MCSCPM -Chapter 156 Return to Luochen Courtyard

Chu Jingcheng felt a bitter taste in his heart. He had rushed here without rest, worried for her safety, only to see her in the arms of another man.

At that moment, a stern, cold voice came from behind: “All of you, stop! Don’t move!”

The guards of Luochen Courtyard had arrived—astonishingly fast.

“I am here! Are you blind?” Nangong Xiao said, clearly displeased. He hadn’t expected them to arrive so quickly.

“I am also carrying out the Emperor’s orders. Please do not blame me, Crown Prince!” the lead guard said word by word, full of authority.

Nangong Xiao flicked his sleeve, not bothering to respond further. Time was short. Tonight was the day of the Heaven Sacrifice. If Yin Qingyue wasn’t escorted out immediately, it would be too late.

As long as he could keep the guards at bay, there was still hope. The Emperor was not from Xize. If he took Yin Qingyue away, perhaps he could protect her. Even if it wasn’t himself, Nangong Xiao was willing—as long as she remained safe.

Seeing that Nangong Xiao was still displeased, the lead guard explained again: “Crown Prince, please calm yourself. The Heaven Sacrifice is an important matter; even one missing person could affect the ceremony. Please do not make things difficult for us.”

“Miss, Mei’er will go with you. Even if it means death, Mei’er will be by your side!” Mei’er’s eyes were full of tears as she cried out.

Before Yin Qingyue could respond, the lead guard said: “You are just a maid. You have no right to be part of the sacrifice.”

Hearing this, Yin Qingyue smirked inwardly. As if being sacrificed were some supreme honor!

She scoffed aloud, “If the Emperor’s own daughter met the requirements for the sacrifice, would he renounce all family ties? Kill his own daughter for the so-called future of Xize?”

All the guards drew in a sharp breath. To openly defy the imperial order—this was unheard of!

The lead guard’s eyes turned cold. “One hundred deaths would not atone for these words.”

“Oh? That really scares me. A person who can die a hundred times would have to be extraordinary—or have a hundred lives. Otherwise, it’s impossible.”

“You…” The lead guard was at a loss for words, completely caught off guard by her sharp tongue. Truly quick-witted!

Chu Jingcheng, standing aside, found it amusing. His lips curved slightly. “Miss Yin, you can go to Luochen Courtyard in peace. Your maid, I will take care of her.”

Nangong Xiao’s eyes widened. “Go to Luochen Courtyard in peace?” Was he seriously letting Yin Qingyue go to her death?

At that moment, Yin Qingyue locked eyes with Chu Jingcheng. Though her condition was unstable, she could still read his thoughts: He has his own plan. You won’t die.

“Crown Prince, Your Highness, the Heaven Sacrifice is being prepared. Yin Qingyue must be taken away immediately,” the lead guard said coldly, his gaze sharp.

“No!” Mei’er suddenly collapsed to the ground, grabbing her mistress’s sleeve tightly.

What to do? The Emperor seemed unwilling to save Miss Yin, letting her go to the sacrifice without worry.

“Mei’er, Miss Yin will be fine,” Yin Qingyue said with a smile, patting Mei’er’s shoulder.

Nangong Xiao struggled to suppress his inner grief. As the Crown Prince of Xize, he couldn’t save the woman he loved. The pain was indescribable.

“Prince Jing, Mei’er is in your hands,” Yin Qingyue said calmly, as if she had already set aside life and death, leaving everyone present shaken.

Chu Jingcheng pondered silently, not answering her directly.

“Yin Qingyue, let’s go,” the lead guard said, noticing that both the Crown Prince and The Emperor were protective of her, softening his tone slightly.

“Take your filthy hands away!” Her eyes flashed with a cold light. The guards were startled—facing death and still so defiant! What arrogance!

Once she was escorted onto the carriage, the lead guard lowered his voice: “Don’t make trouble. Even if the Crown Prince and Prince Jing protect you, the imperial edict is here—you won’t escape.”

“I’m not blind or deaf. Of course, I know the edict is here. You don’t need to remind me.”

As soon as Yin Qingyue spoke, the guards exchanged glances.

“You… just you wait!” The lead guard suppressed his anger, wanting to lash her with a whip. But she was the sacrificial woman—her body must remain spotless, with no marks. Let’s see how long you can stay so defiant! he thought.

The carriage moved forward. Nangong Xiao watched helplessly. The woman he loved was being taken away, and there was nothing he could do.

He hated himself—why had he restrained himself as Crown Prince? Why hadn’t he defied the Emperor’s orders? He could have taken her far away, never to return.

But it was too late. He could only watch her walk toward death.

Nangong Xiao’s cold gaze met Chu Jingcheng’s. “Chu Jingcheng, you are not from Xize. I believed you could take Qingyue away—but why…”

“Do I need the Crown Prince’s request to save her?” Chu Jingcheng said, eyes half-lidded. Saving her was already part of his plan. He needed no reminder. In his way of handling things, only what he intended mattered—nothing was left to chance.

“That’s enough,” Nangong Xiao said, his eyes glinting.

Mei’er’s face was streaked with tears. Hearing Prince Jing say he would save her, her heart finally relaxed. Exhaustion overwhelmed her after days of worry. Her legs weakened, eyes closed, and she fainted. Fortunately, Leng Feng reacted quickly and supported her.

“Leng Feng, take her to the inn and care for her properly!” Chu Jingcheng said expressionlessly.

“Yes, Your Highness!”

Meanwhile, the carriage raced toward Luochen Courtyard.

The moment Yin Qingyue stepped inside, she felt a suffocating aura of death, thick with the scent of blood.

“This is what happens when you try to escape! If the Emperor hadn’t allowed me to spare your life, you would already be dead!” the lead guard said, pointing to a female corpse.

The corpse was not the sacrificial woman, but a maid—killed as a warning. Unless the sacrificial woman resisted, no one would kill her beforehand.

“Perhaps that will be your fate,” Yin Qingyue replied, a perfectly curved smile at her lips.

“Take her to her room. Do not let her out!” the guards ordered coldly.

“Yes.”

Yin Qingyue remained calm. She would not die easily.

“Oh, the Divine Physician has returned,” Nanny Zhao said sarcastically.

“Sit inside, Nanny Zhao,” Yin Qingyue said, smiling.

“You actually came back alive! You shameless thing! If not for you, would I have endured such suffering?” Supported by palace maids, Nanny Zhao finally entered the room slowly.

“If Yin Qingyue hadn’t returned, you’d probably be dead,” Yin Qingyue said. Since the guards discovered her escape, both managers of Luochen Courtyard were punished, Zhao most severely.

“Here, Nanny Zhao, there’s some wound medicine. Perhaps it will help you recover faster.”

“Ouch!” Nanny Zhao groaned as she sat.

“Who knows your intentions? I won’t take it!” She covered her backside, remembering the ten lashes and the forced kneeling from yesterday. It had nearly killed her. Thankfully, she had applied a hot cloth and taken medicine.

“I came to tell you—you won’t survive tonight. I won’t offend you, but the Heaven Sacrifice… the death is extremely tragic!” Nanny Zhao said, her eyes fierce.

“Thank you for your concern, Nanny Zhao,” Yin Qingyue replied, bowing slightly as she handed over a bottle of medicine.

Clatter! The bottle fell, spilling some powder.

“Don’t use your medicine to harm me! I won’t fall for it!” Nanny Zhao shouted.

“I only saw your injuries were severe. This medicine works well. If you don’t accept it, that’s fine,” Yin Qingyue said, watching the spilled powder. It wasn’t actual medicine—if inhaled, it would increase her pain and prolong recovery.

“Seize her!” Nanny Zhao trembled with rage, furious at this dying girl’s defiance.

“Nanny Zhao, have you forgotten? I am the sacrificial woman. If anything happens, how would you explain to the Emperor?” Yin Qingyue said with a smile.

Nanny Zhao froze. Sacrificial women must remain spotless! She immediately instructed the maids to step back.

“Ouch! My backside hurts so much!” Nanny Zhao wailed.

The powder floated in the air. Enraged, she inhaled more.

“You’re not as strong as before. Better go lie down,” Yin Qingyue said coldly, sitting down.

Now, she no longer bothered with pretense—she directly told them off.

Nanny Zhao in pain had no choice but to be assisted back to her room by the maids.

As night fell, Luochen Courtyard was deathly silent.

“Miss Yin, are you there?” a maid called from outside.

“What is it?” Yin Qingyue opened the door, seeing several maids carrying clothes.

“Tonight is the Heaven Sacrifice. Miss Yin, please cooperate—prepare for fasting and bathing.”

“Come in. Put them there,” Yin Qingyue said calmly, surprised at how quickly everything had arrived.

“Yes.”

On the table lay a bright red dress. She couldn’t help but laugh. Was this a Heaven Sacrifice or a wedding? The superstition of the ancients had reached such extremes.

Now they were giving her these clothes to go to the sacrifice.

“All right, you may leave. I’ll prepare to bathe,” Yin Qingyue said.

“Yes, Miss Yin.” The maids gently closed the door.

Outside, the moon shone brightly.

Chu Jingcheng walked step by step toward the house. Tonight, Luochen Courtyard would not remain peaceful.

Leng Feng watched Prince Jing walk straight toward the young lady’s room, raising an eyebrow. What is His Highness thinking? Don’t you know all women must be fasting and bathing now?

Leng Feng, ready to watch a show, hid in the shadows, observing carefully.