Chapter 71: The Price of Popularity is a Jealous Wife

“Mm-hmm, I am very considerate of the bookstore’s business.

Look, wife, this is the silver I earned today.

It’s all for you.”

Wei Lan, trying to appease her, took out the silver notes from under the pillow and handed them all to Lu Zijin.

 

Lu Zijin, still pinching Wei Lan’s earlobe with one hand, took the notes with the other.

She casually flipped through them, not expecting Wei Lan to give her one hundred and sixty thousand taels of silver all at once.

 

Lu Zijin looked at Wei Lan with a complex expression.

Sometimes, she wished Wei Lan wasn’t so capable.

That way, the little dog would have to rely on her and never leave.

 

Wei Lan was so good at earning silver, and so popular with young girls.

Just thinking about it made Lu Zijin’s heart ache.

The little dog was hers alone.

No one else could have her.

 

Lu Zijin put the silver notes aside, pressed down on Wei Lan’s shoulder, and kissed her again.

The kiss was urgent and full of possessiveness.

Soon, Wei Lan couldn’t breathe again; her wife was kissing her too hard.

 

Only when Lu Zijin herself was almost out of breath did she pull back slightly.

She held Wei Lan’s chin with her right hand, her thumb gently rubbing Wei Lan’s lower lip.

Her eyes were filled with possessiveness.

“Remember, you are mine alone.

If you dare have any other Kunze behind my back, I’ll break all four of your doggy legs.”

“I understand.

I’m very obedient.

Don’t be angry, wife.”

Wei Lan, her eyes full of springtime after the kiss, looked pitifully at Lu Zijin, trying to appease her.

 

Seeing her little Qiankun’s docile appearance, Lu Zijin felt a little better.

But she was still very sour.

She admitted she was petty; she couldn’t stand other people coveting her little dog.

 

Lu Zijin glared at Wei Lan, got up, and instructed the maidservants to prepare her bathwater.

She ignored Wei Lan and went behind the screen to bathe.

 

Wei Lan’s gland opening had been played with until it was half-soft and half-hard.

Her whole body had no strength.

She could only lie on the bed, recovering.

Judging by her wife’s demeanor, she still seemed to be angry.

 

Wei Lan bit the corner of the blanket.

Why was she so unlucky to run into her wife at that moment?

 

Lu Zijin bathed by herself.

She also felt the little dog needed more discipline, to teach her a proper lesson.

 

She still had the taste of Wei Lan’s pheromones in her mouth from biting her gland opening just now.

Lu Zijin soaked comfortably in the wooden tub for a while before getting up to dry off.

 

Wei Lan lay on the bed, her ears perked, listening to Lu Zijin’s movements.

Knowing her wife was almost done bathing, Wei Lan quickly perked up.

Her wife wasn’t over being angry yet.

She needed to be very good later.

 

Sure enough, before long, Lu Zijin came out with a cloth to dry her hair.

She didn’t look at Wei Lan.

 

Wei Lan, feeling nervous, lay on the bed, tilting her head to look at Lu Zijin.

“Wife, I see you.

I like you the most, wife.”

 

Lu Zijin gave her a faint glance.

Seeing the little dog looking at her with such an appeasing expression, Lu Zijin felt a little better.

But only a little.

 

Still drying her wet hair, she walked to a chair, picked up the soft cushion from the chair, and casually tossed it onto the floor.

 

Lu Zijin pointed at the cushion.

“Little dog, go kneel down there.

You’re not allowed on the bed.”

“Oh.”

Wei Lan looked at Lu Zijin pitifully.

Seeing her wife’s expression that brooked no argument, she had no choice but to get off the bed and kneel on the cushion.

 

Wei Lan looked at the cushion beneath her and smiled sweetly.

Her wife still cared about her, not making her kneel directly on the floor.

 

Lu Zijin saw that she could still smile and was surprised.

She reached out and pinched Wei Lan’s cheek.

“What are you smiling at?

Hmm?”

“Nothing.

I see you, wife.”

Wei Lan looked obedient, pressing her cheek against Lu Zijin’s leg and nuzzling, acting spoiled, just like a little dog.

 

Lu Zijin was very pleased with Wei Lan’s docile attitude.

She casually stroked Wei Lan’s hair and smiled.

“Little dogs should be this obedient.”

 

Wei Lan, seeing Lu Zijin smile, breathed a sigh of relief and pressed her cheek even harder against Lu Zijin.

What a pity Lu Zijin was wearing pants under her dress; otherwise, she could nuzzle her wife without the barrier.

 

Lu Zijin didn’t know what Wei Lan was thinking.

She switched to another cloth and continued drying her wet hair.

Wei Lan, clinging to her, continued nuzzling against her and acting spoiled.

 

Wei Lan was actually quite happy.

Being her wife’s little dog wasn’t embarrassing at all.

Who wouldn’t want to be their wife’s little dog?

 

Wei Lan thought proudly.

Her hand slid up inside Lu Zijin’s pant leg, pinching and playing with her calf.

 

The next moment, Wei Lan’s ear was pinched by Lu Zijin.

Lu Zijin looked at the kneeling Wei Lan with a knowing smile, then shifted her gaze to Wei Lan’s hand, which had reached into her pant leg.

 

Lu Zijin shook her leg.

“Take your doggy paw out.

Who said you could touch?”

 

Wei Lan, feeling wronged, took her hand out.

Afraid Lu Zijin might get angry, she nuzzled against her again, acting spoiled.

“I like you, wife.”

 

Seeing her obedient appearance, the corners of Lu Zijin’s mouth curved.

She loved how obedient her little dog was.

Indeed, her own little dog was for her to play with alone.

 

Lu Zijin dried her hair one more time, then stopped when she felt it was almost done.

She placed the few wet cloths on the nearby round stool.

 

She stretched out her leg and gently kicked Wei Lan, signaling her to let go.

“Let go.

I’m getting into bed.”

“Wife, what about me?”

Wei Lan knelt on the cushion, looking docile.

 

Lu Zijin was already in bed.

She stretched out her leg and placed her foot on Wei Lan’s shoulder.

 

Wei Lan, her ears red, couldn’t help but look at Lu Zijin’s ankle.

Her wife’s ankle was beautiful, the skin there very fair.

Perhaps because she had just bathed, it still carried a faint scent of white sandalwood.

 

Lu Zijin saw Wei Lan looking at her ankle, her eyes curving.

She moved her right foot, gently pressing it against Wei Lan’s neck.

Her translucent, jade-like toes were as delicate as white jade.

 

Lu Zijin deliberately used her toes to press on Wei Lan’s gland opening.

A disobedient little dog deserved to be crushed by its owner.

 

Wei Lan naturally felt the pressure on her gland opening.

Within moments, a layer of mist appeared in her eyes.

“Wife, don’t press there, okay?

It tickles.

It feels strange.”

“No.

Little dogs deserve to be stepped on.”

Lu Zijin refused, pressing harder with her foot.

Wei Lan nearly lost her balance and fell, barely managing to stay kneeling with the support of her arms.

 

With Lu Zijin’s movements, the scent of fresh snow pheromones in the bedroom grew stronger.

The mist in Wei Lan’s eyes grew thicker.

She sniffled, looking at Lu Zijin pitifully, with an expression that said she was about to be stepped on to tears.

 

Seeing her like this, Lu Zijin felt very pleased.

Indeed, her own little Qianjun, doted on by her, didn’t get angry even when she stepped on her.

This made most of Lu Zijin’s anger dissipate.

“Do you like it?”

Lu Zijin deliberately pressed hard on Wei Lan’s gland opening with her toes and asked.

 

Wei Lan, sniffling as she endured, replied, “I like it.

No matter how you treat me, wife, I like it.”

 

Hearing Wei Lan’s sweet talk, the smile at the corners of Lu Zijin’s lips could no longer be suppressed.

She was very satisfied with Wei Lan’s performance.

 

Seeing the little dog so obedient, Lu Zijin moved her jade-like foot up, pressing it against Wei Lan’s cheek.

 

Wei Lan, her eyes still misty, looked at Lu Zijin.

Not only was she not angry, but she leaned in and kissed Lu Zijin’s flawless foot, even rubbing her face against it.

Her wife was fragrant and sweet all over; there wasn’t a part she didn’t love.

 

Lu Zijin felt something was off.

She was supposed to be punishing Wei Lan, but it seemed Wei Lan was quite enjoying being stepped on?

“Bad dog.”

Lu Zijin raised an eyebrow and pressed a few more times.

She moved her foot slightly and continued stepping on Wei Lan’s gland opening.

She was going to crush the little dog today.

 

Sure enough, Wei Lan immediately couldn’t take it anymore and had no time to kiss her wife.

The little dog knelt on the ground, enduring the discomfort on her gland opening with difficulty.

 

Only when Lu Zijin felt Wei Lan’s gland opening had deflated did she finally stop.

By then, Wei Lan could barely kneel.

 

Lu Zijin moved forward a bit, reached out and pinched Wei Lan’s chin, lifting her head.

She raised an eyebrow.

“In the future, will you dare do it again?”

“I won’t dare.

Wife, I was wrong.”

Wei Lan, her eyes still misty, looked pitifully at Lu Zijin.

All the pheromones in her gland opening had been played away by her wife.

She should be appeased by now, right?

“That’s more like it.

Get up.”

Lu Zijin finally graciously allowed Wei Lan onto the bed.

 

But Wei Lan’s legs and feet were weak; she could barely even kneel, let alone get into bed.

 

She clutched the edge of the bed with both hands, her eye rims red from being teased.

Her puppy-dog eyes looked at Lu Zijin with grievance.

 

Lu Zijin sighed.

She couldn’t just leave the little dog she had broken alone.

 

So Lu Zijin got out of bed, helped up the limp Wei Lan, and half-carried, half-dragged her onto the bed.

 

Wei Lan finally lay down, looking like she was about to fall asleep from exhaustion.

She had been crushed by her wife.

 

Lu Zijin looked at the exhausted little dog with amusement.

She even leaned in to check Wei Lan’s gland opening, then found it was completely deflated, as if it could produce no more pheromones.

 

Lu Zijin pressed her cheek against Wei Lan’s chest.

The little dog had been broken by her today and couldn’t do anything else.

Lu Zijin prepared to sleep very contentedly.

 

Wei Lan had wanted to get closer to her wife, but she was too tired to even lift her arms, so she had to give up.

Soon, Wei Lan fell asleep.

 

Lu Zijin looked at the exhausted little dog with a smile, her mood very good.

Holding Wei Lan, Lu Zijin also slept soundly.

 

Early the next morning, Lu Zijin had to get up to handle matters.

 

As soon as she moved, Wei Lan woke up.

She hugged Lu Zijin tighter in her arms.

“Wife, where are you going?”

“I have many things to do today.

I need to get up.

You sleep a little longer.”

Lu Zijin kissed Wei Lan’s cheek and said softly.

After all, her little dog’s gland opening had been crushed by her last night; she needed to rest well today.

 

Wei Lan hugged Lu Zijin tightly, nuzzling against her and acting spoiled.

“I see you.

Keep me company a little longer.”

 

Seeing the little dog beneath her nuzzling against her and acting spoiled, Lu Zijin’s eyes curved.

She leaned in and kissed Wei Lan’s lips, saying softly, “Be good.

I’ll come find you tonight and let you play with the little phoenix, okay?”

 

Hearing this, Wei Lan’s eyes lit up, and she quickly nodded.

“Mm-hmm.

I like you the most, wife.”

 

Lu Zijin kissed her own spoiled little Qiankun a few more times, then got up to dress.

 

Wei Lan was indeed a bit too tired to get up.

Having all her pheromones played away left her listless.

She planned to sleep in.

After all, her wife was a rich heiress.

It was fine if she lazed around for a day; her wife could support her.

 

Thinking this, Wei Lan rolled around in the blanket and went back to sleep.

 

She slept until noon.

Still feeling listless, she got up, bathed, had lunch, and then simply went back to sleep.

 

***

 

On the other side, Fan Chuan, far away in the capital, was already preparing to return to the northern border.

Eunuch Liu in the palace had spoken well of her, and the old emperor had already planted over a dozen guards by Shen Lingwei’s side.

Therefore, she hadn’t been detained in the capital for too long.

 

In the afternoon, Fan Chuan returned from outside.

Passing by Meiyuan, she still brought back the osmanthus cakes Shen Lingwei liked.

After they left tomorrow morning, Shen Lingwei wouldn’t be able to eat them anymore.

 

She brought her people back to the residence.

Entering the bedroom, she saw Shen Lingwei and Xiao Tao packing.

They were leaving the capital tomorrow morning, so they naturally needed to organize what to bring.

 

Seeing Fan Chuan return, Shen Lingwei turned to look at her.

“Marshal, you’re back?”

 

Fan Chuan nodded.

“Mm.

I brought you some pastries.

Once we leave tomorrow, you won’t be able to eat them anymore.”

 

Fan Chuan placed the osmanthus cakes she was carrying on the round table.

Shen Lingwei’s eyes curved.

These past few days, whenever Fan Chuan went out, she would bring her osmanthus cakes.

Regardless of Fan Chuan’s motives, Shen Lingwei was quite happy.

“Thank you, Marshal.”

Shen Lingwei walked to the table, untied the string on the cakes, and picked one up to try.

Her mouth was filled with fragrance.

“Delicious.

You try some too.”

Shen Lingwei said, putting the remaining half of the cake in her mouth, then pinched another piece and brought it to Fan Chuan’s lips.

 

Fan Chuan was used to it by now.

She took a bite.

It was sweet and sticky, no wonder Shen Lingwei liked it so much.

 

She ate the whole piece of cake from Shen Lingwei’s hand.

Somehow, Fan Chuan’s earlobes turned red.

To avoid awkwardness, she cleared her throat and said, “I still have some things to explain to them.

You go ahead and eat.

I’ll be back soon.”

“Mm.”

Shen Lingwei smiled gently at her.

 

Fan Chuan didn’t dare look at Shen Lingwei for too long.

She quickly turned and left.

 

After Fan Chuan left, Xiao Tao pursed her lips.
“I wonder if the Marshal will change once we get to the northern border.”

 

Seeing her maidservant worrying again, Shen Lingwei smiled and shook her head.

 

Early the next morning, Fan Chuan woke up early.

They were leaving for the northern border this morning.

Although Fan Chuan didn’t show it on her face, she was very happy inside.

 

In the two months in the capital, she had also seen the princes.

They only thought about fighting for power and profit, never about the people.

And the old emperor only thought about playing the game of imperial checks and balances, allowing the princes to fight among themselves.

Fan Chuan was already tired of it.

 

Now that she could leave, she was truly happy.

Once back in the northern border, she would have the energy to spread her wings.

 

Fan Chuan saw that Shen Lingwei beside her had also opened her eyes, and said, “We need to leave the city early today.

There are two thousand soldiers stationed on the outskirts waiting for us to join them.”

 

Shen Lingwei rubbed her eyes, looking like she hadn’t woken up, but still responded gently, “Okay.

Let me help you dress.”

“No need.

I need to wear my armor today.

You won’t know how to do that.”

Fan Chuan smiled.

“No.

You teach me, and I will learn.”

Serving her wife was something a wife should do.

Shen Lingwei refused to back down.

 

Fan Chuan sighed helplessly.

“Alright.

As you wish.”

 

Shen Lingwei smiled at her, then got up to help Fan Chuan dress.

 

They had gotten up very early, and Shen Lingwei was very sleepy.

When fastening Fan Chuan’s belt, she fumbled several times before getting it right.

Finally, she had to press her whole body against Fan Chuan’s chest to fasten the clasp.

 

When Shen Lingwei stepped back, Fan Chuan’s earlobes were red.

“What next?

How do you put on the armor?”

Shen Lingwei looked up at Fan Chuan and asked.

“We’ll wash up and eat breakfast first, then put on the armor.”

Fan Chuan said.

After all, the armor was heavy.

She needed to do everything else first before putting it on.

 

Soon, the two had washed up and eaten breakfast.

Fan Chuan had her armor brought over.

Her armor was entirely silver, including the helmet, which gave off a faint, cold gleam.

 

Fan Chuan looked at Shen Lingwei.

“You really want to help me put it on?”

“Mm-hmm.”

Shen Lingwei quickly nodded.

 

Seeing her determined to learn, Fan Chuan sighed helplessly.

“The armor needs to be layered.

First, you put on the inner layer, like this…”

 

Shen Lingwei listened patiently to Fan Chuan’s explanation.

As she listened, she helped Fan Chuan put it on.

It was her first time, so it took some effort.

Not because the armor was hard to put on, but because it was heavy; some parts she could barely lift.

 

Shen Lingwei looked at Fan Chuan in her silver armor.

Today, Fan Chuan hadn’t styled her hair in a girl’s bun, but had tied it back, so it wouldn’t be crushed by the helmet.

When she put on her helmet, it had a half-face silver visor, covering most of Fan Chuan’s face, making her look very imposing.

 

Fan Chuan looked at Shen Lingwei.

“Let’s go.

Everything outside has already been loaded onto the carts.”

“Okay.”

Shen Lingwei nodded and followed Fan Chuan out of the courtyard.

 

Xiao Tao followed behind, very reluctant.

She was afraid that once Fan Chuan left the capital, she would show her true colors and treat her young lady poorly.

 

Soon, Fan Chuan and her group reached the outside of the residence.

Fan Chuan reached out her hand in front of Shen Lingwei.

Shen Lingwei understood, placed her hand in it, and, with Fan Chuan’s help, boarded the carriage.

 

Fan Chuan looked at Xiao Tao.

“This time, I need to lead the troops on the way back to the northern border.

I can’t ride in the carriage with her.

You take good care of her.”

“Yes, Marshal.”

Xiao Tao was thrilled to hear Fan Chuan wouldn’t be in the carriage.

That way, she could take good care of her young lady.

 

Fan Chuan nodded at her.

“Get on.”

“Okay.”

Xiao Tao immediately got on the carriage.

 

Inside the carriage, Shen Lingwei, already seated, was looking around.

She had thought it was just an ordinary carriage, plain on the outside, only a bit larger than usual.

But inside, she found it was a completely different world.

 

The carriage was lined with thick anti-vibration padding.

On both sides were benches with thick cushions and backrests.

Between the two benches was a small table.

On the table was a plate of washed fruit, and on another plate were osmanthus cakes.

On the other side was a stack of thick travelogues.

At the very back of the carriage was a soft couch, with pillows and blankets, ready for rest at any time.

 

This was like a miniature bedroom.

Shen Lingwei hadn’t expected Fan Chuan to prepare all this for her, and was stunned for a moment.

 

Seeing that the group was almost assembled, Fan Chuan mounted her maroon horse.

She turned the horse and walked towards the carriage.

She had specially arranged for this carriage to be very comfortable inside, but kept the exterior ordinary for safety, so it wouldn’t attract unwanted attention.

 

After all, Shen Lingwei was the Prime Minister’s daughter, who had never suffered hardship since childhood.

Fan Chuan wanted to make the carriage as comfortable as possible, so Shen Lingwei would have an easier time.

Although she and Shen Lingwei were only married in name, and Shen Lingwei was the old emperor’s person, Fan Chuan still felt that since they were married, she should be responsible for her.

At the very least, she should take good care of Shen Lingwei.

 

So, she had sent someone to buy osmanthus cakes early that morning, and had some fruit washed and placed in the carriage, in case Shen Lingwei wanted something to eat.

Of course, she had also prepared those travelogues.

The journey back to the northern border would take at least a month.

Afraid Shen Lingwei might get bored, she had someone buy some new travelogues for her to read.

 

Fan Chuan rode her horse alongside the carriage.

She reached out and lifted one of the curtains, speaking to the inside.

“My lady, we need to leave now.

If you need anything, just send someone to call for me.”

 

Shen Lingwei looked through the carriage window at the person outside.

She smiled and nodded at Fan Chuan, her voice gentle.

“Thank you for your consideration, Marshal.”

 

Fan Chuan cleared her throat, lowered the window curtain, and said,

“Everyone, move out!”

 

With that, Fan Chuan spurred her horse to the middle of the column.

There were soldiers leading the way at the front and bringing up the rear.

As the marshal, Fan Chuan naturally rode in the middle of the column.

She was accompanied by Yun Heng, also in armor.

The group headed towards the outskirts of the capital to join the army.

 

By noon, Fan Chuan and her group had a simple meal on the outskirts.

In the afternoon, they set off with the two thousand soldiers, heading towards the northern border.

 

Shen Lingwei leaned by the carriage window, watching the dappled shadows of the trees recede.

Finally, she felt the reality of leaving the capital.

 

The wilderness was truly beautiful.

At the same time, she felt a little uneasy.

Now that they had completely left the capital, even though she had a dozen guards sent by the old emperor with her, if Fan Chuan really wanted to get rid of her, it would be easy.

 

Shen Lingwei gazed out the window, her thoughts already turning to what she would do once they reached the northern border.

 

Fan Chuan’s Fan family army was well-trained and disciplined.

They had been traveling for days, trying to put as much distance as possible between themselves and the capital.

So, most nights, they camped in the wilderness.

Shen Lingwei did the same, but the tents were crude, and often she and Xiao Tao slept in the carriage.

 

But Shen Lingwei was, after all, a pampered young lady.

Even with the comfortable carriage Fan Chuan had prepared, the high-intensity travel still took a toll.

This morning, Shen Lingwei felt unwell and didn’t even get up.

 

Xiao Tao sensed something was wrong with her young lady and called out to her a few times.

“Young lady?

Young lady, what’s wrong?”

 

When she reached out and touched Shen Lingwei’s forehead, it was burning hot.

She had a fever.

 

Fan Chuan had been busy with military affairs these days and rarely came by, sleeping in her own tent at night.

Xiao Tao hadn’t seen Fan Chuan for days.

Now, with her young lady sick, Xiao Tao, crying, rushed out of the carriage.

“Oh no!

My young lady is sick!

What are we going to do in this wilderness?

I need to see the Marshal!”

 

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