Chapter 39: The Master’s Sweet Punishment

Wei Lan had a bit of an obsessive-compulsive streak when it came to carving jade.

When she carved the texture with the drill bit, she even carved the wrinkles on the rooster’s claws.

The rooster plaque was so lifelike, it looked as if it might jump off the jade plaque at any moment and peck someone.

 

Wei Lan rinsed the rooster plaque with clean water.

She was very satisfied with it.

She got up and changed to the first lathe she had used, sat down, switched to the wooden wheel, and began polishing the rooster plaque.

Soon, the sharp edges and corners were smoothed down.

 

Wei Lan was very careful, occasionally drizzling water-mixed abrasive sand onto the surface, then continuing to polish.

 

Just then, sounds came from the courtyard.

Wei Lan didn’t pay attention at first, but gradually the noise grew louder.

 

Wei Lan’s brow furrowed slightly.

She didn’t like being disturbed while carving jade.

 

Outside, Lu Zijin had just stepped down from the sedan chair.

The servants of Fuqu Pavilion bowed to her respectfully.

Li Zhufeng quickly came forward to greet her.

She and Zhao Linghui’s injuries had healed.

The two of them were as afraid of Lu Zijin as mice were of cats, but they still had to steel themselves to answer.

“Where is the master?”

Lu Zijin glanced at the two and asked.

 

Li Zhufeng and Zhao Linghui were extremely deferential.

One of them quickly replied, “The master is in the room carving jade.

This servant will go announce your arrival.”

 

Lu Zijin waved her hand.

“No need.

I’ll go see for myself.”

 

With that, Lu Zijin knocked lightly on the door.

Wei Lan had already heard the sounds of people greeting Lu Zijin, so she knew it was her.

She sighed, but still said, “Come in.”

 

The door creaked open from the outside.

Wei Lan thought it was just a maidservant coming to announce.

Without turning her head, she continued polishing the rooster plaque in her hand.

“Is it my wife?

Tell her to wait for me for a moment.

I’ll be right there.

You can leave now.”

 

After she finished speaking, Wei Lan didn’t hear the sound of the door closing, but instead heard footsteps behind her.

She stopped her hands, frowned, and looked back, only to see Lu Zijin standing behind her, she didn’t know when.

 

Somewhat nervously, Wei Lan stood up.

She didn’t dare meet Lu Zijin’s eyes, looking instead at the front of Lu Zijin’s clothes.

“Wife, why are you here?

Why don’t you go wait for me in the bedroom?

I’m all dirty.

I’ll change clothes and then we can talk properly.”

“No need.

I came to see what you’re doing.”

Lu Zijin saw that she wouldn’t look her in the eye and pressed her red lips together.

 

Her gaze swept past Wei Lan’s cheek and finally landed on what Wei Lan was holding.

It wasn’t the feicui she had promised to carve for her, but a jade plaque that was blue-green in color.

 

Lu Zijin’s brow furrowed.

“Is this what you’ve been busy with lately?”

 

Wei Lan nodded.

“Mm.

Why don’t you go back to Jingchen Courtyard first, wife?

It’s too messy in here.

You’ll get your clothes dirty.”

 

Wei Lan still hadn’t figured out how to face Lu Zijin.

Her current strategy was ‘distance creates beauty‘.

She had finally achieved some initial success, so why did Lu Zijin have to come again?

 

Lu Zijin saw that Wei Lan wouldn’t look at her, that the jade plaque in her hand wasn’t the one for her, and that her words were implying she should leave.

Her expression grew even darker.

 

Not only did she not leave, but she stepped forward, gradually closing in on Wei Lan.

 

Seeing that she didn’t leave but instead came closer, Wei Lan hurriedly took a few steps back.

But as Wei Lan retreated, Lu Zijin advanced.

Wei Lan retreated until her back was against the lathe, with nowhere else to go, and had to stop.

 

Lu Zijin’s body was almost pressing against Wei Lan.

She reached out and pinched Wei Lan’s chin, lifting her face.

 

Wei Lan’s gaze darted about, not daring to look at Lu Zijin.

She reached out and gently pushed Lu Zijin’s shoulder, trying to push her away.

“Wife, I’m very dirty.

You’ll get your clothes dirty.”

 

Not only did Lu Zijin not step back, but she placed her hand on Wei Lan’s lower back.

Her gaze burned as she stared at Wei Lan, thinking about how Wei Lan had just pushed her.

Her heart couldn’t help but feel a little sour.

This was a feeling Lu Zijin had never experienced before.

 

She didn’t understand what was wrong with her.

She had said she didn’t care about Wei Lan and would give her the cold shoulder, but it was her own heart that was suffering.

“What’s been going on these past few days?

Why are you acting difficult with me?

Hmm?”

Lu Zijin softened her voice slightly and asked gently.

“Nothing.

I’ve just been busy.

I’m not acting difficult with you.

Isn’t this how we used to get along?”

Wei Lan looked away, not daring to meet Lu Zijin’s eyes.

She only felt the hand on her lower back tighten, squeezing her so hard she could barely breathe.

 

Wei Lan reached out and pushed Lu Zijin.

“Wife, don’t.

You’re too close.

I can barely breathe.”

 

Lu Zijin didn’t let go.

Her gaze lingered on Wei Lan.

“You said you’re not acting difficult with me?

Then why won’t you look at me?

Why haven’t you come to find me these past few days?

You were acting strange in the carriage that day.

What’s going on?”

“Nothing.

I’ve just been too tired lately.

And besides, it’s not your heat period.

We don’t need to see each other so often.

Isn’t it good like before?

When it’s your heat period, just send someone to call me.”

Wei Lan said, feeling a bit guilty.

She also felt that what she was doing wasn’t right.

 

After all, Lu Zijin had come personally to coax her.

But in order to save her own skin in the future, Wei Lan continued to be stubborn.

 

Hearing Wei Lan’s words, Lu Zijin felt even more achy in her heart.

But she felt that Wei Lan was saying the opposite of what she meant.

 

She had experienced many things in the business world this past year and had met many people.

Wei Lan hadn’t been like this before.

This sudden change must have a reason.

 

Since her little Qiankun had disturbed her peace of mind, this matter had to be resolved.

Otherwise, there would be a knot between her and Wei Lan.

This knot had to be untied.

“The master is so heartless towards me.

Just a few days ago, you were clamoring to come to my place for dinner and sleep with me.

Now, after only a few days, you don’t want me anymore?”

Lu Zijin’s voice softened.

Hearing her say this, Wei Lan felt a little guilty.

“That’s not what I meant.”

Wei Lan quickly waved her hand in denial.

“Then what do you mean?

Have you fallen for another Kunze?”

Lu Zijin’s gaze bored into Wei Lan, her voice turning cold.

 

She spent every day holding jade and carving.

Apart from herself, the only Kunze she could see was Xiao Nanyan.

Thinking this, Lu Zijin’s heart ached.

She forced herself to continue asking.

“Is it Xiao Nanyan?

Have you been carving jade for her these past few days?

You clearly promised to give me a jade bangle and plaque.”

 

Lu Zijin’s heart was sour, and her voice trembled slightly as she spoke.

She had never imagined that one day she would be asking such questions.

She didn’t think she would ever like any Qiankun, let alone interrogate one about whether they liked someone else.

“No, she didn’t ask me to carve this plaque.

I’m carving it to sell after I finish.

We’re just ordinary friends.

I’ve only seen her a handful of times.

How could there be anything between us?”

Wei Lan finally looked at Lu Zijin and explained.

 

She glanced at Lu Zijin and felt even guiltier.

There were dark circles under Lu Zijin’s eyes; she clearly hadn’t slept well.

The royal merchant matter should have been settled by now, and Lu Zijin must have been very busy lately.

Yet Wei Lan had distracted her.

And now Lu Zijin had come personally to coax her.

The psychological defenses Wei Lan had built up over the past few days were on the verge of collapse.

 

Lu Zijin stared directly at Wei Lan and asked, “Then what is it?

There must be a reason you’re keeping your distance.

Did I do something to upset you?”

 

Lu Zijin held Wei Lan’s lower back with one hand to keep her from escaping, and with the other, she gently tugged at Wei Lan’s fingers hanging by her side.

She found that when she softened her attitude, Wei Lan seemed less able to hold her ground.

 

So, Lu Zijin simply leaned in a little closer, resting against Wei Lan’s shoulder, and looked up at her.

The rims of her eyes were red, lacking their usual sharpness, which made her even more captivating to Wei Lan.

“I haven’t slept well for days.

During the day, when I handle matters, I think of you.

At night, I can’t fall asleep, always thinking of you.

Don’t you really want to see me?”

Lu Zijin watched Wei Lan’s expression, trying to read something from it.

 

Seeing Lu Zijin red-eyed and close to tears, Wei Lan’s not-so-strong psychological defenses crumbled in an instant.

And this matter was indeed her fault, unilaterally distancing herself from Lu Zijin when Lu Zijin had been quite good to her.

 

Wei Lan sighed and reached out to gently pat Lu Zijin’s back and waist.

At the same time, she wanted to test the waters with Lu Zijin, to make sure Lu Zijin didn’t actually have feelings for that Chen Zhou.

Otherwise, she really would become cannon fodder.

“What about you and that Chen Zhou…”

 

Wei Lan didn’t finish her sentence, because she didn’t know the exact nature of the relationship between Lu Zijin and Chen Zhou.

Leaving the sentence half-finished would lead Lu Zijin to explain herself.

 

Sure enough, upon hearing Wei Lan’s words, Lu Zijin frowned and asked, “Have you been listening to the gossip of the servants?”

 

At the same time, Lu Zijin felt relieved.

As long as Wei Lan hadn’t fallen for someone else.

And from the looks of it, her little Qiankun’s recent distance was because she was jealous?

 

The corners of her mouth lifted slightly as she looked at Wei Lan, who was stammering.

She said helplessly, “You’ve been ignoring me just because of this?”

 

Lu Zijin reached out and pinched Wei Lan’s cheek, her gaze softening a bit.

“When my father and brother were alive, our families did consider a marriage between us.

But I only see him as a distant relative; he’s not even a friend.

Later, when my family was gone, Chen Zhou did nothing but kick the Lu residence while it was down.

The same goes for this royal merchant matter.

He insists on getting a piece of it.

I haven’t even let him through the gates of the Lu residence.

Rest assured, I don’t like him at all.”

“Really?

If you ever change your mind, you have to tell me in advance.”

Wei Lan blurted out.

After all, she was also very protective of her own life.

 

Hearing this, Lu Zijin’s expression turned cold again.

“Is that how easily you think I change my mind?”

 

Realizing she had said something wrong, Wei Lan quickly explained, “No, that’s not what I meant.

I’m sorry.”

 

Lu Zijin pulled back slightly, reached out and lifted Wei Lan’s chin, making her look directly at her.

“In the future, if you want to know something, just ask me directly.

Don’t deliberately distance yourself from me again.”

“Okay.

I won’t do it again.”

Wei Lan looked at the dark circles under Lu Zijin’s eyes and said, “Would you like to sleep in my bedroom for a while?

And change your clothes while you’re at it.

I’ve gotten your dress dirty.”

 

Wei Lan was wearing her work clothes, which had quite a bit of jade dust on them.

Just now, when Lu Zijin was holding her, it was inevitable that some got on her.

 

The hand Lu Zijin had on Wei Lan’s chin moved gently, her thumb brushing against Wei Lan’s lower lip.

 

Lu Zijin stared at Wei Lan’s lips, pressing her thumb against them and rubbing.

She raised an eyebrow at Wei Lan.

“Have you missed me these past few days, master?

Hmm?”

 

Wei Lan felt that having her lips rubbed was a bit strange, but thinking about how she had deliberately kept her distance from Lu Zijin, which was indeed quite wrong, she let Lu Zijin do as she pleased.

Besides, since Lu Zijin didn’t like Chen Zhou, at least this bowl of soft rice could last a little longer.

 

And Wei Lan had indeed thought about Lu Zijin often these past few days.

That was why she stayed in her workshop every day, trying to use jade to drive away all other thoughts.

“Yes.”

Wei Lan’s lips were still being pressed, making her words sound a bit off.

 

Hearing Wei Lan say this, a smile appeared on Lu Zijin’s face.

Her gaze towards Wei Lan’s lips deepened.

 

She stepped forward, pressing Wei Lan against the lathe behind her.

Her thumb pressed harder against Wei Lan’s lips.

She watched as Wei Lan’s originally pink lips were roughed by her into a rose-red color, seeming even more beautiful.

 

Lu Zijin pressed her lips together.

Her little Qiankun’s lips looked very kissable.

She felt a slight itch in her heart, wanting to try if Wei Lan’s lips were soft.

 

She had originally intended to keep Wei Lan as a decoration.

But the situation now was clearly different from before.

She did feel something different towards Wei Lan.

After all, she and Wei Lan were already married.

If something happened between them, it would only be natural.

 

Besides, Wei Lan was her Qiankun.

What was wrong with a kiss?

What’s more, Wei Lan had distanced herself for days, causing her to lose sleep.

She at least deserved some compensation.

 

Thinking this, Lu Zijin felt more justified.

“The master hasn’t been good this time.

How should I punish the master?”

 

Wei Lan was pressed against the lathe by Lu Zijin, her lips casually played with.

Her cheeks and neck flushed red.

She and Lu Zijin were now too close, so close she could feel the warmth of Lu Zijin’s breath.

“I’ll…

I’ll let you bite me, wife.”

Wei Lan’s mind was hazy.

All she could think was that Lu Zijin liked to bite her gland opening, so she obediently tore off the plaster on her gland opening.

The scent of fresh snow pheromones began to leak out.

 

Lu Zijin’s gaze was deep, like a pool one could drown in.

Her breathing even quickened with Wei Lan’s action.

 

Wei Lan tearing off the plaster on her gland opening was no different from standing before her, taking off her clothes and seducing her.

 

Lu Zijin’s ink-dark eyes stared intently at Wei Lan.

Her little Qiankun’s face was flushed red, her lips were congested from her pressing, like a rose waiting to be picked.

Even the gland opening on her neck was slightly swollen.

 

Lu Zijin couldn’t hold back any longer.

Her left hand held Wei Lan’s lower back, keeping her little Qiankun from escaping.

Her gaze was fixed on Wei Lan’s rose-pink lips.

“The master hasn’t been good, so she needs to be punished, right?”

 

Wei Lan felt that Lu Zijin’s tone was dangerous.

She wanted to run, but her lower back was held fast, and her front was pressed against Lu Zijin.

They were stuck together.

Wei Lan could only lean back slightly, which barely created a little distance between them.

 

She thought that since Lu Zijin was so vindictive, she wouldn’t be able to avoid getting bitten today.

She tried to soften her voice, whining and acting spoiled, hoping Lu Zijin would bite a little lighter and not leave so many teeth marks.

“Wife, bite a little softer.

I’m afraid of the pain.”

 

Hearing her little Qiankun so willingly offer up her gland opening, yet also acting so soft and delicate, begging her to be gentle, Lu Zijin couldn’t hold back any longer.

She kissed Wei Lan’s lips.

 

Wei Lan was also stunned.

Feeling the warmth on her lips, she visibly turned red all over.

No, had Lu Zijin bitten the wrong place?

Didn’t she usually like to bite her gland opening?

Why was it her lips this time?

 

Seeming to sense that Wei Lan was distracted, Lu Zijin bit Wei Lan’s lip lightly, dissatisfied.

 

Wei Lan snapped back to reality, her gaze falling on Lu Zijin, their breaths mingling.

 

Lu Zijin deepened the kiss, not pulling back until her little Qiankun was almost breathless.

 

Wei Lan was released and gasped for air.

Her wife had kissed her too urgently; she couldn’t breathe.

And wasn’t kissing something only people who liked each other did?

Did her wife like her?

 

Wei Lan’s mind was a jumbled mess.

She had never been in love before and didn’t know what to make of the situation with Lu Zijin.

But at least she didn’t dislike Lu Zijin’s kiss.

In fact, she had even found it quite pleasant.

 

Lu Zijin was also catching her breath.

She looked at her little Qiankun, now weak from the kiss, and her gaze deepened.

With this soft, delicate appearance, her little Qiankun deserved to be pinned down on the bed and kissed breathless, obediently begging for mercy.

“Because of the master, I haven’t slept well for four days now.

Shouldn’t the master give me something in return?”

Lu Zijin lifted Wei Lan’s chin again, making her look at her.

 

Wei Lan was a bit oxygen-deprived from the kiss just now, her legs weak.

Hearing Lu Zijin say this, she could only obediently nod.

“Okay.

I’ll do whatever you say, wife.”

 

The corners of Lu Zijin’s mouth lifted.

She leaned in and kissed the corner of Wei Lan’s lips.

Then she noticed that her innocent little Qiankun had turned red from her ears to her earlobes.

How adorable.

“Good.

Then the master needs to let me sleep with her for four days, to make up for those four days of lost sleep, okay?”

Lu Zijin asked softly.

As she spoke, her right hand gently stroked Wei Lan’s cheek, then slid down, her fingertips lightly brushing over the gland opening, playing with it on and off.

 

The gland opening was sensitive.

With Lu Zijin’s teasing, Wei Lan almost went limp in her arms.

 

Still, Wei Lan obediently replied, “Okay.

I’ll do whatever you say.”

 

As she spoke, Wei Lan buried her face in the crook of Lu Zijin’s neck and nuzzled, impossibly soft.

 

Lu Zijin was very satisfied with this.

It was a good thing she had come today.

Otherwise, her little Qiankun would have kept bottling things up, and she would have remained uncomfortable.

Now it was fine.

Not only had she cleared the air with Wei Lan, but she had also taken advantage of her.

 

Lu Zijin gently patted Wei Lan’s lower back.

“Let’s go back to the bedroom and take a bath, okay?

Don’t carve your stones anymore today.

Keep me company, alright?”

 

Lu Zijin’s lips were right by Wei Lan’s ear, and the warm air from her breath hit Wei Lan’s ear.

Wei Lan’s earlobe twitched reflexively.

She replied softly, “Okay.

Wife, don’t let go just yet.

My… my legs are weak.”

 

The smile on Lu Zijin’s lips widened even further.

With this soft, delicate appearance, her little Qiankun deserved to be pinned down and kissed in bed.

“Mm.

Then I’ll hold you while we stand for a while.

I won’t let go.”

Lu Zijin said softly.

She wrapped both arms around Wei Lan’s lower back, rubbing her hands over it from time to time.

 

Wei Lan was already unsteady on her feet from being teased, and her lower back was sensitive.

She could only whine and tug at Lu Zijin’s sleeve, begging.

“Wife, don’t rub…

Mm… my legs are even weaker.”

 

Seeing Wei Lan so delicate, Lu Zijin had to stop.

She couldn’t touch her now.

She would just have to do it once they were in bed.

“Alright, I won’t tease you anymore.

I’ll just hold you like this while you recover, okay?”

Lu Zijin said softly.

“Mm-hmm.”

Wei Lan quickly agreed, then leaned against Lu Zijin to regain her strength.

 

Wei Lan rested for a good while before feeling a bit better.

She reached out and pushed Lu Zijin.

“Wife, I’m okay now.

I’ll go take a bath first.

You got your dress dirty too.

Go to my bedroom and change.”

“Okay.”

Lu Zijin reluctantly let go, but thinking that she would be able to sleep with Wei Lan soon, her mood improved.

 

Wei Lan rubbed her burning earlobes and walked out of the workshop first.

 

Qianxue, Li Zhufeng, and the others were standing outside waiting.

Seeing Wei Lan come out with a flushed face and slightly swollen lips, the servants, all shrewd as they were, immediately understood what had happened inside.

They all lowered their heads, not daring to look further.

“Go prepare some water for me.

I need to bathe.

And find a new set of clothes for my wife.”

Wei Lan instructed.

“Yes.”

The maidservants all accepted the orders and went to prepare.

 

Lu Zijin followed beside Wei Lan, and the two returned to the bedroom.

 

The maidservants quickly brought Lu Zijin a new set of clothes.

Only Lu Zijin’s outer dress had gotten dirty, so she only changed that.

 

Wei Lan, meanwhile, went in to bathe once the maidservants had everything ready.

 

But not long after, Lu Zijin also went in.

“Need help?”

 

Wei Lan remembered what had just happened and quickly waved her hand, blushing.

“No, no.

You go rest on the bed first, wife.”

 

Lu Zijin saw that Wei Lan seemed shy and smiled even wider.

Not only did she not leave, but she walked directly behind Wei Lan.

“I can’t sleep right now.

My wife will hold me while I sleep later, okay?”

“Mm.”

Wei Lan replied shyly, her neck blushing.

 

Lu Zijin took a cloth from the side and smiled.

“Let me wipe your back for you, master.”

 

As she spoke, she had already wet the cloth and gently wiped Wei Lan’s back.

Wei Lan was a bit shy.

Ever since she and Lu Zijin had kissed, she felt the atmosphere between them was different, even stranger than when Lu Zijin used to bite her gland opening.

 

Sure enough, while Wei Lan was lost in thought, she felt a softness on her cheek.

She looked up at Lu Zijin and saw her wife looking back at her with a smile.

 

Wei Lan touched her own cheek, looking at Lu Zijin innocently.

 

Lu Zijin reached out and poked the spot where Wei Lan had just been kissed, smiling.

“What?

Can’t I kiss my own Qiankun?”

“You can.”

Wei Lan’s earlobes turned red.

She shyly submerged herself in the water, leaving only half her face visible.

 

Did she have to sell her body to her wife to keep eating soft rice?

Wei Lan thought to herself, softly.

Surprisingly, she didn’t feel repelled by the idea; in fact, she felt a little anticipation?

 

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