I've Got This Cannon Fodder Trope Covered!

Chapter 12

The woman in pink froze at the sound and quickly turned around. "Ranran?"

"It's me!" Seeing she hadn't mistaken the person, Wei Hanzhang felt a surge of joy and reached out to grasp her hand. "I didn't expect you to be in the capital. We've all been very worried about you."

The Cao and Jiang families have a close relationship, with generations of marriage ties, and the children from both families used to play together. Wei Hanzhang grew up in the Jiang family and has known several young ladies from the Cao family since childhood, especially Cao Xinrou, with whom she shared a very good friendship.

"Don't touch me..." Cao Xinrou quickly took a step back, avoiding Wei Hanzhang's hand. She whispered, "I'm of lowly status now. Don't tarnish your hands by touching me, Ranran."

Lowly status...

Only at that moment did Wei Hanzhang notice Cao Xinrou's hairstyle.

All her black hair was tied up, and she no longer looked like an unmarried young lady. Two strands of hair were left at her temples, and her attire was not that of a dignified matron.

Wei Hanzhang was taken aback. Xinrou... she has become a concubine?

There were many customers in the powder shop, and a few curious glances were cast in their direction.

"This is not a place to talk," Cao Xinrou stiffened and said in a low voice. "Ranran, come with me."

The two walked out of the shop, and once they reached a secluded corner with no one around, Wei Hanzhang spoke without reservation. "Xinrou, we've known each other since childhood. If there's anything you need help with, just say it as long as I can do it."

Having fallen from grace after a calamity in her family, it was the first time a friend had offered to help her like this.

Cao Xinrou's eyes welled with tears as she slowly shook her head. "My father embezzled disaster relief funds from Jiangnan and was ordered executed by His Highness the Crown Prince. I am the daughter of a disgraced official and have entered the Jiaofangsi (a government-run brothel); no one can save me now."

Jiaofangsi!

Wei Hanzhang's eyes widened in shock. She had never imagined that Cao Xinrou had become a government courtesan!

The legitimate daughter of the Cao family in Xuzhou had actually become a government courtesan!

"The women in Jiaofangsi are only allowed out for one hour every three days. It's truly fate that I can meet you today." Cao Xinrou took out a handkerchief she had kept close to her heart. "I have one request. If you're willing to help me, I will have no regrets."

Wei Hanzhang said solemnly, "Speak."

Cao Xinrou gazed intently at the plain handkerchief in her hands, her eyes brimming with tears as she choked out, "This is the token of love given to me by Liu Lang. Now that there is no possibility for us in this lifetime, I don't want to delay him. If Ranran encounters him, please help me return this handkerchief to him and just say it's from me. Let him forget me."

Wei Hanzhang: "..."

"Why does Ranran look so troubled?" Cao Xinrou, seeing her silent, asked in confusion. "If it were any other man, I wouldn't dare to trouble you, but Liu Lang is Gu Yunran's cousin. This matter shouldn't be difficult for you."

It certainly wasn't difficult, but...

How could her Liu Lang be delayed? As early as the second month after the incident of the Cao family last year, the Gu family was afraid of being implicated by the Cao family, and they hurriedly welcomed a new bride for their son.