Mistakenly Treated The Princess As A Concubine - Chapter 82

When Qing Chenning was led into the flower hall, she saw Wen Zhuojin.

The person who had been chased by hundreds of imperial guards yesterday was now standing in front of her, alive and well, with a faint smile on her face, radiating vitality.

Qing Chenning felt as if her cheek had been slapped.

Given the danger Wen Zhuojin had faced yesterday, Qing Chenning had assumed that Yan Qinglan had abandoned her.

Moreover, Wen Zhuojin was still unaware of Yan Qinglan’s true identity, which led Qing Chenning to believe that Yan Qinglan didn’t fully trust Wen Zhuojin and was merely keeping her close as a temporary measure.

However, upon reflecting on yesterday’s events, Qing Chenning realized that Yan Qinglan’s risky decision to attend the banquet might have been a ploy to divert the imperial guards’ attention, using the emperor to neutralize them and prevent them from pursuing Wen Zhuojin outside the city.

At worst, even if Yan Qinglan had been captured, Wen Zhuojin would have become insignificant, and the imperial guards wouldn’t have rushed to find her.

Whether Yan Qinglan succeeded or not, she had effectively saved Wen Zhuojin.

But why would the esteemed Princess, someone with grand ambitions, go to such lengths for a woman?

Qing Chenning couldn’t help but feel a sense of unease.

Yet, Yan Qinglan had also instructed her to keep her identity hidden, which left Qing Chenning puzzled. Perhaps she had misjudged the situation.

“Miss Wen, I apologize for the intrusion.” Qing Chenning said, masking her thoughts and greeting Wen Zhuojin with a clear, steady voice, skillfully using a slightly lower tone.

“Official Qing, it’s been a while.” Wen Zhuojin exchanged pleasantries and then dismissed the others.

“Thank you for your help yesterday. How did you know I was here?” Wen Zhuojin asked once they were alone.

“The people who were searching for you yesterday were under my command. They secretly followed you after you left and knew you had reached a safe place.” Qing Chenning explained. The Embroidered Uniform Guards had already informed her of yesterday’s events, and following Yan Qinglan’s instructions, they were now under her control.

Hearing this, Wen Zhuojin’s heart skipped a beat. Those people were indeed formidable.

After riding away with Yan Qinglan, she had made sure there were no suspicious scents around before slowing down.

Yet, they still knew where she had gone!

“Miss Wen, don’t overthink it. I mean no harm. I’m here to deliver an identity token. The authorities are tightening their checks, and checkpoints have been set up around the capital to verify identity tokens. Without one, it would be difficult to move around. To avoid a repeat of yesterday, it’s best not to go to the authorities to apply for a new token. This is a newly issued one, and you can use it from now on. The name was provided by your wife earlier.” Qing Chenning said, handing a box to Wen Zhuojin.

Wen Zhuojin stared at the box, feeling more uncomfortable than if Qing Chenning had come with malicious intent.

Qing Chenning had actually obtained an identity token for her beloved sister!

And her beloved sister had told Qing Chenning about it, but not her!

The relationship between Qing Chenning and her beloved sister was far closer than she had imagined, leaving her feeling a pang of bitterness.

This was supposed to be the surprise and sense of security she wanted to give her beloved sister!

Now, it was Qing Chenning who had provided it.

“Thank you, Official Qing. Ah Zhuo, please take the identity token for me.” Yan Qinglan’s voice came from behind the screen, breaking the awkward silence.

Only then did Qing Chenning notice that Yan Qinglan was behind the screen. Why was she hidden there?

If she was considered an “outsider.” why wasn’t Wen Zhuojin avoiding her?

As Qing Chenning pondered this, Wen Zhuojin stiffly accepted the box.

Even though she didn’t want to take it, for the sake of Yan Qinglan’s safety during future travels, she had no choice but to accept it.

“Official Qing, your help is greatly appreciated. Please accept this small token of gratitude.” Wen Zhuojin said, taking out two thousand taels of silver notes and handing them to Qing Chenning.

This amount was more than what Wen Zhuojin had prepared to bribe officials for a new identity token for Yan Qinglan.

But at this moment, Wen Zhuojin wasn’t acting as a merchant. She simply wanted to repay this favor with money.

She didn’t want Yan Qinglan to owe Qing Chenning anything.

“This is my duty. There’s no need for payment.” Qing Chenning, being a relatively honest official who had never accepted bribes, immediately declined, especially since this was something Yan Qinglan had asked her to do.

“How is this your duty? It’s my duty! You must take this money!” Wen Zhuojin became more insistent, and the two thousand taels turned into four thousand.

Behind the screen, Yan Qinglan was surprised by Wen Zhuojin’s unusual tone.

“Official Qing, if Ah Zhuo is offering you the money, you should accept it.” Yan Qinglan advised.

“Well… then I humbly accept.” Qing Chenning reluctantly took the hot silver notes.

Seeing how quickly Qing Chenning obeyed Yan Qinglan’s words, Wen Zhuojin almost wanted to snatch the money back.

Qing Chenning glanced at Wen Zhuojin, noticing her resentful expression, as if she owed her something.

Four thousand taels? That was forced upon her!

“Official Qing, you mentioned that the checks are tight outside. Could you elaborate on the situation?” Yan Qinglan asked.

“Yesterday, when the imperial guards were chasing Miss Wen, it just so happened that the commander of the imperial guards was caught by His Majesty for treason. It’s said that the commander was so bold as to steal the military tally and mobilize nearby troops. His Majesty was furious and had him dismissed and investigated. The capital is now under the control of His Majesty’s personal Black Armor Army, which is currently purging the imperial guards. It’s also said that the Immortal Xuanzhen from the Tianxuan Palace was involved in the treason, which has implicated several people close to her. Fortunately, Miss Wen was not in the capital yesterday or today. For the next few days, it’s best not to return to the capital until things settle down.” Qing Chenning explained, rephrasing the information.

Hearing this, Yan Qinglan understood.

By having Qing Chenning mobilize troops, they had confirmed the theft of the military tally. Now, the imperial guards and Xuanzhen couldn’t clear their names.

It was up to Jiangxiao to handle this.

“However, Xuanzhen is still a member of the Tianxuan Palace. With Jiangxiao around, she should be fine. The Tianxuan Palace is powerful, and this incident alone won’t shake its foundation. But the commander of the imperial guards is finished.”

“Miss Wen, you must already know about the persecution your wife suffered at the hands of Jiangxiao. There are many in the capital who, like your wife, have been poisoned by Jiangxiao’s incense. The commander of the imperial guards was one of them. When I took your wife out before, it was to help expose the Tianxuan Palace’s evil deeds and reveal the true nature of the so-called divine incense. Among the four great families, two are followers of Jiangxiao. The Cui family, originally neutral, was forced to become a lackey of the Tianxuan Palace after Jiangxiao used the incense to control their eldest son. He too became addicted to the incense and now works for the Tianxuan Palace.”

Qing Chenning shared more information, mainly for Yan Qinglan’s benefit, and also to explain their previous encounters outside, as per Yan Qinglan’s instructions.

Going out with Yan Qinglan could indeed be seen as an attempt to win people over and expose the Tianxuan Palace’s evil, so in that sense, she hadn’t lied to Wen Zhuojin.

Wen Zhuojin, who had been pouting in displeasure, froze upon hearing Qing Chenning’s words.

So, Yan Qinglan and Qing Chenning had been working on this together?!

Qing Chenning was helping Yan Qinglan take down Jiangxiao!

“Official Qing, are you planning to oppose the Tianxuan Palace?” Wen Zhuojin asked, looking at Qing Chenning.

“Of course. The Tianxuan Palace is a fraud, using the name of the gods to deceive people. Their so-called divine incense is extremely toxic. I must stand against them to restore clarity to our northern lands!”

Qing Chenning spoke passionately, but when she met Wen Zhuojin’s gaze, she felt it had changed.

“Official Qing, with those words, you are now my good sister. But please, don’t secretly meet with my sister anymore. I can help with this. I’ve been studying the divine incense for months and have some insights.” Wen Zhuojin said after Qing Chenning finished.

“…” Qing Chenning was momentarily speechless.

What?

Good sister?

She was a “man”!

If anyone found out, it would be a crime of deceiving the emperor!

She could lose her head!

“Miss Wen, what are you joking about?” Qing Chenning stiffly replied.

“Official Qing, I apologize. I told her. She won’t tell anyone else.” Yan Qinglan cleared her throat and explained. She hadn’t had the chance to inform Qing Chenning, and Wen Zhuojin had already spilled the beans.

“…” Qing Chenning was speechless. Did Yan Qinglan trust Wen Zhuojin or not? She hadn’t told Wen Zhuojin her own secret, but she had revealed Qing Chenning’s!

“Official Qing, of course, I wouldn’t tell a third person. Let’s get back to the topic of the divine incense. Do you remember the symptoms of those poisoned by it? I can prepare corresponding incense medicine for treatment. But we need to think about whose name to use. It can’t be mine for now. I’m still a registered disciple of the Tianxuan Palace, and my incense shop operates under their name. It wouldn’t be good to openly oppose them.” Wen Zhuojin stepped closer to Qing Chenning and patted her shoulder.

“Miss Wen, can you really cure the incense poison?!” Qing Chenning temporarily set aside her concerns upon hearing Wen Zhuojin’s words.

“Of course. How do you think my sister’s poison was cured?” Wen Zhuojin replied.

“Ah Zhuo indeed has a way to cure the incense poison. Let’s start with the Cui family’s eldest son.” Yan Qinglan suggested from behind the screen.

The Cui family’s sudden and secretive allegiance to the Tianxuan Palace had made Yan Qinglan suspicious, so she had the Embroidered Uniform Guards investigate. It turned out to be related to the incense poison.

As they discussed serious matters, Qing Chenning calmed down and provided detailed information.

Wen Zhuojin deduced the current stage of the poison and prepared the corresponding incense medicine based on her previous treatment of Yan Qinglan.

“If the situation is as you say, his condition isn’t too bad. His vision hasn’t completely failed, so he can still be saved. But to break the addiction, he’ll need determination. The incense medicine will also need to be adjusted according to his condition. How about this: I’ll find another estate outside the capital, and you can bring the Cui family’s son there. I’ll visit regularly to help cure his poison.” Wen Zhuojin suggested after some thought.

“That would be excellent.” Qing Chenning said.

“If we cure the Cui family’s son, my condition is simple: the Cui family must stop supporting the Tianxuan Palace and join you in opposing them. Otherwise, I won’t cure him unless they pay a hefty sum. Also, if others come seeking treatment after the Cui family’s son is cured, please contact me. Those useful in opposing the Tianxuan Palace can pay less, but those who aren’t must pay more—at least ten thousand taels per person. If they’re from one of the great families or have royal merchant backgrounds, the price will increase accordingly. I won’t cure the poison for free. The materials for the incense medicine are expensive.” Wen Zhuojin added, her merchant instincts kicking in. Those who could afford the divine incense were wealthy, and Wen Zhuojin intended to profit from her hard-earned knowledge.

Qing Chenning nearly lost her composure upon hearing Wen Zhuojin’s words.

Just moments ago, she had thought that Wen Zhuojin, being someone the Princess valued, must be someone of great vision and magnanimity.

But in just a few sentences, the topic had shifted to money.

Well, regardless, she would still be a great help.

Many who were poisoned by the incense were unaware, still believing it to be a divine gift. By the time their bodies were severely damaged, they were already addicted, and no physician, not even the imperial doctors, could cure them.

Wen Zhuojin was currently the only one who could.

If Wen Zhuojin really intended to make money from this, it would be a significant endeavor.