Mistakenly Treated The Princess As A Concubine - Chapter 40

When Wen Zhuojin and Xuan Zhen left the quiet room together, Wen Zhuojin felt that Xuan Zhen’s gaze towards her was somewhat unusual.

“Sister, what’s wrong?” Wen Zhuojin asked.

“Have you met the Master before?” Xuan Zhen didn’t speak immediately but took a few steps forward to ensure no one was listening before she whispered, her expression unfriendly.

Xuan Zhen suspected that Wen Zhuojin had entered the Tianxuan Palace with ulterior motives.

She wanted to compete with her for the Master’s attention.

No wonder she felt uncomfortable upon seeing her.

That discomfort might have been due to encountering a rival of the same kind.

“No, I have never met the Master. Why do you ask, Sister?” Wen Zhuojin was surprised.

“Don’t pretend. Do you think I don’t know your thoughts? You didn’t want to marry a man, but you covet the Master! You are truly audacious!” Xuan Zhen said. Although the matter was not confirmed, Xuan Zhen didn’t want to hide her suspicions. Regardless of the truth, she would speak out first and then determine the facts.

“Sister, you wrong me! How dare I think of such a rebellious act? Moreover, I already have someone I am fond of,” Wen Zhuojin quickly and solemnly replied. She still needed Xuan Zhen’s help in the future and didn’t want to ruin their relationship.

From Xuan Zhen’s attitude, Wen Zhuojin had a slight guess.

She felt that Xuan Zhen might also be a “kindred spirit.”

“You have someone you are fond of?” Xuan Zhen’s expression paused.

“Of course. Otherwise, how would I know that I like women?” Wen Zhuojin said.

Xuan Zhen’s gaze towards Wen Zhuojin changed slightly.

“Who is the person you are fond of?” Xuan Zhen asked, appearing quite curious.

“Sister, I consider you a confidant to share this with, and I hope you can keep it a secret for me. Ahem, the person I am fond of is a widow. She doesn’t go out much, is extremely beautiful, soft and delicate, timid and prone to crying… In my heart, she is the most beautiful and lovely person, no one else compares to her,” Wen Zhuojin whispered to Xuan Zhen, her face slightly red.

At this moment, Wen Zhuojin wasn’t acting; her words were sincere.

On one hand, she wanted to gain Xuan Zhen’s trust and dispel her hostility. On the other hand, Wen Zhuojin genuinely needed someone to confide in.

However, Wen Zhuojin didn’t reveal everything. She wasn’t ready to disclose the “true” identity of her beloved beauty to someone she wasn’t familiar with yet.

The Tianxuan Palace and the Qingliu faction were enemies. While she could redeem someone to work for her or even humiliate them, it wouldn’t be appropriate to reveal that the person she redeemed was her cherished love.

Moreover, she wouldn’t mention the severe issue of the incense poison.

After all, divine incense was still considered the most prestigious and sought-after fragrance, not yet recognized as “incense poison.”

As long as she didn’t reveal the truth, she could still be seen as a obedient disciple under control.

Xuan Zhen looked into Wen Zhuojin’s sparkling eyes and finally believed her.

The type of woman Wen Zhuojin described sounded delicate and fragile, completely different from Master Jiangxiao, and not the type Xuan Zhen herself was interested in.

“Does that woman know you like her?” Xuan Zhen asked again.

“I’ve already confessed my feelings to her and brought her to live with me. However, she isn’t naturally inclined to like women, so it might take some time for her to fully accept it. The reason I’m working so hard to earn money is so that we can be together in the future without being torn apart,” Wen Zhuojin said earnestly.

“You’re quite impressive! Keep working hard, and you’ll surely achieve what you want,” Xuan Zhen said, patting Wen Zhuojin’s shoulder. Her gaze toward Wen Zhuojin softened, and she seemed much more friendly.

Initially, Xuan Zhen thought Wen Zhuojin’s relentless efforts to earn money were for the sake of a good marriage. When she heard Wen Zhuojin liked women, she assumed it was for the Master.

But it turned out it was for the woman she loved.

This improved Xuan Zhen’s impression of Wen Zhuojin.

She even felt a little envious of her.

“Thank you, Sister. I always knew a woman as extraordinary as you would understand me! You truly are my confidant,” Wen Zhuojin said with a smile, seizing the moment to flatter Xuan Zhen.

“You’re too kind, Junior Sister. We are fellow disciples, after all, so of course, we’re different from others. Alright, it’s time to join the others for the divine incense session,” Xuan Zhen said, pursing her lips and pretending to be reserved in response to Wen Zhuojin’s enthusiasm.

Wen Zhuojin nodded repeatedly and followed Xuan Zhen to another quiet room.

Every time this moment came, Wen Zhuojin felt tormented. Knowing full well that it was poison, she still had to pretend to enjoy it.

But for now, there was no other way.

Fortunately, to show piety, they were allowed to close their eyes, so it wouldn’t immediately affect their vision.

Wen Zhuojin and the other disciples spent an hour savoring the divine incense. When everyone emerged from the “euphoric” illusion, they received their monthly portion of the incense, exchanged a few pleasantries, and then went their separate ways.

When it was Wen Zhuojin’s turn, Xuan Zhen took her to a separate room.

Wen Zhuojin handed over last month’s account book to Xuan Zhen and also reported the list of new products she planned to purchase.

“Starting this month, I’ll give you one extra. Also, this booklet is for you. It’s a treasured collection of famous paintings that I’ve kept for a long time. I hope you can learn something useful from it,” Xuan Zhen said after handling the business matters. She then handed Wen Zhuojin the divine incense and slipped her a booklet with a blank cover, her expression deep and somewhat mysterious.

“Don’t look at it now. I hope you and your beloved can live a good life together,” Xuan Zhen added, seeing Wen Zhuojin about to open it.

“Thank you, Sister. This divine incense is truly a top-quality fragrance. I wonder if I could get the formula for it and try making it myself?” Wen Zhuojin held back from opening the booklet and brought up the matter again.
Wen Zhuojin had guessed some of the ingredients of the divine incense, but the detailed formula was still unclear, especially the so-called “divine flower,” which remained a mystery.

If she had the complete formula, it would be much faster to create the antidote incense.

“This matter will have to wait for the Master’s decision. The main issue is that the divine flower has a limited annual yield, and the incense masters within the Tianxuan Palace already have enough to handle. There’s no extra to spare, so don’t be in such a hurry. Isn’t your current business doing quite well?” Xuan Zhen said.

At this moment, Wen Zhuojin’s “money-grubbing” demeanor seemed a bit more endearing to Xuan Zhen.

“Alright, I’ll have to trouble you to keep an eye on it for me, Sister. There’s another matter—regarding incense materials, could I also open a shop? I’d like to purchase incense materials directly from suppliers. Sometimes the official shops don’t have the materials I need for the incense I want to make, which is quite troublesome,” Wen Zhuojin added, noticing that Xuan Zhen was more approachable now.

She had already given a portion of her profits to the Tianxuan Palace, so she needed to make up for it elsewhere.

Currently, most of her incense materials were bought from official shops, which involved middlemen and high prices.

If she could purchase the materials directly, she could save a significant amount of money.

“I can help you get the stamped permit. However, the fact that you’ve managed to run an incense shop so successfully is entirely due to your own skills. Your mastery of incense is unparalleled, and no one can replicate it. As for the incense material trade, there are some intricacies involved. If you’re not afraid of competing with others and potentially making enemies, then go ahead,” Xuan Zhen said.

“Of course, I’m not afraid. What does a disciple of the Tianxuan Palace have to fear? I’ll have to trouble you to get me the permit, Sister. I’m truly grateful,” Wen Zhuojin said, handing over the last spare pouch she had prepared as a bribe.

“Alright, I’ll have it ready in a couple of days and send someone to deliver it to your incense shop. You can start preparing in the meantime,” Xuan Zhen said without hesitation, accepting the gift from Wen Zhuojin.

Wen Zhuojin felt that Xuan Zhen was quite a decent person and someone she could confide in to some extent.

After exchanging a few more words, Wen Zhuojin left.

On her way back, Wen Zhuojin pondered for a while and realized that she was still too weak.

Relying on the Tianxuan Palace meant being controlled by them. Without sufficient strength, she had no autonomy.

She needed to work even harder.

As Wen Zhuojin sat in the carriage, lost in thought, the jolting of the vehicle brought her back to her senses. The items in her hands fell to the carriage floor, and she bent down to pick them up.

The booklet with the blank cover had flipped open to a page. With just a glance, Wen Zhuojin’s eyes widened in shock, and she instinctively closed the booklet, looking around nervously. Of course, she was alone in the carriage.

She pressed the booklet firmly and brought it closer to her, her face already flushing before she even opened it. Starting from the first page, a few bold, flowing characters caught her eye—Secret Play Illustrations.

As she flipped through the pages, each one revealed exquisitely detailed paintings of two partially clothed women engaged in intimate and unusual actions.

After a few pages, Wen Zhuojin’s face grew even redder.

The images seemed to open a door in her mind.

Even though she had never been married or seen such a booklet before, she understood.

She never expected Xuan Zhen to have such a collection!

Wen Zhuojin didn’t dare continue looking.

Her own fantasies had always been numerous, but before, they were vague and indistinct. She had only thought about how fragrant and soft her beloved beauty was, how she wanted to hold her tighter, and then… kiss and taste every part of her…

Beyond that, she had no concrete ideas—it was all uncharted territory, so she had never thought further.

The images that had just entered her mind made her afraid to imagine what it would be like if she were with her beloved beauty.

By the time they arrived at Wu Jiu Lane, Wen Zhuojin’s face was still flushed with heat.

As soon as Wen Zhuojin stepped out of the carriage and entered the house, Odesse came out to greet her.

“Wenwen, you smell unpleasant… not good, not good. Go and get rid of the smell, change your clothes,” Odesse said, wanting to step forward but then retreating, fanning the air in front of her.

Wen Zhuojin already knew that Odesse also had a keen sense of smell. The scent of the divine incense on her hadn’t dissipated yet, and it wouldn’t be appropriate to see Yan Qinglan like this, so she went to wash up and change her clothes first.

“Wenwen, today we distilled a small bottle of flower dew. Come and take a look after you finish washing up,” Odesse called from outside.

Wen Zhuojin acknowledged her and, after cleaning herself and changing into clothes scented with her homemade incense, went out.

“Odesse, first divide that bottle of flower dew into smaller portions, label each one, and write down the scent and process in detail. I’ll come over in a bit,” Wen Zhuojin instructed as she stepped out.

Odesse had been helping Wen Zhuojin make incense using methods from the Dashi Kingdom. Wen Zhuojin had gathered some materials, prepared the tools for distilling flower dew, and together they had conducted experiments. They had achieved some results, but they were still far from being ready to sell. They needed to refine the process further.

“Oh, alright. Go see your little lady first,” Odesse said, not wanting to delay Wen Zhuojin any longer.

Wen Zhuojin picked up the things she had brought and hurried to the inner chamber.

Inside the inner chamber, Yan Qinglan was lost in thought.

The news brought by Qing Chenning had left Yan Qinglan in a somber mood.

Many people had come to propose marriage to Wen Zhuojin, and their statuses were among the upper echelons of Yunjing City and even the Northern Jin.

For the daughter of a marquis’s household, these were advantageous matches.

As an unmarried young woman, even if Wen Zhuojin didn’t want to marry, external forces would pressure her.

Back then, many people had also pressured her to marry, to take a consort.

But at that time, she didn’t have anyone she loved, and amidst the power struggles of various factions, she didn’t want to use marriage as a means to ally with one side and turn another into an opponent. After much deliberation, she had borrowed the power of a religious sect, using her vow to never marry in exchange for a peaceful and prosperous era for the Northern Jin, gaining prestige while balancing the forces at play.

What would Wen Zhuojin do?

If the Tianxuan Palace pressured her, how should she respond?

If Wen Zhuojin didn’t want to marry, but the Tianxuan Palace insisted on arranging a match, no matter which noble sought her hand, Yan Qinglan would have to find a way to make them give up.

If Wen Zhuojin had any intention of marrying, then as soon as Yan Zisang returned, Yan Qinglan would leave immediately.

As these thoughts arose, Yan Qinglan’s mood grew even darker.

As for why she felt this way, Yan Qinglan didn’t allow herself to dwell on it.

She simply sank deeper into her somber mood.

The tinkling sound of a bell pulled Yan Qinglan back to the present.

Soon after, she heard Wen Zhuojin’s voice.

“Sister, I’m back! I hurried as fast as I could today, and luckily, I made it in time. I brought some freshly made peach blossom pastries, and flower cakes filled with honey made from flowers… Let me feed you a bite…”

The girl’s voice reached her, and a faint shadow moved before her eyes.

Yan Qinglan tasted the crisp, sweet flavor and caught the scent of flowers.

The satisfaction of her taste buds and sense of smell temporarily lifted her spirits.

These days, Wen Zhuojin had been feeding her every day, coming up with new ways to make her eat and nourish her body. Yan Qinglan could feel that she had gained some weight, even more so than before her injury and blindness.

“Is it good?” Wen Zhuojin asked expectantly after feeding her a few bites.

“It’s good,” Yan Qinglan replied softly.

“If it’s good, why do you look so unhappy? Are you feeling unwell? Or is there something on your mind? Tell me,” Wen Zhuojin said.

Wen Zhuojin could sense a bit of Yan Qinglan’s emotions from her expression.

“I’ve heard that noble families in Yunjing City want to marry you. I wonder, A Zhuo, who do you plan to choose? Do you have any thoughts?” Yan Qinglan thought for a moment and then asked directly.

Wen Zhuojin’s expression cooled.

Yan Qinglan was asking her who she would choose—did she still not believe her?

“If I were to choose someone to marry, what about you, Sister?” Wen Zhuojin asked softly.

“I would leave this place,” Yan Qinglan replied, frowning.

“Where would you go? What if I don’t let you leave?” Wen Zhuojin said, reaching out to hug Yan Qinglan, but Yan Qinglan pushed her hand away.

“If you’re going to marry someone, what reason do I have to stay?” Yan Qinglan said, annoyed.

Wen Zhuojin sensed Yan Qinglan’s emotions and quickly wrapped her arms around her. Yan Qinglan struggled, but Wen Zhuojin held her firmly.

“Sister, I’ve told you before—I want to be with you. The person I love is you, so how could I marry someone else? I’m sorry, I was wrong. I shouldn’t have said those hypothetical things earlier. Sister, don’t be angry, don’t be angry…” Wen Zhuojin hurriedly tried to soothe her.

Seeing Yan Qinglan’s anger and frustration, Wen Zhuojin felt as though she had found proof that Yan Qinglan also had feelings for her, even if just a little, and it made her happy.

“You say you won’t marry, but what if someone forces you? What then?” Yan Qinglan was still upset. This little brat was trying to deceive her again!

“Sister, I was just about to tell you about this. Today, when I went to the Tianxuan Palace, that Xuan Zhen nun mentioned those families and told me to choose one. If I couldn’t decide, she would remove me from the list of registered disciples and take over the shops I’ve opened. Those shops are my life’s work—I can’t let that happen. So, I begged her desperately, slipped her over a thousand taels in silver notes, and even told her that I love women…” Wen Zhuojin quickly explained the day’s events to Yan Qinglan.

“Sister, do you know? I’ve had to give an extra ten percent of my profits to the Tianxuan Palace! That ten percent could have bought you so many delicious treats, beautiful clothes, and exquisite jewelry. The war is over, but is the national treasury still so empty that they have to exploit me? Wuwuwu…” Wen Zhuojin complained to Yan Qinglan.

Yan Qinglan stopped moving and allowed Wen Zhuojin to hold her tightly, listening to her grievances while nuzzling her cheek and neck.

She should have known—this little brat wasn’t like ordinary women. She had solved the problem on her own.

From Qing Chenning, Yan Qinglan had already learned that the shops Wen Zhuojin had opened in Yunjing City were doing exceptionally well. Otherwise, they wouldn’t have attracted the attention of those high-and-mighty nobles who were eager to take a share of the profits.

By giving a portion of her profits to the Tianxuan Palace, Wen Zhuojin had temporarily avoided being forced into an arranged marriage by them.

Although this wasn’t a permanent solution, it had alleviated the immediate pressure.

But this person, who was so upset about losing money, was actually lamenting that she couldn’t spend more on Yan Qinglan. What kind of logic was that?

“Sister, thinking about losing ten percent of my income makes my chest hurt. Can you rub it for me…?” Wen Zhuojin’s voice came through, her warm hand grabbing Yan Qinglan’s.

“Stop acting spoiled. Ask for something else,” Yan Qinglan said, pulling her hand back with some effort.

“Then… Sister, kiss me…” Wen Zhuojin didn’t press further but whispered softly.

Most of their kisses had happened when Yan Qinglan was struggling with her addiction, and Wen Zhuojin had coaxed her into initiating them.

In a completely consciousbstate, they had almost never been this intimate.

Yan Qinglan’s expression froze as the blurry shadow before her eyes grew larger. She felt as if she were looking at a night sky dotted with stars.

It seemed to be Wen Zhuojin’s eyes.

“Sister, I’m really feeling terrible. If you kiss me, I’ll feel better…” Wen Zhuojin’s voice came again.

The starry eyes before Yan Qinglan were still shimmering, and warm breath brushed against her cheeks.

For a moment, Yan Qinglan’s mind grew hazy with warmth. She leaned in slightly and accurately kissed Wen Zhuojin’s lips. !