MCSCPM -Chapter 136 A New Look at You

“Your Majesty, the loquat syrup is ready.” A palace maid entered, carrying the syrup, and instantly the room was filled with its sweet, fragrant aroma.

“Bring it to me,” Nangong Lin said eagerly. He could hardly wait to taste it and see if it was truly as miraculous as Yin Qingyue had promised.

“Mmm, it smells wonderful.” Nangong Lin closed his eyes, inhaling the fragrance from the bowl. A warm sensation spread throughout his body, and even his throat felt much clearer.

“Your Majesty, this loquat syrup works best when drunk hot. Please drink it promptly, or its medicinal effect will diminish as it cools,” Yin Qingyue said anxiously. Loquat syrup cools quickly, and if its effect wore off, it would need to be prepared again.

Nangong Lin sipped it spoon by spoon. With each taste, he closed his eyes, savoring the sweetness followed by a cooling sensation in his throat.

“This loquat syrup is truly remarkable. Sweet, clear, like a spring flowing down my throat—and that discomfort is gone!” Nangong Lin exclaimed in admiration. No previous medicine he had taken could compare to this simple syrup.

“Your Majesty flatters me. As long as you feel it helps your chronic illness, I am satisfied,” Yin Qingyue replied with a smile. She had long known the effect it would have. Since Nangong Lin had suffered from this ailment for many years, it was natural that he would react so strongly to his first taste.

“I am truly happy today!” Nangong Lin’s furrowed brows finally relaxed.

“Divine Physician, I misunderstood you before. If you had not insisted so firmly, I wouldn’t have been able to enjoy such a fine loquat syrup.” Nangong Lin praised her highly, though this was unexpected even to him. A woman of such extraordinary talent was rare; if she could help the Xize Kingdom, it would be like giving wings to a tiger.

He reflected further, surprised by his own thought: since ancient times, doctors were forbidden from meddling in politics, because applying medical ideas to governance could cause upheaval.

“Fortunately, Yin Qingyue is not a man,” Nangong Lin sighed. If such a talent were available to his son, it would be invaluable.

“As long as Your Majesty is well, that is all that matters,” Yin Qingyue said calmly. She knew that showing too much flamboyance in front of the Emperor could earn her resentment from others—especially from the Imperial Hospital staff.

“Whatever the divine physician desires, I will grant it,” Nangong Lin said, growing increasingly impressed. Her medical skill surpassed any man’s, and her courage was extraordinary.

“I am grateful for Your Majesty’s kindness. Serving Your Majesty is my honor. I need nothing more, as long as your illness is cured,” Yin Qingyue politely declined.

In the palace, the higher one stands, the more dangerous their position becomes. Even Nangong Lin, emperor of Xize, was not immune to danger—proof of which was that poisonous plant. Yin Qingyue would naturally obtain what she needed, but she would never risk her life recklessly.

“Hehe.” Nangong Lin did not expect such a composed response. Despite offering a great reward, she remained unmoved.

Outside, Nangong Xiao led his guards in a fruitless search through the palace, aimless like a headless fly.

“Your Highness, searching like this is pointless!” the head guard said helplessly. They had spent hours thinking, but had no clue.

“Can’t even handle this little difficulty?” Nangong Xiao said coldly. Even if it were like finding a needle in a haystack, he would keep searching. With Yin Qingyue, however, this would not have been so difficult.

“Your Highness, the Emperor’s condition has been brought under control,” a young eunuch reported. Nangong Xiao had stationed him nearby to report immediately once the Emperor’s condition improved.

“Just as I thought,” Nangong Xiao murmured.

“His Majesty is stable. Congratulations, Your Highness,” the head guard added quickly, knowing well when to flatter to survive in the palace.

Looking into the distance, Nangong Xiao thought, Even though Yin Qingyue saved the Emperor, she must remain cautious in the palace. Still, this is good news for me—people like to be relied upon. The more she relies on me, the smoother things will go when I use her in the future.

“How is the divine physician now?” Nangong Xiao asked with a frown, concerned for her safety.

“Your Highness, His Majesty’s chronic illness is cured, and he is overjoyed. He wanted to reward the divine physician, but she politely declined, saying as long as His Majesty’s illness is cured, she requires nothing,” the eunuch said timidly. Ever since mentioning her, His Majesty’s brow had furrowed with worry.

Nangong Xiao had long hoped to recruit Yin Qingyue as an ally, but she remained unmoved. With her talent, if she were to assist him, she would become an invaluable right hand.

“Alright, you may leave,” Nangong Xiao said, lips curling slightly. He realized that obtaining Yin Qingyue was no simple matter. Even the Emperor’s reward had not swayed her.

“Your Highness, shall we continue the search for Pu?” the head guard asked.

“No, let’s return to Father first.” Nangong Xiao could not resist wanting to see Yin Qingyue again.

“Yes, Your Highness.”

“Your Majesty, I need to prepare the Empress’s acupuncture technique, so I will return to Xiyang Garden first,” Yin Qingyue said calmly, aware that Mei’er must be worried.

“Go ahead, I need to rest.” Nangong Lin had barely slept all night. After drinking the syrup, his condition was stabilized.

“Yes, Your Majesty,” Yin Qingyue bowed and walked out.

“I cannot stay any longer. I hope Your Majesty recovers soon,” Prince Jing said, standing quickly with his gaze fixed on Yin Qingyue.

“Very well, all of you may leave.”

Prince Jing followed her out, step by step.

“Why are you always following me?” Yin Qingyue asked calmly. His presence was inconvenient; she preferred to avoid him. If he discovered the truth, her fate would be grim.

“I like following you. Do you object?” Prince Jing whispered close, his breath brushing her.

“I did not expect Miss Yin to be so indifferent to fame and fortune. The Emperor has already offered a reward. Is that not enough?” Prince Jing had observed her closely the entire time—from identifying the plant to making loquat syrup.

“Does Prince Jing care about rewards? What is honey to me is poison to me. Rewards only bring trouble,” Yin Qingyue said, seeing through his words as a test.

Prince Jing remained silent, his gaze cold and focused on her.

Nearby, Nangong Xiao quietly watched. Seeing Prince Jing interact so intimately with Yin Qingyue seemed to sting him.

“Why am I not standing next to Yin Qingyue?” Nangong Xiao wondered. What exactly was the relationship between Prince Jing and Yin Qingyue?

“Your Highness, should we still go there?” the head guard asked, puzzled. Moments ago, the Crown Prince smiled; now he looked angry. Truly, a ruler is capricious.

The head guard could never have imagined that the Crown Prince cared for the divine physician. What Nangong Xiao did not know was that a seed of affection was quietly sprouting in his own heart.

“Your Highness and I have been through so much. Are you not tired? My patience has limits. Show some respect, Your Highness,” Yin Qingyue said, suppressing her anger. In the palace, she could not afford to provoke anyone unnecessarily.

“I want to see the divine physician when she’s angry,” Prince Jing said, smiling, not at all joking.

“Has Prince Jing forgotten his personal guarantee? If I cannot save the Empress, there is no benefit to you, is there?” Yin Qingyue deliberately changed the subject.

“I have personally guaranteed that I trust the divine physician. If Miss Yin cannot cure her, then no one can be blamed,” Prince Jing said, holding her hand tightly. This time, he would not let her slip away easily.

“Let go of me!” Yin Qingyue glared, eyes blazing with anger.

“Prince Jing, you have quite refined taste, talking to the divine physician here. You must have plenty of free time,” came a familiar voice. By the time she turned, Nangong Xiao stood before her.

“What? Is the Crown Prince intervening too?” Prince Jing released her arm.

“It’s nothing. I just heard Miss Yin cured my father’s chronic illness, so I came to see her,” Yin Qingyue said gratefully to Nangong Xiao.

“I have other matters, so I will take my leave now.”

As soon as she finished, the figure in plain clothes disappeared quickly, leaving much to the imagination.

Prince Jing seemed lost in thought, eyes half-closed, watching Yin Qingyue fade into the distance. He did not pursue her.

Seeing this, Nangong Xiao’s expression remained calm. He found it strange—ever since Jiupinju, he had noticed a certain interest in Yin Qingyue, but it was not romantic, and he could not understand it fully.

During her palace visits, the usually calm and composed Prince Jing had repeatedly helped Yin Qingyue. Could it be that he harbored similar thoughts, wanting to take her under his wing?