family Army.

On ordinary days, the Fan Family Army conducted drills and formations mostly outside the checkpoint. One reason was that the vast desert outside provided enough space for training troops. Another was to intimidate the Xiongnu to the north.

Of course, only twenty thousand Fan Family Army soldiers were stationed at the checkpoint. The remaining eighty thousand were stationed within Zhuozhou’s borders. During times of war, they fought battles. In times of peace, they reclaimed land and farmed to ensure ample grain supplies.

Fan Chuan rode her horse to the carriage and spoke to the person inside. “Madam, we’re home.”

Saying this, Fan Chuan dismounted swiftly, tossed her whip to Yun Heng, and waited by the carriage for Shen Lingwei.

Shen Lingwei put on her cloak and stepped out of the carriage. The sand and wind of the Northern Border were strong, and she wasn’t yet used to the climate. She instinctively pulled her cloak tighter and handed her hand to Fan Chuan.

Seeing she seemed cold, Fan Chuan said softly, “When we get back to the mansion, I’ll have someone take your measurements. It gets cold early here, and soon you’ll need thicker clothes.”

“Hmm, thank you, Marshal,” Shen Lingwei replied, stepping down from the carriage with Fan Chuan’s help. The group walked toward the Marshal’s Mansion.

The Marshal’s Mansion in the Northern Border was far less grand than those in the capital. The Fan family spent all their money on the military. For the families of fallen soldiers, besides the court’s compensation, the Fan family often gave extra, so despite receiving rewards from the court after victories, the Fan family never had much money.

“The mansion here isn’t as nice as those in the capital, but if you find anything lacking, feel free to tell me, and I’ll have someone arrange it,” Fan Chuan said. In fact, when she was in the capital, she already sent word back to have these matters handled.

She wasn’t a meticulous person, so her room had very few items. She sent another message to have the housekeeper add more things.

“No need. It’s already good as it is,” Shen Lingwei said, smiling at Fan Chuan.

“Then let’s take a look,” Fan Chuan said, pointing to the courtyard ahead. “That’s our bedroom, and next to it is the study. You can go there to read if you’re bored.”

“Hmm, good,” Shen Lingwei listened carefully, smiling in response to Fan Chuan.

Her situation now was much better than she expected. Though she could sense Fan Chuan was still wary of her, Fan Chuan was a good person. Even knowing Shen Lingwei was planted by the emperor, Fan Chuan took good care of her. The journey was tough, but Fan Chuan’s care wasn’t fake.

Soon, the two entered the courtyard. Fan Chuan pushed open the bedroom door and let Shen Lingwei look inside.

The furniture in the room was newly bought. The vanity mirror and wardrobe were of the latest style. The wooden bed, newly made by the housekeeper, was of moderate size, about one meter fifty centimeters wide.

Shen Lingwei noticed everything was new and turned to Fan Chuan with a smile. “Did you have all these prepared new?”

Fan Chuan felt a bit uneasy under her gaze and nodded. “Hmm, the old furniture was worn out. Besides, since we’ll both live here now, the wardrobe wasn’t enough. I had everything replaced with new ones.”

Her old furniture was moved to a room on the left and not thrown out.

Shen Lingwei blinked at Fan Chuan and laughed. “Thank you, Marshal, for preparing these. I like them very much.”

Her gentle voice drifted into Fan Chuan’s ears, and she quickly looked away, saying awkwardly, “No, no need to thank me.”

The mansion’s housekeeper, Zhang Qiao, was a capable woman in her early forties, very sharp. She could tell at a glance that her marshal was quite satisfied with this new madam.

But this madam was the emperor’s person, separated from their marshal by a thin veil. When Fan Chuan entered Zhuozhou’s borders, she sent word back, specifically instructing Zhang Qiao to watch Shen Lingwei, Xiao Tao, and the twelve guards by Shen Lingwei’s side.

“This is Zhang Qiao, the mansion’s housekeeper. If you need anything in the future, you can ask her to handle it,” Fan Chuan introduced Zhang Qiao briefly.

Zhang Qiao quickly bowed to Shen Lingwei. “Greetings, Madam.”

“No need for formalities. I’ll trouble you in the future, Housekeeper Zhang,” Shen Lingwei said, smiling politely at Zhang Qiao.

Zhang Qiao couldn’t help but sigh inwardly. The new madam their marshal married was undeniably beautiful, and her temperament seemed nice too.

Finally home, Fan Chuan said, “Xiao Tao, I’ve sent someone to heat water. Help her bathe first. She’s tired from the journey. A hot bath will help her rest.”

“What about you?” Shen Lingwei asked.

“I’ll wash in the guest room,” Fan Chuan said, nodding to Shen Lingwei before heading to the guest room.

After they walked a distance, Fan Chuan lowered her voice to Zhang Qiao. “Arrange for those twelve guards to stay in the courtyard next door. Have someone keep a close eye on them.”

“Yes, Marshal,” Zhang Qiao replied. The guards in the Marshal’s Mansion were all elite soldiers, and even the servants could pick up weapons and fight at any moment. Watching a dozen people was no issue.

Fan Chuan removed her armor, took off her clothes, and soaked in a wooden tub for a bath.

When she came out, Fan Chuan changed into a cyan dress, her hair styled in a common women’s fashion, secured with two jade hairpins, her long hair cascading loosely behind her.

Having just returned to Zhuozhou, she couldn’t rush things. She planned to rest and inspect the military camp in the afternoon.

When Fan Chuan returned to the bedroom, Shen Lingwei had also changed clothes and was wiping her wet hair.

Seeing Fan Chuan in her usual attire, Shen Lingwei smiled. “The maids said lunch is ready. Let’s eat first.”

“Good. I need to visit the camp this afternoon and might not be back tonight. Eat dinner without waiting for me,” Fan Chuan said, looking at Shen Lingwei and giving her instructions.

Shen Lingwei nodded, knowing Fan Chuan, absent for nearly four months, must have many military matters to handle. She said, “Good. Take care of yourself and don’t overwork.”

Fan Chuan nodded back at her. “Hmm, don’t worry.”

Soon, the maids brought in the meal. The Northern Border, near the desert, had limited vegetable varieties—only cabbages, radishes, and potatoes grew easily. Green leafy vegetables were rare, but beef and mutton were plentiful.

“There’s more beef and mutton here. Today’s meal is probably mutton. Try it and see if it suits your taste. If you don’t like it, I’ll have them switch to pork this afternoon,” Fan Chuan said.

“No need. This is fine,” Shen Lingwei replied. Having lived in the Prime Minister’s Mansion for years, she tasted every delicacy. She could accept beef and mutton.

Besides, Zhuozhou wasn’t the capital, and she didn’t want to distract Fan Chuan with trivial matters when she had important duties.

“Good. If you don’t like something, don’t force yourself. Tell the kitchen staff. Don’t make yourself suffer. I just returned to the Northern Border, so I’ll be busy and might not have time to keep you company. If you need anything, just ask the servants,” Fan Chuan instructed.

Shen Lingwei seemed amused, rare for Fan Chuan to say so much, all out of concern for her.

“Good, I understand. Don’t worry, I won’t let myself suffer. Let’s eat,” Shen Lingwei said, smiling softly at her.

“Hmm, then I’m relieved,” Fan Chuan said, picking up her chopsticks to eat.

Neither Fan Chuan nor Shen Lingwei liked talking while eating, so the room fell quiet.

After lunch, Fan Chuan needed to change to head to the camp. Shen Lingwei followed her. “Marshal, I’ll help you change.”

Her armor was left in the guest room. Fan Chuan wanted to say it wasn’t necessary but stopped herself.

Knowing Shen Lingwei cared about this, she nodded in agreement. “Good, thank you.”

They went to the guest room. Shen Lingwei first helped Fan Chuan remove her outer dress, then put on the inner layer for the armor. After that, she began helping Fan Chuan put on the armor.

Sometimes, Shen Lingwei couldn’t lift the heavier pieces, like the chest armor, which she struggled to hold. Fan Chuan, with a slight smile, supported it from below to make it easier for Shen Lingwei to help her wear it.

By the time the armor was on, Shen Lingwei’s forehead was sweating.

Fan Chuan smiled at her. “You worked hard. Go rest now. You can finally sleep well today.”

On their journey, they sometimes stayed in relay stations, but more often camped in the wilderness. Sleeping there, amid the roars of wild beasts, was often nerve-wracking. Even if they slept, it was with unease, especially for a refined lady like Shen Lingwei, who never endured such hardships.

Thinking this, Fan Chuan felt a bit guilty.

“Good. Take care of yourself and don’t overwork,” Shen Lingwei said, reaching out to adjust Fan Chuan’s armor.

“Hmm, don’t worry. I’ll come back to see you when I have time,” Fan Chuan said, looking at Shen Lingwei softly.

“Good. I’ll wait for you, Marshal,” Shen Lingwei replied.

Her gentle voice felt especially pleasing to Fan Chuan’s ears. She nodded to Shen Lingwei. “Then I’m off.”

“Hmm, stay safe,” Shen Lingwei reminded.

As Fan Chuan walked out, she felt different from before. In the past, she was carefree, but now she had someone to care for in her heart.

She pushed down her many emotions, mounted her chestnut horse, and headed to the checkpoint’s outskirts to check the soldiers’ conditions.

Fan Chuan, with Yun Heng and her personal guards, rode toward the checkpoint.

Meanwhile, Shen Lingwei returned to the bedroom and began unpacking with Xiao Tao, both her own and Fan Chuan’s things. When maids offered to help, Shen Lingwei stopped them, preferring to do it herself.

Now, only Shen Lingwei and Xiao Tao remained in the bedroom. Xiao Tao couldn’t help but whisper, “Miss, things don’t seem as bad as I thought. It’s a bit simple here, and the weather isn’t as good as the capital, but the Marshal seems pretty nice.”

After more than a month together, now back in the Northern Border, Fan Chuan still cared for her miss as she did on the road. Xiao Tao felt slightly relieved.

The scenario she feared, of her miss being worn down to death, likely wouldn’t happen. Plus, with no elders in the mansion, her miss was the lady of the Marshal’s Mansion and shouldn’t be bullied.

Shen Lingwei smiled at her. “You’re just realizing that?”

Since her illness, Shen Lingwei confirmed Fan Chuan was a good person, not pretending but genuinely kind to her.

If their marriage were normal, Fan Chuan would likely treat her even better. Thinking this, Shen Lingwei sighed. But they were in the Northern Border now, so things could proceed slowly.

“Miss, but we came with the emperor’s people. What if the Marshal finds out?” Xiao Tao whispered.

Shen Lingwei laughed, amused. “You think she doesn’t know?”

“Right,” Xiao Tao said, realizing the Marshal wasn’t clueless. This thought made her nervous again. “Miss, what do we do? Will the Marshal retaliate against us?”

Shen Lingwei smiled and shook her head. “If she wanted my life, she wouldn’t have cared for me so well on the road. Since we’re here, let’s settle in.”

Xiao Tao admired her miss’s calmness. She could still smile, seemingly unbothered. But Xiao Tao remembered her miss had to report the Marshal’s situation to the emperor monthly. What then?

“Miss, what about the intelligence?” Xiao Tao asked anxiously.

“I’ll write the reports as usual,” Shen Lingwei said calmly, gently placing Fan Chuan’s clothes in the wardrobe.

“Miss, aren’t you afraid? If the Marshal finds out, she’ll surely be angry,” Xiao Tao whispered.

Shen Lingwei smiled at Xiao Tao. “I’m more afraid she won’t find out.”

“Miss, what do you mean?” Xiao Tao scratched her head, feeling her brain wasn’t keeping up. Talking to her miss often made her feel slow, especially now.

Shen Lingwei didn’t answer Xiao Tao but smiled silently, continuing to carefully arrange Fan Chuan’s clothes for each season.

Xiao Tao nearly cried. She truly didn’t know what her miss was planning.