MCSCPM -Chapter 103 The Heart of Jealousy

Seeing that Yin Qingyue did not retaliate, Nangong Xiaoxiao became even more smug. She thought to herself, I’ll make you fight me for Prince Jing, and her words grew even more vicious.

“Why so quiet? I remember you were supposed to be treating the Empress, but it seems you haven’t cured her yet. I think you’re nothing but a quack. You and Nangong Mei are the ones who are going to get the Empress killed.”

Still unsatisfied, she added, “All show, a cunning little fox, pretending to be noble.”

Nangong Mei, standing aside, was so angry she could not speak, only glaring at Nangong Xiaoxiao with tears in her eyes.

Yin Qingyue had never been someone to let offenses slide. On the contrary, she always repaid wrongs, and her patience had limits. Her mind could also be petty. This foolish princess had successfully crossed her line today. While she could not be too ruthless, she knew she had to retaliate to relieve her own irritation.

Thinking this, Yin Qingyue’s eyes glinted, and she pulled out a packet of her specially-prepared itching powder. This powder was ten times stronger than what was sold outside: colorless, tasteless, clinging to the skin, with only her antidote capable of neutralizing it. Without the antidote, it would itch continuously for four days and nights.

While handling it, she spoke coldly but sharply, “Elder Princess, the Empress is still alive. What you just said could be seen as cursing Her Highness. If she knew—”

Her voice was calm and light, yet it carried an undeniable authority. Nangong Xiaoxiao, who had thought she had already dominated the situation, was startled by Yin Qingyue’s sudden move. By the time Yin Qingyue leaned close to her ear, she finally realized what had happened.

In a whisper, Yin Qingyue said, “Elder Princess, one must be mindful of one’s words; otherwise, retribution will follow.” At the same time, she sprinkled the itching powder onto Nangong Xiaoxiao.

Just as Nangong Xiaoxiao was about to curse, she felt an unbearable itch all over and looked at Yin Qingyue in horror.

“What… what have you done to me?”

“I… I did nothing. Perhaps this is just retribution,” Yin Qingyue said with an innocent smile.

“Just wait!” Nangong Xiaoxiao gritted her teeth, shouted the words, and fled with her maid, scratching frantically as she ran—a ridiculous sight.

Nangong Mei, seeing the scene, smiled through her tears and said, “Thank you.”

“It was nothing. She brought it on herself,” Yin Qingyue replied, reverting to her usual cold and detached demeanor, as if the previous self hadn’t existed.

“You’ve angered Nangong Xiaoxiao. She won’t let you off easily,” Nangong Mei warned kindly.

“It’s fine. I don’t seek trouble, but I’m not afraid of it either,” Yin Qingyue said calmly, pouring herself a cup of tea.

Nangong Mei suddenly felt genuine admiration for her. Despite her humble background, she remained poised and composed, handling crises with ease. Even when facing provocation, she responded with clarity and composure, dignified yet unpretentious. Compared to them, the so-called royal children seemed far less noble and elegant.

Considering her own status as a prisoner now, Nangong Mei felt both admiration and a hint of jealousy.

Yin Qingyue sensed that Nangong Mei was different from before. She couldn’t pinpoint what exactly had changed, only that something had. She assumed it was due to the injustice she had suffered, so she said, “The innocent will be proven innocent. If it’s not you, the truth will come to light eventually.”

Nangong Mei was surprised that Yin Qingyue could speak such words. With her temperament, such a statement was rare. She felt grateful but, after recent events, no longer trusted that the truth could be clarified. Yet she couldn’t share these doubts with Yin Qingyue and simply said, “Thank you.”

Yin Qingyue wasn’t one for long conversations, so she quickly steered the topic to the matter at hand. “How is your health? Better?”

“Yes, much better,” Nangong Mei replied lightly.

“What caused you to suddenly faint? Do you want me to take your pulse?” Yin Qingyue asked, trying to fill the conversation.

“No need. Perhaps it was just grief,” Nangong Mei said, refusing—she was too cautious to let Yin Qingyue examine her. She vaguely sensed that Yin Qingyue had something to discuss, but she couldn’t ask.

“Alright. I’ll leave a prescription. Take it, and it will help restore your health,” Yin Qingyue said. She wasn’t the type to force things and didn’t insist.

“Thank you, Miss Yin. If you have something to ask, go ahead,” Nangong Mei said, realizing she couldn’t avoid it.

Yin Qingyue was just about to lead the topic there when Nangong Mei brought it up herself. She asked directly, “Before you fainted that day, did you really remember nothing?”

“No. I suddenly fainted, and when I woke up, you were all there,” Nangong Mei said, choosing to conceal the truth. She couldn’t trust anyone now.

Seeing Nangong Mei’s guarded attitude, Yin Qingyue didn’t press further. “Then I’ll take my leave. Remember to take your medicine, Third Princess.”

“Yes. I won’t see you out, Miss Yin,” Nangong Mei said politely.

“No need,” Yin Qingyue said, leaving with Mei’er.

Once Yin Qingyue left, Nangong Mei breathed a sigh of relief. She instructed her maids and guards to tidy the chamber, and once done, sent everyone away.

She called out twice around the hall but got no response. Knowing the mysterious black-clad person was no longer there, she went to the window and buried a note under the tree they had agreed upon, arranging to meet at the courtyard the day after tomorrow at the first hour of the day.

Having done all this, Nangong Mei returned to her bed, anxious and unsure. She didn’t trust anyone; danger seemed to lurk everywhere. She could only hope for the mysterious black-clad person, wanting to know what words he had left unfinished last time. Only then could she decide what to do.

Every step Nangong Mei now took could affect her life, even her survival. She had to proceed cautiously. Thinking of Nangong Xiaoxiao’s arrogant demeanor earlier, her hatred deepened, reaffirming her thoughts.

Meanwhile, on the way back, Yin Qingyue finally realized what was different about Nangong Mei. Previously, she would have worried about the Empress’s health, because only the Empress being well could prove her innocence.

But this time, Nangong Mei hadn’t mentioned it once. Yin Qingyue didn’t know whether this was due to despair from waiting too long or because she had discovered a secret that changed her. One thing was certain: Nangong Mei was hiding something from her.

Yin Qingyue didn’t feel overly upset about this; she rarely dwelled on things. She believed that when the time came, the truth would reveal itself. She sent Mei’er back to Xiyang Garden and returned to the Imperial Medical Office to continue developing the antidote to completely cure the Empress.

Meanwhile, Nangong Xiaoxiao returned in a rage. None of the physicians at the Imperial Medical Office could relieve her itching. She smashed objects in frustration, scratching madly as the itch tormented her.

She summoned the director of the Imperial Medical Office, shouting, “I give you one hour! If my condition isn’t cured, I’ll have you executed!”

The director, an esteemed elder over sixty, trembled in fear. Sweating profusely, he felt helpless despite knowing the cause, and cautiously asked, “Elder Princess, did you offend Miss Yin?”

“I knew it was that woman’s doing! I refuse to believe it! If you don’t cure me today, I’ll annihilate your entire clan!” Nangong Xiaoxiao screamed. The elder physicians, terrified, thought: Miss Yin is bold… if she offends the Elder Princess, we’re in trouble!

Meanwhile, Yin Qingyue was calmly testing medicines at the Imperial Medical Office. She didn’t care—Nangong Xiaoxiao was suffering her own fault.

The elder physicians, under pressure, admitted honestly, “Princess, only Miss Yin’s medicine can cure this. Even if you destroy my family, I cannot help you. Her formulas are beyond our comprehension.”

“You useless lot! We fund you, yet a little girl outshines all of you. What use are you as imperial physicians?” Nangong Xiaoxiao barked, slightly relieved from the itch for a moment.

“Yes… yes,” the elders replied begrudgingly. They were indeed outmatched.

“If I don’t go to her, what happens?” Nangong Xiaoxiao asked stubbornly, unwilling to seek Miss Yin unless absolutely necessary.

“You’ll just suffer four days and nights of unbearable itching, then she’ll cure it herself. During these four days, avoid water or bathing, or it’ll worsen,” the elder explained, wiping sweat from his forehead.

“Four days? I won’t endure it! I won’t go to that wretch! She’ll pay double for today’s suffering!” Nangong Xiaoxiao gritted her teeth.

Then she snapped at the maids, “All of you, get out! You useless lot, get out!” and sat grimly on a bench.

The physicians hurried away, leaving only a few ointments to ease her suffering.

Nangong Xiaoxiao proved she could endure: she didn’t seek the antidote herself. However, palace news traveled fast. The next day, Crown Prince Nangong Xiao came to plead.

“Miss Yin, the Elder Princess has been spoiled by our father. If she offended you, I apologize on her behalf. Please be magnanimous—it’s a matter of royal face,” Nangong Xiao said politely.

Yin Qingyue gave the antidote without fuss, saying simply, “Tell her never to provoke me again. I treat everyone equally, regardless of status.” Then she went inside, ignoring Nangong Xiao.

Nangong Xiao didn’t mind; he understood her nature and knew she had saved him before. But from this point, the rift between Nangong Xiaoxiao and Yin Qingyue was complete.

Hearing of the events, Nangong Chen began calculating—this brainless, spoiled princess could indeed be a useful pawn against Yin Qingyue.