Mistakenly Treated The Princess As A Concubine - Chapter 70

Wen Zhuojin faintly caught a glimpse of a blushing face.

The petals, dampened by the rain, were exquisitely vibrant, each one resembling a naturally crimson lip, full and moist. With the slightest touch, the flower trembled shyly.

However, the flower was too delicate. With the slightest breeze or external force, its petals would open to the wind.

Yan Qinglan gasped for breath, still feeling suffocated.

The sensations emanating from her core spread to every limb, leaving her body too weak to support itself.

Her eyes, like lakes brimming with water, overflowed with tears that streamed down to her temples.

If the previous two times were like Wen Zhuojin forcefully pulling her into an unknown realm, this time it was as if she was being drawn by the softest silk.

The force was the gentlest, yet the speed was the fastest.

Like drinking strong liquor.

She was soon intoxicated.

“Ah Zhuo…”

Yan Qinglan called out to Wen Zhuojin, her hands gripping her hair, wanting to see her, to kiss her lips for comfort.

“Sister, don’t be afraid, I’m here.” Wen Zhuojin murmured, not wasting any time, her kisses falling like a gentle rain.

Soon, they reached the threshold.

Yan Qinglan felt as if her soul had been sucked away by Wen Zhuojin, her mind going blank.

Wen Zhuojin felt Yan Qinglan’s fingers tighten in her hair for a few breaths.

Then, the strength ebbed away, and her hands fell.

Wen Zhuojin knew it was done.

Yan Qinglan was slower to warm up than she was.

This method was indeed more efficient.

Wen Zhuojin lifted her head to carefully inspect.

No injuries.

Just trembling, delicate tremors, like breathing, slightly closing and opening.

Wen Zhuojin licked her lips, leaned in for another kiss, eliciting another shiver.

So pitiful.

Wen Zhuojin couldn’t bear to tease any longer and raised her head to look at Yan Qinglan.

Yan Qinglan gazed blankly upward, her body completely limp in the bedding.

Tears moistened her lashes and the pillow beneath.

“Ah Zhuo…” Yan Qinglan softly called Wen Zhuojin’s name, a hint of a sob in her voice, sounding utterly helpless.

Wen Zhuojin quickly leaned down to embrace her.

“Sister, I’m here, it’s okay, don’t be afraid, I’m here.” Wen Zhuojin whispered, gently stroking Yan Qinglan’s back, holding her close, planting small kisses on her cheeks.

After a while, Yan Qinglan finally calmed down.

Her mind began to function again, and her vision regained focus.

Yan Qinglan looked up and saw Wen Zhuojin’s profile.

Her dark eyes sparkled, her fair face gentle and tender, dotingly kissing her.

For a moment, Yan Qinglan’s heart inexplicably settled.

“Sister, how was it? Did I do well?” Wen Zhuojin’s warm voice suddenly sounded in Yan Qinglan’s ear.

Yan Qinglan’s face flushed, and she wanted to cover Wen Zhuojin’s mouth.

“Sister, if you don’t say anything, that means I scored full marks.” Wen Zhuojin graded herself.

“Wen Zhuojin, where did you learn all this?” Yan Qinglan reached out to cover Wen Zhuojin’s mouth but missed, her hand caught and kissed by Wen Zhuojin.

“Books hold the secrets of the world. Reading teaches you everything.” Wen Zhuojin said proudly.

“…” Yan Qinglan was speechless.

“Sister, you’re really beautiful, so pretty, and you smell so good, like…” Yan Qinglan remained silent, but Wen Zhuojin continued, her eyes growing brighter.

Hearing Wen Zhuojin’s words, Yan Qinglan immediately understood what she was referring to, her mind buzzing.

The speaker, however, seemed utterly shameless, speaking with such sincerity as if discussing something commonplace.

“Wen Zhuojin, say one more word and see what happens.” Yan Qinglan said, flustered and annoyed.

Wen Zhuojin looked at Yan Qinglan’s expression and couldn’t help but smile.

So easily embarrassed, so sensitive to teasing.

The beautiful sister was still the same as she remembered.

Those matters must have their own reasons. She would wait for her to explain in due time.

“Sister, my neck hurts. The bandage around my neck came loose, and it’s soaked with sweat, it stings…” Wen Zhuojin changed the subject, feigning grievance.

Yan Qinglan glanced at Wen Zhuojin’s neck. Indeed, the wound was exposed, and sweat had trickled down to it.

“You…” Yan Qinglan wanted to say she deserved it but held back.

“We need to clean it again, apply medicine, and bandage it.” Yan Qinglan said, about to get up, only to realize she was barely dressed, with only a shirt hanging loosely.

“Sister, don’t rush. Let me hold you a bit longer, then I’ll go get what we need.” Wen Zhuojin said, smoothing Yan Qinglan’s hair.

“No, go now.” Yan Qinglan moved, feeling Wen Zhuojin’s breath quicken.

“Sister…” Wen Zhuojin’s voice grew hoarse as she called out, pulling Yan Qinglan closer, their bodies pressing together.

Wen Zhuojin groaned softly but did nothing, instead releasing Yan Qinglan.

“Sister, I’ll go get some water to clean you up.” Wen Zhuojin whispered before getting up.

“…” Yan Qinglan watched Wen Zhuojin leave hurriedly, her eyes trembling.

For a moment, she thought Wen Zhuojin would…

But instead, she let her go.

Yan Qinglan had been feeling guilty, expecting Wen Zhuojin to demand something in return.

Yet, she had only “served” her.

Though Yan Qinglan lacked knowledge in such matters, she knew this had been one-sided.

Yan Qinglan pursed her lips, unsure what Wen Zhuojin was planning.

Wen Zhuojin quickly cleaned herself and returned with warm water to wash Yan Qinglan.

Yan Qinglan, concerned about Wen Zhuojin’s wound, dressed and tended to it, re-bandaging the injury.

By the time they finished, it was late.

Yan Qinglan wanted to ask Wen Zhuojin something, but exhaustion took over, and she was lulled to sleep by Wen Zhuojin.

That night, Wen Zhuojin worried Yan Qinglan might catch a cold, so she covered her with a thick quilt and held her close.

The bed was warm and cozy.

In the morning, Wen Zhuojin immediately checked Yan Qinglan’s forehead and complexion. Everything seemed normal, and she breathed a sigh of relief.

Perhaps because she had quickly removed Yan Qinglan’s wet clothes, wrapped her in blankets, and given her medicine, Yan Qinglan was fine.

When Yan Qinglan woke, she found Wen Zhuojin’s forehead pressed against hers, their legs entwined under the covers.

Yan Qinglan closed her eyes, trying to calm herself, but the vivid memories of the previous night were still fresh.

“Sister, are you awake? Pretending to sleep?” Wen Zhuojin noticed Yan Qinglan’s eyelids flutter and chuckled softly.

“Why are you up so late today?” Yan Qinglan reluctantly opened her eyes and asked.

“It’s raining today, so I’m being lazy. Do you feel unwell anywhere?” Wen Zhuojin asked.

“No… I’m fine.” Yan Qinglan hesitated, feeling Wen Zhuojin was referring to last night, her face flushing.

“That’s good. You didn’t get sick from the rain yesterday, that’s great.” Wen Zhuojin said, nuzzling Yan Qinglan.

Yan Qinglan’s expression froze, realizing Wen Zhuojin was talking about the rain.

Not wanting to get up in the morning, Wen Zhuojin stayed close to Yan Qinglan, chatting until their stomachs growled, forcing them to rise.

“Let’s not go to the shop today. We’ll listen to the managers’ reports and plan for the future. Later, we can go to the incense-making room, okay?” After breakfast and Yan Qinglan’s medicine, Wen Zhuojin suggested.

“Okay.” Yan Qinglan agreed.

With the outside world likely still searching for her, it was best not to go out.

Though Wen Zhuojin could brave the rain, she wanted more time with Yan Qinglan.

Yan Qinglan hadn’t explained why she met with Qing Chenning. Wen Zhuojin guessed it might be because she had no one to accompany her when she went out.

Why else would she seek Qing Chenning?

To contact her scoundrel husband?

Or to help them overturn the case?

Whatever the reason, Wen Zhuojin hoped Yan Qinglan would turn to her first in the future.

Since opening the shop, their time together had dwindled, mostly spent in the evenings.

This made Wen Zhuojin feel their connection was too weak.

She wanted to strengthen their bond.

Managing the household, accounts, and planning for future expenses and social engagements took up an hour of their time.

Wen Zhuojin noticed Yan Qinglan was very methodical, with a knack for managing people and affairs, and her calculating skills rivaled those of seasoned shopkeepers.

Perhaps it was due to her upbringing in a scholarly family, where she was trained in household management from a young age.

By noon, the person Wen Zhuojin sent to the tailor returned with the finished ceremonial robe and reported on the outside situation.

“Miss, the imperial guards are still searching and arresting people everywhere. It’s quite frightening. The streets are empty, and there are fewer people in the incense shop and other stores.”

Listening to the servant’s report, Wen Zhuojin tapped the table.

It wasn’t just the rain.

The incense shop’s business had been declining daily.

Perhaps most of the wealthy in Yunjing City had already bought what they needed and hadn’t used it up yet.

Maybe they should open more shops in other prosperous cities and diversify their businesses to earn more silver.

Wen Zhuojin pondered this, then looked at Yan Qinglan, feeling she should expedite getting her an identity token, spending some silver to change her status to a commoner.

Otherwise, taking Yan Qinglan out would always be troublesome.

Without an identity token, the more she was restricted, the more she might want to go out.

With an identity token, she could come and go freely, as long as she was accompanied by trusted people.

Perhaps she could give it to Yan Qinglan as a wedding gift.

But would Yan Qinglan disappear completely after that?

Wen Zhuojin still felt uneasy, deciding to wait until after the wedding to address it.

“Sister, your embroidery must be excellent, right? The ceremonial robe from the tailor needs the core part embroidered. Here’s the pattern; it looks simple.” Wen Zhuojin said, showing Yan Qinglan the robe.

Yan Qinglan looked slightly embarrassed.

She had no skill in embroidery.

In the cold palace, she never had the chance to learn, and later, there was no opportunity.

Wen Zhuojin prepared the colored threads and needles for Yan Qinglan.

Yan Qinglan, holding the needle and thread, was at a complete loss.

“My embroidery isn’t good. How do I do this? There’s so little space; where do I start?” Yan Qinglan admitted, not pretending.

Wen Zhuojin, surprised and amused by Yan Qinglan’s helpless look, thought she seemed skilled but wasn’t.

“Sister, you can’t embroider? Then we’re the same; I was distracted during lessons too. It’s okay. Just poke a few stitches, and I’ll do the rest. I’m a bit better than you.” Wen Zhuojin laughed.

Guiding Yan Qinglan’s hand, Wen Zhuojin made a few stitches on the robe, counting it as Yan Qinglan’s work.

Wen Zhuojin embroidered for half an hour while Yan Qinglan watched.

It was a strange yet harmonious scene.

The one holding the needle, embroidering the ceremonial robe, looked docile, like a sheltered young lady.

But when she spoke and looked up, her eyes sparkled with a different energy.

Wen Zhuojin’s embroidery skills were poor, and her distracted chatting and glancing at Yan Qinglan soon led to a pricked finger.

“Sister, ouch…” Wen Zhuojin whimpered, showing her finger to Yan Qinglan.

Yan Qinglan felt Wen Zhuojin had reverted to a child.

She blew on the finger, comforted her, and Wen Zhuojin continued embroidering.

She wanted to finish quickly so they could marry.

Even disliked embroidery became enjoyable.

By mid-afternoon, Wen Zhuojin tired and took Yan Qinglan to the incense-making courtyard.

Yan Qinglan had known about this place but had never visited.

The main room was Wen Zhuojin’s incense-making studio, filled with various scents. In the center was a calligraphy piece with bold characters: “The Place of Fragrance and Powder.”

The room had many drawers like an apothecary, with tools for making incense in the middle.

Previously, Wen Zhuojin hadn’t dared to bring Yan Qinglan here, fearing the scents might react with the poison in her body.

Now that the poison was mostly gone, she brought her, hoping to detect any adverse reactions early.