Mistakenly Treated The Princess As A Concubine - Chapter 94

Passing through the imperial garden, Wen Zhuojin saw County Princess Yunshu waiting.

Having just undergone the physical examination, County Princess Yunshu’s face was still slightly flushed. However, upon seeing Wen Zhuojin, she greeted her with her eyes, her gaze filled with excitement and anticipation.

“Later, we’ll go to the Qixiang Hall to meet the Emperor for the selection. The Emperor and Dowager Consort Li will be there to choose.” County Princess Yunshu whispered to Wen Zhuojin as she approached.

Because of their previous polo match, County Princess Yunshu already considered Wen Zhuojin a close friend. Seeing Wen Zhuojin during the selection process, she felt a sense of familiarity.

Wen Zhuojin heard a familiar name—Dowager Consort Li.

“Why Dowager Consort Li? Who is she?” Wen Zhuojin asked softly.

“She’s not the birth mother of the Emperor or the Princess, but she was very close to their mother. She took care of them when they were exiled to the cold palace, so after the Emperor ascended the throne, he held her in high regard. During the selection of consorts, he often seeks her advice. In previous years, the Princess would also be involved, but unfortunately, she’s unwell and resting this time, so she won’t be attending the selection.” County Princess Yunshu explained, glancing around before replying in a low voice.

Wen Zhuojin hadn’t looked into the palace affairs in such detail.

From County Princess Yunshu’s words, she understood that Dowager Consort Li held a high status in the palace, respected by both the Emperor and the Princess, and was even involved in the selection process.

She wondered who had arranged for Dowager Consort Li to help her, but there was no time to ask now. She could only suppress her curiosity and wait with County Princess Yunshu for the selection.

“I’m so nervous, I hope I don’t embarrass myself later.” County Princess Yunshu said, her face turning even redder as they waited outside the Qixiang Hall. Her eyes trembled with anxiety.

“…” Wen Zhuojin glanced at County Princess Yunshu, who had been so spirited during their polo match but now seemed like a shy young girl.

“Do you have feelings for the Emperor?” Wen Zhuojin asked softly.

County Princess Yunshu nodded at Wen Zhuojin, her expression bashful, too embarrassed to continue the conversation.

Wen Zhuojin didn’t know what to say.

The young Emperor might indeed have qualities that could make a young girl fall for him.

Some liked him, others didn’t.

As for her, she definitely didn’t.

After the physical examination, some candidates had already been eliminated, but there were still many left.

Wen Zhuojin and County Princess Yunshu waited for a while before it was their turn.

In groups of five, they were led into the hall by eunuchs.

Wen Zhuojin didn’t look up, only feeling the silence around her, so quiet that you could hear a pin drop.

Perhaps because of the eunuchs, Wen Zhuojin caught a familiar scent—the incense she had developed to mask odors.

She could feel eyes on her, making her somewhat uncomfortable.

On the throne sat Emperor Yan Qi, and beside him was a woman in her forties, dressed in palace attire—Dowager Consort Li, as mentioned earlier.

Yan Qi glanced at the candidates below. Among them was Wen Zhuojin, whom he had requested from Tianxuan Palace, and County Princess Yunshu, the daughter of a military general.

Filling his harem meant gaining more control over power.

Yan Qi looked at Wen Zhuojin a few more times. In terms of appearance alone, she was the most beautiful among all the candidates he had seen today.

Moreover, as a woman who had done business outside, she carried herself with confidence and grace, her eyes lively, even more beautiful than the last time he had seen her.

The more he looked, the more satisfied he felt.

As the eunuch called out names, each candidate knelt and responded when it was their turn.

County Princess Yunshu was the first to speak, while Wen Zhuojin waited quietly.

“County Princess Yunshu is noted and retained.” the eunuch announced. County Princess Yunshu bowed in gratitude to the Emperor and Dowager Consort Li, her voice trembling with excitement.

“Your subject, Wen Zhuojin, pays respects to Your Majesty. Long live Your Majesty…” When it was Wen Zhuojin’s turn, she performed the ritual slowly and deliberately.

“Wen Zhuojin? The Wen Zhuojin from Jing’an Marquis’s residence, skilled in making incense?” A somewhat aged voice spoke—it was Dowager Consort Li.

“Yes, Your subject.” Wen Zhuojin replied respectfully.

“Your Majesty, I quite like this young lady who is skilled in making incense. Recently, I’ve been suffering from headaches and insomnia. Could I borrow her for a few days to make some incense for me and keep me company? Perhaps she can help with my headaches.” Dowager Consort Li said.

Wen Zhuojin’s heart skipped a beat. The Dowager Consort was openly asking the Emperor to lend her?!

“If the Dowager Consort finds her useful, it is her good fortune. Of course, it is allowed.” Yan Qi said after a pause, his voice cold.

The Dowager Consort’s request to keep Wen Zhuojin was unexpected for Yan Qi.

After some thought, having Wen Zhuojin stay with the Dowager Consort for a few days was essentially the same.

He could visit her there later, which would be more convenient.

Wen Zhuojin listened to their conversation. Was that it?

No decision had been made yet on whether she would stay or go.

“Wen Zhuojin, I command you to accompany Dowager Consort Li to Shoukang Palace later. Take good care of the Dowager Consort. If you can cure her headaches, you will be rewarded!” Yan Qi said.

“Your subject obeys the command!” Wen Zhuojin immediately bowed.

After Wen Zhuojin’s group finished, she was taken away by a young palace maid.

County Princess Yunshu and the others who were retained were taken to a different place.

Wen Zhuojin wasn’t sure what the Dowager Consort intended. Was this a way to help her avoid being selected?

She didn’t know how long she would have to stay with the Dowager Consort or when she would see her beloved sister again.

As Wen Zhuojin waited in the side hall, she rested her chin on her hand, thinking about her beloved sister.

How she missed her!

At the same time, in the nearby Zichen Hall, Yan Qinglan had just finished dressing.

Her hair was styled high, adorned with gold and jade hairpins that hung from her temples, exuding an air of dignified nobility and an icy aloofness.

“Your Highness, the Dowager Consort’s people have informed us that Miss Wen was not subjected to the physical examination. During the selection, the Emperor has already agreed to send Wen Zhuojin to Shoukang Palace.” a palace maid disguised as a Embroidered envoy whispered to Yan Qinglan.

Yan Qinglan’s expression remained unchanged, but a flicker of emotion passed through her eyes, softening the coldness in her gaze.

The arrangements outside had been made. On the day of the selection, Yan Qinglan had rushed back to the palace.

The past few days of traveling had left her body weary.

Her delicate body, pampered during her time with Wen Zhuojin, was struggling to cope.

But she couldn’t rest yet. She had to handle matters in the palace first.

Dowager Consort Li, who had shown some kindness to her and Yan Qi during their time in the cold palace, now held a somewhat elevated position in the palace.

Her personality was gentle, and she usually stayed out of affairs, wishing only to live out her years in peace.

For Wen Zhuojin’s sake, Yan Qinglan had borrowed the name of Princess Le’an to seek Dowager Consort Li’s help.

By keeping Wen Zhuojin with Dowager Consort Li for now, she would be safe and not drawn into any conflicts.

The rest would be up to Yan Qinglan.

She had already arranged for Xiuyi envoys to protect Shoukang Palace, where Dowager Consort Li resided.

With Wen Zhuojin staying there for the next few days, Yan Qinglan could focus on executing her plans in the palace.

“To the Taihe Hall.” Yan Qinglan said after dressing, glancing in the direction of Shoukang Palace.

It had been days since she last saw Wen Zhuojin, and her heart felt somewhat empty. Knowing that Wen Zhuojin was nearby stirred her emotions, making her want to see her.

But now was not the time.

As Yan Qinglan rode her palanquin to the Taihe Hall, Yan Qi, who was still selecting candidates, received a message from a eunuch outside.

“Your Majesty, scouts from the Black Armor Army report that five thousand troops from each of the four garrisons around Yunjing City are heading toward the capital. A total of twenty thousand troops, claiming that someone is rebelling and they are coming to protect the throne.”

Upon hearing this, Yan Qi’s good mood from selecting several influential women for his harem instantly vanished.

“How dare they! Without an imperial decree, who ordered them to come?!” Yan Qi slammed his hand on the table, his face filled with anger.

“The generals leading them said someone showed them the golden fish tally and an imperial decree.” the messenger replied.

Yan Qi’s expression darkened further.

The golden fish tally had been “lost.” When Yan Qi couldn’t find it at Xuanzhen’s place, and with Jiangxiao coming to negotiate, Yan Qi’s Black Armor Army was still not strong enough. Jiangxiao had made some concessions, allowing the Imperial Guards to step aside, so Yan Qi hadn’t completely broken with Jiangxiao at the time. But now, not even a few days later, Jiangxiao was causing trouble again.

Twenty thousand troops surrounding Yunjing City—was this an open rebellion?!

“Summon the Minister of War and the General Protector to the Taihe Hall immediately!” Yan Qi ordered.

If these twenty thousand troops were brought by Jiangxiao to rebel, it would be a serious problem.

Although Yan Qi had control of the Imperial Guards, they were not yet fully reorganized. The Black Armor Army, his elite personal guard, was too small in number.

With twenty thousand troops surrounding the city and Tianxuan Palace’s influence within Yunjing City, the situation could become very troublesome.

The key issue was that Yan Qi didn’t have the golden fish tally, so he couldn’t call for reinforcements.

After the golden fish tally was made, the mold was destroyed. Only one tally remained, which had to match the other half held by the garrison commanders. The generals leading the troops only recognized the tally, not the person.