MCSCPM -Chapter 151 Endless Mockery

A sense of death hung over Luochen Courtyard.

“Oh? Who do we have here? What wind blew our goddess doctor back?” Nanny Zhao snorted coldly. Life, indeed, is full of strange twists.

Back when Yin Qingyue was at her peak, the Crown Prince favored her, the Emperor allowed her to use herbs freely, and she was even granted a small mansion in the capital.

Now… haha, it was all gone—her servants, her house, her privileges, everything.

“Qingyue belongs to Luochen Courtyard, of course she’s back. Has Nanny Liu forgotten me?” Yin Qingyue said calmly.

“How could I forget Divine Physician? But the Emperor decreed that all girls of Luochen Courtyard must be sacrificed,” Nanny Zhao said viciously.

“The Emperor’s order was for you to watch over the sacrificial girls. The person has been brought back, and now she is in your care,” the head guard said sharply.

“Yes, this old servant will make sure they are properly watched,” Nanny Zhao deliberately emphasized “watched.”

Once the guards left, Nanny Zhao circled Yin Qingyue, pacing around her.

“Never thought Divine Physician would return to Luochen Courtyard! I thought you’d rise high by the Empress’s side! Look at you—backed by the Crown Prince, supported by Prince Jing—and yet, here you are, back in Luochen Courtyard!” Nanny Zhao sneered.

“Isn’t Nanny Liu also from Luochen Courtyard? You’ve spent your whole life here. At least I got to see the Crown Prince, the Empress, and the Emperor,” Yin Qingyue said, expecting ridicule upon returning.

“How dare you speak to me disrespectfully!” Nanny Liu stepped forward, raising her hand to slap her.

“Nanny Liu, have you forgotten my words? I’m about to die anyway. If something happens to me, and I get hurt, when the Emperor finds out, who knows who will be punished,” Yin Qingyue said coldly, twisting Nanny Liu’s hand away and stepping inside.

“That ugly girl… going to die and still so arrogant!” Nanny Liu fumed. She had expected to bully her easily, but now… she had grown bold.

“Miss, what should we do? Tomorrow is the ritual,” Mei’er said, tears glistening in her eyes.

“Don’t worry. I know this place well. Tonight, when the guards change shifts, we’ll try to slip out. First, we need to gather valuable items,” Yin Qingyue said. She had planned this for a long time.

“All right, Miss.”

“Are the two of you planning to escape?” Nanny Zhao suddenly pushed open the door, scolding loudly.

Mei’er hurriedly hid the luggage. Had Nanny Zhao seen it?

“What is dead cannot be taken along, so it’s better to leave it for Nanny Liu,” Yin Qingyue said, handing her a simple linen robe.

“Haha, now that the Crown Prince isn’t here, let’s see how arrogant you can still be. Guards, search this room! All valuables, bring them out!” Nanny Zhao said, a sly grin on her wrinkled face.

“Do you dare act so wildly just because I’m not here?” a cold, imposing voice came from behind.

Nanny Zhao didn’t turn to see who it was and scowled at Yin Qingyue. “Ha! You even found someone pretending to be the Crown Prince! I’ve seen such tricks before. What a time for this—does the Crown Prince still come to Luochen Courtyard? Continue searching!” Her eyes gleamed with malice.

“Do you treat my words as the wind in your ears?” Nangong Xiao stepped in front of Nanny Zhao.

“Your Highness!” Nanny Zhao shivered, nearly losing her composure. She quickly knelt, eyes spinning nervously. This Crown Prince—why now of all times? Her plan was ruined.

“You seem to have grown tired of living,” Nangong Xiao said coldly.

“Not at all! I was only playing with Miss Yin,” Nanny Zhao said, bowing her head constantly.

“Guards, drag her out. Fifteen strokes,” Nangong Xiao’s gaze was ice-cold.

“Your Highness! Spare me! Spare me!” Nanny Zhao screamed. With her frail body, she might not survive even a few strikes.

Yin Qingyue hadn’t expected Nangong Xiao to appear.

“Qingyue, are you all right?” Nangong Xiao examined her carefully. Seeing she was unharmed, he finally relaxed.

“I’m fine. It’s just not convenient to speak here,” she replied.

“You all may leave,” Nangong Xiao ordered.

“Yes, Your Highness.”

Once everyone left, Yin Qingyue said, “Your Highness, tonight I plan to leave Luochen Courtyard.”

If she vanished from the courtyard, any blame would fall only on Nanny Zhao and Nanny Liu, not on the Crown Prince.

Nangong Xiao had been waiting for this. “What do you need? I’ll prepare it for you.”

“Prepare a carriage at the rear gate of Luochen Courtyard. I must leave the capital,” Yin Qingyue said. If she was leaving the palace, she had to leave Xize.

“All right. Do you need me to send support?” Nangong Xiao’s eyes reflected sorrow. If she left, he might never see her again. As the Crown Prince of Xize, he could not escape with her.

“No need. I have my own way,” Yin Qingyue said, refusing his help. If he sent people, they might be traced back to him.

“Be careful,” Nangong Xiao said. He knew he could not stay long, but he worried for her safety. Perhaps this was their last meeting, perhaps a farewell of life and death.

“Miss, Your Highness cares so much for you. Mei’er feels touched… but unfortunately, you cannot stay here,” Mei’er said sadly.

“I’ll go first. You gather our things here,” Yin Qingyue said.

The courtyard was surrounded by guards. Yin Qingyue scanned the area—no familiar faces. Then she remembered one place, which might be unattended.

She headed toward the rear garden.

Not far away, a pink figure moved among the flowers. Yin Qingyue slowly approached, realizing it was Xue Zhenyu.

She ignored her and walked on. Xue Zhenyu said nothing, looking indifferent.

Yin Qingyue felt a sharp gaze on her back. She did not want any trouble; if she delayed tonight’s plan, she really would be sacrificed.

She inspected the surroundings. Nothing had changed much—just more guards.

“Miss, you’re back,” Mei’er said, her voice trembling.

“What happened? Did someone bully you?” Yin Qingyue asked worriedly.

“No. Miss, I’m worried we can’t escape. If the guards catch us, it’s death,” Mei’er said, eyes red and swollen.

“Don’t say that. Pack our things. Tonight, we escape. Otherwise, we’ll starve even if we get out,” Yin Qingyue said, smiling.

“I won’t cry anymore. Miss, what’s the situation outside?”

“Guards are everywhere. Tonight, we go to the kitchen first and get some food.”

“All right, Miss,” Mei’er quickly recovered.

They entered the kitchen.

“Mei’er, pack these things. We’ll need them later,” Yin Qingyue said, slicing ginseng into pieces—easy to eat on the road and replenishing energy.

“Got it, Miss. But why do we need to bring so many herbs? My bag’s almost full.”

“Food may not be enough on the road. These herbs will be useful. Just take them. Pack quickly; we must leave soon.”

Not long after, someone entered the kitchen. Yin Qingyue quickly left with Mei’er.

“Hurry, don’t let anyone see you,” came Xue Zhenyu’s voice. Now Yin Qingyue understood—no wonder she met her in the garden today; she also intended to escape, though her brain wasn’t smart enough to succeed alone.

The sky darkened gradually. Everyone waited for this moment. The girls of Luochen Courtyard knew they were doomed—some wracked their brains for a way out, while others accepted their fate, lamenting in sorrow.