Chapter 35: Looking for Qinglan

She held the bangle, looking at it again and again, liking it immensely.

It wasn’t until the sky had darkened that Wei Lan finally returned to her bedroom.

She had the servants prepare hot water for a bath.

 

Wei Lan rested, leaning back in the bath-tub.

The steam rose up, washing away the day’s fatigue.

 

Wei Lan played with the water in the tub, thinking that tomorrow morning she could start on the jade hairpin.

Since the jade plaque was going to be carved with a phoenix pattern, she might as well carve the hairpin into a phoenix hairpin too.

 

She soaked in the tub for a while, then changed into clean clothes and had the maidservants prepare dinner.

 

***

 

On the other side, Lu Zijin had also been busy the entire day.

She had just sat down to eat.

When she was busy, she didn’t notice it, but during her leisure time, Lu Zijin thought of Wei Lan again.

 

She looked up at Qianxue and asked, “What did the master do today?

Did she leave the residence?”

 

Knowing that the young lady cared about the master, Qianxue had also had the shadow guards keep an eye on Wei Lan’s courtyard.

Hearing Lu Zijin’s question, Qianxue quickly replied, “The master stayed in the residence all day today.

It seems she was carving jade.

She didn’t return to her bedroom until it was completely dark.

She should be eating about now.”

 

Lu Zijin nodded, the corners of her mouth lifting slightly.

Was she in a hurry to make the jade bangle and plaque for her?

 

Just hearing that Wei Lan hadn’t gone out gallivanting today put Lu Zijin in a very good mood.

Even her appetite was a bit better.

 

After Lu Zijin finished eating and was preparing to bathe, a guard came to the inner courtyard to report.

“What is it?”

Lu Zijin looked up and asked.

 

The servant boy bowed to Lu Zijin from the doorway before speaking.

“Young Lady, it’s…

Cao Qiushuang has stopped breathing.”

 

Lu Zijin nodded calmly.

“Have someone take him outside the city and dispose of him.

You all clean up the woodshed properly.”

“Yes, this lowly one will see to it immediately.”

The guard promptly accepted the order.

 

Cao Qiushuang’s matter was not worth mentioning to Lu Zijin.

Come to think of it, the servants in the residence had been extremely well-behaved lately.

Even Yun Xiang, because her face was swollen, stayed quietly in her room.

 

Lu Zijin stopped concerning herself with these trifles.

After bathing, she went to bed to rest.

But then she thought of Wei Lan again.

Last night, her little Alpha had been so obedient and sweet, holding her as they slept.

 

This time, Lu Zijin was not in her heat period, so it was easier for her to notice the difference from usual.

It seemed Wei Lan really did have the effect of helping her sleep.

In the past, no matter how tired she was, she would have to toss and turn for a long time before falling asleep after lying down.

But last night wasn’t her heat period, yet she had fallen asleep leaning against Wei Lan in no time?

 

Lu Zijin suddenly missed Wei Lan’s bed a little.

But then she closed her eyes and dismissed the thought.

She didn’t want to become dependent on any Alpha, even Wei Lan was not exempt.

Thinking this, Lu Zijin’s mood instead calmed down a bit.

 

***

 

The next morning, Lu Zijin still rose early.

While she was eating breakfast, a guard from the side gate came to report that a suspicious person outside was looking for Tian Da, and the person had already been detained.

 

Lu Zijin took a few sips of congee and said, “Bring the person to my courtyard.

You all interrogate him properly.”

“Yes.”

The person had already been bound and brought outside Lu Zijin’s courtyard.

Now, the guards directly dragged the man in, forcing him to kneel in Lu Zijin’s courtyard.

 

Several guards began interrogating the man.

If he didn’t answer or lied, the guards would resort to fists and feet.

Soon, the man’s face and body were already bleeding.

After a while longer, the man, crying and shouting, confessed everything.

“Young Lady Lu, spare me!

It was my master, Young Master Chen Zhou, who sent me to find Tian Da.

It’s not my fault!

It was all done on my master’s orders!”

The man cried out as he spoke, a few teeth knocked out by the residence’s guards.

 

Lu Zijin unhurriedly took a few more sips of congee and said, “Is that so?

What did Young Master Chen want with my servant?

To have me watched?”

“This lowly one does not know!

This lowly one does not know!

I am merely a messenger.

Please, Young Lady Lu, let me go!”

The servant boy cried, tears and snot streaming down his face.

 

But Lu Zijin’s expression turned cold.

She had thought that with Tian Da dead, Chen Zhou would behave himself for a few days.

But only a few days had passed, and he was already restless again.

“Let you go?

Fine.

Tie him up and dump him at the entrance of the Chen residence.”

Lu Zijin wiped her hands with a napkin, no longer paying attention, and went straight to the study.

 

The guards acted very quickly.

A total of six men went, tied the man up, and directly left him at the Chen residence’s gate before leaving.

The guards at the Chen residence’s gate didn’t even react; it was only upon hearing the man’s cries for help that they came over to help him up.

“Pockmarks, what happened to you?

Who beat you like this?

Who were those people just now?” a guard at the Chen residence gate asked.

“Young Master, take me to see the Young Master, quickly.”

Pockmarks’s speech was slurred from missing teeth.

 

Several people helped Pockmarks to find Chen Zhou.

 

Chen Zhou was currently in the study, discussing with several shop managers how to poach Qinglan from Yuyaxuan to his side.

Hearing the commotion outside, his expression darkened.

He asked, “Su Er, what’s that noise outside?”

 

Su Er quickly went out to look.

Soon, he ran back in, somewhat flustered.

“Young Master, it’s bad, it’s bad!”

“What exactly happened?

Such a loss of composure?”

Chen Zhou asked with a dark expression.

“It’s Pockmarks!

He’s been beaten black and blue and dumped at the gate of the Chen residence.”

Su Er quickly explained.

“What?

Bring him in here for me to see.”

Chen Zhou’s expression grew even darker.

He dismissed the managers for the time being.

Soon, Pockmarks was brought in.

 

He knelt on the ground, crying out, “Young Master, it was the people from the Lu residence who beat me like this!

I went to the side gate of the Lu residence and asked the guards inside to help me find Tian Da.

Who knew they would directly arrest me and take me to the young lady of the Lu residence?

The young lady of the Lu residence had people interrogate me and beat me until I was covered in wounds.”

 

Chen Zhou’s expression worsened.

He took a deep breath and asked, “What did Lu Zijin say?

Tell me, word for word, without missing a single character.”

“She asked what Young Master Chen wanted with her servant, and also asked if he wanted to have her watched.

I can’t remember the rest very clearly; I was beaten senseless by those people at the time.

Young Master, you have to get justice for me, Young Master!”

Pockmarks pleaded, wanting Chen Zhou to avenge him.

 

Chen Zhou expressionlessly walked over to Pockmarks and kicked him viciously.

“Get justice for you?

You’ve ruined my plans!

What did you tell Lu Zijin?

Speak!”

 

Pockmarks lay trembling on the ground, crying, “I only said that the young master sent me to find Tian Da.

I know nothing else!”

“Idiot!

Idiot!”

After kicking Pockmarks a couple more times, causing him to spit blood, Chen Zhou continued asking, “Where is Tian Da?

Did you see him?

Oh, and what about Yun Xiang?

Did you see Yun Xiang?”

“No, as soon as I arrived, I was caught.

I didn’t see Tian Da.

Young Master, spare me!

Young Master, spare me!”

Pockmarks knelt on the ground, begging Chen Zhou.

 

Chen Zhou’s expression was gloomy.

He had felt that no news had been coming for the past few days and was afraid his pawns planted in the Lu residence had run into trouble, so he sent someone to investigate.

Who knew the guards at the Lu residence would directly arrest the person and interrogate him?

 

Now it was over.

And what did Lu Zijin’s words mean?

Had she detected that he had planted spies in the Lu residence?

That would be terrible.

If that were really the case, his image in Lu Zijin’s mind would be greatly diminished.

 

Chen Zhou thought for a moment and then said, “Su Er, have someone bring this animal and come with me to the Lu residence to apologize.”

 

Pockmarks was stunned.

Wasn’t it their young master who sent him?

Why did they have to apologize now?

“Spare me, Young Master!

Spare me!

Spare me!”

 

Pockmarks was gagged and escorted out of the residence by Chen residence guards.

Chen Zhou, meanwhile, took a carriage to the entrance of the Lu residence.

 

Chen Zhou sent a servant boy to announce their arrival.

The servant boy went quickly.

But this time was different from usual.

In the past, when they announced their arrival, the people at the Lu residence would welcome them in.

But now it was different; the guards at the gate did not immediately let them in but sent someone to relay the message.

 

Chen Zhou’s fists clenched tightly at his sides.

He inwardly cursed these fools for not being able to read the situation.

He would soon be the master of the Lu residence, and they dared to keep him waiting outside the gate?

 

But he wasn’t in a hurry.

After all, the people at the Lu residence probably wouldn’t dare not let them in; their families were related.

 

Soon, the guard who had gone to relay the message at the Lu residence gate ran back.

He ran up to Chen Zhou and said, “My young lady said that she is too busy today to receive guests.

Please, young master, go back.”

“What?

How is that possible?

Zijin won’t let me in?”

Chen Zhou felt his face burning with pain, as if he had been publicly slapped.

“Yes, that is exactly what the young lady instructed.”

Having said this, the guard returned to his post at the gate.

 

Chen Zhou ground his teeth until they creaked.

He stared fixedly at the gate of the Lu residence.

After a long while, he finally spoke, “Let’s go.”

 

The servants immediately followed Chen Zhou back to the residence.

When they returned to his quarters, Chen Zhou went into his room alone.

Soon, the room echoed with the successive sounds of ceramics shattering.

“Lu Zijin, you b*tch!

Just an Omega, and you dare to give me attitude, to hit my people?

One day, one day I’ll make you kneel and beg me!”

As he spoke, Chen Zhou smashed another porcelain vase viciously.

 

His chest felt tight with anger.

Unable to contact Yun Xiang and unaware of the situation, he had to temporarily hold his position and wait.

 

Chen Zhou finished smashing a floor full of ceramics, then straightened his clothes a bit and ordered, “Come in and clean all this up.”

 

With that, he took Su Er to the study and asked, “I asked you to find out about Qinglan.

Have you found out clearly?”

 

Su Er shook his head. “No.

I asked many people, and they all said they didn’t know of such a person.

The people at Yuyaxuan are always tight-lipped; nothing can be gotten out of them.

The only thing known now is that it seems only Xiao Nanyan can contact Qinglan.”

“Useless!”

Chen Zhou cursed angrily.

Nothing had gone his way this entire morning.

 

***

 

At this moment, in Jingchen Courtyard, Yun Xiang had just heard the commotion.

She was scared to death.

The swelling on her face hadn’t even gone down yet.

She was terrified that the person just now might have implicated her.

With the young lady’s ruthless methods, she might really have someone beat her to death.

 

At the same time, she dared not show her face recently.

Her facial injuries hadn’t healed.

If the young master saw her, he would surely dislike her.

Therefore, Yun Xiang had been exceptionally well-behaved lately.

Apart from going to the residence physician to get medicine, she never left her room at all.

 

Lu Zijin was currently in the study handling various affairs.

Huang Min stood respectfully to the side.

He thought about what had just happened, with Chen Zhou being stopped outside the residence, and couldn’t help but speak.

“Young Lady, by not letting the young master enter the residence, won’t that offend him?”

 

Lu Zijin didn’t even lift her eyelids as she said, “It’s fine.

Don’t worry about him.”

 

She was no longer the Lu Zijin of a year ago.

Now, the Lu residence’s businesses had firmly regained their footing.

She no longer needed to watch these people’s faces.

Moreover, in a few days, the city would be selecting a royal merchant to supply fabric to the imperial court in Panyang City.

Both she and Chen Zhou wanted to secure this commission.

 

This selection was mainly for royal merchants supplying fabric for the clothes of imperial officials.

As for fabrics supplied to the royal family, they were generally selected from Jiangnan City and Jiangbei City.

Merchants like them in Panyang City were not qualified to participate.

But even just supplying fabric for imperial officials was a huge order.

If she secured this order, the Lu residence’s position as number one in Panyang City would be unshakable.

“Are the fabrics for the royal merchant selection all prepared?”

Lu Zijin looked up and asked a manager standing in the study.

“They have been selected.”

The manager cautiously glanced at Lu Zijin and then spoke again.

“Young Lady, City Lord Lu is obsessed with jade.

This lowly one has heard that these past few days, the young master has already started having people search for good jade items in the city.

I’ve also heard that the young master is looking for the top winner of the Jade Appreciation Competition.”

 

Lu Zijin’s brow furrowed slightly.

“The top winner of the Jade Appreciation Competition?

Is it Liu Bingkun or Huo Feng?”

“Neither.

It’s a female carver named Qinglan.

I hear she’s with Yuyaxuan.

The City Lord seemed to really like the jade items Qinglan carved; he even participated in the bidding during the competition.

However, the City Lord’s bid wasn’t as high as a few others, so in the end, he didn’t win any.”

The manager explained.

 

Gifts like this were essential.

Lu Zijin was also thinking of giving the City Lord a jade item by Liu Bingkun or Huo Feng.

She hadn’t expected that the top jade carving spot in Panyang City had changed hands.

Perhaps she needed to go see Xiao Nanyan.

“Has Chen Zhou bought any of Qinglan’s carvings yet?”

Lu Zijin quickly asked.

“No.

Those who won Qinglan’s carvings at the jade competition are unwilling to part with them.

Besides, the people who could participate in the auction aren’t short of silver themselves.

No one is willing to sell to him.

He has also sent people to Yuyaxuan several times, but each time, he hasn’t been able to find Qinglan.

This lowly one has heard that only Xiao Nanyan can contact that carver named Qinglan.”

The manager continued.

 

In fact, the techniques of these cloth weaving and dyeing merchants in Panyang City were all quite similar.

Choosing whom was all in the City Lord’s single thought.

Catering to his preferences was also very necessary.

Lu Zijin had originally thought of buying a carving by Liu Bingkun and delivering it herself.

But now it seemed that whoever could buy a carving by Qinglan might have a better chance of being selected.

 

Lu Zijin suddenly remembered that Wei Lan had also gone to the Jade Appreciation Competition, and she had gone with Xiao Nanyan.

Could Wei Lan also know that carver named Qinglan?

 

But then Lu Zijin dismissed the thought.

After all, Xiao Nanyan was keeping Qinglan very tightly under wraps, as if she didn’t want others to contact Qinglan.

She probably wouldn’t let Wei Lan meet Qinglan either.

However, Wei Lan did know Xiao Nanyan.

Perhaps she could take Wei Lan to visit Xiao Nanyan.

“Manager Wang, help me send a visiting card to the Xiao residence.

I plan to visit Xiao Nanyan’s residence this afternoon with the master.”

Lu Zijin said.

“Should the master’s name also be written on the visiting card?”

Manager Wang asked.

 

Lu Zijin nodded. “Naturally.

Go and arrange it.”

“Yes.”

Manager Wang acknowledged and quickly went down to write the visiting card.

 

Lu Zijin, on her part, quickly handled the matters at hand.

Once she had mostly dealt with the external affairs, she instructed, “Qing Zhi, prepare the sedan chair.

I’m going to see the master.”

“Yes, Young Lady.”

Qing Zhi quickly went to prepare.

 

Soon, Lu Zijin was seated in the sedan chair, and the group quickly headed towards Fuqu Pavilion.

 

***

 

At this moment, Wei Lan was still in her workshop.

She had already started carving the phoenix pattern on the jade hairpin.

She had risen very early today, specifically to finish carving this set of feicui jewelry as soon as possible.

 

Wei Lan sat in front of the lathe, steadily holding the jade hairpin in her hands as she slowly carved.

From time to time, she sprinkled water-mixed abrasive sand onto the jade hairpin.

Her attention was entirely focused on this tiny jade hairpin in front of her.

 

Suddenly, the sound of many footsteps came from the courtyard, followed by the sound of people greeting someone.

 

Wei Lan’s brow furrowed slightly.

She didn’t like being disturbed while carving jade.

She had just barely finished carving this one stroke when a young maidservant came to report.

“Master, the young lady is here.”

“I know.”

Wei Lan got up and brushed the dust off her clothes before opening the workshop door and walking out.

“Wife, why are you here at this hour?

The feicui jewelry I’m carving for you isn’t finished yet.”

Wei Lan said.

 

Lu Zijin smiled and walked towards her.

Seeing sweat on Wei Lan’s forehead, she took her own handkerchief and wiped the fine sweat from Wei Lan’s brow.

“Why are you sweating so much?”

“Mm, I was carving jade inside.”

Wei Lan obediently replied.

“Come on, let’s go back to your bedroom and talk.”

As she spoke, Lu Zijin instructed, “Qing Zhi, have someone prepare water for the master.”

“Yes.”

Qing Zhi quickly went to arrange it.

“Wife, did you come to find me about something?”

Wei Lan knew very well that Lu Zijin usually handled business in the mornings and, logically, shouldn’t be coming to see her.

 

Lu Zijin reached out and pinched Wei Lan’s cheek, smiling.

“What’s this?

You don’t want me to come?”

“No, no.

I’m just afraid you’re too busy and will tire yourself out.”

Wei Lan quickly explained.

 

Lu Zijin smiled at her and said, “I’ve had water prepared for you.

Go bathe first, and we’ll talk later.”

“Mm.”

Wei Lan obediently nodded.

She had been sweating.

Now that she had stopped carving, her body did feel sticky and quite uncomfortable.

 

Soon, the maidservants had the water ready.

Wei Lan obediently went to bathe.

She soaked in the tub, resting, and most of her fatigue was already gone.

 

Lu Zijin rolled up her sleeves and walked over.

She smiled faintly at Wei Lan.

“Let me help the master wash.”

 

Hearing Lu Zijin say this, Wei Lan’s earlobes flushed slightly, and her cheeks also burned red.

Was her wife going to help her wash her gland opening again?

Last time, her wife had helped her wash it, and in the end, she had been played with until she had no strength left.

 

Wei Lan obediently looked up at Lu Zijin, then very consciously tore off the plaster on her gland opening.

Her eyes shone brightly as she looked at Lu Zijin, like a little dog waiting for praise from its owner.

 

Lu Zijin was amused by her.

She had really only come to help Wei Lan wipe her back and mention the afternoon’s matters.

She hadn’t expected Wei Lan to take the initiative like this, obediently tearing off the plaster on her gland opening the moment she saw her come over.

 

Lu Zijin’s eyes curved slightly.

She reached out and gently rubbed Wei Lan’s gland opening.

With just a few light touches, the fresh snow pheromones spilled out.

 

Wei Lan, her earlobes red, obediently let her rub back and forth on her gland opening.

As if comforted by the rubbing, Wei Lan even rubbed her cheek against Lu Zijin’s wrist, acting spoiled.

 

Looking at the soft, delicate little Alpha in the tub, the darkness in Lu Zijin’s eyes deepened.

But she was careful with the pressure of her fingers, not daring to toy with her like last time.

After all, they were going out this afternoon.

It wouldn’t be good to leave Wei Lan with no strength.

“You went to the Jade Appreciation Competition with Xiao Nanyan last time.

Did you ever see that carver named Qinglan?”

Lu Zijin asked.

 

Wei Lan’s earlobes grew even redder.

She replied, somewhat guiltily, “I did.

Why, wife?”

“I want to ask Qinglan for a favor, to buy a jade carving from them.

But I heard they appear and disappear mysteriously, so I can only try to ask Xiao Nanyan to help make contact.”

Lu Zijin said.

 

Wei Lan was stunned for a moment.

Qinglan was her!

But Wei Lan didn’t want others to know, which was why she had concealed her identity.

But now it was Lu Zijin who needed to find her; why go through Xiao Nanyan?

“Wife, you don’t need to go to Xiao Nanyan.

I know Qinglan,” Wei Lan looked up and said.

“You know them?”

Lu Zijin’s eyes lit up, and she quickly asked.

“Mm-hmm, I’ve met them a few times at Xiao Nanyan’s place.

What kind of carving do you need to buy, wife?

You can directly tell me, and I’ll go talk to them,” Wei Lan said.

“Wouldn’t that be too presumptuous?

Maybe I should go visit them personally?”

Lu Zijin felt that having Wei Lan relay messages in the middle might be a bit disrespectful.

After all, Qinglan was the top carver in Panyang City.

Going personally would show more sincerity.

“No need, no need.

Besides, they don’t like meeting people they don’t know.

Their temperament is actually quite strange.

Just tell me, wife, and I’ll go talk to them.

They’ll definitely agree.”

Wei Lan said, her eyes shining brightly.

“That works too.

Since that’s the case, I won’t send the visiting card to the Xiao residence?”

Lu Zijin asked.

“Mm-hmm, no need to send anyone.

I already know Qinglan, so there’s no need to go through Xiao Nanyan.

That would be going the long way around.”

Wei Lan said.

“Good.”

Lu Zijin nodded, reached out and pinched Wei Lan’s cheek, then walked towards the door.

It was even better that Wei Lan knew them.

That way, she wouldn’t owe Xiao Nanyan a favor.

 

She spoke a few words to the young maidservant outside, telling her to find Manager Wang and inform him not to send the visiting card.

Then she re-entered Wei Lan’s bedroom.

 

When Lu Zijin returned, she saw Wei Lan waiting obediently with expectant eyes.

 

Lu Zijin’s eyes curved.

She came back and rolled up her sleeves again, her fingertip lightly touching Wei Lan’s gland opening.

“The master has helped me with such a big favor.

What kind of reward would you like?

Hmm?”

 

Wei Lan was a bit embarrassed.

She obediently nuzzled against Lu Zijin’s wrist, her gaze falling on Lu Zijin.

“Then… can I have dinner at your place tonight, wife, and sleep with you?

Is that okay?”

 

The smile on Lu Zijin’s face grew even wider.

Her little Alpha was so easy to please.

Having helped her with a big favor, the reward she asked for was only to have dinner at her place and share a bed.

Truly innocent and artless.

“Naturally.”

Lu Zijin agreed with a smile.

 

Wei Lan thought for a moment, then asked again.

“Wife, what kind of carving do you need?

Who is it for?”

 

Lu Zijin said, “It’s for the City Lord.

In a few days, the family is competing to become a royal merchant.

The person who makes the final decision on this matter is the City Lord.

I heard the City Lord really likes Qinglan’s carvings, so I wanted to cater to his preferences.”

 

Wei Lan nodded. “Alright then.

What about the rough stone?

Will you prepare it, wife?”

“Mm, I’ve already had someone prepare it.

It’s a piece of white jade about the size of a human face.”

Lu Zijin said.

“Okay, then just give the white jade to me, wife.

When the time comes, I’ll have Qinglan carve it as needed.”

Wei Lan obediently said.

“That would be perfect.”

As Lu Zijin spoke, she lightly pressed her fingers on Wei Lan’s gland opening.

Sure enough, Wei Lan, soft and whiny, nuzzled against her wrist, acting spoiled.

“Wife, it tickles~”

“Be good.

It’ll be done soon.”

Lu Zijin said, gently rubbing the tender gland opening a few more times.

Wei Lan’s neck and shoulders flushed a faint pink.

 

The ink-dark color in Lu Zijin’s eyes deepened even further than before.

They said Omegas were born to be seductive, but she found her own little Alpha was also born to be seductive.

With this soft, delicate appearance, Lu Zijin was tempted not to leave.

She still had many things to handle for a while.

If this continued, she would be delayed in bed with Wei Lan again.

 

---