MCSCPM -Chapter 147 Summoning Qingyue

Night gradually deepened, and outside the window, it was impossible to see anything clearly.

Nangong Lin reflected carefully on the events of the past few days. Ever since the floods appeared in Jiangnan, followed by the plague, the Empress’s fainting—originally unrelated—had also occurred, and the situation was worsening. Then came the rumor that the Empress’s fainting was fake.

If no one were manipulating events behind the scenes, the Empress’s fake fainting would have been impossible.

Thinking this through, he naturally considered one person. If the Empress’s fainting were fake, then the one covering for her would be the Divine Physician.

The other possibility did not exist: that the Empress’s fainting were real and the rumors false. Perhaps it was connected to the previous poisoning incident; following this thread might reveal the culprit.

At this moment, Nangong Lin’s mind was like a raging fire. If he went to confront the Divine Physician directly, it would clearly signal distrust of the Empress, and the reason behind the fake fainting would remain unclear—there seemed to be no benefit in doing so.

But by tracing the rumor, he might discover the culprit behind the earlier poisoning.

“What should I do?” Nangong Lin gazed quietly out the window. Darkness stretched endlessly, mirroring his own heart—deep, unfathomable, with no initial answer in sight.

The door creaked open, and Li Gong entered, carrying a cup of loquat syrup.

Recently, the Emperor had spent most of his time in the Imperial Study. Although ostensibly for official business, it was mostly to hide away in quiet contemplation.

“Your Majesty, drink some hot tea to warm yourself.” Li Gong placed the loquat syrup before the Emperor, and the sweet aroma quickly wafted into his nose.

“I am old,” he said with a smile, taking the cup and slowly letting it flow down his throat.

“The Divine Physician says, Your Majesty must drink this loquat syrup regularly, or your chronic illness will return,” Li Gong added.

At the mention of Yin Qingyue, it seemed as if he were reminding the Emperor that this matter was connected to the Divine Physician.

“Li Gong, summon the Divine Physician. I want to see her.” Nangong Lin’s lips curled into a faint smile. Perhaps he could find the answers in her. This was the best way to resolve the issue; regardless of right or wrong, at least he would feel reassured.

“It’s so late—surely the Divine Physician is asleep,” Li Gong said, hesitant. He had guessed some of the Emperor’s intentions: if the Emperor suspected the Empress, he would naturally summon the Divine Physician for clarification.

“Do I not need to be obeyed? Since when have you become so pedantic?” Nangong Lin said angrily. Anyone who dared defy him would not escape punishment.

“Yes, Your Majesty. I shall attend to it immediately.”

At Yangwei Palace

Yin Qingyue stood by the window, motionless for a long time.

Though the palace had not directed any hostility toward her in recent days, she sensed that something bad was about to happen. Her worry was not for herself, but for Mei’er by her side.

She had no idea when her life in the palace would ever end.

“Divine Physician, are you here?” A quacking voice sounded from outside. Yin Qingyue composed herself; perhaps more trouble had arrived.

“Oh, it’s Li Gong. What brings you at this late hour?” she said with a smile, though the uneasy feeling in her heart grew stronger.

“The Emperor wishes to see you. Please accompany me, Divine Physician,” he said.

“Do you know the reason for His Majesty’s summons?” She gently closed the door to avoid waking Mei’er.

“I do not. I am merely following the Emperor’s order to summon the Divine Physician,” Li Gong said.

Yin Qingyue nodded, saying nothing further.

Yangwei Palace was not far from the Imperial Study. Half an hour later, the two arrived at the study.

“I pay my respects, Your Majesty.”

“Rise. Li Gong, you may leave. I have important matters to discuss with the Divine Physician,” Nangong Lin said, staring intently at Yin Qingyue. He could not imagine what shocking actions this woman might take, and if she threatened Xize’s development, he would not spare her.

“Thank you, Your Majesty.”

From the moment she entered the study, Yin Qingyue sensed the doubt in Nangong Lin’s eyes—directed at her.

“Divine Physician, I will speak plainly,” Nangong Lin said, walking slowly to her, examining her with an unusual gaze.

“Please, Your Majesty, speak freely.”

“I have learned today that the Empress’s fainting is fake. Are you aware of this, Divine Physician?” He circled her as he spoke.

Yin Qingyue remained calm. She had expected this day to come: the Empress’s fake fainting would be discovered, and she would bear the greatest responsibility.

“Your Majesty, I do not quite understand what you mean,” Yin Qingyue said cautiously. She had to be careful—if she revealed any flaw, it would not only provoke the Emperor’s suspicion but also imperil the Empress.

Though this matter was unrelated to her, she needed to ensure the Empress’s fainting appeared real, so she herself would remain safe.

“Then I will clarify. Today, I was informed that the entire capital is discussing the Empress’s fainting. The people believe it is fake, and now the rumor has even reached the palace. Surely you, Divine Physician, have heard of this?” Nangong Lin’s eyes flashed with anger. He made his point clear: if she continued to play dumb, he would not be merciful.

“Your Majesty, I have remained in Yangwei Palace and have heard nothing of this,” she said calmly.

“So the rumor has not yet reached Yangwei Palace. I still have no explanation for the Empress’s fainting from you,” Nangong Lin said, staring straight at her, as if trying to see through her mind.

“The toxins in the Empress’s body have not yet been fully cleansed, causing a temporary fainting. This is also related to the Empress’s constitution,” she explained.

At this moment, Yin Qingyue understood: the Emperor was trying to corner her. Whether the Empress’s fainting was real or fake, he needed an explanation to quell the rumors. Sacrificing one person to protect the country and the Empress carried no real loss.

“Divine Physician, can you give me an explanation? Rumors do not arise without cause. If this is not true, then someone is deliberately spreading them.”

“Your Majesty, you overestimate me. I know only medicine, not investigative matters. As for rumors, I know this: ‘Rumors end with the wise.’ If this matter were true, Your Majesty need not waste time—simply summon a court physician to examine the Empress’s condition, and all will be resolved,” she said.

As soon as Yin Qingyue finished, Nangong Lin smiled and nodded. This woman was indeed exceptional. Others might have crumbled under such questioning; yet her words subtly acknowledged his wisdom, implying he would not be swayed by mere gossip.

“Perhaps I have misunderstood,” he said with a smile.

For a moment, Nangong Lin had a strange thought. When Yin Qingyue expressed her insights, he felt a sudden urge to discuss the Jiangnan floods and the resulting plague with her—but he restrained himself. After all, physicians were not meant to interfere with political affairs.

“I have merely reported the facts,” she said, bowing her head slightly. A hint of surprise crossed her face as she discerned the Emperor’s admiration hidden within his doubt.

Emperors have always been suspicious; Nangong Lin was no exception.

Though a sharp edge can be dangerous, for Yin Qingyue, it worked to her advantage—bringing more benefit than harm.

“Last time, I did not properly thank you. If you had not cured my chronic illness, I might not even be standing here, speaking with you now.”

“You flatter me, Your Majesty. The court physicians also deserve thanks for preparing the loquat syrup. This is merely my duty. It is an honor to serve Your Majesty,” Yin Qingyue said with a smile.

Nangong Lin watched her thoughtfully. If she were a man, she would have been his trusted right-hand. Unknowingly, his thoughts mirrored those he had for the Crown Prince.

“Your Majesty, if there is nothing else, I shall take my leave.”

He nodded slightly, watching her retreat until she disappeared from view.

From the moment she entered, she had shown no sign of panic, speaking without revealing a single flaw. Her intelligence and composure were nearly unmatched.

Yet the calmer her reaction, the more suspicious Nangong Lin became. Yin Qingyue’s composure made her difficult to control in his mind.

Realizing this, Nangong Lin suddenly understood: his focus had been misplaced. Only by meeting the diviner could all matters be resolved.

Outside Yangwei Palace

A hunched figure paced back and forth.

“Miss Yin, you’re back.”

“Nanny Lai?” Yin Qingyue followed the voice. She hadn’t expected anyone to be waiting at this late hour.

“Yes. Why have you returned so late, Miss Yin?” Nanny Lai’s eyes gleamed. She already knew that the Emperor’s late-night summons was concerning the Empress’s fake fainting.

“Nanny Lai’s sources are indeed reliable. Many things I don’t know, you must know,” Yin Qingyue said, approaching her. This was her chance; if she didn’t seize it, she might not get another opportunity.

“You flatter me, Miss Yin. How could I know more than you? You are the Divine Physician!” Nanny Lai said, mocking her slightly. Yin Qingyue understood her intentions.

“Nanny Lai, as the saying goes, ‘Old ginger is spicier.’ I dare not compare myself to you. If there is something you wish to discuss, speak plainly.”

The old woman had been waiting here for some time, surely regarding the Empress’s matters.

“Miss Yin is sensible. Please come in and speak.”

Nanny Lai led Yin Qingyue into a small, pitch-black room.

“What is this, Nanny Lai?” Yin Qingyue thought she was being taken to see the Empress, not to a place like this.

“There are few people here; no one will come. It is safer this way,” Nanny Lai said, smiling, showing a few missing teeth that looked eerie in the candlelight.