The Concubine of the Main Wife - Chapter 24

The Pingxi County residence was ablaze with lights, and beneath the wutong trees in the garden, skilled physicians bustled about, attending to the constant flow of patients.

 

Yet Ji Yun remained gravely injured, unconscious for several days in a row. Han Xiong devoted herself to his care, scarcely leaving his side day or night.

 

A lone lamp flickered, casting shadows in the quiet room by the window.

 

At this moment, Ji Yun lay with his eyes tightly shut, as pale and fragile as a young child.

 

Han Xiong gazed at him silently, her heart filled with overwhelming guilt. If not for Ji Yun risking his life to save her, how could she have been dragged into this?

 

The more she thought about it, the deeper her sorrow grew. Tears welled up in her eyes as grief weighed heavily on her heart.

 

How could the past be left unpunished? By what right did they act so recklessly?

 

A surge of hatred burned fiercely within her, like a raging fire that stole her breath.

 

Since childhood, she had endured humiliation. She had barely survived into adulthood, only for the Emperor, in his effort to temper his beloved daughter, to use others as knives against her…

 

Han Xiong clenched her teeth, her heart torn between anguish and resentment.

 

Power extinguished conscience so even if she were crushed to dust, what did she have to fear?

 

Yet she sighed, for there was no perfect solution in this world. Some things were destined to remain forever out of reach.

 

Her thoughts twisted and turned until her gaze fell once more upon that sleeping face.

 

With her eyes as a brush, she traced his features, marveling that even the finest court paintings could not compare.

 

A thread of unspoken longing coiled silently within her, hidden yet suffocating, pressing heavily against her chest.

 

Just then, Qing Luan entered with a report, abruptly severing all wandering thoughts.

 

“My lady, please step aside for a moment,” Qing Luan said hesitantly, glancing at the figure on the bed.

 

Han Xiong, however, remained indifferent. “Speak freely.”

 

“Yes. Last night’s assassins had long been hiding within the magistrate’s residence. If not for Physician Ji’s sudden visit, they would never have found an opening.”

 

Qing Luan’s words carried an undertone of reproach.

 

“What does Physician Ji have to do with this? They came prepared—whether sooner or later, they would have found a way to strike.”

 

“My lady speaks wisely!”

 

“How many came? Were there any escapees?” Han Xiong asked absently.

 

Qing Luan hurriedly reported, her voice tinged with self-reproach. “Fifteen in total. We killed nine, and with you and Physician Ji fending off three, it’s likely their leader fled.”

 

“Then let them go. No need to pursue.”

 

“My lady, wouldn’t that be letting the tiger return to the mountains?” Qing Luan was baffled.

 

Han Xiong looked weary, her tone detached. “They were well-trained and attacked with reckless abandon. Tell me, who in this world would dare act so boldly without consequence?”

 

“The Eldest Princess—”

 

“Qin Yi’s anxiety is understandable, but without the Forbidden Court’s backing, she would never defy the world’s judgment so brazenly.”

 

Before Han Xiong could finish, Qing Luan staggered, murmuring in dismay, “Heavens! My lady, you must prepare yourself!”

 

In an instant, mistress and servant stood like abandoned orphans.

 

Buffeted by storms, their future uncertain.

 

Han Xiong had always known the Emperor disliked her, but she had believed that with enough effort and perseverance, her mother might spare her out of familial bond. Yet reality had struck her again and again—royal children were not all treated as nobility.

 

After all, her childhood name was Mannu. “Barbarian Slave” while her sister Qin Yi was called Yongtong.

 

“Eternal Child” forever cherished, forever remembered, forever protected.

 

Her tears had long dried, but when would she ever come to terms with this vast disparity?

 

“Since ancient times, if the ruler demands a subject’s death, the subject has no choice. To resist like a mantis trying to stop a chariot is nothing but a joke.” Han Xiong drank her tea through tears, tilting her head back to drain the cup.

 

The next moment, Qing Luan could no longer hold back. Clutching her mistress’s arm, she looked up with pleading eyes and implored, “Your kindness and benevolence are evident to all in the court. Precisely at a time like this, you must not retreat or yield.”

 

“Then what should I do?” Han Guang curled her lips in self-mockery.

 

“Even if I must die today, I will speak the truth, though it may be disrespectful. You clearly surpass the Eldest Prince in every way. Why is His Majesty unwilling to nurture you more?”

 

“Qing Luan, do not speak recklessly.”

 

Han Guang slowly raised her hand, gently wiping away the tears from Qing Luan’s eyes.

 

“I am not sowing discord or being disrespectful. But even in ordinary families, parents cherish all their children equally. Could His Majesty truly bear to abandon you?”

 

“Do you know how cold it is at the top? His Majesty has long occupied the highest seat, and his thoughts are naturally beyond ordinary comprehension. Qing Luan, you and Hong Ying began serving me in the third year of Baoyou. But did you know that was when I had just emerged from the cold palace?”

 

How could the past be so easily forgotten?

 

Qing Luan could not hide her shock, her voice choked with tears. “How could this be?”

 

At these words, Han Guang’s gaze grew even darker. “Over the years, whispers about my identity have spread through the court, and rumors have come thick and fast. Yet despite such hardships, His Majesty has never issued a single decree in my favor. I am but a discarded pawn!”

 

“His Majesty—” Qing Luan hesitated, unable to continue.

 

“Our sovereign is a ruler of great talent and bold vision. His heroic campaigns in the south and north have made him a wise and sagacious monarch, destined to be remembered for centuries. Yet he, too, harbors regrets. When he first ascended the throne, his position was unstable, forcing him to disguise himself as a man, sacrificing his own identity to secure his reign amidst wolves and tigers. That is why he meticulously selected the fathers of his heirs. Qin Yi’s father was descended from generations of high-ranking nobles, with the Qin family’s marital alliances spanning the entire court. As for my father? He was merely a hostage from a foreign tribe.”

 

“My lady, do not lose heart. If His Majesty were truly wholly satisfied with the Eldest Prince, he would not have sent you to Pingxi.”

 

Qing Luan wiped her eyes fiercely, suddenly filled with a surge of courage.

 

“He is dissatisfied, which is why he plucked me from the cold palace, gave me a few hollow comforts, and then threw me into the gladiatorial arena of power struggles. He eagerly hopes that I, the whetstone, will sharpen his beloved sword to perfection. As for the fate of the whetstone, success or failure it will not alter the course of destiny.”

 

“Since the crumbling wall is about to fall, why not go all the way, my lady—”

 

Meeting Qing Luan’s fervent gaze, Han Guang erupted in fury. “How dare you! Never speak of this again!”

 

“Your servant was wrong.”

 

As the two exchanged words, they remained unaware that the person on the bed had long since woken quietly.

 

Ji Yun caught only fragments of their conversation, but at the time, her mind was clouded, consumed by the pain of her injuries.

 

“It hurts so much. I’m thirsty, so thirsty!”

 

The quiet room was abruptly filled with noise. Qing Luan immediately half-drew her sword, cautiously approaching. “My lady?”

 

Han Guang’s expression turned icy. After a moment’s hesitation, she weakly waved her sleeve. “Leave us. Later, instruct the kitchen to prepare medicine.”

 

“I beg you to reconsider, my lady!” Qing Luan was filled with helplessness.

 

But Han Guang calmly poured tea, leaning forward with gentle grace. “Thank you, Physician Ji, for saving my life. Han Guang is eternally grateful.”

 

Ji Yun subtly adjusted her breathing, feigning confusion. “Huh? Who are you?”

 

“Physician Ji doesn’t recognize me? I am Han Guang.”

 

“Han Guang? That sounds familiar.” Seizing the opportunity, Ji Yun leaned back, shamelessly collapsing into Han Guang’s arms.

 

“You saved me. Has Physician Ji truly forgotten everything from last night?”

 

Han Guang probed repeatedly. She refused to believe the other woman had lost her memory.

 

Yet Ji Yun’s performance was flawless, even so genuine at times that it evoked guilt.

 

“My organs ache terribly, and my mind is blank right now. But for some reason, I feel vaguely wronged.”

 

As she spoke, Ji Yun truly burst into loud sobs, her delicate face a picture of misery, stirring a tumult of emotions in anyone who saw her.

 

Han Xiong had witnessed many grand scenes in her time, but now she truly had no idea how to comfort a young woman who had lost her memory. Standing awkwardly, unsure whether to embrace her or not, she could only clumsily offer patient reassurance.

 

“Don’t cry, don’t cry. Right now, focus on recovering. Don’t think about anything else.”

 

Kind words, yet they were tragically misunderstood. Ji Yun’s eyes sparkled with sudden delight as she exclaimed joyfully, “You’re so good to me. We must be deeply in love! Are you my beloved?”

 

“Doctor Ji, don’t scare me like this. We have no such relationship!” Han Xiong felt as if struck by lightning, her entire body stiffening to the extreme.

 

“If you won’t answer, then it must be true.”

 

Ji Yun, with a mischievous glint, continued to tease, though outwardly she pretended to be sweet and docile.

 

“Nothing of the sort! Perhaps Doctor Ji has mistaken me for someone else.”

 

Were it not for propriety, Han Xiong would have fled on the spot.

 

“Ah, now that I’ve lost my memory, you’re trying to abandon me. The moment I saw you, my heart started pounding wildly. There’s no way our relationship is innocent!”

 

“Doctor Ji, you’re being absurd. I’ll take my leave now and ask someone else to attend to you.”

 

Han Xiong was desperate to escape, but unexpectedly, the other woman clung to her like an octopus, refusing to let go. “If you’ve done nothing wrong, why are you so afraid? Did you fail to force yourself on me last night and then beat me into this wretched state? Heavens, how cruel you are!”

 

“Ji Yun!”

 

Han Xiong, flustered and furious, clutched her collar tightly, retreating as far as she could while explaining, “As the saying goes, a scholar is no match for a soldier. Whatever the case, if you’re ill, seek treatment. I’m not a doctor, please spare me this torment.”

 

“Hmph, you think I’m stupid?”

 

Ji Yun winced in pain but still refused to loosen her grip.

 

“Then what do you want?” Han Xiong swallowed hard, their breaths scorching each other’s skin.

 

“I…”

 

Ji Yun hesitated, at a loss for words, but her feet moved of their own accord, inching closer prompting Han Xiong to shriek, “You should go back to sleep!”

 

“But I’m in too much pain to sleep.” Ji Yun pressed her lips together, edging nearer.

 

Han Xiong, barely suppressing her fury, had no choice but to lower her voice in appeasement. “Fine, but don’t come any closer.”

 

“Got any candy?”

 

Ji Yun abruptly held out her palm, but who would have candy at a time like this? Han Xiong could only grit her teeth and retort, “You’ve never liked sweets!”

 

“Tch, you’re lying. I want candy. Eating candy makes the pain go away.”

 

Their bright eyes met, an inexplicable tenderness passing between them.

 

Han Xiong stared fixedly at the blood seeping through Ji Yun’s clothes and suddenly lost all will to resist. Lowering her head, she murmured softly, “Then… what will make the pain stop?”

 

Ji Yun’s heart leapt with secret delight, and she teased with wicked amusement, “A kiss. A kiss will make it better.”

 

“Ji Yun, I’m not a frivolous person, nor do I wish to treat you lightly. A life-saving debt should be repaid tenfold but not like this. It’s disrespectful to you.”

 

A lecture is enough to make one’s ears itch.

 

“You don’t need to respect me. If you want to repay me, then hurry up and obey!”

 

“Once you recover, you’ll surely—”

 

“I’m not afraid of anything!”

 

Too lazy to argue further, Ji Yun suddenly cupped Han Xiong’s face and, with lightning speed, pecked those flushed lips.

 

“You’re insane!”

 

Han Xiong struggled desperately, only to accidentally cause Ji Yun’s wounds to split open anew.

 

“You’re being so impatient, my dear, I fear I can’t take it anymore.”

 

The act had gone too far to back down now. Ji Yun closed her eyes and feigned a faint, using the pain as an excuse.

 

Not a moment too soon, Qing Luan arrived with the medicine, though slightly delayed.

 

“Spare me, my lady. Your humble servant is slow-witted and saw nothing just now.”

 

Despite her words, Qing Luan’s mind was in turmoil.

 

The two by the bed were in complete disarray. Clothes askew, and to make matters worse, Physician Ji looked like a delicate flower battered by a storm.

 

The sight alone was enough to make one blush furiously.

 

“Qing Luan, you’ve misunderstood. We weren’t doing what you think.”

 

“Ah! You’ve bitten my lips raw!” Ji Yun wailed incoherently.

 

“Ji Yun, don’t push me too far!”

 

Han Kuang nearly clenched her fists and roared, but to her surprise, Qing Luan spoke with extreme caution: “Physician Ji’s injuries are quite severe. This servant suggests my lady release her first. After all, there will be plenty of time later.”

 

“Leave the medicine and get out!”

 

“This servant was wrong. Please don’t be angry, my lady.”

 

People could indeed infuriate others to death.

 

This was the very definition of being unable to defend oneself no matter how much one explained. Han Kuang’s brows furrowed tightly. She finally raised her wrist, only to lower it again hesitantly.