Mistakenly Treated The Princess As A Concubine - Chapter 120

Wen Zhuojin still wanted to argue with Jiang Xiao, but Yan Qinglan pulled her away, so she didn’t say much more.

Wen Zhuojin had heard everything Jiang Xiao said.

It wasn’t true that she didn’t care at all.

If Jiang Xiao hadn’t tormented Yan Qinglan, forcing her to flee in disgrace and fall from grace, Wen Zhuojin wouldn’t have encountered the distressed Yan Qinglan and the series of events that followed.

If Yan Qinglan had remained the lofty and unattainable princess, Wen Zhuojin felt she would never have crossed paths with her.

“She’s gone mad. Everything she says is self-righteous nonsense. Don’t let it affect you.” Soon, Wen Zhuojin felt her hand being gently squeezed by a cool hand, and Yan Qinglan’s voice reached her ears.

“Sister, I know.” Wen Zhuojin smiled at Yan Qinglan.

Dwelling on those “what ifs” was meaningless. After all, reality couldn’t be changed or reversed.

The two of them held hands until they reached the area where the Qingliu faction was imprisoned. Yan Qinglan had the embroidered guards announce a special pardon, releasing the group.

Those who had been vehemently cursing Yan Qinglan not long ago now wore expressions of shame when they saw her.

Apart from Wen Zhuojin’s uncle, Wu Fuxin, who was reinstated to his former position, the others with official posts were demoted by one rank. They accepted this without complaint.

“This time, you were all misled. I will let bygones be bygones. The court is in need of talent, and I hope you will return home to recuperate and prepare…”

Yan Qinglan solemnly encouraged them before sending them home.

Many of these individuals were staunch conservatives and had been the main literary opponents of Yan Qinglan’s ascension to the throne. However, because they had supported Prime Minister Li, Yan Qinglan hadn’t punished them all at once. Instead, she had chosen to imprison them, even if it meant some court affairs came to a standstill. This bold move had intimidated them, and coupled with their own misjudgment, they now regarded Yan Qinglan with more reverence and behaved more cautiously.

Wen Zhuojin noticed that the usually aloof scholars and literati appeared extremely nervous in front of Yan Qinglan. Even her uncle, Wu Fuxin, was respectful, like a well-behaved student meeting his teacher.

Despite her relatively petite stature, Yan Qinglan seemed tall and imposing in front of the crowd.

This side of Yan Qinglan, which Wen Zhuojin had grown familiar with over the past few days, still felt novel to her.

A powerful energy was hidden within that delicate frame.

As everyone began to leave, Wen Zhuojin and Yan Qinglan followed suit.

Wen Zhuojin wanted to speak more with her uncle and his family, but with Yan Qinglan present, they were visibly uncomfortable.

“Sister, can I go home with my uncle for a while? With you here, they’re too nervous to talk. You can go ahead and attend to your duties, okay?” Wen Zhuojin thought for a moment and softly suggested as they neared the exit.

Yan Qinglan’s lips moved as she looked at Wen Zhuojin.

She wanted to say no.

She didn’t want to be separated from Wen Zhuojin for too long.

She was afraid that in the blink of an eye, Wen Zhuojin would disappear again.

But seeing Wen Zhuojin’s expression, she didn’t want Wen Zhuojin to feel that her freedom was being restricted. She wanted Wen Zhuojin to feel “free” as that was what Wen Zhuojin desired and what Yan Qinglan had promised her.

“Alright.” Yan Qinglan finally said after a moment of hesitation.

Wen Zhuojin’s eyes curved into a smile, radiating warmth and brightness.

It was something Yan Qinglan loved to see, a special quality in Wen Zhuojin.

As they exited the prison gates, Wen Zhuojin jogged over to Wu Fuxin and his family.

Yan Qinglan remained inside the gates, her hands clenched tightly in the shadows.

She had agreed, but watching Wen Zhuojin leave felt like a part of her was being torn away.

Perhaps she could wait outside the Wu residence for Wen Zhuojin to come out.

“Your Majesty, I have something to report regarding the Feng family…” Just as Yan Qinglan was about to step out, she heard Qing Chenning’s voice.

The Feng family was the maternal family of Consort Feng, one of Emperor Yan Qi’s four concubines.

Although it was publicly stated that Yan Qi was severely injured and unlikely to recover, and there was an abdication edict, the Feng family was clearly unwilling to accept this.

Unlike other families, the Feng family had no rebellious intentions. They had always been loyal to Yan Qi and were enemies of Jiang Xiao.

Yan Qinglan had even borrowed their strength to deal with Jiang Xiao.

How to handle the Feng family was another issue.

Hearing Qing Chenning mention the Feng family, Yan Qinglan glanced at Wen Zhuojin, who was already walking away with the Wu family.

“Let’s talk in the carriage.” Yan Qinglan said, walking outside. Qing Chenning hurried to follow.

On the other side, Wen Zhuojin had the former servants of the Wu household called back to the Wu residence and arranged for the house to be cleaned.

They first tidied up the living room, brewed some tea, and sat down to talk.

“Ah Zhuo, you actually became a county princess based on your own merits! That’s truly impressive!”

“When we were exiled from Yunjing City, your aunt was worried it would ruin your marriage prospects. It seems it did, but now it’s for the best. That kind of family wasn’t worth it anyway.”

“Ah Zhuo is now a county princess. You can choose any fine young man in Yunjing City.”

“It seems like anyone would be unworthy of Ah Zhuo.”

After catching up for a while, the conversation shifted, and her uncle and aunt began to worry about her marriage again.

Wen Zhuojin wanted to tell them about her relationship with Yan Qinglan.

But she felt somewhat uneasy.

They had just returned from the prison, and everything seemed to be improving. If she told them and they strongly opposed it, she wouldn’t back down, but arguing would hurt their relationship.

“Uncle, Aunt, actually, during the time after you left, I’ve already gotten married.” Wen Zhuojin interrupted their thoughts.

“What? You’re married?” The two of them turned to Wen Zhuojin in shock.

“Yes. It wasn’t a grand ceremony, but there might be a larger one later, and I’ll invite you then.” Wen Zhuojin said.

“How did this happen? Who is it?” Her words only deepened their confusion.

“It’s… Her Majesty.” Wen Zhuojin said after a pause.

It was better to face it sooner rather than later.

“What? Her Majesty?” This time, it was Wu Yuanheng who asked.

He knew Wen Zhuojin had married, and to a woman at that, but he never expected it to be the Emperor.

“Yes, as I mentioned before, I rescued Her Majesty when she was in distress. At the time, I didn’t know her identity. While helping her recover, I developed feelings for her and married her…” Wen Zhuojin explained.

Her simple explanation left everyone speechless and stunned.

How could one person be so remarkable?

“This might be hard to accept, but it’s my true feelings. Her Majesty and I won’t be separated because of others’ objections.”

They were still processing the news, and Wen Zhuojin didn’t rush them.

After speaking a few more words, Wen Zhuojin got up to leave.

“Ah Zhuo, didn’t you say before that you didn’t want to be locked in the harem?” Wu Yuanheng walked her out.

He had accepted it relatively quickly and had thought more about the implications.

“I’m not locked in the harem. Sister said I can go wherever I want. For her, I’m willing to stay in the palace.” Wen Zhuojin smiled.

Fighting for freedom was one thing, but staying in the palace with Yan Qinglan was another.

She didn’t feel that being with Yan Qinglan in the palace was a constraint.

“…As the Emperor, she might have to balance various forces, especially through marriages. Given that Her Majesty is a woman on the throne, she might be forced into situations beyond her control. The Yan royal family has intermarried with major families for generations, and each generation of the royal bloodline carries the bl00d of these families…” Wu Yuanheng said, expressing his concerns.

Other major families would want to maintain their status and ensure that the royal bloodline continued to include their family’s lineage. They would undoubtedly push for their family members to enter Yan Qinglan’s harem.

As a female emperor, Yan Qinglan’s successor would be seen by these families as their direct descendant becoming emperor. They wouldn’t let such an opportunity slip away.

Yan Qinglan, as the emperor, might have to accept members of these families into her harem to stabilize them.

When that happened, Wen Zhuojin’s position would likely become difficult.

“Cousin, you’re overthinking it. First, help me convince Uncle and Aunt not to overreact. As long as they support me and don’t oppose, I’ll be at ease.” Wen Zhuojin said.

Wu Yuanheng’s words made Wen Zhuojin realize the obstacles Yan Qinglan was facing.

Yan Qinglan had promised to make her empress, and with the vast amount of silver, it was unlikely anyone in Beijin could match it.

Even so, that silver was only a temporary solution. To truly suppress the objections of those families without controversy, more would need to be done.

Yan Qinglan hadn’t mentioned any of this to her.

Was she silently dealing with it alone?

Wen Zhuojin didn’t offer any further assurances to Wu Yuanheng. They would find out in time.

“Alright, I just wanted you to be mentally prepared. Don’t worry, I’ll help ease Father and Mother’s concerns. When the time comes, I’ll also support you in court and be your solid backing.” Wu Yuanheng said.

At the gate, they didn’t speak further. Wen Zhuojin bid farewell and left.

Yan Qinglan had left a carriage for Wen Zhuojin. After boarding, Wen Zhuojin saw that it was still early and decided to have the carriage take her to the incense medicine hall.

She couldn’t leave all the pressure on Yan Qinglan. The silver was only part of the solution.

She needed to quickly take charge of the incense medicine hall and find ways to make the other shops earn more money as well.

“County Princess, Her Majesty’s orders are to take you back to the palace after you’re done.” the coachman, a member of the embroidered guards, said with some difficulty upon hearing Wen Zhuojin’s instructions.

Wen Zhuojin frowned at the coachman.

Perhaps this was just a casual remark from Yan Qinglan.

Being out of the palace, with the incense medicine hall so close, it felt like a waste not to visit.

Moreover, knowing the challenges and potential issues Yan Qinglan was facing, Wen Zhuojin wanted to do more.

If Yan Qinglan knew, she would surely agree. Wen Zhuojin’s injuries were mostly healed, and she was only going to the incense medicine hall for a short while. Why couldn’t she go?

But to them, Yan Qinglan’s words were like imperial decrees, not to be disobeyed.

“Then I’ll go back in, and you can report to Her Majesty and come back. Then I’ll go?” Wen Zhuojin said with a stern face.

“Alright.” the embroidered guard hesitated before agreeing.

“…By the time you come back, I’ll have finished my business at the incense medicine hall! I’ll only be there for half an hour. If you’re worried about punishment, don’t be. Her Majesty won’t punish you. I’ll take the blame. I order you now, take me to the incense medicine hall immediately!” Wen Zhuojin was exasperated and spoke firmly to the coachman.

“County Princess, please don’t make things difficult for me. I’ll take you back to the palace first. If you want to go anywhere else afterward, I’ll follow Her Majesty’s orders.” the coachman said, kneeling directly in front of Wen Zhuojin.

Yan Qinglan’s orders included not allowing Wen Zhuojin to go to the incense medicine hall.

Wen Zhuojin felt the embroidered guard was being overly rigid.

“Fine, I’ll go back and sit with my uncle for a while longer.” Wen Zhuojin waved her hand and got out of the carriage.

Looking around, Wen Zhuojin could smell several familiar scents—all from the embroidered guards “monitoring” her.

This made her feel uncomfortable.

The so-called freedom was relative.

Thinking about it, given the current circumstances, being with Yan Qinglan might inevitably come with such constraints.

She could accept that.

But she couldn’t accept the embroidered guard’s inflexibility, not allowing her to go elsewhere without first reporting to Yan Qinglan.

Wen Zhuojin didn’t press the embroidered guard further. Still wanting to visit the incense medicine hall, she returned to the Wu residence, went to the women’s quarters in the back, and after confirming that the familiar scents of the embroidered guards were gone, she left through the back door and took a carriage arranged by Wu Yuanheng.

The incense medicine hall was nearby, and they arrived in less than the time it took to drink a cup of tea.

Wen Zhuojin didn’t hide her identity when she entered the incense medicine hall. She walked in openly.

The news that Wen Zhuojin was the female doctor Ye had spread, and the announcement of her being made a county princess had also been posted. Soon, people came to greet and receive her.

In just a few days, the number of people at the incense medicine hall had multiplied, and its management had improved.

There were dedicated incense-making rooms, with over a dozen imperial doctors each responsible for different tasks.

With the incense formulas Wen Zhuojin provided, progress was relatively smooth.

Wen Zhuojin inspected the incense made by the imperial doctors and offered some suggestions.

Adjusting the formulas was something the responsible imperial doctors weren’t very familiar with, leading to some issues.

Wen Zhuojin helped resolve them one by one, and soon half an hour had passed.

“Who’s locked up in here?” As she passed a room, Wen Zhuojin caught a familiar scent.

“…This person is a major criminal. Only the embroidered guards can enter. I don’t know who’s inside.” the imperial doctor accompanying Wen Zhuojin said.

“Can I take a look?” Wen Zhuojin asked.

“Without Her Majesty’s orders, no one can.” the imperial doctor shook his head.

Wen Zhuojin didn’t press further but took a few more glances.

Seeing that time was almost up, Wen Zhuojin didn’t linger at the incense medicine hall. She left and took the Wu family’s carriage, planning to return to the Wu residence first and then take the carriage waiting for her back to the palace.

On the way, Wen Zhuojin remembered that it had been a long time since she bought snacks and sweets for Yan Qinglan, so she detoured to a well-established shop to buy some treats.

The shop had introduced new pastries, their shapes and colors highly appetizing, along with seasonal dried fruits, all appealing to the senses. Wen Zhuojin ordered one of each.

When Wen Zhuojin came out with the packaged goods, she was startled.

The streets were filled with fully armed soldiers.

“What’s going on?” Wen Zhuojin asked a passerby as she walked toward the carriage.

“I don’t know. I heard they’re looking for someone, but I’m not sure who.” the passerby casually replied.

Wen Zhuojin was wondering what had happened to cause such a commotion, similar to the previous lockdown, when suddenly a fully armed squad surrounded her.

“Quick, report to Her Majesty! We’ve found her!” Wen Zhuojin heard the leader of the squad say.

“…” Wen Zhuojin was stunned. Were they looking for her?!

The soldiers surrounding her looked tense, watching her closely as if afraid she might do something.

Wen Zhuojin stood still and waited. Soon, the sound of hooves approached, and she saw Yan Qinglan riding toward her.

Wen Zhuojin’s first thought was that Yan Qinglan’s legs were so delicate. Riding a horse again would surely chafe her skin, just like last time.

Before her next thought could form, Yan Qinglan had already dismounted and was walking toward her, surrounded by several embroidered guards. Her face was like a sheet of ice.

Before Wen Zhuojin could speak, Yan Qinglan grabbed her wrist.

Yan Qinglan’s expression wasn’t just cold; her eyes were slightly red, her breathing rapid, and the hand gripping Wen Zhuojin’s wrist was trembling.

“Ah Zhuo, where are you going again?” Yan Qinglan’s voice trembled.

Wen Zhuojin felt as if she had returned to the day she left with the Southern Chu spies.

Did Yan Qinglan think she was running away again?!

“I came to buy snacks. Sister, look!” Wen Zhuojin held up the oil-paper package for Yan Qinglan to see.

“Come back with me.” Yan Qinglan didn’t look at the package, only tightened her grip on Wen Zhuojin’s wrist and pulled her away.

Wen Zhuojin was led out of the circle of soldiers and into a carriage parked outside—the same one they had used to leave the palace.

Wen Zhuojin sensed the seriousness of the situation. Not only were soldiers patrolling nearby, but there were also troops in the distance.

In the short time she had gone to the incense medicine hall and then to the pastry shop, such a large-scale search had been launched for her?

Was this the freedom Yan Qinglan had promised her?

“Ah Zhuo… Ah Zhuo…” Before Wen Zhuojin could ask anything, Yan Qinglan leaned closer. The icy expression had turned into one of fear and unease. Her eyes were misty, her body trembling, causing her lips and eyelashes to quiver. Her voice carried a sob, like a abandoned kitten, pitiful and helpless, in desperate need of comfort.

Wen Zhuojin’s throat tightened as Yan Qinglan moved closer, straddling her lap.

Yan Qinglan’s cool, tear-streaked cheek pressed against hers.

“Ah Zhuo, don’t leave. Ah Zhuo, don’t go…” Yan Qinglan murmured incoherently.

Her pleading voice was accompanied by arms and legs wrapping around Wen Zhuojin.

Wen Zhuojin had been busy for more than half an hour, time passed quickly.

Yan Qinglan had dealt with the Feng family’s affairs and went back to find Wen Zhuojin, only to find the carriage still there, but Wen Zhuojin was no longer at the Wu residence.

At that moment, Yan Qinglan’s heart felt as if it had been smashed to the ground, the fear she had always dreaded suddenly becoming reality, filling her with terror.

Hearing from the embroidered-clad envoys that Wen Zhuojin had wanted to go to the incense shop, Yan Qinglan rushed there.

By the time she arrived, Wen Zhuojin had already left.

Most critically, Wen Zhuojin had left after asking about the person detained at the incense shop.

Yan Qinglan immediately ordered a citywide lockdown, closing the gates, and searching for Wen Zhuojin.

Now seeing Wen Zhuojin again, Yan Qinglan’s emotions were uncontrollable, she just wanted to get closer to Wen Zhuojin, to feel her presence more tangibly, to suppress the suffocating unease.

Feeling the cool lips envelop her own, Wen Zhuojin took a slight breath.

Now was not the time to ask Yan Qinglan anything, her emotions were all over the place.

Wen Zhuojin held Yan Qinglan’s waist, kissing back, trying to soothe her.

Their lips and tongues entwined, soon forgetting themselves.

The carriage was speeding towards the palace, somewhat bumpy.

Yan Qinglan was already clinging tightly.

With the bumping, both their breaths became increasingly unsteady.

Wen Zhuojin gasped as she broke away from Yan Qinglan’s lips, only to be pursued again.

Her fingers were sucked clean, then pulled downwards.

Wen Zhuojin felt her head heating up, her thoughts narrowing to one.

Slender fingers delved into the water.

Stirring, pressing.

Going deep.

Until the person in her arms whimpered with a sob.

By the time they reached the palace, Yan Qinglan had melted into a puddle, burying her head in Wen Zhuojin’s shoulder, panting, her body supported by Wen Zhuojin.

Wen Zhuojin remained silent, waiting for Yan Qinglan to recover.

When the embroidered-clad envoys announced their arrival at the palace, Yan Qinglan was still in a daze, but her hands refused to let go of Wen Zhuojin.

Wen Zhuojin instructed the envoys to prepare a sedan chair.

After tidying themselves up a bit, Wen Zhuojin carried Yan Qinglan down from the carriage and they rode the sedan chair back to the Zichen Hall.

Only upon reaching the Zichen Hall did Yan Qinglan begin to recover.

Wen Zhuojin led Yan Qinglan to the inner chamber.

“Sister, so you still couldn’t resist, you still want to confine me like before? Tell me what’s on your mind, don’t keep it to yourself.” Wen Zhuojin approached Yan Qinglan and asked softly.

Yan Qinglan’s tears fell first, without speaking she hugged Wen Zhuojin, kissing her with soft, moist lips, her hands exploring inside Wen Zhuojin’s clothes, instinctively kneading everywhere.

Wen Zhuojin took a breath, having just been intimate, was she really wanting more, or was she avoiding answering her question?

Looking at the teary, fragile beauty, Wen Zhuojin’s heart softened, wanting to kiss back, to press her onto the bed.

But some things needed to be clarified.