The Concubine of the Main Wife - Chapter 20

“What exactly did you do to her?”

 

Zhen Yao swiftly bent down and scooped A’Lian into her arms, then glared furiously at Chen Rong.

 

Her jade-like face was cold as a fierce deity, and the atmosphere instantly froze.

 

The scene was so terrifying that Chen Rong trembled uncontrollably. Yet, ever cunning, she cautiously replied, “Why the panic, Chief? No one will die tonight!”

 

A’Lian had merely been dosed with “Hunting Fragrance Powder.” As long as Zhen Yao was willing to detoxify her.

 

“This poison isn’t that simple, is it?”

 

Meeting Zhen Yao’s worried gaze, Chen Rong inexplicably smiled. “Naturally, it requires three hours of intimate entanglement.”

 

“Disgusting!”

 

“Ah, Chief, why feign ignorance? A’Lian once used this very method to dominate the martial world.”

 

“You—”

 

Zhen Yao loathed the woman before her. She had always upheld purity and righteousness and had no intention of taking advantage of someone in distress. Yet her beloved had been repeatedly schemed against, even to the point where something as private as detoxification was being maliciously speculated upon.

 

“Why is the Chief so angry?” Chen Rong feigned innocence.

 

“Who exactly poisoned her?”

 

Zhen Yao’s gaze was sharp, her expression icy.

 

“A’Lian was the one who tried to seduce me, but she ended up harming herself instead. Chief, this Song Lian was once my concubine, but now I willingly yield her to you. Let bygones be bygones!”

 

Chen Rong relaxed her brows, secretly pleased at having grasped the other’s weakness.

 

Yet Zhen Yao neither confirmed nor denied it. She lowered her eyes, gazing deeply at the woman in her arms, then turned and strode away.

 

The corridor was dim and narrow, the sound of hurried breaths echoing intermittently.

 

Zhen Yao walked swiftly, her long legs carrying her forward, too agitated to think clearly.

 

A’Lian’s skin burned like boiling water, her fragrant sweat soaking through layers of clothing.

 

“Madam… Madam…”

 

Delirious with fever, A’Lian murmured softly in her dreams.

 

“You call me that… What am I to do with you?” Zhen Yao’s heart was torn.

 

“Help me I’m so hot! I’m burning up!”

 

Tormented by unbearable heat, A’Lian instinctively sought relief.

 

“I can save you, but when dawn breaks, who will save me?” Unable to evade, Zhen Yao had no choice but to let her cling.

 

The lone moon hung high, and the quiet room suddenly stirred.

 

A thunderous force descended, and soon the door shut tight, the windows swayed gently, and the curtains rustled as the bed creaked.

 

Silhouettes intertwined, steeped in passion.

 

“Madam, there’s a vicious dog biting me. Mmm…”

 

The delicate girl, lost in dreams, was too weak to resist the intruder.

 

“There’s no vicious dog here, just a greedy little fox!”

 

“What a sly fox—”

 

Zhen Yao was already a peerless beauty, but now she seemed even more ethereal. Her raven hair cascaded like water, and in her flustered state, she barely managed to regain a shred of reason. “Bear with it a little longer, A’Lian. Once the naughty fox is satisfied, she’ll settle down.”

 

No wonder! A’Lian giggled, ticklish. Her alluring peach-blossom eyes remained lazily closed, but her slender hands, gradually regaining strength, began to explore.

 

Yet this fox was too slippery and tender, impossible to catch.

 

Frustrated, A’Lian writhed repeatedly until suddenly, her red lips parted. “Oh no! The fox is trying to crawl inside me!”

 

Hearing this, Zhen Yao gazed at her tenderly, firmly clasping her hands. Then, bending slightly at the waist, she leaned close to A’Lian’s ear and whispered with a soft laugh, “Liar. The fox is clearly heading straight for your heart.”

 

Before the words could fully leave her lips, it was as if a tide surged and waves crashed—violent, tumultuous waves came crashing toward A’lian one after anothe.

 

The western moon hung heavy, its rosy glow fleeting, making it impossible to tell whether it was night or dawn.

 

A’lian finally regained a sliver of clarity, yet her eyes remained clouded with confusion.

 

“Ah… ah, Madam!”

 

The moment their eyes met, words failed her, and clear tears rolled down unbidden.

 

“It’s me. Are you disappointed?” Zhen Yao suddenly turned fierce, her voice dark with resentment.

 

Strange yet familiar, the intimacy between them tore at A’lian’s heart and body. But even with a thousand words to say, at this moment, all she could do was cling desperately to the other’s jade-like neck and plead, “No more, no more.”

 

“What do you mean, ‘no more’?”

 

In this hidden realm, Zhen Yao finally revealed her unyielding, dominant side.

 

A’lian, red as a boiled shrimp, arched her back in shyness and gritted her teeth. “Thank you, Madam, for risking your life to save me.”

 

“Don’t mention it!” Zhen Yao’s expression couldn’t hide her bitterness.

 

A’lian knew her earlier words had been hurtful, so she looked up at her with guilt. “I’m sorry, Madam.”

 

But Zhen Yao ignored her, raising an arm to snatch the silk handkerchief from the wooden frame and draping it over her face with cold pride. She lowered her head and continued to methodically stir the springtime hues.

 

Petals fell in profusion, the fragrant stamens spent. The winding path coiled nine times, abruptly ascending to the heavens.

 

Time was running out; the sky would soon lighten with dawn.

 

Tonight, A’lian had been happier than words could express, yet also more sorrowful than she could bear.

 

“Madam, if revenge can ease your pain, then this lowly concubine is of no consequence!”

 

The bitter, tearful tone made Zhen Yao freeze. She stopped at once and let out a long sigh. “You think I would use this method to take revenge on you?”

 

“Madam, that’s not what I meant.”

 

“A’lian, perhaps I should have just killed you with a single stroke!” That way, the pain would never return.

 

“This lowly concubine deserves death.”

 

“Enough. I’m tired of your retreat-as-advance tactics. Song A’lian, you know exactly how I feel, yet you toy with me time and again. Consider this debt settled.”

 

The person she longed for was right before her eyes, yet the past played out vividly in her mind. Zhen Yao dug her fingers deeply into her palms, desperately reminding herself not to repeat the same mistakes.

 

“Madam, I never betrayed you!”

 

A’lian’s lashes trembled violently, tears overflowing, terrified that the other might no longer desire her.

 

“Hah, are you referring to your body?” Zhen Yao sneered, though her heart spoke otherwise.

 

“At this point, all the faults are mine. I only beg Madam not to cast me aside.”

 

A’lian knew Zhen Yao well. She had never been one for aggression. How deeply must she care for her to be so confrontational now?

 

“Words are meaningless. The poison in you has been neutralized. After half a night of torment, you should rest.” With that, Zhen Yao began dressing to leave.

 

Seeing the situation turn dire, A’lian clung to her desperately, blinking through tear-filled eyes as she sobbed, “Dawn hasn’t broken yet outside. Please, Madam, don’t leave me!”

 

“Why must you torment yourself like this?” Yet despite her cold words, Zhen Yao silently lay back down.

 

Silence weighed heavily; the dying lamp flickered desolately.

 

One longed for dawn, the other dreaded the light.

 

A’lian didn’t care what Madam thought. Carefully, she tilted her head closer until their breaths mingled, and then, clinging to her, she fell into a deep, contented sleep.

 

The next morning, the space beside her was empty. She had no idea when Zhen Yao had left.

 

The red sun rose over the endless mountains. Deep within the dungeon, two figures faced each other.

 

“A’Yao, this Chen Rong is no small matter. He’s actually the First Prince’s man!” Ji Yun rubbed his temples in frustration.

 

“So?”

 

“He’s nothing but a hot potato!”

 

Unfit to kill, unfit to keep.

 

Zhen Yao paid no heed, her gaze drifting into the distance. “I hear the nobles in the capital are locked in a bloody power struggle, where victors and losers are yet to be decided. We’re far from the emperor’s reach here in the mountains. Why should we bother with their factional disputes?”

 

“Then we’ll take good care of her?”

 

“On what grounds?”

 

Privately, Zhen Yao truly couldn’t tolerate Chen Rong. But if the woman knew her place, she wasn’t the type to drive someone to utter ruin.

 

However, the conversation between the two women had stoked the flames of resentment in the inherently suspicious Chen Rong. After a brief deliberation, she decided to strike first.

 

“Someone! I have orders to give!”

 

“What are you shouting about so early in the morning?” Ji Yun kicked the cell door in irritation.

 

“Ah Yun, stop. Leave us for now.”

 

Eyeing the unusually wary Chen Rong, Ji Yun warned with disgust, “Be careful. This slippery one is full of tricks!”

 

“It’s fine.”

 

“What a sanctimonious hypocrite! Your days are numbered, you wretch!”

 

Zhen Yao stepped forward calmly, her voice cool. “Chen Rong, at this life-and-death moment, I hope you’ll be honest.”

 

“Last night, you wallowed in filth and lust, yet today you dare to lecture me with that righteous act? Do you really think I’d believe your lies?”

 

Her malicious eyes roamed up and down, her expression full of lewd suspicion, making Zhen Yao sick to her core.

 

“You filthy beast! If not for your vile actions, you wouldn’t be in this state today!”

 

“Enough talk. If you so much as harm a finger of mine, A’Lian will die with me.”

 

“Dream on!”

 

“Zhen Yao, you should know I’ve commanded the Dark Oriole Division for years, with hundreds under my control. Did you really think I’d have no precautions?” Chen Rong continued to provoke recklessly.

 

“Your precaution was drugging people?”

 

“Spare me the lecture. I just never expected a lowly maid like A’Lian could bewitch you so thoroughly.”

 

“Your taunts won’t work!”

 

Zhen Yao’s eyes turned icy as she struck Chen Rong hard enough to make her spit blood.

 

“Hahahaha! You’re treasuring what I discarded.”

 

“Shut up!”

 

“Let me tell you this. If I die within the borders of Pingxi, every last one of you bandits will pay with your lives.”

 

“Such bold words. Who do you think you are?” Zhen Yao had never despised anyone more.

 

Chen Rong rubbed her cheek with a sinister smirk, refusing to back down. “My master is the mighty Eldest Prince. The whole world knows the emperor is on his deathbed. Soon, the prince will rule the realm. You blind fool, you’ll meet a wretched end!”

 

“How terrifying. But here in the Western Mountains, we care little for who sits on the throne. All I know is that you’re vile, and soon, your arrogant, lawless mouth will be your undoing.”

 

A sharp blade flashed, its edge gleaming.

 

Chen Rong’s legs gave way as she broke down, screaming, “No, no, no! You can’t kill me! A’Lian will die, the nobles will punish you.”

 

“Three qian of golden coin grass, four cun of cold hemp, five liang of segmented root yam, six sections of snake-repelling vine. You ignorant fool!” Zhen Yao’s beautiful eyes were sharp as daggers.

 

“So you eavesdropped on us last night!”

 

No wonder she had taken A’Lian away in time. Chen Rong was now utterly hopeless.

 

“Ji Yun and I grew up together. Though I may not be as skilled as her in medicine, I know my herbs well enough. I suppose those poor women fell under your control because you coerced and manipulated them from a young age, leaving them in constant fear.”

 

Chen Rong’s face turned deathly pale. Zhen Yao had hit the mark. She had been dosing the women with slow-acting poison, addicting and weakening them over time.

 

“Chief, I know my sins are as vast as the heavens. Now that I’ve come to my senses, I beg for a chance to dedicate the rest of my life to the mountain stronghold.”

 

Zhen Yao shook her head and pushed him away, her expression resolute. “I gave you many chances, but your mind was always filled with schemes to harm others. Chen Rong, you must truly repent!”

 

“You’re not that kind-hearted. All this talk is just to silence me and cover up your scandal with A’Lian.”

 

“Chen Rong—”

 

“At any rate, the Crown Prince will flatten West Mountain sooner or later. As for you, go die now!” Chen Rong struck first with a sneak attack, his moves vicious and ruthless.

 

Zhen Yao retreated step by step. Kind words couldn’t sway a man bent on death, so she simply raised her sword to settle it.

 

“How dare you?!”

 

Chen Rong’s eyes widened in disbelief as a long finger trembled and fell limply.

 

“Someone, bury him properly.”

 

“Yes, Chief.”

 

In the assembly hall, the morning meeting was noisy and full of endless arguments.

 

Ji Yun frowned irritably, her tone puzzled. “That man was no better than a venomous insect. Killing him was the right call. Why bother treating his corpse with respect?”

 

“Desecrating the dead is beneath us. Besides, he had many followers in the Dark Oriole Faction. Their ignorance won’t vanish overnight, so we must handle this carefully.”

 

Zhen Yao had never been one to act impulsively, yet all her recent irrationality stemmed from A’Lian.

 

“Be that as it may, the Crown Prince’s lackey died on West Mountain. They won’t let this go quietly.” Ji Yun understood the implications all too well.

 

“I’ll take responsibility for my actions. A’Yun, don’t worry—”

 

“That’s not what I meant! Can’t you recognize goodwill when you see it?”

 

“My apologies, I spoke poorly.”

 

Before Zhen Yao could finish, Ji Yun snapped, “Your mind is elsewhere these days, you don’t even act like a chief anymore!”

 

“Fine, I’ll step aside for someone more capable—”

 

“Zhen Yao, you go too far!”

 

Swords were drawn, tempers flared. Sisters at odds.

 

The others exchanged uneasy glances before straightening their backs to mediate.

 

“Ah, what’s gotten into you two? As the saying goes, ‘The boat will straighten itself when it reaches the bridge.’ Is a vile wretch like him worth all this?”

 

No sooner had Fourth Sister Yun finished speaking than Third Sister Shui chimed in soothingly, “Exactly! The Emperor hasn’t abdicated yet. Who’s to say the Crown Prince will even succeed him?”

 

“The old Emperor is shrouded in mystery, but I’m certain there are other heirs in the palace.”

 

“Who cares? In my opinion, if we hold our ground, what can they do to us?”

 

“Remember how many times we faced extermination campaigns when Mother was alive? Yet we always pulled through. Sisters, there’s no need to.”

 

“Seventh Sister, shut your mouth!” Fifth Sister Xing cut her off in panic.

 

“I… I’m sorry, Chief.”

 

Seventh Sister Lan stammered an apology, realizing too late she’d spoken without thinking and touched upon the chief’s sore spot.

 

Zhen Yao remained silent, her thoughts drifting far away, grief twisting her insides beyond words.

 

Even the fearless Ji Yun looked awkward now, softening her tone to smooth things over. “Alright, alright, we all mean well. But let’s discuss the future another time.”

 

“Right, why borrow trouble?”

 

“Yes, yes! Our priority now is managing each stronghold, continuing farming and training.”

 

“Tch, if only we had allies at court then who’d fear whom?”

 

…

 

The clamor of voices around her soon snapped Zhen Yao back to the present. Her eyes reddened as she declared, “Who says we have no backing? The plans from three years ago have finally borne fruit.”