Mistakenly Treated The Princess As A Concubine - Chapter 122

After the court meeting ended, Yan Qinglan, who was waiting behind the hall, couldn’t help but feel a bit anxious when she didn’t see Wen Zhuojin.

“What should I do? What should I do?”

“Your Majesty, Miss Wen said that if she is late, she asks you to have some snacks first. Also, Miss Wen left this sachet for you.” a palace maid dressed in embroidered clothes came forward and reported, handing over the items Wen Zhuojin had left.

Yan Qinglan glanced at the items. Wen Zhuojin had prepared some sweet snacks and a sachet with a light fragrance that could calm the mind.

Yan Qinglan sat down and tasted the snacks, then picked up the sachet and smelled it, feeling Wen Zhuojin’s thoughtfulness. She was even more moved by Wen Zhuojin’s actions.

However, Wen Zhuojin had assured her that she wouldn’t act recklessly as before and would restrain herself, believing that Wen Zhuojin would soon return to her side.

Although she thought this way, her mind was still not fully focused when reviewing the memorials. Fortunately, this memorial wasn’t urgent.

“Your Majesty, the Yongning Palace has sent someone again, saying that it is the anniversary of the late concubine’s death and asking if you will attend the memorial service.” a palace maid whispered to Yan Qinglan when she noticed her distracted state.

“Tell them I won’t attend.” Yan Qinglan’s expression changed slightly upon hearing the name Yongning Palace.

The palace maid left with the order, and Yan Qinglan put down the memorial in her hand, her thoughts completely elsewhere.

“Sister!”

A sweet voice accompanied by light footsteps brought Yan Qinglan back to reality.

It was Wen Zhuojin returning.

Wen Zhuojin entered the hall with bright eyes, full of energy, and a light step. She knelt down in front of Yan Qinglan and hugged her.

Yan Qinglan’s tense emotions immediately relaxed.

“Sister, I’m back! Were you worried?” Wen Zhuojin asked softly.

“No. What kept you busy today?” Yan Qinglan rested her chin on Wen Zhuojin’s shoulder and whispered.

“I went to the medicine hall. The progress on the antidote is going well, and I’ve resolved some issues. I also checked on a few shops and kept some of the earnings for developing new products, giving the rest to you.”

“By the way, sister, I previously sent someone to Nanchu to open shops there. We’ve received word that the shops are already open and doing well, though the scale is still small and the earnings aren’t substantial. I plan to send more people to open additional shops and earn more from Nanchu.”

Wen Zhuojin spoke with a light tone.

Although she had some worries, she didn’t want to trouble Yan Qinglan and only shared the positive news.

Yan Qinglan listened, knowing that Wen Zhuojin was trying to solve the problems she faced and had given all the earnings to her. She felt touched and more at ease.

“If you have a plan, send more people. I will also send some embroidered-clad envoys to assist your people. There are also embroidered-clad envoys in Nanchu who can pass on messages and provide support if needed.” Yan Qinglan said.

“That’s great. Earning money from Nanchu is more interesting.” Wen Zhuojin laughed.

The two discussed the plan to send people to Nanchu to earn money for a while.

Afterward, Yan Qinglan continued reviewing memorials while Wen Zhuojin stayed by her side, researching new formulas.

To make it easier for Wen Zhuojin to prepare medicines, Yan Qinglan had set up a preparation room in the Zichen Hall, stocked with materials and tools, so Wen Zhuojin wouldn’t have to travel back and forth, saving time.

The preparation room was large, filled with materials from the Imperial Medical Bureau and high-quality tools from Tianxuan Palace. The assistants were also the best medicine preparers in Yunjing City.

This preparation room alone could keep Wen Zhuojin fully engaged.

Accompanying Yan Qinglan while doing what she loved and being able to leave the palace freely made everything perfect.

The only imperfection was that the earnings seemed a bit low. While it was enough for ordinary people to live on for generations, it was still less compared to the affairs of the Northern Jin Kingdom that Yan Qinglan managed.

Sending people to Nanchu to earn money was also a slow process, as it took over ten days for messages to travel back and forth.

Wen Zhuojin focused on developing new products, and on the day the preparation room was set up, she began experimenting with new formulas.

While Wen Zhuojin worked, Yan Qinglan set up a desk in the preparation room to review memorials.

Yan Qinglan found that as long as Wen Zhuojin was by her side, she felt at ease and worked more efficiently.

When Wen Zhuojin took breaks, she would get close to Yan Qinglan, sharing a few restrained kisses before returning to work with renewed energy.

Yan Qinglan had many tasks, and even though she wanted to spend more time with Wen Zhuojin, her time was limited.

Both were busy with their own tasks, and although they didn’t spend much time together during the day, they were in good spirits, and time passed quickly.

Wen Zhuojin had Yan Qinglan try various medicinal flavors to check if there were any remaining toxins.

Yan Qinglan’s emotions had been somewhat abnormal in the past few days, making Wen Zhuojin suspect that the remaining toxins were affecting her.

However, after several days, Yan Qinglan’s emotions stabilized, and she didn’t show any overly agitated behavior.

During the day, she handled court affairs calmly and clearly, only becoming more clingy in the evenings.

Her body was still slow to warm up, but she became more proactive and enthusiastic about intimacy with Wen Zhuojin.

Wen Zhuojin felt that she was losing her self-control around Yan Qinglan.

Even when Yan Qinglan was being delicate, she could end up crying, and Wen Zhuojin was afraid that she might go too far, making Yan Qinglan reluctant to be intimate.

However, Yan Qinglan proved to be willing.

Wen Zhuojin could feel that the two were becoming more and more compatible.

The situation was improving.

The remaining toxins were likely minimal, as Zheng Qianqin couldn’t detect anything through pulse diagnosis.

This reassured Wen Zhuojin somewhat.

The remaining issues with Yan Qinglan’s health were mainly related to menstrual pain and physical weakness, which required gradual recovery. Wen Zhuojin was responsible for supervising her daily medication.

One day, when Yan Qinglan returned from the court meeting, she found Wen Zhuojin already waiting for her.

“Why are you back so early today?” Yan Qinglan walked over and hugged her, asking softly.

“Sister, I have something fun to show you.” Wen Zhuojin said, pulling out a rolled-up piece of paper.

Yan Qinglan took the paper, puzzled, but her expression changed upon reading it.

[If you wish to be the Empress, please come to Yongning Palace to see me.]

“Sister, is this note from you? It doesn’t seem like your handwriting. Do you also live in Yongning Palace?” Wen Zhuojin asked.

When she received the note, Wen Zhuojin thought it was from Yan Qinglan, perhaps a surprise.

But considering the timing, Yan Qinglan should have been in court.

Wen Zhuojin decided to find Yan Qinglan first.

“I have someone locked up in Yongning Palace.” Yan Qinglan crumpled the paper and said gravely.

“That person… so it’s him…” Wen Zhuojin realized who it was.

“If he can send out a note, it means the guards there are lax. What if he contacts people outside the palace? Do you remember the maid who gave you the note? We should find her first.” Wen Zhuojin suggested.

Yan Qinglan nodded, lost in thought.

Although she knew that person was the biggest threat, she still couldn’t bring herself to kill him, only drugging him.

That person was clearly unwilling to accept his fate and had been causing trouble, demanding to see Yan Qinglan, even injuring himself and using his mother’s death anniversary to make a scene.

This time, he had somehow managed to contact Wen Zhuojin.

Previously, Yan Qinglan had avoided seeing him, not wanting to engage in conversation or listen to him invoke his mother’s name.

Even on his mother’s death anniversary, Yan Qinglan hesitated, unsure whether to visit the palace where her mother’s spirit tablet was kept.

Would her mother’s spirit resent her for treating him this way and for favoring this woman…

As Yan Qinglan was lost in thought, she felt her face being cupped by warm hands and her lips lightly kissed.

“Sister, are you troubled? Don’t worry too much.” Wen Zhuojin’s voice reached her.

Wen Zhuojin knew that Yan Qinglan hadn’t even killed the fake princess and had asked her to help detoxify, realizing that Yan Qinglan was softer-hearted than she had expected. Her decisiveness was relative.

Yan Qinglan looked into Wen Zhuojin’s dark eyes and leaned her forehead against Wen Zhuojin’s.

The warmth and touch made Yan Qinglan feel that there was nothing to worry about or avoid.

Yan Qinglan softly hummed in agreement.

“Sister, do you think I should play along and see what that person is planning?” Wen Zhuojin whispered.

Wen Zhuojin felt that she might be suited for espionage.

“No need.” Yan Qinglan immediately refused, not wanting Wen Zhuojin to meet that person or act for the sake of the plan.

She could guess what that person was planning.

Yan Qinglan called for the embroidered-clad envoys and gave a few orders.

If that person could send a message to Wen Zhuojin, he might have contacted others, so precautions were necessary.

Previously, Qing Chenning had provided information that the family of Consort Feng in the palace was acting suspiciously, likely aware of something.

Yan Qinglan needed to be prepared.

“A Zhuo, come with me today to pay respects to my mother.” Yan Qinglan said after giving her orders.

Wen Zhuojin was surprised by the sudden suggestion.

Although she didn’t believe in supernatural forces, the thought of paying respects to Yan Qinglan’s closest family made her somewhat nervous.

“Should I change into formal attire or prepare offerings?” Wen Zhuojin asked.

“No need, everything is prepared.” Yan Qinglan said, touching Wen Zhuojin’s cheek, then leading her out.

As the anniversary of her mother’s death approached, Yan Qinglan had already arranged for the palace to prepare the necessary rituals.

That person had been causing trouble, demanding to see her and attend the memorial, but Yan Qinglan had ignored him.

Yan Qinglan took Wen Zhuojin to the palace where the memorial was held.

Every year around the anniversary, Taoist priests were invited to perform rituals for a few days, and this year was no exception.

Yan Qinglan led Wen Zhuojin into the hall, where they knelt on cushions and followed the ritual.

Amid the chanting, Wen Zhuojin closed her eyes and prayed devoutly.

After the priests left, Yan Qinglan and Wen Zhuojin stood up.

As Wen Zhuojin was about to speak to Yan Qinglan, several people entered the hall.

A group of embroidered-clad envoys escorted a man inside.

That man was Yan Qi.

Yan Qi looked haggard, with dark circles under his eyes, a stark contrast to the imposing and arrogant figure Wen Zhuojin had seen before.

Wen Zhuojin didn’t care about his appearance, but the smell on him made her uncomfortable.

It wasn’t his usual scent but seemed to come from some medicine, strange and unlike the typical fragrances used in Northern Jin or any medicinal scents Wen Zhuojin knew.

Wen Zhuojin watched him warily.

When Yan Qi saw Yan Qinglan in her imperial robes, his expression stiffened momentarily, a flash of gloom in his eyes. When he saw Wen Zhuojin, his expression changed again.

“Aren’t you here to pay respects to our mother?” Yan Qinglan said indifferently.

Yan Qi’s gaze returned, and he took the incense sticks from a maid, lit them, and placed them in the incense burner before kneeling on a cushion.