Mistakenly Treated The Princess As A Concubine - Chapter 87

“Your Highness, Jiangxiao has made some compromises to clear Tianxuan Palace of suspicion. The Imperial Guards have undergone a major reshuffle, and it has now been finalized. Many Black Armored soldiers have been inserted into the ranks. The commander of the Imperial Guards is the Emperor’s man, and one of the deputy commanders was appointed according to Your Highness’s plan. The Cui family has also secretly assisted and, as per Your Highness’s request, provided over a thousand fine horses, which have already been sent to the northern border.”

The Embroidered Uniform Guard came to report the current situation in Yunjing City to Yan Qinglan.

“Is there any news from the northern border?” Yan Qinglan asked after listening.

“General Wei sent an urgent message back. The horses haven’t arrived yet, but the provisions and military funds Your Highness sent have been received. With careful rationing, the provisions can last for over twenty days.” the Embroidered Uniform Guard replied.

Yan Qinglan frowned. Wen Zhuojin had already given her a considerable amount of silver, but it still wasn’t enough to supply an army of 200,000.

She couldn’t possibly move all 200,000 troops to Yunjing City. If the northern border fell into chaos, it would spell the end of the Northern Jin Dynasty.

So, she could only bring a portion of the troops and strike at the right moment, swiftly resolving the issue before returning to the northern border to prevent the Qiang and neighboring countries from causing trouble.

She was currently preparing for that perfect moment.

The internal strife between Jiangxiao and Yan Qi hadn’t escalated to a life-and-death struggle this time. Both sides had their gains and losses, and they were still cautious.

Among the three factions, it was clear that peaceful coexistence with Jiangxiao’s side was impossible. Yan Qi’s side, however, maintained a superficial relationship and could be used as leverage.

“Have you informed Miss Wen about that matter? How did she respond?” Yan Qinglan asked after a moment of thought.

“Miss Wen has been informed. She sent people back to Yunjing City to escort the families related to the Qingliu case out of the city.” the Embroidered Uniform Guard replied.

The people Wen Zhuojin sent out to investigate included her own subordinates and hired escorts.

These escorts were actually Embroidered Uniform Guards, so they naturally knew Wen Zhuojin’s movements and relayed the latest information to Yan Qinglan.

Hearing this, Yan Qinglan’s expression didn’t relax.

The previous Qingliu case had implicated so many people. Aside from those who had been executed, the rest who were exiled harbored deep resentment toward the Northern Jin royal family. Her worst fears were coming true.

Fortunately, Wen Zhuojin had redeemed many of them, and Qing Chenning, under her direction, had also redeemed some.

She could only hope to use these people to quell the rebellion or, better yet, turn the rebel army into her own forces.

Yan Qinglan had the Embroidered Uniform Guard remind Wen Zhuojin to see how she would handle the situation.

Choosing to hide these people first was another life-threatening decision if discovered.

Wen Zhuojin was clearly getting in deeper and deeper.

“Send people to keep an eye on things and delay the news of the rebellion for now. Send a message to Qing Chenning and have her come here.” Yan Qinglan said after some thought.

There were things she needed to convey to Wen Zhuojin through Qing Chenning.

Moreover, if someone were to negotiate with the rebels, the best person Yan Qinglan could think of was Qing Chenning. She would lead Min Xiwen and Qin Yuerou to negotiate with the rebels.

Among the rebel forces were the families of Min Xiwen and Qin Yuerou.

While Yan Qinglan was writing the letter to Qing Chenning, Wen Zhuojin had already gone to another estate to treat Young Master Cui and Yan Qinyu for their incense poisoning.

Today, Wen Zhuojin wasn’t as enthusiastic toward Yan Qinyu as she had been the previous day. She only inquired about her condition and, after administering the medicine, excused herself to leave. However, since the County Lady was paying, Wen Zhuojin felt it would be impolite to leave so abruptly. She gave Yan Qinyu a notebook she had written in the past, instructing her maid to read it to her.

Yan Qinyu was disappointed but didn’t say much, obediently thanking her.

Wen Zhuojin returned to the estate by noon to accompany Yan Qinglan.

While talking with Yan Qinglan, Wen Zhuojin didn’t dwell on the unpleasant matters, focusing instead on being close to her, leaving Yan Qinglan breathless.

In the mid-afternoon, Qing Chenning came to visit, accompanied by the families of the Qingliu case that Wen Zhuojin had arranged to bring over.

After having the families settled, Wen Zhuojin spoke with Qing Chenning, while Yan Qinglan sat behind a screen, sipping tea and eating pastries as she listened to their conversation.

“I’m aware of the situation. Do you know the consequences if the Emperor finds out?” Qing Chenning asked Wen Zhuojin.

“If we don’t bring them out now, are we just going to wait for them to be taken hostage to threaten the rebels? Neither outcome would be good.” Wen Zhuojin replied, speaking frankly with Qing Chenning.

“Those rebels aren’t organized, and with their small numbers, they won’t achieve much. Do you really think they’ll accomplish anything significant?” Qing Chenning said.

“I’m not counting on them for anything. I just want to establish good relations with them in case Tianxuan Palace discovers me and I need to escape. They could at least hold off any pursuers, right? Besides, I’ve already thought it through. I know nothing. It was Jiangxiao who sent me a secret letter, instructing me to bring these people out. As for where they were sent, I handed them over to Tianxuan Palace’s people. How would I know?” Wen Zhuojin said.

“…” Qing Chenning was momentarily speechless as she looked at Wen Zhuojin.

In the letter Yan Qinglan had sent her, she had asked Qing Chenning to caution Wen Zhuojin to avoid getting herself into trouble.

Listening to Wen Zhuojin’s words, it was clear she knew exactly what she was doing.

Well, she was indeed someone the Princess had taken a liking to—quite clever.

“Qing Sister, do you think it’s possible to get the Emperor to help me deal with Tianxuan Palace? Is there a chance? Jiangxiao and the Princess are so domineering. Does the Emperor really just tolerate them? Aren’t there any conflicts between them?” Wen Zhuojin asked Qing Chenning in a low voice.

Qing Chenning glanced at Wen Zhuojin. She really was quite forward!

“…Of course, there are conflicts. During the recent Imperial Guards’ mutiny, the Princess was nearly abducted by Tianxuan Palace’s people. The Emperor was furious and reorganized the Imperial Guards. The commander of the Imperial Guards was originally Tianxuan Palace’s man, but now it’s the Emperor’s. Your idea isn’t wrong, but do you think the Emperor is so easily fooled? There needs to be evidence. You’ll have to be more thorough…” Qing Chenning cleared her throat and advised Wen Zhuojin, suggesting ways to solidify the connection between the rebels and Tianxuan Palace.

“You’re truly a professional. I’ll follow your advice.” Wen Zhuojin said, praising Qing Chenning with certainty.

“Flattery won’t get you anywhere. If Miss Wen trusts me, I can take some of these people to meet with the rebels, get them to implicate Tianxuan Palace, and at the same time, form an alliance with us. What do you think?” Qing Chenning added.

“Alright, I trust you. You do have some capability.” Wen Zhuojin said after some thought. She wanted to ask for a thousand taels of silver per person but realized it was unlikely. For now, forming an alliance was the better option.

After their discussion, Qing Chenning left with the people.

Behind the screen, the tea in Yan Qinglan’s hand had gone cold. Wen Zhuojin walked around the screen and took the teacup from her.

“Sister, what’s wrong? What are you thinking about?” Wen Zhuojin asked as she sat beside Yan Qinglan.

“Ah Zhuo, because of me, you’ve been dragged into this.” Yan Qinglan’s eyes gradually focused as she looked at Wen Zhuojin.

After hearing Wen Zhuojin’s conversation with Qing Chenning, Yan Qinglan understood more of Wen Zhuojin’s thoughts.

Although this person was always so improper in front of her, she was willing to take on such great risks for her sake.

She had even prepared an escape plan.

And she wanted to use others to eliminate Tianxuan Palace?!

This idea aligned with her own.

However, while Wen Zhuojin only wanted to use others to destroy Tianxuan Palace, Yan Qinglan wanted not only Tianxuan Palace’s downfall but also the other side’s…

“Sister, how is this being dragged into it? You and I are bound together, we’re family. Sister, you always forget that. Shouldn’t you be punished today?” Wen Zhuojin puffed out her cheeks.

Yan Qinglan’s eyes trembled as she looked at Wen Zhuojin.

The weight of Wen Zhuojin’s words about being family grew heavier and heavier.

“I deserve to be punished.” Yan Qinglan said softly.

“That’s what you said. Can I watch you apply the medicine tonight?” Wen Zhuojin leaned in and whispered.

Yan Qinglan’s ears grew warm from Wen Zhuojin’s voice.

Indeed, this little rascal never spoke properly with her.

“What’s the point of watching? Your hands are still like this.” Yan Qinglan said, taking Wen Zhuojin’s hands in hers.

The scabs from the wounds hadn’t fallen off yet, forming jagged ridges on her fair skin.

Wen Zhuojin’s hands itched as the scabs healed, and she wanted to pick at them but feared making the wounds worse and delaying the healing.

Now, with Yan Qinglan holding her hands, Wen Zhuojin’s fingers itched even more.

“Sister, you…” Wen Zhuojin hugged Yan Qinglan and pretended to sob.

Yan Qinglan knew Wen Zhuojin was faking it but still patted her gently.

That night, Yan Qinglan couldn’t resist Wen Zhuojin’s persistence and let her watch the process of applying the medicine.

Yan Qinglan’s hands had been well cared for, her skin fair and her fingertips tinged with a soft pink. Recently, due to the need to apply medicine, her nails had been trimmed neatly and rounded.

She held a dark pill between her fingers, slowly pushing it into the tight entrance.

The tender, slightly glistening opening swallowed the pill.

Wen Zhuojin’s eyes turned red as she watched.

She wished she could take its place.

After the application, Yan Qinglan’s exposed legs were flushed red down to her toes. When she looked up and met Wen Zhuojin’s gaze, her heart skipped a beat.

The little rascal’s eyes were like a beast’s, burning with desire.

Her foot was grabbed, the scabs on Wen Zhuojin’s hand brushing against it, causing a slight prickling sensation, followed by a searing kiss.

Yan Qinglan tried to pull her foot back, but Wen Zhuojin held it firmly, preventing her from retreating. Instead, Wen Zhuojin kissed her way up.

Yan Qinglan’s breath nearly stopped.

The familiar heat wasn’t just from the suction; the soft tongue invaded, carrying a wave of warmth that delved deep inside.

“Ah Zhuo…” Yan Qinglan called out helplessly.

Wen Zhuojin only hummed in response, intertwining her fingers with Yan Qinglan’s and holding them tightly.

After a long while, Yan Qinglan’s mind went blank as she fell from the peak.

“Sister, this medicine has a strange smell. I’ll discuss with Doctor Mo later about adding some fragrant ingredients that won’t affect the efficacy. After using it, not only will it have healing effects, but it will also leave a pleasant scent. Hmm, sister, I just thought of something. We could also create a special fragrant pill solely for maintenance—no medicinal properties, just fragrance, moisture, and, of course, cleanliness. If we made such a pill, wouldn’t it become a sensation among the noblewomen of Yunjing? How much should we charge per pill?”

As Yan Qinglan lay there, breathless and dazed, she heard Wen Zhuojin murmuring something in her ear.

Yan Qinglan didn’t immediately understand what Wen Zhuojin was saying, but as she regained some clarity, she realized the meaning behind her words.

Hmph, this little rascal is so improper!!