Chapter 34: A Bangle for My Wife

After giving her instructions to the maidservants, Wei Lan obediently sat there waiting for her dinner.

She had been carving jade with intense concentration since noon, and combined with being bitten by Lu Zijin for a while just now, she was really hungry now.

Her stomach growled incessantly.

 

Wei Lan picked up the small black bundle from the round table, preparing to put it on the dressing table.

 

Lu Zijin also came out and asked, “What’s that you’re holding?”

 

Wei Lan’s eyes lit up.

Hugging the small bundle like it was a treasure, she came over to Lu Zijin.

“Wife, this is a piece of feicui rough stone I got back.

I was thinking of making you a feicui bangle, and then carving a jade plaque too.”

 

As she spoke, Wei Lan took out the feicui rough stone and handed it to Lu Zijin for her to see.

 

Lu Zijin lay sideways on Wei Lan’s bed, watching her little Alpha eagerly presenting her treasure.

She wasn’t really interested in the feicui rough stone itself.

After all, her family had money; she had never lacked for such gold, stone, and jade items since childhood.

What was rare was the little Alpha’s thoughtfulness, still thinking of her even when she went out to watch a competition.

 

Lu Zijin looked up at Wei Lan and saw her eyes shining brightly, like a little dog waiting for its owner’s praise.

Lu Zijin was very satisfied with this.

“Alright, then thank you, master.

I’ll be waiting to wear the bangle and plaque you make for me.”

Lu Zijin smiled at Wei Lan as she spoke.

“Don’t worry, the bangle and plaque I carve will definitely look especially good.

Besides, this ice-white feicui has a really good seed quality.

Your skin, wife, is naturally fair, so it should complement your complexion really well.”

Wei Lan chattered on, even holding the feicui rough stone up to Lu Zijin’s wrist to compare.

The more she looked, the more she thought it would look good on Lu Zijin when the time came.

 

Seeing Wei Lan talking so happily, Lu Zijin’s own eyebrows unconsciously curved.

 

She had been dealing with matters all day and hadn’t been in the mood for anything else.

But when she was with Wei Lan, she would unconsciously relax.

“Alright, I’ll be waiting for you then, master.”

“Mm-hmm, I work fast.

It shouldn’t take too long.”

Wei Lan crouched by the bed, her hands gripping the edge of the bed as she looked at Lu Zijin.

 

After a moment’s thought, Wei Lan spoke, “Wife, can I touch your wrist for a moment?

When I make the bangle, I need to know roughly the size.”

 

Lu Zijin stretched out her arm.

“Touch it.”

 

Hearing Lu Zijin’s consent, Wei Lan obediently began to feel.

She roughly estimated that Lu Zijin’s size was probably around 54.

She would just have to be careful when cutting the jade later.

“All measured, wife.”

Wei Lan always felt Lu Zijin seemed tired, and couldn’t help but feel that what she had done today really wasn’t quite right.

After all, Lu Zijin had too many things to deal with every day, and now she had worried about her, causing her to make an extra trip this late at night.

 

Wei Lan, soft and whiny, lay prone by the bed, carefully reaching out to tug at Lu Zijin’s sleeve.

“Wife, I’m sorry for making you worry today.

Are you tired?”

 

Lu Zijin saw that Wei Lan seemed a bit guilty and reached out to pinch her cheek.

“It’s fine.

Next time, don’t go out for so long without telling anyone.

You are my Alpha.

Worrying about you is only natural.”

“Okay, next time I go out, I’ll definitely inform the people in the courtyard properly.”

Wei Lan obediently replied.

“Mm, that’s good.”

 

Her little Alpha was really obedient.

Her gland opening was swollen from her bites, and she was still worried about her getting tired.

 

The corners of Lu Zijin’s mouth lifted.

Marrying Wei Lan was probably the best thing she had done in this recent period.

 

While the two were talking, the maidservants brought in the meal.

 

Wei Lan’s stomach growled twice.

She looked at Lu Zijin with pleading eyes and said, “Wife, do you want to eat a little with me?”

 

Lu Zijin hadn’t been very hungry originally and hadn’t eaten much dinner.

But thinking of the way Wei Lan ate, she agreed.

“Alright.

I didn’t eat much dinner anyway.

When I heard you still hadn’t returned at that hour, I came straight over.”

Lu Zijin’s gaze rested on Wei Lan as she spoke slowly.

 

Wei Lan suddenly felt even more apologetic.

She leaned in obediently and said, “Ah, you haven’t even eaten, just waiting for me?”

 

A slight smile curved Lu Zijin’s lips.

She propped herself up and reached out to touch Wei Lan’s cheek.
“It’s nothing.

Eating with you now is the same.

I’m just a bit lacking in strength.

Won’t the master help me dress?”

“Sure.”

Wei Lan felt quite bad for keeping Lu Zijin waiting for so long and quickly agreed.

 

She obediently picked up the clothes from the floor.

Then, remembering Lu Zijin’s cleanliness habits, she ran over to the wardrobe to get her own clothes.

“Wife, would you wear mine first?

They’re all new dresses.”

As she spoke, Wei Lan trotted over with a light blue dress in her hands.

 

Lu Zijin smiled and nodded.

“Alright, whatever you say.”

 

Seeing Lu Zijin agree, Wei Lan smiled back at her.

Then she obediently draped the outer dress over Lu Zijin’s shoulders.

“Wife, stretch out your arms.

I’ll help you put it on.”

 

Wei Lan dutifully reminded her.

Lu Zijin’s eyes curved, and she cooperated with her little Alpha, letting her help her put on the dress.

 

Wei Lan bent down to tie Lu Zijin’s garment sashes, then picked up the belt and fastened it for her.

 

She smiled at Lu Zijin.

“All done, wife.”

“Good, then thank you, master, for helping me.”

Lu Zijin looked at the thoughtful and obedient little Alpha in front of her, her mood exceptionally good.

“No need, no need.

Please sit down quickly, wife.

Don’t tire yourself out.”

As she spoke, Wei Lan even went over and helped Lu Zijin sit down on the round stool.

She herself sat down beside Lu Zijin.

 

Wei Lan looked at the increasingly numerous delicious dishes being brought out.

Her eyes practically started glowing.

“Wife, I’ll start eating now.

I’m starving.”

“Go ahead, eat.

Don’t rush, take your time.”

Lu Zijin ladled out a bowl of ginseng chicken soup for Wei Lan and placed it beside her hand.

“Okay, thank you, wife.”

Wei Lan thanked her even as she was already reaching for a pork rib.

In the time it took to speak, she had already devoured most of one.

 

Lu Zijin watched Wei Lan eat, her eyes curving slightly.

Seeing Wei Lan eat with such relish, she herself seemed to get a little hungry.

It was like how modern people liked watching eating broadcasts; as they watched, they got hungry themselves.

 

Lu Zijin picked up some food and ate slowly.

Wei Lan, on the other hand, could finish a pork rib in a few bites.

If Lu Zijin was taking small bites of her food, Wei Lan was like a cleaning sweep across the table, wherever she passed, the plates were left empty.

 

After eating three pork chops and two lamb chops in a row, Wei Lan finally felt like she had something in her stomach to cushion it.

She took a few sips of chicken soup to moisten her throat and prepared to continue feasting.

 

Lu Zijin, on the other hand, was already full.

She never ate much at night anyway, and plus she had already eaten a little at Jingchen Courtyard, so after a few bites, she was satisfied.

 

Seeing Wei Lan had no time to peel crabs, Lu Zijin had someone bring a small bronze basin.

She washed her hands, then took a bowl and peeled all the crab meat into it.

She peeled three crabs in a row before stopping and placing the bowl in front of Wei Lan.

“Here, eat.

All crab meat and roe.”

 

Wei Lan’s eyes immediately lit up.

She really liked eating crab, but she had been too hungry just now to bother with it.

But Lu Zijin, like last time, had peeled it all for her.

And this time, she had used a big bowl!

 

She immediately flashed a huge smile at Lu Zijin.

“Thank you, wife!”

 

With that, Wei Lan picked up the small bowl filled with crab meat and roe, spooned a serving of fragrant rice into it, and mixed the roe, crab meat, and rice together.

 

Wei Lan scooped up a spoonful and tasted it.

The sweetness of the crab meat, the deliciousness of the roe, combined with the unique aroma of the carbs.

One bite, and Wei Lan’s eyes narrowed in bliss.

What kind of heavenly life was this?

It was so delicious!

 

She was telling you, she could eat this soft rice for ten thousand years!

“Wife, this is so good.”

As she spoke, Wei Lan was scooping up the crab meat and roe rice bowl with her spoon, not even waiting for Lu Zijin to reply.

 

Lu Zijin propped her chin on her hand and watched Wei Lan, her brows slightly curved.

Ever since her family members were gone, it seemed only when she was with Wei Lan that she felt she had a family.

 

Wei Lan wolfed down her food when she ate; her table manners were quite ordinary.

But watching her eat with such relish, Lu Zijin inexplicably felt happy too.

Keeping such an obedient little Alpha by her side seemed pretty good.

 

Wei Lan didn’t know what Lu Zijin was thinking.

She was focused on eating.

By the time most of the dishes on the table had been eliminated by her, Wei Lan was leisurely drinking her chicken soup.

It had to be said, the food at the Lu residence was really delicious.

 

Meanwhile, the bathwater was also ready.

Qing Zhi entered and bowed to the two.

“Young Lady, would you like to bathe now, or later?”

“Now.

Have them prepare it.”

Lu Zijin instructed.

“Yes.”

Qing Zhi quickly went to make arrangements.

 

Wei Lan looked at Lu Zijin, still obediently holding her bowl and drinking soup.

 

Lu Zijin’s gaze fell on her.

She asked with a smile, “I’ll wash first.

You wash later, okay?”

“Okay, whatever you say, wife.”

Wei Lan was used to being obedient and replied meekly.

 

Lu Zijin nodded at her, very pleased with her docile attitude.

 

The bath was quickly prepared by the tub.

Lu Zijin stood up and smiled at Wei Lan.

“I’ll go first then.”

“Mm-hmm, you go ahead, wife.

You’ve had a long day.

Get some rest soon.”

Wei Lan said, quite obediently.

 

She called the maidservants to clear the bowls and plates from the table.

After the maidservants had all left, Wei Lan cautiously walked over to the dressing table and put the five thousand taels in silver notes from her pocket into the small wooden cabinet below.

 

This was her private savings.

She couldn’t let her wife know.

 

Lu Zijin was soaking in the bath, unaware that Wei Lan was hiding private savings.

She only soaked for a short while before getting out.

She changed into the new undergarments and middle garments from Wei Lan’s place.

Lu Zijin walked out while drying her hair.

 

When she came out, Wei Lan was obediently sitting by the round table, waiting.

“I’m done washing.

You should bathe soon too.”

Lu Zijin reminded her as she dried her wet hair.

“Mm-hmm.

I’ll help you dry it.”

Wei Lan, very perceptively, took another dry cloth and helped Lu Zijin dry her wet hair.

She caught the faint scent of white sandalwood on Lu Zijin and unconsciously sighed, “So fragrant.”

 

The corners of Lu Zijin’s mouth lifted.

She had deliberately let it out for Wei Lan to smell.

Her little Alpha’s body could only carry her scent.

“If you like it, you can smell it often from now on.”

 

Wei Lan nodded.

“I like it.”

 

As she spoke, her hands didn’t stop moving.

Lu Zijin’s hair was long and black, really beautiful to look at.

 

Wei Lan’s movements were very gentle, her eyes shining brightly as she looked at Lu Zijin.

“Wife, your hair is really beautiful, so long and straight.”

 

Lu Zijin looked at Wei Lan, who was blowing compliments at her, her eyes curving slightly.

“Alright, I’ll dry it a bit more myself.

You go bathe quickly, and get some rest soon.”

“Mm, I’m going then.”

Wei Lan obediently went to bathe.

Her day had gone quite smoothly.

Not only had she won the top prize, but she had also earned five thousand taels of silver plus a piece of feicui rough stone.

Although she had been pinned down and bitten a few times by her wife, she was still very happy.

 

Wei Lan, in a good mood, took off her clothes and soaked in the bath.

But thinking that Lu Zijin was still waiting for her, Wei Lan didn’t soak for too long.

Soon, she got out of the tub, changed into new undergarments, and came out from behind the screen.

 

Lu Zijin was now leaning sideways on the bed, resting with her eyes closed.

Wei Lan carefully walked over, her gaze falling on Lu Zijin’s face.

Putting everything else aside, Lu Zijin was really beautiful.

 

As if sensing Wei Lan’s gaze, Lu Zijin opened her eyes.

“Go dry your hair quickly before you sleep.”

“Okay.”

Wei Lan obediently changed cloths several times until her hair was no longer dripping.

She also had someone clean up the tub area before obediently getting into bed and lowering the bed curtains.

 

The candles on the candle holders outside were still lit.

After the bed curtains were lowered, the light inside was a bit dim.

 

Wei Lan obediently pulled open the covers and lay down.

She turned sideways to look at Lu Zijin.

She felt this experience was a bit novel.

She and Lu Zijin had only slept together once before, but that time both of them had been in not so good condition.

Lu Zijin had been in her heat, and she had a fever.

And it had been in the afternoon.

Later, after her fever broke, she had slept in the room next to Lu Zijin’s at night.

 

So, strictly speaking, this was the first time she and Lu Zijin were spending the night together.

Wei Lan was actually feeling a bit happy.

 

As for the reason, Wei Lan thought it might be because, since she had transmigrated to this world, she had had the most contact with Lu Zijin.

Lu Zijin had also indirectly helped her a lot.

Without Lu Zijin’s silver, she wouldn’t have been able to buy a complete set of carving tools so quickly.

She was quite grateful to Lu Zijin.

 

Feeling Wei Lan’s burning gaze, Lu Zijin opened her eyes.

She had wanted to remind Wei Lan of the relationship between them.

Even if she found Wei Lan not bad now, that didn’t mean she was really willing to have anything to do with Wei Lan.

She would certainly never form a bond with Wei Lan.

As for today’s events, it was purely her possessiveness acting up, which was why she had thought of staying overnight.

 

But when Lu Zijin opened her eyes and saw Wei Lan’s bright, shining eyes, the cold words that would have spoiled the mood stuck in her throat.

Wei Lan’s eyes were very beautiful, very clean.

Lu Zijin let out an almost imperceptible soft sigh and asked gently, “Not sleeping?

What are you looking at me for?”

“This is the first time we’re sleeping together at night.

You’re really beautiful, wife.”

Wei Lan’s sweet-talking praise came out, her eyebrows curving as she spoke, making her look even more obedient.

 

Lu Zijin really couldn’t bring herself to say anything heartless to a face like that.

On the contrary, her little Alpha was so docile.

Somehow, her heart felt a little itchy.

 

Lu Zijin closed her eyes briefly, then opened them again.

Oh well.

She was her own Alpha, after all.

As long as they didn’t form a bond, it seemed okay to do other things usually, right?

Anyway, Wei Lan was so obedient.

If she told her not to form a bond, she wouldn’t dare.

“Why is the master lying so far from me?

Come closer.”

Lu Zijin blinked at Wei Lan and patted the spot beside her, signaling Wei Lan to come closer.

 

Wei Lan’s earlobes flushed slightly, but she obediently moved over.

 

Lu Zijin reached out and poked Wei Lan’s shoulder.

“Lie on your back.”

“Okay.”

Wei Lan continued to obey, lying on her back.

The next moment, she found a soft body in her arms.

Lu Zijin was lying in her embrace.

 

Wei Lan’s cheeks flushed slightly.

This was the first time they had held each other when it wasn’t her heat period.

 

Wei Lan’s body stiffened a little.

She didn’t dare reach out to hug Lu Zijin, just lay there obediently.

Because Lu Zijin was in her arms, all she could smell was the scent of white sandalwood.

 

As if sensing Wei Lan’s stiffness, Lu Zijin looked up at her with a smile and reached out to touch her cheek.

“Don’t worry.

I won’t bite you today.

Relax.”

“Okay.”

Wei Lan looked at Lu Zijin in her arms and obediently replied.

Lu Zijin’s body was soft, leaning against her.

Wei Lan wanted to reach out and hug Lu Zijin, but she didn’t dare.

So she asked softly, in a whiny voice, “Wife, can I hug you?

I don’t know where to put my hands.”

 

Lu Zijin was amused by her.

Her little Alpha was too obedient.

She even had to ask permission beforehand to hug her.

 

Lu Zijin’s fingertip lightly tapped Wei Lan’s nose.

“You can.”

“Wife, you’re so good.”

Wei Lan smiled at Lu Zijin and praised sweetly.

 

Wei Lan relaxed her body, letting Lu Zijin lean more comfortably, and then reached out to hug Lu Zijin’s waist.

“Go to sleep early.”

Lu Zijin closed her eyes again, nuzzled against Wei Lan’s chest, and smelling the fresh snow scent on Wei Lan, soon fell asleep.

 

Wei Lan was the same.

Her sleep quality was naturally good anyway, combined with the enhancement of smelling Lu Zijin’s pheromones, she was soon sleeping soundly.

 

***

 

Lu Zijin slept very peacefully that night.

When she woke up again, it was already broad daylight.

She rarely slept until this hour.

 

She looked at Wei Lan, who was still holding her, sleeping soundly.

 

Lu Zijin reached out and pulled at Wei Lan’s arm that was around her waist.

She heard the person below her whimper a few times and hold on even tighter.

 

Lu Zijin had matters to attend to in the morning and couldn’t accompany Wei Lan like this.

 

Although her little Alpha’s sleeping face was quite cute, making Lu Zijin a bit reluctant, she still reached out and poked Wei Lan’s cheek.

“Master, wake up.

It’s getting late.

Time to get up.”

“Mmm~” Wei Lan whimpered, held on even tighter, and buried her face in Lu Zijin’s shoulder, nuzzling.

Only then did Wei Lan open her eyes, looking like she hadn’t woken up yet.

“Time to get up?”

Wei Lan wasn’t awake yet, her voice soft and whiny.

“Mm.

I have matters to attend to in the morning.

If you’re still sleepy, you can sleep a little longer.”

Lu Zijin touched Wei Lan’s face and said softly.

“No need.

I’ll get up with you.”

Wei Lan released her arm from around Lu Zijin’s waist and propped herself up.

 

Seeing Wei Lan wanted to accompany her, Lu Zijin’s eyes curved slightly.

“Alright, let’s get up then.

I’ll have them prepare the washing things.”

 

Lu Zijin called out, and the young maidservants on duty outside immediately went to prepare.

Qing Zhi quickly came in to help Lu Zijin dress.

 

Wei Lan’s eyes were glazed over, clearly still a bit sleepy.

She mechanically put her dress on, looking like she might fall asleep again at any moment.

 

Lu Zijin finished arranging her own dress and saw Wei Lan in this half-asleep state.

She was immediately amused.

She pulled Wei Lan in front of her and reached out to help straighten her clothes, fastening her belt for her.

“There.

Breakfast will be ready soon.

Go wash up.”

Lu Zijin reminded her with a smile.

“Okay.”

Wei Lan obediently responded.

It wasn’t until she had washed her face that she felt a little more awake.

 

Lu Zijin accompanied her through a simple breakfast, then left with her people.

 

Wei Lan looked at the now-empty bedroom and felt a bit unaccustomed.

But she was also quite happy.

With Lu Zijin gone, she could go carve jade.

 

However, she immediately came to her senses and took out the private savings she had hidden under the dressing table, re-placing them in the brocade box on top of the wardrobe.

Only after doing this did she relax a little.

 

Wei Lan changed into her work clothes in the bedroom.

As she went out, she instructed the maidservants at the door to prepare tea for her.

For the rest of the time, if she didn’t call for them, they shouldn’t disturb her.

 

After giving these instructions, she hugged her small bundle and entered the workshop.

 

Wei Lan stretched a bit and took the feicui rough stone out of the bundle.

No wonder feicui sold for so much; it was really beautiful.

The ice-white feicui was very translucent, looking especially textured.

 

With material like this, Wei Lan didn’t want to waste a single bit.

She thought for a moment.

Besides making a bangle, it seemed she could also carve a jade hairpin from the side.

 

Wei Lan poured some pomegranate juice into a small dish and used a pointed brush to sketch a rough outline, drawing the approximate shape of the bangle.

 

She sat down at the lathe and began carefully cutting the rough stone bit by bit.

The seed quality of this rough stone was good, so Wei Lan was particularly meticulous in her cutting.

Because even scraps of this quality, when polished into beads, could look very nice worn on the wrist.

 

Soon, the bangle was cut out by Wei Lan.

Along with it, the large piece of core material in the middle could be used to carve a jade plaque.

As for the remaining long strip of material, Wei Lan planned to carve a jade hairpin.

From the remaining scraps, she should also be able to make four or five 10mm beads.

 

Having planned everything, Wei Lan changed tools and began the process of rough shaping, grinding off the edges and corners of the bangle.

This process required special care, and she needed to constantly splash water on the jade bangle.

Otherwise, the bangle could easily crack.

 

Wei Lan had exceptional patience.

She meticulously polished every part, while also ensuring that the finished bangle’s size would be around 54, so that it would look good and be comfortable for Lu Zijin to wear.

 

Just polishing the bangle took Wei Lan the entire morning.

She wasn’t hungry at noon either.

Plus, since there was no electric light at night in ancient times, she couldn’t work then, so she especially cherished this daytime period.

After initially polishing the bangle, she started the wooden wheel process, which was slightly finer polishing, followed by the final polishing step with the leather wheel.

 

By the time all the polishing steps were finished, the sky was almost dark.

 

Wei Lan immersed the bangle in water to clean it, then gently wiped it dry with a clean, soft cloth.

 

She opened the door, and light streamed in from outside.

Wei Lan picked up the bangle and held it up to the light, looking at the jade bangle in her hand.

The smile on her face never faded.

 

The ice-white seed quality jade bangle was translucent throughout, the jade fine and soft, making the skin look even fairer.

 

Wei Lan was overjoyed.

This jade bangle would definitely look especially good on Lu Zijin!

 

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