Mistakenly Treated The Princess As A Concubine - Chapter 99

Wen Zhuojin made someone cry again.

Originally thin eyelids and large peach blossom eyes, now slightly swollen from crying too much, making the eyes appear smaller, surrounded by a faint blush, looking extremely pitiful.

A person made of water, with tender and fair skin, as if a slight touch could squeeze out water.

“Sister, I’m sorry, it’s all my fault… Don’t cry…” Wen Zhuojin hugged and comforted her.

“I’m not crying!” Yan Qinglan said, turning her head away from Wen Zhuojin, refusing to admit that she was crying, only that her eyes were shedding tears on their own, unrelated to her.

Her voice was too hoarse, so Wen Zhuojin brought water to feed Yan Qinglan, but Yan Qinglan kept her lips sealed as if in a fit of pique.

“Sister, drink a little, or you can bite me to vent your anger, or pinch me, just don’t make yourself uncomfortable, be good, take a few sips…” Wen Zhuojin grabbed Yan Qinglan’s hand and said in a humble tone, turning Yan Qinglan’s face back to try feeding her water again.

Yan Qinglan finally drank a few sips of water, lifting her eyelids to look at Wen Zhuojin.

Now she’s being humble, but just now no matter how much I called, she wouldn’t stop.

What a little rascal.

“Sister, did I not do well, did I make you uncomfortable?” Wen Zhuojin asked with a lack of confidence, in a low voice.

“…” Yan Qinglan was speechless, it wasn’t that it was uncomfortable, just too stimulating, making it hard for her to endure.

Such intense emotions were something she had never experienced before, and now just recalling it, a tingling sensation would surge from the bottom of her heart.

“I’m tired.” Yan Qinglan didn’t want to admit it, nor did she want to dampen Wen Zhuojin’s enthusiasm, so she just lowered her eyes and said.

“Okay, I won’t tease you anymore, let’s sleep now.” Wen Zhuojin said, quickly cleaning up for Yan Qinglan and helping her change into night clothes to lie down.

Yan Qinglan hadn’t rested well these past few days and was extremely tired now. Seeing Wen Zhuojin still bustling about, she forced her eyelids to stay open and waited for her for a while.

Only when Wen Zhuojin got into bed and hugged her did Yan Qinglan close her eyes and fall asleep, not even having time to find a comfortable position before she was asleep.

Wen Zhuojin held her properly, with Yan Qinglan’s head resting on her arm, her face buried in Wen Zhuojin’s neck.

Wen Zhuojin looked down at the sleeping person, her heart full of satisfaction, feeling that she had grown closer to Yan Qinglan.

Thinking of what Yan Qinglan had said about wanting to be closer to her, Wen Zhuojin’s lips curled up in a smile.

It took a while before Wen Zhuojin also fell asleep.

In the middle of the night, Yan Qinglan woke up to use the bathroom, having drunk too much water.

Her body was entwined with long arms and legs, unable to move.

“Ah Zhuo!” Yan Qinglan called out to Wen Zhuojin, who immediately woke up.

“Sister, what’s wrong?” Wen Zhuojin asked.

“Let go, I need to get up.” Yan Qinglan said in a low voice.

“Do you need to drink water or change clothes?” Wen Zhuojin asked.

Yan Qinglan replied, and Wen Zhuojin immediately let go.

Yan Qinglan tried to get up, her body still weak and sore, some places still feeling a bit raw.

Yan Qinglan propped herself up with a low groan, and Wen Zhuojin hurriedly supported her.

“Sister, I’ll take you.” Wen Zhuojin said, then picked her up.

Yan Qinglan’s face flushed with embarrassment, but seeing Wen Zhuojin’s natural expression, completely indifferent and not teasing her, she felt a bit reassured.

Even though Wen Zhuojin was the one exerting herself, she still had so much energy, as if it was endless.

Wen Zhuojin accompanied Yan Qinglan to the bathroom and cleaned up, then carried her back to continue sleeping.

Yan Qinglan was gently patted by Wen Zhuojin and quickly fell asleep, while Wen Zhuojin, having woken up earlier, couldn’t fall back asleep.

Her arm was a bit numb from being pressed, but Wen Zhuojin didn’t have the heart to pull it out, instead snuggling closer to the fragrant and soft person in her arms, smelling and kissing her.

When the sound of the night watchman came from outside, Wen Zhuojin snapped out of her reverie, her brow unconsciously furrowing, a head full of things pressing down on her, making it even harder to sleep, she had to get up.

The sky outside was still dark, and Wen Zhuojin didn’t have the heart to disturb Yan Qinglan’s sleep, so she got up first to tidy herself.

“Sister, I have something to attend to, I’ll be back later.” Wen Zhuojin whispered in Yan Qinglan’s ear as she was about to leave.

“Ah Zhuo, don’t go.” Yan Qinglan, still with her eyes closed, instinctively grabbed Wen Zhuojin’s wrist and said.

Wen Zhuojin really didn’t want to leave at all, but there were too many things to do, and she hadn’t had time to do them yesterday because she wanted to see Yan Qinglan. Now, taking advantage of the early hour and Yan Qinglan still sleeping, Wen Zhuojin had to hurry and do them, so she could have more time to spend with Yan Qinglan during the day.

Wen Zhuojin lowered her head to coax for a while, and Yan Qinglan continued to sleep, then Wen Zhuojin left.

She had promised Yan Qi many things, to make him give up the idea of taking concubines, and Wen Zhuojin had to do something to show Yan Qi her usefulness outside the palace.

Although she had spoken so grandly at the time, about being loyal to the emperor, about making money for the emperor, about helping the emperor with various tasks, Wen Zhuojin actually wasn’t very willing. She didn’t really want to “serve” such an emperor, but the current situation forced her to put on a show.

The gold that Xuan Zhen mentioned,

Wen Zhuojin hadn’t verified it yet.

If there really was gold, Wen Zhuojin didn’t want to hand it over.

What if the emperor, having the gold, no longer needed her to do business and make money, and brought up the matter of taking concubines again?

The sky outside wasn’t bright yet, and Wen Zhuojin thought about it, then went to check out the house Xuan Zhen mentioned.

According to Xuan Zhen, the house looked like an ordinary five-courtyard residence from the outside, with people still living there. The gold was hidden in a fake mountain, concealed by craftsmen, who were killed after completing the task.

With her keen sense of smell, Wen Zhuojin avoided people and entered to find the fake mountain Xuan Zhen mentioned.

Following Xuan Zhen’s description, she found the hidden mechanism door in the fake mountain, moved the cover, opened the mechanism door, and saw several boxes inside.

Wen Zhuojin pried open a box like a thief and looked inside, the firelight reflecting a dazzling yellow.

Wen Zhuojin gasped.

There really was gold.

Jiang Xiao really trusted Xuan Zhen, and Xuan Zhen blindly trusted her…

After checking, Wen Zhuojin found not only gold but also a box of rare jade and pearls, and priceless ancient paintings.

Wen Zhuojin rubbed her hands together; she couldn’t just leave these things here.

Xuan Zhen knew, Jiang Xiao knew, and who knows how many others had been told.

Thinking about it, Wen Zhuojin first took out the lighter box of jade and paintings, then restored the fake mountain.

Wen Zhuojin first moved these back to the house on Wu Jiu Lane, to her incense-making room, and hid them under a pile of incense materials.

After doing this, the sky was already bright.

Wen Zhuojin didn’t move any more for now; there was still a lot to do during the day.

It wasn’t possible to move everything to the house on Wu Jiu Lane; it was too far and not easy to move.

Wen Zhuojin thought about it, went to take a look at the still sleeping Yan Qinglan, then went out to the shop to check accounts with the shopkeeper, and had people prepare incense materials to detoxify the incense poison, preparing to open an incense medicine shop.

Just past Chen hour, Wen Zhuojin was called back to the Marquis’s residence by a servant, as an imperial edict had arrived.

Yan Qi still remembered that Wen Zhuojin didn’t want to reveal her identity as a female doctor now, so he only rewarded her with many things for making incense to treat Dowager Consort Li’s headaches.

The news that Wen Zhuojin had not been selected quickly spread among the noble circles of Yun Jing City.

Previously, when Wen Heming went out, he was flattered, but now those who flattered him simply ignored him.

Wen Heming, who had been hoping that Wen Zhuojin could enter the palace as a concubine to “bring glory to the family,” was in a bad mood after hearing the news and couldn’t find Wen Zhuojin to talk to.

Although the emperor had rewarded her, it couldn’t compare to the glory of being a concubine.

“Ah Zhuo, why are you still fooling around outside after leaving the palace? Do you know why the emperor didn’t select you? Think about it at home, don’t go out anymore, you haven’t even learned the proper etiquette yet.” After sending away the eunuch who delivered the gifts, Wen Heming seized the opportunity to lecture Wen Zhuojin.

“…Father, then you go and tell the emperor. The emperor has assigned me more important tasks, and if I don’t go, disobeying the imperial order could cost me my head.” Wen Zhuojin smiled at Wen Heming, not caring about what he said.

The things Yan Qi rewarded were quite good, and Wen Zhuojin planned to pack them up and take them back to Wu Jiu Lane. The fabric and jewelry could be used for the beautiful sister, and the night pearls could be used at night, better than candles.

“Are you bluffing me? What can you do?” Wen Heming said unhappily.

“I can’t say, Father, you can ask the emperor.” Wen Zhuojin said, then had the maid following her pack up the rewarded items and quickly left.

Wen Heming was so angry that he could only sulk in the Marquis’s residence.

Yan Qi sent people to cooperate with Wen Zhuojin in running the incense medicine shop. The venue was provided by Yan Qi, a modified medical clinic, and then personnel were arranged.

At noon, while Wen Zhuojin was busy, Xuan Zhen sent a maid from Lanyuan to find Wen Zhuojin.

Thinking about having to deal with Xuan Zhen, Wen Zhuojin had a headache. After arranging things, she hurried back to Lanyuan.

As for Xuan Zhen, Wen Zhuojin naturally wouldn’t be lenient, but she didn’t have the heart to kill Xuan Zhen directly. Keeping Xuan Zhen would help quickly find the remnants of Jiang Xiao’s faction in Yun Jing City, and handing over the list of those people would be a great merit.

As for Xuan Zhen, Wen Zhuojin wanted to keep the gold, so she couldn’t hand her over.

For now, Wen Zhuojin still had to deal with Xuan Zhen.

“Where did you go yesterday? Did you go to that house to check?” Xuan Zhen asked anxiously when she saw Wen Zhuojin.

“I had something to attend to at the Marquis’s residence yesterday and didn’t have time to check. How does Senior Sister plan to arrange things? There are so many nobles in Yun Jing City, who should we approach first, who has the most ability to help? I have some silver on hand to manage, we don’t need Master’s.” Wen Zhuojin said.

“I gave you the divine incense recipe before, right? Make some divine incense first, then go find people. Let’s start with…” Xuan Zhen listed a few people to Wen Zhuojin, all of whom had secretly sided with Jiang Xiao and were also poisoned by the incense.

Wen Zhuojin memorized them one by one.

“Master and your wife are still trapped in Tian Xuan Palace, you must hurry!” Xuan Zhen urged.

“Yes, I know. It’s quite inconvenient to do things now with the strict security and patrols everywhere, but don’t worry, Senior Sister, I will do my best.” Wen Zhuojin said to Xuan Zhen.

Xuan Zhen’s expression softened a bit.

Wen Zhuojin left Lanyuan and busied herself with preparing the incense medicine shop.

Yan Qi had already found many people poisoned by the incense, lining up to come to the incense medicine shop.

Yan Qi only asked Wen Zhuojin to charge for the incense materials, the rest was considered a favor. Wen Zhuojin thought about it and decided to charge ten thousand taels of silver per person for the treatment, to be paid in advance with silver notes, and those who wanted to pay early could do so. After deducting the cost of the incense materials, she made a small profit.

Now her identity was still that of Ye, the female doctor, and she didn’t want to curry favor with the nobles for favors, so she charged for the silver righteously.

Wen Zhuojin told Yan Qinglan that she would be back late, and it wasn’t until dusk that she hurried back.

Yan Qinglan hadn’t been idle either. After her body recovered a bit in the morning, she busied herself with arranging things for the future.

She arranged for people to open the city gates at several gates in Yun Jing City. The inner imperial city and the palace city each had their own guards, most of whom were now Yan Qi’s people, with fewer of Yan Qinglan’s people. She arranged for people to wait for the right time to ensure a smooth passage.

Some of the people who facilitated this route didn’t know what they were doing, but they were greedy and needed silver to facilitate the connections.

The military provisions and pay for the Northern Frontier Army hadn’t been fully resolved, and now there was another problem.

This took a lot of Yan Qinglan’s effort.

When Wen Zhuojin returned, Yan Qinglan’s mind was pulled back.

Wen Zhuojin quickly went to the inner room, first hugging Yan Qinglan and kissing her for a while before letting go.

Yan Qinglan was kissed until she was out of breath, her body soft in Wen Zhuojin’s arms, her mind also kissed blank.

“In the next few days, I need to prepare the incense medicine shop and treat those nobles poisoned by the incense. This matter must be handled well, otherwise that dog emperor will want me to enter the palace as a concubine again.”

Wen Zhuojin said in a low voice, pressing her forehead against Yan Qinglan’s.

Yan Qinglan’s expression changed slightly.

What Wen Zhuojin did outside, except for sneaking out alone at night to check the gold, Yan Qinglan knew about the rest.

Hearing it from Wen Zhuojin’s mouth, Yan Qinglan confirmed that Yan Qi’s previous confidence was also because of Wen Zhuojin. The reason he let Wen Zhuojin leave the palace was to have her work for him.

She didn’t know if, after these matters were handled, he would go back on his word.

Yan Qinglan looked up at Wen Zhuojin, feeling that the person before her was indescribably lively, with delicate features, fair skin, and a healthy glow. Not only was she extremely beautiful, but she was also very capable. Who wouldn’t like her?

Yan Qinglan felt a sense of urgency.

“Sister, today the emperor sent me many things. Let me show you. The fabric for clothes is top-notch, and there are some small trinkets…” Wen Zhuojin remembered the emperor’s rewards and brought them over to show Yan Qinglan.

Yan Qinglan knew the palace’s regulations. Looking at the things Wen Zhuojin brought out, her expression slightly stiffened.

Yan Qi liked to send hairpins to his favored concubines. What he sent to Wen Zhuojin was a phoenix-head pearl gold hairpin, made of gold with a red jade pearl, extremely luxurious, fitting Wen Zhuojin’s style.

“Let’s try this hairpin on you, sister, hee hee, it looks so good…” Yan Qinglan was thinking when the hairpin was already on her head.

Wen Zhuojin was looking at her with a infatuated expression.

Several small trinkets were all given to Yan Qinglan by Wen Zhuojin.

“By the way, sister, today I arranged for a few people to be treated for incense poisoning. I charged each of them ten thousand taels and collected so much silver. I’ll give it all to you.” After showing the items, Wen Zhuojin remembered today’s earnings and got up to give the silver notes to Yan Qinglan.

“…” Yan Qinglan’s eyes flickered as she saw the stack of silver notes.

You little rascal, you really know how to make money.

These tens of thousands of taels of silver were like a timely help.

“If the emperor hadn’t said to do them a favor, I would have asked for more. They spent at least tens of thousands of taels to buy the divine incense to get poisoned, and the treatment only costs ten thousand taels… In the next few days, I’ll have to go out every day to check on their condition, and I won’t be able to stay with you all the time.” Wen Zhuojin muttered, helping Yan Qinglan put the silver notes into her purse.

“Ah Zhuo is amazing, you’ve worked hard.” Yan Qinglan praised, and Wen Zhuojin’s eyes curved with joy.

“Sister, you know I’ve worked hard, can you do it like yesterday?” Wen Zhuojin lifted Yan Qinglan a bit, looking at her eagerly.

Hearing Wen Zhuojin say this, Yan Qinglan, who was already softened by the kiss, felt a tingling sensation rise from her waist and abdomen, and her eyes instantly misted over.

Wen Zhuojin looked at Yan Qinglan’s expression and swallowed.

“If you don’t say anything, I’ll take it as a yes…” Wen Zhuojin leaned over to kiss her, and Yan Qinglan tilted her head to respond.

Wen Zhuojin found that as long as she acted coquettishly and begged pitifully, Yan Qinglan would agree to anything.

To take and to give, Wen Zhuojin now understood the meaning of this phrase.

Her beautiful sister was becoming more delicate, and her eyes were becoming more enchanting, especially after the act, with teary eyes like a ruined flower, her body soft and sticky like a glutinous rice ball, biting into it was fragrant and soft.

Exhausted, she could fall asleep leaning against Wen Zhuojin while being cleaned.

Wen Zhuojin looked at her, feeling something surging in her chest. Such a delicate and pure person, from initially being like a bristling cat that would bite if touched, to now trusting and relying on her completely, she must like her very much.

Wen Zhuojin wanted to be even better to Yan Qinglan, to be even better.

After Yan Qinglan fell asleep, Wen Zhuojin didn’t sleep. During the day, she had bought a courtyard, and now she had to do hard labor in the dark.

Like an ant moving its home, she slowly moved the gold to the new house.

The amount of gold was too large, and to keep it secret, Wen Zhuojin did it alone, exhausting herself but full of motivation.

When Yan Qinglan woke up in the morning, she naturally didn’t see Wen Zhuojin.

When Yan Qinglan propped herself up, soreness and pain came from all over, instantly reminding her of the previous night’s events. Her slender fingers pressed against her forehead.

With so many things to do these days, yet at night there was no restraint, it was absurd again.

You little rascal, you know how to coax me.

Fortunately, she slept well at night, and although her body was sore during the day, her spirits were good.

Yan Qinglan propped herself up to wash up, and soon Yan Zisang arrived.

“Your Highness, Qing Chenning has sent a letter. The rebel army now has about ten thousand people, absorbing some folk heroes, local gentry, and some former bandits. Their combat power is decent and they are willing to cooperate with Your Highness’s actions, but they also lack food and military pay.”

Yan Zisang reported the outside situation to Yan Qinglan.

“Take these silver notes and send them to Qing Chenning.” Yan Qinglan took out a few of the silver notes Wen Zhuojin had just given her and handed them to Yan Zisang.

Yan Zisang didn’t know where Yan Qinglan got the silver notes, and such a large amount at that. As expected of the Princess, she always had a way.

“Your Highness, previously you arranged for me to take people to pretend to rescue Jiang Xiao, diverting some of the Black Armored Army. Jiang Xiao is indeed in Tian Xuan Palace and hasn’t left. The Emperor sent people to negotiate with her, and she said she would only reveal the location of the silver accumulated in Tian Xuan Palace after meeting with Your Highness. The Emperor might come to discuss this with you. I heard that some people from Northern Qiang and Southern Chu are trying to rescue Jiang Xiao, probably because Jiang Xiao spread the news. The amount of silver is too large.” Yan Zisang continued.

“Can you take me into Tian Xuan Palace in its current situation?” Yan Qinglan paused and asked.

The silver Jiang Xiao had hidden was important to everyone.

Yan Qinglan didn’t want it to fall into others’ hands even more.

“To prevent people in Tian Xuan Palace from escaping, the palace is now surrounded by layers of Black Armored Army, and there are hunting dogs from the Black Armored Army at regular intervals. Trying to enter would inevitably alert the Black Armored Army. If I risk injury, I can still enter, but with Your Highness, I’m not confident I can protect you.” Yan Zisang paused and said.

“I see, it’s fine. I’ll enter the palace today.” Yan Qinglan said solemnly.

If Yan Qi wanted the silver, he would arrange for her to meet Jiang Xiao. This method was relatively safer.

After entering the palace, if Yan Qi had any movements, she would know immediately.

Yan Qinglan followed Yan Zisang into the palace. Just as she arrived at her Zichen Palace and hid the fake one, a eunuch’s voice came from outside. It was Yan Qi.

“Elder Sister, fresh grapes were delivered today. I specially brought them for you to taste.” Yan Qi’s voice came, sounding relaxed and happy.

A hint of a mocking smile appeared on Yan Qinglan’s lips. Yan Qi had just turned against her, and now Jiang Xiao wanted to meet her before revealing the location of the silver. His attitude had changed again.

Yan Qinglan looked up at Yan Qi without speaking.

“Elder Sister, are you feeling better today? I found a female doctor who can detoxify the incense poison. I can have her treat you, and your health will gradually improve.” Yan Qi approached and said.

“Is there such a person?” Yan Qinglan asked.

“Of course there is. She has already treated several people. Once I verify it’s safe, I’ll have her treat you.” Yan Qi said.

“Will you let her treat me?” Yan Qinglan asked indifferently.

“Elder Sister, what are you saying? Of course I’ll have her treat you. Today is the 15th, shall I take you to pay respects to our mother?” Seeing that Yan Qinglan still seemed uninterested, Yan Qi suggested.

Yan Qinglan felt no warmth from Yan Qi’s sudden enthusiasm, only a sense of disgust. She casually responded, but when it came to paying respects to their mother, her expression changed slightly.

It had been a long time since she last paid respects to her mother after being poisoned by the incense.

In the palace, there was a hall dedicated to the memorial tablets of Yan Qinglan and Yan Qi’s mother. In the past, the two would go to burn incense and pay respects periodically.

Knowing that Yan Qi wanted her to do something for him, using their mother to win her over, Yan Qinglan still agreed. It would be good to see their mother.

She also needed to meet Jiang Xiao and could use paying respects to their mother to “reconcile” with Yan Qi.

Yan Qinglan changed into a set of clothes and followed Yan Qi to pay respects.

They hadn’t gone far when a few more people joined them.

It was the most favored Consort Feng in the palace.

“Your Majesty, why did you reward Wen Zhuojin when she wasn’t selected? That phoenix-head pearl hairpin was prepared for me, wasn’t it? Why did you give it to her!” Consort Feng asked Yan Qi without hesitation, acting spoiled.

“What behavior is this! Elder Sister is here, don’t make a scene.” Yan Qi’s expression changed slightly as he said sternly.

“Your Majesty, this is against the rules. With Elder Sister here, we must discuss this properly. The selection has already chosen many people…” Consort Feng said, wiping her tears.

“Don’t be jealous, how can she compare to you? I didn’t select her, so she has no status. Why are you worried? Control your temper, today we are paying respects to our mother together, don’t be rude.” Yan Qi said.

“Your Majesty’s words are as good as gold.” Consort Feng said coquettishly.

Yan Qinglan’s expression turned colder.

What did Yan Qi mean by this?

Not making Wen Zhuojin a concubine means she has no status?

He wants Wen Zhuojin to work for him, still has his eye on her, but won’t give her status!

“Elder Sister, please excuse this.” Yan Qi’s voice came.

Yan Qinglan saw Yan Qi’s face and couldn’t help but reach out and slap him.

A loud slap.

It even hurt Yan Qinglan’s hand.

Yan Qi’s expression instantly changed, a flash of rage rising but then suppressed, his eyes darkening.

Yan Qinglan didn’t have much strength, the slap wasn’t hard, but it was very insulting, slapping the emperor’s face.

“Elder Sister, what’s wrong?” Yan Qi asked, suppressing his anger.

“I… I don’t know. It’s A Qi, I, I mistook you for Jiang Xiao. I…” Yan Qinglan quickly adjusted her emotions, withdrawing her hand with a look of shock and confusion.

“…Elder Sister, don’t worry, it’s fine. Let’s go pay respects to our mother first.” Yan Qi knew that after being poisoned by the incense, Yan Qinglan sometimes acted crazy and confused. Although angry, he didn’t suspect Yan Qinglan did it on purpose.

He still needed Yan Qinglan’s help and didn’t want to clash with her again.

Yan Qinglan secretly sighed, not knowing how furious Yan Qi was inside. Since he endured it, let it be.

Everyone continued towards the palace where Yan Qinglan’s mother’s memorial tablet was kept.

Meanwhile, Wen Zhuojin was also in the palace.

In the morning, her arms were still sore from moving so much gold in the incense medicine shop.

She had secretly calculated that with the amount of gold she and Yan Qinglan had, they could spend it for several lifetimes, but without the ability to protect it, it would be taken away, and they would soon have nothing.

It would be better to exchange this gold for something more important.

Like status.

Previously, during the polo match and the selection, Wen Zhuojin realized that being the legitimate daughter of a Marquis or Duke wasn’t as good as having a title like County Princess or Princess.

Not to mention the imperial relatives, just take County Princess Yunshu for example. Her title was earned by her father’s military merits, making her not just a general’s daughter but a titled woman with a rank, salary, and status. Even if her father was gone, her status remained.

If she could use her merits to exchange for a titled status for her beautiful sister, it would be worth any amount of silver.

With this in mind, Wen Zhuojin wanted to test the waters.

Previously, the emperor said that treating those people’s incense poisoning would be rewarded, and he did reward her with many things.

The emperor also cared about the horse’s incense recipe, she didn’t know what this could be exchanged for.

What could the list of Jiang Xiao’s accomplices in Yun Jing City be exchanged for?

She would try first, and if there was any leeway, she would add more. If the emperor was too stingy or still thinking about taking concubines, she wouldn’t bother with so much.

Wen Zhuojin submitted her name tag to enter the palace. While waiting to be summoned, a eunuch led Wen Zhuojin to see the emperor.

As Wen Zhuojin was thinking about how to phrase her words, she was led to a strange palace.

“Miss Wen, you can wait here. His Majesty will arrive shortly.” The eunuch said to Wen Zhuojin.

Wen Zhuojin looked around. The palace’s layout didn’t look like a palace but more like a ancestral hall. At the top of the hall was a memorial tablet and a portrait of an extremely beautiful woman.

What did the emperor mean by meeting her here?

After the eunuch left, Wen Zhuojin looked around again, still feeling something was off. Thinking about it, she decided to leave first.

To prevent the emperor from really summoning her here, Wen Zhuojin didn’t go far, just hid in a nearby garden.

Soon, Wen Zhuojin smelled a special scent, the dragon’s saliva incense that the emperor often used.

Wen Zhuojin looked into the distance and saw many people approaching, led by the emperor.

Just as Wen Zhuojin thought the eunuch hadn’t lied to her, she saw more people following behind.

A faint cold fragrance mixed with floral scent reached Wen Zhuojin’s nose.

Wen Zhuojin was startled. This scent, wasn’t it her beautiful sister’s?

How could it be here!

Wen Zhuojin hid herself and looked carefully at the people.

As they approached, Wen Zhuojin saw a woman dressed peculiarly among the group.

The woman wore a hibiscus crown, dressed in dark green robes, holding a whisk, her demeanor like an icy mountain, noble and cold, her eyes like a deep pool, without emotion or fluctuation.

Wen Zhuojin gasped, her hair standing on end, her eyes reddening, the bark of the tree beside her being torn off by her hand.

Had the dog emperor taken her beautiful sister?!

Wen Zhuojin wanted to rush up and fight to take her back, but something felt off.

“Greetings to His Majesty, greetings to the Princess!”

Soon, several voices rang out as some people encountered them and bowed.

“Rise. Today, I and the Princess are paying respects to our mother. You all may return, we’ll discuss matters later.” Yan Qi said, waving his hand to dismiss the others.

Only Yan Qinglan and Consort Feng were brought to pay respects to their mother, the others were dismissed.

Not far ahead was the palace Wen Zhuojin had just been to.

As they reached the palace entrance and were about to ascend the steps, Yan Qi waited aside for Yan Qinglan to approach.

“Elder Sister, there are steps here, let me help you up.” Yan Qi said to Yan Qinglan, reaching out to support her.

Not far away, Wen Zhuojin’s eyes widened in shock.

This, this is the Princess?!!