Mistakenly Treated The Princess As A Concubine - Chapter 77

Located to the west of Yunjing City, the Lingyin Pavilion is a place whnobles and aristocrats gather to enjoy the scenery and relax. It is an official establishment.

At this moment, in the private room labeled “Xuan” Xuan Zhen, dressed in a Taoist robe, was listening to a report from a man clad in light armor.

“The Madam of the Xiaoxiang Pavilion, Luan Niang, is certain that the voice and figure match the person who redeemed themselves from the Xiaoxiang Pavilion. With her experience in recognizing people, she couldn’t be mistaken. After obtaining the identity token, that person left the city. We initially sent a six-person team to pursue them, followed by two hundred imperial guards. However, half an hour has passed, and there’s still no news. I suspect there might be an ambush of private soldiers outside the city.” the imperial guard commander, who usually exudes arrogance and authority, spoke respectfully to Xuan Zhen.

“It’s been so long, and of all days, she had to choose today to meet. She left the city? Could this be a diversion to split our forces? Hold off for now. If she doesn’t show up, send more people to investigate the situation. For now, concentrate our forces here.” Xuan Zhen said with a furrowed brow.

The imperial guard commander immediately complied.

Xuan Zhen tapped the table lightly, feeling somewhat anxious.

Upon learning that Princess Yan Qinglan had been privately meeting with the four major families, Xuan Zhen had planned to use the Cui family, who had secretly allied with the Tianxuan Palace, as bait.

But whether the princess would actually come, Xuan Zhen wasn’t sure.

After waiting for about the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, there were three light knocks on the door. Xuan Zhen stood up abruptly, her expression tinged with excitement.

“Stay alert, follow the plan, and no one else is allowed to enter or leave!” Xuan Zhen quickly issued the order and then hurried out.

Meanwhile, in the private room labeled “Tian” Princess Yan Qinglan, having removed her veil, smiled at the head of the Cui family.

“Master Cui, it’s been a while.” Yan Qinglan said softly.

“Your humble servant greets Your Highness!” The head of the Cui family bowed to Yan Qinglan.

Despite being of advanced age, the Cui family head felt uneasy in the presence of Yan Qinglan, especially given the unusual circumstances.

If the princess were to regain her former power, the Cui family would face dire consequences.

But being manipulated by the Tianxuan Palace, he had no other choice.

“Master Cui, you’ve been wronged by the Tianxuan Palace. I always thought the Cui family remained neutral and was a pillar of the state. Who would have thought you’d conspire with Jiangxiao against me? I came to see you today not for anything else, but to show you who is truly worth allying with.” Yan Qinglan said, leaning closer to the Cui family head and gently supporting him, her voice calm but carrying the weight of thunder in his ears.

She knew everything!

“Your Highness, you must be joking.” the Cui family head said with an unnatural expression.

As soon as he finished speaking, the sound of clashing swords echoed from outside. Yan Qinglan’s guards were fighting with the imperial guards trying to break in.

“If you wish to atone, you can do three things to make up for it. First…” Yan Qinglan ignored the chaos and listed the three tasks.

“Complete the first task within five days, and I will grant your family a month’s reprieve. Otherwise, the fate of the Jiang family from the previous dynasty will befall the Cui family.” Yan Qinglan concluded, her voice steady.

The Cui family head looked at Yan Qinglan in disbelief.

He had been informed of the inside story by Xuan Zhen, which was why he dared to come.

Listening to Yan Qinglan’s words, it felt as if she still held the same power she did in her prime.

How could that be?

He didn’t believe Yan Qinglan had any chance of turning the tables, but…

The fighting outside continued, and bl00d splattered on the door.

After finishing her words, Yan Qinglan said nothing more and walked to the door, opening it.

“That’s enough.” Yan Qinglan said, and several of her embroidered guards stopped fighting and retreated to her side.

“Stop the fighting. You’ve already won. Why create more bloodshed?” Yan Qinglan said.

“You’re quite the merciful one. No one here, except you, will leave alive.” Xuan Zhen said, holding a horsetail whisk as she walked over. The imperial guards, standing at the ready, made way for her.

Xuan Zhen carefully examined Yan Qinglan’s features and expression, confirming that the person before her was indeed the real princess.

After months of searching, she had finally caught her.

Surrounded by imperial guards, Xuan Zhen was confident that Yan Qinglan wouldn’t escape this time.

“Xuan Zhen, I’ll give you something in exchange for the lives of my embroidered guards. Loyal servants are hard to come by.” Yan Qinglan said as Xuan Zhen was about to order the fighting to continue.

“What is it?” Xuan Zhen paused. What could Yan Qinglan possibly have, besides the golden fish token, that would be worth sparing her men?

“You know what it is. I don’t have it on me, but I can tell you where to find it.” Yan Qinglan said.

“…Come out and tell me.” Xuan Zhen said, suspecting that Yan Qinglan was deceiving her. But even if it was a trick, she had to hear it out.

When they had imprisoned Yan Qinglan before, even under such harsh conditions, she hadn’t revealed its location.

The embroidered guards were Yan Qinglan’s only support. Perhaps she wanted to let them go so they could come back to rescue her.

If she let them go,

she could always kill them later.

“Release them first, then I’ll tell you.” Yan Qinglan said, trying to buy time as she negotiated with Xuan Zhen.

“How do I know you’re telling the truth? You tell me first!” Xuan Zhen frowned.

“Release two of them first. After I tell you, you can verify the information, and then release the rest.” Yan Qinglan proposed a compromise.

“Fine! You, and you, leave now!” Xuan Zhen pointed at two of the embroidered guards.

The two didn’t move forward immediately but instead turned and bowed deeply to Yan Qinglan.

The embroidered guards knew they had to follow orders, but seeing Yan Qinglan go to such lengths to save them, they were filled with rage.

“Go.” Yan Qinglan said.

Only then did the two leave, as the imperial guards made way for them.

Yan Qinglan instructed the remaining embroidered guards to lower their defenses and stepped forward.

As Yan Qinglan took a step forward, Xuan Zhen also moved closer.

“Xuan Zhen, do you like Jiangxiao?” Yan Qinglan whispered into Xuan Zhen’s ear, her voice barely audible.

Xuan Zhen was stunned by Yan Qinglan’s first question!

How did she know?!

Xuan Zhen remembered Jiangxiao telling her that the princess seemed to have a secret relationship with a general from the northern border.

She was supposed to be interested in men!

Jiangxiao had been by her side for so many years, and even she didn’t know Jiangxiao’s feelings. How could the princess see that Xuan Zhen liked Jiangxiao?

Even Jiangxiao herself didn’t know.

“You… tell me where the item is!” Xuan Zhen gritted her teeth.

“Jiangxiao prefers a more subdued style. You’re too flamboyant. Also, Jiangxiao loves the scent of amber and jasmine…” Yan Qinglan continued in a barely audible voice.

Xuan Zhen froze for a moment, listening to Yan Qinglan’s words.

This person probably knew Jiangxiao best. What she said must be true, right?

“Enough nonsense! Speak quickly, or I’ll kill another embroidered guard!” Xuan Zhen snapped back to reality and said harshly.

“Fine, no more distractions. Here’s a pawnshop receipt. You can retrieve a key from the Fenghua Pawnshop in the west of the city. The key opens…” Yan Qinglan, knowing Xuan Zhen’s patience was wearing thin, stopped beating around the bush.

Xuan Zhen listened intently, eager to rush to the pawnshop and verify the information.

After hearing Yan Qinglan’s words, Xuan Zhen grabbed her wrist without hesitation.

“If this is a lie, I’ll kill all of them!” Xuan Zhen said, looking at Yan Qinglan.

“Then you’d better verify it quickly.” Yan Qinglan replied.

Xuan Zhen stopped talking to Yan Qinglan and led her downstairs, preparing to leave.

But before they reached the first floor, an imperial guard rushed in.

“The Lingyan Pavilion is surrounded by a group of soldiers in black armor!” the guard reported.

“What did you say?” the imperial guard commander asked first.

Who would dare surround the imperial guards within Yunjing City?!

Moreover, the imperial guards had scouts. How could this happen so quietly!

The guard repeated the report, and a shrill voice echoed from outside.

“His Majesty has arrived! Put down your weapons at once!”

As the eunuch’s voice rang out, the imperial guards dropped their weapons and knelt.

Soon, a man in a bright yellow dragon robe appeared on horseback.

It was the current emperor, Yan Qi.

From upstairs, the Cui family head, who had been secretly watching, nearly collapsed at the sight of Yan Qi.

Yan Qi pointed his sword directly at Xuan Zhen.

“Are you trying to rebel by holding my elder sister hostage?” Yan Qi said sternly.

“No, no, Your Majesty, you misunderstand. I was only following my master’s orders to invite the princess to enjoy some divine incense.” Xuan Zhen quickly knelt and pleaded.

Although the imperial guard commander was under the influence of the Tianxuan Palace’s incense, with so many imperial guards present, who would dare rebel?

Moreover, the Tianxuan Palace and Yan Qi hadn’t yet reached the point of open conflict.

She didn’t know why Yan Qi had come, but she suspected it had something to do with Yan Qinglan.

But how could Yan Qinglan have summoned Yan Qi?

Claiming they were here to enjoy incense was the only excuse she could think of, especially with several embroidered guards injured and some imperial guards dead.

How could she explain this?

She could only hope that Yan Qi wouldn’t openly break with the Tianxuan Palace yet.

“Is that you, A’Qi?” Yan Qinglan reached out and asked.

Seeing Yan Qi arrive, Yan Qinglan breathed a sigh of relief.

The letter she had sent had worked.

She hadn’t used her own handwriting but had imitated Jiangxiao’s.

The letter hinted that Xuan Zhen was trying to obtain the golden fish token from Yan Qinglan.

Even if Yan Qi wasn’t concerned for her, he would come for the token.

Yan Qinglan knew that Yan Qi had been amassing wealth to fund his private army. The black-armored soldiers were part of his personal Black Armor Corps.

Individually, their combat prowess was on par with the embroidered guards, but their numbers were few.

For them to have surrounded the imperial guards so quickly was no small feat.

“Elder sister, it’s me.” Yan Qi’s voice came as he dismounted.

In the palace, the “princess” had poor eyesight. Although Yan Qinglan could see clearly now, she couldn’t reveal that and pretended to be blind, groping forward until Yan Qi supported her.

“A’Qi, I’ve lost something important. What should I do?” Yan Qinglan said to Yan Qi, her voice urgent and trembling slightly, her eyes glistening with tears.

“Don’t worry, elder sister. I’ll help you find it.” Yan Qi reassured her, then turned to the others with a fierce expression.

“How dare you take the princess out of the palace without permission! Guards, arrest the imperial guard commander and Xuan Zhen.” Yan Qi ordered.

Xuan Zhen, watching the previously calm Yan Qinglan now appear so helpless, was amazed by her acting skills but couldn’t voice her frustration.

The substitution of the princess was unknown to Yan Qi, and Yan Qinglan had used that to her advantage!

How could she have lost something when she hadn’t even handed it over yet!

But asking Yan Qinglan for the golden fish token was an act of treason. How could she admit to that?

She could only hope that Jiangxiao would appear soon to save her.

“Elder sister, get on the carriage. I’ll have someone take you back to the palace. I’ll handle the rest.” Yan Qi said, personally helping Yan Qinglan onto the carriage.

“A’Qi, it’s my fault. I lost the golden fish token. I’ve been so confused lately. I should have given it to you earlier.” Yan Qinglan said softly once inside the carriage, her tone filled with regret.

“Don’t blame yourself, elder sister. Rest now. I’ll take care of it.” Yan Qi said, his eyes darkening for a moment before returning to normal.

“Bring a cloak for the princess.” Yan Qi ordered a kneeling maid in the carriage, giving her a meaningful look.

The maid quickly found a cloak and draped it over Yan Qinglan, then shook her head at Yan Qi.

Yan Qi gave a few instructions to the servants and had them escort Yan Qinglan away.

Now it was time for him to deal with the rest!

As the carriage started moving, Yan Qinglan’s previously distressed expression changed, her eyes filled with anxiety. She closed her eyes to rest for a moment before feeling slightly better.

Yan Qinglan was worried about Wen Zhuojin’s safety.

She didn’t know how she was faring outside the city.

Yan Qinglan had sent more embroidered guards out of the city to find Wen Zhuojin.

With the imperial guards now under Yan Qi’s control, they likely wouldn’t have the resources to pursue Wen Zhuojin.

If the numbers were small, Wen Zhuojin, with her keen senses, could evade them.

But if the embroidered guards she sent weren’t familiar to Wen Zhuojin, she might avoid them as well.

Upon arriving at her palace chambers, Yan Qinglan quickly found the embroidered guard disguised as a maid and replaced the unconscious princess with her. Then, disguised herself, she left the palace with one of the embroidered guards.

“Have you seen His Highness?” At the rendezvous point with Yan Zisang, Yan Zisang was visibly excited upon seeing Yan Qinglan.

“Yes. Any news? Have you found her?” Yan Qinglan asked quickly.

“Not yet. No one has returned to Lanyuan. Outside the city, several embroidered guards clashed with the imperial guards. The messengers reported that the imperial guards were releasing thick smoke in several areas and using hunting dogs, but they still haven’t found her…” Yan Zisang said.

Hearing that neither side had found Wen Zhuojin, Yan Qinglan didn’t relax.

She wasn’t sure if Wen Zhuojin’s stamina would hold, especially as night was approaching.

“Prepare a carriage, I need to leave the city. Have the embroidered guards still with the merchant caravans leave the city in groups and ambush the imperial guards.” Yan Qinglan said.