MCSCPM -Chapter 128 Awakening in the Dead of Night

Outside, moonlight filtered through the bamboo leaves, and the faint dewdrops shimmered white, adding an eerie and desolate aura to the night.

Inside Weiyang Palace, the person who had appeared to be unconscious on the bed was slowly waking up.

“Nanny, tell me what happened today,” He Minmin said lazily as she stretched her body.

“Your Majesty, today the plan was to perform the golden needle acupuncture on Your Majesty, but due to obstruction from the imperial physicians, it did not happen,” Nanny Lai whispered carefully, wary of anyone overhearing after the events of the day.

“What is golden needle acupuncture?” He Minmin asked, her expression puzzled.

“That Divine Physician said that to awaken Your Majesty, it must be performed, otherwise you cannot be revived,” Nanny Lai explained.

“What Divine Physician? She doesn’t even know if I’m truly unconscious or just pretending. I think she’s all show,” He Minmin said with a cold smile, showing no concern for Yin Qingyue.

“Your Majesty, I don’t think that Divine Physician is someone to be trifled with. Now she proposes the golden needle acupuncture, and not only has the Emperor agreed, but the Crown Prince and Prince Jing also support her. Her skills must be formidable. If anything goes wrong…” Nanny Lai trailed off, but the warning was clear enough for the Empress.

He Minmin sighed lightly. “Nanny, do you have any countermeasures?”

“Your Majesty, golden needle acupuncture is used to save those near death. If it fails, there is a risk to life. I dare to guess that this Divine Physician may not know you are feigning unconsciousness. Perhaps she wants to use this method to awaken you naturally,” Nanny Lai said. Though ignorant of medical arts, she was shrewd with palace intrigue and suspected Yin Qingyue had other plans.

A chill ran through He Minmin. This Divine Physician was clearly no pushover.

With a cold laugh, He Minmin said, “Nanny, you worry too much. Even in Xize, even with the Crown Prince and Prince Jing backing her, she wouldn’t dare oppose me directly. Deception and intrigue abound in this palace. If I could get her out of Luochen Courtyard, I can send her back again.

“And as for using golden needle acupuncture against me, what a ridiculous notion!”

“Your Majesty, heed my words: do not let a disobedient pawn ruin important matters,” Nanny Lai warned gently. She still remembered the conversation at the Buddha Hall—every word and gesture of Yin Qingyue showed she was no ordinary woman.

“When will she perform the golden needle acupuncture?” He Minmin asked. Though she had methods to counter her, her unconscious act had other purposes. If it were interrupted, the consequences would fall on her.

“Your Majesty, this must not be rushed. The Emperor only granted her three days. If she cannot revive you within that time, she will surely face death,” Nanny Lai said calmly.

“What to do? If I awaken too soon, my plan fails,” He Minmin pondered. If Yin Qingyue really used the golden needles, she would be forced awake, and all her schemes would collapse.

“Can you ask the Emperor for more time?”

“The imperial physicians already took it to that level today. Who knew the Crown Prince would vouch for Yin Qingyue, claiming he trusts her ability to awaken Your Majesty. I was about to report to the Emperor, but Prince Jing arrived and also guaranteed her. There was nothing I could do,” Nanny Lai recalled the day’s events. Nangong Lin’s subtle hints had already made the situation clear to her.

“What? Prince Jing was also there?” He Minmin’s eyes widened. She hadn’t expected him to appear in Weiyang Palace—was he here to see her?

“Your Majesty, Prince Jing claimed to come for you, but his heart was with the Divine Physician. From the moment he entered Weiyang Palace, he said he trusted Yin Qingyue to treat Your Majesty, just like the Crown Prince. He guaranteed her with his own honor,” Nanny Lai explained, recalling Prince Jing’s words. He had appeared to protect Yin Qingyue, not her.

“What is Prince Jing’s relationship with Yin Qingyue that he defends her so repeatedly?” He Minmin could not imagine that Chu Jingcheng’s motives were simply amusement.

“I also find it strange. Yin Qingyue is either at Luochen Courtyard or treating the Emperor or Crown Prince. There’s no way she could have met Prince Jing—unless she saved him before?” Nanny Lai was puzzled.

“This matter, I won’t hold against her, but she cannot ruin my plans,” He Minmin said, her gaze growing colder, nails digging into her palm.

“Your Majesty, don’t worry. Even with the Crown Prince and Prince Jing supporting her, the Emperor’s thoughts are still with us. This isn’t as bad as it seems,” Nanny Lai said, calmer now. The Emperor’s comment that she had fulfilled her duty meant, in the end, everything would turn out fine.

“What did the Emperor say?” He Minmin asked as she slowly rose from the bed, anticipation in her eyes.

“At first, the Emperor didn’t want to gamble with Your Majesty’s life and opposed it. But at the suggestion of Prince Jing and the Crown Prince, he did not refuse. He said, since he’s old, he would leave this matter to the Crown Prince,” Nanny Lai said, helping her toward the table.

“The Emperor really said that?” He Minmin was disappointed. Her life was now in the hands of the Crown Prince. She recalled years ago how the Crown Prince’s mother’s life was in her control—had he known she caused it, he might have poisoned her long ago.

“If it weren’t for the Crown Prince and Prince Jing, perhaps the Emperor could have been persuaded otherwise,” Nanny Lai muttered, blaming them for the turn of events, unaware she was the true culprit.

“Where is Yin Qingyue?” He Minmin asked, holding her teacup, seemingly having thought of a plan.

“She lives in a side courtyard of Weiyang Palace. Just a few days ago, I even ran into her there,” Nanny Lai said cautiously, worried Yin Qingyue might already be suspicious.

“Nanny, you must find her tomorrow. Don’t let her meddle. Do you understand?” He Minmin gripped her teacup tightly. Her feigned unconsciousness was part of a plan, and she would not allow it to be threatened.

“I understand, Your Majesty.” Nanny Lai had mastered palace intrigue over the years. No matter Yin Qingyue’s skills, she was still just an ant in this vast palace.

“This yellow-haired girl dares to challenge me? She’s too naive. I’ve lived in this palace for so long—am I easy to intimidate? If she wants to threaten me, she’ll have to wait for the next life!” He Minmin said coldly, accidentally dropping her cup.

“Nanny, what’s wrong?” a palace maid outside asked.

“Nothing. Keep watch, and if you speak unnecessarily, beware your tongue,” Nanny Lai said sternly, with no hint of apology.

The maid trembled. In Weiyang Palace, only the Empress and Nanny Lai could not be offended. She remembered the last maid who touched a candle and suffered severe punishment—the death was terrifying. She immediately shook off her fatigue and became fully alert.

“Yes, Your Majesty. I will guard the night faithfully; not even a fly will enter.”

Nanny Lai seemed satisfied with the maid’s promise and said no more.

Silence returned to Weiyang Palace. He Minmin, dressed in pure white undergarments, slowly emerged from behind the curtain.

“These night guards are becoming more undisciplined. Nanny, you must punish them properly,” He Minmin said, her expression cold.

Nanny Lai understood: the Empress was worried spies might infiltrate the palace during the night.

“Your Majesty, I personally selected these night guards. Nothing will go wrong,” Nanny Lai reassured her.

He Minmin’s expression softened slightly. “It seems the Emperor has decided on golden needle acupuncture. I can only endure, for a ruler’s words are not to be taken lightly.”

She thought bitterly: years of marriage, a distant relationship, no real love—what others saw was just an act. In this cold palace, all feelings had long faded. Her only reliance was a son who loved landscapes more than the kingdom.

“Your Majesty, why be so resentful? You were appointed by the Empress Dowager, the Emperor’s rightful wife. No matter what, the Emperor’s heart is with you. Don’t you understand why the Dowager left me for you?” Nanny Lai said, sighing at memories of the late Empress Dowager.

He Minmin’s gaze softened. “I know, Nanny. But even though she’s now deposed, even though her past hurt the Emperor, he still sees her as the only one. How can I not hate her?”

“Your Majesty, she can no longer challenge you. Why dwell on it?” Nanny Lai comforted gently.

“Enough. I don’t want to discuss this further. Leave Yin Qingyue to you. She cannot be used for my purposes, nor for others’,” He Minmin said, thinking of her plan. She would not allow it to be ruined.

“Your Majesty is right.”

“It’s late. Nanny, you may go. My medicine is taking effect. Tomorrow’s matters will rest on you,” she said, sinking back into sleep, as if the previous events had been a nightmare.

Night draped over Weiyang Palace. Nanny Lai gazed at the silent palace, letting out a faint sigh. The injustices of the past seemed to repeat endlessly, like the wheel of fate pressing on. Tomorrow promised to be a spectacle—a performance, and they were all merely actors playing their roles.