Mistakenly Treated The Princess As A Concubine - Chapter 76

Wen Zhuojin went to the shop to handle some urgent matters and then headed to the government office to deal with household registration.

This matter had been long overdue.

Her beautiful sister was feeling unwell due to her menstrual cycle, and the words of the female doctor made her suspect that someone in the family had drugged her, which further dampened her mood.

Wen Zhuojin had been taking great care of her these past few days, trying to cheer her up. Although she seemed a bit better, Wen Zhuojin knew that the incident still weighed heavily on her sister’s heart and wouldn’t be easily forgotten.

Wen Zhuojin wanted to add another joyful event to her sister’s life.

With a legitimate household registration and identity token, she wouldn’t have to fear the soldiers anymore and could finally leave the house to see the outside world.

The weather was perfect now, not too hot, just right for an outing.

Previously, Yan Qinglan had mentioned that her special status would cause trouble even with an identity token, and she had taken away the deed of sale.

However, Wen Zhuojin thought that by not using her original identity and with enough money, she could get the government to issue a new identity token.

Wen Zhuojin brought enough money and had already figured out the process, knowing who to bribe to get things done quickly and efficiently.

However, applying for a new household registration was technically illegal. Since Wen Zhuojin was quite well-known in Yunjing City, she dressed as a man and wore a wide-brimmed hat before going to the office.

There were quite a few people at the household registration office. Wen Zhuojin was in the process of bribing an official to get an introduction to the person in charge when she heard a somewhat familiar voice.

She glanced over and saw Luan Niang, the woman who had “sold” her beautiful sister to her at the Xiangguan.

Wen Zhuojin just glanced at her and didn’t pay much attention.

The official who took Wen Zhuojin’s bribe led her inside.

As Wen Zhuojin entered, she didn’t notice that Luan Niang, who was talking to the official outside, was staring at her back with a grave expression and hurriedly left without finishing her conversation.

Meanwhile, Wen Zhuojin was introduced to the official in charge. After exchanging a few pleasantries, she handed him a stack of banknotes.

“Please help me with this.” Wen Zhuojin said in a deliberately deepened voice.

“This… is a bit tricky. If it’s traced back, I could lose my head.” the official said, secretly pleased with the bribe but still feigning difficulty.

It was common for young men to hide their mistresses and not want their families to know, so they would apply for identity tokens discreetly, allowing officials to make a hefty profit.

The person before him was generous, offering more than usual, so he thought he could squeeze a bit more.

“Thank you for your trouble.” Wen Zhuojin cursed the man’s greed inwardly but handed over another stack of banknotes.

“It’s my duty. You’re too kind, young master. Please provide the necessary information, and I’ll take care of it.” the official said, feeling the thickness of the banknotes and smiling.

“Thank you.” Wen Zhuojin quickly handed over the prepared information.

In times of disaster, many people’s information couldn’t be traced, so creating a new identity with a plausible background was possible.

“Please wait here for a moment, I’ll take care of it right away.” the official said with a smile.

“Thank you.” Wen Zhuojin gestured politely.

The official had a subordinate escort Wen Zhuojin to wait outside while he handled the matter.

Wen Zhuojin waited in the hall.

Previously, she had helped Min Xiwen and others re-register their identity tokens, and it had been done quickly.

However, after waiting for a while, no one came. Instead, she smelled the metallic scent of bl00d, a distinctive smell of the Imperial Guards.

The smell came quickly, making Wen Zhuojin uneasy.

She had her own identity token and wasn’t afraid of the Imperial Guards.

But she was curious why they had suddenly appeared here.

The Imperial Guards seemed to have entered from another entrance, so Wen Zhuojin didn’t see them, but the smell came from inside the government office.

Perhaps something had happened.

Wen Zhuojin didn’t think much of it and waited a bit longer. Finally, the official returned.

“Sorry for the wait, young master. There was an urgent matter that delayed me. Here are your new identity token and household registration.” the official said with a smile.

Wen Zhuojin checked the documents and saw that everything had been changed.

She thanked the official again and left the government office, eager to return home and surprise her sister.

However, as she got into her carriage, she noticed the smell of the Imperial Guards following her.

The carriage turned, and the smell followed.

Wen Zhuojin instructed the coachman not to go directly home but to take a few detours to confirm.

The Imperial Guards were indeed following her!

Wen Zhuojin broke into a sweat.

How could there be a problem with the new identity she had just obtained?

She couldn’t understand why the Imperial Guards were tailing her.

“Brother Zhao, head towards the East Gate, Chang Le Gate. Once we’re out of the city, go faster!” Wen Zhuojin instructed the coachman.

Wen Zhuojin hadn’t shown her identity token, and the Imperial Guards hadn’t seen her face or knew who she was. Now was not the time to take risks. She needed to shake off the pursuers first.

The coachman was a hired escort from a security agency, skilled in martial arts.

Wen Zhuojin hadn’t brought anyone else, but she needed a coachman for the carriage.

The coachman, a man of few words, acknowledged her request, and the carriage headed towards the East Gate without stopping.

The smell of the Imperial Guards followed closely.

While still in the city, they maintained a slow pace and kept a short distance. Once outside the city gates, the coachman whipped the horse, and it galloped forward.

The official road was wide, with clear visibility in both directions.

Wen Zhuojin could no longer smell the pursuers, so she peeked out from the back of the carriage. At first, she saw no one, but soon, six riders in soft armor and carrying swords appeared, heading straight for her.

Wen Zhuojin’s eyes widened in shock.

They were clearly coming for her!

She quickly instructed the coachman to take a side road.

“Brother Zhao, there are people following us, likely Imperial Guards. After the next intersection, we’ll burn the carriage. You take the horse and escape. I’m sorry for dragging you into this. Ride fast and don’t let them catch you.” Wen Zhuojin said hurriedly after turning onto the side road.

Wen Zhuojin planned to escape into the woods, where the dense trees would make it difficult for the pursuers to follow on horseback. With her keen sense of smell, she could avoid them. However, she feared the coachman might be caught and tortured into revealing her whereabouts, which would render her escape futile.

“Alright.” the coachman responded calmly, seemingly unfazed.

Having traveled far and wide, the coachman had faced life-and-death situations before and wasn’t afraid.

Wen Zhuojin felt slightly reassured and quickly gathered her belongings, packing anything that could identify her. She then took out a fire starter and, as soon as the coachman stopped the carriage and unhitched the horse, set the carriage on fire.

To ensure no evidence remained, Wen Zhuojin burned the entire carriage.

By the time the Imperial Guards arrived, the carriage would be reduced to ashes.

Wen Zhuojin didn’t have time to say more to the coachman. She watched as he rode off in one direction, then chose another path and ran into the woods.

Unbeknownst to her, the coachman didn’t go far. Instead, he dismounted, took a rope from the horse, tied it across the road between two trees, and then hid in the woods with the horse.

Meanwhile, Wen Zhuojin was making her way through the dense woods, trying to return to Yunjing City based on her memory, when Yan Qinglan encountered Qing Chenning.

“My informant at the household registration office in Yunjing City reported that the person they’ve been looking for has been found. The Imperial Guards sent someone to tail her instead of arresting her immediately. They’re after Wen Zhuojin. The Imperial Guards have been searching for you these past few days. Wen Zhuojin applying for a household registration now is like walking into a trap. The Imperial Guards will surely trace her back here. You need to leave immediately!”

Qing Chenning said urgently.

Yan Qinglan’s expression changed.

The matter of the identity token hadn’t been brought up for a long time.

Moreover, Yan Qinglan had already told Wen Zhuojin that her special status would cause trouble, and Wen Zhuojin had even handed over the deed of sale.

Why would Wen Zhuojin go to apply for an identity token now, and how was she discovered and tailed?

“Let’s go out first. Yan Zisang, call the embroidered envoy who’s been watching Wen Zhuojin to report immediately.” Yan Qinglan said, not dwelling on it further.

Yan Zisang immediately complied and led Yan Qinglan out of the residence.

Qing Chenning followed closely.

After Yan Qinglan got into the carriage prepared by Yan Zisang, Qing Chenning also got in.

Qing Chenning was still catching his breath.

He felt a bit sorry.

Wen Zhuojin was probably done for.

He had thought that the Princess had a special fondness for Wen Zhuojin, but it seemed that wasn’t the case.

The fact that her identity had been kept secret from Wen Zhuojin all along showed that she didn’t trust her.

Qing Chenning had more trust from the Princess than Wen Zhuojin.

Wen Zhuojin applying for an identity token now probably still thought that Yan Qinglan was the wife of Chu Hanlin?

As expected of the Princess, decisive and unhesitating in cutting ties.

As Qing Chenning was thinking this, Yan Zisang sent someone to call the embroidered envoy who had been assigned to watch Wen Zhuojin and would report back if she returned.

“Miss Wen didn’t return to Lanyuan. She left through Chang Le Gate. The coachman is one of our embroidered envoys. I was waiting at Chang Le Gate. I saw a team of about six Imperial Guards leave, followed by another group of about two hundred Imperial Guards exiting through Chang Le Gate.”

The embroidered envoy reported to Yan Qinglan.

Yan Qinglan’s eyes flickered slightly upon hearing this.

For a moment, she had worried that Wen Zhuojin might lead the enemy to her.

With Wen Zhuojin’s keen sense of smell, she had likely detected the tail early and, fearing she might implicate Yan Qinglan, deliberately left the city.

The Imperial Guards were numerous, and their horses were of excellent breed. Even with her sharp sense of smell, where could Wen Zhuojin escape to?

The city gates were heavily guarded, making it nearly impossible for her to re-enter in disguise.

If caught, as long as Wen Zhuojin didn’t reveal Yan Qinglan’s whereabouts, she might still survive.

But…

“Where is the place the Cui family invited me to?” Yan Qinglan stopped her train of thought and asked Yan Zisang, her voice turning cold.

“At the Tianzi private room on the second floor of Lingyin Pavilion.” Yan Zisang replied promptly.

“Alright. Head to Lingyin Pavilion now. Also, send someone to the palace to temporarily drug and hide the Princess. Don’t let her appear until I’m done. Also, I’ll write a personal letter for the eunuch we planted in the palace to place where the Emperor can see it.”

Yan Qinglan quickly instructed.

Qing Chenning, listening to Yan Qinglan’s arrangements, didn’t quite understand her plan.

“There might be action at Lingyin Pavilion later. Yan Zisang, stay hidden. Even if I’m captured, don’t intervene immediately. If I leave Lingyin Pavilion and the Emperor hasn’t arrived yet, then find a way to rescue me.” Yan Qinglan added.

“Your Highness, are you saying there’s danger at Lingyin Pavilion? Why take the risk?” Yan Zisang asked worriedly.

“This might be an opportunity to kill the Imperial Guard Commander. Don’t overthink it, just follow orders.” Yan Qinglan said.

“As you command!” Yan Zisang didn’t ask further.

“Qing Chenning, I have a task for you. Take my golden fish tally and go to the nearest garrison to mobilize at least two thousand soldiers. I’ll have Yan Zisang send an embroidered envoy to accompany you. Don’t show yourself. Both of you change into Imperial Guard uniforms and have the soldiers report directly to the Imperial Guard Commander.” Yan Qinglan turned to Qing Chenning and said.

Qing Chenning was shocked. He hadn’t expected Yan Qinglan to give him the golden fish tally!

Recalling Yan Qinglan’s earlier arrangements, Qing Chenning had some guesses.

Was Yan Qinglan planning a desperate move?

This was too risky!

Was it really necessary?!