The Concubine of the Main Wife - Chapter 30

The homeland of Suzhou and Hangzhou, the heart of Jiangnan.

 

Another splendid season had arrived!

 

After leaving Pingxi, Zhen Yao and A’Lian had unwittingly wandered for two years.

 

During this time, they not only received letters from Magistrate Han but also correspondence from Ji Yun, who was ever fond of saying one thing while meaning another. However, the most surprising news came from Zhao Nian’er.

 

[To my dear elder sisters,

 

Since parting in Mojun, Nian’er has missed you dearly. Looking back, it was only through your generous guidance that I came to my senses. Now, Nian’er serves as Magistrate Han’s personal guard, with boundless prospects ahead. Though all is well, there is but one thing—]

 

A’Lian leaned against the emerald-green window, her clear and melodious reading voice suddenly halting.

 

Zhen Yao, who was writing a reply at the desk, looked up in surprise. “Did you encounter another character you don’t recognize?”

 

“No!”

 

“Then why stop?” As she spoke, Zhen Yao rose and walked over.

 

A’Lian shrugged and handed her the letter. “What kind of mess is this? Truly, as the saying goes, ‘Do not mock Xi’er for her folly, for there are those even more foolish than her.'”

 

Hearing this, Zhen Yao immediately understood. She took the letter and skimmed through it quickly, then fell silent for a long while.

 

“Well, now we have one after another secretly pining for him. But the crux is, what can we do? At best, we can play the villain and urge them to give up sooner.”

 

A’Lian was utterly exasperated. After all, there was only one Magistrate Han in this world!

 

This one wants him, that one longs for him even the Queen Mother of the West descending from heaven couldn’t mediate this fairly.

 

Zhen Yao understood this all too well, but she knew Ji Yun better than anyone. Persuasion would be futile. Moreover, she had no standing to dissuade Zhao Nian’er, who was equally lovestruck.

 

“As the saying goes, everyone has their own destiny. Let them be.”

 

Hearing this, A’Lian smirked teasingly. “I thought you’d side with Physician Ji. I didn’t expect you to be so impartial!”

 

“Matters of the heart are never for others to decide. Besides, Magistrate Han will have his own judgment.”

 

“Tsk, tsk, tsk. Spoken like a true veteran!”

 

A’Lian suddenly turned, standing on tiptoe to playfully pester her.

 

For a moment, her peach-blossom eyes shimmered with affection.

 

Just then, passersby occasionally walked beneath the corridor, while in the distance, lotus boats drifted upon the emerald waves. Willow trees cast their shade along the riverbanks, and a few laundresses laughed and frolicked.

 

Flirting in broad daylight was somewhat improper.

 

Though Zhen Yao’s heart had long been restless, she remained restrained and proper. Yet A’Lian, brimming with enthusiasm, would not let her off so easily.

 

With no retreat left, Zhen Yao’s warm palm decisively covered A’Lian’s cherry-like lips, hardening her resolve to silence her.

 

“Madam…”

 

The coquettish voice, accompanied by a serpentine flick of a red tongue, sent Zhen Yao into utter disarray.

 

Fortunately, a cool breeze brushed her jade-like face, allowing the beauty to feign composure. “Do you still remember the passage I taught you yesterday?”

 

Noble demeanor suppressed wicked desires.

 

A’Lian instantly abandoned all other thoughts, replying sheepishly, “I do remember, but—”

 

“Recite it for me!”

 

Zhen Yao tilted her neck with a smile, her ethereal beauty cast in the dappled light, her skin finer than the most exquisite porcelain.

 

A’Lian grew increasingly flustered, her already fragmented memories now completely scattered.

 

“I… I… I’ve forgotten all of it.”

 

Before the words even faded, her delicate, boneless fingers grew unusually bold, wandering until they settled on the other’s slender waist. Her fingertips traced up and down, soon igniting a faint heat.

 

“Who was it that vowed to study diligently? How could you slack off so soon?” Zhen Yao chided with a hint of reproach.

 

Yet the woman in her arms had hair like drifting smoke, her profile as enchanting as the misty landscapes of Jiangnan.

 

“Tsk, Madam is so fierce. As the saying goes, there are no unteachable students, only teachers unwilling to put in the effort.”

 

“Oh? And how would you like this teacher to instruct you?” Zhen Yao replied casually.

 

Unexpectedly, the atmosphere grew increasingly intimate. A’Lian shyly clutched her collar and said word by word, “Then you must teach slowly and meticulously, so the student can savor each lesson repeatedly.”

 

“I was talking about studying.”

 

Faced with Zhen Yao’s skepticism, A’Lian boldly raised her eyes and retorted, “And am I not?”

 

The moment their gazes met, they both realized certain hidden desires were growing wildly within them.

 

Silence lingered, fragrance wafted.

 

Suddenly, Zhen Yao reached out with a long arm and swiftly closed the window, then leaned in to whisper in A’Lian’s ear, “This time, I’ll teach you slowly. You must focus with all your might. If you slack off again, I have my own methods of punishment.”

 

“Excellent. I only hope the teacher is fair in both rewards and punishments.”

 

Steps light, wrists clasped, they drew near the bed.

 

“So, what poem would you like to learn?” Zhen Yao turned and let the curtains fall.

 

A’Lian rested her chin on her hand, lost in thought, reclining coquettishly. “This student truly has no desire to learn any lamentations of sorrow for the world, nor to ponder the despair of unfulfilled ambitions. Today, why not combine teaching with pleasure, and recite a timeless love poem?”

 

“Very well.”

 

“Teacher, please!”

 

The next moment, A’Lian’s pupils dilated, her surroundings blurring into indistinct patches.

 

“Today, we’ll study ‘Spring in Jade Pavilion.’ Listen carefully…”

 

“Mmm—”

 

“‘Spring Grievance in Jade Pavilion,’ by Yan Shu.”

 

Soft murmurs, slow recitations, shallow sips, playful toasts. Echoes chased closely, breaths delicate and alluring.

 

“‘Spring Grievance in Jade Pavilion,’ by Yan Shu.”

 

“Green willows, fragrant grass, the road to the pavilion.

Youth abandons people so easily.

Atop the tower, dawn bells shatter lingering dreams;

Beneath the flowers, parting sorrows in March rain.

Heartless is not as bitter as lovesick.

One inch of longing becomes a thousand tangled threads.

Even the ends of heaven and earth have their limits,

Only the pangs of love are endless.”

 

Beautiful words rare, sweet dreams intoxicating.

 

“It’s too long. How can I remember?”

 

“Then memorize it word by word!”

 

“Green willows, fragrant grass, the road to the pavilion… uh…”

 

Lazy sunlight slanted across the terrace, silk robes just beginning to part.

Lotuses bloomed in turn, butterflies lingered,

Vast river waves carried the melody of a distant zither.

 

• –

 

At the Pingxi County residence, Han Xiong and her entourage received the imperial decree.

 

**[By the Mandate of Heaven, the Emperor decrees:

 

I ascended the throne at thirteen, and now twenty-one years have passed.

 

By the grace of my ancestors, the realm has known peace. With the aid of my ministers, the people have found stability. Over the years, civil governance and military achievements have compelled all nations to submit.

 

Yet in matters of official conduct, deep-rooted ills remain unresolved. I dare compare my virtue to the sages of old, but my accomplishments must be left to posterity.

 

Now, my eldest daughter Yi has deceived superiors, concealed truths, and wielded tyranny over court and country, chilling my heart. Thus, I temporarily strip her of her position as Crown Princess, confining her to the inner palace for reflection.

 

Yet Heaven does not abandon us. My second daughter Xiong is noble in character, much resembling myself. May these sisters now unite in purpose and join hands to uphold the realm.

 

So it is decreed!]**

 

The crowd exchanged uneasy glances, not daring to breathe loudly.

 

Only Han Xiong’s eyes flickered with a trace of mockery before she bowed her head, her expression unreadable.

 

“Your daughter receives the decree, humbly thanking Your Majesty’s grace.”

 

With Han Xiong suddenly favored, the decree spread across the land of Ning. But to her, this belated recognition was merely paving the way for Qin Yi.

 

Just imagine, if she had been the one embroiled in bribery and corruption in Jiangnan, would there have been any chance of survival?

 

Or if she had privately courted close ministers and revived factional power, would she have been given the luxury of reflection?

 

Let alone raising private armies, forming secret factions like the Dark Oriole Fleet, and recklessly colluding with high-ranking officials to exploit the court.

 

Yet despite Qin Yi’s heinous crimes, with black ink on white paper recording countless innocent souls, in the end, she was merely temporarily stripped of her position. Even now, openly acknowledging her identity as the second imperial princess was merely to foster unity between the sisters.

 

Such maternal grace and love, how unjust!

 

For several days in a row, Han Xiong seemed to ignore the imperial decree entirely, refusing to receive any visitors and burying herself in government affairs.

 

Everyone was at a loss, yet a faint unease lingered.

 

It wasn’t until Ji Yun, steeling herself with the resolve to face death, pushed open that bamboo door, an insurmountable chasm in the dead of night.

 

A lone candle flickered weakly, its wick occasionally crackling and sputtering.

 

Ji Yun stood awkwardly before the desk, gazing at Han Xiong’s haggard and pallid face. Clenching her teeth, she mustered every ounce of courage she had: “Lord Han—no, I should address you as ‘Second Highness’—”

 

“No need for that. Why have you come?” Han Xiong cut her off, her eyes dark and heavy.

 

“I… I was worried about you.”

 

Ji Yun had always been aloof and proud, never one to be cowed by authority. Yet here, in this secluded space with no third party present, an uncharacteristic timidity overtook her, making it hard to meet Han Xiong’s gaze with her usual composure.

 

But Han Xiong noticed none of this, for her heart was consumed by bitterness.

 

“Why don’t you congratulate me, Physician Ji? After all, not everyone gets to rise so suddenly as a favored noble.” Han Xiong smirked without lifting her head.

 

“I always knew you were no ordinary fish in a pond.”

 

“What an impeccably diplomatic Physician Ji you are!”

 

Han Xiong lashed out inexplicably, slamming the documents in her hand onto the desk.

 

Panicked, Ji Yun hurried to explain: “That wasn’t my intention at all! I didn’t come to mock you, I just wanted to keep you company.”

 

Han Xiong’s eyes reddened imperceptibly, yet her expression remained icy and distant: “Then tell me, what mockery are people directing at me?”

 

In an instant, Ji Yun found herself trapped between a rock and a hard place.

 

She had only ever known Han Xiong as gentle and humble. Never had she seen her so aggressive.

 

“I dare not speak recklessly.”

 

A cold snort. Han Xiong pressed closer, step by step: “What counts as reckless?”

 

“I don’t know, I’m confused, I deserve ten thousand deaths!”

 

Tears streaked Ji Yun’s delicate cheeks. At this moment, she would rather bear the suffering herself. If only she could take Han Xiong’s place.

 

“You’re wrong. The one who’s confused is me. The one who deserves ten thousand deaths is me.”

 

With that, Han Xiong spread her arms wide and pulled Ji Yun into a desperate embrace, her eyes shadowed with grief.

 

“Lord Han, forgive Ji Yun’s impertinence. But wasn’t this the outcome we sought from the very beginning?”

 

The outside world might have been shocked by Han Xiong’s true identity, but to Ji Yun and surely to Zhen Yao as well it was hardly surprising.

 

This was the natural course of events. Otherwise, why would Han Xiong have painstakingly built her influence, sparing no effort to gather talents? Yet Ji Yun couldn’t understand why Han Xiong seemed so desolate.

 

“Yes, you’re absolutely right!”

 

Han Xiong withdrew from her gloom, lost in thought. Ji Yun, oblivious to the shift in tone, hurried to change the subject: “So the priority now is to press the advantage without hesitation.”

 

“Ji Yun, do you truly wish for me to seize the throne?”

 

Han Xiong rose, bracing her hands on her knees, abruptly avoiding Ji Yun’s gaze. The question caught Ji Yun off guard:

 

“In the struggle for supremacy, the victor is king, the loser a bandit such is the cruelty of conflict. I pledge my life in loyalty, hoping you will grasp the reins of the world!”

 

Hearing these words, Han Xuan let out a sigh tinged with three parts reluctance and seven parts relief. Turning around, she fixed an unwavering gaze on her and said, “Then it’s settled. But remember, the higher one climbs, the lonelier it gets. A solitary ruler must vow to purify the heart and restrain desires, much like a worldly nun.”

 

“Lord Han…”

 

“Ji Yun!”

 

Hand in hand, their tear-filled eyes met. Ji Yun stared at that exquisite face so close yet so far, her heart breaking in silent agony.

 

Yet she could not nor dared say anything more, for this was likely the most intimate moment they would share in this lifetime.

 

When the three-year term of office ended, Han Xuan returned to the capital, her ambitions burning brighter than ever.