MCSCPM -Chapter 154 Saved by the Crown Prince

Dawn was breaking, and the carriage was almost out of the capital.

“Up ahead is the outskirts. Will you ladies be waiting for someone here?” The driver looked tired, having driven all night, finally coming to a stop.

“Thank you. We’ll wait here,” Yin Qingyue said, taking two bracelets from her sleeve and handing them to the driver.

“Much obliged. This is your reward.”

In those few seconds, she focused intently on the driver. Using her mind-reading ability, Yin Qingyue realized that this driver was not the one arranged by the Crown Prince—the real driver had been killed. The one before her was actually an agent of the Third Prince.

“Mei’er, get out of the carriage quickly!” Yin Qingyue pulled Mei’er’s hand tightly, ready to flee.

“Hahaha, you still want to leave the capital? Are you seeking death?” A cold voice rang out from behind. The driver’s face twisted into a grotesque smile.

“Die!” A knife slashed directly toward Yin Qingyue.

“Miss! You go! We can’t leave the outskirts alive. Mei’er will buy time—Miss, run!” Mei’er released her hand, tears in her eyes. From the beginning, it had been her fault that their escape was in danger; now all she wanted was to ensure her mistress’s safety.

“Mei’er!” Yin Qingyue couldn’t believe it. Her hands froze midair as the knife came down toward Mei’er’s head.

“Die!”

“No! Mei’er!” Yin Qingyue squeezed her eyes shut. This was what she dreaded most.

“Ah!” The man fell to the ground.

“Miss! I’m fine!” Mei’er reassured her, and together they ran, unaware of the danger still looming behind.

“If you go any further, it’s a cliff. Do you want to die by my blade—or jump yourself?” the man sneered, surprised at how easily he had accomplished his task.

“If you’re willing to give me some fun, I might spare your lives… but that one’s too ugly—just jump!” Other men laughed and closed in.

“What do we do, Miss?”

“We can’t hesitate any longer! Even if we die, we won’t let them defile our purity!” Yin Qingyue grabbed the white powder vial and blew it toward the men.

A gust of wind carried the powder toward the cliff’s edge.

“Stop right there!” A commanding, cold voice rang out.

The men turned, laughing scornfully. “Who do you think you are? Playing hero to save a woman? If I don’t teach you a lesson today, you’ll never learn fear!” They advanced.

“The Crown Prince?” Yin Qingyue frowned.

“Come here! If I don’t teach you today, you’ll regret it!” Nangong Xiao’s lips curved into a cold smile.

Several burly men surrounded him, leaving no room for retreat.

Suddenly, Nangong Xiao leapt into the air, leaving the men grasping at nothing.

He wielded his sword, striking the attackers; screams rang out.

Seeing the men fall, Mei’er clutched Yin Qingyue in terror. It was her first time seeing death so close—so real, so cruel.

“Qingyue, are you alright?” Nangong Xiao hurried over, concern etched on his face.

“I’m fine, Your Highness,” Yin Qingyue said with a smile. This version of Nangong Xiao—cold, ruthless in battle—felt strange to her.

“Careful, behind you!” Yin Qingyue grabbed Nangong Xiao’s hand, narrowly avoiding a fall off the cliff.

“Ah!” With a final scream, the last attacker fell.

“You’re unharmed, Your Highness?” Mei’er pointed to Nangong Xiao’s bleeding arm.

“Mei’er, get some medicine,” Yin Qingyue tore a strip of cloth from herself to bandage him.

Nangong Xiao looked at her intently. He worried this might be the last time he saw her.

“Does it hurt?” Yin Qingyue asked gently, applying the medicine.

At that moment, as Nangong Xiao had risked his life to protect her, Yin Qingyue realized that his concern might not be about winning her favor—but genuine care… perhaps love.

“It’s fine. But you… after a night’s journey, you must be exhausted,” Nangong Xiao smiled, ignoring his own wound.

“I’m fine, thanks to you, Your Highness,” Yin Qingyue said, standing slowly. Without him, she and Mei’er would have plunged to their deaths.

“What are your plans now? Where will you go?” His greatest fear was hearing that she intended to leave.

“I know I can’t go home. I escaped during the ritual. I don’t know where to go now.”

Her heart was heavy; though the world was vast, she felt lost. Since the moment she had crossed over, she never knew why she came—or why she was here now.

“Your Highness, thank you for saving our lives. Mei’er and I cannot repay you; please accept our deepest bow,” Yin Qingyue said, bending down to kneel.

Nangong Xiao stopped her.

“I did this willingly. No need for such formality. As long as you’re safe, I ask nothing else,” he said with a gentle smile.

Not far away, three figures hurried toward them.

“Your Highness, it’s already dawn. The Divine Physician is likely long gone; chasing her further may be futile!” Leng Feng complained. Ever since Yin Qingyue appeared, nothing had gone smoothly.

“Then we continue,” Chu Jingcheng said, eyes half-closed. Ahead lay the countryside outside the capital.

“This is the outskirts! Who would be here? Let’s go back, Your Highness!” Leng Feng groaned.

Chu Jingcheng pressed forward. Yin Qingyue was clever—unlikely to take common paths.

Leng Feng and Leng Yi followed, catching the familiar scent tinged with blood.

“Is someone dead here?” Leng Feng remarked, noting the metallic smell.

“Wait!” Chu Jingcheng halted. Years of battlefield experience told him someone approached.

In the countryside, Yin Qingyue sat silently on the ground.

“Miss Yin, you’re safe now,” Nangong Xiao moved beside her.

Mei’er looked on quietly, proud that her mistress, even in dire circumstances, had captured the heart of the Crown Prince.

“I’m sorry, Your Highness. All this is because of me. If the events at Luochen Courtyard are exposed… would you be implicated?” Yin Qingyue’s eyes glistened with unshed tears. She hadn’t cried for years, restraining herself now.

“No. I arranged the carriage, nothing else. It has no impact on me,” Nangong Xiao said, smiling.

“Your Highness, you should return quickly. I’m doomed; I don’t wish to involve you,” Yin Qingyue stepped back, mind swirling with recent events.

“Miss, what’s wrong?” Mei’er asked, concerned.

“I’m fine, just need rest,” Yin Qingyue said, feeling emptied since the moment Nangong Xiao appeared.

A man drawing his sword to protect the woman he cares for—what was this? Love.

In her modern life, she had been innocent, inexperienced in love. Even in the past era, her body’s previous owner had romantic history, but it meant nothing to her.

Now, she felt completely drained, unsure of her thoughts.

“Qingyue, are you alright?” Nangong Lin asked with concern.

“I’m fine. Mei’er, you worry too much. I just… miss home. After so long away, now I could go back… but I can’t,” Yin Qingyue’s voice choked.

“Miss, don’t be sad. Without the Crown Prince’s help, we’d be dead already. Father will understand your intentions,” Mei’er comforted her, though she didn’t fully grasp the unfamiliar feelings Yin Qingyue experienced—feelings that were new and frightening.

“I could only do this much for you. Beyond this… I fear I cannot help further,” Nangong Lin said helplessly.

“Thank you,” Yin Qingyue murmured—and suddenly hugged Nangong Xiao tightly.

She didn’t know why, but she felt safe in his arms. He had risked everything for her, even his position, without hesitation.

All the armor she wore as a woman shattered in that moment.

Nangong Xiao froze, unsure where to place his hands.

This sensation was unprecedented—so real he wondered if he was dreaming.

Mei’er blushed, astonished at her mistress’s boldness.

“Thank you, Nangong Xiao!” Yin Qingyue’s eyes shone brightly.

“You’re alright, Miss Yin?” Nangong Xiao finally lowered his suspended hands.

“I’m fine. I just wanted to give you a hug before leaving.”

Hearing this, Nangong Xiao’s heart skipped—a question forming: “What’s happened to Yin Qingyue today? This is unlike her. She’d never act this way under normal circumstances, even if I cared for her deeply.”

Unbeknownst to him, this moment would leave a lasting impact on another.