The Concubine of the Main Wife - Chapter 21

Upon hearing this, everyone was stunned, then cast doubtful glances at Zhen Yao.

 

“Who does the chief mean?”

 

“Could it be that newly arrived Master Han?”

 

“Nonsense, how could it possibly be her?”

 

Ji Yun curled her lip in displeasure, then raised an eyebrow and said irritably, “Ah, we’re practically on the brink of disaster here. A’Yao, stop beating around the bush.”

 

“This person is someone you all know. The one who formed a moonlit alliance with us three years ago.”

 

As soon as Zhen Yao finished speaking, Ji Yun’s expression changed drastically. “What? Absolutely not!”

 

The group immediately exchanged bewildered looks, and amidst the confusion, they all began to protest.

 

“Chief, Yin Yue and we are simply too different in our ways to work together.”

 

“Exactly, she’s nothing but a hypocrite who weighs everything by profit.”

 

“Putting it nicely, it was a moonlit alliance. To be blunt, it was a betrayal of trust.”

 

“I still remember how deeply you cared for her, and yet she took advantage of the moment to leave without even saying goodbye!”

 

…

 

Amid the endless grievances, Zhen Yao remained composed, her jade-like face serene and beautiful. “The soldiers weren’t summoned by her, and I didn’t leave the mountain to marry for her sake.”

 

Whether others believed Zhen Yao’s words or not, Ji Yun did but what did it matter?

 

Ji Yun despised Yin Yue.

 

“Hmph, so now that she’s made something of herself, A’Yao wants to shamelessly cling to her coattails? Don’t forget how she humiliated us back then.”

 

“She called you and me bandits, but aren’t we?” Zhen Yao countered with a faint smile.

 

Seeing this, Ji Yun grew even angrier. “I’ve always hated bookish fools the most. That rigid, pedantic scholar of hers. Even if she holds power now, she’ll only be a scourge to the court. You think there’s some deep sisterly bond, but who’s to say she won’t turn around and raze West Mountain? A’Yao, I advise you to stop daydreaming.”

 

“Fine. Sister Yin now holds a high position. Who knows if she’d even bother with us?”

 

Zhen Yao understood the grievances in her sisters’ hearts. All of them born from misunderstandings.

 

“High position?” Ji Yun sneered.

 

“Prefect of Han County.”

 

“Wow, a fourth-rank official!”

 

The expressions around them visibly twisted, some even unable to suppress their astonishment.

 

“She actually became an official?” Seventh Sister Lan gasped.

 

“Good thing I never insulted her to her face.”

 

“What’s Third Sister afraid of? If she wants revenge, none of us can escape!”

 

The clamor grew unbearable, and Zhen Yao couldn’t help but speak up to soothe them. “We are allies. Sister Yin won’t betray us.”

 

“That was just a temporary arrangement. If we were truly united in heart, why would she have left without a word back then?”

 

Though Ji Yun’s words were sharp, her heart was a tumult of mixed emotions.

 

“She was always just a passerby on West Mountain. Well-read, ambitious, destined for greater things. How could a golden carp remain in a tiny pond?”

 

“Ah, but we parted on bad terms with her. It’s unlikely she’ll help us in the future.”

 

“Seventh Sister speaks the truth. A’Yao, don’t be so naive!”

 

Ji Yun’s face was full of disdain as she shrugged and prepared to leave.

 

“Wait, A’Yun. I haven’t finished. About two years ago, I began receiving handwritten letters from Sister Yin. That’s when I learned she hadn’t forgotten the West Mountain alliance. In fact, she had repeatedly offered strategies for our sisters.”

 

“You mean—” Ji Yun froze mid-step.

 

“Though she wasn’t here, the farming and military training techniques we adopted all came from her guidance.”

 

“So, we have someone in the court now?”

 

“With a big tree to lean on, we can finally sleep soundly.”

 

“Don’t be naive. Yin Yue isn’t that kind!”

 

Ji Yun prided herself on understanding Yin Yue, her personality was as unyielding as stone.

 

Zhen Yao let out a slight sigh, her tone unusually earnest: “One good turn deserves another. She was in desperate need of money and supplies, so we owe no one any favors.”

 

“There’s another matter. Was it for the sake of our sisters’ safety that you married into the Su family?” Ji Yun’s eyes reddened inexplicably.

 

Zhen Yao’s gaze swept over each of her sisters in turn, her deep eyes inscrutable: “No need for guilt. I had my own selfish reasons.”

 

“Chief, we—”

 

“Meeting adjourned!”

 

Zhen Yao would never lay bare, even in death just as her mother would never forgive her.

 

Beside her, Ji Yun hesitated, wanting to speak but ultimately remaining silent.

 

“Ji Yun, I’ll trouble you to make a trip down the mountain tonight,” Zhen Yao broke the silence first.

 

“Between us, there’s no need for such formalities!”

 

“I need you to escort A’Lian back to the Su residence for me.”

 

Hearing this, Ji Yun couldn’t help but jump in protest: “If you like her, why not keep her here on West Mountain and live as an immortal couple!”

 

“Chen Rong is dead, and the situation is bound to turn perilous. She absolutely cannot stay.”

 

“But is the Su residence any safer?” Ji Yun bluntly called out her cowardice.

 

To love so deeply yet deliberately keep the other at arm’s length. What kind of logic was that?

 

“I—” Zhen Yao was momentarily at a loss for words.

 

“Enough with the ‘you’ and ‘I.’ I’m giving you three days off; go and indulge yourselves!”

 

With that, she didn’t wait for Zhen Yao to scold her and quickly scampered off.

 

Meanwhile, as Zhen Yao wrestled with her tangled thoughts, A’Lian was pacing anxiously back and forth, as restless as an ant on a hot griddle.

 

“Miss, what are you doing? Aren’t we leaving?”

 

Xi’er was utterly confused. After all, the bandits had said they would escort them down the mountain.

 

“Oh, what do you know!”

 

“That’s exactly why I’m asking you, miss!”

 

A’Lian looked at her helplessly, her mind in turmoil: “This is no place to linger, but I have a mission to complete, and everything is so complicated.”

 

“Miss, why worry? Maybe we should just stay!”

 

The situation had spiraled far beyond A’Lian’s expectations. Not only had Chen Rong, backed by the Eldest Prince, acted recklessly, but Madam, the infamous leader of the West Mountain bandits, was no less formidable.

 

Each twist and turn left her trapped between a rock and a hard place.

 

If Han Xiong found out, she would never let it go!

 

“You don’t understand. What troubles me is how to explain this to Magistrate Han.”

 

“Just tell the truth.”

 

“Do you have a death wish?!”

 

“Miss, then what should we do?” Xi’er was now equally distressed.

 

Since ancient times, officials and bandits had been sworn enemies. A’Lian wanted to protect Madam but also regretted hastily agreeing to act as an informant for the authorities.

 

“I don’t know either.”

 

“Maybe deceive both sides?” After all, they came from the covert operations division.

 

“Easier said than done. Neither of them is someone we can easily fool!”

 

“Ugh, if this won’t work and that won’t work, are we just supposed to sit here and wait for death?”

 

Xi’er’s grumbling instantly reignited A’Lian’s fighting spirit. She composed herself and declared, “No way. Let me think this through carefully.”

 

“Miss, you’re brilliant! You’ll surely come up with a perfect plan.”

 

Sure enough, as soon as Xi’er finished flattering her, A’Lian said with absolute certainty, “I’ve got it!”

 

“Please enlighten me, miss.”

 

“Tonight, you go down the mountain first. When you see Sister Han, just tell her Chen Rong was the Eldest Prince’s man. Pretend you know nothing else, and no matter how she probes, don’t mention anything beyond that.”

 

“Understood!”

 

After a hushed discussion between the mistress and maid, Xi’er was escorted down the mountain by the bandits.

 

Dusk settled over the verdant mountains, and A’Lian sat alone in the silent room.

 

She glanced around impatiently, but Zhen Yao still hadn’t arrived.

 

The flickering candlelight cast shadows as the beauty rested her cheek on her hand, softly sighing in melancholy. This was the scene Zhen Yao encountered upon entering the room.

 

“You didn’t leave?” Her cool voice carried a trace of barely concealed delight.

 

A’Lian felt an inexplicable sting in her nose. She had intended to feign indifference, but in an instant, her body moved of its own accord, throwing herself forward.

 

“Does Madam truly not wish to see me?”

 

The pitiful complaint, coupled with the desperate longing for closeness, tore through all of Zhen Yao’s pretenses.

 

“What if I do? You didn’t choose me!”

 

The icy, self-deprecating tone made A’Lian’s heart ache unbearably.

 

“That day, I was foolish, but I—” She had reasons she couldn’t voice.

 

“Enough!”

 

Zhen Yao already understood everything. What angered her was A’Lian’s refusal to trust her fully, even hiding matters of life and death. Fortunately, Chen Rong got what she deserved; otherwise, Zhen Yao would still be left in the dark.

 

But her words were clearly misunderstood. The usually tender peach-blossom eyes of A’Lian instantly filled with deep sorrow.

 

“Madam is so cruel.”

 

“Little liar, am I crueler than you?” Zhen Yao leaned in, murmuring softly.

 

“I don’t understand. What does Madam mean?”

 

Before A’Lian could process her words, she felt a sudden tightness in her chest.

 

“Lies always come with a price. I gave you a chance to leave, but since you chose to stay, don’t even think of escaping in the future!”

 

The scorching breath against her skin set A’Lian’s cheeks aflame, her soul soaring to the heavens.

 

“Madam, I—”

 

She was torn, unsure whether to confess what weighed on her heart.

 

“What, unwilling?” Zhen Yao pressed, biting her lip.

 

Tears silently rolled down A’Lian’s face. In the end, she couldn’t bear to drag Zhen Yao into her troubles.

 

“I’m just a drifting weed. To have shared even a fleeting moment of joy with Madam is more than I deserve!”

 

“Hmph, you may be satisfied, but I’ve always wanted forever.”

 

“I’m sorry…”

 

The moment their eyes met, Zhen Yao lowered her head, catching A’Lian’s falling tears. Pressing close, she mocked herself, “But apologies aren’t what I want. It’s always been you.”

 

The world seemed to spin. A’Lian’s heart ached bitterly, yet Zhen Yao’s words also stirred an unbearable sweetness amidst the turmoil.

 

But fate was cruel, tormenting those who loved.

 

Without Chen Rong’s antidote formula, her life hung by a thread. Worse still, in her bid for a clean slate, she had turned herself in to the authorities, only to discover they were bandits.

 

Always one step short!

 

“Madam, take me.”

 

Tangled thoughts were impossible to unravel. Clutching Zhen Yao tightly, her slender shoulders trembling, she sought only a moment of peace.

 

Zhen Yao couldn’t fathom why, even now, A’Lian refused to confide in her. Relenting once more, she said, “Don’t worry about the poison. It was just one of Chen Rong’s tricks to control people. What she gave you wasn’t poison, just slow-acting herbs. Starting tomorrow, A Yun will prepare medicine to help you recover.”

 

“Really?” A’Lian visibly perked up.

 

Zhen Yao seized her delicate wrist, restraining herself as she asked, “You won’t die. But will you abandon me again?”

 

“How could I bear it? Madam is so beautiful, and you’ve been so kind to me.”

 

“Enough sweet talk. A’Lian, you’re too cunning!”

 

“Am I more cunning than Madam? You’re the leader of the Western Mountain bandits, yet you deceived me so thoroughly.”

 

A’Lian’s eyes sparkled, reflecting Zhen Yao’s breathtaking beauty and the surging tide of emotion between them.

 

“A’Lian, we’re even now.”

 

“But I—” A’Lian hesitated, struggling with her thoughts.

 

Zhen Yao restrainedly propped herself up, her fingertips grazing the other’s slender waist as she held her breath in control. “Is there something you can’t bring yourself to tell me, A’Lian? We’re one.”

 

You in me, and I in you.

 

“I’m afraid if I say it, you’ll blame me for acting on my own.”

 

A’Lian felt inexplicably timid, but just then Zhen Yao lowered her head to capture those soft lips, gently coaxing with tender care: “My fault, for making you suffer like this. A’Lian, speak only when you’re ready. I won’t push you.”

 

“Madam!”

 

A’Lian wept until she could barely catch her breath, leaving Zhen Yao utterly at a loss. She exhausted all means to comfort her, only to find A’Lian had quietly shed her garments.