Mistakenly Treated The Princess As A Concubine - Chapter 13

“Mm…”

A low sob sounded. Wen Zhuojin came to her senses and realized the cloth was too deep inside. She quickly pulled it out and gently stroked the woman’s back.

“Sorry, I’ll be gentler,” Wen Zhuojin coaxed softly.

Yan Qinglan could feel that the girl had indeed softened her touch.

From the way others addressed her, it seemed she held a mistress’s position, yet she was performing these tasks for her.

If it was to please and gain her trust, this awkward motion was clearly not one accustomed to serving others, so the attempt to please seemed half-hearted.

Wen Zhuojin, unaware that her efforts were being judged as “half-hearted,” suppressed her strange thoughts and focused on brushing Yan Qinglan’s teeth seriously.

“Good girl, rinse your mouth, and you can eat,” Wen Zhuojin coaxed softly.

Yan Qinglan felt as though she was being treated like a child or a little pet.

The girl’s voice had changed, now carrying something else, but for a moment, she couldn’t tell what it was. She just leaned on that warm hand and rinsed her mouth with the mouthwash.

After cleaning up, it was time for the feeding. Wen Zhuojin held the soft, well-cooked porridge and spooned some to feed Yan Qinglan.

Yan Qinglan obediently took a bite, and Wen Zhuojin’s brows lifted with a smile, seemingly quite pleased by this.

“Sister is so amazing, have another bite.”

Yan Qinglan felt a little uneasy upon hearing Wen Zhuojin’s praise.

What kind of new method of gaining trust is this?

Praising for just eating a bite of porridge.

Wen Zhuojin fed Yan Qinglan half a bowl of porridge. Watching as Yan Qinglan’s swallowing slowed down, she was about to say something when a commotion from outside caught her attention.

“What’s going on outside?” Wen Zhuojin asked in a raised voice.

“Miss, there are a lot of officials outside, saying they’re looking for a fugitive. They’re checking every house, and anyone without an identity badge or not registered with the authorities is being arrested. They’re at the alley entrance now, and soon they’ll be here.” Zirong quickly came in to report.

Wen Zhuojin and Zirong had identity badges, but both had climbed out of the wall and changed into men’s clothing, which made them look a bit suspicious.

Previously, Wen Zhuojin had avoided the officials on the road to avoid trouble, but now they were coming to their door.

If the officials were particular and didn’t believe their identities, they might go to the Marquis’s residence to verify, and that would be troublesome.

Before Wen Zhuojin could react, Yan Qinglan’s body stiffened slightly.

She had a feeling that these people were here to find her.

The Imperial Guard had already been controlled, and those coming might be acting under Heavenly Xuan’s orders.

However, if the girl was sent by Heavenly Xuan, what would this search even mean?

But if the girl isn’t from Heavenly Xuan’s Palace, then…

“Officials, no, don’t…”

Yan Qinglan’s body shrank back, and she mumbled softly.

“Don’t be afraid, we won’t see the officials,” a soothing voice came from beside her, as her body was held close.

“Jin Rui, tidy up the room, clean any spots with a bloody smell carefully, and burn some incense to get rid of the odor. If the officials come, handle the situation with silver, and send them off as quickly as possible. Don’t panic. Zirong, come with me to the incense-making room.” Wen Zhuojin held Yan Qinglan and lifted her head to give orders.

Wen Zhuojin didn’t want to deal with the trouble of the officials. Although Yan Qinglan had an official contract, she hadn’t registered with the authorities yet. Explaining this would be troublesome. Seeing Yan Qinglan’s fearful expression, she immediately made her decision.

Wen Zhuojin’s incense-making room had a secret compartment where she kept her homemade incense, as well as materials banned by the court for trade. These were items Wen Zhuojin had purchased at a high price from someone, and when the room was built, it was designed with the intention of hiding them in case anyone came to investigate.

The secret compartment was cleverly concealed behind a bookshelf.

Zirong pushed open the bookshelf, and Wen Zhuojin carried Yan Qinglan inside, instructing Zirong to follow and then rearrange the bookshelf from the inside.

“Sister, we’re hidden now. Be good and stay quiet for a while. It’ll be over soon,” Wen Zhuojin whispered in Yan Qinglan’s ear, gently stroking her back.

Yan Qinglan didn’t move or make a sound, listening to the noises outside.

The sounds outside were muffled by the layer separating them.

The loudest sound was the girl’s breathing.

At this point, Yan Qinglan was fully awake. Being so close in the confined space, the scent of the girl had become even more intense, and it smelled better.

It seemed like the scent she lacked in her own body was what the girl carried.

She needed to inhale it more to replenish herself.

Was this scent specially made for her?

Was the search and the hiding part just a show for her?

Yan Qinglan’s thoughts spun.

Wen Zhuojin listened to the sounds outside, feeling that people had come into the incense-making room, rummaged through the place, and then left. It became quiet again, and she exhaled slightly.

Jin Rui was always reliable, which was why Wen Zhuojin had entrusted her to stay at the outer house.

As long as the officials hadn’t noticed anything unusual, and with a little silver to smooth things over, there shouldn’t be any problems.

After waiting a while longer, there was a knock, and Wen Zhuojin knew the officials must have left. Jin Rui had come to inform her.

Wen Zhuojin didn’t immediately take Yan Qinglan out. Thinking about Yan Qinglan’s fear of the officials, Wen Zhuojin decided to tell her something.

“Sister, I’m Wen Zhuojin, the legitimate daughter of the Marquis of Jing’an. You can call me A Zhuo. Don’t be afraid. Although the Marquis of Jing’an is loyal to the Heavenly Goddess, I am not. Do you know Master Wu from the Imperial Censorate? He’s my uncle. He is a firm follower of the orthodox party and was recently demoted to a remote area as a governor because of his influence. I was greatly influenced by my uncle and don’t believe in those strange and chaotic things. I also really despise those unruly officials.”

Wen Zhuojin whispered to Yan Qinglan. She had always been cautious and hadn’t revealed her identity before, but now, by sharing it, she hoped to align herself with Yan Qinglan, making her feel more understood and closer to her.

In the darkness, Yan Qinglan’s brows and eyes moved ever so slightly.

The Imperial Censorate, Yan Qinglan was of course aware of it. The officials there were upright and knowledgeable.

If it were him speaking, Yan Qinglan would believe he wasn’t from Heavenly Xuan’s Palace.

But his niece—she still had doubts.

If she didn’t believe in the Heavenly Goddess, how could Heavenly Xuan’s Palace itself believe in her?

It was merely a temporary measure made with that person back then.

Otherwise, why would they have so publicly claimed to be the Heavenly Goddess’s reincarnation and done so many things under that pretense?

“The Grand Princess borrowed the Heavenly Goddess’s name to win people’s hearts, and there was nothing wrong with that at first. However, they’ve gone too far, and it might backfire. Sooner or later, there will be a backlash. They won’t be able to be so arrogant for long.”

Wen Zhuojin spoke softly, and Yan Qinglan was startled at her words.

It really sounded like something from the orthodox faction would say.

Who would have thought that the backlash had already arrived?

After Wen Zhuojin finished speaking, she gently patted Yan Qinglan’s back, feeling that perhaps it had been a bit awkward to say. The woman in her arms seemed to lean closer to her.

Perhaps in the future, they could talk more about the Grand Princess in a negative light. If they shared a common enemy, they might feel more mutual sympathy.

Wen Zhuojin had Zirong move the bookshelf and carried Yan Qinglan out.

Inside the incense-making room, many things had been overturned.

Wen Zhuojin frowned as she looked around.

“It’s my fault, I didn’t handle it properly. I’ve already offered silver, but those people were in such a hurry that they just started rummaging through everything,” Jin Rui said, a guilty look on her face.

“It’s not your fault, don’t blame yourself. Those people are just used to being overbearing. Go ahead and clean up for now,” Wen Zhuojin instructed.

Wen Zhuojin took Yan Qinglan back to the main room.

“Sister, the Marquis’s residence might also be searched. I need to go back to the Marquis’s house. Don’t be afraid. I’ll come back tonight,” Wen Zhuojin whispered to Yan Qinglan after settling her.

Yan Qinglan remained silent. She wondered if she would really come back tonight.

She didn’t ask, and Wen Zhuojin simply patted Yan Qinglan before quickly leaving with Zirong, going through the alley and climbing the wall back to the Marquis’s residence.

At the Marquis’s residence, Nanny Jiang was anxious, as there were now officials coming to search for people.

With Wen Zhuojin not around, if she was found, it would likely tarnish the reputation, and who knew if there would be punishment.

These were officials, not just people from the Marquis’s household.

Nanny Jiang was trying to figure out how to handle it when she heard a noise from the courtyard wall. Looking up, she saw Wen Zhuojin and Zirong climbing over the wall, making her heart race.

“My lady, you really scared the life out of me,” Nanny Jiang exclaimed, grabbing Wen Zhuojin and pulling her inside to change clothes.

“I made it in time, don’t worry,” Wen Zhuojin reassured with a smile.

Nanny Jiang shook her head. She didn’t know why, but her lady had always been like this—whether it was right or wrong, she wasn’t sure. She wondered if the late madam would have blamed her.

The search by the officials at the Marquis’s residence had been relatively polite.

Several young ladies were called to the Chunhui Pavilion where the Madam of the Marquis was, while the officials went into the yard to search, to avoid causing any trouble.

When Wen Zhuojin arrived at Chunhui Pavilion, she inevitably ran into others.

As usual, Wen Zhuojin didn’t say much. She just sat quietly to one side, covering her mouth and nose with a handkerchief, pretending to be fragile.

“Sister, don’t forget tomorrow’s flower-viewing banquet. I heard many noble ladies will come tomorrow to find matches for their sons. Your fortune is about to arrive,” Wen Peishu said as she leaned in, her eyes and brows filled with a smile.

Since Wen Peishu’s engagement, her mood had been very good. When she heard that Wen Zhuojin’s uncle had been demoted to a remote, cold place, likely never to rise again, she became even happier. Seeing Wen Zhuojin, she couldn’t help but start a conversation.

“Thank you, little sister. Oh, but I don’t have any suitable accessories. I’m afraid I’ll look shabby and no one will notice. Could you lend me a set? This one you’re wearing looks nice,” Wen Zhuojin said, glancing up at Wen Peishu, whose attire was resplendent, and smiling softly.

Wen Peishu’s expression faltered when she heard what Wen Zhuojin said.

What’s with this “sister”?

Why does it feel a bit strange, different from usual?