Transmigrated as a Cannon Fodder Wife A in Ancient Times - Chapter 85

Chapter 85

Madam, what did you mean by this? Did you want to help me hide something? Fan Chuan’s gaze shifted to Shen Lingwei’s eyes. She observed Shen Lingwei’s expression carefully.

Shen Lingwei smiled faintly. Then she said, “Naturally, you and I are one. I should do these things. The letters from the last two times, I suppose the Marshal has read them?”

Fan Chuan’s lips pressed tightly. Her gaze fixed on Shen Lingwei. “You wrote those letters with no real content on purpose. Did you want to help me?”

Shen Lingwei nodded. “What? Does the Marshal still not trust me?”

Fan Chuan’s lips tightened slightly. After a long pause, she asked, “Why did you help me?”

Shen Lingwei stepped forward. She reached out and gently adjusted the clothes at Fan Chuan’s chest. “You are my wife. I naturally must help you.”

Her tone sounded soft. Fan Chuan’s heart felt struck hard. Did she always see herself as a wife?

Immediately, Fan Chuan thought of something else. She opened her mouth and asked, “But if you help me, what about your father?”

“He only loves his own reputation. After my mother died, I no longer had a father.” Shen Lingwei’s eyes met Fan Chuan’s. She continued, “The Marshal can do your great work freely. You need not worry about my family.”

“Hmm.” Fan Chuan smiled at her. At the same time, she felt relieved.

Shen Lingwei saw Fan Chuan relax. She asked again, “If I truly served the Emperor wholeheartedly, what would you do with me? Would you kill me?”

Fan Chuan shook her head. If that situation arose, she probably couldn’t bear to kill Shen Lingwei. She would only lock her in a small courtyard and restrict her movements. “No, at most I would lock you up and confine you.”

Shen Lingwei’s lips curved slightly. She knew Fan Chuan treated her differently. “Then I thank the Marshal.”

Fan Chuan laughed at her teasing. “The food should be almost ready. I will have them bring it up.”

“Hmm.” Shen Lingwei nodded. She sat on a round stool by the table.

Soon, the maids came in. Dishes arrived one by one on the table.

Fan Chuan stepped outside. She gave a few instructions to the guards at the door. Then she returned to the bedroom. By now, the food on the round table was nearly complete. The maids had cleaned up the pile of ashes on the floor. Then they left one by one, closing the door for Fan Chuan and Shen Lingwei.

Xiao Tao stood guard outside. Taking advantage of the maids’ coming and going, she saw her young lady was fine. Xiao Tao finally felt relieved. It seemed the Marshal wouldn’t do anything to her young lady. Only then did she relax a little.

In the room, Fan Chuan sat down. After what had happened, she felt an unprecedented ease. “Let’s eat. Rest early afterward.”

“Hmm.” Shen Lingwei nodded. She sat upright at the table and began eating.

The two ate without talking, as usual. But Fan Chuan couldn’t suppress the curve of her lips. In the past, when she spent time with Shen Lingwei, even if it felt comfortable, she always reminded herself that the person before her might belong to the Emperor. But now, she no longer needed to do that.

After finishing the meal, Shen Lingwei’s ears turned slightly red. Her gaze shifted to Fan Chuan. “Marshal, I still need to bathe. You rest first.”

“Good.” Fan Chuan nodded.

She had already bathed. She asked the maids to bring coarse salt. She rinsed her mouth simply. Then Fan Chuan lay down on the bed.

Soon, the maids brought in the bathwater. Xiao Tao slipped in with them. She quietly moved to Shen Lingwei’s side and whispered, “Young Lady, are you okay?”

Shen Lingwei smiled lightly and shook her head. “I’m fine. You should go rest early too.”

Then Shen Lingwei walked behind the screen. The maids had adjusted the water temperature. A wooden rack nearby held the items needed for bathing.

Shen Lingwei dismissed the maids. She removed her clothes and stepped up a few wooden stairs. Then she lifted her leg and stepped into the tub.

The water in the tub rippled. Shen Lingwei sat on a wooden stool inside to soak.

Fan Chuan lay on her side, looking outward. Sounds of water came from behind the screen from time to time. Fan Chuan’s throat tightened. She and Shen Lingwei had cleared things up. Since Shen Lingwei stood on her side, she truly was her wife.

Fan Chuan’s fingers clenched slightly. Did that mean she and Shen Lingwei could consummate their marriage?

But she recalled the scene when she held Shen Lingwei that day. Fan Chuan dismissed the thought. If she moved too quickly, she feared she might scare Shen Lingwei.

She decided to hold back and take it slowly.

While Fan Chuan’s thoughts wandered, Shen Lingwei had stepped out of the tub. She wiped her body with a towel. Then she put on clean inner clothes and a middle layer. She walked out from behind the screen, drying her wet hair.

Shen Lingwei saw Fan Chuan still awake. She smiled faintly at Fan Chuan. “Why haven’t you slept? Did I disturb you?”

“No, I couldn’t sleep. I waited for you.” Fan Chuan’s gaze turned to Shen Lingwei.

Shen Lingwei wore only her middle clothes. Her hair still dripped with water. Her fair, slender fingers held a towel, wiping carefully.

Fan Chuan’s gaze traveled from Shen Lingwei’s dripping hair downward. Shen Lingwei’s waist looked slender, her legs long. Fan Chuan watched and suddenly closed her eyes.

No, she couldn’t look anymore. If she kept looking, Fan Chuan feared she couldn’t control herself.

When Shen Lingwei switched to a second towel to dry her hair, she saw Fan Chuan lying flat with her eyes closed. She thought Fan Chuan was sleepy and didn’t mind. She continued drying her hair slowly.

When her hair stopped dripping, Shen Lingwei walked to the bed. She let down the bed curtains.

Fan Chuan sensed it. She opened her eyes and saw Shen Lingwei lowering the curtains on both sides. The light inside the bed dimmed suddenly.

Shen Lingwei prepared to get into bed. When her eyes met Fan Chuan’s, her heart skipped a beat. She felt inexplicably flustered.

“Marshal, I’m going inside.” Shen Lingwei’s tone sounded soft, like a gentle breeze brushing across a face.

Fan Chuan took a deep breath. She gritted her teeth and said, “Hmm.”

Shen Lingwei sat on the bed’s edge. She removed her shoes and carefully stepped to the inner side of the bed.

Fan Chuan’s gaze fell on Shen Lingwei’s exposed ankle. Even in the dim light, she knew Shen Lingwei’s ankle was flawless porcelain white. Shen Lingwei’s skin looked delicate. If she held that jade-like ankle, it would surely leave a ring of red marks.

Fan Chuan felt staring at someone’s ankle was too rude. She quickly shook her head. In the past, when she slept with Shen Lingwei, she never had these thoughts. Why did such improper ideas arise today?

She hurriedly turned away, facing away from Shen Lingwei, not daring to look again.

Shen Lingwei had noticed Fan Chuan’s gaze. Her palms sweated. But now that Fan Chuan turned away, Shen Lingwei relaxed slightly.

These days, her nerves had been tense. She had constantly tested Fan Chuan. But Fan Chuan’s kindness to her wasn’t fake. On the journey, Fan Chuan protected her all the way. After returning to the Northern Border, it was the same. Fan Chuan ensured her food, clothing, and needs were met, fearing she would suffer.

If Fan Chuan truly wanted it, Shen Lingwei would likely go along with her wishes. But as it was her first time, she felt nervous. Besides, these days, she had been focused on dealing with the old Emperor’s guards. She hadn’t had time to inquire if Fan Chuan had other women in the Northern Border.

Thinking of this, Shen Lingwei pressed her lips together. In the past, she and Fan Chuan married due to circumstances. Whether Fan Chuan had other women didn’t concern her. But now things were different. She truly wanted to be the Marshal’s wife. Naturally, she hoped Fan Chuan belonged to her alone.

The two lay back-to-back. Soon, they fell asleep.

At the same time, in the courtyard next to them, Fan Chuan’s twenty personal guards, along with ten hidden guards, surrounded the place. Inside lived the ten hidden guards sent by the old Emperor. Now, keeping these people had no use.

The ten hidden guards clearly heard the commotion in the courtyard. The leader, Zhao Zhao, was the first to rush out with a sword. He saw the courtyard already surrounded, even the rooftops occupied.

The other nine guards stood behind Zhao Zhao. He looked at the people opposite and coldly questioned, “We are Madam’s guards. What do you mean by this?”

“We are here to kill Madam’s guards.” The leader waved a hand. The Marshal’s Mansion guards immediately charged forward.

Though the old Emperor was foolish, he chose guards with decent martial skills. But Fan Chuan’s people were no pushovers either. In the back-and-forth, the two groups fought evenly. However, Fan Chuan’s side had more people. Soon, Zhao Zhao and his men fell.

At that moment, Zhao Zhao had taken two sword wounds to his waist and abdomen. He could no longer care about anything else. He shouted loudly, “We are His Majesty’s people. Surely Marshal Fan knows this. Do you dare touch us? Are you planning to rebel?”

No one answered him. Instead, more people attacked him. Zhao Zhao watched his men fall one by one. Finally, he too lay in a pool of bl00d.

The Marshal’s Mansion guards were well-trained. They carried the bodies onto a cart. Naturally, servants handled the transport. Some stayed to wash the courtyard with water. By the next morning, it would look as if nothing had happened.

The commotion was loud. Shen Lingwei woke once during the night. She naturally understood the sounds. She lay quietly, listening for a moment, then closed her eyes again. She knew those people couldn’t stay.

The next morning, Fan Chuan woke early. Shen Lingwei, perhaps disturbed by the sounds of fighting, hadn’t slept well. She only fell back asleep as dawn broke.

Fan Chuan feared waking Shen Lingwei. She got up carefully, dressed, and went to the study.

Xiao Tao waited in the courtyard. She pretended to water flowers with the maids. In reality, she made countless nervous glances toward Shen Lingwei’s bedroom.

She had heard the commotion last night and was too scared to sleep, fearing someone would kick down her door and kill her.

So, early in the morning, she came out pretending to work. She actually wanted to check on her young lady. Her heart felt unsteady, but her young lady was different—smart!

She didn’t see her young lady. Instead, she saw Fan Chuan come out of the bedroom first. Then Fan Chuan went straight to the study, calling several people to speak with her.

Xiao Tao saw no one noticed her. She coughed lightly and straightened up. She planned to check the bedroom to see why her young lady hadn’t risen.

Xiao Tao’s status was special as Shen Lingwei’s dowry maid. Her position needed no explanation. The other maids saw her go toward the bedroom and didn’t stop her, assuming she checked if Madam had woken.

Xiao Tao nervously pushed open the bedroom door and entered. She saw her young lady’s clothes still hanging on the rack. No bl00d stained the floor. Her young lady should be fine, just not awake.

Xiao Tao felt anxious but didn’t dare disturb Shen Lingwei. She retreated.

In the study, Fan Chuan confirmed the ten guards died last night. She felt relieved. She looked at the guards and said, “Good job. You may go. I’ll call you if needed.”

“Yes, Marshal.”

After the guards left, Fan Chuan opened the study door. She asked the maids to prepare food. She ate in the study, not wanting to disturb Shen Lingwei’s rest.

Shen Lingwei slept until late morning. When she woke, Fan Chuan’s side of the bed was empty. She touched the bed. It felt cold, meaning Fan Chuan had risen long ago.

Shen Lingwei sat up quickly. She lifted one side of the bed curtain. She saw Fan Chuan sitting at the round table, reading a book. Outside, daylight shone brightly.

“What time is it now?” Shen Lingwei asked as she got out of bed.

Fan Chuan saw her awake and smiled. “It’s the hour of Si. No rush. There’s nothing urgent to do.”

“How can I not rush? It’s already the hour of Si. Why didn’t you wake me?” Shen Lingwei said while dressing.

As a well-mannered young lady, she never slept this late. After waking and washing, it was nearly time for lunch. This felt too improper. Plus, she hadn’t helped Fan Chuan dress today.

Fan Chuan knew she valued etiquette. She said softly, “This is home, not outside. It’s not improper. You can sleep as late as you want.”

Shen Lingwei’s hands paused while tying her sash. Her ears reddened slightly. She pressed her lips and said nothing more.

Since childhood, nannies in her family taught her how to be a proper mistress. Her father also hired many teachers to teach her reading, music, chess, calligraphy, and painting.

This wasn’t because Shen Fangzhou cared for her. As the legitimate daughter of the Shen family, she needed these skills to bring honor to Shen Fangzhou’s reputation.

To have more value at home and avoid being discarded by her father, Shen Lingwei held herself to near-harsh standards. She set fixed times for waking, studying, and practicing the zither. For years, she never truly relaxed. She became known as the capital’s top talented lady.

This was merely her adding value to herself. She knew Shen Fangzhou too well. With her mother gone, if she had no use, Shen Fangzhou would have married her off casually long ago. How could he have kept her until 18?

She had always been tense. Since her mother’s death, no one had spoken such words to her.

Shen Lingwei felt warmth in her chest. Unexpectedly, this political marriage seemed to have found her the right person.

“That’s still not good. I didn’t even help you dress today.” Shen Lingwei said while adjusting her clothes.

Fan Chuan smiled and said, “I can dress myself. I guessed you didn’t sleep well last night, so I let you sleep more.”

“Those people, have they been dealt with?” Shen Lingwei looked at Fan Chuan and asked.

“Hmm, keeping them was useless.” Fan Chuan didn’t hide it and admitted directly. She and Shen Lingwei had ended their mutual testing last night. She no longer needed to conceal these matters from Shen Lingwei.

“In that case, the court shouldn’t notice anything for two months. But after that, it’s uncertain. The Marshal must prepare early.” Shen Lingwei reminded her.

“Hmm, I’ve already had people start preparing. In a month, we might get busy.” Fan Chuan looked at Shen Lingwei. She recalled promising Shen Lingwei in the capital to take her to see the desert. Today happened to be the monthly market day at the border.

“Today, there’s a large market at the border. Want to go with me? I promised to show you the desert last time.”

Shen Lingwei was about to ask the maids to prepare washing items. Hearing Fan Chuan’s words, her heart tightened. Seeing the desert—this was something Fan Chuan mentioned during their return visit, talking about the desert’s scenery. She had casually said she wanted to see it. Did Fan Chuan keep it in her heart?

Shen Lingwei’s hand at her side tightened slowly. Her lips pressed together. After a moment, she lowered her eyes and said, “Is that okay?”

After all, the mistresses of noble families in the capital strictly followed etiquette. They left the mansion only to attend flower-viewing or gatherings at other homes or to visit temples for worship. They rarely had other chances to go out. She didn’t expect Fan Chuan to truly take her out.

Fan Chuan saw her lowered eyes. Her long lashes looked like little brushes, very charming. Fan Chuan smiled at Shen Lingwei and said softly, “Of course it’s okay. From now on, anything you want to do is possible.”

Shen Lingwei’s ears reddened slightly. When she looked up at Fan Chuan, she saw Fan Chuan’s eyes smiling at her.

At home, Fan Chuan wore ordinary women’s clothes. She already had bright eyes and fine features. Smiling at her like this, Shen Lingwei quickly looked away. Her heart beat fast. Was Fan Chuan coaxing her?

“I’ll have them prepare water for washing.” Shen Lingwei said, walking to the door with some fluster.

Fan Chuan watched her back. Her lips curved slightly. Her words just now weren’t too bold, were they? Shen Lingwei seemed shy.

Shen Lingwei opened the door and saw Xiao Tao looking like she might cry.

She walked a few steps out and asked, “What’s wrong?”

Xiao Tao glanced into the bedroom and saw Fan Chuan inside. She pulled Shen Lingwei to a spot with no one around and whispered, “Young Lady, are you okay? Last night scared me to death. I feared someone would come to kill me.”

Shen Lingwei laughed at her maid’s words. The tender feelings in her heart dissipated. “Don’t think too much. As I said, stay here safely.”

“But last night…” Xiao Tao wanted to ask more, but Shen Lingwei interrupted her.

“I’ll tell you when there’s time. I’m going to wash up now. You should go rest.”

Shen Lingwei ordered the maids to prepare washing items and returned to the bedroom.

“Xiao Tao didn’t sleep well last night. I told her to rest.” Shen Lingwei explained.

“Hmm, she was probably scared by last night’s commotion.” Fan Chuan already understood.

Soon, the maids brought washing items. Shen Lingwei brushed her teeth with coarse salt and slowly wiped her face with a damp towel.

Fan Chuan propped one hand on the table, staring directly at Shen Lingwei.

In the past, she didn’t dare stare at Shen Lingwei like this, fearing improper thoughts. Now, knowing Shen Lingwei sided with her, Fan Chuan didn’t need to hold back. Though they hadn’t consummated their marriage, Shen Lingwei was her wife. Looking a few more times didn’t hurt.

Shen Lingwei noticed Fan Chuan’s gaze. Her ears burned. She couldn’t directly point it out, so she pretended not to notice and kept washing her face.

Fan Chuan’s gaze moved from Shen Lingwei’s wrist upward. Shen Lingwei’s arched brows, delicate nose, and soft lips—all beautiful. Fan Chuan felt a bit grateful to the old Emperor. Without his scheming marriage arrangement, she and Shen Lingwei wouldn’t have married. Living so far apart, they wouldn’t even have crossed paths.

Shen Lingwei finished washing her face. Seeing Fan Chuan still looking, the flush on her ears spread. She glared at Fan Chuan with mock anger. “Marshal!”

Fan Chuan laughed and looked away. “Alright, I’ll have them prepare food. It’s this time already. Let’s eat lunch too, okay?”

“Hmm.” Shen Lingwei sat at the dressing table and replied, feeling relieved.

In the past, Fan Chuan only glanced at her briefly. Why did she stare so long today? If Shen Lingwei hadn’t spoken, she might still be looking.

Thinking of this, Shen Lingwei’s cheeks reddened more. Her lips curved upward.

Lunch consisted of a few simple stir-fried dishes. With tight military funds, most of Fan Chuan’s household silver and income from various properties went to the army. Since she was funding the troops herself, household expenses were kept low. She could be frugal, but she didn’t want Shen Lingwei to be.

As a commander, if she couldn’t support her own wife, it would be too shameful.

After lunch, a guard came for Fan Chuan. She went to the study to handle matters. Though she wasn’t at the military camp, if decisions were needed, people came to the Marshal’s Mansion.

With Fan Chuan gone, Shen Lingwei reclined on a soft couch, sipping tea. She looked at a young maid placing pastries and asked, “How long have you been in the Marshal’s Mansion?”

The maid, named Ruyun, heard Shen Lingwei’s question. She quickly bowed and answered, “This servant is an orphan. The old Marshal saved me at five. I’ve been in the mansion for ten years.”

“So you’re an old hand in the mansion?” Shen Lingwei asked with a smile.

“This servant wouldn’t dare.” Ruyun quickly replied.

Shen Lingwei smiled at her and reassured, “No need to be so formal. Just treat it as casual talk.”

“Yes, Madam.” Ruyun replied quickly.

“Does the Marshal have other Kunze in the Northern Border?” Shen Lingwei asked.

Ruyun thought it was something serious. It was just this. She quickly answered, “No, the Marshal has always kept herself pure. The mansion’s rules are strict. Before marriage, she couldn’t take other Kunze.”

Shen Lingwei nodded. Her lips curved slightly. She knew Fan Chuan likely had no other Kunze. Otherwise, this morning, she wouldn’t have looked at her like a hungry wolf. Thinking of the morning, Shen Lingwei’s face reddened again.

“Alright, go do your tasks.” Shen Lingwei dismissed Ruyun. She sipped tea, feeling good, and lay down to rest her eyes.

Soon, Xiao Tao slipped in and closed the bedroom door.

Seeing Shen Lingwei with her eyes closed, she asked tentatively, “Young Lady, what happened last night?”

Shen Lingwei opened her eyes and glanced at her. She explained, “The Marshal dealt with the Emperor’s people. The courtyard next door is empty now.”

Xiao Tao covered her mouth to keep from gasping. Good heavens, her young lady was so calm.

“Young Lady, is the Marshal really going to rebel? What do we do? When do we run?” Xiao Tao asked anxiously, wishing to pack and leave now.

Shen Lingwei shook her head with a laugh. “Stay here honestly. She won’t hurt us.”

“But Young Lady, you wrote letters to the Emperor before. Can Marshal Fan let us go?” Xiao Tao still felt scared.

“Those letters were nonsense. Not one word harmed Fan Chuan. From start to finish, I chose Fan Chuan.” Shen Lingwei said calmly.

Now Xiao Tao’s mind froze. How did her young lady’s brain work?

“Alright, those people are gone now. We’re absolutely safe. You can rest easy and stay in the Marshal’s Mansion.” Shen Lingwei smiled.

Xiao Tao wanted to ask why her young lady chose Fan Chuan. But she figured asking was pointless. She probably wouldn’t understand her young lady’s thinking. She’d just follow her young lady and stay put.

“Then I’m relieved. Last night scared me to death.” Xiao Tao muttered.

“Alright, go catch up on sleep.” Shen Lingwei closed her eyes. She planned to rest a bit. Fan Chuan said she’d take her out in the afternoon.