MCSCPM -Chapter 150 Returning to Luochen Courtyard

Outside, the rooms were spotless, bathed in moonlight, a picture of serenity.

Nangong Xiao quickened his pace, heading toward Yangwei Palace.

“Your Highness, are you sure you’re going to the right place?” Mei’er asked suspiciously. Coming here at night to find the young lady—wasn’t this improper?

“I haven’t gone wrong. This is exactly where I need to be,” Nangong Xiao said anxiously. He had to rescue Yin Qingyue immediately. By tomorrow morning, she would be secretly sent back to the Luochen Courtyard. If that happened, it would be too late.

“Move aside!” Nangong Xiao pushed Mei’er aside. He could no longer restrain himself. If anything happened to Yin Qingyue, he would regret it for the rest of his life.

“Miss Yin, open the door. It’s me!” Nangong Xiao knocked repeatedly.

“The Crown Prince?” Yin Qingyue asked in surprise. Why was he here so late?

“I pay my respects, Your Highness!” Yin Qingyue bowed slightly, maintaining decorum.

“Qingyue, leave this place quickly. I’ve arranged for someone to take you out of the capital as soon as possible!”

Yin Qingyue’s eyes widened. So urgent?

“Your Highness, let’s talk first,” she said calmly. After all, this was the Empress’s private chamber. If someone discovered them, it could ruin both the Crown Prince’s reputation and her own.

Yin Qingyue gently closed the door and turned to face Nangong Xiao.

“Your Highness, what exactly happened?”

“The diviner observed the celestial signs. He said that Xize faces misfortune. Only by accelerating the sacrificial ritual can Xize’s fate be changed,” Nangong Xiao said, his eyes fixed on her.

Hearing that all the remaining girls were to be sacrificed, his worry was overwhelming. He feared losing her. Even with her standing right in front of him, he worried. If he didn’t act fast, she might not survive till tomorrow.

The thought made his heart twist painfully.

“Your Highness, if I leave here, have you considered yourself? If the Emperor finds out, it would be considered defying the royal decree. You might even lose your position as Crown Prince,” Yin Qingyue said.

Nangong Xiao ignored all that. Whatever was necessary to protect her, he deemed it worthwhile—even if it cost his crown.

“Miss Yin, as long as you can leave safely, I am willing to do anything.”

Hearing this, Yin Qingyue’s heart stirred. She had never encountered someone like this—someone willing to risk everything for her safety.

“Your Highness, you flatter me. I am only a girl from Luochen Courtyard. You need not go to such lengths for me,” she said with a smile. She already owed him too much. If he risked his life this time, it would be undeserved. Besides, even at Luochen Courtyard, there might be a way to avoid the ritual.

“Are you refusing to leave, hoping to be sacrificed?” Nangong Xiao said helplessly. He had laid it all out, yet she still resisted.

“I don’t want to implicate you, Your Highness. If you rescue me, I would feel guilty. If you were in my place, you wouldn’t act this way either,” she replied calmly.

“Miss Yin, you—”

“Don’t worry, Your Highness. I will not be sacrificed. Once at Luochen Courtyard, I have a plan. Please return now.” She looked at him, a warmth flowing through her heart.

“Then what is your plan?” Nangong Xiao asked seriously. Before the imperial decree, was she being overly confident or foolish?

“This is the Empress’s private chamber. Your Highness should return to rest. Staying here benefits neither of us,” she said.

Nangong Xiao stared at her, as if wanting to engrave her image in his memory. Why was she so resolute? She had done so much for him—now it was his turn to protect her, wasn’t it enough?

“Qingyue—”

“Your Highness, please return. Thank you for coming and telling me about this,” Yin Qingyue said, opening the door for him.

Nangong Xiao sighed helplessly, glancing at her once more before departing with a heavy heart, hands clenched tightly.

After he left, Mei’er approached the room in a panic.

“Miss, the Crown Prince—”

“Mei’er, tomorrow we will be secretly sent back to Luochen Courtyard. Once there, we might never return,” Yin Qingyue said.

“Miss, what are you saying? The Empress’s illness still needs your treatment. If you leave, who will cure her?” Mei’er asked, confused.

“Mei’er, I’m not joking. The Emperor is obsessed with divination. There are floods in Jiangnan, and now the plague. All the remaining girls of Luochen Courtyard are about to be sacrificed.”

Seeing Yin Qingyue’s serious expression, Mei’er finally understood.

“Miss, let me go in your place for the ritual,” Mei’er said, tears filling her eyes. She had never imagined this day would come so soon. Despite all the care and effort Miss had shown for the Emperor and Empress, this was the outcome?

“Mei’er, don’t be sad. Once we return to Luochen Courtyard, we will find a way to escape,” Yin Qingyue said firmly, wiping her tears.

“Miss, really?”

Yin Qingyue smiled and nodded. The little courtyard of Luochen would surely provide a way out.

“All right, Mei’er. Sleep early. We need our strength for what’s ahead.”

The night was quiet, but Yin Qingyue’s heart was not. She wasn’t worried about escaping—rather, she wondered where they would go afterward. Xize was no longer a safe place. If the Emperor discovered her disappearance, he would pursue her. She didn’t want to put Mei’er at risk.

Thinking this, she finally fell asleep.

Early the next morning, a large group of palace guards surrounded Yangwei Palace.

“What are you doing? Surrounding the Empress’s private chamber—are you courting death?” Nanny Lai exclaimed angrily.

“We are merely following orders. Please make way, Nanny Lai,” the guards’ leader said, smiling. He didn’t want to offend her.

“What is this matter?”

“The Emperor has decreed that all the girls of Luochen Courtyard must be sent for the sacrificial ritual. We are here at Yangwei Palace to take Yin Qingyue back.”

Hearing her name, Nanny Lai was taken aback. She wouldn’t need to lift a finger—the girl would die anyway.

“Then please lead the way, Nanny Lai,” the guards said with a smile.

“She’s in Xiyang Garden. Take this small path, and you’ll reach her,” Nanny Lai said. The Empress’s greatest headache would soon be gone, and she was delighted.

“Thank you, Nanny Lai,” the guards said. After they walked away, Nanny Lai left as well.

“Open the door!” the guard leader demanded.

“Yes.”

“Why have you come to this side courtyard with such force? Don’t you know manners?” Yin Qingyue said with a faint, cold smile.

“Heh, I am only delivering the Emperor’s orders. I know nothing of hospitality,” the guard replied.

“Oh?” Yin Qingyue remained composed.

“You must return to Luochen Courtyard to benefit the people of Xize and prepare for the sacrificial ritual.”

Yin Qingyue’s eyes gleamed. She bowed gracefully.

“Thank you, Your Majesty.”

The guard leader widened his eyes in surprise. Here in Xiyang Garden, Yin Qingyue remained calm—a reaction no ordinary person could show.

“What, did I say something wrong?”

After a moment, the leader recovered. “Take her under guard to Luochen Courtyard.”

“Yes.”

Soon, the group of guards exited Yangwei Palace, with Yin Qingyue walking calmly behind, accompanied by a young maid.

Nanny Lai’s eyes glinted with pride. “Yin Qingyue, this is your fate,” she thought.

Not far away, Nangong Lin watched the guards depart, his heart feeling as though cut by a knife. The sacrificial ritual had been carefully prepared. Escaping Luochen Courtyard would be nearly impossible, even for a single person—or a fly.

At the Capital Inn:

“Leng Yi, did you hear the rumors on the streets? That Xize’s diviner predicted…”

Leng Yi remained silent, his gaze cold.

Leng Feng pursed his lips, looking toward Prince Jing.

“The Emperor has decreed that all girls of Luochen Courtyard must be sacrificed—tomorrow night, no less. Aren’t you worried, Prince? That ugly girl will be sacrificed.”

Perhaps the Prince would try to rescue her.

“Is it true?” Chu Jingcheng’s eyes flickered with worry. He could never allow her to die.

“Yes, Prince. It is true,” Leng Feng said smugly, glancing at Leng Yi. Cold as he was, could he help save the woman for the Prince?

“Leng Feng, investigate the palace. I want to know exactly when and where the ritual will take place,” Prince Jing commanded.

“Yes, Prince,” Leng Feng hurried out.

“Yin Qingyue, I will not let anything happen to you,” Prince Jing said, eyes narrowing, hands clenched. He would not allow her to be sent to the altar.

“Prince, although the two countries maintain good relations, foreign interference in domestic affairs is forbidden,” Leng Yi said cautiously. Rescuing Yin Qingyue might strain relations, especially since foreign law prohibits interference unless preparing for war.

“I have decided. Nothing will change that,” Prince Jing said with authority.

“Understood, Prince. Please act with caution,” Leng Yi replied respectfully.