Mistakenly Treated The Princess As A Concubine - Chapter 14

“You used to have so many headpieces, how could you not have a suitable one?” Wen Peishu asked, coming to her senses.

“Those are last year’s styles. This year’s haven’t come out yet. If I wear one, it’ll embarrass the Hou residence. Others might mistakenly think that my stepmother is unkind and harsh toward her eldest daughter. Ah, forget it. If you’re unwilling, then don’t give me your new headpiece. I won’t go then. This is better for everyone,” Wen Zhuojin said sincerely.

Wen Peishu bit her lip, listening to Wen Zhuojin. It seemed reasonable, but this wasn’t her intention. Instead, she felt inexplicably annoyed.

She had specifically worn the latest headpiece to show off.

But, unexpectedly, Wen Zhuojin would say something like this.

Although Wen Peishu was engaged, if Wen Zhuojin wasn’t yet betrothed, it still felt risky.

The heir of the Duke’s residence, Shen Yuque, had been betrothed to Wen Zhuojin for many years and had always treated her well. What if he still couldn’t forget her and changed his mind halfway?

“It’s not a gift. I’ll lend you a set. After you’re done, return it to me,” Wen Peishu said after thinking for a moment.

“Why are you so stingy, sister? You don’t give it to me, and you still want it back? Fine, I don’t want it,” Wen Zhuojin said as soon as she saw Wen Peishu agree to lend it to her.

“…” Wen Peishu looked at Wen Zhuojin with wide eyes. She was clearly being pushy!

Wen Peishu was so angry that her teeth clenched. She ran over to the Marchioness to complain.

The Marchioness cared deeply about her reputation and feared being accused of being unkind. Hearing Wen Peishu’s complaint and then glancing at Wen Zhuojin, whose headpiece was covered up tightly and simply styled, she sighed. If Wen Zhuojin really went to the flower-viewing banquet looking like this tomorrow, it would indeed be inappropriate.

“Ah Zhuo, I’ve had a new headpiece made for you, and it will be delivered later today. Princess Ying Shu sent an invitation for the flower-viewing banquet. You should still go and show your face,” the Marchioness said to Wen Zhuojin.

In the past, the family’s daughters were treated equally, and everything was shared.

This time, however, since Wen Zhuojin’s uncle’s family had fallen from grace, the Marchioness wanted to take the opportunity to gain some leverage and hadn’t sent her portion of the family’s gifts.

If Wen Zhuojin said nothing, she would have to accept the loss.

“Thank you, Madam. But… my health has not improved, and it wouldn’t be appropriate to attend the flower-viewing banquet looking so sickly. The female doctor said that if I could use a century-old ginseng, it might help restore my vitality. I remember the residence has a century-old ginseng,” Wen Zhuojin said, intentionally coughing a few times.

Zheng Qianqin was invited to treat the female members of the household, and after developing a good relationship with her, Wen Zhuojin had asked her to tell the Marchioness that she was weak and needed rest, so others wouldn’t bother her.

The tonic prescription from Yan Qinglan contained century-old ginseng, the most expensive ingredient in the formula, and Wen Zhuojin hoped to take this opportunity to obtain a piece.

“…” The Marchioness froze, her smile stiffening. She had already reluctantly given up a valuable headpiece, and now, unexpectedly, Wen Zhuojin was asking for ginseng.

“I’ve already given you the headpiece. Now you want ginseng? You really are getting too greedy and don’t know when to stop…” Wen Peishu said angrily, unable to hold back.

“Peishu, mind your words! Ah Zhuo, I’ll have someone fetch it from the storeroom for you,” the Marchioness hadn’t yet reacted when Marquis Wen Heming walked in and said in a deep voice.

“Thank you, Father! There’s one more thing I’d like to ask,” Wen Zhuojin said, smiling with narrowed eyes as she bent her body to salute Wen Heming.

“What is it?” Wen Heming paused and asked.

“Father, my finances are a bit tight. Could I withdraw five hundred taels of silver from the family funds? When traveling, I need to take care of the servants and bring gifts. I can’t let the reputation of the Hou residence be tarnished,” Wen Zhuojin immediately replied.

“…” Wen Heming frowned upon hearing this, looking at Wen Zhuojin. What she said made sense, but why was his usually obedient daughter suddenly being so… “demanding”?

After thinking for a moment, he considered that if Wen Zhuojin were to attend the flower-viewing banquet, gain the favor of that lady, and form a connection, it would be beneficial to his career and would also provide the Hou residence with a good marriage alliance.

“Fine, go to the steward and get the silver,” Wen Heming said after a moment, waving his hand in concession.

Wen Peishu was so angry she almost jumped up, but the Marchioness quickly held her back.

Once the guards outside left, Wen Zhuojin gracefully bowed and obediently withdrew.

On her way back, Wen Zhuojin reflected on her gains, her lips curling up. Today, she hadn’t come away empty-handed.

In the past, with her uncle’s backing, even if Wen Zhuojin didn’t do much, she wouldn’t suffer.

Now that her uncle was gone, she had to rely on herself.

Though this was just the beginning, it didn’t seem too difficult.

Maybe she had some natural talent for this.

At the very least, she was able to throw caution to the wind and disregard her pride.

Wen Zhuojin touched her face, which was at a normal temperature, and then thought of the beauty from Wujiao Alley.

The beauty’s skin was so delicate, and with the slightest movement, a blush would spread across her face.

Innocent, fragile.

To protect her, throwing away her pride wouldn’t be too much to bear.

Wen Zhuojin arrived at Qinfang Pavilion and spent some time reading the fragrant poison notes. After dinner and washing up, she waited until Nanny Jiang went to sleep. Then, Wen Zhuojin stood up and called Bai Tan to prepare clothes for going out.

“It’s so dark. Miss, it’s too dangerous for you to go out alone,” Bai Tan said worriedly.

“It’s fine. Just keep it a secret, and I’ll be back before dawn,” Wen Zhuojin said, smiling at Bai Tan.

Bai Tan didn’t dare say more and helped Wen Zhuojin dress.

Wen Zhuojin climbed over the wall once more.

It was very dark outside, with no light visible. Wen Zhuojin thought of the beauty and wasn’t afraid.

When she arrived at the house in Wujiao Alley, Yan Qinglan was still awake.

After their encounter during the day, there had been no fragrance to trigger her addiction to the fragrant poison. Simply holding her had been enough to get through the crisis.

Having rested safely through the day, no one expected that she would feel unwell again at night.

Restlessness, anxiety, slowly but surely surged up, even more intense than in the day.

Something was pulling at her, dragging her deeper into the darkness, leaving her emotions uncontrollable, draining her already weak body.

“Yan Qinglan, you are now just an ordinary woman serving with beauty, and all you have is your looks.”

“You want something? You can only pay with your body.”

“Did you hear that? Be good, be obedient, and you’ll get what you want.”

There was some seductive voice by her ear, trying to erase something and build something new.

No, it was impossible.

Yan Qinglan struggled desperately.

She tried to use pain to wake herself up.

But there was nothing nearby to hurt her skin.

Only the pain from her bandaged wounds.

It wasn’t enough; she needed more pain.

As Yan Qinglan’s hands frantically tore at things, her wrists were held down.

The familiar warmth, the familiar scent surrounded her.

“Sister, don’t hurt yourself. Don’t be afraid, I’m here.”

The familiar voice came— it was that girl, Ah Zhuo.

Yan Qinglan could feel herself being embraced.

The pleasant scent on the girl’s body wrestled with the force pulling her into the darkness.

“Sister, the person who gave you the fragrant poison is a bad person. Don’t believe what bad people say.”

“Some bad people may look like gentlemen, but inside, they are already beyond redemption.”

“Your addiction didn’t form in a day or two, and once it flares up, it won’t go away in just one go.”

“This time, it may be worse than last time, but if you hold on, you will definitely overcome the addiction.”

Wen Zhuojin whispered in Yan Qinglan’s ear, not knowing how much Yan Qinglan could hear, but she just wanted to capture Yan Qinglan’s attention and alleviate her pain.

The reason for coming again at night was because she feared Yan Qinglan might relapse, with no one around, possibly hurting herself again.

Sure enough, when she arrived, she saw Yan Qinglan fumbling to tear off the cloth wrapping on her hands, her face flushed, her expression anxious and unsettled, her eyes tearful, pitiful and helpless.

Wen Zhuojin still didn’t know what medicine could ease the situation or counter the fragrance addiction.

The room only had a mild, calming incense lit.

All she could do was keep her steady and help her hold on.

But whether Yan Qinglan could endure, Wen Zhuojin wasn’t sure. Before long, she herself was struggling to hold on.

Because Yan Qinglan had injuries, Wen Zhuojin didn’t hold her too tightly, so Yan Qinglan could still move within a certain range.

Yan Qinglan’s face was buried in Wen Zhuojin’s neck, her heavy breathing causing a tingling sensation from Wen Zhuojin’s chin to her collarbone, turning the area red.

And the person buried in her neck continued to nuzzle her neck with her nose and warm lips.

Wen Zhuojin’s breathing grew erratic.

She hadn’t known that the neck could feel like this.

It was as if something inside her clicked, and images from a previous dream flooded her mind.

A disturbing thought emerged in her heart, wanting to pin the person down…

“Do you want to engage in an intimate act with me? I am willing… please show mercy…” A muffled voice sounded in her ear, soft and sweet, laced with a seductive charm.

Wen Zhuojin’s mind went blank in an instant.