MCSCPM -Chapter 122 I’ll Stay With You Properly

“All right, Your Majesty—what exactly has made you so unhappy?” Consort De asked with a worried expression, though she already knew what Nangong Lin was thinking.

“The Empress has fallen unconscious again. I’m worried,” Nangong Lin said, ultimately leaving his sentence unfinished.

“What happened to the Empress? Didn’t Elder Sister already recover under the Divine Physician’s treatment?” Consort De looked genuinely puzzled, as if she knew nothing about it.

“Today I received word that after the Empress woke up, she fainted again. I wanted to go see her, but the servants around me blocked me at every turn.” Nangong Lin’s brows knitted tightly—he couldn’t even fulfill such a small request, so what kind of emperor was he?

“Your Majesty, please calm down, calm down. The eunuchs are only concerned about your health—that’s why they advised you not to go to Yangwei Palace,” Consort De said gently, her dignified bearing fully on display.

“Beloved Consort, take me to Yangwei Palace. Let’s go see the Empress together,” Nangong Lin said almost pleadingly to Wan Mo.

“If Your Majesty wishes to go, this concubine will take you,” Consort De replied with a smile.

“Eunuch, come with us as well—if something happens, at least there will be someone to assist.”

As soon as Consort De finished speaking, the imperial entourage headed straight toward Yangwei Palace.

“Your Majesty, slow down,” Supported by Consort De, Nangong Lin finally mounted the sedan chair.

“Lift the sedan!”

Along the way, Nangong Lin kept coughing incessantly. After much jostling, the large procession finally arrived at the gates of Yangwei Palace.

“His Majesty has arrived!” The eunuch’s duck-like voice rang out.

“We pay our respects to Your Majesty!” The palace maids called out in unison.

“Your Majesty, let this concubine support you,” Consort De said softly.

With her help, Nangong Lin finally reached the Empress’s bedside.

That all-too-familiar face quickly came into his view. “Empress, it’s my fault… I’ve made you suffer,” Nangong Lin tightly grasped He Minmin’s hand, tears shimmering in his eyes. He had already lost one Empress and didn’t want to lose another. He had already lost Noble Consort Sun—if even the Empress were gone, there would be only Consort De left in the harem.

Watching the Emperor care so deeply for the Empress, Consort De felt her heart fill with resentment—but not jealousy.

“Your Majesty… only when your consorts are on the brink of death do you know how to cherish them. How ridiculous,” she sneered inwardly, her heart feeling bitter.

“Cough—cough!” After a bout of violent coughing, a bright red blossom bloomed on He Minmin’s quilt.

“Your Majesty, are you all right?” Consort De hurried over, patting his chest repeatedly.

“Hurry and bring His Majesty a cup of hot water! Are you useless servants just standing here for decoration?” A barely perceptible cold smile crept onto Consort De’s lips.

“Yes, Your Ladyship.”

“Where is the Divine Physician? Wasn’t the Empress already cured? How could this happen—cough, cough!” Before Nangong Lin could finish speaking, he began coughing violently again.

“Your Majesty, I understand what you mean. Let me speak,” Consort De said, and Nangong Lin nodded in consent.

“Guards, summon the Divine Physician at once! What exactly is going on? How could she have treated the Empress into this state?” Consort De spoke sternly, as if she were the true mistress of Yangwei Palace.

He Minmin, He Minmin—never wake up again. Let me handle all the matters of the harem for you, she thought coldly, while outwardly continuing to comfort Nangong Lin, assuring him everything would slowly improve.

“Yes, Your Ladyship.”

“Divine Physician, Her Ladyship Consort De and His Majesty wish to see you.” Several palace maids arrived at Xiyang Court within Yangwei Palace.

Their expressions were grave. Yin Qingyue knew this trip would likely bring grave danger.

“Miss Yin, I’ll go with you,” Nangong Xiao said calmly. He had seen such scenes many times before. If anything happened, he would protect Yin Qingyue—perhaps not only to possess her, but also to follow the feelings in his own heart.

“Mm.”

“Divine Physician, please,” the maid said, leading the way.

“No matter what happens, I’m here by your side,” Nangong Xiao whispered into Yin Qingyue’s ear, hoping to put her at ease.

“This common woman pays respects to Your Majesty,” Yin Qingyue knelt on the ground. Seeing Nangong Lin’s violent coughing, she immediately knew his old illness had flared up again.

“Since you are the Divine Physician, how do you explain the Empress’s coma this time?”
Nangong Lin asked—then suddenly spat out a mouthful of blood.

“Your Majesty! Are you all right, Your Majesty?” Consort De cried out anxiously. Seeing the Emperor growing weaker by the moment, she couldn’t help but feel alarmed.

“How dare you, common woman, talk back here! Guards—drag her out!” Consort De said angrily. She had to seize this opportunity—if she could eliminate this so-called Divine Physician, it would be all the better.

“Royal Father, please allow this son to explain. The Divine Physician herself is extremely weak. Not long ago, while researching the antidote to the zhen poison for the Empress, she fainted in her own room. Even now, her health has not recovered. I visited Xiyang Court today—she truly is very weak. She only managed to come here after drinking some restorative medicine,”
Nangong Xiao said calmly.

“Is this true?” Nangong Lin asked doubtfully. He knew his son’s character, but believing such words under these circumstances was difficult.

“What the Crown Prince said is entirely true,” Yin Qingyue said evenly. “I did faint recently. Today, while treating the Empress, I collapsed again due to my weak condition.”

“Why should I believe you?” Nangong Lin asked solemnly.

“As long as Your Majesty grants me more time, once my body recovers, I will surely cure the Empress,” Yin Qingyue said, lifting her head to look directly at Nangong Lin, who appeared to be nearing the end of his days.

“Since I was able to neutralize the Empress’s zhen poison, I will certainly be able to resolve her coma,” she said firmly, confidence shining in her eyes.

Consort De had originally come merely to see how severe He Minmin’s coma was. She hadn’t expected to encounter such an extraordinary woman. Despite her extremely ugly appearance, the confidence she radiated held a rare and compelling charm—this alone made Consort De deeply wary of her.

“Get up first. I’ll trust you this once. If the Empress cannot be cured, then prepare to be buried with her,” Nangong Lin said weakly.

“I will do what I say,” Yin Qingyue replied without the slightest hesitation. This was both a challenge to herself and another chance to prove her ability before everyone.

“Very well. I’ll give you this opportunity. You must complete this task and not disappoint my expectations.”

“Thank you, Your Majesty,” Yin Qingyue replied, lifting her head—only to meet Consort De’s burning gaze, filled with unease and disbelief.

“Your Majesty, are you all right?” Consort De asked with concern.

“I’m fine—as long as the Empress is fine, I’m fine,” Nangong Lin said, his intense gaze fixed on He Minmin.

“Empress… I don’t want to lose anyone else,” He gently stroked He Minmin’s face, afraid that this sense of reality would vanish in the blink of an eye.

“Crown Prince, thank you,” Yin Qingyue said softly. Without Nangong Xiao speaking up for her, she might not have been spared so easily—especially with Consort De present. Just recalling the look in that woman’s eyes made Yin Qingyue uneasy; she was no simple figure.

“Your Majesty, don’t worry. The Divine Physician has staked her life on this—what is there to worry about?” Consort De said, staring at He Minmin. The flames of hatred in her heart burned uncontrollably.

Nangong Xiao, you sent my son to Jiangnan to manage flood control, and now you’re standing up for this woman as well—always targeting me. Just wait. Once I find the chance, I’ll repay you tenfold, she thought, while outwardly maintaining a gentle, comforting demeanor beside Nangong Lin.

“Beloved Consort, come here,” Nangong Lin called weakly, his gaze never leaving He Minmin.

“Yes, Your Majesty?” Consort De replied softly.

“Nothing. I just want you to look at the Empress with me. She’s unconscious, and yet there’s nothing I can do,” Nangong Lin said helplessly.

“Your Majesty came to see the Empress while ill—if the Empress knew, she would surely be very happy. There’s really no need for such worry. Elder Sister will definitely recover,” Consort De said aloud, though in her heart she wished He Minmin would die as soon as possible so she wouldn’t have to endure so much resentment.

“Perhaps you’re right. When the Empress awakens, I’ll stay with her properly. I’ve been unwell these days and haven’t accompanied her well enough. This time, I must—must…” Nangong Lin’s voice suddenly choked with emotion.

“Your Majesty, it’s all right. Don’t worry so much. Everything will get better,” Consort De said, patting his shoulder, trying to keep him from becoming overly agitated and coughing up blood again.

“Your Majesty, this coughing is brought on by anxiety. You mustn’t get too emotional, or it won’t improve,” Yin Qingyue’s weak voice slowly reached Consort De’s ears.