The Concubine of the Main Wife - Chapter 14

While Ji Yun was visiting the Su residence to see Zhen Yao, the common folk of Pingxi City were abuzz with major news.

 

“Have you heard? We’re about to get a new magistrate!”

 

A traveler in a corner of the teahouse had just shared the news with his companions, and in an instant, a crowd gathered around him.

 

“Is that true?” The tea-serving auntie, always keen on current affairs, couldn’t help but pause in her steps.

 

“Of course! This female magistrate is upright and incorruptible. When she served in the capital, she wouldn’t tolerate the slightest misconduct. She’s quite adept at cleaning up official corruption.”

 

“But our Pingxi County has good public order. We probably don’t need such an official.”

 

As soon as the words left the neighbor’s mouth, someone nearby scoffed, “If that were the case, why would there still be bandits in the Western Mountains?”

 

“Miss, you mustn’t speak like that. Those Western Mountain bandits have their own code, they’re not outright vicious. If we’re talking cruelty, it’s the Dark Oriole Gang in Jiangnan that’s the real scourge.”

 

“Exactly. I’ve heard the women in that gang are as venomous as snakes and scorpions, a festering sore on society.”

 

“Right, right! They should be wiped out completely!”

 

“Ah, I say, auntie, what does this have to do with us common folk? Hurry up and fetch us another pot of hot tea!”

 

The one displeased by all this was Xi’er, who at that moment was indignantly complaining to A’Lian, “Miss, you’ve been silent for so long. How can you just sit there listening to all this gossip?”

 

A’Lian shot her a look without comment, her tone icy. “They’re not wrong, but I’ve got a new idea.”

 

“What idea?” Xi’er pressed eagerly.

 

A’Lian flicked her forehead and scolded impatiently, “Just listen to my arrangements quietly. Stop being so jumpy all the time!”

 

Xi’er’s face darkened at the rebuke. “Fine, fine. But you’d better come up with a proper plan instead of just drinking tea today and listening to songs tomorrow.”

 

“If you’re so dissatisfied, you can leave right now!”

 

“I—”

 

Forced to swallow her words, Xi’er wisely shut her mouth.

 

Hmph! This Song Lian is always so glib, putting on a righteous front while secretly fantasizing about Madam Su. Xi’er had seen her stealing glances at Madam Su not just with infatuation, but with an unsettling intensity in her gaze.

 

“Then, miss, are we heading back to the residence now?” Xi’er asked, restraining her temper.

 

A’Lian waved a hand dismissively, and the two turned back.

 

Meanwhile, in the Su family garden, two elegant figures stood side by side.

 

The slender and refined one was Zhen Yao, while the spirited woman beside her was Ji Yun, Pingxi County’s finest female physician.

 

“Out with it. What brings you here this time?”

 

Zhen Yao gazed at the distant rockery, her expression as aloof as ever.

 

“I missed you, so—”

 

“Nothing brings you to the temple without reason. Let’s skip the pleasantries between us.” Zhen Yao frowned, cutting her off.

 

Ji Yun wasn’t offended. Still smirking, she crossed her arms. “Tsk, tsk. It’s rare to see you so down. Who’d have thought I’d live to see the day you got dumped? A’Yao, this truly delights me!”

 

“Glad you’re pleased. Did you come just to mock me?”

 

Zhen Yao’s cold gaze fixed on her companion. Instantly, Ji Yun felt a chill down her spine, recalling the painful days when Zhen Yao had beaten her up. She quickly forced a smile. “No, no! I’m here about that female magistrate.”

 

“We’ve always kept our distance from the authorities. Whoever the new magistrate is, there’s no need for concern!”

 

“That’s not necessarily true. This one is as good as her word, and her background is quite impressive.”

 

“Oh, you have inside information?” Zhen Yao also perked up, staring at her intently.

 

Ji Yun nodded and couldn’t help but sigh. “This time, we must be extra careful. If it really comes down to it.”

 

“A’Yun, we don’t kill upright officials!”

 

“Officials are all the same. If they don’t cross us, we won’t touch them. But if they overreach, we must cut them down to avoid endless trouble.”

 

Hearing this, Zhen Yao angrily gripped her shoulders, then met those almond-shaped eyes with a sigh of comfort. “If she brings prosperity to the people, what right do you have to decide her life or death? A’Yun, don’t act rashly!”

 

“You, you’re just too much of a noble soul. A’Yao, I heard your beloved concubine, the one you treasured like your own eyes, ran away. And yet here you are, calm as ever, fishing like Jiang Taigong.” Ji Yun pushed her away in frustration.

 

“What else should I do? Wallow in heartbreak?”

 

“Fool. Tie her up and drag her back. Keep her in bed for days and nights, teach her the cruelty of the world and your wrath.”

 

Ji Yun had never been in love, always flitting from flower to flower. She had no concept of cherishing someone.

 

“You’re the real fool. One day, when you meet the right person, you’ll understand.”

 

Before Zhen Yao could finish, Ji Yun scoffed and waved her hand dismissively. “Impossible. There’s no such woman in this world.”

 

Even facing someone as extraordinary as A’Yao, her heart remained cold as iron. Let alone the mediocre crowd!

 

“Fine. Sooner or later, you’ll run headfirst into a wall.”

 

“A’Yao, stop cursing me!”

 

Good advice is wasted on those doomed to suffer. Zhen Yao simply changed the subject. “It’s getting late. Let’s talk business.”

 

Ji Yun rolled her eyes but then lowered her voice. “That bastard finally cracked under pressure and confessed. But the problem is, their organization has too many members. It’s a headache to manage.”

 

“Lure out the core members first, then the typical ones. As for the rest, release those who can be reformed, and take in those with nowhere else to go.”

 

“I can’t handle this alone. You’ll have to come up the mountain soon.”

 

“Not for a while. I have personal matters to settle first.”

 

Ji Yun glared at Zhen Yao, biting back words before finally advising, “Know when to let go. With your looks, why hang yourself on one tree?”

 

“Shut up!”

 

Zhen Yao’s expression turned icy, a storm brewing in her eyes. Seeing this, Ji Yun promptly surrendered. “My bad, my bad. Do as you please. A rare romantic soul, I’ve learned my lesson.”

 

“If you’ve got nothing else, scram!”

 

“Heh, farewell then!”

 

Three days later, the local gentry, led by the Su family, lined the streets with gongs and suonas to welcome the new magistrate.

 

The long street was packed with onlookers. A’Lian, too, stood hidden in the crowd with Xi’er.

 

“Miss, look!”

 

Suddenly, Xi’er pointed excitedly into the distance. There, atop a tall horse, sat a refined, fair-skinned woman.

 

Her hair was tied high, crowned with white jade, and she wore brocade robesnothing like the rumored image of an upright official.

 

Following the crowd’s gaze, A’Lian focused intently on the woman on horseback.

 

This one was clearly of noble birth, and her temperament likely contrasted sharply with her appearance. Given that, dealing with her would require careful planning.

 

Lost in thought, A’Lian’s mind began to drift until a surge of fury nearly made her lose composure.

 

“Damn it!”

 

“Uh, Miss, you look terrifying.”

 

Xi’er was about to say more but immediately clammed up at the sight.

 

“Just idle thoughts. I’m fine.”

 

“Is this really nothing?” Xi’er fretted, standing on tiptoe to look around, and sure enough, she spotted the telltale signs.

 

No wonder it felt so intense. The newly appointed female magistrate was greeting none other than Mrs. Su, and standing beside her was a radiant, spirited young woman. They were chatting and laughing, appearing extremely familiar and intimate.

 

A’Lian clenched her fists in secret, an indescribable bitterness and inexplicable resentment washing over her.

 

Yet, oblivious to the tension, the people around them continued their idle chatter.

 

“Look at Mrs. Su, she’s truly stunning. The three of them standing together are like a living portrait of beauties.”

 

“Absolutely! The magistrate has such an elegant demeanor, and Mrs. Su is as graceful as a painted moth. But who’s the other one?”

 

“You don’t know her? That’s the famous Dr. Ji, the renowned gynecologist of Pingxi County!”

 

“My, so young and accomplished.”

 

“Dr. Ji is also Mrs. Su’s close friend. Both of them are women of great virtue.”

 

…

 

“Hmph, so virtuous!” A’Lian muttered sourly under her breath.

 

To her surprise, her quiet grumbling was overheard, and the person wouldn’t let it slide.

 

“What’s wrong with you? Your jealousy is showing.”

 

“Yeah, just because you’re wearing a veil, you think you can slander others freely?”

 

“Clearly envious, but you don’t have what it takes.”

 

“Ah, everyone, please don’t take it the wrong way. Our young lady didn’t mean it like that!” Xi’er hurriedly tried to mediate.

 

“Then what did she mean?”

 

“Exactly, she didn’t even apologize.”

 

Amid the clamor, A’Lian’s heart turned cold. Gritting her teeth, she spun around. “Xi’er, let’s go!”

 

“But the procession is about to pass by. Shouldn’t we wait a little longer?”

 

Originally, they had planned to orchestrate a chance encounter to befriend the magistrate. But now, A’Lian suddenly gave up, leaving Xi’er full of complaints.

 

“It’s not safe to talk here. I’ll explain later.”

 

“Opportunities like this don’t come twice. Why do you care so much about what others say?”

 

“With acquaintances present, are you tired of living? Do you want to get caught red-handed?”

 

A’Lian’s tone was sharper than usual, her composure slipping for the first time. She had thought it easy to suppress her emotions, but the moment she saw Zhen Yao, all her restraint shattered in an instant.

 

No, she couldn’t, she mustn’t!

 

“Fine words, but you’re just fixated on Mrs. Su. The way you glared at Dr. Ji today was murderous. Song Lian, before the mission is complete, I hope you remember your purpose.”

 

“Sorry!”

 

Taking a deep breath, A’Lian forced herself back into the crowd.

 

Thankfully, by some stroke of luck, Zhen Yao and the others were no longer there. The magistrate greeted the crowd warmly with a cupped-hand salute.

 

“Dear fellow villagers, thank you all for welcoming Han Xiong.” In the coming year, I will do my utmost to repay your kindness.”

 

She sounded like a good official but who knew what schemes lay beneath.

 

A’Lian focused for a moment, watching as the crowd gradually dispersed, then signaled Xi’er with a glance. The two readied themselves, waiting for the perfect moment as the magistrate passed by.

 

“Ah, young lady!”

 

Xi’er subtly but forcefully pushed A’Lian forward, then immediately feigned panic.

 

The magistrate, skilled in horsemanship, swiftly leaned down and caught the flustered beauty before she could fall.

 

“Are you alright, miss?”

 

Their eyes met, and A’Lian realized with frustration that she could no longer feign emotions for anyone except Zhen Yao.

 

“Ah, thank you for your timely rescue, Your Honor.”

 

Her gaze was clear, devoid of any pretense.

 

“It was nothing. Where do you live, miss?”

 

Han Xuan sensed that the person in her arms was unusually tense, and judging by her words and actions, she didn’t seem like an ordinary young lady from a noble household. Unable to suppress her curiosity, Han Xuan frowned and asked.

 

“Willow Lane.”

 

“It’s on my way. Allow me to escort you, miss.”

 

“Your kindness is most gracious, sir. I shall not refuse your generous offer!”

 

Xier, following closely behind, merely thought A’Lian was exceptionally capable, unaware that disaster was about to strike.