The Concubine of the Main Wife - Chapter 19

For a moment, A’Lian blinked her sorrowful eyes, swiftly masking the bitterness in her heart.

 

The atmosphere in the hall was unusually oppressive. The three people around her were all waiting for her answer, especially Zhen Yao, whose frosty face and piercing gaze burned like a rainbow.

 

“What a display of hesitation and evasion, Song Lian! Do you truly intend to deceive my sister like this?”

 

Ji Yun had long since lost her patience and now spoke bluntly without restraint.

 

“With me here, my dear, you need not fear!”

 

Never one to shy away from stirring trouble, Chen Rong stood behind A’Lian with a faint smile, appearing from afar as though she were deeply devoted.

 

This scene naturally enraged Zhen Yao. Despite her usual composure and pride, she flicked her sleeve and rebuked coldly, “Fine. I already know the answer.”

 

“Ugh, you’re infuriating! At a time like this, are you still going to play the aloof and indifferent noble?”

 

Frustrated by Zhen Yao’s restraint, Ji Yun stormed forward, grabbing Chen Rong’s collar with a look of utter disdain. “Well then, since you fear nothing in heaven or earth, I’ll play along with you!”

 

“You dare—”

 

Chen Rong’s arrogance was in full display, a far cry from her submissive demeanor in previous days.

 

“Ji Yun, stop!”

 

Knowing that Chen Rong had sacrificed her beloved as bait for wealth and glory, Zhen Yao couldn’t be bothered to waste words on such scum.

 

“Quit dithering. This has nothing to do with you!” Ji Yun snarled, pressing Chen Rong against the wall.

 

“Why must you do this?”

 

Zhen Yao’s gaze flickered toward A’Lian, noting her troubled and sorrowful expression. Closing her eyes, she tried once more to dissuade Ji Yun.

 

“The thought of those two conspiring to humiliate you makes me want to tear them apart a thousand times over!”

 

Though Ji Yun often spoke irreverently, she held deep respect for Zhen Yao in her heart. She knew how reserved and enduring Zhen Yao was, and she refused to let these vile creatures stir up trouble.

 

“Ji Yun, killing me is easy. But there are things I haven’t yet disclosed. Aren’t you afraid of the price you’ll pay later?”

 

During her time on the mountain, Chen Rong had gradually steadied herself after her initial panic. Having commanded the Dark Oriole Sect for years, her cunning and experience were far from simple. The bandits had hesitated to act against her precisely because their schemes might ultimately align.

 

“You’re asking for death!”

 

A long blade flashed like lightning, its fierce momentum met by a swift, graceful figure.

 

“Song Lian, are you really this blind?”

 

Were it not for Zhen Yao’s presence, Ji Yun would have gladly run them both through.

 

A’Lian struggled to speak, her eyes red as she pleaded, “Chen Rong can’t die. Without her, the Dark Oriole Sect will be left leaderless.”

 

“Hmph, sweet words—”

 

Before Ji Yun could finish, Zhen Yao’s icy voice cut through: “Guards! Take them to the death cell and await execution at dawn!”

 

“What?”

 

Chen Rong’s face paled instantly. Though this was her first direct confrontation with Zhen Yao, she knew all too well that this woman’s beauty rivaled the celestial maidens, her demeanor as cold as frost-laden pines.

 

“Zhen Yao’s finally come to her senses! I’ll personally carry out the execution at dawn!” Ji Yun laughed heartily.

 

Tears welled in A’Lian’s eyes before she could even speak, but Zhen Yao had already turned and left without a backward glance.

 

“Little Ancestress, why did you have to act so high and mighty just now? Why not beg for mercy based on your past intimacy?” Now that things had come to this, Chen Rong shed her earlier defiance.

 

A’Lian closed her eyes as if deaf to the words, standing motionless like a wooden puppet.

 

The sight filled Ji Yun with satisfaction, and she sneered, “If you knew it would come to this, why did you act so recklessly before?”

 

The dungeon was dim and heavily guarded.

 

A’Lian and Chen Rong were confined together, their exchanges laced with resentment as they faced their impending doom at dawn.

 

“You treacherous wretch! Before we left, I repeatedly warned you not to lose your virtue. Yet not only did you throw yourself at her, you even dared to give your heart away secretly. Just thinking about it makes me want to strangle you!”

 

Chen Rong’s expression twisted with malice, her beautiful face contorted into something terrifying.

 

“I’m standing right here. Go ahead and try if you dare!” A’Lian sneered, hands on her hips, shedding all the restraint she had shown in public during the day.

 

“From the tone of your voice, it seems you’re certain the chief can’t do without you.”

 

If that were the case, then perhaps there was room for negotiation. Chen Rong’s mind raced with schemes, though A’Lian saw right through her but chose not to expose it.

 

“Of course! She’s deeply in love with me. What happened during the day was just an act. How could she bear to see me perish?”

 

A faint glimmer of light fell on A’Lian’s delicate nose, making her appear even more alluring and pitiable.

 

Chen Rong couldn’t help but stare, her steps gradually closing the distance between them. “It’s just a pity Heaven isn’t kind. Even if you manage to survive, how long can you last without my antidote?”

 

“Chief, I don’t believe you truly want to die!” A’Lian crossed her arms and tilted her head, her smile soft and sweet.

 

Chen Rong involuntarily halted, biting her lip in frustration. “A’Lian, after all, we were once close. As the saying goes, new love can’t compare to old affection. You’re clever and bright, surely you don’t want to die a gruesome death with blood pouring from your orifices. If you’re willing to plead for me this time, the antidote won’t be an issue.”

 

“Now that’s more like it, Chief. But let’s not mince words. To show your sincerity, tell me half the antidote formula first. Tomorrow, I’ll do my utmost.”

 

“That’s easy enough.”

 

“Then strike while the iron is hot. Out with it now!”

 

Chen Rong’s eyes darted around as she smoothly deflected. “Three qian of golden coin grass, four cun of cold hemp, five measures of segmented root yam, six sections of snake-repelling vine. As for the rest, I’ll share after I see your sincerity.”

 

A’Lian gritted her teeth and quickly memorized the ingredients, maintaining a composed smile. “Don’t worry!”

 

“A’Lian, I trust you.”

 

Faced with Chen Rong’s feigned sincerity, A’Lian responded with a hollow smile and changed the subject. “Chief, though I’ll do my best to save us both, that Zhen woman is no ordinary girl. I think you’ll need more leverage.”

 

“What do you mean?”

 

“During the day, what you said to Ji Yun in the meeting hall clearly had hidden implications. Given how dire the situation is now, why keep hiding things from me?”

 

A’Lian coaxed skillfully, playing the role of a persuasive confidante.

 

For a brief moment, their eyes met. Though Chen Rong remained highly guarded, trapped as she was, her resolve inevitably wavered.

 

“Fine. If she refuses to spare me, you can tell her I have powerful backers in the capital.”

 

“After all these years serving under you, Chief, I’m only learning of this now. Outsiders would hardly believe it.”

 

No wonder the Dark Oriole Faction had grown so influential, rising from the wealthy southern provinces yet repeatedly evading government crackdowns. She had once thought it was due to Chen Rong’s cunning, but now it seemed there was more to it.

 

“Don’t try to pry, little girl!” Chen Rong’s tone sharpened, refusing to say another word.

 

Seeing this, A’Lian quickly yawned and stepped back. “How unfair! I’ll rest now.”

 

“You—”

 

Despite her seething anger, Chen Rong had no choice but to suppress it.

 

This A’Lian was no longer the obedient, respectful subordinate she once knew. Now, her cunning and cleverness were plain to see, and the rift between them had grown too wide.

 

With these thoughts, Chen Rong swiftly composed herself and, clutching a secret pouch in her sleeve, quietly approached.

 

“It’s still early, is A’Lian already feeling drowsy?”

 

“Tomorrow will be nothing short of a grand inquisition. We must conserve our strength to withstand the bandits’ questioning.”

 

A’Lian turned away in disgust as she adjusted the straw mat, her last shred of patience nearly worn thin.

 

“You’ve always had my best interests at heart. How could I not understand? After all these years of friendship, do you really think I’d withhold the antidote from you?”

 

Chen Rongyin’s voice was soft and coaxing as her delicate hands stealthily wrapped around A’Lian from behind.

 

“What does the Helmsman intend to do?” A’Lian’s willow-thin brows immediately furrowed.

 

“I wish to be intimate with you.”

 

Before Chen Rong could finish, A’Lian pretended to turn her head and flick her sleeve, nearly knocking her over.

 

“Ouch, Helmsman, are you alright?” Better if she fell to her death!

 

“It seems you’re completely bewitched by that chief, but I don’t care!”

 

Rubbing her wrist, Chen Rong stood up and then recklessly pinned A’Lian down, restraining her firmly.

 

“Have you lost your mind? Aren’t you afraid someone will come.”

 

A’Lian struggled fiercely, but the disparity in their strength made escape impossible.

 

“Who would come? And even if they did, would you dare scream for help?” Chen Rong gloated.

 

A’Lian fell silent. She truly didn’t dare make a scene. After all, Zhen Yao was furious with her right now.

 

“I’ve longed for you for so long. It’s time my wish was granted!”

 

Noticing the lax guard outside earlier, Chen Rong had seized this very opportunity.

 

“Helmsman, don’t be hasty. With our future uncertain, why stir up trouble at such a critical moment?”

 

A’Lian nearly gritted her teeth, but her words remained sweet and coaxing.

 

Sure enough, Chen Rong hesitated. “Fine, I’ll listen to you but you must give me something in return!”

 

The next moment, A’Lian felt her outer robe loosen. Chen Rong clearly needed some form of concession.

 

“That’s no trouble at all. Helmsman, allow this subordinate to undress herself.”

 

A’Lian bent slightly at the waist, deftly evading the other’s groping hands. Unnoticed, she drew a dagger, intending to turn the tables. But Chen Rong was quicker. In a flash, she twisted A’Lian’s arms behind her back and pressed a hidden drug over her mouth and nose.

 

“Hunting Fragrance Powder?”

 

“Exactly!”

 

A’Lian’s breath instantly turned sweet, her peach-blossom eyes glazed with intoxication.

 

“You, you set me up!”

 

“If you hadn’t resisted, you wouldn’t be suffering like this.” Chen Rong deliberately put distance between them, her tone dripping with mockery.

 

“Chen Rong, you vile wretch. I, Song Lianning, would rather die than beg for your affections!”

 

“Without an antidote, even death will be a humiliating ordeal.”

 

“Disgusting!”

 

“A’Lian, why pretend to be some chaste martyr.”

 

The thought of A’Lian’s past with the bandit chief made Chen Rong burn with the desire for cruel revenge.

 

“I’m no chaste martyr, but I’d rather be crushed to dust than share a bed with a lowlife like you.”

 

Slap! Chen Rong, enraged, struck her across the face. “Is she really so pleasing to you? Just wait once I escape, I’ll make sure you both beg for death!”

 

“Hah! You’re nothing but a noble’s lapdog. What is there to fear?”

 

A’Lian’s forehead glistened with sweat, her insides burning and numb. For now, she could only clench her fists and endure.

 

“You’re gravely mistaken. Do you even know who I serve?”

 

“I’ve no interest in the schemes of thieves and traitors!”

 

A’Lian’s scornful gaze provoked Chen Rong into losing her usual composure. “The capital has many nobles, but my master stands above all but one.”

 

“The Crown Prince?” A’Lian couldn’t help but gasp.

 

“What’s the matter, scared now?”

 

Chen Rong toyed with a strand of her hair, smirking mischievously, her voice softening unintentionally. “Come here, and serve me well!”

 

“I don’t have the strength. Why don’t you come over instead, Helmsman?”

 

A glint of coldness flickered in A’Lian’s gentle eyes as she silently gathered her strength, waiting for the perfect moment to strike.

 

But just as Chen Rong leaned in for intimacy, a bone-chilling roar erupted from outside the cell door: “How dare you!”

 

“Great Chief—”

 

Chen Rong panicked, releasing the person in her arms, her expression instantly shifting to one of fawning flattery.

 

“Madam!”

 

A’Lian’s despairing eyes suddenly filled with hope before her body went limp, collapsing heavily onto the icy ground.