Mistakenly Treated The Princess As A Concubine - Chapter 89

“A Zhuo, I remember you wanted the formula for the Divine Incense a few months ago, but I didn’t give it to you then. The Divine Incense formula was painstakingly developed by our master and is extremely precious. Even I only got to see it recently. The fact that the master is willing to give you this formula shows how much she trusts and values you.”

After Wen Zhuojin followed Xuan Zhen out, she heard Xuan Zhen say this.

“Thank you, Master! I will work hard to assist the master and not betray her trust.” Wen Zhuojin gritted her teeth, barely controlling her expression. Being valued by them only to be used as a pawn in a political marriage—this kind of “value” was better off not having.

Originally, she just wanted to earn some money and live a peaceful life with her beloved sister. Who knew she had overperformed!

“A Zhuo, every month on the first and fifteenth, when you come to pray, you always sample the Divine Incense. The master even gives you an extra stick of incense each month. You must have already experienced the wonders of this incense, right? It connects you to the divine, brings unparalleled joy, and is truly mystical. Now that you have the formula, you can make the incense yourself, adjust the dosage, and even sell it.” Xuan Zhen spoke with excitement, as if she had bestowed some great favor upon Wen Zhuojin.

Wen Zhuojin wasn’t sure if Xuan Zhen knew that this was actually a poisonous incense.

But what she was certain of was that both Xuan Zhen and Jiang Xiao believed that she had inhaled too much of the Divine Incense, become addicted to it, and was now dependent on it.

The reward for those valued by Tianxuan Palace was to be given more of the Divine Incense.

Being addicted and unable to live without the incense, receiving the formula for it was naturally a reward more valuable than gold or silver.

What they didn’t know was that Wen Zhuojin was not addicted.

Every time she came to sample the incense, she had to suppress her discomfort and pretend to fall into a hallucination like the others, muttering a few nonsense words. As soon as she returned, she would use antidote incense. The extra sticks of incense they gave her were all stored away, unused.

Were they trying to win her over with the formula?

If she had the formula and could make the incense herself, she wouldn’t need Tianxuan Palace anymore. How could they control her then?

As this doubt arose in Wen Zhuojin’s mind, it was quickly answered.

“Senior Sister, what are the ‘Divine Flower’ and ‘Sacred Herb’ listed on the formula?” Wen Zhuojin asked, pointing to two unfamiliar ingredients on the formula.

“I brought you out here to show you these two ingredients. They were brought back by the master from Tuhuoluo. Their seeds are extremely difficult to cultivate. Only a few have survived in the back mountains of Tianxuan Palace; they can’t grow anywhere else. That’s why the Divine Incense is so rare.” Xuan Zhen explained.

“…” Wen Zhuojin was speechless. These two ingredients were clearly the most crucial.

So even with the formula, it was useless. The ingredients were still controlled by Tianxuan Palace. If she were truly addicted, even with the formula, she would still be under their control.

Tianxuan Palace had played a clever hand.

As Xuan Zhen spoke, Wen Zhuojin was led deeper into the courtyards of Tianxuan Palace, where the air was thick with smoke and the scent of various complex aromas.

Wen Zhuojin frowned. The smell was unbearable.

The mist that made Tianxuan Palace look like a paradise from the outside was actually filled with this stench.

“This is the incense-making courtyard of Tianxuan Palace. The storeroom here contains some of the ingredients. I’ll take you to see them first.” Xuan Zhen said.

Wen Zhuojin followed Xuan Zhen into the storeroom, where rows of redwood cabinets filled with incense ingredients lined the walls. The room was several times larger than Wen Zhuojin’s own ingredient storage, and the mixed scents of various herbs assaulted her senses.

Xuan Zhen opened one of the cabinets and took out a few dried leaves and flower buds to show Wen Zhuojin.

“This is what the Divine Flower looks like after drying. It’s not the blooming season yet, but when it is, I’ll take you to see it. For now, I’ll give you a box of Divine Flowers and a box of Sacred Herbs to take back. The other ingredients can be bought from any incense shop, so you can start making the Divine Incense yourself.” Xuan Zhen said.

“Thank you, Senior Sister. Master and Senior Sister have been so kind to me. What else do I need to do to prepare for entering the palace?” Wen Zhuojin asked earnestly.

“What you need to do is become the emperor’s concubine, gain his trust, and get him to sample the Divine Incense as well. This way, he can be enlightened by the Celestial Goddess. Strive to become the empress as soon as possible. If you bear a child, the man will become unnecessary. Of course, if that doesn’t happen, the master will find a way to give you a child. However, his food, clothing, and daily life are strictly monitored. He has a skilled expert by his side who can detect poisons and identify incenses. Everything he consumes is thoroughly checked, and incense cannot be used carelessly. A Zhuo, now that you have the formula, it’s up to you to decide how to proceed. Go all out. Tianxuan Palace and the master will support you and help you succeed!”

Xuan Zhen said.

As Wen Zhuojin listened to Xuan Zhen’s words, a chill ran down her spine.

They knew she preferred women, yet they were forcing her into this!

And they wanted her to poison the emperor!

She was nothing but a sacrificial pawn, a tool.

If the poisoning failed, she would be the first to die.

After so many years, they hadn’t succeeded in poisoning the emperor. How could they expect her to do it?

“Senior Sister, I understand what you’re saying, but you know I don’t like men. I…” Wen Zhuojin said, her voice filled with genuine emotion.

Xuan Zhen, who shared Wen Zhuojin’s preferences, empathized with her and patted her shoulder.

“A Zhuo, the imperial decree has been issued. Disobeying it means death. When it comes to life and death, those preferences don’t matter anymore. Think about it. If you disobey the decree, not only will you die, but your beloved will also lose her life. Can you bear that?” Xuan Zhen said earnestly.

Wen Zhuojin’s expression twisted in conflict, though inwardly she was cursing. They sure knew how to hit where it hurt.

“I know this is hard for you, but the Northern Jin Dynasty isn’t ruled by us. If we succeed this time, enduring this for a while will bring decades of peace, allowing you to live a long life with your beloved. Isn’t that worth it?” Xuan Zhen continued to persuade her.

“Senior Sister is right. Everything for my beloved!” Wen Zhuojin exhaled and said.

Yes, everything for her beloved sister. No matter what, she had to destroy Tianxuan Palace!

“A Zhuo, you’ve suffered. Tianxuan Palace and the Celestial Goddess will remember your contributions. By the way, the master said that after you enter the palace, your beloved should be sent to Tianxuan Palace. The master will take her in as a disciple and let her rest here. Don’t worry, Tianxuan Palace is the safest place.” Xuan Zhen said as she handed Wen Zhuojin the ingredients and led her out.

Wen Zhuojin was in the midst of calming herself, trying not to let her emotions show, when she heard Xuan Zhen’s words. She coughed several times, her eyes turning red.

Jiang Xiao, that old witch!

She wanted to use her beloved as a hostage in Tianxuan Palace?!

How dare she!

Her beloved had barely escaped Tianxuan Palace. How could she send her back into this pit of fire?!

Wen Zhuojin’s body trembled as she struggled to suppress her anger.

How had she ever thought Xuan Zhen was a decent person?

Or that Jiang Xiao was understanding, even sending congratulatory words for her wedding?

These people would stop at nothing to achieve their goals!

“Really, thank you so much, Master! I was worried about what would happen to my beloved if I entered the palace. Master and Senior Sister have been so kind to me…”

Wen Zhuojin said, her voice trembling as she fought to keep her composure.

“The master may seem cold, but she has a warm heart. You’ll understand more in time.” Xuan Zhen said, patting Wen Zhuojin’s shoulder again as she saw her agitation.

Wen Zhuojin couldn’t bear to speak another word to Xuan Zhen.

They were on completely different wavelengths.

After walking a good distance, Wen Zhuojin finally calmed down.

“Senior Sister, if I need Tianxuan Palace’s cooperation for something, will you help? If the emperor distrusts me because of my connection to Tianxuan Palace and refuses to see me, I’ll need to find a way to gain his trust. I might have to do something that appears loyal to him.” Wen Zhuojin said after some thought.

“Of course. The emperor specifically requested you because he values you and wants to win you over, to sever your ties with Tianxuan Palace. The master has some plans in place. If you have any plans of your own or if the emperor asks you to do something, you can always contact me.” Xuan Zhen said.

With Xuan Zhen’s confirmation, Wen Zhuojin began to form some plans of her own.

After leaving the incense-making courtyard, Wen Zhuojin and Xuan Zhen didn’t speak much more.

Wen Zhuojin bid farewell and left, while Xuan Zhen returned to Jiang Xiao’s meditation room.

“Master, I’ve conveyed everything you asked me to tell her. I’ve also sent people to follow her. She shouldn’t run. When I mentioned her beloved, she became very emotional. That woman means a lot to her. The more important she is, the more A Zhuo will despise Yan Qi. She won’t end up like Consort Feng, who, after being enlightened by the master, entered the palace and fell for Yan Qi, betraying Tianxuan Palace.”

Xuan Zhen reported to Jiang Xiao after entering the meditation room.

Wen Zhuojin was the perfect “pawn” they had encountered in years. She had a beloved woman and was deeply devoted, making it unlikely she would fall for the emperor, a man. Moreover, after months of sampling the incense, she should be addicted to the Divine Incense, making her easier to control.

“Good. Consort Xian’s progress has been too slow, and Yan Qi is already suspicious of her. She’s probably no longer useful. Since Yan Qi specifically requested Wen Zhuojin, this is a great opportunity. Make sure to keep a close eye on her. Don’t let anything go wrong. Get her to send her beloved to Tianxuan Palace as soon as possible.” Jiang Xiao, seated on a meditation cushion, said.

“Understood. I will keep a close watch.” Xuan Zhen replied promptly.

“The Cui family suddenly turned against us. Look into why. Their eldest son is addicted to the Divine Incense. If the incense is cut off, he won’t be able to endure it. Also, find out who used the golden fish tally to mobilize troops last time. She was in the capital at the time and couldn’t have acted so quickly. And the person who issued the identity tokens must be one of her people. Keep investigating.”

Jiang Xiao instructed, and Xuan Zhen acknowledged each order.

“The imperial guards were taken over by Yan Qi, all thanks to the Grand Princess. She still sides with Yan Qi. The siblings are united. Master, you must not show her any mercy.” Xuan Zhen added after Jiang Xiao finished.

Jiang Xiao didn’t respond, merely gazing up at the golden statue of the Celestial Goddess.

Meanwhile, as Wen Zhuojin left Tianxuan Palace, her expression was clouded with a thick layer of gloom. Her teeth were clenched, and her usually gentle face now looked sharp and fierce.

Wen Zhuojin had originally thought that Tianxuan Palace was her enemy and that she might be able to use them to achieve her goals.

The emperor, on the other hand, seemed to be promoting virtuous officials and appeared somewhat reasonable.

But now, it seemed they wanted to use her as a pawn.

If she didn’t comply, she would be targeted by both sides.

Both sides were colossal forces to her.

Though she had some abilities, she hadn’t had enough time to build her strength.

To both sides, she was likely just one of many pawns. To them, she might be insignificant, just a sacrificial piece in their power struggle.

But this move of theirs would affect her entire life.

They were pushing her to the brink.

All she wanted was to live a simple, peaceful life with her beloved sister.

As Wen Zhuojin boarded her carriage, thinking of her beloved waiting for her at the estate, her mood gradually eased.