MCSCPM -Chapter 120 His Comfort

At this moment, Nangong Xiao entered the sleeping quarters.

“Where is Mother?” Nangong Xiao asked anxiously. As the Crown Prince of the State of Xize, he had to put on a show of concern for his mother in front of everyone.

Although He Minmin was not Nangong Xiao’s biological mother, in terms of status, she was still his Empress Mother.
If Nangong Xiao knew that He Minmin was the one who had killed his real mother, he probably would not be able to rush here with such apparent urgency.

“Replying to the Crown Prince, Her Majesty the Empress is currently unconscious and resting in her bedchamber,” a palace maid from the Yangwei Palace answered.

“I will go at once,” Nangong Xiao said urgently, his face full of concern—so convincing that anyone might mistake him for the Empress’s biological son. Truly, their ‘mother-and-son bond’ seemed deep.

“Yes, Your Highness,” the palace maid replied, quickly leading the Crown Prince into Empress He Minmin’s bedchamber.

“Has this matter been reported to Father Emperor?” Nangong Xiao asked worriedly. His father was already ill, and if he were informed of this, it might worsen his condition.

“Replying to Your Highness, this matter has most likely already been reported to His Majesty,” the maid said softly, afraid of being punished for saying the wrong thing. In the palace, a slip of the tongue could lead to punishment at best—or execution at worst.

“So be it,” Nangong Xiao said helplessly. “How could Father Emperor not know?”

He Minmin lay pale-faced on the bed, completely unaware of what was happening outside.

“How long has Mother been unconscious?” Nangong Xiao asked, glancing around. The person he truly wanted to see was not here.

“It has been several hours already.”

“Where is the female miracle doctor?” Nangong Xiao asked casually, though this was what he most wanted to know.

“Today, while treating Her Majesty, the female miracle doctor fainted. She is now resting in the side courtyard of the Yangwei Palace,” the maid replied, carefully observing the Crown Prince’s expression, which shifted from stern to visibly pleased.

“I want to see the female miracle doctor. Take me there,” Nangong Xiao ordered immediately. Using this reason to visit her was perfectly legitimate—it wouldn’t arouse suspicion, and he could see the person he wished to see.

“Yes, Your Highness. Please follow me.”

The maid led him into a rather secluded alley.

“Your Highness, it’s a bit narrow here. Please be careful.”

Nangong Xiao nodded. A familiar medicinal fragrance soon drifted into his nose.

When Yin Qingyue had lived in the Crown Prince’s residence before, there had been a similar scent. However, Nangong Xiao was not versed in medicine and could not distinguish the subtle differences in herbal aromas.

“We’re almost there, Your Highness.”

Nangong Xiao pushed the door open directly, and a strong medicinal smell rushed toward him.

“Greetings, Your Highness!” The little palace maid hurriedly knelt down. Before she could even react, she saw the Crown Prince staring solemnly at the person inside the room.

“Miss Yin, are you all right?” Nangong Xiao’s eyes lit up. Seeing the person he had been thinking of standing before him, the joy in his heart immediately showed on his face.

“This humble woman greets the Crown Prince,” Yin Qingyue said. She had barely had time to react before Nangong Xiao pushed the door open and entered.

“No need for formalities, Female Miracle Doctor. You are weak right now, so there’s no need for such etiquette,” Nangong Xiao said with a warm smile.

“Thank you, Your Highness,” Yin Qingyue replied calmly. After drinking the nourishing medicine earlier, she felt slightly recovered.

“You may all leave. Wait outside. I wish to discuss matters concerning Mother’s illness with the female miracle doctor,” Nangong Xiao said seriously.

“Yes.”

“Yes.” The two palace maids replied and withdrew.

“May I ask why Your Highness has come to see me?” Yin Qingyue asked in confusion. Nangong Xiao’s sudden visit had truly surprised her.

“Miss Yin, is it not possible to see you without any particular reason?” Nangong Xiao said with a faint smile. He had been busy with state affairs these past days and had not seen Yin Qingyue for quite some time. There was something about her—an indescribable quality—that was deeply attractive.

“Recently, it’s all about Her Majesty the Empress. She had clearly awakened before, yet for some reason she suddenly fell unconscious today,” Yin Qingyue said, her gaze drifting aside, feeling helpless about the day’s events.

“I heard that you also fainted,” Nangong Xiao said gently, carefully observing her complexion, which was indeed very pale.

“My condition is nothing worth mentioning. It’s Her Majesty’s illness that is difficult to grasp. I’m worried I may not be able to diagnose it,” Yin Qingyue said frankly, hoping Nangong Xiao might offer some solution.

“But Miss Yin is a miracle doctor. How could such a matter trouble you? Besides, wasn’t my chronic illness of many years cured by you as well?” Nangong Xiao said, his eyes full of trust. Unconsciously, Yin Qingyue felt a sense of reassurance.

“Thank you for Your Highness’s trust. It’s just that this time, I don’t know why I feel so uneasy—as if something bad is going to happen,” Yin Qingyue said, voicing her worries directly.

“I just went to see Mother. Her complexion is extremely pale. The imperial physicians likely have no solution, which is why I came straight to you,” Nangong Xiao said helplessly. The Imperial Medical Academy had so many people, yet none could compare to a young woman.

“Your Highness is right. Earlier today, Her Majesty seemed in good spirits. Later, after drinking a cup of water—which I checked and found to be non-toxic—she suddenly fainted. I truly don’t know why,” Yin Qingyue said, coughing lightly a few times.

“This time, Mother wasn’t poisoned again, was she?” Nangong Xiao asked. Though he knew little of medicine, the Empress being poisoned time and again was no coincidence—someone was clearly plotting against her.

“Miss Yin, you must investigate this calmly. If anything happens to the Empress, no one will be able to save you,” Nangong Xiao said suddenly, his tone serious, making Yin Qingyue feel an undercurrent of unease.

“However, this matter will be resolved. If there is anything you need my help with, just say the word,” Nangong Xiao added sincerely, gazing at the woman before him. Though her appearance was ugly, her intelligence, insight, and courage beneath the surface deeply attracted him.

“Thank you, Your Highness,” Yin Qingyue said with a slight smile. At least she could rely on the Crown Prince’s assistance. Medicinal herbs could be obtained at any time, but the Crown Prince’s support was not always available.

Yin Qingyue knew very well what the Crown Prince intended toward her. If this opportunity brought their relationship closer, it would benefit both him and herself.

“You are ill and weak. I specifically brought you some medicinal ingredients,” Nangong Xiao said with a smile. “I ordered my men to obtain some precious herbs from the Imperial Medical Academy. I brought some for Mother—and specially brought some for you as well.”

Even if these herbs only helped Yin Qingyue a little, it would be worth it. Compared to her, such herbs were insignificant.

“Thank you for Your Highness’s kindness. Today, my body is not well enough to properly salute you. I hope Your Highness will forgive me,” Yin Qingyue said calmly. Both she and Nangong Xiao had gained something from this exchange.

Her gaze casually swept over the herbs Nangong Xiao had brought. They were top-grade medicinal ingredients she had never even seen before. In modern times, they would be worth tens of millions—and still hard to obtain. She couldn’t help but feel surprised. The Crown Prince was clearly using these rare herbs to win her favor and secure her loyalty.

Today’s gesture, though comforting her, was also a means of drawing her closer to him.

“Miss Yin, what is it? Are these herbs not to your liking?” Nangong Xiao asked in disbelief. He had brought the very best herbs from the Imperial Medical Academy. If even these did not please her, he truly wouldn’t know what to do.

“No, Your Highness. These are extremely precious herbs, truly rare treasures. I simply feel that I do not deserve to accept so many,” Yin Qingyue said politely. The meaning of her words was clear—she did not wish to accept them.

“As long as Mother can recover, these herbs are no issue at all,” Nangong Xiao said as he stood up. A trace of cold laughter flashed across his face, disappearing quickly before Yin Qingyue could notice.

“Thank you, Your Highness,” Yin Qingyue said. She no longer refused and accepted the herbs.