The Concubine of the Main Wife - Chapter 26

Throughout history, struggles for power have often been a tale of victors and vanquished.

 

Zhen Yao had no desire for fame or fortune. Now that she had avenged her foster mother, the only person she truly cared about was A’Lian.

 

“Lord Han, as a noble of the imperial family, your commands are not to be disobeyed by commoners. But I, Zhen, am merely an ignorant village woman, hardly fit for such a responsibility!” She declined without hesitation.

 

At this point, Han Xiong understood perfectly, yet she was reluctant to let such talent slip away. “Why belittle yourself? In my eyes, you surpass countless outstanding men.”

 

Hearing this, Zhen Yao slowly raised her gaze, and their eyes met.

 

“Lord Han, you may not know this, but worldly glory is but fleeting smoke and clouds. My heart lies in the peace of Pingxi, where I wish to live out my days.”

 

“What a noble retreat to the countryside. Who wouldn’t desire it! But Qin Yi has long entrenched herself in Jiangnan, and the Dark Oriole Branch she painstakingly built was uprooted by you. Do you really think she will let you off so easily?” Han Xiong frowned, her smile cold.

 

“I bear no grudge against the Eldest Princess, and Chen Rong brought his fate upon himself.”

 

Han Xiong abruptly cut her off, her tone sharp. “Zhen Yao, I truly admire you, which is why I’ve taken such pains to persuade you.”

 

The unspoken message was clear: do not test her patience.

 

Yet Zhen Yao remained unmoved, her resolve as steadfast as bamboo. “I am deeply grateful for your kindness. I fully understand your humility and courtesy, as well as the trust behind your candor. But the ambitions of kings and conquerors are not for the likes of us lowly folk to meddle in.”

 

“Commoners are the foundation of the nation, Zhen Yao. I cannot agree with your view!”

 

Han Xiong paced idly, her gaze drifting into the distance. “The world may seem at peace, but beneath the surface, discontent brews among the people. My mother disguised herself as a man. Every noble family in the court knows it, yet the common folk remain in the dark. In my opinion, what does it matter if one is a woman? In governing the country and bringing order to the land, we are no less capable than men.”

 

“You speak truly. But His Majesty has toiled diligently for years and is deeply revered by the people. Even if her identity were revealed one day, we would still support and cherish her.”

 

“May it be so. Yet now, her every move is constrained by the noble families, let alone the repeal of many policies. In my view, forcing women into chastity without cause is a grave injustice.” Han Xiong’s face twisted with bitterness as she stared intently at Zhen Yao.

 

Some words remained unspoken, for the deeper one understood, the heavier the burden of sorrow. If Qin Yi were to ascend the throne, women of humble origins would never rise again, and Han Xiong herself would find no safe retreat!

 

“Lord Han, with your lofty aspirations, you are surely destined to shape the tides of fate.”

 

Zhen Yao spoke without flattery. For a moment, she seemed to see another person in Han Xiong. Someone who had once been her mother’s beloved, whose efforts had built the strongholds of the Western Mountains. Yet after her mother’s death in bitterness, that very person had forced Zhen Yao to take command of the Western Mountains, severing all ties to the mortal world.

 

In her heart, Zhen Yao was endlessly grateful for the care she had received, but she also resented that person’s cold indifference.

 

Perhaps, atop the Western Mountains all those years ago, that person too had harbored soaring ambitions to serve the nation and its people!

 

The atmosphere grew silent, though no one could say when it had begun. Han Xiong seemed lost in thought, and after a long while, she approached slowly, her voice gentle. “I fear my grand ambitions may never be realized in this lifetime. None of you understand. My bond with His Majesty is thin. She despises my origins. If I do not fight for myself and my ideals, there will be no place for me in the capital.”

 

Tears streamed down her cheeks unbidden, but who could she share her sorrows with?

 

Zhen Yao was deeply moved by her indomitable spirit. Taking a deep breath, she asked, “Lord Han, what can this humble one do for you?”

 

Han Xiong looked at her with barely concealed disbelief, her gaze brimming with restraint: “With your assistance, I would be like a tiger that has grown wings!”

 

“Lord Han…”

 

In truth, Zhen Yao understood that the other party held many of her secrets, yet throughout their conversation, not a single word of threat had been uttered. How could one not willingly submit to such a superior?

 

“Zhen Yao!” Han Xiong was so moved she could hardly speak.

 

“I am willing to lay down my life for Lord Han, but I have one selfish request to ask of you.”

 

“It’s about A’Lian, isn’t it?”

 

Han Xiong immediately smiled knowingly, full of admiration: “The two of you truly are kindred spirits. To be honest, A’Lian is my sworn sister, which makes you my sworn sister as well.”

 

“I dare not presume such an honor!” Zhen Yao hastily declined, her face flustered.

 

Seeing this, Han Xiong quickly helped her up, her expression affectionate: “If you don’t mind, may I call you A-Yao?”

 

“Lord Han may address me as you wish.”

 

“No need for formalities! From now on, call me Man Nu!”

 

Long after Han Xiong had spoken, a trace of unease flickered in Zhen Yao’s eyes: “How could I dare address you by your childhood name? Knowing your kindness, I must treat you with even greater respect.”

 

Seeing Zhen Yao’s firm resolve, Han Xiong no longer pressed the matter: “As A’Yao wishes.”

 

Under the lamplight, they swore their alliance, conversing with great delight.

 

Han Xiong proved unexpectedly forthright, openly stating that she had two plans prepared. If diplomacy failed, force would follow.

 

Zhen Yao’s face showed appreciation, and she in turn revealed that she too had a foolproof strategy in the Western Mountains. Even if they couldn’t overpower the enemy outright, they wouldn’t suffer a total defeat either.

 

“What a quick-witted A-Yao you are!” Han Xiong exclaimed joyfully, serving her tea.

 

Zhen Yao accepted the cup respectfully with both hands, lowering her eyes to savor a small sip before a faint smile touched her lips: “Indeed, the fragrance is uniquely refreshing.”

 

“So A-Yao also enjoys tea. Once we conquer the Tea Capital, I shall give you countless rare teas.”

 

“Does my lord have some brilliant plan?”

 

“I intend to challenge Qin Yi!” Han Xiong stared at her unblinkingly.

 

“Excellent. When the time comes, the women of the Western Mountains will follow you at the cost of our lives. But allow me to temper your expectations. With our current strength, relying solely on scattered troops will hardly achieve great things.”

 

The room fell silent, save for the crackling flames in the clay stove.

 

With a lonely expression, Han Xiong turned her delicate profile to glance back: “A-Yao speaks wisely. That’s why I need you to personally write a letter.”

 

“Me? To whom?” Zhen Yao frowned in confusion.

 

“Governor Yin Yue of Han County!”

 

So it was Sister Yin. How vast and yet how small the threads of fate could be.

 

“How does my lord know that we once had a connection?”

 

Zhen Yao deliberately emphasized the word “once.” Her relationship with Yin Yue was indeed deep, but not to the point of swaying the other’s opinions.

 

“Don’t worry. She is an old classmate of mine.”

 

“What?” Zhen Yao was utterly astonished.

 

Seeing her stunned expression, Han Xiong couldn’t help but chuckle: “We knew each other as children, both serving as Qin Yi’s study companions in the imperial court. But fate is fickle. Her family was implicated in a factional dispute, and she was stripped of her rank and vanished without a trace. Years later, we reunited, and she had already become the top scholar in the imperial examinations.”

 

“The tale of Scholar Yin, a beauty in disguise, topping the imperial exams is widely known throughout Ning Country,” Zhen Yao remarked aptly.

 

“Indeed. I imagine her journey must have been arduous.”

 

The corners of Han Xiong’s eyes reddened slightly as she turned away to swiftly wipe away a tear.

 

“Perhaps it was only after Sister Yin left the capital that we met on West Mountain, starting off on the wrong foot before becoming friends. Since our parting, as the first female official appointed by His Majesty, she has been carving out her own path in a man’s world. Truly inspiring, nothing short of groundbreaking.”

 

“Exactly. Without her back then, how could there be today’s Han Xuan? Following in her footsteps, I too have served as a local magistrate, experiencing the hardships and sentiments of the people firsthand.”

 

Han Xuan truly couldn’t imagine. Had she not gone through all these trials, would she still be standing strong today?

 

“With women like you in Ningguo, the people and the nation are truly blessed,” Zhen Yao praised sincerely.

 

Then, Han Xuan carefully retrieved a jade knot from her sleeve and asked, “Does this look familiar to you?”

 

Unexpectedly, it was a pure white jade knot, solid in craftsmanship, save for a single black speck at the top left.

 

“Of course. If I recall correctly, this should be Sister Yin’s family heirloom.”

 

“Indeed, it was her mother’s keepsake. Not long ago, she sent this jade knot along with a letter. In it, she lavishly praised someone. A woman named Zhen Yao, whose beauty could topple cities, whose talents spanned both civil and martial arts, and who was more than capable of great responsibilities!” Han Xuan stepped forward and grasped the other woman’s sleeve.

 

“Thank you both for your high regard.”

 

So it was Yin Yue who had recommended her. No wonder Han Xuan had taken such an unusual liking to her at first sight.

 

“Our journey is still long, with many days ahead!”

 

Now that she had found the right talent, Han Xuan wasted no time in preparing for the next steps. This time, she wasn’t just fighting for herself. She was charging forward for the dear friends standing behind her.

 

Yet, while they discussed matters of state, on the other side, A’Lian and Ji Yun remained unaware of the shifting tides, still scheming in secret. Ji Yun was so troubled she could barely eat. She wanted to quietly regain her memories, but how could she act without flaw?

 

It was all A’Lian’s fault for scaring her, saying Han Xuan had already seen through her act and that her performance wasn’t convincing enough…

 

Ah, if she had known it would come to this, she should have joined the covert Nightingales from the start!

 

Frustrated, Ji Yun propped her chin on her hand, lost in thought until the door suddenly swung open.

 

“Physician Ji?” The familiar voice made her heart skip a beat.

 

“Uh, G-Grand Minister Han!”

 

Even A’Lian, who was usually quick with her words, couldn’t hide her panic, her speech slightly flustered.

 

Noticing this, Han Xuan swiftly changed the subject, smiling warmly. “Have you taken your medicine?”

 

Ji Yun lowered her head, avoiding eye contact. “I have. But now my mind feels muddled, like a tangle of images and thoughts.”

 

“Don’t worry—this might be a sign your memories are returning,” Han Xuan said, raising a brow slightly.

 

This was like a pillow delivered to a drowsy head. Ji Yun seized the opportunity. “I’ve recalled some fragments, but I’m still unclear about our relationship.”

 

Exasperated, Han Xuan had no patience for games. Without hesitation, she cut the thread clean. “We were never lovers!”

 

In that instant, Ji Yun’s heart shattered, but to mask her emotions, she forced herself to appear composed.

 

“Is that so? But I remember someone else, someone who seems far more important to me.” Ji Yun said pointedly, trying to provoke a reaction.

 

“Who?” Han Xuan’s brow furrowed.

 

“Her name was Zhen Yao, I think. For some reason, just thinking of her makes me want to cry.”

 

Little did Ji Yun know that her probing wasn’t over yet. The perfectly composed Han Xuan suddenly grew angry, unexpectedly changing her tone for the first time: “Dr. Ji, are you going to keep pretending?”

 

Well, talk about a sudden change of mood!

 

Ji Yun stammered awkwardly, wishing she could vanish into thin air, her cheeks flushing crimson as she asked, “I don’t understand what you’re talking about!”

 

Han Xuan shook her head with a hint of fond exasperation, enunciating each word clearly: “That old medical case gave you away. You may have forgotten you’re a doctor, but you still secretly picked it up and couldn’t bear to throw it away!”

 

Who knew details could be so telling? Ji Yun had no choice but to admit defeat willingly. Though she was ready to face punishment alone. She absolutely couldn’t drag her sisters into this.

 

But what Ji Yun didn’t know was that at this very moment, Zhen Yao and A’Lian were enjoying a reunion sweeter than a honeymoon.

 

The bedroom was quiet, the candlelight soft, as the two raised their cups to each other.

 

“Now that you see me, why have you gone silent again?” Zhen Yao’s features were like a painting, ethereally beautiful in the lamplight.

 

A’Lian immediately lost her composure, swallowing hard, her voice as faint as a mosquito’s hum: “What would Madam like to hear?”

 

“Don’t be ridiculous!”

 

Zhen Yao tugged at her arm, her words contradicting her burning gaze: “No nonsense. Let’s talk about Magistrate Han first.”

 

“The ancients said, ‘A moment of spring night is worth a thousand pieces of gold.’ Since things have come to this, let’s not worry about Magistrate Han right now!”

 

A’Lian’s peach-blossom eyes brimmed with tender affection, and in the blink of an eye, Zhen Yao lost all self-control.