Chapter 62: Lanterns Fade as the Bride Rides North

On Wei Lan’s side, it was so busy that even the sky had turned dark.

This time, according to Wei Lan’s requirements, the bookstore had printed five hundred copies each of the fourth and fifth volumes of the storybook, and had reprinted two hundred copies each of the first three volumes.

 

In the end, even after it was dark, there were still many people queuing at the back.

Wei Lan felt her hands were cramping from exhaustion.

But thinking of the readers waiting in line, she still planned to finish selling the remaining two hundred copies before going back.

After all, by now there was no more cake, and those still queuing were her true fans.

 

For each person, Wei Lan would say with a smile, “You’ve worked hard.”

She was giving these people maximum emotional value.

As the line gradually shortened, the storybooks on the long desk also decreased, one by one.

Not only Wei Lan was tired, but Xi Ye and Si Yun, helping her flip pages and dry signatures, were also very tired.

 

Fortunately, the Great Zhou had no curfew, and there were even night markets.

Otherwise, signing so late would definitely have violated regulations.

 

After finishing the last few signings, Wei Lan quickly said, “You’ve all worked hard.

Go home and rest early.”

“It’s no trouble, no trouble.

We’re waiting for your other stories.”

“Exactly, exactly.

Next time you have a signing event, I’ll definitely come earlier and try to get some cake.”

“Me too!

I have to get some cake!”

 

Wei Lan saw the last few young girls out, straightened the ‘little dog’ plaque around her neck, and smelled her own clothes.

She decided that as soon as she got back to the bedroom, she would dive into the bathtub and take a very thorough bath.

If her wife smelled this, she would be in big trouble tonight.

 

On the other side, after using her evening meal, Lu Zijin, as usual, began her daily inquiry.

Before, she hadn’t cared much about Wei Lan.

But now, she wished she could keep her little dog tied by her side at all times, so of course, she had to ask.

“Qianxue, has the master returned?

How did her signing event go today?”

Lu Zijin asked as she drank her rock sugar bird’s nest.

“I heard that almost all the storybooks were sold out.

But the master hasn’t returned yet.

She might still be busy.”

Qianxue answered truthfully.

 

Lu Zijin nodded.

On one hand, she felt her little dog was very capable, very good at earning silver.

On the other hand, her heart felt a little sour.

Wei Lan had been out all day today, spending time with other young girls, definitely chatting and laughing with them.

 

Thinking this, Lu Zijin couldn’t feel happy anymore.

She wanted to go back and ‘sleep’ Wei Lan.

Thinking this, Lu Zijin instructed, “Have someone prepare the sedan chair.

I’m going to see the master.”

“Yes, young lady.”

Qianxue knew exactly what that meant.

When the young lady said she was going to ‘see’ the master, she meant she was going to sleep there.

She quickly called for servant boys, some to carry the sedan chair, some to hold lanterns to light the way in front and behind.

 

Half an hour later, Lu Zijin arrived at Wei Lan’s Fuqu Pavilion.

Matron Li and Matron Zhao quickly came forward to greet her.

“Young lady, you’ve come.

The master is still out, hasn’t returned yet.”

Matron Li quickly bowed and said.

“I know.

I’ll wait for her in the bedroom.

You all continue with your work.”

Lu Zijin descended from the sedan chair and walked towards Wei Lan’s bedroom.

“Yes.”

 

The maidservants and servant boys in Wei Lan’s courtyard were also used to this.

The young lady and the master had a good relationship, staying together every few days.

Sometimes, the master would go to Jingchen Courtyard to sleep; other times, the young lady would come to the master’s place to sleep.

 

Lu Zijin entered Wei Lan’s bedroom.

She had someone prepare hot water, planning to bathe while waiting for Wei Lan to return.

But she had already finished bathing, and Wei Lan still hadn’t come back.

The time was almost the hour of the day.

 

Lu Zijin couldn’t help but worry a little and was about to send someone to the bookstore to see why Wei Lan hadn’t returned.

Just as she called Qianxue in and was about to tell her to send someone, Wei Lan herself returned with Xi Ye and Si Yun.

 

Seeing the sedan chair stopped in the courtyard, Wei Lan knew that Lu Zijin had arrived.

 

She told the bowing maidservants and servant boys to rise, then trotted back to the bedroom.

Pushing the door open, she saw Lu Zijin standing by the bed in her middle garments.

 

Seeing Wei Lan return, Lu Zijin said to Qianxue, “Never mind.

You may go.

Also, tell them to prepare bathwater for the master.”

“Yes.”

Qianxue immediately withdrew to make arrangements.

 

Wei Lan wanted to go over and hug Lu Zijin, but she was afraid the scent on her body would anger her wife, so she didn’t dare.

“Have you been waiting long?”

 

Lu Zijin nodded.

“Mm.

I’ve already bathed and was just about to send someone to get you.

Why are you so late today?”

“There were a lot of people queuing.

They had all been waiting for a long time.

I didn’t want them to have come for nothing, so I sold all the books before coming back.

I’m just a bit tired.

My hands hurt a little.”

Wei Lan rubbed her wrists.

She hadn’t noticed it when there were many people, but now her hands really felt sore.

“Don’t work so hard next time.

Have you had dinner?”

Lu Zijin saw her little Qiankun’s tired face and couldn’t help but feel a bit sorry for her.

“Not yet.

I’ll eat after I bathe.

I’ve been signing all day, and my clothes are soaked.”

 

As they were speaking, the maidservants had already brought in the water, pouring it into the tub and adjusting the temperature.

“Wife, you rest first.

I’ll be a while.”

Wei Lan knew that Lu Zijin also had a lot of work, and was afraid her wife would tire herself out.

“Alright.

I’ll wait for you in bed.

Go bathe quickly.”

Lu Zijin instructed softly.

“Mm-hmm.”

 

After the maidservants left, Wei Lan went behind the screen, took off her clothes, and soaked comfortably in the tub.

 

She had been sitting almost all day, and her body was a bit tight.

Now, soaking in the bath, she felt much better.

 

After she finished bathing, maidservants came in to clean up and brought Wei Lan her meal.

 

Wei Lan was really starving this time.

She ate ravenously at the table.

 

Lu Zijin didn’t lower the bed curtains.

She leaned sideways on the bed, watching Wei Lan outside.

Watching the little dog eat so heartily, a smile appeared on Lu Zijin’s face.

 

When Wei Lan was full, the dishes on the round table were almost completely finished.

She had the maidservants come in to clean up a bit, rinsed her mouth, and then prepared to sleep.

 

Seeing that Lu Zijin wasn’t asleep yet, Wei Lan looked at her with shining eyes.

“Wife, I missed you so much.

I haven’t seen you all day.”

“Be good.

Come here.”

Lu Zijin beckoned to the little dog, signaling Wei Lan to come over quickly.

 

Wei Lan quickly took off her outer dress, got into bed in just her middle garments, and snuggled up to Lu Zijin, burying herself in her wife’s chest and nuzzling against her, acting spoiled.

“Wife, I earned a lot of silver again today.

Do I get a reward?”

 

Lu Zijin smiled and pinched Wei Lan’s cheek, then grabbed her ‘little dog’ plaque and leaned in to kiss her cheek.

“What reward do you want?”

 

Wei Lan hummed and whined, kissed Lu Zijin’s lips, then buried her face in her wife’s chest and murmured softly, “I want to play with the little phoenix.”

 

Lu Zijin’s earlobes flushed slightly.

It wasn’t that she wouldn’t let Wei Lan play, but Wei Lan would satisfy herself and then ignore her.

 

Lu Zijin sighed, thinking she might need to find some other tutorials for her bad little dog.

Otherwise, the bad dog would still be stuck at the superficial level of just kissing and hugging.

“Wife, if you don’t say anything, that means yes, right?”

Wei Lan looked at Lu Zijin with shining eyes.

Seeing her wife didn’t object, her doggy paws hooked onto Lu Zijin’s garment sashes, and then she contentedly played with the little phoenix.

 

Lu Zijin felt very uncomfortable.

The scent of white sandalwood occasionally spilled out.

But Wei Lan only touched those two places, and after playing for a while, she stopped.

The one who felt uncomfortable was Lu Zijin.

This feeling of being left hanging was not pleasant.

 

Wei Lan, on the other hand, was already hugging Lu Zijin, preparing to sleep.

 

Lu Zijin looked at her own little dog and sighed softly.

 

***

 

Several more days passed.

The various Chen Ji bookstores in Panyang City could no longer hold on.

The students all went to the Lu family bookstore to buy textbooks like the Four Books and Five Classics.

And their once-proud storybooks were no longer selling.

For several days now, their shops’ daily revenue had been just a few taels of silver.

The managers were afraid the Chen residence might go under.

 

Chen Zhou was also very anxious.

He hadn’t gotten the royal merchant contract, and now even the bookstore business had been stolen by Lu Zijin’s side.

But a lean camel is still bigger than a horse.

The Chen family did have some accumulated wealth.

Even so, they couldn’t keep losing money forever.

 

Chen Zhou had Su Er call the managers of the various Chen Ji bookstores to his study.

After a moment’s thought, Chen Zhou said, “Adjust the prices at the various bookstores.

Lower the price of the Four Books and Five Classics to five hundred coins per volume.

Also lower the price of the storybooks to eight hundred coins per volume.”

“Young master, do we really need to lower them that much?”

They would earn considerably less silver.

 

Chen Zhou nodded.

“For now, this is the only way.

Get the news out quickly.

We can’t let the Lu family bookstore have a monopoly.”

“Yes.”

The several managers immediately went to carry out the order.

 

Soon, the news reached the ears of the managers of the Lu family bookstore.

Qu Qiushui immediately sent people to report to Wei Lan.

 

Wei Lan thought for a moment and then instructed, “We’ll also lower the price of the Four Books and Five Classics to five hundred wen per volume.

Keep the price of the storybooks unchanged at one tael of silver per volume.

For the signing event, it’s still five taels.”

“Yes, this servant will go back and tell the various managers.”

The two assistants immediately returned to relay the message.

 

Wei Lan and her side had the movable type printing blocks.

For textbooks like the Four Books and Five Classics, which were required for the imperial examinations, Wei Lan had kept the complete sets of blocks.

They could print as many as they wanted, so the cost was low.

But Chen Zhou’s side was different; they still had to hire scribes to copy them.

Now, they were selling for less silver, so Chen Zhou’s side was still at a disadvantage.

 

As for the storybooks, Wei Lan was even less afraid.

Her revenge story was definitely more interesting than the traditional, formulaic scholar-and-beauty storybooks, so there was no need to lower the price.

 

Sure enough, the result was about what Wei Lan had guessed.

People gradually started buying the Four Books and Five Classics from Chen Ji Bookstore, but almost no one bought the storybooks.

After all, having read a good story, who would want to go back to those old, clichéd scholar-and-beauty storybooks?

 

At the end of the month, Wei Lan held another signing event.

This time, just like last time, the line stretched all the way out into the street.

Many people came just to try the cake.

The fifteen hundred printed storybooks were also completely sold out.

The Lu family bookstore’s revenue had greatly increased compared to before.

 

***

 

In the capital, Fan Chuan had hardly gone out for nearly a month.

Apart from being invited by the old emperor to banquets in the palace a few times, she stayed in the Marshal’s residence, closing her doors to visitors, seeing no one, accepting no one’s invitations.

She acted like an obedient, isolated minister.

 

In fact, this was exactly Fan Chuan’s plan.

If she got involved with any faction, it would arouse the old emperor’s suspicion.

So, for now, what she had to do was stay inside, close her doors, and quietly wait for the wedding.

 

At the same time, in the Qin Zheng Hall, Zhou Nanfeng had only been reviewing memorials for a short while when he felt dizzy.

 

He pinched the bridge of his nose, his cloudy eyes devoid of any light.

“Liu Xi, do you think Fan Chuan is a problem?”

 

Eunuch Liu immediately bent respectfully, pretending to be very alarmed.

“Your Majesty jests.

Matters of state and military are not something a lowly eunuch like me could dare to speak on.”

“Just consider it me joking with you.

Speak freely.

I won’t hold it against you.”

Zhou Nanfeng continued.

“Then… then this servant will speak casually?”

Eunuch Liu watched the emperor’s expression and said cautiously.

“Mm.”

Zhou Nanfeng closed his eyes, resting them as he waited for Liu Xi to continue.

“With your permission, this servant will speak frankly.

The Fan family, to put it nicely, is full of loyal martyrs.

To put it bluntly, they are stubborn.

Their family has guarded the northern border for generations and remained loyal to the court.

This Fan Chuan is also stubborn.

This servant heard that apart from coming to the palace for banquets, she has returned all other visiting cards.

She seems intent on being an isolated minister loyal only to Your Majesty.

A stubborn person like this is nothing for Your Majesty to worry about.”

Liu Xi spoke while watching the old emperor’s expression.

 

Zhou Nanfeng, however, laughed.

He glared at Liu Xi.

“The words are crude, but the reasoning is sound.

The Fan family is indeed loyal.

Fan Chuan is also an honest person.

This time, I have betrothed Shen Lingwei to her, which can be considered planting my own person by her side.

So I need not fear her having any disloyal intentions.”

“Your Majesty is wise.”

Eunuch Liu quickly flattered.

 

Zhou Nanfeng sighed.

He couldn’t keep Fan Chuan either.

The battles in the northern border were always pressing.

If Fan Chuan wasn’t there, the northern barbarians would become restless again.

Therefore, Zhou Nanfeng didn’t plan to keep Fan Chuan in the capital for long.

He intended to let them return to the northern border as soon as they were married.

“Oh, by the way, how are the preparations from the Imperial Household Bureau?

Fan Chuan’s wedding is in three days, isn’t it?”

“Everything has been properly arranged.

We will make sure it is very grand, to show Your Majesty’s great favor towards Marshal Fan.”

Eunuch Liu quickly and obsequiously replied.

“That’s good.”

After all, the Fan family was full of loyal martyrs.

The outward show had to be done properly.

 

On the other side, at the Prime Minister’s residence, Shen Lingwei was sitting behind her desk, writing poetry.

She had also rarely gone out these days.

Shen Lingwei had turned down all the gatherings of noble ladies.

She could imagine what those people wanted to do – nothing but belittle and mock her.

Why would she go and suffer?

 

Soon, a young maidservant came in to announce that the mistress had arrived.

 

Shen Lingwei stood up and walked out to greet her.

 

Zhang Qingwen saw her come out and quickly said, “We’re all family, no need to come out to greet me.

You’re getting married in three days.

Your mother really can’t bear to part with you.

I want to have some private words with you.”

“Thank you for your concern, Mother.

Let’s go back to the bedroom to talk.”

The expression on Shen Lingwei’s face didn’t change much, but her words gave the other party plenty of face.

“Good.

Lingwei, this matter was an imperial decree.

Your father had no choice.

You must not blame your father.”

Zhang Qingwen looked very sympathetic towards Shen Lingwei.

 

Shen Lingwei just nodded faintly.

“Mother, rest assured.

Of course, I won’t blame Father.

This is His Majesty’s decree.

As a subject’s daughter, of course, I must obey His Majesty’s arrangements.”

“I’m relieved you think that way.

But I truly can’t bear to let you go to that bitter, cold place in the northern border.

Once you leave, I don’t know when we mother and daughter will see each other again.”

Zhang Qingwen even managed to squeeze out a few tears.

“Mother, don’t worry.

Since His Majesty has decreed it, I have no choice but to comply.

It’s just that I won’t be able to fulfill my filial duties by your and Father’s side in the future.”

Shen Lingwei spoke calmly, but her words gave the other party plenty of face.

“You’ve always been a good child.

But I’ve heard that Qiankuns in the military live dissolute lives, and some even frequent brothels.

Fan Chuan is twenty-one this year.

How could she not have a Kunze by her side to serve her?

You are truly being wronged.”

Zhang Qingwen started crying again.

 

Shen Lingwei, on the other hand, comforted her.

“Mother, need not worry for me.

Things have come to this.

No matter what kind of person she is, I cannot avoid it.

I only need to try my best to do well.”

“I’m relieved you think that way.

Your father, being a Qiankun, finds it inconvenient.

He asked me to tell you about the wedding night…”

What followed was Zhang Qingwen’s ‘education’ for Shen Lingwei.

 

When Shen Lingwei saw Zhang Qingwen off, she only felt a headache coming on.

This mother of hers was not so kind-hearted.

Her visit was just going through the motions, to shut people’s mouths.

 

And what Zhang Qingwen had just said about Fan Chuan having other Kunzes was just to upset her.

She naturally wouldn’t fall for it.

But Fan Chuan was indeed twenty-one.

Perhaps she really did have other Kunzes in the northern border.

 

Thinking this, Shen Lingwei’s hand holding the handkerchief tightened.

The northern border was chaotic.

After leaving the capital, she would still need to rely on Fan Chuan.

After all, her talent and learning would be useless in the chaotic northern border.

The only thing she could hold onto was Fan Chuan.

 

Of course, Shen Lingwei didn’t think Fan Chuan would fall in love with her.

After all, she was considered a spy the emperor had planted by Fan Chuan’s side.

Every month, she would have to write a secret report about Fan Chuan’s actions and have the guards by her side deliver it to the capital.

 

After marriage, Fan Chuan would naturally keep her at a distance.

So, after they married, at the end of the day, theirs would only be a relationship of mutual use.

She just needed to play the role of a competent marshal’s wife well.

As for the rest, she would have to let nature take its course.

 

As for consummating the marriage, Shen Lingwei sighed.

This matter wasn’t within her control either.

If, after marriage, Fan Chuan insisted on consummating, she would have no way to refuse.

 

Thinking this, Shen Lingwei’s face paled a few shades.

What use was being the number one talented lady in the capital?

In the end, because she was a Kunze, she was trapped in the inner household.

It was possible that after arriving in the northern border, she would have to face the hostility of Fan Chuan’s other Kunzes.

Just thinking about it made Shen Lingwei feel utterly bored.

 

But anyway, she didn’t like Fan Chuan, so she naturally wouldn’t fight for her affection.

She only wanted a small courtyard, to live peacefully with Xiao Tao.

 

Three days later, Fan Chuan was dressed early, wearing a large red dress, and rode a horse to the Prime Minister’s residence to pick up Shen Lingwei.

 

Because the old emperor was handling the arrangements, the wedding procession nearly blocked the entire street.

 

Fan Chuan arrived at the entrance of the Prime Minister’s residence, bowed to Shen Fangzhou and Zhang Qingwen, and then was led by the matchmaker to Shen Lingwei’s courtyard.

 

By then, Shen Lingwei was already sitting upright on a chair, waiting for Fan Chuan.

Her back was straight, showing she was very well-bred.

Xiao Tao, however, was as anxious as an ant on a hot pan, pacing back and forth in the room.

“Young lady, what are we going to do?

The Marshal should be arriving soon.

Do you think she’ll look very fierce?

I’ve heard military people are rough.

Will she be careless and hurt you?”

Xiao Tao said, starting to cry.

 

A soft laugh came from under the red veil.

At this moment, Shen Lingwei didn’t feel anything in particular.

She was, after all, sent by His Majesty.

Even if Fan Chuan wanted to retaliate against her, she would have to think twice.

Therefore, Shen Lingwei wasn’t panicked.

As for consummating, it didn’t matter with whom.

She didn’t have anyone she liked anyway.

 

Hearing her young lady could still laugh, Xiao Tao was almost furious.

She sniffled and muttered, “Young lady, at a time like this, how can you still laugh?”

“Relax.

Don’t cry.”

Shen Lingwei comforted her.

 

Just as the two were speaking, the sound of music, both blowing and beating, grew from far away.

The matchmaker announced loudly, “Marshal Fan has arrived!”

 

With the matchmaker’s words, Fan Chuan entered the bedroom.

 

Her gaze fell directly on Shen Lingwei sitting on the chair.

But Shen Lingwei had a red veil over her head, so Fan Chuan couldn’t see her face.

 

She bowed to Shen Lingwei and said, “My lady, forgive me.

I will help you up and carry you out.”

“I am indebted to the Marshal.”

Shen Lingwei said calmly.

She stood up, and her hands were helped.

“Be careful.

I’ll turn around.

Climb on my back.”

Fan Chuan turned and crouched down, letting Shen Lingwei climb onto her back.

 

Shen Lingwei, a pampered young lady, rarely came into contact with Qiankuns, let alone had physical contact with them.

She suppressed her discomfort and climbed on as instructed, wrapping her arms around Fan Chuan’s neck.

 

Feeling she was settled, Fan Chuan hooked her arms under Shen Lingwei’s thighs and said, “Forgive me.”

 

With that, she carried Shen Lingwei on her back and walked out.

Shen Lingwei had never let anyone touch that area.

Now, hidden under the red veil, her entire face was flushed, and her heart beat much faster than usual.

 

She hadn’t clearly seen Fan Chuan’s appearance just now, but Fan Chuan’s voice was quite pleasant, not like a vulgar person.

 

At the same time, Shen Lingwei’s other Kunze sisters and brothers in the house were standing at a distance, watching the excitement, whispering mockeries of Shen Lingwei.

“Look at our eldest sister!

What use is being beautiful and talented?

She still has to marry a rough soldier!”

A male Kunze, her sixth brother, the son of a concubine, complained constantly.

“Exactly.

And we thought she might become the Crown Princess.

And this is it?

She’s worse off than us.”

Another male Kunze, also her half-brother, agreed.

“Look, they’re coming out!

They’re coming out!”

Another female Kunze pointed towards Shen Lingwei’s courtyard.

 

These people had originally wanted to see how ugly Fan Chuan was.

But instead, they saw Fan Chuan carrying Shen Lingwei on her back out of the courtyard.

Fan Chuan’s red dress today made her skin look even fairer.

Her features were cool and elegant like jade.

When she smiled, she was especially beautiful.

Her hair bun was adorned with many golden hairpins.

Where was this a rough soldier?

She looked like a handsome pretty boy.

This face was even more beautiful than a Kunze’s.

“Oh my god, is this what Fan Chuan looks like?

She’s out in the northern border wind and sun every day.

How can she still be this beautiful?”

“Yeah!

She’s even more beautiful than a Kunze.

Her figure is great too.”

“I don’t think eldest sister married so badly after all.

At least Fan Chuan has a good face, better looking than those princes.”

“So what if she’s good-looking?

There are battles every day in the northern border.

Shen Lingwei might be widowed at any moment.

Think about it, how many people has the Fan family lost?”

“That’s true.”

 

Among Shen Lingwei’s younger siblings, some envied her, some were jealous, and some were gloating, unable to stand seeing her do well.

But weren’t these just the usual things in an inner household?

 

Shen Lingwei naturally had no affection for these younger siblings.

She didn’t even have affection for her father.

After all, her mother had been dead less than half a month when her father had already become involved with Zhang Qingwen.

Yet, he insisted on pretending to be a man who deeply missed his deceased wife, putting on an act of observing three years of mourning before remarrying.

In reality, during those three years, he had never stopped his dealings with Zhang Qingwen.

 

Seeing all this, Shen Lingwei only found Shen Fangzhou hypocritical and ridiculous.

But the world was fooled by Shen Fangzhou, truly believing him to be a devoted man.

This had won Shen Fangzhou a lot of public goodwill and established his persona as a devoted prime minister.

 

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