MCSCPM -Chapter 137 Returning to Xiyang Garden

At Xilin Gate, Leng Feng sat on a stone bench, chewing on a small blade of grass, completely unconcerned about his appearance. Leng Yi, meanwhile, was holding the reins of the carriage, both of them waiting for Prince Jing to come out.

Leng Feng jumped down from the stone bench and cheekily approached Leng Yi. “You think the prince has been inside so long—could it be that the Emperor of Xize forced him into marrying his daughter? I mean, seriously, the emperor himself is acting like that, and you’re still thinking about it?”

Leng Yi glared at him sternly.

Seeing that Leng Yi didn’t respond, Leng Feng stretched lazily and continued, “Look at our prince—he wasn’t interested in women at all in Nanyao, but now he’s in Xize and three of them come at once. If the queen knew, she’d be overjoyed, wouldn’t she?”

Upon hearing this, Leng Yi cleared his throat a few times.

“Hey, why are you coughing like that, Mr. Serious?” Leng Feng pouted, looking helpless.

At that moment, Prince Jing’s voice came from inside: “Leng Feng, it seems I was too lenient in punishing you.”

Leng Feng quickly turned around. “Your Highness, forgive me! But wasn’t it on the empress’s instructions before we left that I should escort a princess back with you? You think it was easy for me? I diligently serve my lord, and yet I keep getting punished to clean the latrines.”

Lately, he had been idle and was always keeping an eye on things between Yin Qingyue and their prince. The palace was abuzz with gossip anyway, so he figured joining in a little wouldn’t hurt. But he had just started talking to Leng Yi when the prince arrived—bad luck for him.

Prince Jing smirked coldly. “So you think I’ve wronged you?”

“Your Highness, how could that be? Though Miss Yin isn’t very attractive, if the prince likes her, surely the empress would accept it too,” Leng Feng teased, a playful smile on his lips.

He thought about that plain-faced woman. Though she wasn’t stunning, she carried a rare aura that most people lacked. Besides, she was likely the only one clever enough to outsmart the young master.

Prince Jing’s eyes turned cold. “Looks like you’ll continue scrubbing the latrines.”

Leng Yi glanced at Leng Feng’s sour expression and knew this Yin Qingyue wasn’t ordinary. Otherwise, how could she have caught the prince’s attention? But Leng Feng’s wild, reckless personality meant he just talked too much; Leng Yi had grown used to it.

Leng Feng saw Leng Yi’s amused expression. “Why don’t you speak up for me? Or else you’re joining me at the latrines later.”

Leng Yi shook his head and ignored his chatter, following Prince Jing directly.

“Your Highness, what do you think of my suggestion?” Leng Feng dared to continue.

Prince Jing turned, his cold gaze full of lethal intent. With tightly pressed lips, he spoke a few words: “Return to the capital’s relay inn.”

“Yes, Your Highness.” Leng Feng exhaled long and deeply. The prince’s temper was so unpredictable—surely it had something to do with Yin Qingyue. How could he be sending them back to the relay inn immediately after arriving at the palace? Should he inform the empress? No, best not—if the prince chased him later, that wouldn’t be fun.

Prince Jing seemed to see through his thoughts. His sharp gaze fell on Leng Feng, silently warning him not to speak recklessly or let his mind wander.

Along the way, Prince Jing kept his eyes downcast, lips slightly pursed, his mind filled with thoughts of Yin Qingyue.

He frowned slightly, a flash of anger in his eyes, but it soon softened.

“Yin Qingyue… you woman.”

Outside Weiyang Palace, Mei’er kept peeking her head around, afraid of missing anything.

“Miss, you’ve finally returned. I’ve been waiting for you for so long,” Mei’er said, standing in the small alley outside the palace. Only when she saw her mistress did her anxious heart settle.

“What’s wrong? Worried I’d get into trouble again? You always worry about bad things happening,” Yin Qingyue said, tapping Mei’er on the head. She had just dealt with Nangong Lin’s matter and barely returned—what else could be waiting for her?

“Miss, you won’t believe it, but Nanny Lai has been waiting for you inside!” Mei’er quickly lowered her voice, afraid others would overhear.

“Miss, don’t go in yet. You just left, and I saw Nanny Lai coming to find you. It can’t be for anything good,” Mei’er said, her face full of worry.

“It’s fine. My life is fortunate; there’s nothing I can’t handle,” Yin Qingyue said with a smile. She didn’t want Mei’er to worry for her and chose to respond lightly.

“Miss, Nanny Lai is connected to the Empress—you must be careful,” Mei’er warned.

Yin Qingyue smiled faintly. “Don’t worry. Fight fire with fire, and meet water with earth.”

She had already anticipated the Empress’s cautious schemes. She couldn’t afford to remain passive—if necessary, she would take decisive action.

“Miss, what are you saying? I’ve been waiting for you for hours. What’s going on with the Emperor?” Mei’er sighed slightly, speaking in a somewhat spoiled tone.

Yin Qingyue led Mei’er outside the palace walls, mindful of the Empress’s eavesdropping. If anyone from the Empress’s side heard them, it could cause unnecessary trouble.

“Miss, what’s going on with the Emperor? Why the sudden urgency? Is it about the Empress?” they found a quieter spot.

“No, the Emperor’s chronic illness flared up. He summoned me to treat him, not for the Empress,” Yin Qingyue replied calmly.

“Is it under control now? Is the Emperor’s condition stable?”

“Mei’er, aren’t you worrying unnecessarily? You think my medical skills are worse than the Imperial Hospital’s physicians?” Yin Qingyue’s eyes flashed with anger.

“Miss, I didn’t mean that. I’m just worried,” Mei’er said nervously, her small face full of grievance.

“Mei’er, the Empress’s life is in my hands. Nothing will go wrong,” Yin Qingyue said firmly, her eyes shining with resolve.

Seeing this, Mei’er said, “Miss, everyone in the palace is scheming—you must be careful.” Her eyes reddened slightly.

Yin Qingyue lightly patted her hand. “Mei’er, if you always remain so fragile, one day you won’t be able to stand by my side. You may keep your innocence, but innocence is not stupidity.”

Her tone was stern. In her view, the palace was full of danger. She couldn’t always be by Mei’er’s side. If Mei’er spoke naively, it could one day harm her. In this strange world, only they could rely on each other.

Mei’er felt even more aggrieved but said nothing.

As they walked forward, the scenery gradually faded, and the atmosphere turned quiet.

After a while, Mei’er spoke first. “Miss, I won’t say such things again.”

Yin Qingyue shook her head, her eyes shining. “Mei’er is pure-hearted and thinks of me in everything. It’s my fault for not guiding you well. But you must be stronger. Trust me—I am not weak.”

Yin Qingyue meant every word. From the day she met Mei’er, this girl always cared for her. Without her protection, Yin Qingyue would have been sacrificed long ago. She wouldn’t even have had a chance to treat the Empress here.

Mei’er paused, her voice trembling slightly. “Miss, I will follow you wholeheartedly and never betray you.”

Yin Qingyue’s gaze remained calm. She didn’t respond—some lessons aren’t taught with words. She only hoped Mei’er would understand that she and the original persona were different.

As they neared Xiyang Garden, Yin Qingyue’s expression softened.

“Hey, isn’t that Divine Physician? I heard she was summoned to Longwen Hall early this morning.”

“But judging by her maid, it doesn’t look good, right?”

“Mind your own business. Watch your tongue.”

Mei’er was about to retort, but Yin Qingyue grabbed her left hand. Fewer troubles were better than more. Those palace maids thought her easy to bully. When her power grew, they’d only fawn over her. People like to abuse authority and climb higher.

“Miss,” Mei’er said reluctantly.

“Endure it when you can,” Yin Qingyue replied lightly, ignoring the maids entirely.

“Nanny Lai has been waiting inside for a long time. Go in quickly,” a few palace maids said resentfully. Earlier, Nanny Lai had been angry, unable to find Yin Qingyue, wondering where the ‘ugly girl’ had gone.

“Understood.”

“Miss, be careful!” Mei’er grabbed Yin Qingyue’s arm just as she was about to push the door.

“Don’t dawdle here. Nanny Lai has been waiting long enough, and it’ll be dark soon,” a maid sneered, looking down on the women of Luochen Courtyard.

“My mistress is treating the Emperor. If you don’t know, don’t talk nonsense,” Mei’er snapped.

“What, treating the Emperor is a big deal? You’ll still have to return to Luochen Courtyard,” a few maids mocked. In their eyes, these women were lowly, arrogant even when facing death.

Yin Qingyue’s eyes turned icy. “Would you dare say that in front of the Emperor?”

The maid instantly fell silent.

The maids outside began arguing among themselves, ignoring Nanny Lai entirely.

“Bring Miss Yin in,” Nanny Lai’s voice called from inside.

“Yes, Nanny Lai,” the maids replied in unison.

“Miss, be cautious.”

“All right, I’ll go meet Nanny Lai. Wait here,” Yin Qingyue said, heading toward a room in Xiyang Garden.

“Miss Yin, you’ve finally returned,” Nanny Lai said with a smile. She had been waiting since early morning.

“I went to treat the Emperor. What is it that you wanted, Nanny Lai?” Yin Qingyue asked, smiling with fatigue.