MCSCPM -Chapter 108 Cautiously

Following Yin Qingyue’s instructions, the maid did as she was told. Sure enough, after about the time it took to drink a cup of tea, she returned excitedly:

“Report to Miss Yin, the Empress has awakened! Although she is still weak, she can sit up with effort. She specifically asked me to invite Miss Yin in.”

“Good.” Yin Qingyue barely managed to support her weakened body, the maid carefully guiding her along. Watching her step inside, Prince Jing couldn’t help but smile. Truly, her efforts had not been in vain.

Prince Jing didn’t notice that, though both he and Yin Qingyue often appeared cold and aloof, he found himself smiling more frequently since spending more time with her. Even the servants around him had noticed, though none dared mention it. Even if they had, he probably wouldn’t have believed it.

On the bed, the Empress lay weakly against the edge, looking at the equally frail Yin Qingyue with surprise:

“What has happened to you, Miss Yin? Why are you so weak?”

“Your Majesty, I’ve been preoccupied with the antidote these past days and haven’t rested properly. Once I return home, I will rest and recover. But Your Majesty has only just regained some strength; you mustn’t overexert yourself.” Yin Qingyue replied calmly and respectfully.

“That is natural. With a physician as skilled as you here, how could I be worried? But…” The Empress hesitated, wanting to say something but stopping herself. Instead, she politely addressed Yin Qingyue: “You’ve saved my life. When I meet His Majesty, I will report your merits and ensure you receive a generous reward.” The Empress seemed reluctant to reveal something that weighed on her heart, unsure how to express it.

Seeing her hesitation, Yin Qingyue wasn’t naive. She noticed the unspoken words, the unsaid difficulties, especially the Empress’s evasive gaze. Smiling slightly, she said:

“Since Your Majesty is out of danger, rest for a few more days. I have some matters to attend to, so I shall take my leave for now and visit again later.”

Struggling to stand, she was assisted by a maid as she left the Empress’s chamber. The Empress sighed, shaking her head—some things, she truly didn’t know how to explain.

Watching Yin Qingyue exit, still so weak, Prince Jing realized she had clearly learned nothing about why the Empress had been poisoned or why she had protected the culprit instead of seeking justice. Was it worth it? Or was there some hidden reason? Regardless, the priority now was to restore Yin Qingyue’s health.

Back in her own chamber, she sat on her bed and sent the palace maids out, leaving herself alone. Surrounded by familiar furnishings and scents, memories of the black-clad men and their words flared anger within her. The idea that Consort Sun could have died to cover up certain matters was absurd.

Clenching her fists so tightly that her nails drew blood, she resolved: all those who had wronged her would face retribution. If they wanted her dead, it wouldn’t be so easy.

After about half a month of recuperation, Yin Qingyue’s health improved. As long as she avoided the antidote powder, her body would not suffer backlash, and her spirit recovered.

Yet the question of the Empress’s poisoning lingered in her mind. Now that the Empress had been treated, why was she unwilling to reveal the truth or defend Consort Sun immediately? These doubts lingered, unresolved.

When a rose thorn pricked her finger, she didn’t even notice, letting blood drip to the ground, forming a vivid red stain like a small flower.

Seeing her mistress moving around despite not being fully recovered, Mei rushed over. Seeing the blood, she was worried and quickly fetched gauze to bandage Yin Qingyue’s finger.

Only with Mei did Yin Qingyue feel unreserved. They had been inseparable since childhood; Mei’s life was as important as hers.

“Miss, you’re reckless. Your finger is bleeding, and you don’t even notice. If it got infected…” Mei scolded gently, but it was clear her worry ran deep.

Yin Qingyue understood Mei’s concern and smiled faintly. Mei had always been a part of her life, even before her current body.

“Mei, suppose someone is wrongly accused of murder and wants to prove their innocence, but the person they supposedly killed wakes up and refuses to testify. What should be done?” Yin Qingyue asked thoughtfully.

Mei finished applying the gauze and stood, replying: “If it were me, I’d investigate the person accused of the murder—figure out their relationship with the real culprit. Then, I’d try to understand why they refuse to testify. Everyone has their reasons; you follow the reasons to their root and uncover the truth. Then it’s still possible to resolve it.”

Hearing this, Yin Qingyue felt a sudden clarity. The questions that had weighed on her mind seemed to have found their key.

Despite her weakened body, she hurried to Prince Jing’s residence. She knew he had cared for her while she was unconscious, but with the situation unresolved, they could not be together. Their future depended on solving these problems first. Two cold, calculating people meeting under these circumstances could only push their future further away—a truth neither had foreseen.

Meanwhile, at Weiyang Palace, the Empress, now conscious, collapsed again. Yin Qingyue rushed over, finding the poison spreading rapidly. Acting quickly, she used golden needles to stabilize the points of toxin spread and administered her specially formulated pills to slow the poisoning.

Even after this, her anxiety didn’t subside. She decided to visit the capital’s courier station the next day.

The following day, she arrived at the station, noting the simple facade and high-hanging signboard, and couldn’t help smiling. The guards outside did not stop her, allowing her free passage.

The courtyard was full of flowers and plants, giving off a gentle fragrance. Though not particularly valuable, the careful trimming and layout revealed Prince Jing’s meticulous care. The plants were neat, fragrant, and simple—lacking the flamboyance of roses or the grandeur of peonies, yet offering the understated elegance of lilies, naturally uplifting one’s mood.

Walking further inside, Yin Qingyue saw Prince Jing sitting in a pavilion at the center of the lake, playing the guqin. The melodious sound floated across the water to her ears, drawing her into its charm.

As if noticing her arrival, the music abruptly stopped. Yin Qingyue, stirred from the entrancing melody, steadied her emotions and approached Prince Jing.

“You’re here,” he said, not lifting his head, resuming the guqin. The music started again, but this time it was tinged with sorrow and indignation, seeping into Yin Qingyue’s ears. Her brows furrowed—she did not like this tune, feeling uneasy and restless.