Mistakenly Treated The Princess As A Concubine - Chapter 126

In the autumn of the third year of Yongping, more than two years after Yan Qinglan and Wen Zhuojin’s grand wedding, on a serene and sunny afternoon, aboard the largest painted boat on the Qiantang Lake.

“Since the era was named Yongping, the Northern Jin has truly enjoyed peace and prosperity! The Emperor’s wise governance is a blessing for our Northern Jin!”

“More than two years ago, when the Great Qin was stirred by the Duke of Wu, sending troops to the border of Southern Chu, how could Southern Chu dare to fully engage in war with Northern Jin? Their arrogance waned, yet they still wanted to negotiate terms with us. Little did they know, the Emperor had already arranged for General Wei Chengyi to lead fifty thousand elite troops, who reclaimed two cities from Southern Chu in three days and nights, driving their forces back beyond the border!”

“Speaking of which, our Northern Jin’s Empress is truly formidable! Her expertise in fragrances played a significant role, making the people of Southern Chu tremble with fear, and even the horses of Northern Qiang could be controlled!”

“After two years of recuperation, Southern Chu attempted to invade our borders again, but before any battle could commence, they surrendered, voluntarily offering six cities and two royal hostages. It was truly satisfying!”

“This time, the bloodless surrender of Southern Chu was largely thanks to the Fengtian Trading Company! This company, doing business between Northern Jin and Southern Chu, bought fragrant materials from Southern Chu and sold grain to them at low prices, leading most of Southern Chu’s people to cultivate fragrant materials instead of crops. This year, most of Southern Chu’s arable land was filled with flowers and various fragrant materials. As a result, the Fengtian Trading Company stopped purchasing these items and raised grain prices, and surrounding countries also ceased selling grain to Southern Chu. What else could they do but surrender?”

“It’s said that the Fengtian Trading Company was established by people from the Dashi Country, but this time it seems more like it’s ours, Northern Jin’s. It’s heard that they do business with Northern Qiang, Great Qin, Southern Chu, and our Northern Jin. Who knows who is really behind it?”

“Skilled in fragrances and extremely adept at business, could it be our Empress?”

Several scholars, slightly drunk, were passionately discussing.

As music started playing, they stopped their conversation and focused on the central dancing Hu dancers.

Not far from them, at another table, a man dressed in a sky-blue round-collared robe, disguised as a nobleman, listened to the scholars’ conversation with a smile. When the Hu dancers began their performance, he opened a folding fan and fanned himself gently.

This man was none other than Wen Zhuojin, who had disguised himself to go out.

The scholars’ mention of recent events had momentarily distracted Wen Zhuojin, but now, with the Hu dancers performing, the mixed scents became unpleasant.

“Lord Ye, how about these Hu dancers? Would you like to take two back tonight?” The man opposite Wen Zhuojin asked with a suggestive smile, clapping his hands. The dancing Hu dancers then swayed their hips and twirled their skirts towards Wen Zhuojin’s table, picking up a wine jug to pour wine for them, their every move exuding charm and allure.

“What does Lord Ye think? If you’re interested, we can switch to another.” the man continued.

Just as Wen Zhuojin was about to decline, he caught a familiar scent amidst the mixed odors.

A faint cold fragrance stood out like a lamp in the dark night.

Ignoring the man, Wen Zhuojin looked around.

Outside the boat, another boat was moored nearby. A woman in plain clothes with a light veil was looking in from the other boat.

Her beautiful, slightly narrowed eyes with faint bags underneath exuded a cold light, making Wen Zhuojin shiver.

“Brother Li, I have something to attend to, excuse me.” Wen Zhuojin quickly said, standing up and hurrying out without further explanation.

As Wen Zhuojin reached the deck, the woman from the other boat turned and went inside.

There was no bridge between the two boats, only a short distance.

Without calling for a boatman, Wen Zhuojin jumped over, slightly staggering.

The guards on the boat, without drawing their swords, silently made way.

Wen Zhuojin quickly walked inside the boat.

Inside, the woman in plain clothes was sitting, having removed her veil, revealing a cold and beautiful face.

“What, not drinking anymore?” Seeing Wen Zhuojin enter, the woman asked softly, her voice beautiful yet cold.

Wen Zhuojin involuntarily shivered again, but his eyes grew warmer.

The person before him was none other than Yan Qinglan.

No matter how many years passed, Wen Zhuojin would always feel a sense of awe upon seeing Yan Qinglan’s face, along with an impulse to tear off her mask.

“Sister, why are you here now?” Wen Zhuojin quickly stepped forward, reaching Yan Qinglan.

Wen Zhuojin had been busy uniting various countries’ chambers of commerce to deal with Southern Chu, causing its collapse, then trading with Southern Chu to sell grain and buy fragrant materials at low prices, while negotiating with other countries’ chambers of commerce to secure benefits for Northern Jin’s chamber. The time to meet Yan Qinglan was still a few days away.

So, seeing Yan Qinglan brought joy but also surprise.

“If I hadn’t come looking, I wouldn’t have known you were enjoying yourself so freely. Was the dance beautiful?” Yan Qinglan said slowly, her thin eyelids slightly raised, exuding a strong sense of oppression, yet her words were full of jealousy.

“Sister, I didn’t. I didn’t know there would be such dances inside. Today, I came to the boat to find a unique fragrance that might help the sickly prince of Great Qin. Now…” Wen Zhuojin hurriedly explained.

“Didn’t you see the Hu dancers’ performance?” Yan Qinglan listened to Wen Zhuojin’s explanation, poured a cup of tea, and took a sip.

“Sister, I was wrong!” Wen Zhuojin quickly admitted his mistake, wanting to hug Yan Qinglan, but was stopped by her hand.

“Really know you were wrong? Unless you wear the Hu dancers’ clothes and dance for me, I won’t believe you.” Yan Qinglan said, her tone and expression serious.

“I can wear them, but I don’t have the clothes now.” Wen Zhuojin said, stunned.

“I had someone prepare them. Go wear them, be good.” Yan Qinglan said.