Mistakenly Treated The Princess As A Concubine - Chapter 54

Inside the palace walls, the red walls and golden tiles gleamed under the bright sunlight.

Wen Zhuojin waited in line for a while before following the guiding eunuch inside.

The palace was heavily guarded, and everyone entering had to go through multiple layers of inspection.

Even the fragrances she carried were inspected.

Wen Zhuojin had brought extra fragrances, hoping to use them for networking, but they were all confiscated.

Well, she would have to rely on conversation and polo for now.

This was Wen Zhuojin’s first time in the palace, and she was curious about the surroundings.

However, her curiosity quickly faded, and she began chatting with those around her.

The eunuch guiding her was the adopted son of Li Gonggong, the music bureau director whom Wen Zhuojin had helped before. He was very enthusiastic toward her.

Wen Zhuojin asked him many questions.

The seating arrangement for the palace banquet was also quite strategic.

It was primarily based on status, with those closer to the main seat being of higher rank.

Wen Zhuojin slipped the eunuch some silver, asking him to help move her seat closer to the envoys from the Dashi Kingdom, making it easier for her to interact with them.

When she entered the grand hall where the banquet was being held, Wen Zhuojin took her assigned seat. Sure enough, diagonally in front of her was a Dashi envoy.

The Dashi language she had learned from Odette and Qin Yuerou came in handy.

The main seat was still empty, and the hall was bustling with noise—a perfect time for networking.

Wen Zhuojin greeted the Dashi envoy in his native language.

The envoy, who had been bored, was surprised to hear Wen Zhuojin speak his language and struck up a conversation with her.

As they were talking, Wen Zhuojin heard a few coughs and turned to see her long-absent father, Marquis Jing’an, Wen Heming.

Wen Heming was seated in the male guests’ section, much further back than Wen Zhuojin.

Seeing Wen Zhuojin, Wen Heming was shocked. He hadn’t expected her to be here.

Thinking about the recent rumors of Wen Zhuojin’s business ventures, it wasn’t entirely surprising.

Wen Heming hadn’t seen Wen Zhuojin in a long time.

Previously, Wen Zhuojin would always ask him for money whenever she returned home, so he had started avoiding her.

Who would have thought that later, hearing about her successes and knowing she had earned a lot of silver, he would want to speak with her, only to find he no longer had the chance.

Before, Wen Zhuojin would still make token appearances at home, but now she was entirely outside, leaving only Nanny Jiang from Qin Fangxuan to deal with visitors.

“Father, why are you here? Do you have something to say to me?” Wen Zhuojin asked, looking at Wen Heming.

“…Nothing much. It’s your first time here, so I wanted to remind you to be careful and not make a fool of yourself.” Wen Heming glanced around, not saying what he truly wanted to, only smiling.

“I understand, Father. Don’t worry.” Wen Zhuojin smiled.

“That’s good. On the 28th of February, your sister is getting married. Remember to come home.” Wen Heming said in a low voice.

“Of course, I’ll be there for my sister’s wedding.” Wen Zhuojin replied.

Wen Heming had almost forgotten about it himself.

Wen Heming looked at Wen Zhuojin. She looked the same, her voice still that of a young girl, and her expression was still smiling, but he felt that the person before him was somehow unfamiliar.

He couldn’t bring himself to scold her.

Soon, Wen Zhuojin resumed her conversation with the Dashi envoy.

Wen Heming returned to his seat, watching Wen Zhuojin and speculating.

Previously, several members of the royal family had sought Wen Zhuojin’s hand in marriage through Tianxuan Palace, but Tianxuan Palace had refused all of them, and Wen Zhuojin had shown no interest.

Now that she was in the palace, could her target be that person…

Wen Heming felt both nervous and excited at the thought.

He took a few sips of tea to calm himself.

Wen Zhuojin, unaware of her father’s thoughts, continued chatting with those around her.

At the same time, inside the Zichen Hall of the palace, Yan Qinglan felt slightly unwell after changing her clothes.

The surrounding fragrances contained traces of divine incense.

Under Wen Zhuojin’s care, Yan Qinglan had mostly recovered from the divine incense’s toxicity, and her addiction had recently subsided.

But here in the palace, she was exposed to it again.

In the past, she hadn’t paid much attention to this fragrance, but now it made her nauseous.

Yan Qinglan suppressed the feeling and took a few steps when she heard a familiar voice.

“Elder Sister, why are you still in Zichen Hall? There’s a palace banquet today. Did you forget, or did you sleep poorly again and wake up late?”

Hearing this, Yan Qinglan’s body stiffened slightly, and her emotions surged.

It had been months since she last heard this voice.

The voice belonged to Yan Ji, her younger brother from the same mother.

Yan Qinglan hadn’t expected to run into him so suddenly.

The tone and manner of his speech were the same as when she had left for Tianxuan Palace to cultivate in seclusion.

It carried a sense of closeness, without any hint of disrespect.

Before this, Yan Qinglan had also asked Yan Zisang.

The people sent to the palace had observed for several days and found no signs that Yan Ji treated the “Elder Princess” in the palace any differently.

It seemed the same as before.

The “Elder Princess” had been claiming illness recently and indeed had some health issues, so her interactions with Yan Ji had decreased.

Because the “Elder Princess” was ill, many of her affairs were handled by Yan Ji, who had been very busy lately and had little time.

It all seemed reasonable.

Yan Ji also seemed to be in the dark.

But Yan Qinglan still couldn’t be sure.

“His Majesty is twenty now. Does he still need me to accompany him to the palace banquet?” Yan Qinglan smiled, looking up.

Her vision was still blurry, and she couldn’t make out the person’s face, only the general shape of a tall man in embroidered golden robes and a crown walking toward her.

“Elder Sister, do you not want to attend the banquet?” Yan Ji asked.

“I felt a bit tired when I woke up today. Perhaps I’ll go later. Does His Majesty permit it?” Yan Qinglan asked, her tone still the same as before her imprisonment.

“If Elder Sister needs rest, how could I force you? Those imperial physicians are all useless. They still haven’t managed to improve your health!” The emperor, still with a youthful voice, spoke with clear frustration.

“Don’t be angry. Your Majesty should be happy today, on your birthday. I was just reminiscing about the past and felt a bit emotional. Do you remember the birthday gift I gave you when you were fifteen?” Yan Qinglan asked, making small talk but actually probing.

“Of course I remember. Elder Sister gave me a painting you made yourself. I still have it hanging in the Xuanzheng Hall. Every time I see it, I’m reminded of that time. It’s a pity Elder Sister hasn’t painted much in recent years.” Yan Ji said, his tone tinged with regret.

“My health hasn’t been good this year, so I couldn’t make you a gift myself. Especially after my eyes worsened, many things became difficult. I remember making a devil’s work ball for Your Majesty’s birthday with the master craftsman. Now, it’s hard for me to even see clearly.” Yan Qinglan said, testing further.

The “Elder Princess” in the palace also had eye problems and used divine incense daily.

Before Yan Qinglan left the palace for Tianxuan Palace, her eyes had already started to fail. At first, her vision was just blurry, but she could still see things up close.

Later, it worsened until she could see nothing.

“The devil’s work ball Elder Sister made is my favorite gift. It was the most intricate and eye-straining. Now… Elder Sister must be too tired. You should rest more. I’ve sent for a famous physician from Jiangnan. I hope he arrives soon to treat you.” Yan Ji said.

“Thank you, Your Majesty.” Yan Qinglan said.

“Elder Sister, there’s no need to be so formal with me. I only wish for your health and safety.” Yan Ji said.

Hearing Yan Ji switch to a more personal tone, Yan Qinglan felt a stir in her heart.

For a moment, she wanted to ask him directly.

But she held back.

“My health will improve with time. Your Majesty, the banquet is about to start. You should go soon.” Yan Qinglan said softly.

“Alright, Then I’ll go.” Yan Ji paused and said.

“Yan Ji!” Yan Qinglan called out, and Yan Ji stopped.

“Elder Sister, what is it?” Yan Ji asked.

“I want to see the treasure box. Perhaps I’ve been reminiscing too much today and miss the things from our childhood.” Yan Qinglan said.

“Of course, I’ll bring it to you.” Yan Ji said.

Yan Qinglan breathed a slight sigh of relief.

Yan Qinglan’s golden fish talisman was hidden in the birthday gift she had given Yan Ji, specifically inside the devil’s work ball he loved most.

The ball had over twenty layers, with a hollow center where something could be placed.

Every time Yan Qinglan left the palace, she would hide the golden fish talisman inside the devil’s work ball.

This was in case something happened to her, so Yan Ji could find it.

But this time, the situation was too severe. Everyone around her had died, and she hadn’t even had time to send a message.

Those who had trapped her were searching for the golden fish talisman, focusing on her.

She had thought that as long as Yan Ji often played with the devil’s work ball, he would eventually discover it.

But from the current information, neither side had found the golden fish talisman inside the ball.

Yan Ji left, and not long after, several palace maids and eunuchs brought in some items.

“Elder Princess, His Majesty has prepared some pastries, hot tea, and soup for you. The treasure box you requested has also been brought. Here is the key.”

The head maid spoke to Yan Qinglan.

“Mm, Leave the things here and go.” Yan Qinglan waved her hand, dismissing the others.

The maids and eunuchs quickly left.

The treasure box contained many mementos from Yan Qinglan and Yan Ji’s childhood.

It was their most cherished possession, guarded by dedicated caretaker.

Yan Qinglan touched the lacquered surface of the treasure box, her expression momentarily dazed.

Yan Ji had spoken to her as usual and even brought the treasure box.

Was he really in the dark, knowing nothing?

If he knew, their earlier conversation would have already revealed it.

But if he didn’t know, how could he not see through the deception?

Yan Qinglan exhaled, pushing aside her thoughts, and used the key to open the box.

It was filled with various items.

Yan Qinglan couldn’t see clearly, so she first looked for anything conspicuously white, then felt around but couldn’t find anything spherical.

Her expression darkened.

Yan Ji had always kept those small items in this treasure box.

No one was allowed to touch them except for her and Yan Ji.

The devil’s work ball had been placed on top.

Why was it missing today?

“Yan Zisang!” Yan Qinglan called softly.

“Your Highness, I’m here!” A voice replied, and Yan Zisang, disguised as a palace eunuch, emerged from the shadows.

“Look inside and see if there’s a devil’s work ball.” Yan Qinglan instructed.

Originally, Yan Qinglan had intended to retrieve it herself, without involving Yan Zisang.

But now, she needed his help.

“Your Highness, there’s no devil’s work ball in the box.” Yan Zisang searched but found nothing.

“…” Yan Qinglan’s expression grew serious.

Yan Ji had always treasured the devil’s work ball. Could it have been moved elsewhere and not placed in the box today?

“Do you remember that devil’s work ball? It’s slightly larger than a polo ball, made of white ivory. The one I made six or seven years ago.” Yan Qinglan asked.

“Your Highness, of course I remember.” Yan Zisang said.

“Most people should be at the banquet now, Go and look for it. If you can’t find it within half an hour, return immediately.” Yan Qinglan said.

Yan Zisang immediately went to search.

Yan Qinglan considered several possibilities.

She even thought of the worst-case scenario.

As cold sweat began to form, Yan Zisang returned.

“Did you find it?” Yan Qinglan asked.

“Your Highness, the devil’s work ball is among the prizes for the polo competition.” Yan Zisang reported.