Mistakenly Treated The Princess As A Concubine - Chapter 30

When Wen Zhuojin arrived, Yan Qinglan was curled up on the bed without a blanket. Her jet-black hair, silky as satin, spread across the sheets. Her thin sleepwear, a single layer, outlined her slender figure.

“Ah Zhuo, I feel terrible…”

A faint, soft voice reached her ears.

Wen Zhuojin’s breath caught.

Before her mind could process, her body had already moved forward a few steps. She reached out and pulled Yan Qinglan into her arms.

“Sister, I’m here!”

Wen Zhuojin spoke, her arms trembling as she held Yan Qinglan. Her throat felt as parched as if she hadn’t drunk water for days.

The woman, like a clingy kitten, wound herself around Wen Zhuojin the moment she was embraced. Her body was cold and smooth to the touch—some parts bony and sharp, while others were surprisingly soft.

Wen Zhuojin’s neck and face were filled with Yan Qinglan’s breath, leaving her entire body stiff.

She wanted—oh, how she wanted—to press her lips firmly against Yan Qinglan’s. She wanted to rip apart that thin layer of sleepwear and see what lay beneath, more delicate than the blush of peach blossoms…

A shred of rationality surfaced, prompting Wen Zhuojin to try holding Yan Qinglan’s arms to push her away.

Yet the beast inside her heart was roaring and thrashing, becoming an uncontrollable force that only wanted to pull the woman closer. Her gaze turned red, her vision growing increasingly hazy.

And yet, the person in her arms was utterly oblivious, her sleepwear disheveled and loose. Her fair neck and shoulders were exposed, her innocent eyes glistening with moisture. Her slightly parted lips let out soft murmurs as she instinctively leaned closer, brushing her cheek against Wen Zhuojin’s skin.

“Sister, don’t get too close to me… Please wake up. It’s me, Ah Zhuo. You don’t want to be near me because you like me—it’s the incense’s poison! Don’t let it control you. Sister, be good. Let me wrap you in a blanket first, and then I’ll hold you, alright?”

Wen Zhuojin spoke in a low, hoarse voice, as much to Yan Qinglan as to herself.

She had promised Yan Qinglan—promised to wait until the incense poison was purged before speaking of anything else, promised not to force her into anything.

But the impure thoughts in her heart had always been heavy. Now, after inhaling the incense poison, restraining herself had become nearly impossible.

“I know you’re Ah Zhuo… but I’m so cold, I feel terrible…” Yan Qinglan whispered, the dagger hidden beneath her sleeve trembling slightly in her grasp.

Wen Zhuojin’s grip on her arm prevented her from moving forward.

Yan Qinglan truly began to wonder—was this little scoundrel actually a gentleman?

Wasn’t she supposed to like women?

She had bitten her so fiercely before—so what had changed now?

There was no time to analyze. The moment Wen Zhuojin’s hold slackened as she listened, Yan Qinglan seized her chance, pressing forward and wrapping her arms around Wen Zhuojin’s neck.

The dagger was now hidden behind Wen Zhuojin’s back, clutched tightly in Yan Qinglan’s hand.

She couldn’t bring herself to trust Qing Chenning, who might arrive soon, nor could she fully trust Wen Zhuojin.

Considering all possibilities, Yan Qinglan made her decision—she would take Wen Zhuojin hostage, forcing her to truly “behave.”

She knew Wen Zhuojin was strong.

That meant she had to seize her weak point—control her to the extent that even if she had strength, she wouldn’t dare to break free.

Yan Qinglan panted softly, one arm tightening around Wen Zhuojin’s neck while the other held the dagger against her throat. She steadied her breath, just about to speak—

But suddenly, she felt a heavy weight press down on her.

Wen Zhuojin’s full body weight bore down on Yan Qinglan, her hands pressing against Yan Qinglan’s waist, her face moving dangerously close.

Yan Qinglan could feel Wen Zhuojin’s urgent, ragged breathing.

Before she could react, that breath slid from the corner of her lips, trailing downward—toward her ear—before finally stopping there.

The heat of Wen Zhuojin’s breath lingered at her ear, sending a sharp, stinging sensation through her, making her earlobe flush red in an instant.

“Sister, I… I don’t want to hurt you. I… I didn’t mean to… The incense poison—it’s so hard, so hard to control… I don’t want you to hate me… but… but it’s really, really difficult…”

Wen Zhuojin’s voice trembled, carrying a choked sob.

Yan Qinglan, whose heart had been utterly cold, suddenly felt her cheeks heat inexplicably at that sound.

“Why did you use incense poison?” She was stunned for a moment before catching onto the key point.

That divine incense—Wen Zhuojin had called it incense poison.

She knew it was harmful, so why had she used it?

“To… to test the antidote… Sister, your body is too weak to experiment with medicine, so I used the incense poison on myself to test it… Sister, I’ve tried several formulas already, just wait a little longer, I… I’ll find the cure…” Wen Zhuojin struggled to speak, her eyes growing even redder. Her lips brushed against Yan Qinglan’s ear, and upon sensing something, she couldn’t resist flicking her tongue against it.

Yan Qinglan gasped in shock, an overwhelming wave of wet heat and tingling numbness surging from her earlobe.

It was even worse than last time, when her ear had merely been kneaded.

For a split second, her hand holding the dagger itched to stab down immediately.

What was this little scoundrel doing?!

“Sister, you taste so sweet… so fragrant… I…” Wen Zhuojin’s teary voice echoed in her ear, making half of Yan Qinglan’s body go weak.

Her soft earlobe was wrapped between warm lips, tongue joining in, licking and sucking in tandem.

Meanwhile, the hands at her waist were no longer behaving, kneading and pressing until her waist nearly gave out.

Yan Qinglan was starting to regret her plan of “luring the enemy” before “subduing the enemy.”

Unless she stabbed Wen Zhuojin with the dagger right now, she had no way to stop this.

This little scoundrel had poisoned herself—just to find an antidote for her!

And she was still Jingxiao’s registered disciple!

The dagger in Yan Qinglan’s hand wavered, hesitating. Before she could make a decision, there was a muffled thud.

The weight pressing down on her suddenly stopped moving, Wen Zhuojin’s head slumping against her neck, completely still.

Then—

Yan Qinglan felt the weight lift from her body as someone pulled Wen Zhuojin away.

“Your Highness! It truly is Your Highness! This subordinate deserves death a thousand times over for arriving late to your rescue!”

A lowered voice reached her ears, and she felt someone approach, draping something over her.

Yan Qinglan took a shallow breath.

Qing Chenning had arrived!

“This subordinate will now escort Your Highness away!”

Qing Chenning’s voice sounded again.

“Wait!” Yan Qinglan didn’t lower the dagger in her hand, signaling Qing Chenning to stop.

“What are Your Highness’s orders?” Qing Chenning asked.

“Did you just kill her?” Yan Qinglan propped herself up, her voice unconsciously trembling.

“No. I only knocked her out. If Your Highness wishes her dead, this subordinate will do it now. That woman is audacious beyond measure and indeed deserves to die.” Qing Chenning replied.

“Wait!” Yan Qinglan immediately said, not realizing that the nerves she had just slightly relaxed were now tense again.

“Your Highness’s orders!” Qing Chenning replied, his tone carrying the weight of someone who followed commands strictly.

Yan Qinglan took a few breaths, suppressing the chaotic emotions from earlier.

“How do you know that I am truly…?” Yan Qinglan asked. “And that the person in the palace is a fake?”

“Your Highness, you once said that talent is to be used regardless of whether they are from the Qingliu faction or from Heavenly Xuan Palace. With Qingliu people around, there can be mutual checks and balances. Though there’s been opposition in recent years, Your Highness hasn’t dealt harshly with Qingliu. In fact, you’ve reused many of them. This time, when there was a large-scale purge of Qingliu, I became uneasy. Recently, the person in the palace had been ill, and I saw them behind a curtain—it didn’t seem right. So I sent seven pieces of pineapple pastry, saying they were Your Highness’s favorite, and the person in the palace…”

Qing Chenning knew Yan Qinglan wouldn’t believe him immediately, so he explained his reasoning carefully.

As for the pineapple pastry, only the two of them knew about it. Coincidentally, Yan Qinglan had used this very detail to expose her.

Yan Qinglan listened to Qing Chenning’s words, and they seemed reasonable.

But at the same time, other emotions stirred in her heart.

Even if Qing Chenning was different from others, observant enough to recognize the situation, he had only spent less than three years with her. What about her younger brother in the palace? What about the others in the palace?

“Do you recognize this person? Is she a disciple of Jiang Xiao? Tell me everything you know.” Yan Qinglan didn’t want to make more guesses; she turned to ask about Wen Zhuojin.

Though Wen Zhuojin had tricked her earlier, it actually made her trust Wen Zhuojin a little more. She just wanted to confirm with Qing Chenning.

“This person…” Qing Chenning glanced at her and took a careful look, recognizing her. He had seen her not long ago.

“This person’s name is Wen Zhuojin…” Qing Chenning briefly introduced Wen Zhuojin’s background.

Yan Qinglan compared this with what Wen Zhuojin had said, and it didn’t differ.

“On the day of the recent incense contest, she performed exceptionally well and took the first place, becoming a disciple of Jiang Xiao’s. She does have some skill in the incense arts. After becoming a disciple, she immediately opened an incense shop, which the noble ladies of Yunjing City highly praised. Your Highness, although she holds some status, if she caused any trouble, I will handle it. Please don’t worry.”

Qing Chenning said.

“Don’t kill her yet.” Yan Qinglan tightened then loosened her grip on the dagger.

So, the little rascal just became a disciple and opened a shop to sell incense, trying to make money?

She had dared to sell incense at a brothel before to earn money.

“Understood, Your Highness. I will follow Your Highness’s orders. Your Highness, time is of the essence. I’ll take you away from here at once to avoid further trouble,” Qing Chenning said.

“Qing Chenning, is the Imperial Guard still searching for people in the capital?” Yan Qinglan didn’t answer Qing Chenning’s suggestion but asked another question.

“They are still searching. They are probably looking for Your Highness but dare not make a big scene,” Qing Chenning replied, hearing some commotion outside, clearly anxious.

“You have been coming and going from the palace regularly. Perhaps someone has been keeping an eye on you. It won’t be convenient for me to follow you. I will stay here for now. Wen Zhuojin shouldn’t know my identity, so don’t tell her. If there’s something, I will ask Wen Zhuojin to buy phoenix pastries, and you can secretly come by. I’m not sure who else participated in the conspiracy with the Imperial Guard Commander and the Heavenly Xuan Palace Master. Right now, I don’t trust many people, but you are one of them. I have some tasks for you to do.” Yan Qinglan said, her eyes still slightly moist, but her voice now carried an air of authority, making her words unquestionable.

Qing Chenning had personally witnessed this bold and mischievous daughter of the Marquis’s House, Yan Qinglan, who had been holding a dagger ready to kill. Now, Yan Qinglan didn’t want to leave?

“Please, Your Highness, give your orders!” Qing Chenning paused for a moment before immediately responding.

“Prepare a letter for me and send it to the Northern Border. Have Yan Zisang secretly return to Yunjing. Include this handkerchief in the letter.

Search this courtyard to see if you can find a pair of bloodstained iron rings. If not, go to the blacksmith’s shop and have a pair made with fish-scale carvings on the outside. I previously wore one on my ankle as a distinguishing mark. Find a way to create a false impression in the Imperial Guard that I am at the Duke of Yu’s residence. If there is no foolproof method, we can wait for Yan Zisang to return.”

“At the incense house and the household registration office, someone should be waiting for Wen Zhuojin. Keep an eye on her, and make sure she doesn’t walk into a trap.”

“List the members of the Qingliu faction who have been found guilty and find a way to rescue them, especially the women who have been sent to the Ministry of Rites. First, ensure that you are not discovered. If you can’t find a way, we’ll handle it together when Yan Zisang returns to the capital.”

Yan Qinglan spoke slowly, with each word deliberate, and Qing Chenning responded affirmatively to each order.

The handkerchief Yan Qinglan gave to Qing Chenning was the one Wen Zhuojin had used to wipe Yan Qinglan’s sweat earlier. Yan Qinglan had kept it and written on it with her finger, stained with her bl00d.

Qing Chenning couldn’t fathom what kind of suffering Yan Qinglan had endured, yet she was still so calm in arranging everything.

From what Qing Chenning knew about the political situation, he understood the purpose behind Yan Qinglan’s arrangements.

Yan Zisang was Yan Qinglan’s trusted confidant, in charge of the embroidered garments she personally founded.

The daughter of the Duke of Yu had married the current emperor and had become a noble concubine with high status.

If the Imperial Guard discovers that Yan Qinglan might be at the Duke of Yu’s residence, they will target the Duke’s faction. The Duke will naturally resist, and the court will fall into chaos again.

If the Duke of Yu is involved, it could lead to infighting among them.

If the Duke is not involved, it will still serve as a warning to them.

Whether or not the Duke is involved, once the court is in chaos, the next steps after weakening the Qingliu faction will likely be delayed.

“Take the clothes and leave. Don’t let anyone see you.” After giving a few more instructions, Yan Qinglan added.

“Alright. Your Highness, what about the Emperor?” Qing Chenning hesitated and asked.

“…For now, don’t alarm him. Send me any news from inside or outside the palace.” Yan Qinglan paused before replying.

Although Yan Qinglan trusted her brother, she couldn’t afford to be too careless now.

“Your Highness, are you sure you want to stay here?” Qing Chenning agreed to the orders, but after looking at Yan Qinglan, he couldn’t help but ask again.

Just now, this bold and reckless person was being shameless with Yan Qinglan!

“Mm. She is a disciple of Jiangxiao and doesn’t know my identity. Perhaps it’s safer here. No need to ask more. Just go,” Yan Qinglan said, waving her hand.

“…Alright. Then I will leave, Your Highness. Take care,” Qing Chenning said, following the orders.

There must be a reason behind what Her Highness was doing.

Qing Chenning listened to the sounds outside and then slipped out through the window.

The room became quiet. Yan Qinglan exhaled a heavy breath, extended her hand, and felt around until she found Wen Zhuojin’s face.

Her hand was injured, with several fingers bandaged, and some were still unwrapped. Her index and little fingers gently touched Wen Zhuojin’s cheek.

The delicate, elastic skin was warm, her eyebrow arches slightly high, with thick lashes. Her eyes were closed, forming a long line.

Yan Qinglan’s fingers moved from Wen Zhuojin’s brows to her nose and mouth, where she felt the warm breath from Wen Zhuojin.

Confirming that Wen Zhuojin was still alive, Yan Qinglan retracted her fingers and sighed in relief.

Yan Qinglan didn’t fully trust Qing Chenning, and she had some reservations about Wen Zhuojin as well.

Staying here wasn’t necessarily safe, and the dangers were evident.

What could be controlled and what couldn’t, she wasn’t sure.

Maybe she still had hope for Wen Zhuojin’s antidote…

Yan Qinglan didn’t wake Wen Zhuojin up. She placed the dagger back in its sheath, hid it under her pillow, and leaned to one side to rest her eyes for a while.

Soon, Yan Qinglan heard rustling noises—Wen Zhuojin had woken up.

Wen Zhuojin’s head was aching, her mind was fuzzy. After a moment, she realized what had happened.

She had lost control, pressed Yan Qinglan down, and bullied her.

Then, she passed out.

Wen Zhuojin climbed up and looked at Yan Qinglan.

Yan Qinglan’s eyes, full of tears, stared blankly at something. Her disheveled nightclothes were not properly adjusted, and there were large red marks from her earlobes to her neck. She looked as if she had been tortured, helpless and pitiful.

Wen Zhuojin stopped breathing for a few moments.

This was the person she had bullied.

She truly wasn’t human.

And she still wanted to bully her…

“Ah Zhuo, I was really scared just now. I grabbed something and hit your head… I’m sorry. I…” Yan Qinglan weakly spoke, looking frightened, fragile, and pitiable.

Wen Zhuojin felt a pang in her heart, feeling even more guilty.

She hadn’t even thought about what Yan Qinglan had hit her with or how she had such strength.

“Sister, I’m sorry. It’s all my fault. I was affected by the incense poison earlier. Sister, don’t be scared. I keep my word. I really didn’t do it on purpose,” Wen Zhuojin said urgently.

“Ah Zhuo, I don’t blame you. If it weren’t for you, I’d probably have been humiliated by now. You don’t need to blame yourself. My addiction is over. You should go to sleep now,” Yan Qinglan said, her tone gentle.

Wen Zhuojin felt a tightness in her chest, and her eyes began to sting. If there really was a goddess reincarnated, her beautiful sister must be the one!

“Sister, you sleep. I’ll continue researching the antidote for the incense poison and try to make it as soon as possible,” Wen Zhuojin took a deep breath and said.

Yan Qinglan murmured a soft acknowledgment, and Wen Zhuojin covered her with the blanket, then turned to leave. After taking a few steps, she tripped on the doorframe and fell with a thud.

The maid guarding outside rushed over when she heard the noise and helped Wen Zhuojin up.

Wen Zhuojin’s eyes were sore, her vision blurred, and her head was still throbbing with pain, making her feel somewhat nauseous.

Even after being helped up, she still felt dizzy.

“Miss, are you alright? Your eyes are so red. Oh no, there’s bl00d on your neck!” the maid exclaimed in surprise when she saw Wen Zhuojin’s condition.

Wen Zhuojin touched her neck and indeed found bl00d, which was flowing from the injury at the back of her head.

“I just bumped into something. It’s fine. Bring me the medical kit,” Wen Zhuojin said as she was helped to sit down.

The maid hurriedly brought the medical kit and helped Wen Zhuojin clean the wound and apply medicine.

Inside the room, Yan Qinglan heard the sounds outside and her expression froze.

That hit from Qing Chenning wasn’t light—Wen Zhuojin had been hurt.

And also, were her eyes affected? Could it be from the incense poison?

Wen Zhuojin knew how dangerous the incense poison was; it might even make her blind.

What if they couldn’t find the antidote?!

Soon, the outside grew quiet, but not long after, the sound of a door opening could be heard.

“Has Sister fallen asleep? Do you want to eat something?” Wen Zhuojin’s soft voice reached Yan Qinglan’s ears.

Yan Qinglan, who had a small appetite and preferred eating smaller meals more frequently, was feeling empty in her stomach at the moment, so she murmured an acknowledgment.

Wen Zhuojin approached and helped Yan Qinglan sit up to feed her.

After a few bites, Yan Qinglan stopped eating, and Wen Zhuojin finished the rest.

“Ah Zhuo, do your eyes feel sore, your vision blurred?” Yan Qinglan asked.

“They do. Is it the same as what happened to you before?” Wen Zhuojin replied.

“Yes. If you try the incense poison again, you might end up like me.” Yan Qinglan said.

“Being like Sister would be good; that’s the right antidote. The incense medicine I’ve been using does seem to have some effect, but it’s not strong enough. I still need to adjust the recipe and add new ingredients,” Wen Zhuojin said, her tone light.

Yan Qinglan’s expression froze, and she sighed lightly.

“Ah Zhuo, what fragrance do you normally use? Your incense seems to help me feel a bit better during my withdrawal. There might be an antidote in it,” Yan Qinglan said softly.

Wen Zhuojin’s eyes widened at Yan Qinglan’s words.

She had used many different fragrances over time, but hearing Yan Qinglan say this made her realize something.

She had been wondering why the intervals of Yan Qinglan’s addiction symptoms had suddenly gotten longer. She initially thought it was the result of the detoxifying incense she had made, but after using it herself, the effect didn’t seem as obvious. Yan Qinglan’s words made Wen Zhuojin think back to the time when Yan Qinglan’s symptoms lessened, and she realized something else: during that period, she had kissed Yan Qinglan multiple times in one day.

The incense on her body might have made Yan Qinglan feel better.

So, could kissing help alleviate it?

Or was her mind too corrupted, making her think of things in a twisted way?!