Chapter 86: Miles Apart, Bound by Love and Ambition

Meanwhile, Wei Lan and her group, still on the road, had already covered half the distance.

These days, everyone had been exhausted from the journey, but there was no choice; they had to reach the borders of Zhuozhou as soon as possible to ensure their safety.

 

Wei Lan was currently hugging Lu Zijin and catching up on sleep in the carriage.

The carriage was a bit bumpy, but it was still better than sitting up the whole time.

 

Wei Lan’s hands were restless.

These days on the road, she could only take small advantages of her wife.

They hadn’t had marital relations in half a month.

 

Lu Zijin naturally noticed her little Qiankun taking liberties.

She leaned against Wei Lan’s chest and pinched her cheek.

“What are you doing?”

 

Wei Lan kissed Lu Zijin’s forehead, acting spoiled.

“I miss you.”

 

Lu Zijin leaned in and bit Wei Lan’s lip.

“Go ahead.

Once your pheromones are all played out, you’ll behave.”

 

Wei Lan hummed and whined, hugging Lu Zijin tighter.

She just missed her wife.

 

Lu Zijin rubbed Wei Lan’s face, kissed her lips, and coaxed softly.

“Once we get to the northern border, I’ll make it all up to you.”

“Really?”

Wei Lan’s eyes lit up at this.

 

Lu Zijin smiled and nodded.

“Of course.

I’m just afraid you won’t be able to handle it.”

“How could I not handle it?

I’m that fierce.”

Wei Lan acted spoiled as she retorted.

Lu Zijin simply couldn’t see where her little Qiankun’s fierceness was.

 

The carriage moved on for a while longer, then stopped.

It was now noon.

The group halted by the roadside, and everyone began to make a fire and cook.

 

Wei Lan and Lu Zijin also jumped down from the carriage to stretch their legs.

The maidservants had already started cooking, though everything was simplified on the road.

 

The maidservants used wooden stands to suspend an iron pot over a fire and then lit it.

 

Once the fire was going, they poured oil into the pot, added a small piece of the hot pot base Wei Lan had made, and stir-fried it.

Then they added water, along with dried noodles, wild vegetables, and dried mushrooms.

A pot of fragrant hot pot noodle soup was ready.

With this broth, even shoe soles would taste delicious.

 

Soon, the meal was ready.

Wei Lan eagerly took a bowl, picked out noodles and vegetables for Lu Zijin, and put them in her bowl.

“Wife, I’ll give you a little more.

Eat up.”

 

Lu Zijin’s eyes held a smile as she looked at her little dog.

“That’s enough.

Any more and I won’t be able to finish.”

 

Hearing this, Wei Lan stopped and handed the small bowl to Lu Zijin.

 

Compared to Lu Zijin’s small bowl, Wei Lan’s large bowl was five times its size.

She directly scooped the remaining contents of the pot into her bowl and sat down beside Lu Zijin to eat heartily.

 

As for the remaining hot pot broth, the maidservants used it to cook their own meal and that of the accompanying guards.

For convenience, they directly made noodle dumpling soup with the broth.

But because the broth was delicious, even the noodle dumpling soup was eaten with great relish.

 

Although Lu Zijin’s bowl was small, she ate slowly.

By the time she finished, Wei Lan had already finished her large bowl of noodles faster than her.

 

Wei Lan was now standing up, patting her stomach and moving around.

Seeing Lu Zijin looking at her, Wei Lan smiled at her wife.

“I’m full.”

 

Lu Zijin smiled and shook her head.

Her little dog was too adorable.

 

After lunch, they rested for another half hour.

Everyone took the opportunity to wash the pots and bowls in a nearby river and replenish their water supply.

Then they harnessed the horses and continued on their way.

 

After eating, Wei Lan climbed back into the carriage with Lu Zijin to lie down.

Even though the interior space was large, it was still a bit stuffy.

But there was no help for it; they needed to reach the northern border as quickly as possible, so they traveled until dark every day before stopping to rest.

 

Back in Panyang City, the steward Huang Min and Qing Zhi and the others began selling off the Lu family’s cloth shops, taverns, and grain shops.

 

Once this news spread, it caused a huge stir in Panyang City.

Everyone was speculating what was going on with the Lu residence, how they could be selling off even sure-win businesses like cloth shops and grain shops.

“Hey, have you seen what’s happening with the Lu residence?

It feels like they don’t plan to stay in Panyang City.”

“I heard they’ve made connections with powerful people in the capital and are going there to live the good life.”

“They must be really rich.

I heard they’re even selling off their fields on the outskirts.

It seems they really don’t plan to stay.”

 

At the City Lord’s residence, Lu Feng’s expression was unpleasant.

He hadn’t expected the Lu residence to be selling off all its businesses.

This matter had been causing an uproar in the city for the past few days.

“This Lu Zijin has quite the nerve.

She and Wei Lan left first, leaving their people behind to deal with these businesses.

She’s treating everyone like fools!”

Lu Feng said angrily.

“City Lord, please calm down.

Once these businesses are sold, the buyers will still have to pay taxes in the city.

Your Lordship need not worry.”

An official under him counseled.

 

Lu Feng was still angry.

He took another sip of tea.

“I know that.

I’m angry that the Lu residence people are so bold.

They didn’t even come to report such a major matter to me.

They simply don’t take me seriously!”

“Presumably Lu Zijin really has made connections with powerful people in the capital.

Otherwise, she wouldn’t dare do this.

City Lord, it’s best to bear with it for now.

If they really have the backing of a high official, it’s not good to offend them.”

“So we just let them walk all over us?”

Lu Feng felt he had lost face and was indignant.

“I’ve heard that the Lu residence’s ancestral home is not for sale.

That means Lu Zijin and the others will have to come back eventually.

There will always be a way to settle accounts with them.”

 

Lu Feng sighed heavily and held back.

After all, he was just a city lord.

If the Lu residence really had the backing of a high official, he truly couldn’t afford to offend them.

 

On the other side, at the Chen residence, Su Er was also telling Chen Zhou about this matter.

Chen Zhou frowned.

“Who exactly is backing Lu Zijin that she’s even selling off her fields?”

“I don’t know, but it’s the talk of the town.

I heard the Lu residence’s fields have all been sold, and the taverns and grain shops have also been sold.

Only a few cloth shops haven’t been sold yet.

Young master, should we buy some too?”

Su Er asked cautiously.

“Of course.

The other things don’t matter much, but if we can get the cloth shops, the royal merchant contract for next year might fall into our hands.”

 

Thinking this, Chen Zhou quickly said, “Su Er, have the carriage prepared.

I’m going to the Lu residence now.”

“Yes.”

Su Er immediately made the arrangements.

 

Soon, Chen Zhou arrived at the main gate of the Lu residence by carriage.

The servant boys at the gate announced his arrival, and Chen Zhou was invited in.

Once inside, Chen Zhou noticed that the Lu residence had far fewer people; even the fallen leaves in the courtyard hadn’t been swept.

 

Chen Zhou went directly to the front hall.

The steward and Qing Zhi were waiting there.

When they saw Chen Zhou arrive, both bowed.

“Young Master, please have a seat.

Someone, bring tea.”

Qing Zhi quickly instructed the maidservants to serve tea.

These past few days, they had almost sold off all of the Lu residence’s businesses.

Once the cloth shops were sold, they could head north to join Lu Zijin.

 

Chen Zhou sat down, looked at the two, and said directly, “I’ll get straight to the point.

I heard you’re selling the cloth shops?

I’d like to know the specific price.”

“Oh, that’s right.

We still have four cloth shops for sale.

Each shop comes with a large courtyard, as well as weaving and dyeing equipment.

These are being sold together.

If you only want the shops, we’re not selling them separately.”

The steward Huang Min smiled at Chen Zhou and said.

“Mm.

Just as you said – including the courtyards and the weaving and dyeing equipment – how much silver in total?”

Chen Zhou asked.

 

Huang Min thought for a moment, then said, “These cloth shops of ours are quite large, all two stories.

The courtyards are also spacious, and each comes with a warehouse.

So, the minimum price for each shop is sixty thousand taels of silver.

That would be two hundred and forty thousand taels for all four.

Are you interested in buying, Young Master?”

“Sixty thousand taels!”

Chen Zhou stood up directly.

Although the locations of these Lu family shops were all very good, in his opinion, they weren’t worth that much silver.

 

Huang Min, however, smiled and continued.

“Young Master, don’t forget that this year’s royal merchant contract was taken by our Lu residence.

The workers in these shops are all experienced veterans.

If you compete for the royal merchant contract again next year, buying these shops would guarantee your success.”

 

Chen Zhou himself actually meant the same thing.

He wanted to form a monopoly.

But coming up with two hundred and forty thousand taels of silver all at once – he really didn’t have that much.

After all, he had just recently bought the Lu family’s bookstores.

Right now, he could at most afford two of them.

“Two hundred and forty thousand taels is no small sum.

After all, I am Zijin’s cousin.

Can’t the price be lowered a bit?”

Chen Zhou asked.

 

Huang Min’s smile was amiable.

“Sorry, Young Master.

This price was set by our young lady before she left.

It’s already the lowest.

We are merely servants; we can’t make such decisions.”

 

Before leaving, Lu Zijin had already arranged all this, telling Huang Min and Qing Zhi to purposely act unhurried and not let anyone pressure them on price.

 

Moreover, because the businesses operated by the Lu family were all very profitable, they had basically sold at the price Lu Zijin wanted.

Now, with only the cloth shops left, Huang Min and Qing Zhi were even less rushed.

They still had half a month; at worst, they could depart a little later.

 

Chen Zhou gritted his teeth, thought for a moment, and then said, “Then I’ll take the two best-located cloth shops.”

“Naturally.

First come, first served.

As long as you pay the silver, you can choose first.

We prioritize according to the order of payment.”

Huang Min smiled at Chen Zhou again, meaning Chen Zhou should pay first, then choose.

 

Chen Zhou ground his teeth audibly.

Truly, servants of the Lu residence had the same style as Wei Lan.

“Su Er, go to the accounting office and withdraw one hundred and twenty thousand taels of silver.”

“Right away, young master.”

Su Er took the order and immediately ran out.

 

About the time it takes to burn an incense stick, Su Er returned with the silver notes.

“Young master, the notes you requested.”

 

Chen Zhou took the notes and handed them to Huang Min.

“Can we go change the names on the deeds now?”

“Of course, Young Master.

Please.”

The steward handed the notes to Qing Zhi.

Qing Zhi counted them and confirmed the amount was correct.

Then the steward took the deeds and went with Chen Zhou to change the names.

 

Because Chen Zhou had bought two of the shops, the other people in Panyang City who wanted to buy but had been waiting rushed in, afraid the remaining two would also be sold out.

 

In the end, Huang Min and Qing Zhi sold all the shops, fields, and other properties within just half a month.

The cloth shops brought in a total of two hundred and forty thousand taels of silver.

The three taverns in the city sold for a total of one hundred and eighty thousand taels.

The five grain shops, along with the remaining grain inside, sold for two hundred and fifty thousand taels.

As for the fields, they sold for a total of two hundred thousand taels.

All together, that added up to eight hundred and seventy thousand taels of silver.

 

Any remaining silver in the residence was used by Huang Min and Qing Zhi to dismiss the maidservants and servant boys.

For those who were truly unwilling to leave the Lu residence, Huang Min took them with him as they headed north to join Lu Zijin and the others.

 

***

 

On the other side, Fan Chuan, having promised to take Shen Lingwei out, had someone prepare horses in the afternoon.

Since they were in a safe situation now, taking a carriage would be stuffy.

So Fan Chuan thought she would simply take Shen Lingwei riding with her.

 

After finishing her business in the study, she went directly to the bedroom.

Shen Lingwei had already gotten up from the soft couch and was reading a book.

 

Fan Chuan walked in and smiled at her.

“Let’s go.

I’ve had everything arranged.”

“Okay.”

Shen Lingwei said, ready to leave.

 

But Fan Chuan smiled and shook her head.

She had a maidservant bring over a new pair of white riding boots and said,

“We’re riding horses.

You’ll find long boots more convenient.”

“But I don’t know how to ride a horse.”

Shen Lingwei was also stunned for a moment.

 

Fan Chuan smiled at her.

“It’s fine.

I’ll ride with you.”

 

Shen Lingwei wanted to say it wouldn’t be appropriate, but on second thought, she had never ridden a horse since childhood.

Moreover, going out by carriage again would be just as dull.

So she didn’t say anything more, took the boots, and changed into them.

 

Fan Chuan took two cloaks out of the wardrobe, put one on herself, and handed the other to Shen Lingwei.

“I’m afraid the wind and sand will be strong outside.

Put this on.”

“Mm.”

Shen Lingwei took the cloak and put it on.

Then the two left the bedroom together.

 

Fan Chuan led Shen Lingwei to the main gate of the Marshal’s residence, where ten personal guards, already in plain clothes, were waiting for them.

 

Fan Chuan led Shen Lingwei to her maroon horse.

Shen Lingwei, however, had a problem.

The horse was very tall, and Shen Lingwei would have difficulty mounting on her own.

 

Fan Chuan turned to look at her.

“Hold on to the saddle with both hands.

Put your left foot in the stirrup first.

I’ll help you up.

Lightning is very gentle; he won’t move suddenly.

Don’t be afraid.”

 

Shen Lingwei was quite curious about horseback riding.

She looked at Fan Chuan.

“Mm.”

 

With that, Shen Lingwei did as Fan Chuan said, grabbing the saddle with both hands and placing her left foot in the stirrup.

 

Fan Chuan reached out, lifted Shen Lingwei by the waist, and effortlessly hoisted her up.

Shen Lingwei then sat down in the saddle.

“Now take your feet out of the stirrups.

I need to get on.”

Fan Chuan stood on the ground and smiled at Shen Lingwei.

“Okay.”

Shen Lingwei quickly did so, but her earlobes were already red.

Riding together with a Qiankun in the street – she had never done anything so bold before.

 

Fan Chuan put one foot in the stirrup and nimbly mounted the horse.

She held the reins in her hands and adjusted Shen Lingwei’s position by putting an arm around her waist.

“Is this position comfortable?”

 

Fan Chuan held Shen Lingwei’s waist and abdomen with one hand and the reins with the other.

Shen Lingwei was slightly lower than Fan Chuan, so looking forward from behind, Fan Chuan could clearly see Shen Lingwei’s red earlobes.

 

Shen Lingwei, holding the iron bar in front of the saddle with both hands, nodded, her earlobes red.

Fan Chuan was probably just trying to make her sit more steadily, not taking advantage of her.

 

Seeing Shen Lingwei nod, the corners of Fan Chuan’s mouth lifted slightly.

Her waist was so slender.

If she held on a little tighter, she could encircle her entire waist with one arm.

 

But afraid of scaring Shen Lingwei, Fan Chuan naturally didn’t do that.

Instead, she said softly, “Then we’re off.

If you feel uncomfortable at all, be sure to tell me.”

“Mm.”

Shen Lingwei acknowledged softly.

 

Fan Chuan then urged the horse forward.

Afraid that riding too fast would make Shen Lingwei uncomfortable, she deliberately slowed Lightning’s pace, walking slowly towards the city gate checkpoint.

 

Shen Lingwei sat on horseback, very interested in the street scenes.

But the hand on her stomach was hot; just thinking about it made her blush involuntarily.

 

Fan Chuan started riding very slowly.

After Shen Lingwei gradually got used to it, she increased their speed.

About half an hour later, the group finally arrived at the checkpoint at the northern border.

 

Fan Chuan often came to inspect.

The general guarding the city immediately recognized her, though today their Marshal wasn’t wearing armor and had a young lady in her arms.

 

The general steeled himself and came forward to bow.

“Marshal.”

“Mm.

I’m just taking my wife for a walk.

Go about your business.

Oh, and have someone bring a camel over.”

Thinking Shen Lingwei had probably never ridden a camel either, Fan Chuan instructed.

“Right away, Marshal.

Please wait a moment.”

The general immediately went to arrange it.

 

Soon, a soldier led a camel over.

Fan Chuan said softly to Shen Lingwei, “We’ll ride the camel in a bit.

Let’s dismount first.

The market is just outside.”

“Mm.”

Shen Lingwei looked at the camel not far away, very curious.

She had only seen this animal in paintings; she never thought she would see a real camel.

 

Fan Chuan dismounted and reached out to help Shen Lingwei down.

 

Lightning was very tall.

Shen Lingwei was a bit afraid sitting on him by herself.

She shifted her right leg over, but didn’t dare jump down.

The next moment, she was safely carried horizontally in Fan Chuan’s arms.

 

Shen Lingwei’s cheeks suddenly turned completely red.

They were still outside!

How could Fan Chuan just pick her up like that?

 

But it was only a moment.

Afraid she might be shy, Fan Chuan quickly put her down on the ground.

 

She handed the horse over to the guards to watch, leaving five to tend the horses.

The remaining five followed on foot as she and Shen Lingwei passed through the checkpoint.

Of course, one of them led the camel.

 

About five hundred meters past the checkpoint, people had naturally turned this area into a market.

Many people were selling things here.

There were barbarians selling animal hides in exchange for cotton cloth and tea, and also people selling wild delicacies.

In short, it was a bustling market with all kinds of goods.

 

The market was very lively.

Fan Chuan kept her hand on Shen Lingwei’s lower back, carefully protecting her, afraid someone might bump into her.

 

Shen Lingwei was very interested in this market, especially curious about the animal hides and food from the barbarian side.

 

Fan Chuan bought some dairy products.

But the dairy products from that side had a very strong flavor, and Shen Lingwei couldn’t quite get used to them.

 

They walked and looked until they had visited all the stalls.

Shen Lingwei still felt a bit unsatisfied.

 

Fan Chuan smiled at her.

“It’s not so hot now.

Come on, let’s go ride the camel.”

“Okay.”

Shen Lingwei looked at the camel behind them; a personal guard had already led it over.

 

Fan Chuan skillfully made the camel kneel, then helped Shen Lingwei onto it.

“Be careful.

Hold on.”

“Mm.”

Sitting on the camel was a different experience.

Unlike riding a horse, though the camel walked slowly, it was very steady.

 

Shen Lingwei looked into the distance.

The distant view was an endless desert.

The setting sun painted the desert like a golden ocean, beautiful.

 

Shen Lingwei sat atop, breathing deeply.

It seemed like all the unhappiness of these past years was being cast behind her.

“It’s so beautiful here.

If only there could be peace forever.”

Shen Lingwei sat on the camel, sighing.

Her hand occasionally touched the camel’s hump, very curious about the animal.

“Yes.

When there’s no war, it’s quite beautiful here.”

Fan Chuan held the camel’s reins and walked towards a small sand dune in the distance.

“I’ll take you to the top.

It’s even more beautiful.”

 

Soon, they reached the top of a sand dune.

The five guards waited below, not daring to disturb them.

 

Shen Lingwei looked at the rolling sea of sand on the ground, already eager to get off.

“I want to walk on it too.”

“Okay.

Hold on steady.”

Fan Chuan made the camel kneel again, then helped Shen Lingwei down.

 

The camel lazily knelt on the sand to rest.

Shen Lingwei finally stood on the sand.

The sand at her feet constantly shifted with the wind, a very novel feeling.

“Is it all sand here?”

“Pretty much.

If you walk north for another hour, you’ll reach a patch of green with a lake where you can get water.”

Fan Chuan smiled and pointed north.

 

Shen Lingwei, enjoying the beautiful view in the distance, also savored the soft feel of the sand beneath her feet.

She walked along the small sand dune shoulder-to-shoulder with Fan Chuan, leaving a trail of footprints that were soon filled by the wind-borne sand.

 

The sun set in the west.

The two sat on the sand, watching the sun slowly be swallowed by the sand dunes on the horizon.

“So beautiful.”

Shen Lingwei stared into the distance, afraid of missing a single moment.

This was the first time in her life she had watched a sunset in the desert.

 

Fan Chuan withdrew her gaze from the distance and turned her head to look at Shen Lingwei.

“It is beautiful.”

 

Sensing Fan Chuan looking at her, Shen Lingwei’s cheeks flushed slightly.

She glanced at Fan Chuan and met her eyes, which were as passionate as fire.

For a moment, Shen Lingwei forgot to look away.

 

Fan Chuan gave her a faint smile, then quickly leaned in and placed a soft kiss on her cheek.

 

She pulled back just as quickly.

Shen Lingwei, however, suddenly blushed.

She quickly looked around and saw that the guards were all down below; only she and Fan Chuan were here.

Only then did she relax a little.

 

Still, Shen Lingwei shyly covered her face and didn’t look at Fan Chuan again.

They were still outside!

Fan Chuan was too forward.

 

Fan Chuan saw she was shy, put an arm around her, and said softly, “Don’t be afraid.

There’s no one else.

Don’t you want to watch the sunset anymore?

If you don’t look up, the sun will be gone.”

 

Hearing this, Shen Lingwei looked up again at the setting sun, though her cheeks were still slightly flushed.

 

Soon, the sky darkened, and the sun had set.

When Fan Chuan had come, she had instructed the guards to bring torches, so they wouldn’t have to worry about getting back, as they hadn’t gone far.

 

She put her arm around Shen Lingwei and asked, “Do you want to stay and look at the moon?”

 

Shen Lingwei thought for a moment and agreed.

“I’d like to.”

 

After all, Fan Chuan’s military duties kept her very busy.

It was very rare for her to take her out.

Later, they might become very busy, and she didn’t know when she would return.

“Alright.

Then we’ll watch the moon for a while before going back.”

From their position, they could see the torches on the gate tower at the checkpoint, so they wouldn’t lose their way.

 

The moon rose in the night sky before long.

Shen Lingwei quietly watched the moon rise over the desert, her heart extremely happy.

But at night, the desert was very windy and sandy, and she couldn’t help feeling a bit cold.

 

Seeming to notice, Fan Chuan simply took off her own cloak and wrapped it around Shen Lingwei.

Then she hugged Shen Lingwei from behind as they watched the distant moon.

 

In the dim light, they couldn’t see their surroundings clearly.

Shen Lingwei, however, blushed.

“What are you doing?”

“Nothing.

Just watching the moon with my own wife.

It’s a bit cold out.

If I hold you, you won’t be cold.”

Fan Chuan’s chest pressed against Shen Lingwei’s back.

Her words brushed against Shen Lingwei’s earlobe, making her tremble involuntarily.

 

But she felt warm when Fan Chuan held her; she was no longer cold.

 

It seemed that since she and Fan Chuan had cleared the air, Fan Chuan had become much more intimate with her.

Now she would even hold her like this, and just now she had kissed her.

Just thinking about it made Shen Lingwei’s face flush.

 

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