MCSCPM -Chapter 111 Reaping the Fisherman’s Gain

“The Second Prince and Prince Jing are both strong supporters of His Highness the Crown Prince. Their opinions cannot be ignored,” Yin Qingyue said thoughtfully, her expression tinged with curiosity.

She felt that the Second Prince was far from as simple as he appeared. His daily pursuits—writing poetry, painting landscapes—might merely be a smokescreen. His true ambitions, his real plans, were known to no one.

If that were the case, then his hidden ruthlessness might be even more terrifying than that of the Second Princess, Nangong Mei. People like that rarely made a move—but once they did, the outcome was often irreversible.

“The Second Brother has never involved himself in palace struggles. Though he is close to Eldest Brother, Eldest Brother doesn’t want him dragged into this. So to Eldest Brother, the Second Brother isn’t really a strong pillar of support. As for Prince Jing, however, he is a major asset. Prince Jing and Eldest Brother are close friends in private. If any major decision is made, Prince Jing would be the first to support Eldest Brother. Given Prince Jing’s outstanding military achievements, his stance would carry great weight at court. At the very least, many would seriously consider whether to follow his lead in supporting Eldest Brother.”

Though women were officially forbidden from meddling in state affairs, the Second Princess clearly demonstrated that, while barred on the surface, women still wielded considerable influence behind the scenes.

All of this, of course, had to be concealed from the emperor. The rule that “women do not discuss politics” now seemed little more than a façade.

Yin Qingyue had long grown tired of palace intrigue in her previous life—transmigrated dynasties, seductive concubines, scheming courts—she had seen countless stories like these.
Now, she was experiencing it firsthand. But this was nothing like novels, television dramas, or films. This was real—people truly died here.

In her past life, deaths in fiction were treated lightly. Only now, after personally stepping into this deadly game, did she realize how wrong that was. Death was never something that could be brushed over lightly—lavish descriptions wouldn’t even be excessive.

In this era, human life was cheaper than a dog’s.

In her former world, life was sometimes said to be cheaper than a cat’s—after all, cats were chased by dogs.

Now that she had the dubious honor of living in a society where human life was cheaper than a dog’s, how could she not cherish her own life? Everyone feared death.

Everything she was doing now was for one purpose: to survive. And the only way to survive was—

“Which do you think the emperor favors more—the Empress or Consort De?” Yin Qingyue asked, a faint glimmer flashing in her eyes.

She had almost gathered all the information she needed. Only Consort De, the Empress, and the Second Prince remained. If she could fully analyze the situation, she wouldn’t mind finding the right moment to deliver a decisive blow.

After all, she had saved both the Crown Prince and the Empress twice. The emperor could hardly deny her an opportunity to offer counsel. Though physicians were traditionally forbidden from overstepping their duties, she was not an official physician of Xize—she was a benefactor of the state.

If pushed to the brink, even a dog would jump over a wall. At worst, she would simply leave. No matter how powerful Xize was, it couldn’t scour mountains and plains to hunt down someone skilled in martial arts.

What truly worried Yin Qingyue were the assassins—those people could sniff her out like hounds. She both hated and feared them. The assassins sent after her recently were likely not even top-tier.

“Of course it’s the Empress,” Nangong Mei replied. “But Father also favors Third Brother. A ruler must be decisive, not indecisive—and Third Brother has that trait. Eldest Brother seems to have it as well. If the Empress and Consort De are competing for favor through their sons, Consort De clearly can’t compare to the Empress.

If Third Brother were willing to calm down and assist Eldest Brother, Consort De would also gain Father’s favor. But that’s impossible. As I said earlier, Third Brother would never submit himself to another. He will definitely fight for the throne.”

Nangong Mei’s expression dimmed as she lightly tapped the teacup with her finger. Her own mother had most likely died because of Consort Sun. Though it was said to be entangled in palace strife, resentment still gnawed at her heart. The black-clad man had only spoken half the truth—the rest lingered in her mind like ants crawling endlessly. She desperately wanted to know the real cause of her mother’s death and who was truly responsible.

She quickly regained her composure and smiled. “Still, I hope Third Brother and Eldest Brother can reconcile. This country cannot endure so much turmoil.”

Yin Qingyue noticed the change in her expression and was genuinely moved by her final words.
“Yes. In any struggle, it’s always the common people who suffer.”

Yin Qingyue had once believed the Second Princess was either a dangerous political schemer or a detached royal unconcerned with the people. She had forgotten Nangong Mei’s other identity—she was also a physician.

Though her medical skills were inferior to Yin Qingyue’s, she still possessed the core virtues of a healer: saving lives and caring for the people. Whatever her political stance, she still carried medical ethics in her heart.

As for the Second Prince—backed by Empress He—shouldn’t he have made some moves by now? Was he trying to imitate Cao Zhi of Wei?

But Cao Zhi was ultimately killed by his elder brother. Though Cao Zhi never openly displayed political ambition, his talent was dazzling. Compared to him, the current Second Prince seemed far less impressive. Circumstances, however, were different. Cao Pi had Sima Yi—who did Crown Prince Nangong xiao have now?

Even with Prince Jing’s support, facing seasoned strategists would still be dangerous. Though the Crown Prince currently handled state affairs, all it would take was one damaging report to enrage the emperor and strip him of his title. History had proven this time and again.

Thus, the Crown Prince’s position—while powerful—was also perilously sensitive. One misstep could be fatal, rendering all prior efforts meaningless.

As for Second Prince Nangong yu, patience was his only option. Acting now would bring him no benefit. Better to wait until the Crown Prince and Third Prince determined a winner.
If the Crown Prince prevailed, it would prove him more ruthless than the Third Prince, and Nangong yu would have to decide whether to support him immediately or assist him quietly later.

If the Third Prince won, then Nangong yu would have to fight with everything he had—perhaps even pulling his elder brother into the fray, assuming he was still alive.

Empress He was certainly no simple woman. The fact that she rose to favor after the former Empress was deposed spoke volumes. Surviving—and thriving—in the treacherous harem required extraordinary means. Her son, the Second Prince, could not possibly be as harmless as he appeared.

“If the Crown Prince and the Third Prince truly clash one day, which would Your Highness hope to see victorious?” Yin Qingyue asked, looking directly at Nangong Mei.

This question was deliberate.

If Nangong Mei answered “the Crown Prince,” then the poisoning of Empress He was likely unrelated to her.

If she answered “the Third Prince,” then the poisoning was very likely her doing—especially if she harbored resentment over Consort Sun’s death.

The poison used was subtle, deadlier and harder to detect than gu poison.
If Nangong Mei had truly let go, then the poison was probably not her doing.