Mistakenly Treated The Princess As A Concubine - Chapter 113

The person by her legs was trembling all over from crying, holding onto Wen Zhuojin even tighter.

“I’m scared, save me, please, I beg you…”

Hearing the fake princess’s voice, Wen Zhuojin felt her scalp tingle.

If she wanted to escape safely, Wen Zhuojin didn’t want to bring anyone else with her.

But when Wen Zhuojin was discussing matters with Jin Rui, the fake princess woke up.

After a few days of treatment, the fake princess’s condition had improved slightly, and she remained conscious for longer periods each day. Upon hearing that Wen Zhuojin was leaving, she crawled out of bed and knelt before Wen Zhuojin, begging to be taken along.

“Miss, don’t leave me behind, I’ll die if I stay here, the Princess won’t spare me, please…” the fake princess pleaded on her knees.

“It’s not convenient to take you now. When the situation calms down, I’ll arrange for someone to get you out. For now, stay here and recover.” Wen Zhuojin said with a frown, avoiding the fake princess’s gaze.

When the fake princess cried, she looked especially like Yan Qinglan, and her voice was also very similar.

“I’ll die, I can’t stay… Miss, please… If you won’t take me, then I’ll go find the Southern Chu people. They said they’d give me a lot of silver and protect me…” the fake princess said, struggling to get up and leave.

“What do you mean by finding the Southern Chu people? Where will you go?” Wen Zhuojin stopped her and asked.

“Nanny Liu said I should go find her.” the fake princess said, still struggling.

The fake princess’s condition made it difficult for her to speak clearly.

After asking a few questions, Wen Zhuojin roughly understood.

There must be spies from Southern Chu in the palace who also tried to take the fake princess away.

Taking the fake princess away was undoubtedly to use her to impersonate the real princess, naturally to oppose the real Princess in the palace.

Leaving the fake princess in such a state in the house, if Jin Rui and the other maid couldn’t keep her from running out and being seen by the imperial guards, it would implicate them. If the Southern Chu spies saw her, it would be even worse…

As for killing her, Wen Zhuojin didn’t have the heart for that.

After some thought, Wen Zhuojin decided to take her out of the city and keep an eye on her for a while.

At this time, the fake princess wasn’t dressed as a dancer but as a lowly maid, wearing bulky clothes. Her face was swollen from medication, her eyes smaller, her skin darkened, her eyebrows shaved off, and rough eyebrows drawn on, with something resembling scars stuck on her face.

After transforming the fake princess, there was no resemblance to Yan Qinglan from her face, so Wen Zhuojin took her out.

To prevent the fake princess’s unstable condition from affecting their escape, Wen Zhuojin gave her some medication. When they left the city, she was drowsy and asleep.

Wen Zhuojin had made a meticulous plan to leave the city after Yan Qinglan’s carriage had departed. But things didn’t go smoothly.

First, Yan Qinglan returned unexpectedly, and now the fake princess woke up and caused trouble.

Neither of them could escape now.

Wen Zhuojin stiffly raised her head to meet Yan Qinglan’s gaze, which felt even sharper and colder than before, carrying a ferocity Wen Zhuojin had never seen.

Wen Zhuojin wanted to say something, but seeing Yan Qinglan’s hand, which had just reached out, now behind her back, her gaze shifted away.

“Imperial Guards, arrest them all!”

A cold voice came from behind the veil, followed by the sound of footsteps and the clinking of armor, along with louder pleas and sobs.

The person at her feet was pulled away, still calling for Wen Zhuojin to save her, but her mouth was gagged, leaving only muffled cries.

Wen Zhuojin’s arms were also twisted behind her back.

This was the worst-case scenario Wen Zhuojin had imagined.

Indeed, the death penalty was unavoidable.

Already guilty of a capital crime, being caught with the fake princess would only add to the charges, still resulting in death.

Now, Wen Zhuojin wasn’t afraid anymore, just felt a sense of despair.

“This has nothing to do with the others, they didn’t know.” Wen Zhuojin said. Although the merchant was greedy, surely not everyone should be arrested?

Yan Qinglan didn’t respond to Wen Zhuojin, just gave her a cold glance, and the Imperial Guards didn’t hesitate in their actions.

Wen Zhuojin’s expression froze, deeply understanding what it meant to have life and death in someone else’s hands.

Facing the “real” Princess, Wen Zhuojin felt her heart turn to ice.

Shackled, Wen Zhuojin and the dancers were given cloaks to cover their revealing outfits, deemed indecent.

Wen Zhuojin and dozens of others from the merchant group were chained together and escorted out of Yongning Gate.

Wen Zhuojin was taken to a heavily guarded prison, the same place she had secretly followed the arrest team to that night.

This place held the most serious criminals.

As they entered the prison, screams echoed, and the heavy stench of bl00d and filth made Wen Zhuojin almost suffocate.

The others from the merchant group were separated by gender and locked in cells, while Wen Zhuojin and the fake princess were placed in solitary confinement.

This cell was different from the others, completely enclosed with only a small window for air.

When Wen Zhuojin was pushed in, her shackles weren’t removed.

As the cell door closed, the darkness was almost complete.

Wen Zhuojin slumped down, not caring that her cloak had slipped off.

In this situation, there was no way she could escape.

If she was destined to die, she only hoped not to implicate others.

Because of her, the entire merchant group was locked in the prison, making Wen Zhuojin fear for the worst.

She feared that her uncle’s family and the Marquis’s household would soon be imprisoned as well.

Wen Zhuojin didn’t know how long she stayed in the dark cell before a clanging sound announced the door opening.

Amidst the complex smells, Wen Zhuojin detected a familiar scent—Yan Qinglan’s.

Wen Zhuojin’s body stiffened, and she looked up to see a slender figure enter before the door closed again.

Yan Qinglan stood in the small space, looking at Wen Zhuojin sitting there, not speaking for a while.

When Yan Qinglan found out that Wen Zhuojin knew her identity and had hidden to avoid her, she felt the close connection between them had broken.

Wen Zhuojin had always disliked the Princess, and after being together for so long while keeping it a secret, Yan Qinglan couldn’t think of how to explain to make Wen Zhuojin accept her again.

But she couldn’t let go of this relationship.

She just wanted to find Wen Zhuojin, no matter how difficult, and try to repair the broken bond to how it was before.

But things always seemed to go in the worst possible direction.

Hearing the fake princess’s voice, even though her appearance was unrecognizable, Yan Qinglan still recognized her.

Wen Zhuojin had indeed taken the fake princess and was planning to leave the city with her.

Were they leaving the city to live a happy life together?

With someone who looked exactly like her, timid and delicate, with a simple identity, wasn’t that what Wen Zhuojin liked?

At that moment, Yan Qinglan trembled uncontrollably, her heart filled with a storm of pain and rage.

Even when she found out Jiang Xiao had betrayed her and Yan Qi had poisoned her, she hadn’t felt this way.

Yan Qinglan tried to calm herself but couldn’t.

Arresting everyone, including Wen Zhuojin, perhaps only the heavily guarded prison with no record of escapes could hold her.

Yan Qinglan followed to the prison, not seeing Wen Zhuojin immediately, but first checking on the separately held fake princess.

After cleaning her face, it was confirmed to be the fake princess.

The fake princess was terrified and addicted, unable to say anything useful. Yan Qinglan didn’t stay long, just ordered her to be closely watched, then left.

Before seeing Wen Zhuojin, Yan Qinglan calmed herself a bit, but upon entering the cell and seeing Wen Zhuojin, her emotions still felt out of control.

Wen Zhuojin’s clothes and accessories reflected light in the dim cell, her slender waist especially noticeable.

Yan Qinglan didn’t speak, nor did Wen Zhuojin, just staring at each other in the dim light.

After a few moments, Yan Qinglan walked towards Wen Zhuojin.

Wen Zhuojin felt cold fingers grip her chin, forcing her head up.

“Ah Zhuo, why did you run away? Didn’t you say we were family, never to be separated?” a low voice came, sounding cold when lowered.

“Princess, this common girl deserves death for not knowing your identity. Please forgive me.” Wen Zhuojin said.

Hearing Yan Qinglan speak of being family, Wen Zhuojin shivered. Though she had meant it sincerely before, now she dared not take it as such, feeling Yan Qinglan was using her past words to accuse her.

Yan Qinglan’s lips parted upon hearing Wen Zhuojin’s formal response, her eyes filling with tears, a mix of sadness and rising anger.

She had tried to keep her emotions in check to talk properly, but Wen Zhuojin responded like this.

In the dim light, Wen Zhuojin saw Yan Qinglan’s bright eyes, reflecting light, seemingly filled with tears.

Wen Zhuojin blinked, thinking she must be mistaken.

“Princess, the crimes I’ve committed are mine alone. Please do not punish others. All my shops can be given to you, along with all my incense recipes, including those for curing incense poisoning and calming horses. Today, those horses ran wild towards one direction because of the incense.” Wen Zhuojin added, seeing Yan Qinglan remain silent.

Though emotionally numb, Wen Zhuojin still wanted to live.

She still wanted to survive.

The things she relied on could be offered bit by bit to negotiate with Yan Qinglan.

If Yan Qinglan was open to bargaining, she could propose more conditions.

These were originally the terms she had planned to discuss with Jiang Xiao and the Emperor, and what she had given Wu Yuanheng to use in emergencies. She never expected to be negotiating with Yan Qinglan now.

“Oh, and who are these ‘others’ you refer to?” Yan Qinglan paused.

“The Marquis’s household, my uncle’s family, everyone at Lanyuan, and the merchant group…” Wen Zhuojin listed, adding the merchant group since, apart from the merchant, the others were unaware and shouldn’t be imprisoned so severely.

“The merchant group? Including that woman who looks like me?” Yan Qinglan asked softly.

Hearing this, Wen Zhuojin didn’t know how to respond.

According to that woman, Yan Qinglan wanted to kill her.

If she defended the woman, Yan Qinglan might get angry again; if she didn’t, the woman might really be killed.

After all, Yan Qinglan wasn’t ordinary and wouldn’t tolerate someone who looked exactly like her.

Such a person could easily be used, like Jiang Xiao and the Southern Chu people, as a tool.

“It’s too late, she’s already dead.” Yan Qinglan said, seeing Wen Zhuojin hesitate, her body tensing slightly.

Wen Zhuojin’s eyes widened.

Though she hadn’t spent much time with the fake princess and had little affection for her, she was still a person. How could she die so quickly?

“Do you regret it?” Yan Qinglan asked softly, feeling the suppressed emotions rising again.

“…She was innocent, captured by Jiang Xiao, she…” Wen Zhuojin started, then stopped.

Was this how the legendary decisive Princess decided others’ fates?

“If you don’t behave and still think of escaping, I’ll kill the rest too.” Yan Qinglan added, her emotions now out of control.

During this time, Yan Qinglan hadn’t troubled the Marquis’s household or the Wu family, just had the Imperial Guards monitor them.

She never thought of blaming them because of Wen Zhuojin.

But seeing Wen Zhuojin’s reaction, Yan Qinglan understood that Wen Zhuojin thought of her this way.

This made Yan Qinglan feel hurt but also grasp something.

Wen Zhuojin was inherently kind and valued relationships.

She had deep affection for her uncle’s family, having spent a lot of money to save her uncle, even pawning her dowry.

Her incense recipes were likely left to the Wu family as a safeguard, right?

To keep Wen Zhuojin from escaping in the short term, she had to use those people to bind her.

After all, in Wen Zhuojin’s eyes, she wasn’t a good person.

Wen Zhuojin’s teeth chattered upon hearing Yan Qinglan’s words.

“Yes, as long as the Princess doesn’t blame others, this common girl is willing to accept any punishment.” Wen Zhuojin said through gritted teeth.

That day in the palace, hearing that all torture devices would be used on her, it seemed inevitable…

Hearing Wen Zhuojin’s words, Yan Qinglan’s chaotic heart seemed to calm a bit.

At least, Wen Zhuojin wouldn’t escape, would stay by her side, giving her time to slowly repair their relationship.

But the result of her emotional outburst would likely make Wen Zhuojin think even worse of her.

Wasn’t she that kind of person?

These past few days, her hands had been stained with so much bl00d.

Yan Qinglan’s lips moved, but no sound came out.

Her unstable emotions might lead to more words.

After staring at Wen Zhuojin for a while, Yan Qinglan turned and left the cell.

Soon, a female Imperial Guard entered.

“Miss Wen, my apologies.” the guard said, blindfolding Wen Zhuojin with a black cloth and wrapping her in the previous cloak, tying it securely.

Wen Zhuojin was puzzled. The torture chamber was outside, perhaps she was being taken for punishment?

Wen Zhuojin was led out by the guard.

After walking for a while, the surrounding smells changed. They weren’t heading for punishment; the smell of bl00d grew fainter.

Had they left the prison?

Wen Zhuojin couldn’t see, only judging by the smells.

Soon, they boarded a carriage, then walked for a while longer.

The surrounding smells had completely changed, now filled with the familiar scent of floral water.

“Miss Wen, please bathe and change.” a voice said.

Wen Zhuojin removed the blindfold and looked around.

It was a lavishly decorated bathroom with a large bathtub.

Wen Zhuojin grew more confused but didn’t ask.

After much trouble, she was covered in the stench of the prison.

Her current clothes were also uncomfortable.

Wen Zhuojin undressed, bathed, and put on the clean nightclothes provided.

After bathing, she left the bathroom and was served food.

Wen Zhuojin sat down to eat, awaiting her punishment.

The sky outside had darkened, yet no one came.

Wen Zhuojin simply went to sleep.

Half-asleep, she felt something soft and cool approach her.

Opening her eyes, she saw Yan Qinglan, now in plain nightclothes, her hair smooth and loose.

All the cold, hard demeanor seemed to have vanished.

She looked like the Yan Qinglan Wen Zhuojin was familiar with.

Meeting Wen Zhuojin’s gaze, Yan Qinglan seemed slightly uncomfortable but quickly hid it.

“Kiss me.” Yan Qinglan said, as if giving an order.

Wen Zhuojin never expected Yan Qinglan to say such a thing.

Staring blankly at Yan Qinglan, Wen Zhuojin was stunned when Yan Qinglan, seeing her hesitation, leaned in and kissed her.

The initiative, usually coaxed from Wen Zhuojin, was something Wen Zhuojin loved.

Now, Wen Zhuojin was just confused.

The kiss, with a bit of force, lightly bit Wen Zhuojin’s lips.

Wen Zhuojin’s breathing quickened.

The familiar taste and touch made Wen Zhuojin feel as if they were back in Lanyuan, intimate as before.

But what was happening now? What did she want?!

Wen Zhuojin couldn’t figure it out, her thoughts in disarray.

The person pressing against her pulled open her nightclothes, caressing her as she used to do.

But Yan Qinglan, rarely doing such things, was clumsy, like a kitten scratching an itch.

Wen Zhuojin closed her eyes, deciding to let go, and turned to press against Yan Qinglan.

Yan Qinglan let out a low moan, whether in pain or something else, and wrapped her arms around Wen Zhuojin.

The entire process was silent but more intense than ever.

Both were emotionally complex, but their bodies were honest, missing each other after days apart.

They were still perfectly in sync.

Driven by emotion, they wished to fuse into one.

Wen Zhuojin, who usually held back, now let go completely.

As long as the other didn’t stop, she used all her strength.

When they finally rested, Wen Zhuojin realized what she had done.

Yan Qinglan was nearly broken.

She lay in the soft bedding, legs still apart.

Her lips were swollen from kissing, her fair skin covered in marks, tears streaming down her cheeks.

She looked pitiful, having been thoroughly ravaged.

Wen Zhuojin took a deep breath.

A soft moan escaped Yan Qinglan’s lips, the tears on her cheeks falling. Wen Zhuojin’s heart trembled, and seeing Yan Qinglan reach out, she leaned in to embrace her.

Was this her punishment?

Wen Zhuojin didn’t know.

Usually, Wen Zhuojin was the early riser, but the next morning, Yan Qinglan got up first.

Wen Zhuojin didn’t move, pretending to sleep.

Yan Qinglan propped herself up, then lay back down.

Her body was sore and in pain.

Yan Qinglan nestled in Wen Zhuojin’s neck, breathing heavily for a few moments, but didn’t linger. Thinking of the pile of tasks awaiting her, she got up.

It was still dark outside when Yan Qinglan left.

Wen Zhuojin waited until Yan Qinglan was gone, then sat up, staring at the door.

The room still smelled of Yan Qinglan.

Even though Yan Qinglan’s personality had become unfamiliar, with many unknown aspects, her body was still the same, her scent and touch still…

Wen Zhuojin rubbed her cheeks and let out a long sigh.

Previously, after such intimacy, Yan Qinglan would sleep for a long time, whimpering softly. But today…

Wen Zhuojin soon got up, wanting to see where she was, but her movements were restricted to the room, unable to leave.

Whether she looked out the window or the door, someone was watching.

She was now in a more luxurious prison.

Without incense materials or tools, Wen Zhuojin decided to write down incense recipes.

For several days, she only saw Yan Qinglan at night.

Yan Qinglan didn’t say much, looking very tired, but was insistent on being close to Wen Zhuojin, wanting intimacy every night.

Until two days later, when Yan Qinglan was helped back by someone familiar.

It was the female doctor Wen Zhuojin had once hired.

Without the doctor saying, Wen Zhuojin knew Yan Qinglan was on her period.

Pale, with furrowed brows, she looked extremely fragile.

The doctor performed acupuncture to relieve the pain, and Wen Zhuojin instinctively held Yan Qinglan’s hand, which was still cold despite the summer heat.

After administering medicine, Yan Qinglan closed her eyes as if asleep.

“The Princess’s period has come. Wasn’t she on medication before? Why is it worse now? Have you not been ensuring she takes her medicine?” the doctor asked Wen Zhuojin.

“…” Wen Zhuojin remained silent, having not paid attention to whether Yan Qinglan took her medicine on time.

“The Princess’s condition requires consistent medication. Even missing a day or two over the years can hinder recovery.” the doctor said, shaking her head.

“So, you knew her identity all along?” Wen Zhuojin asked, realizing something.

“Yes. I was once a palace doctor.” the doctor replied. Now that they were in the palace, there was no need to hide it.