Mistakenly Treated The Princess As A Concubine - Chapter 59

For a moment, all of Yan Qinglan’s emotions were suppressed, and her entire focus was on the object in her hand.

The familiar texture, the familiar patterns, and the smooth rolling of the nested balls inside as she gently flicked them with her fingers.

This was the devil’s work ball she had gifted to Yan Qi for his birthday, something she had handled countless times.

The surface patterns were carved by her own hand under the guidance of a master craftsman.

Yan Qinglan’s fingers moved according to her memory, and the nested balls inside aligned with their corresponding holes. Soon, she felt a different metallic object through the holes—it was the golden fish tally!

Unexpectedly, after all the effort she had put in today, thinking she might lose it, the item had come into her hands in this way.

“Sister, do you know why I was the top contributor today? At first, the Northern Qiang used a fragrant toxin to dull the horses, but I discovered it and used the notes on fragrant toxins to create an antidote, breaking their scheme. Most importantly, in the final play, I rushed forward and pulled down the most skilled player from the Northern Qiang, preventing her from intercepting the ball and allowing Lady Yunshu to score. That’s why everyone respects me now and even offered to give me their prizes. Sister, do you know what this ball is called? They say it’s called the Tongxin Ball. The many layers of the ball are all carved from a single piece, sharing the same core.”

Wen Zhuojin’s voice reached her.

Wen Zhuojin had chosen this devil’s work ball not only because it looked exquisite and could be held and played with, but also because it had another name: the Tongxin Ball.

The symbolism was just too perfect.

“Sister, do you like the gift I gave you?” Wen Zhuojin asked, leaning closer as she noticed Yan Qinglan’s dazed expression.

Yan Qinglan snapped out of her thoughts.

She had heard Wen Zhuojin’s words.

Wen Zhuojin didn’t know the significance of the devil’s work ball to Yan Qinglan, but she had her own perspective, giving it a new meaning.

To Wen Zhuojin, the devil’s work ball was just a little trinket meant to bring Yan Qinglan joy, chosen for its uniqueness and its name, the Tongxin Ball.

It wasn’t even her first choice.

But to Yan Qinglan, it was something of utmost importance.

Through a series of coincidences, an unintended act had led to a moment of clarity…

It seemed that everything turned for the better whenever Wen Zhuojin was involved.

“I like it…” Yan Qinglan whispered, her words trailing off as Wen Zhuojin leaned in and nuzzled her cheek.

“If sister likes it, then my pain today wasn’t in vain. Sister, do you know how much it hurts to fall off a horse? My back, shoulders, and legs hit the ground, and they’re all swollen. It still hurts…” Wen Zhuojin said, her tone turning pitiful as she leaned closer, seeking comfort.

Yan Qinglan’s hand trembled slightly as she reached out to touch Wen Zhuojin’s shoulder.

Wen Zhuojin felt it and was delighted.

“Sister, kiss me, it hurts…” Wen Zhuojin whispered in Yan Qinglan’s ear, her voice soft and sweet, carrying a hint of a coquettish tone.

Yan Qinglan’s heart softened, and she leaned in. Wen Zhuojin’s lips were already waiting, meeting hers perfectly.

Their soft lips touched, and their breaths intertwined as their mouths melded together.

All the negative emotions, all the physical discomfort, seemed to dissolve and dissipate, replaced entirely by Wen Zhuojin’s presence, her touch, and the emotions she evoked.

Wen Zhuojin felt that Yan Qinglan was especially docile today, obediently parting her lips, relaxing her teeth, and even letting her tongue peek out, allowing Wen Zhuojin to suck on it gently. Her hands even rested lightly on Wen Zhuojin’s back, holding her…

This kiss felt incredibly good to Wen Zhuojin.

Before long, Wen Zhuojin’s head was spinning from the kiss.

Her hands wanted to hold Yan Qinglan tighter, to press her body closer, to tear away the clothes that separated them…

Yan Qinglan could feel Wen Zhuojin’s kiss growing more intense. Her body was pressed into the soft bedding, and Wen Zhuojin’s hand on her back grew hotter.

When that hand moved from her back to her waist and continued downward, Yan Qinglan trembled slightly and closed her eyes.

This kiss was different for Yan Qinglan too, carrying a different kind of emotion.

These emotions were being ground down, transformed.

And then they turned into another thought.

She also wanted to be closer to Wen Zhuojin.

It was as if the feelings that had been budding during their last intimate moment were resurfacing…

Just as Yan Qinglan thought Wen Zhuojin would continue as she had last time, she felt Wen Zhuojin pull away from her lips, burying her face in the crook of Yan Qinglan’s neck, breathing heavily.

“Sister, you haven’t eaten yet, have you? I’ll have someone bring dinner in, and we’ll eat together.” Wen Zhuojin said softly, her voice still a little hoarse.

Yan Qinglan could hear the restraint in her voice.

Little rascal, why are you holding back now?

Although Wen Zhuojin wanted to continue being close, she thought about Yan Qinglan’s earlier poor condition and was sure she hadn’t eaten dinner. She couldn’t bear to bully her further.

They could eat first.

Wen Zhuojin lifted her head to look at Yan Qinglan, placing her on the soft bedding and removing her hand from her back.

Seeing the glimmer of tears in Yan Qinglan’s eyes and her slightly parted, red lips, Wen Zhuojin couldn’t help but lean in for another kiss.

“Sister, be good, I’ll be right back…” Wen Zhuojin whispered, reaching out to brush the stray hairs from Yan Qinglan’s forehead.

Yan Qinglan’s face and the area around her eyes were still warm.

Her vision was clear again.

As Wen Zhuojin lifted her head, Yan Qinglan’s field of vision was filled with a face that was both unfamiliar and familiar.

It was too brief, and Yan Qinglan hadn’t gotten a clear look before that face leaned in close, planting a kiss on the tip of her nose and between her eyebrows, then got up and left.

Yan Qinglan reached out to grab something, but there was nothing to hold onto.

With Wen Zhuojin gone, the room felt empty, and Yan Qinglan’s heart felt like a piece was missing.

Wen Zhuojin went out to instruct the maids to prepare dinner, heat water, and summon Zheng Qianqin for a check-up.

Wen Zhuojin was a little worried. She didn’t know what was wrong with Yan Qinglan’s body, but she had been in such a state earlier.

Dinner had already been prepared by the cook, and since Wen Zhuojin had returned late, her instructions were quickly carried out. Soon, the maids brought in steaming hot food.

Wen Zhuojin didn’t let anyone else enter. She took the food from the maids and brought it into the inner chamber.

Yan Qinglan had already sat up.

The golden fish tally inside the devil’s work ball had been retrieved by Yan Qinglan using a hairpin.

With one major worry resolved, Yan Qinglan calmed down a bit.

But the thoughts that had arisen earlier wouldn’t go away.

She still wanted to be close to Wen Zhuojin, to see what Wen Zhuojin looked like.

The heat on her face subsided a little, and her vision wasn’t as clear as before, but it was still clearer than usual. She could make out Wen Zhuojin’s figure, and if she got close enough, she could see the outline of her face and distinguish the positions of her eyes and brows.

Yan Qinglan watched as the graceful figure of the young girl walked up to her and sat beside her, effortlessly lifting her up.

It was as if Yan Qinglan couldn’t move on her own, as Wen Zhuojin carried her over to the dining table.

“Sister, you’re so well-behaved. Today, we have Four Treasures Lamb Soup. It’s delicious and nourishing. Sister, try it and see if you like it.” Yan Qinglan heard Wen Zhuojin’s voice, and paired with the outline of her figure and face, it felt a bit strange. She wasn’t quite used to it yet.

But whether she was used to it or not, the soup was already being spooned to her lips.

It had a slight medicinal taste, but the main flavor was savory. As the hot soup entered her mouth, warmth spread through her body.

Only then did Yan Qinglan realize how hungry she was.

At the palace, she had only eaten a few bites, and after drinking the bitter, poisoned medicine, her stomach had been very uncomfortable.

But that discomfort had been overshadowed by everything else, seeming insignificant.

Only now did it make itself known.

One sip of soup, then a bite of meat, followed by a piece of flatbread.

With each bite, she was praised and rewarded.

Yan Qinglan, who had always had a light appetite, felt that this simple meal tasted much better than usual.

Better than the food in the palace.

Yan Qinglan ate most of the bowl and was full. Wen Zhuojin finished the rest, along with the other dishes on the table.

In the past, Yan Qinglan had only known that Wen Zhuojin ate her leftovers. But seeing it with her own eyes was a different matter.

She didn’t mind at all.

After dinner, Wen Zhuojin helped Yan Qinglan rinse her mouth and then fed her the medicine that had been prepared for the day.

Even taking medicine became much easier with Wen Zhuojin around. It was no longer an ordeal.

After finishing the medicine, Zheng Qianqin arrived shortly after.

Although their current residence was closer to the market street where the shop was located, it was farther from Zheng Qianqin’s place.

Wen Zhuojin welcomed Zheng Qianqin into the inner chamber to check Yan Qinglan’s pulse.

After taking Yan Qinglan’s pulse, Wen Zhuojin and Zheng Qianqin stepped outside to talk.

“It seems like she was exposed to the fragrant toxin again, but not enough to fully trigger the withdrawal symptoms. You said she’s been staying here all day and couldn’t have come into contact with the toxin, so it might be the residual poison in her body. From her pulse, it seems she’s been overthinking, which can also affect her health. Excessive worry and pent-up emotions are not good. It can easily lead to spleen and stomach imbalances. What is she so worried about these days? Haven’t you asked her?” Zheng Qianqin said to Wen Zhuojin.

“I don’t know what’s troubling her.” Wen Zhuojin replied, frowning, feeling a bit guilty.

“Resolving her emotional knots is more effective than any medicine. Medicine can only assist; it can’t cure the root cause.” Zheng Qianqin said.

Wen Zhuojin understood the logic, but she wasn’t sure what was troubling Yan Qinglan.

She had some guesses, but they made her uneasy.

Was Yan Qinglan worried because of their relationship? Was she thinking about leaving? Or was she still longing to return, holding onto the past…

After seeing Zheng Qianqin off, Wen Zhuojin returned to Yan Qinglan’s side.

“Sister, the doctor said you’ve been overthinking. What’s troubling you? Do you start overthinking when you’re alone? Today, I didn’t return in time, and you didn’t eat on schedule. Sister, no matter what happens, you must eat on time. If there’s anything on your mind, you can tell me. Let go of those unimportant things and don’t dwell on them. I’ll handle everything. Sister, you don’t need to think about anything or do anything. Whatever happens, I’ll stand in front of you.”

Wen Zhuojin held Yan Qinglan, trying to comfort her and make her understand her feelings.

Yan Qinglan listened to Wen Zhuojin’s words.

Her sweet voice, sincere and deliberate, expressed her thoughts word by word.

Those words sounded like empty promises.

But upon closer thought, they seemed to have already been fulfilled, one by one, without her noticing.

However, this person not only wanted to take care of her body but also wanted to manage what was in her heart.

She certainly had a lot of control.

“Weren’t you just saying it hurt earlier? Does it not hurt anymore? Don’t you need to apply medicine? Did the doctor check you?” After Wen Zhuojin finished speaking, Yan Qinglan asked softly.

From the way Wen Zhuojin held her, Yan Qinglan guessed that Wen Zhuojin’s injuries weren’t serious.

But she was still concerned about her wounds.

Falling off a horse and hitting the ground would surely cause some swelling.

“Of course it still hurts. I have medicine. But I’ve been sweating a lot today and haven’t bathed yet. After I bathe, I’ll apply the medicine. Will you help me, sister?” Wen Zhuojin asked, leaning closer, happy that Yan Qinglan was concerned about her.

“Okay.” Yan Qinglan agreed.

Wen Zhuojin quickly instructed the maids to prepare hot water. Once the wooden tub was filled with the medicinal bath, Wen Zhuojin carried Yan Qinglan over for the bath.