Mistakenly Treated The Princess As A Concubine - Chapter 73

“I know you are loyal, but Jiang Xiao is already aware of my activities in Yunjing City, and she will likely suppress the forces in the court that were once under my control. Your recent activities have increased, and if discovered, it would be unfavorable for you. You must be extra cautious lately to avoid exposing any flaws.”

Facing Qing Chenning’s puzzled gaze, Yan Qinglan added an explanation to prevent any suspicions from arising in the loyal Qing Chenning’s mind.

“Thank you for your concern, Your Highness. There is no need to worry on my account. I am willing to sacrifice everything for Your Highness.”

Qing Chenning listened to Yan Qinglan’s words and bowed respectfully.

“I will remember the injuries Wen Zhuojin inflicted on you and compensate you accordingly. Rest more for now. We need to place our people in the Imperial Guards to make things easier. Once everything is arranged, I will send someone to find you.” Yan Qinglan said.

Hearing this, Qing Chenning felt a slight relief from the pain in his cheeks.

He was curious about how Yan Qinglan had explained things to Wen Zhuojin and managed to coexist peacefully without revealing her identity.

However, he dared not confirm this with Yan Qinglan.

After giving a few instructions, Yan Qinglan went out again.

Last time, due to an incident on Yan Qinglan’s side, the embroidered-clad historians tasked with monitoring Wen Zhuojin had not been able to report the situation to her.

As long as nothing went wrong during her outing, she should be able to return in time.

Meanwhile, while Wen Zhuojin was busy at the shop, Wu Yuanheng came to visit her.

The past two days had seen the end of the Qionglin Banquet, and Wu Yuanheng’s status as the Tanhua (the third top scholar in the imperial examination) had been confirmed. He secured a position in the Hanlin Academy, gaining an official title, and the impact of the Qingliu case on him had significantly diminished.

At the Qionglin Banquet, because Wen Zhuojin had mentioned it beforehand, Wu Yuanheng did not ask the emperor to bestow a marriage between him and Wen Zhuojin. However, the emperor proactively arranged a marriage for him with a young lady from a noble family.

“Congratulations, cousin. I have met Miss Xie before; she came to buy incense. She is very beautiful and kind. I will prepare some incense and have it sent to her. Since the emperor intends to reinstate the Qingliu faction and cultivate his own people, your future prospects will surely be bright. The return of my uncle and aunt is also within sight.” Wen Zhuojin said, relieved by the news Wu Yuanheng brought.

“I am planning for my parents’ return. You mentioned getting married; why not wait until they return? It will just take a little longer.” Wu Yuanheng suggested, his expression relaxed.

“I’m afraid that won’t be possible. The person I am marrying is not ordinary, and my uncle and aunt might not accept it.” Wen Zhuojin replied.

“Why wouldn’t they accept it? Are you becoming someone’s concubine, or is this a secret affair?” Wu Yuanheng asked, puzzled.

“Cough, cousin, it’s neither. Here is a letter and an invitation for you. Read it when you get back. My mind is made up. If you can’t accept it, there’s no need to try to persuade me. If you can accept it, I welcome you to attend.” Wen Zhuojin said, clearing her throat and handing the items to Wu Yuanheng.

She wasn’t sure how to convince Wu Yuanheng, so she decided to let him process it on his own.

Wu Yuanheng left with many questions in his mind, and Wen Zhuojin, using the excuse of being busy, saw him off.

After a busy morning at the shop, Wen Zhuojin planned to go to the household registration office, but Xuanzhen came to see her.

“It’s really frustrating; that woman still hasn’t been found. Last time, everything was set up perfectly, like catching a turtle in a jar, yet she still managed to escape. It’s infuriating.” Xuanzhen complained after having a cup of tea at Wen Zhuojin’s place.

“Senior sister, why are you so upset? Isn’t it better that she hasn’t been found? After all, it’s not your fault; it’s the Imperial Guards who failed.” Wen Zhuojin comforted her.

“You’re right. You’re so kind, A’Zhuo. How are things with your beloved? How far have you gotten? Have you reached the ‘whispering sweet nothings’ stage?” Xuanzhen asked, her eyes full of curiosity.

“Well, sort of… but she’s too delicate, and I’m afraid of hurting her. I’ve been taking care of my hands these past few days.” Wen Zhuojin replied, embarrassed by Xuanzhen’s direct question about intimate matters.

“By the way, she has agreed to marry me. We’re having the ceremony at my house. I’ve ordered the wedding attire, and we’ve finished embroidering it together. The date is set for the day after tomorrow. Senior sister, if you have time, please come and have a drink at the wedding. In this world, only you can understand me.” Wen Zhuojin said, changing the subject and looking at Xuanzhen with sincere eyes.

Regardless of what Xuanzhen did, the fact that they were “kindred spirits” and could understand each other made her a friend.

Inviting Xuanzhen to the wedding was a genuine gesture.

“Getting married together in wedding attire?! I’m so envious of you.” Xuanzhen’s eyes sparkled.

“I’m not sure if I’ll have time, but I’ll try to come. If I can’t find that person and my master punishes me, I might have to endure some penalties. By the way, how is the incense formula for the horses coming along? If there’s any progress, maybe my master will go easier on me.” Xuanzhen’s expression darkened as she asked Wen Zhuojin.

“I found some formulas in the book you gave me and made some incense. I wanted to test if it has the effects described. If you have time, we can try it out. If it works, you can show it to your master.” Wen Zhuojin suggested.

Initially, Wen Zhuojin had promised Yan Qinglan not to share the incense formulas she developed with Jiang Xiao. However, the incense she made now was based on the formulas from Xuanzhen’s materials, without any additional ingredients.

After all, she had promised to give the incense to Xuanzhen when she borrowed her influence and couldn’t go back on her word.

Xuanzhen, intrigued, took Wen Zhuojin to the Imperial Stables to test the incense.

The incense made the Northern Qiang horses slightly less aggressive, showing some effect, which satisfied Xuanzhen.

After spending the afternoon experimenting, Wen Zhuojin returned home.

She had dinner with Yan Qinglan at their residence but didn’t spend much intimate time with her, instead focusing on embroidering the wedding attire.

Yan Qinglan watched Wen Zhuojin work diligently and let her be.

After washing up at night, Yan Qinglan went to bed, while Wen Zhuojin continued embroidering before finally going to sleep.

The next day, apart from her shop duties, Wen Zhuojin spent a lot of time embroidering and finally finished.

In the afternoon, she went to the Marquis’s residence to fetch Nanny Jiang to their home.

To prevent any issues during the wedding ceremony when Nanny Jiang saw her marrying a woman, Wen Zhuojin woke up early on the wedding day, before dawn, to talk to the early-rising Nanny Jiang, hoping to ease her into acceptance.

“This won’t do… How can this be…” Nanny Jiang was shocked, unable to find the words.

Wen Zhuojin had brought her to act as an elder during the wedding, and she had been anxious, thinking Wen Zhuojin had taken in a young man. Instead, she found out Wen Zhuojin was marrying a woman.

Nanny Jiang, who had lived a life of strict propriety, couldn’t fathom it.

“Nanny, you know my sense of smell is sensitive. I dislike the scent of men and only enjoy the scent of women. I cannot live with a man. The decision has been made, and I hope you can treat her as you treat me. She is wonderful, and once you meet her, you will surely like her. If you hold any prejudice against her or belittle her, I will protect her.” Wen Zhuojin said earnestly to Nanny Jiang.

Wen Zhuojin had always treated Nanny Jiang well, considering her a family elder rather than a servant, though Nanny Jiang knew her place.

Hearing this, Nanny Jiang understood the importance of the yet-unseen woman in Wen Zhuojin’s heart.

She wondered how this woman had bewitched Wen Zhuojin so.

She had promised the late mistress to take good care of Wen Zhuojin, but now…

Nanny Jiang felt a pang of bitterness.

“Fine, you’ve grown up and have your own ideas. As long as you’re happy, how could I make you unhappy?” Nanny Jiang finally said after a pause.

“Good Nanny, today is a joyous day. Remember to be happy. I need your help with the wedding arrangements; I don’t trust anyone else.” Wen Zhuojin said with a smile.

Nanny Jiang’s expression was still uneasy, needing more time to fully accept the situation, but for now, she remained calm.

With Nanny Jiang somewhat reassured, the other guests, such as Qin Yuerou, Odesse, and Min Xiwen, who had spent enough time with Wen Zhuojin to guess the situation, were unlikely to cause any disruptions.

As for Wu Yuanheng, she had explained everything in her letter. If he still couldn’t accept it and caused any trouble, she would have the guards escort him out.

When Wen Zhuojin began her makeup, Yan Qinglan woke up, momentarily confused by her absence before remembering that Wen Zhuojin was coming to “fetch the bride” today and hadn’t stayed with her.

Wen Zhuojin had arranged a set of wedding rituals, quite elaborate, but Yan Qinglan found it somewhat playful.

Having attended several grand royal weddings, Yan Qinglan found Wen Zhuojin’s arrangements rather simple.

However, since Wen Zhuojin was insistent and took it seriously, Yan Qinglan decided to humor her.

Shortly after Yan Qinglan got up, a woman acting as the wedding matron arrived with several maids to help her dress and apply makeup.

Yan Qinglan had seen the wedding attire before, already accepting its luxurious and dazzling design. However, when the full set of jewelry was put on, she couldn’t bear to look at her reflection in the mirror.

The ensemble was too extravagant.

Since Yan Qi ascended the throne, the national treasury had been depleted, and Yan Qinglan had always lived frugally, never wearing so much gold and jade.

Her head was adorned with gold and jade, and her accessories jingled with every move.

This little rascal, really…

Once Yan Qinglan was ready, Wen Zhuojin, also dressed up, went to fetch the bride.

The tradition was to fetch the bride in the morning and hold the ceremony at dusk, but since the two places were so close, the fetching procession took less than the time to finish a cup of tea. To extend the process, they lingered at each step, had a wedding feast at Yan Qinglan’s courtyard, set off firecrackers, and when the time was right, they left the courtyard with the bride.

Yan Qinglan sat in the sedan chair, lifting the curtain to glance at Wen Zhuojin outside. She wore a phoenix crown with beaded tassels, her face not entirely visible but radiantly beautiful.

Wen Zhuojin resisted the urge to look at Yan Qinglan and brought her to another nearby courtyard.

This courtyard had been renovated by Wen Zhuojin, featuring a lotus pond, fish pool, rockeries, and pavilions. The rooms were decorated with celebratory red characters, filled with joyous atmosphere.

A red silk ribbon connected the two, and Wen Zhuojin led Yan Qinglan into the hall.

With a master of ceremonies officiating, they bowed to heaven and earth, to their parents, and to each other, then were escorted to their bridal chamber.

Amidst the congratulations from the wedding guests, Wen Zhuojin led Yan Qinglan to their chamber with the red silk ribbon.

“Wen is so happy, wuwu, this is wonderful!”

Odesse’s voice was the loudest among them.

Though the others also offered their blessings, they couldn’t fully comprehend the situation.

Qin Yuerou and Min Xiwen, having experienced life-and-death situations, showed tolerance towards Wen Zhuojin’s decision. As their benefactor, whatever Wen Zhuojin did was right in their eyes, and even if they didn’t understand, they blessed her.

Nanny Jiang, who hadn’t yet seen Yan Qinglan, still felt uneasy, not knowing how beautiful she was.

Regardless of others’ opinions, Wen Zhuojin happily lifted Yan Qinglan’s red veil.

Yan Qinglan also pushed aside the beaded curtain in front of Wen Zhuojin’s face.

When Yan Qinglan saw Wen Zhuojin, she met her infatuated gaze.

“Sister, you are so beautiful, the most beautiful bride in the world!” Wen Zhuojin murmured.

Yan Qinglan, adorned in luxurious attire, though delicate in appearance, carried the weight of the gold and jade accessories and the wedding dress with grace, enhancing her beauty and noble aura.

Her complexion had improved, and she had gained some weight, appearing soft, white, and plump.

Seeing Wen Zhuojin’s expression, Yan Qinglan knew she was captivated by her looks and slightly lowered her eyelashes.

“A’Zhuo, you look very beautiful today too…” Yan Qinglan said softly.

Wen Zhuojin thought Yan Qinglan was shy and wanted to hug her, but their hairpins got in the way.

“Almost forgot, next is the cross-cupped wine. This wine vessel is made from a gourd, split into two. You take one, I take the other, and together we make a whole.” Wen Zhuojin remembered the ritual and poured wine for both of them.

Yan Qinglan, suppressing her thoughts, drank the cross-cupped wine with Wen Zhuojin.

“After the cross-cupped wine, it’s the hair-tying ceremony. I prepared two sachets, one for each of us, to keep a lock of our hair.” Wen Zhuojin said, taking out scissors.

Each cut a lock of hair, combined them, and placed them into the sachets.

Wen Zhuojin loved this ritual the most.

It symbolized that from then on, they were bound together as one.