Chapter 21: Well-Behaved Qianyuan

When Wei Lan woke up, it was already daylight.

She got up, washed, and then had breakfast.

The breakfast in Lu Zijin’s courtyard was just as delicious.

She especially liked the freshly steamed pastries.

There were also sweet treats like double-skin milk.

Wei Lan ate two full bowls that morning.

After eating her fill, she began to miss her workshop.

She hadn’t gone yesterday, and now her hands itched terribly to work.

Wei Lan decided to go see Lu Zijin.

If Lu Zijin didn’t need to draw on her today, then she could finally leave.

With that in mind, she went to Lu Zijin’s door.

The senior maid on duty this time was Yun Xiang.

Yun Xiang looked at Wei Lan for quite a while before finally speaking perfunctorily, “Does the Lord need something?”

“Yes.

I’m here to see Madam,” Wei Lan replied lightly, glancing at her.

Yun Xiang was a hundred times unwilling, but still turned and knocked on the door.

“Miss, the Lord says she wishes to see you.

Shall I let her in?”

Lu Zijin had just finished breakfast.

Although she felt somewhat better today, she was likely still in her heat.

If she drew from Wei Lan once more this morning, it should nearly be over.

Wei Lan had come at just the right time.

“Let her in,” Lu Zijin said.

Yun Xiang nearly ground her teeth to dust but pushed the door open and made a gesture.

“Lord, please.”

Wei Lan smiled faintly and walked in.

Seeing Lu Zijin seated at the table drinking tea, she asked, “Madam, you look much better today.

Has your heat passed?

If so, may I go back?”

Her eyes shone brightly as she looked at Lu Zijin—like a well-behaved little puppy.

Lu Zijin took a sip of tea and looked at her with a slight smile.

“Oh?

You want to go back?”

Wei Lan quickly nodded.

Her task for the month was complete; she could now comfortably live off her wife’s wealth.

And after returning, she would finally have ample time to carve jade again.

Her jade stones were waiting!

Seeing how eager Wei Lan was to leave, the smile on Lu Zijin’s face faded slightly.

Fuqu Pavilion was remote and close to the back gate of the residence—how could it compare to her courtyard?

Did Wei Lan truly dislike staying with her that much?

In that case, she would do the opposite.

“No.

My heat has not yet passed.

Go lie down on the bed.”

“Lie down again?

I just got up,” Wei Lan protested.

She wanted to return and carve jade.

She had only just regained some skill these past few days; if she stayed here too long, her hands would grow rusty again.

“You are unwilling?”

Lu Zijin raised a brow.

Wei Lan didn’t dare refuse.

If she did, Lu Zijin would bring up money.

The moment money was mentioned, she would still have to compromise.

Better to agree outright.

Wei Lan sighed.

“Fine.”

With a long face, she untied her sash and obediently lay down on the bed.

Seeing her bitter expression, Lu Zijin found it both amusing and exasperating.

She walked to the bedside.

“Move further in.”

As she spoke, she began loosening her own sash.

Watching the obedient Qianyuan shift over, Lu Zijin felt as though she were some villain teasing a respectable woman.

After removing her outer robe, she climbed onto the bed and sat astride Wei Lan’s waist.

This time was different from before.

She was completely clear-headed and no longer weak.

Lu Zijin gently placed her right hand against Wei Lan’s cheek, sliding it downward to grasp her chin.

Leaning closer, she asked softly, “Why are you in such a hurry to leave?

Hmm?”

“I want to go back and carve jade.

I haven’t finished carving my raw stones yet,” Wei Lan replied obediently, even with her chin being held.

Lu Zijin hadn’t expected that answer.

She had never heard of Wei Lan carving jade before and assumed it was merely a pastime.

She didn’t think much of it.

Her thumb shifted slightly upward, brushing against Wei Lan’s lips as she said casually, “You are the Qianyuan I married.

You should place me first in all things.

My heat has not yet ended—you cannot leave.”

“When can I leave then?”

Wei Lan asked pitifully.

Looking at the well-behaved Qianyuan beneath her, Lu Zijin pressed her thumb a little more firmly against those lips.

Wei Lan really was obedient.

“At the very least, tomorrow morning.

I must handle the estate’s affairs today.

You will accompany me to the study.”

“Ah?

I have to go too?”

Wei Lan asked miserably.

Lu Zijin smiled.

“Yes.

Not only must you go, you must also release your pheromones.

Otherwise, I may feel unwell.”

Wei Lan pouted but could only agree.

“Fine.”

Seeing her defeated look, Lu Zijin pinched her cheek again.

“Don’t keep pinching me.

If you’re going to draw, then hurry up,” Wei Lan grumbled.

Lu Zijin’s hands were always wandering.

She wouldn’t allow Wei Lan to touch her, yet when it came to touching Wei Lan, she never held back.

“Silver,” Lu Zijin said lightly.

Just those two words made Wei Lan deflate completely, lying flat and allowing herself to be handled.

Lu Zijin turned Wei Lan’s face to the side and removed the medicinal plaster from her neck.

Gently touching the reddened bond mark, she felt Wei Lan shiver like a cat whose tail had been stepped on.

“Don’t touch there.

It feels strange,” Wei Lan muttered.

She couldn’t describe the sensation—it was simply odd.

“Very well.

I won’t touch.

Then I’ll draw,” Lu Zijin said.

She leaned down and bit gently.

The scent of fresh snow spread through her senses.

Wei Lan’s neck tingled and throbbed, but she lay still and obedient.

As Lu Zijin drew from her, one hand unconsciously stroked Wei Lan’s cheek.

Wei Lan endured the soreness at her neck while being touched, wearing a thoroughly lifeless expression.

Only after quite some time did Lu Zijin withdraw.

Looking down at Wei Lan, whose eyes were unfocused from being drained, she pinched her cheek lightly.

“All right.

Feeling weak again?

Shall I have them bring you a bowl of rock sugar bird’s nest?”

Wei Lan thought that if she was going to be drained for free, she might as well eat for free too.

“Yes.”

“Mm.”

Lu Zijin nodded and called outside, “Prepare a bowl of rock sugar bird’s nest for the Lord.”

“Yes,” Yun Xiang answered through clenched teeth.

She had been standing outside the door.

She heard some rustling inside earlier, though not clearly.

In her mind, it had to be Wei Lan trying every trick to seduce Lu Zijin.

Otherwise, how could her usually aloof Miss draw pheromones while fully awake?

She ordered a junior maid to fetch the bird’s nest and reluctantly carried it inside.

In the bedchamber, Lu Zijin was already refreshed and fully dressed.

Wei Lan, meanwhile, had just managed to sit up weakly.

Yun Xiang glanced at Wei Lan before bowing.

“Miss, the bird’s nest.”

“Just set it there,” Lu Zijin said, in an excellent mood after receiving ample pheromones.

“Yes.”

Yun Xiang placed the bowl down and withdrew, though not without casting another look at Wei Lan before leaving.

Wei Lan had just finished dressing.

She sat down obediently, took the bowl, and began eating heartily.

If Lu Zijin was going to draw from her, she would eat it back!

The bowl wasn’t large, and Wei Lan finished it in just a few bites.

Lu Zijin’s gaze had been on her the whole time.

Her Lord’s appetite was truly impressive.

She let out a soft laugh, but she didn’t mind.

After all, the household could afford to feed her.