Chapter 45: Spoiled in Sandalwood

After Wei Lan finished her bath, the sky had also darkened.

She thought for a moment, still wanting to go see Lu Zijin.

She needed to tell her wife about what had happened today, since someone was eyeing the royal merchant contract.

Lu Zijin needed to be warned in advance.

 

Thinking this, she instructed Li Zhufeng beside her, “Later, just bring the meal to Wei Qing’s room.

I’m going to see my wife.

I might not come back tonight.”

“Alright, master, don’t worry.

We’ll take good care of Miss Wei Qing.”

Li Zhufeng gave an obsequious smile.

She smiled to herself, thinking that Wei Lan was quite capable.

In just a short time, she had won the young lady’s heart.

If she and Zhao Linghui had known she had this ability, they would never have dared to offend her before.

 

Wei Lan tied her hair into a simple bun and casually stuck a jade hairpin in it before getting up and heading to Jingchen Courtyard.

She had four maidservants with her.

It took nearly half an hour for Wei Lan to finally reach Lu Zijin’s Jingchen Courtyard.

 

She was sweating.

Before, Wei Lan hadn’t minded the distance between Fuqu Pavilion and Jingchen Courtyard, since she hadn’t wanted to see Lu Zijin back then.

But now it was different.

When she wasn’t carving jade, she often thought of Lu Zijin.

Coming here once was too tiring.

 

As Wei Lan was thinking this, she had already entered Jingchen Courtyard.

Qing Zhi and a crowd of servant boys and maidservants, including Yun Xiang, quickly bowed to Wei Lan.

 

Yun Xiang’s facial injuries had almost healed.

Of course, she had paid a heavy price.

Just buying beauty pills from the residence physician had cost her most of her savings.

 

After recovering this time, Yun Xiang had become much more cautious.

When she saw Wei Lan, she, like the other maidservants, quickly bowed.

 

Wei Lan smiled at everyone and said, “Rise.

Where’s my wife?”

 

Qing Zhi quickly replied, “The young lady still has some unfinished business.

She’s in the study at the moment.”

“Mm.

Then I’ll go wait for her in the bedroom.

Do you have any cheese or something?

Bring some.

It’s too hot.”

Wei Lan said.

“Yes, this servant will arrange it right away.”

Qing Zhi smiled and agreed, quickly sending maidservants to prepare.

After all, the young lady cared about the master; everyone in Jingchen Courtyard knew that.

 

Wei Lan didn’t disturb Lu Zijin.

She walked into the bedroom.

Ice had been placed in Lu Zijin’s bedroom to cool it down, so it was actually cooler inside than outside.

Ancient people didn’t have air conditioners, but wealthy families used ice to cool their rooms.

 

Wei Lan sat down comfortably.

Before long, a maidservant brought her a bowl of iced cheese, which contained cheese, various fruit pieces, and of course, plenty of crushed ice.

 

Wei Lan took a spoonful and immediately felt completely comfortable.

Her soft rice was so good.

 

She sat in the bedroom and had finished most of the bowl of cheese by the time Lu Zijin finished her work and was ready to return to the bedroom.

 

Qing Zhi quickly went to report, “Young lady, the master is here.”

 

Lu Zijin had been tired after handling matters all day.

But hearing that Wei Lan had come, a smile appeared on her face again.

“Mm, let’s go.

Have someone prepare the meal.

It’s late; the master should be hungry too.”

Lu Zijin instructed as she walked.

“Yes, this servant will go right away.”

Qing Zhi quickly told the kitchen cooks to start preparing the meal.

 

Wei Lan continued eating her cheese with her head down.

When she saw Lu Zijin, her eyes lit up.

“Wife, are you done with your work?”

Wei Lan’s eyes curved as she looked at Lu Zijin.

 

Lu Zijin smiled and walked towards her.

“Mm, just finished.

What about you?

How did things go with your father?”

 

Mentioning this, Wei Lan reached out and took Lu Zijin’s wrist, shaking it.

The reason she had been able to confidently smash Dacheng Gambling House was all because of the support of the Lu residence behind her.

She was grateful for her wife.

“Hehe, all settled.

I had the gambling house smashed.”

Wei Lan snuggled closer to Lu Zijin, wanting to rest her head on Lu Zijin’s shoulder.

 

Seeing Wei Lan’s movement, the smile on Lu Zijin’s lips grew even wider.

Her little Qiankun was quite clingy.

“Are you alright yourself?”

Lu Zijin moved closer to Wei Lan, letting her lean comfortably on her shoulder.

“I’m fine.

Thanks to the people I brought.”

As she spoke, Wei Lan looked up at Lu Zijin.

“Oh, right, wife.

The person behind Xue Sanbiao was probably after the royal merchant contract.

He asked me for half of the quota.

Of course, I refused.

But you need to be careful.

It seems many people still have their eyes on the royal merchant business.”

 

The corners of Lu Zijin’s mouth lifted slightly, and she nodded.

She had already guessed who had done this.

Although many people had their eyes on the royal merchant contract, the one who hated her the most was definitely Chen Zhou.

After all, she had directly humiliated him.

Someone like him would naturally try to get revenge.

But he probably hadn’t expected Wei Lan to be so assertive this time.

 

She looked at Wei Lan leaning on her shoulder.

Her little Qiankun was only this soft and delicate in front of her.

When she was out on her own, she seemed quite tough.

“Don’t worry.

I’ll have someone keep an eye on things.

What about your father?

How is he?”

Lu Zijin continued to ask.

“I don’t know.

I didn’t bother with them.

I just had the gambling house smashed and came back.”

Wei Lan said calmly, leaning on Lu Zijin’s shoulder, as if Wei Wenyuan wasn’t her father at all.

“You didn’t bother with them?”

Lu Zijin was also surprised for a moment.

“Mm.

Wei Wenyuan is not a good person.

The reason I married into the Lu residence was basically because he sold me into it.

If it weren’t for you being so good to me, I don’t know how badly I would have been bullied.

He never treated me like a daughter, so naturally, I don’t treat him as my father.

Besides, a bottomless pit like him who’s picked up a gambling habit can’t be touched.

If you give him an inch, he’ll take a mile.”

Wei Lan chattered on analytically, quite rationally.

 

Lu Zijin chuckled softly.

“Alright.

Your family matters are for you to decide.

I won’t interfere.”

“Mm.

Thank you, wife.

I knew you were the best to me.”

Wei Lan acted spoiled, soft and whiny.

 

Lu Zijin’s eyes curved.

She pressed her lips together, wanting to tease her little Qiankun a bit.

But just then, the maidservants brought in the meal.

 

Lu Zijin reached out and lightly tapped Wei Lan’s nose.

“Get up first.

I’ll let you hold me while we sleep tonight.”

“Alright then.”

Wei Lan blinked at Lu Zijin, sat up straight, and moved her cheek away from Lu Zijin.

Her wife smelled so nice.

Why hadn’t she noticed before?

Maybe before her mind had been full of jade.

 

In the room, Qing Zhi and several other maidservants kept their eyes lowered, not daring to look around, afraid of seeing something they shouldn’t.

 

Having resolved the gambling house matter, Wei Lan was in a great mood, and her appetite was good too.

She ate a lot for dinner.

Lu Zijin, afraid she might overeat, had her walk around the courtyard to aid digestion while she went to bathe.

 

Wei Lan walked around Jingchen Courtyard a few times before returning to the bedroom.

While waiting for Lu Zijin, she washed up a bit herself.

“Wife, I’ll go wait for you in bed.”

Wei Lan had already bathed in the afternoon, so she simply took off her outer dress and got into bed to wait for Lu Zijin.

 

Hearing her little Qiankun’s call, Lu Zijin smiled and replied, “Alright.

Go ahead.”

 

She thought of the feel of Wei Lan’s lips, and her heart itched slightly.

She didn’t soak for long, soon got up, changed into her middle garments, and began drying her hair with a cloth.

 

Wei Lan lay on the bed, her gaze fixed on Lu Zijin.

Her wife looked good even with wet hair.

 

When Lu Zijin turned back to get a second cloth to dry her hair, she saw her little Qiankun looking at her with bright, shining eyes.

The corners of Lu Zijin’s mouth lifted.

She deliberately asked, “Do I look good?”

 

Wei Lan quickly nodded.

“You look good.”

 

Hearing this, Lu Zijin’s eyes curved.

She smiled.

“Be good.

I’ll come keep you company soon.”

“Okay.

I’ll wait for you, wife.”

Wei Lan hugged the blanket, but her gaze was still on Lu Zijin.

 

Lu Zijin naturally knew Wei Lan was watching her.

She deliberately slowed her movements, drying her hair bit by bit, unhurriedly, taking a good while.

 

Wei Lan felt like a little cat’s paw was scratching at her heart, itching.

She wanted Lu Zijin to come keep her company sooner.

“Wife, aren’t you done yet?

I miss you.”

Wei Lan lay limply on the bed, hugging the blanket, her eyes fixed on Lu Zijin.

 

Hearing Wei Lan say this, Lu Zijin finally put down the cloth with satisfaction.

Her hair was no longer dripping by now.

 

Lu Zijin walked slowly towards the bed, raising an eyebrow as she asked,

“Where do you miss me?”

“Everywhere.”

Wei Lan propped herself up and hugged Lu Zijin’s waist, burying her face in Lu Zijin’s chest and nuzzling against her, acting spoiled.

 

Seeing Wei Lan so obedient, the smile on Lu Zijin’s lips never faded.

She stood by the bed, reached out and lifted Wei Lan’s chin, her thumb skillfully pressing on Wei Lan’s lower lip.

 

Wei Lan looked up at Lu Zijin like this.

Her lips were rubbed until they turned rose-red, her earlobes burning red, yet she still didn’t dodge, obediently letting Lu Zijin play with her.

 

Lu Zijin’s gaze deepened.

She was drawn in even more by her little Qiankun’s obedient appearance.

 

She leaned down and kissed Wei Lan.

Soon, Wei Lan felt her body go a bit weak, and then she was pinned down on the bed and kissed for a good while.

 

It wasn’t until Wei Lan couldn’t take it anymore and pushed at Lu Zijin that Lu Zijin finally pulled back slightly, letting Wei Lan catch her breath.

 

Wei Lan gasped for air a few times, then was pinned down on the bed again by Lu Zijin.

Lu Zijin, as usual, straddled her and leaned down to kiss Wei Lan.

 

Wei Lan, soft and whiny, reached out and grabbed the hem of Lu Zijin’s clothes, kissed senseless, her eyes growing misty.

She couldn’t help it; Lu Zijin was just too good at kissing.

 

After a good while, Lu Zijin finally pulled back slightly.

She reached out and tore off the plaster on Wei Lan’s gland opening, her fingertips lightly pressing and rubbing against it.

She deliberately leaned close to Wei Lan’s reddened ear and asked, “Do you like this?

Does it feel good?

Hmm?”

 

Wei Lan felt her whole body grow strange, both comfortable and unbearable.

Her voice became several degrees softer and more delicate.

“I like it.

You’re making me so itchy, wife.”

 

Hearing her little Qiankun’s delicate acting spoiled, Lu Zijin’s gaze deepened.

She gently kissed Wei Lan’s earlobe, then felt Wei Lan’s whole body tremble.

 

Lu Zijin felt her throat go dry.

She kissed Wei Lan’s now rose-red lips again, gradually deepening the kiss.

When she pulled back, Wei Lan was soft and whiny, without even the strength to speak.

 

Lu Zijin was very pleased with her little Qiankun’s appearance.

She kissed Wei Lan’s gland opening again and bit down gently.

The scent of fresh snow pheromones immediately spread through the air.

Indeed, a little Qiankun was meant to be played with until she broke.

“Wife, it tickles.

No more.”

Wei Lan was teased until her eyes grew even more misty, yet she still obediently let Lu Zijin do as she pleased.

“Be good.

It’ll be over soon.”

Lu Zijin bit down again, and more fresh snow pheromones spilled out.

She tore off the plaster on her own gland opening, and the scent of white sandalwood mingled with the fresh snow.

 

Wei Lan, soft and whiny, hugged Lu Zijin’s waist tightly.

“My wife smells so good.

So fragrant.”

 

Looking at the soft little Qiankun beneath her, the smile in Lu Zijin’s eyes deepened.

“Do you want to kiss mine?”

 

Lu Zijin’s fingertip lightly touched her own gland opening.

Wei Lan quickly nodded obediently.

“I want to kiss.”

 

Wei Lan propped herself up slightly, thinking Lu Zijin wanted her to be on top to kiss.

But then Wei Lan was pushed back down by Lu Zijin.

“A Qiankun should obediently lie on the bottom, understand?”

Lu Zijin coaxed softly as she gently stroked Wei Lan’s cheek.

 

Wei Lan was comforted by Lu Zijin’s touch, like a cat.

Her gaze kept drifting to Lu Zijin’s face, mesmerized by her.

All she could do was nod obediently.

Whatever her wife said was right.

“I understand.”

 

Seeing Wei Lan’s dazed expression, Lu Zijin was amused.

“Be good.

Sit up a little.”

 

She helped Wei Lan sit up a bit by supporting her lower back, then brought her own gland opening to Wei Lan’s lips and coaxed softly, “Kiss.”

 

Wei Lan’s cheeks burned red.

Was this how other Qiankuns kissed their wives’ gland openings?

Her wife was practically feeding it to her.

 

Wei Lan shyly nuzzled against Lu Zijin’s shoulder, then looked up, leaned in, and bit down gently.

The white sandalwood scent shot straight to Wei Lan’s brain like a cat with too much catnip.

She went limp and collapsed on the bed.

 

Lu Zijin, having been bitten, also felt her body go a bit weak.

She leaned against Wei Lan’s chest to catch her breath.

 

While resting, her fingers were still restless, occasionally poking and teasing Wei Lan’s gland opening.

Fresh snow pheromones spilled out again.

 

Wei Lan, soft and whiny, sniffled and hugged Lu Zijin tightly in her arms.

“Wife, you’re so good.”

 

Lu Zijin was almost amused by her little Qiankun.

Wei Lan’s body had been played with until it was weak, yet she was still softly saying how good she was.

 

She propped herself up and kissed Wei Lan’s forehead.

“So good.

Do you want more, or do you want to sleep?”

 

Wei Lan hummed and whined, hugging Lu Zijin even tighter in her arms, her nose pressing against Lu Zijin’s shoulder and nuzzling.

“More~”

The next moment, Wei Lan was kissed by Lu Zijin again.

A little Qiankun this soft and delicate deserved to be kissed breathless.

 

The two of them played around for a good while, until Wei Lan’s gland opening could produce no more pheromones, and only then did Lu Zijin stop.

 

She slept very soundly that night.

Wei Lan also slept very deeply.

 

The next morning, Lu Zijin had things to do, so she woke up early.

But looking at Wei Lan, she didn’t want to get out of bed.

However, the cloth matters were very important, and she still had to go personally supervise.

 

She kissed the corner of Wei Lan’s lips, then quietly got out of bed.

She opened the door and instructed the maidservants waiting outside, “Go prepare the washing things.

When you come in, be quiet.

The master is still sleeping.”

“Yes.”

The maidservants quickly went to prepare.

 

Lu Zijin changed into clean clothes and washed up.

Afraid of waking Wei Lan, she simply went to the study to have breakfast.

Afterwards, a carriage was already waiting in the courtyard.

Lu Zijin was going to inspect the cloth shops below today.

The fabric to be submitted to the court could not be taken lightly; she needed to go personally to ensure quality control.

 

Before leaving, Lu Zijin didn’t forget to instruct Qing Zhi, “If the master wakes up, tell her I have a lot to do today and probably won’t be back for lunch.

She should eat by herself.”

“Yes, young lady.

This servant has noted everything.”

Qing Zhi quickly responded.

 

Lu Zijin nodded, then boarded the carriage and slowly left.

 

Wei Lan slept until the sun was high in the sky.

She had been played with by Lu Zijin last night until not a drop of pheromone remained.

Her body was limp and weak.

She didn’t start to feel a bit more energetic until nearly noon.

 

Wei Lan rubbed her eyes, whining and rolling around in the blanket a few times.

The scent of white sandalwood still lingered on it.

 

She lifted the bed curtains and saw that it was already bright outside, but Lu Zijin was not in the room.

 

She lay on the bed resting for a while longer before finally getting up.

 

Qing Zhi, hearing the commotion outside, knew Wei Lan was awake.

She knocked on the door and asked, “Master, would you like to wash up or bathe directly?”

 

Wei Lan thought for a moment and said, “I’ll bathe.

Have someone prepare the water.”

“Yes.”

Qing Zhi sent maidservants to prepare hot water, then opened the door and entered.

“Master, the young lady said she’s very busy today and probably won’t be back for lunch.”

“Mm, I know.

Then I’ll eat here and then go back.”

Wei Lan said after a moment’s thought.

She also knew Lu Zijin was very busy.

But waking up in the morning without seeing Lu Zijin made her feel a little empty inside, like a poor little thing left at home by its owner.

 

She bathed, then had a big meal at Lu Zijin’s place, after which she prepared to return to Fuqu Pavilion.

Since Lu Zijin wasn’t here anyway, there was no point in her staying.

She might as well go back and continue carving her zodiac plaques.

 

When Wei Lan returned to Fuqu Pavilion, the young girl was eating in her room.

Looking at the table full of dishes, she couldn’t bring herself to eat.

 

Her sister had gone to Miss Lu’s place last night and hadn’t come back all morning.

Had her sister gone to serve Miss Lu for her sake?

She had thought so; the fine clothes and rich food at the Lu residence weren’t so easily obtained.

 

Her sister had spent the whole night trying to please Miss Lu so that she could stay.

Wei Qing sat on the round stool, imagining all the hardships her sister had endured for her, and her eyes were almost red.

 

Wei Lan, naturally unaware of this, returned to Fuqu Pavilion.

Wei Qing heard the commotion and immediately ran out of her room.

 

Then Wei Lan saw Wei Qing with red eyes, as if she had been crying.

Wei Lan was completely confused, not knowing what was wrong with Wei Qing.

“Why are your eyes so red?

Have you been crying?”

Wei Lan asked.

“Sis, I’ve burdened you.

You’ve suffered.”

Wei Qing sniffled.

 

Wei Lan’s face was full of question marks.

“Why would I suffer?

My wife treats me very well.

Don’t let your imagination run wild every day.

Have you had lunch?”

 

Wei Qing shook her head.

Her sister must be trying to comfort her by not mentioning how she had been bullied by Miss Lu last night.

Thinking this, Wei Qing looked at Wei Lan with even more gratitude.

Her sister had sacrificed so much for her.

 

Wei Lan, completely oblivious, had been played with until she was drained last night, but her wife had made her feel quite comfortable.

 

Wei Lan reached out and patted Wei Qing on the shoulder, comforting her.

“I’m fine.

Go back inside and eat.

I need to go to work too.”

 

Hearing Wei Lan say this, Wei Qing felt her sister had it even worse.

Even as the master of the Lu residence, she still had to work every day to earn money.

With that, the young girl decided that after she ate, she would start embroidering pouches to help share her sister’s burden.

 

Wei Lan, meanwhile, had returned to the bedroom.

She tied her hair up in a high ponytail, changed into her work clothes, and then entered the workshop.

In the afternoon, she was going to carve the dog.

Wei Lan planned to carve a soft, obedient little dog.

Once she was ready, she sat down at the lathe and began polishing.

 

***

 

On the other side, Lu Zijin had just come out of a dyeing workshop.

She took the carriage to Bright Moon Tower.

The merchants of the Panyang City Chamber of Commerce were having a lunch gathering here.

After some thought, Lu Zijin decided to give them face and attend.

 

However, she didn’t join the table of male Qiankuns, even though they were the leaders of various trades in Panyang City.

Instead, she went to another private room.

The bosses in this room were all Kunzes.

Of course, their influence was slightly weaker than those male Qiankuns.

 

When Lu Zijin arrived, there were still many empty seats.

Many people wanted to curry favor with Lu Zijin.

She swept her gaze around and saw Xiao Nanyan.

 

Lu Zijin simply sat down next to Xiao Nanyan.

Seeing Lu Zijin arrive, Xiao Nanyan smiled at her.

“Boss Lu, nice to see you.”

 

Lu Zijin nodded at her.

“Nice to see you.

Since my master is friends with Boss Xiao, we should be considered friends too.”

“Indeed.”

Xiao Nanyan also smiled at Lu Zijin.

No wonder she had been able to marry a Qiankun like Wei Lan.

Lu Zijin was truly beautiful to look at; even she couldn’t help but steal a few glances.

 

Xiao Nanyan was about to look away when she caught sight of the phoenix jade plaque on Lu Zijin’s chest.

She couldn’t help but admire it.

“That jade plaque is really beautiful.”

 

Lu Zijin smiled at her.

“My master gave it to me.”

 

Xiao Nanyan nodded.

She knew the plaque was carved by Wei Lan herself.

But the others at the table didn’t know that.

They assumed Wei Lan had bought it to please Lu Zijin.

“Yes, it’s really beautiful.

Boss Lu and Wei Lan have such a deep bond.”

“Exactly, exactly.

If only my Qiankun were so thoughtful.”

“See, it’s about having a good eye for choosing a Qiankun, like Boss Lu.”

 

The flattery was endless.

Lu Zijin was quite pleased to hear it.

She did have a good eye, to have chosen a Qiankun like Wei Lan.

 

Xiao Nanyan was also a bit envious.

Lu Zijin was already so rich, and she had also married a cash cow like Wei Lan.

She was truly lucky.

 

Lu Zijin drank a few cups of tea in place of wine with everyone.

When she turned to speak with Xiao Nanyan, she saw the green jade plaque hanging around Xiao Nanyan’s neck.

It was carved with a little nine-tailed fox, using openwork carving techniques throughout.

The entire jade plaque was emerald green with not a single black spot.

 

Lu Zijin looked at it twice, finding the carving technique familiar.

She looked at her own jade plaque a couple more times and basically confirmed that the plaque around Xiao Nanyan’s neck and her own were carved by the same person.

 

Xiao Nanyan saw Lu Zijin staring at her plaque and smiled, explaining,

“This was carved by Qinglan.

I thought it was cute, so I wore it.”

 

The corners of Lu Zijin’s mouth lifted slightly, but her gaze deepened.

When had her little Qiankun given another Kunze a plaque?

 

Lu Zijin rubbed her fingertips together and decided that when she got back today, she would have a good talk with Wei Lan about this.

 

Xiao Nanyan shrewdly detected Lu Zijin’s displeasure.

She was surprised for a moment, not expecting Lu Zijin to care so much about Wei Lan.

She was clearly a bit jealous now.

But she held back her smile and didn’t explain for Wei Lan.

She wondered if Wei Lan would be in trouble when Lu Zijin got back.

 

Anyway, watching a friend in distress was quite amusing.

Xiao Nanyan didn’t plan to explain.

 

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