MCSCPM -Chapter 140 Probing the Truth

By the window, Consort De held a pair of scissors, trimming the potted plant in front of her.

“Nanny, remove the useless branches and leaves. I find them bothersome to look at,” Consort De said, frowning as she snipped away the excess foliage with her scissors.

“These things… I dare not touch them. It is best if Your Highness handles them yourself,” said the maid beside her, Wan Mo. She knew better than to interfere with something the Consort enjoyed; upsetting her would be disastrous.

“Indeed. But what does Nanny think of this matter?” Consort De smiled, recalling the caring gaze Nangong Lin had cast at He Minmin. Anger bubbled inside her.

“I think it is best to deal with it swiftly and decisively. Anything that stands in the way of Your Highness’s advancement should be removed,” the maid said softly, her eyes gleaming with determination.

Wan Mo looked at the potted plant thoughtfully. If this opportunity was not seized now, it might never come again.

“Why did Your Highness rise so early today?” the maid yawned, her face heavy with fatigue.

“Today, I wish to visit Weiyang Palace. Some people have been lying in bed for too long. I ought to pay a visit, to nurture sisterly bonds,” Consort De said with a warm smile, her wrinkles deepening at the corners of her eyes.

“Your Highness means to visit the Empress?” the maid asked, puzzled. Consort De usually disliked even hearing the Empress’s name—why now would she wish to see her?

“Prepare yourself. You will accompany me to Weiyang Palace,” Consort De said, slicing through the potted plant with force. “He Minmin, I want to see whether you are truly unconscious or merely pretending.”

Consort De slowly put down the scissors. The roots of the plant by the window had been completely severed.

Outside Weiyang Palace, Consort De wore a pale blue gown that hugged her still-graceful figure, though the color seemed slightly off. She was older in age, and such plain clothing only highlighted it more.

“Consort De requests an audience,” a maid’s voice announced at the door.

Yin Qingyue and Nanny Lai looked up in surprise. “She’s here?” Both muttered at the same time, quickly stopping their conversation.

“And Nanny Lai is here as well?” Consort De entered directly, her blue figure striking in the room.

Yin Qingyue felt a bit startled. This older woman still preferred youthful attire—how curious.

“Oh? The Divine Physician is here too?” Consort De smiled, her wrinkles fully visible.

“I pay my respects, Consort De,” Yin Qingyue said, standing quickly. She had been too engrossed in sparring with Nanny Lai to pay proper attention.

Consort De slowly approached the Empress. He Minmin’s pale face came into view, and a subtle smile touched Consort De’s lips. Whether real or feigned, seeing that pale face brought her joy.

“Rise, how is the Empress’s condition?” Her expression shifted from smiling to concern in an instant.

“Your Highness, the Empress is still unconscious. I am unsure what to say,” Yin Qingyue replied, troubled. She had seen the slight smile on this woman’s lips moments ago; now her face was all worry.

“This woman’s change in demeanor is astonishing,” Yin Qingyue thought. Women of the palace could certainly act. With only the Empress and Consort De present in the harem, it seemed Consort De secretly wished for the Empress’s death.

“Sister, you must recover quickly!” Consort De’s eyes glimmered with tears, though inwardly she wished He Minmin dead. That way, she could monopolize the Emperor, leaving her position unchallenged.

“Do not worry, Consort De. The Empress is under Heaven’s protection and will be fine,” Yin Qingyue said, trying to comfort her. She herself was under threat from Nanny Lai and uncertain how to act next, especially with Consort De present—though at least her arrival inadvertently gave Yin Qingyue some breathing room.

“I see the Empress is pale. There should be no problem, right? The Divine Physician is to perform the acupuncture technique. The three-day deadline agreed with the Emperor is approaching. Do you have confidence?” Consort De asked, smiling. In truth, she wanted to see whether Yin Qingyue was truly loyal to the Empress. She had reason to believe He Minmin would attempt to bribe her.

When she arrived, only Yin Qingyue and Nanny Lai were present. Had she entered a little earlier, she might have overheard their conversation.

“Your Highness, since I have made a promise to the Emperor, I will honor it. As for others’ opinions, I only wish to do my duty,” Yin Qingyue said, emphasizing the word “promise.” She wanted Nanny Lai to know she had no way out: comply, and she could not back down; break her promise, and it would be death.

“Divine Physician, I wish to know exactly what ails the Empress, that she has been unconscious for so long.” Consort De sat beside the Empress’s bed, adopting a pitiful demeanor.

“Consort De, do not worry. I will find a way to awaken the Empress,” Yin Qingyue said, her eyes darting slightly. She still did not know the true condition of the Empress, and the three-day deadline drew ever closer. Nanny Lai’s threats left her cornered—without a quick plan, she could offend both sides and face certain death.

“I believe the Divine Physician should perform the acupuncture technique immediately, so the Empress will awaken, sparing everyone unnecessary worry,” Nanny Lai said. She hoped to get Yin Qingyue to stay out of matters, though she and her allies could handle the Empress’s condition themselves.

But the situation was urgent, pushing Yin Qingyue to the forefront. If the Empress did not awaken soon, it would be difficult to explain to the Emperor.

“Nanny, I will choose promptly,” Yin Qingyue replied. Neither Consort De nor Nanny Lai knew the other’s true thoughts.

“Good,” Nanny Lai nodded in satisfaction.

“Sister, recover quickly. The Emperor and his sister worry for you constantly. His chronic illness has flared again. Only when you awaken can you care for him properly!” Consort De’s words dripped with genuine tears. In modern terms, she would be an excellent actress, crying without needing eye drops—a display that surprised Yin Qingyue.

“Consort De, the Empress will be fine,” Nanny Lai said coldly, signaling that the Empress would not succumb to Consort De’s wishes.

Indeed, Nanny Lai’s cunning was evident. Yin Qingyue had been drawn into her trap quickly, though she had sensed something amiss.

Consort De dabbed her tears with a handkerchief. “This is a token from the sister. Since she cannot accept it, let Nanny Lai accept it on her behalf.”

“On behalf of the Empress, I thank Consort De,” Nanny Lai said, taking the herbs. They were valuable, though the Empress already had plenty—this ginseng, however, was exceptional.

“I dare ask, Consort De, where is this ginseng from?” Yin Qingyue asked, noticing that anything Nanny Lai admired would be precious.

“You have a keen eye. This ginseng was given to me by the Emperor. I have no use for it, so I offer it to the sister to strengthen her body,” Consort De said, subtly mocking the Empress for not possessing such ginseng.

“Truly a rare and wonderful ginseng,” Nanny Lai said with a smile. Yin Qingyue noted that it was wild, scarce, and highly potent.

“Consort De, this is wild Changbai Mountain ginseng, isn’t it?” Yin Qingyue said. In the modern era, this ginseng would cost millions. Yet a mere consort possessed it. Nanny Lai’s ginseng had likely been seen only once before, in the Empress Dowager’s time.

“You understand these things well, Divine Physician,” Consort De said admiringly, while Nanny Lai fumed silently. Had the Empress known, she would have been furious—but she was still unconscious.

Consort De carefully observed He Minmin’s reaction. She had expected rage, yet the Empress lay motionless.

“Could it be that the Empress is truly unconscious?” Wan Mo wondered. If so, her precious ginseng might go to waste.

“Thank you, Consort De. The Empress will awaken soon,” Nanny Lai said, smiling as she held the ginseng—an easy gain of a rare treasure.

“Please take good care of the Empress,” Consort De said coldly, her earlier warmth gone.

At that moment, the mystical official who had opposed Yin Qingyue was reassigned to a rural district by Crown Prince Nangong xiao, under the guise of performing virtuous deeds for the state.