MCSCPM -Chapter 129 A Conversation in Xiyang Garden

In Xiyang Garden, Yin Qingyue reclined on a couch, flipping through an ancient medical text.

“Miss, I’m a little worried,” Mei’er said softly, lying beside her. She hadn’t witnessed what happened earlier that day, but she had heard about it: under the guarantees of the Crown Prince and Prince Jing, her lady could perform the golden needle acupuncture. The thought of this made her uneasy.

“What’s the matter?” Yin Qingyue opened her eyes slightly. She hadn’t been asleep and was unaware of what would happen next.

“Miss, what if Her Majesty the Empress cannot awaken? What will we do?” Mei’er fretted. She wasn’t worried for herself—her lady had already suffered enough. Not only was she unmarried to her beloved, but she had been sent to Luochen Courtyard, and now she had to treat the Empress here. If it failed, the consequences for both of them would be dire.

“Silly girl, why worry? Whatever comes, we’ll deal with it!” Yin Qingyue smiled. She understood Mei’er’s thoughts—all her worry was for her.

“Miss, I don’t mean that. It’s just… it all feels so terrifying. You finally got out of Luochen Courtyard, and now, if this fails, what’s the difference between you and being stuck there?” Mei’er said, her concern evident. When useful, her lady was sent to the palace; when not, she seemed to mean nothing.

“Mei’er, fortune and misfortune depend on each other. If it comes, we accept it,” Yin Qingyue said firmly. From the moment she first entered the palace, she knew she had been drawn into its struggles. Escape was impossible—whatever murky waters were stirred would inevitably splash on her.

“Miss, what would you have done if the Crown Prince and Prince Jing hadn’t been there today?” Mei’er asked, turning her face toward Yin Qingyue. She only wished her lady to be safe.

“Mei’er, trust me—everything will be fine. After all, the Empress is still unconscious; this all still depends on me,” Yin Qingyue said, her eyes shining with confidence. Having crossed into this world, she was determined to survive and protect those around her.

“Miss, I just feel like this is too dangerous. You’re gambling with your life,” Mei’er’s voice quavered, choking with emotion.

“It’s alright, Mei’er. Don’t be sad. I’m right here, aren’t I?” Yin Qingyue gently patted her hand in reassurance.

“Miss, I’m sorry. I don’t want to worry like this. It’s just… I feel useless, unable to help you,” Mei’er said, her expression full of concern. For her, her lady’s safety was always paramount.

“You’re far too naive. Nothing will happen to me,” Yin Qingyue smiled. Mei’er’s concern was so genuine that the only thing she could do was protect those around her.

“Mei’er, since you can’t sleep, come with me and enjoy the moonlight. Don’t overthink things,” Yin Qingyue said calmly.

She understood Mei’er’s worry, but one cannot catch a tiger without entering its lair. Things had already reached this stage; she could only face danger to survive.

“Miss, going out in the middle of the night… won’t we encounter something dangerous?” Mei’er hugged herself, hesitant to leave.

“You’re adorably foolish,” Yin Qingyue said, smiling, and took Mei’er’s hand.

Outside, the bright moonlight spilled across the ground like a delicate white veil.

“So beautiful, Miss,” Mei’er said, gazing at the crescent moon. Her worries seemed to ease with the serene view.

“Beautiful scenery relaxes the heart. Stop overthinking,” Yin Qingyue said with a gentle smile.

“I understand, Miss. It’s not that I don’t trust you; I’m just overly worried,” Mei’er said, her expression tinged with guilt.

Yin Qingyue smiled lightly. “Silly Mei’er, I know your thoughts. Your heart is as pure and bright as this moon.”

“But this world is full of filth,” she added silently in her mind.

“Miss, I just think you’ve suffered too much,” Mei’er said, eyes red, her voice filled with concern.

Hearing this, Yin Qingyue’s smile deepened. “Mei’er, everything I’ve experienced is my most precious treasure.”

She had never feared challenges. In this foreign world, every trial was a form of tempering.

Mei’er remained silent, watching Yin Qingyue with a mixture of familiarity and unfamiliarity. Her lady had grown beyond what Mei’er could see, inspiring both admiration and concern.

Footsteps approached. Yin Qingyue composed herself and led Mei’er to the back of the bamboo grove. Mei’er’s heartbeat quickened.

“Your Highness, why are you prowling the palace at this hour?” Leng Feng joked to Prince Jing.

Prince Jing’s face was cold. He didn’t understand the strange intensity he felt tonight, a restlessness he had never experienced, as if something would happen under the night sky.

“If you don’t speak, Your Highness, I’ll be lonely to death!” Leng Feng teased mischievously.

A gentle breeze stirred, carrying a familiar fragrance. Prince Jing’s eyes sharpened—could it be her?

Suddenly, he flicked a leaf into the air, transforming it into a blade aimed at the bamboo grove. Yin Qingyue skillfully dodged and shielded Mei’er. Afterward, she emerged slowly from the grove.

“Your Highness, I’m merely enjoying the moonlight with my maid. No need for such drastic action,” Yin Qingyue said lightly, glancing at him.

Prince Jing’s eyes darkened. “So it’s you? I thought it was a wild cat in the bamboo!”

She replied silently in her mind: even a wild cat is a life. Yet he dared to trespass the palace at night—what if it leaked?

Leng Feng watched, amused. The two exchanged words like a quarrel between a couple, entertaining to witness.

“You’re sharp-tongued and ungrateful,” Prince Jing said with a cold smile, his tone carrying subtle meaning.

Yin Qingyue understood. He was referring to the events of the day—he had helped her, and now she teased him. She mentally added: how scheming.

“Your Highness, women and scoundrels are the hardest to deal with,” she said calmly, words difficult to counter.

Prince Jing moved closer. “Your scent… it’s familiar.”

“Do you think you’ve mistaken me for someone else?” she asked, her tone teasing, though inwardly struck.

He remained silent. Yin Qingyue composed herself: “It’s late. I must treat the Empress tomorrow. Mei’er and I will leave first.” She pulled Mei’er toward Xiyang Garden, ignoring him.

Watching them leave, he muttered, “Tomorrow, I will watch closely.”

Yin Qingyue paused briefly, then quickened her pace.

Prince Jing’s lips curved slightly. Leng Feng, surprised, thought: the usually stoic prince is smiling more than once before this Divine Physician.

“Why not act if you suspect it’s her?” Leng Feng asked anxiously, calculating.

Prince Jing said nothing, watching the swaying willow, lost in thought.

Back at Xiyang Garden, Yin Qingyue’s mind raced. His words and subtle tests had left her shaken, as if he already suspected her of being the culprit who had stripped him in the wild.

Mei’er, seeing her worried, asked softly: “Miss, are you alright? Your face is pale. Is it the dew in the bamboo?”

“Don’t worry about me. Go make some tea to warm yourself,” Yin Qingyue smiled slightly.

Mei’er said nothing further, though still puzzled.

Yin Qingyue reclined on the couch again, recalling every scene in the palace like a film in her mind. Tomorrow’s performance would determine many lives. She had hesitated, but her resolve prevailed. She could not die, nor fall victim to palace intrigue.

When Mei’er returned with tea and snacks, she saw her lady with brows slightly furrowed and eyelashes flickering—a sight that inspired both admiration and concern.

“Miss, I made some late-night food. You should eat something,” Mei’er said gently.

Yin Qingyue opened her eyes slightly. “You… why are you still up? Go rest soon.”

“I’m fine, Miss,” Mei’er shook her head.

“Mei’er, you must think of yourself too,” Yin Qingyue said.

“Miss, are you going to leave me? Ever since I’ve been by your side, you’ve always been my first priority,” Mei’er said passionately, fearing last night’s nightmare might become reality.

Yin Qingyue smiled softly. “How could I leave you? Stop overthinking. Otherwise, it would ruin the beauty of the moonlight I showed you.”

Mei’er’s cheeks flushed. “I trust you, Miss. You’re not the same as before.”

Indeed, her lady had changed. No matter what happened, she would emerge unscathed.

This thought strengthened Mei’er’s resolve, transforming her worries into steadfast faith in her lady.

Yin Qingyue watched Mei’er’s transformation and smiled. She understood that Mei’er now recognized the difference between who she was and who she had been.

“Yes, Mei’er, let’s rest. Tomorrow we face a tough battle,” she said, eyes gleaming with confidence.

Mei’er nodded and extinguished the candle.

Back at the capital’s courier inn, Prince Jing entered first. On the desk was the same faceless portrait. The wind stirred, the candle flickered, and the quiet stillness made the heart feel heavy yet tranquil.