Mistakenly Treated The Princess As A Concubine - Chapter 57

On her way, Yan Qinglan recalled the closest moment she had shared with Wen Zhuojin to help herself see more clearly.

It was a memory that brought her shame, one she would have been too embarrassed to recall if not for the current necessity.

As her face grew warm, so did her eyes, and her vision indeed became clearer.

Though it still couldn’t compare to that of a normal person’s eyes, she could see more distinctly than before. She could make out the facial features of people nearby, and the surroundings had more detailed lines. The scenery and buildings felt familiar.

As she approached the Zhonghe Hall, Yan Qinglan caught Wen Zhuojin’s name amidst the noise.

Already filled with thoughts of Wen Zhuojin, and with her voice seemingly echoing in her ears, hearing her name made Yan Qinglan wonder if she was hallucinating.

“The goal was scored by Miss Wen Zhuojin from the Jing’an Marquis’s household!”

“Isn’t she the eldest daughter of the Jing’an Marquis’s household, the one skilled in making incense? Who would have thought she’d be so good at polo too!”

Yan Qinglan, supported by a palace maid, took a few steps forward and managed to catch a few more words.

“Did you hear Wen Zhuojin’s name?” Yan Qinglan turned to ask the maid beside her, seeking confirmation.

“Yes, Your Highness.” the maid replied.

After confirming, Yan Qinglan’s hands involuntarily clenched slightly. She turned her gaze toward the polo field, which was some distance away. Her eyes could only make out the movements of gold and green, like flowing colors shifting randomly in her vision.

“Stop her!”

A voice carried by the wind reached her, clear and crisp, like a summer fruit, sweet and refreshing.

Unable to see faces clearly, Yan Qinglan managed to locate Wen Zhuojin among the flowing colors based on that faint shout.

Dressed in red with golden embroidery, her black ponytail swaying, she rode a reddish-brown horse, bending low and swinging her polo mallet in one fluid motion. After completing the move, she immediately urged her horse to gallop in another direction.

Yan Qinglan felt as if she were watching a pulsating burst of vitality, fresh and intense.

“Ah Zhuojin!”

The two words leaped in her throat, as if something had been awakened.

The warmth in her eyes intensified, and her vision became even clearer.

Yan Qinglan was momentarily dazed, snapping back to reality when cheers erupted. She suppressed the emotions that had surfaced and refocused her thoughts.

Indeed, Wen Zhuojin had been busy lately, mentioning that she was practicing polo.

So, was Wen Zhuojin now playing alongside noblewomen, representing Northern Jin against envoys from another country?

She might have a chance to win the Devil’s Work Ball!

But there was a condition: Wen Zhuojin couldn’t lose. Even if she won, with so many prizes, how could she be sure to get the Devil’s Work Ball?

She was still in the middle of the game. Should Yan Qinglan wait and send someone to inform her afterward?

But how could Wen Zhuojin believe her?

Yan Qinglan pondered for a moment. There were too many uncertainties. Rather than waiting, it might be better to take the initiative and see if she could get close to the Devil’s Work Ball herself.

Supported by the palace maid, Yan Qinglan continued forward but was stopped by a group of people just before reaching the Zhonghe Hall.

The woman leading the group wore a deep red palace dress, her expression displeased as she blocked Yan Qinglan’s path.

From the outline and posture, Yan Qinglan guessed that the person before her was Consort Mo, one of the four consorts.

Aside from Consort Feng, the other three consorts had been personally chosen by Yan Qinglan.

Their family backgrounds helped maintain the stability of Northern Jin’s court, and they were all virtuous and well-mannered.

But now, it seemed she had misjudged many of them.

Perhaps they were good consorts for Yan Qi, but to her, they were enemies.

“Your Highness, the wind is strong here. Why have you come? Don’t you know Her Highness is in poor health? How dare you bring her here!” Consort Mo’s voice was gentle as she spoke to Yan Qinglan but harsh as she scolded the maid.

“Your Highness, let me take you to the side hall to rest. The wind is too strong, and the imperial physician warned that you must not catch a chill.” Consort Mo stepped closer and took hold of Yan Qinglan’s arm.

Yan Qinglan wanted to say something but felt Consort Mo’s grip tighten.

Up close, she could see the downward curve of Consort Mo’s lips, sharp and stern.

“Let’s go!” Consort Mo’s voice was low but commanding.

Yan Qinglan hesitated for a moment before following Consort Mo as she turned a corner.

Consort Mo must know her true identity and was likely one of those colluding with the Tianxuan Palace.

If Yan Qinglan didn’t comply, it might arouse Consort Mo’s suspicions.

Yan Qinglan followed Consort Mo to the side hall.

Consort Mo ordered the maids to fetch water and food, then closed the hall’s doors.

“What are you doing here?! Why aren’t you staying in the Zichen Hall? Do you really think you’re a princess?!” As the doors closed, Yan Qinglan heard hurried footsteps, followed by Consort Mo’s deliberately lowered voice.

Yan Qinglan inwardly sighed. Indeed, this consort she had personally chosen knew about the fake princess in the palace.

In contrast, Consort Feng, who wore her emotions on her sleeve and was incapable of hiding her thoughts, was at least consistent in her behavior.

“Consort Mo, His Majesty summoned me. I couldn’t refuse, so I said I would come later… I couldn’t lie to His Majesty…” Yan Qinglan softened her voice, speaking weakly, as if she had picked up the habit from spending so much time with Wen Zhuojin. This meek tone came naturally to her now.

Consort Mo snorted at Yan Qinglan’s words.

“His Majesty is only being polite on the surface. The facade hasn’t completely shattered yet. Do you really think the princess means anything? She’s just a thorn in His Majesty’s side, a stumbling block. Her blindness and frailty are partly His Majesty’s doing. The less noticeable you are, the happier His Majesty will be. What are you doing at an event with foreign envoys? And don’t forget your place. In front of me, you should refer to yourself as a servant!” Consort Mo leaned closer, her tone scolding.

“…This servant understands her mistake.” Yan Qinglan replied in a low voice.

Seeing Yan Qinglan’s submissive and fearful demeanor, Consort Mo felt a sense of satisfaction.

Listening to Consort Mo’s words, Yan Qinglan’s heart turned cold.

Yan Qinglan had begun to suspect Yan Qi when she contacted Qing Chenning without reaching out to him first.

Still, she held onto a sliver of hope, wishing that her younger brother—who had once knelt to beg for a physician when she was gravely ill in the cold palace, who had risked his life to draw away rebel soldiers to protect her, who had shared both hardship and joy with her—had been deceived and still held some affection for her.

But with each return to the palace, that hope was slowly eroding.

“You’d better remember that. Stay in the Zichen Hall and don’t cause trouble! Once the Golden Fish Talisman is found, you’ll be set free. You know the consequences of disobedience. You don’t want to experience the pain of the Divine Incense being cut off again, do you?” Consort Mo continued.

“No, no…” Yan Qinglan complied.

“Stay here. I’ll inform His Majesty and send someone to fetch you later.” Consort Mo snorted lightly.

“Consort Mo, when His Majesty visited the Zichen Palace earlier, he mentioned the matter of appointing an empress. It seemed he favored Consort Shu and casually mentioned it to this servant. Please be careful.” Just as Consort Mo was about to leave, Yan Qinglan softly added.

“That wretch! Even under house arrest, she’s still scheming! We agreed that whoever found the Golden Fish Talisman first would… Could she really have gotten help from that person…” Consort Mo’s anger flared, her words trailing off as she bit back what she was about to say.

Yan Qinglan listened but remained silent, confirming her suspicions.

The competition for the position of empress was the greatest source of conflict among the four consorts.

Initially, Yan Qinglan had suspected Consort Shu and had Qing Chenning subtly probe and sow discord. Consort Shu did indeed harbor intentions of harming Yan Qinglan to seize power and was connected to the Tianxuan Palace, but it seemed she and Consort Mo were not aligned.

From Consort Mo’s words, it appeared that finding the Golden Fish Talisman had become a condition for becoming empress.

And none of them had found it yet.

After a brief pause, Consort Mo left for the viewing platform outside.

The maid who had accompanied Yan Qinglan quickly entered to find her.

“What’s happening outside?” Yan Qinglan asked.

“Consort Mo has her stewardess guarding the entrance. It will be difficult for us to leave.” the maid whispered.

Yan Qinglan frowned, deep in thought.

Consort Mo knew her identity and had trapped her here. If she tried to force her way out now, unless she could guarantee she would obtain the Devil’s Work Ball and leave immediately, her identity would be exposed, effectively pointing the way for her enemies.

As Yan Qinglan hesitated, a sharp voice rang out from outside.

It was the chief eunuch from Yan Qi’s side.

“The polo match is at a critical moment, and His Majesty is too busy to leave. He instructed this old servant to take good care of Your Highness. Your Highness, you haven’t taken your medicine today. His Majesty ordered me to ensure you eat and take your medicine. You mustn’t avoid it because it’s bitter, or His Majesty will have me beaten.” The old eunuch entered and spoke to Yan Qinglan.

This was an old servant who had been by Yan Qi’s side for years.

In the past, when Yan Qinglan fell ill, this eunuch would also be sent to supervise her taking her medicine.

Yan Qinglan hadn’t expected to be supervised again today.

The maids and eunuchs brought food and urged Yan Qinglan to eat.

“I really have no appetite. I don’t want to eat. Since the wind is strong here, I won’t stay. I’d like to visit the Changqiu Hall instead.” Yan Qinglan feigned weariness.

She couldn’t openly go after the Devil’s Work Ball now; she would have to obtain it secretly. Once it was awarded, she could have Yan Zisang send someone to retrieve it discreetly, which would be safer.

Perhaps it would be better to stay and create confusion, letting those who suspected her true identity continue to guess.

“Your Highness, please eat something and take your medicine before you go. My dear princess, you’re going to be the death of this old servant! His Majesty’s decree is that you must not miss your medicine. He ordered me to watch you take it. I beg of you…”

With a thud, the old eunuch knelt, pleading tearfully.

“…” Yan Qinglan sighed inwardly. This again.

Yan Qi had an obsession with making sure she ate and took her medicine on time.

It seemed she wouldn’t be able to leave without eating something.

But the food and medicine, which she once believed were signs of Yan Qi’s care for her, now felt different.

Everything had changed.

The old eunuch continued to plead, and Yan Qinglan, after a moment’s hesitation, picked up the jade chopsticks and took a few bites.

The palace food tasted the same, perhaps even more refined.

But to Yan Qinglan, it was bland, nothing compared to the meals she had shared with Wen Zhuojin.

Especially the medicine, which was unbearably bitter.

In the past, she would endure it, but now her tolerance for bitterness seemed to have weakened.

After just a few sips, she gagged and vomited.

The maids and eunuchs scrambled, bringing another bowl of medicine and sweet pastries to coax her to continue.

Yan Qinglan took a few more sips, feeling as though she were being tortured. She only managed to drink half before secretly spitting the rest into her sleeve, finally satisfying the eunuch.

Yan Qinglan stood, supported by the maid, and prepared to head to the Changqiu Hall as she had mentioned. Only then did the others stop blocking her.

As she stepped out of the side hall, the noise from outside rushed in. She didn’t know how the polo match was progressing.

From a distance, Yan Qinglan’s vision blurred again, the colors blending together, making it impossible to discern anything.

“What’s happening?” Yan Qinglan asked, sensing the excitement in the voices.

“Oh my, one of our Northern Jin noblewomen charged at a player from Northern Qiang, and both fell off their horses. Tsk tsk, we used to play polo for fun, but now it’s so intense!” the old eunuch explained.

“Who was it?” Yan Qinglan’s heart skipped a beat as she asked.

“This old servant does know. That noblewoman’s surname is Wen, from the Jing’an Marquis’s household. I wonder how she’s doing. Back when Your Highness set the rules, falling off the horse meant elimination and stopping the match. Now they’re both out…” the eunuch said.

Hearing this, Yan Qinglan grew tense, her breath catching.

Wen Zhuojin had fallen off her horse. Where had she landed? Was she injured? Please, don’t let her have been trampled by the horse…

At this moment, Yan Qinglan no longer cared about Wen Zhuojin winning or receiving any prizes. She just hoped Wen Zhuojin was unharmed.

Yan Qinglan desperately wanted to go and see how Wen Zhuojin was.

But doing so would not only expose her but also endanger Wen Zhuojin.

As the attendants surrounded her, helping her onto the palanquin, Yan Qinglan’s heart remained in turmoil.

Meanwhile, Wen Zhuojin lay on the ground, her back aching, but a smile on her face.

After falling behind by three goals, Wen Zhuojin had used her incense-making skills to rally the team, and together they had closed the gap.

At the crucial moment, the opposing team, recognizing Wen Zhuojin’s pivotal role, sent three or four players to block her, even attempting a suicidal charge to knock her off her horse.

Wen Zhuojin deftly dodged the first wave and, glancing at the incense stick used to track time, realized the match was nearly over.

She signaled to County Princess Yunshu, then swung her mallet and spurred her horse forward. With the help of her teammates, she broke through the defense and charged toward the opposing team’s star player.

The Northern Qiang team often passed the ball to their star player, so heading in that direction increased the chances of intercepting the ball.

As Wen Zhuojin closed in, the opponent thought she was going for the ball, but instead, she lunged at the player, knocking them off their horse.

The ball, now loose, was intercepted by County Princess Yunshu, who swung her mallet and sent it toward the goal, scoring the winning point.

The Northern Jin team’s excellent coordination secured the victory, and the crowd erupted in cheers. Even the emperor and his consorts on the viewing platform smiled with satisfaction.