Mistakenly Treated The Princess As A Concubine - Chapter 34

Half an hour ago, Qing Chenning had come to see Yan Qinglan.

Previously, he had come at night under the cover of darkness to save someone. But this time, fearing he might witness something he shouldn’t if he came at night again, Qing Chenning made sure to visit Yan Qinglan before Wen Zhuojin returned.

“The letter Your Highness mentioned has been delivered. The iron ring has been found, and we’re working on arranging personnel. Additionally…”

Qing Chenning climbed in through the window to report on the situation.

Yan Qinglan brought up a few individuals, instructing Qing Chenning to test them out and then rally them together to rescue the women who had fallen into the hands of the Imperial Music Bureau as soon as possible.

“Your Highness, did you instruct Wen Zhuojin to redeem those people?” Qing Chenning recalled Wen Zhuojin’s involvement and asked Yan Qinglan.

“I did not. What did you see?” Yan Qinglan paused and questioned.

Qing Chenning’s expression darkened slightly as he looked at Yan Qinglan.

As expected, Yan Qinglan had not given such an order. After all, she had yet to reveal her identity to Wen Zhuojin.

Wen Zhuojin had secretly redeemed them behind Yan Qinglan’s back!

“Your Highness, I have already been to the Imperial Music Bureau once. I originally intended to redeem Minister Min of the Imperial Academy’s daughter, Min Xiwen, for 500 taels of silver, but the Imperial Music Bureau’s Eunuch refused. When I left to find help and returned, I saw Wen Zhuojin leading a group of people out—not just Min Xiwen, but also Minister Zhang of the Ministry of Rites’ wife, Minister Wang of the Hanlin Academy’s sister, and a total of twelve people.

Min Xiwen’s family used to own a bookshop, and Wen Zhuojin bought not only Min Xiwen but also the shop’s steward and servants, settling her there.”

Qing Chenning gritted his teeth and told Yan Qinglan everything he knew, his gaze carrying a hint of sympathy.

He hadn’t realized that Wen Zhuojin had first purchased the bookshop—he had only seen her take Min Xiwen there afterward.

This made the implications even stronger.

A dignified princess might have fallen from grace, but now she was being taken advantage of by another woman? And not just that—was she now expected to share that woman with others?

It was simply too tragic.

“Perhaps… I should take Your Highness away from here. Wen Zhuojin is, after all, a recorded disciple of Jiangxiao.” Qing Chenning suggested when he saw Yan Qinglan remain silent.

Taking Yan Qinglan away from this place of trouble.

“What did you say?” Yan Qinglan paused for a moment, as if only now processing his words.

“I said I can take Your Highness away from here.” Qing Chenning repeated.

“The sentence before that—what did Wen Zhuojin do?” Yan Qinglan pressed.

Qing Chenning repeated what he had just said.

Yan Qinglan had suspected that her mind was muddled and that she might have misheard. But when Qing Chenning repeated himself, the suppressed chill gradually crept back up.

A sentence Wen Zhuojin had once said echoed in her mind.

“I am not someone who acts recklessly. Sister is the first woman I have ever truly cared for.”

Ha. Perhaps the first—but certainly not the only one.

Now that she had made some money, she had become rather generous.

Yan Qinglan recalled Min Xiwen’s appearance—she was indeed striking.

Wen Zhuojin specialized in crafting incense, yet she had opened a bookshop for Min Xiwen? Even going so far as to buy the servants along with it?

“Your Highness?” Qing Chenning called out, bringing her back to reality.

“Continue with what I instructed earlier. Don’t concern yourself with Wen Zhuojin. I am fine here for now and have no need to leave—at least this way, you won’t be distracted worrying about me. I will leave when Yan Zisang returns.” Yan Qinglan spoke, her voice cold.

“…Understood. I will follow Your Highness’s orders.” Qing Chenning responded after a pause.

Hearing Yan Qinglan’s decision, he couldn’t help but admire her. As expected of the Grand Princess—bearing humiliation and biding her time, capable of great things.

Without lingering any longer, Qing Chenning quickly took his leave.

Yan Qinglan tried hard to think of any remaining issues that might have been overlooked, but her thoughts kept drifting. The dizziness in her head, which had started to ease, seemed to worsen again, and just thinking about Wen Zhuojin brought a sharp sting.

She had long suspected that Wen Zhuojin might be someone sent by Jiangxiao, but only now was she slowly realizing that Wen Zhuojin truly didn’t know her identity. She could sense Wen Zhuojin’s genuine intentions, and had hoped to rest here and recover, but it seemed…

What did it matter if the little brat was holding women in both arms?

She was bound to leave sooner or later. Staying here was just a way to quietly heal and see if she could detoxify.

Even if the little brat kept a hundred women outside, what did it have to do with her?

As Yan Qinglan’s thoughts shifted, Wen Zhuojin returned.

As usual, her sweet voice carried a tone like she was coaxing a child, offering Yan Qinglan a new treat with the air of a proud child showing off her treasure.

For some reason, Yan Qinglan imagined a scene—a young woman with a blurred face, speaking in a similar tone, trying to make Min Xiwen happy.

A chill settled deeper in Yan Qinglan’s heart.

She had no desire to let Wen Zhuojin touch her.

Wen Zhuojin noticed that Yan Qinglan was struggling to feed herself with the spoon, and reached out to help. But as soon as she touched Yan Qinglan, her hand was swiftly dodged.

It felt as though there was something filthy about Wen Zhuojin.

Wen Zhuojin sniffed herself, but there was no strange smell.

In fact, she had changed into a fresh outer garment when she came in and had already washed her hands and face.

Wen Zhuojin couldn’t help but reflect on herself. Had she done something wrong?

Yan Qinglan lowered her head, eating the porridge. She ate less than usual, yet she already felt full.

“Why aren’t you happy, sister? I’ve been busy with outside matters these past few days and haven’t been able to spend time with you. Are you upset with me? Did I do something wrong?” Wen Zhuojin asked softly, watching Yan Qinglan put down her spoon.

“I’m not upset. I’m not upset at all!” Yan Qinglan replied firmly.

She truly wasn’t upset!

“Then why won’t you let me feed you? If I’ve done something wrong, tell me, and I’ll change.” Wen Zhuojin said, looking at Yan Qinglan, whose face clearly showed displeasure. Wen Zhuojin didn’t argue but asked, trying to read more from her expression.

Wen Zhuojin’s voice, like a child who had done something wrong, made Yan Qinglan hesitate for a moment.

“My hands are fine. I don’t want to trouble you, Ah Zhuo.” Yan Qinglan said.

“You’ve been busy opening a shop these past few days, right? Have you opened the bookshop?” Wen Zhuojin asked, still not convinced. Before she could ask more, Yan Qinglan spoke up.

“Yes, it’s for a bookshop, but it hasn’t opened yet. How did you know?” Wen Zhuojin was taken aback for a moment before answering Yan Qinglan’s question.

“I overheard the maids talking outside the room. Did you buy more people again, Ah Zhuo? One of them is a talented woman named Min Xiwen?” Yan Qinglan asked, confirming what Qing Chenning had told her.

“Yes, that’s right. How do you know?” Wen Zhuojin was startled. She hadn’t mentioned it to the maids, but it wasn’t a secret. People who paid attention outside could easily know, and it was possible that it had reached Yan Qinglan.

“Ah Zhuo, I have a close friend named Qin Yuerou. She’s exceptionally beautiful and is the daughter of the former Grand Secretary, Qin Wangfu. I believe she’s currently in the Jiao Fang Si. Could you possibly redeem her? Perhaps you might like her.” Yan Qinglan said, changing the topic.

Wen Zhuojin was about to continue discussing the shop with Yan Qinglan but realized she had already shifted the conversation.

Although Wen Zhuojin had been “disrespectful” to Yan Qinglan, she hadn’t crossed any boundaries; there was still some restraint.

Now that Wen Zhuojin had money and an affinity for beautiful women, Yan Qinglan thought of having her redeem one more.

She had already redeemed over ten people; another one wouldn’t make a difference.

Yan Qinglan spoke calmly, but her heart felt like ice.

The air seemed to freeze.

There was no sound in the room, only the sound of their breathing.

Wen Zhuojin’s eyes widened slightly as she looked at Yan Qinglan, unable to believe she would say such a thing.

Wen Zhuojin had thought that she was slowly drawing closer to Yan Qinglan, that their relationship was becoming more intimate.

Had it all been her own fantasy?

Was everything just unreturned effort?

The beautiful sister not only didn’t like her but was recommending someone else to her?

What did she mean to her?

“Sister, do you know what you’re saying? I only like you. I don’t want anyone else, I only want you!” Wen Zhuojin’s voice sounded in Yan Qinglan’s ear, making her breath catch.

There was grievance, discomfort, even a hint of crying in her voice.

For a moment, Yan Qinglan felt she must have misunderstood Wen Zhuojin.

But quickly, she snapped back to her senses. How could she act so pure and infatuated when she had already brought more than ten women from outside?

“That was my mistake. But, Ah Zhuo, could you redeem Qin Yuerou for me?” Yan Qinglan said, trying to calm herself. Her goal was to get things done, not to argue with Wen Zhuojin.

However, when the words left her lips, her tone didn’t reflect the calmness she had hoped for.

Wen Zhuojin’s breathing became erratic, feeling as though something was lodged in her chest, ready to burst out. She felt an overwhelming urge to pin down and forcefully dominate the woman who had been speaking recklessly.

Yan Qinglan felt the heavy breath wash over her before her body was pinned down, her waist tightly held.

“Because of the poison from the incense, my closeness to you was never my intention. My body is weak, and I cannot serve you, nor can I engage in intimate acts. If you insist, then come.” Yan Qinglan said, closing her eyes.

Wen Zhuojin applied more force, but soon released her grip with difficulty, stood up, and turned to leave.

Perhaps from stumbling, Wen Zhuojin tripped on the threshold and fell.

With a thud, her body collided with the floor, accompanied by a sharp cry of pain.

Jin Rui rushed over upon hearing the sound and helped Wen Zhuojin up.

As Wen Zhuojin was supported, tears welled up in her eyes.

“Miss, did you hurt yourself? Quickly, sit down, let me see.” Jin Rui said anxiously, helping Wen Zhuojin sit.

Wen Zhuojin felt a suffocating ache, something caught in her heart, making her feel miserable.

The beautiful sister had said she couldn’t serve her because of her health, couldn’t engage in intimacy.

Was all she wanted just to be with her intimately?

While she did desire that, it wasn’t only about that.

She thought again, the beautiful sister…

Sister liked her too. They liked each other, and both were happy because of their mutual affection.

But now…

Was she being too “forward” and causing her to misunderstand, thinking that all she cared about was that one thing?

But why didn’t she think—if that were truly the case, why would she go through so much effort to help her with the poison, spending so many days, merely kissing and hugging a few times, enduring it all?

The beautiful sister didn’t like her at all and was thinking of getting her another beauty!

Wen Zhuojin grew more and more saddened. As Jin Rui applied medicine to her bruised knee, tears welled up in her eyes.

“Miss, what’s wrong? Is there something troubling you? Haven’t things been fine these past few days?” Jin Rui asked.

“…The beautiful sister doesn’t like me. My mother didn’t like my father, so she arranged concubines for him…” Wen Zhuojin mumbled through her tears when Jin Rui asked.

This might have been the most heartbreaking thing for Wen Zhuojin, and the more she thought about it, the worse it felt.

Jin Rui, hearing what Wen Zhuojin said, paused her movements.

Though she had some suspicions, hearing it from Wen Zhuojin’s lips felt different.

Her young mistress treated that person so well, and yet, she had made her so upset?!

“Miss, don’t be sad. Why grieve over someone who doesn’t like you? You are such a wonderful person; many people will like you.” Jin Rui said as she finished applying the medicine and placed a warm cloth on Wen Zhuojin’s face, speaking softly in comfort.

Wen Zhuojin’s heart was only with Yan Qinglan, and she couldn’t listen to Jin Rui’s comfort. She fell into a slump for a while, then remembered that she hadn’t lit the incense for Yan Qinglan. The incense medicine she had just prepared yesterday needed to be used consistently to be effective.

Wen Zhuojin removed the cloth from her face and went to the incense-making room. After preparing the incense, she took it to the inner room, lit it, and placed it in the incense burner.

After Wen Zhuojin left, Yan Qinglan felt that her reaction might have been a bit too much. The words she had said didn’t seem to reflect the attitude of someone “dependent” or “yielding,” and for a moment, she felt a bit flustered.

When the fragrance of the incense wafted in, Yan Qinglan froze in place.

She hadn’t expected Wen Zhuojin to still come and light incense for her.

Wen Zhuojin didn’t say much. She felt that she was still choking on her emotions, her voice tinged with a sobbing sound, and she didn’t know what to say.

Silence lingered until the incense burned out. Wen Zhuojin then helped Yan Qinglan with her cleansing routine, as usual, and left quietly.

With no desire to sleep and still feeling uncomfortable, Wen Zhuojin went back to the incense-making room. At this moment, preparing incense was the only thing that could divert her attention.

Yan Qinglan lay on the bed in her room, unable to sleep either.

Without Wen Zhuojin by her side, her senses seemed heightened, and she felt extremely uncomfortable.

Her emotions were also in turmoil.

What was wrong with her?!