Chapter 20: Feasting In The Madam’s Courtyard

What Lu Zijin didn’t know was that Wei Lan actually wanted to eat her into poverty.

Unfortunately, that would be extremely difficult.

Lu Zijin was simply too wealthy.

Even if Wei Lan ate eighteen meals a day, every meal the finest dishes, her wife would still remain a rich woman.

Seeing Lu Zijin move off her, Wei Lan propped herself up and grinned at her.

“Madam, I’ll head next door then.

Make sure they prepare more delicious food for me.”

“All right, I’ll arrange it at once.”

Lu Zijin couldn’t help but laugh.

The Qianyuan she had married loved silver—and loved good food even more.

“Good.

Then I’m going.”

Only after getting a satisfactory answer did Wei Lan get up, slip on her shoes, and put her clothes back on.

After Wei Lan left, Lu Zijin lifted the bed curtains and called out, “Qing Zhi, come in.”

The little maid outside quickly went to fetch her.

Before long, Qing Zhi entered and bowed.

“What instructions does Miss have?”

Lu Zijin looked at her and said, “The Lord will stay next door tonight.

There’s no need to fetch her spare clothes from Fuqu Pavilion—bring one of my sets instead.

Also, prepare more dishes for her at dinner.

She’s worked hard these past few days.”

“Yes.”

Qing Zhi hurriedly bowed in acknowledgment, but she did not leave.

Lu Zijin was perceptive and gentle by nature.

She raised her eyes slightly.

“What is it?

Is there something else you wish to tell me?”

Qing Zhi quickly bowed again.

“This servant should not meddle, but the Lord is kind-hearted.

I fear she did not mention this matter to Miss.”

“What matter?”

Lu Zijin asked.

“At noon today, when this servant accompanied the Lord from Fuqu Pavilion, we encountered Commander Cao.

Commander Cao mocked the Lord with cold sarcasm and refused to listen to her.

The Lord was very angry at the time.

She was already feeling unwell, and after being angered by Commander Cao, she felt even worse.”

Qing Zhi recounted everything exactly as it had happened.

Lu Zijin’s brows furrowed slightly.

“She indeed did not tell me.”

Thinking of Wei Lan’s earlier puppy-like expression, practically wagging her tail, Lu Zijin shook her head with a soft laugh.

Her Lord had been so focused on food that she had probably forgotten all about being wronged.

After speaking up, Qing Zhi felt somewhat uneasy.

After all, she was Miss’s maid.

By rights, she should not interfere in the Lord’s affairs.

She feared Lu Zijin might think she was overstepping.

But Lu Zijin soon said, “You did very well.

The Lord has never lived in a place like the Lu residence.

She doesn’t understand that in great households like this, even servants trample the low and flatter the high.

Send someone to keep watch.

She must not be wronged.

As for Cao Qiushuang, I will deal with her once my heat passes.”

Qing Zhi let out a quiet breath of relief and bowed.

“Yes.

Then Miss, I shall withdraw.”

“Mm.”

Although Lu Zijin had no feelings for Wei Lan, Wei Lan was still the signboard she had married to silence gossip.

Anyone daring to show Wei Lan disrespect clearly needed a reminder—Cao Qiushuang included.

And there were also the servants in Wei Lan’s courtyard.

Lu Zijin had been cold toward Wei Lan these past days.

Those who were skilled at currying favor and stepping on the weak might have already taken the opportunity to bully her.

If she found the time in a few days, perhaps she should pay Wei Lan’s courtyard a visit.

It wasn’t that Lu Zijin had developed any particular fondness for Wei Lan.

It was simply that Wei Lan was hers.

Even when beating a dog, one had to consider its owner.

If those people did not take Wei Lan seriously, before long they might stop taking her seriously as well.

After pondering for only a moment, Lu Zijin soon closed her eyes to rest again.

Wei Lan had just left, and the bed was still filled with the scent of fresh snow.

Seeing that no one was in the room, Lu Zijin reached out and pulled over the quilt Wei Lan had used.

She brought it to her nose and inhaled softly.

Instantly, it felt as though she were surrounded by fresh snow.

After a moment’s thought, she simply moved to the side of the bed where Wei Lan had been lying.

It seemed that with the faint scent of Wei Lan’s pheromones lingering, she could sleep more peacefully.

Meanwhile, Wei Lan had gone next door.

She waited while the maids and servants prepared hot water.

After bathing, she planned to feast heartily in Lu Zijin’s courtyard before resting.

Before long, there was a knock at the door.

Qing Zhi’s voice came from outside.

“Lord, the hot water is ready.

Would you like to bathe now?”

“Yes, now is fine,” Wei Lan replied.

Only then did Qing Zhi push the door open and enter.

Behind her followed several maids and young servants carrying wooden buckets.

The others went to pour water into the large tub, while Qing Zhi held a wooden tray in both hands.

On it lay several brand-new sets of clothing.

She bowed to Wei Lan.

“Lord, these are Miss’s garments.

They are all newly pressed.

You may change into them after bathing.”

“All right, I understand.”

Wei Lan poured herself a cup of tea.

After taking a sip, her eyes lit up.

There seemed to be honey added to it.

In any case, it tasted far better than the tea in her own courtyard.

Unable to resist, Wei Lan drank two more cups.

Why did everything in Madam’s courtyard seem better?

As expected of a rich wife.

Soon, Wei Lan went to bathe.

She dismissed the maids and soaked comfortably in the tub, thinking that her life was actually quite pleasant.

Aside from her neck still aching from being bitten, everything else was rather good.

After soaking for quite a while, she rose and changed into Lu Zijin’s clothes—a light orange dress, perfect for summer.

And Wei Lan keenly noticed that even Lu Zijin’s clothing was more comfortable than her own.

As expected of the wealthy female lead.

After she finished bathing, Qing Zhi came again to ask when she would like dinner served.

Wei Lan told her to serve it immediately.

Before long, maids entered carrying tray after tray.

They placed the exquisitely prepared dishes on the table, followed by two soups.

Wei Lan’s eyes shone at the sight of the spread.

As expected, the food in Lu Zijin’s courtyard was far better.

She immediately began eating.

The roasted lamb ribs had just been freshly slaughtered and were exceptionally tender.

After eating several pieces, she moved on to the other dishes—each one delicate and refined.

She ladled herself a bowl of fish soup and discovered that medicinal herbs had been added.

There was a faint herbal aroma, not unpleasant at all.

On the contrary, it perfectly masked the fishiness.

Looking at the table full of dishes, Wei Lan’s appetite grew even stronger.

She thoroughly feasted on Lu Zijin’s hospitality before finally going to bed.

***

On the other side, Lu Zijin slept until the hour of Xu before waking.

The scent of fresh snow in the bedding had faded somewhat, but she felt much more refreshed.

Propping herself up, she called out, “Light the lamps.”

A maid on night duty immediately entered to light them.

Tonight, Qianxue was leading the attendants.

She asked promptly, “Miss, would you like to bathe first, or have dinner served?”

“Bathe first.”

Lu Zijin lifted the bed curtains and stepped down.

She glanced at Qianxue.

“Where is the Lord?

Has she eaten?”

“She has eaten and is already asleep,” Qianxue replied.

“Mm.

Have water prepared.”

Lu Zijin walked to the table and poured herself a cup of warm tea.

In her courtyard, tea was refreshed around the clock.

Every so often, maids replaced it.

As she disliked bitterness, they always added a touch of honey to adjust the flavor.

Soon, the bath was ready.

While Lu Zijin soaked in the wooden tub, she ordered the maids to change all the bedding.

It had been saturated with too much pheromone scent, and she had perspired heavily as well.

By the time she finished bathing, Qianxue had already arranged for dinner.

Lu Zijin was long accustomed to such dishes.

Unlike Wei Lan, she only tasted a few bites of each before having them removed.

She went to bed early.

Too many matters had been left unattended these past days.

If her heat ended tomorrow, she would need to promptly handle the affairs of the residence and the shops.

Yet when she lay down, she felt as though something was missing.

Somehow, sleeping like this was not as comfortable as when she had rested in Wei Lan’s arms that afternoon.

Lu Zijin lightly bit her lower lip, warning herself not to think too much.

It had to be because her heat had not fully passed.

Otherwise, there was no reason for her to keep thinking about Wei Lan.