MCSCPM -Chapter 162 Substituting with a Yin-Born Girl

Inside the imperial study.

Cough, cough.

“Your Majesty, your body hasn’t fully recovered yet—coming to the study like this isn’t proper,” Eunuch Li said, concern etched on his face.

“If I don’t come to the study, who else will manage state affairs? Could it be you?” Nangong Lin replied painfully.

The floods in Jiangnan worsened under the Third Prince’s management instead of improving. The Empress had fainted multiple times, and the Crown Prince had yet to provide any explanation.

“Your Majesty, your health must come first. If you fall ill, no one will be left to govern.”

“So what?” Nangong Lin said helplessly. Could the years of Xize’s achievements collapse under his own hands?

“Your Majesty, all this trouble stems from Yin Qingyue. She may well be Xize’s calamity,” Eunuch Li warned.

Nangong Lin’s brows furrowed. Ever since her appearance, Xize had been beset by endless troubles.

“Your Majesty, Lord Xuan Guan requests an audience outside.”

“Bring him in!” Nangong Lin’s face brightened; all anger vanished.

“Your Majesty,” Xuan Guan bowed slightly, a hint of nervousness showing on his face.

“My loyal subject, rise. Have you devised a solution?”

“Your Majesty, by observing the heavens, I have determined that the sacrificial rites cannot be delayed any longer! We must offer the sacrifice immediately, or Xize’s disaster will come!”

“But one of the sacrificial girls is missing. Capturing her now will be tricky,” Nangong Lin said.

Before he could finish, Xuan Guan’s eyes gleamed. “Your Majesty, do not worry. I have a plan. Though one girl is missing, we can find a replacement. If done promptly, it will suffice.”

“How did I not think of that!” Nangong Lin said with a laugh, his cough slightly abating.

“Your Majesty, you must still prioritize your health—not just for yourself, but for the people of Xize!” Xuan Guan said, concern written on his face.

Eunuch Li flattered, “Indeed, Your Majesty is needed for the sacrifice!”

“My plan will satisfy Your Majesty. Leave it to me, and the rites will proceed without error,” Xuan Guan said, his confidence evident.

“I trust your abilities, my loyal subject. The Jiangnan plague cannot wait!”

Nangong Lin had been sleepless all night, anxious over the sacrificial rites.

“Completing the rites is not difficult. We only need a girl born at the same hour as Yin Qingyue and fifteen years old to perform the sacrifice.”

“But… where would we find such a girl?”

Nangong Lin knew that assembling the original hundred girls had been no easy task. Now finding one born at the same hour as Yin Qingyue was nearly impossible.

“My loyal subject has a method. While we cannot find a girl born at the same hour in such a short time, a Yin-born girl can also perform the sacrifice.”

“Are you serious?” Nangong Lin looked at Xuan Guan, incredulous.

The sacrificial rites had seemed hopeless. Now, with Xuan Guan’s words, Nangong Lin relaxed completely—the floods and plague in Jiangnan could be resolved.

“What is a Yin-born girl? Where should I find one?”

“Your Majesty, a Yin-born girl is easy to find. Yin Qingyue’s maid is one,” Xuan Guan said with a cold smile.

“Very well. Since Yin Qingyue has fled, let her maid substitute! The sacrifice must not be delayed—it must happen immediately!”

“Rest assured, Your Majesty. Leave it to me,” Xuan Guan said, eyes gleaming.

“Good! Complete the rites, and I will reward you handsomely!”

“However, Your Majesty, I have one request. The maid Mei’er is hiding in the courier inn in the capital. We may need extra manpower to capture her.”

“Again, it’s that Prince Jing!” Nangong Lin clenched his fists, realizing this battle must begin.

“I will have you lead the imperial guards to the courier inn in the capital. Ensure you capture the maid Mei’er!”

“Thank you, Your Majesty!”

Watching Xuan Guan leave, Nangong Lin finally relaxed. He couldn’t believe the guards would fail to capture even a single maid.

---

Meanwhile, inside the Inner Palace:

“Any news from the emperor?”

The Empress sat at a table in her pale purple dress, her expression serious.

“Your Majesty has sent people to capture the maid Mei’er to replace Yin Qingyue. The sacrificial rites will take place at a later date.”

“What?” The Empress could hardly believe it, staring at Nanny Lai. Could Yin Qingyue really be let off so easily?

“Is this true?”

“The Emperor himself said so. How could it be false?”

“You lucky, fortunate Yin Qingyue! Even now, your maid dies in your place!” Empress He Minmin’s eyes were filled with malice.

“Empress, do not worry. Rumor says Yin Qingyue and her maid Mei’er are very close. If Mei’er is taken, she will surely come to rescue her—then she won’t escape!” Nanny Lai said with flattery.

The Empress smirked coldly. “If it is as Nanny Lai says, then so be it.”

Now that Yin Qingyue cannot die, she is the Empress’s biggest concern. If her secrets are exposed, the Empress’s position could be at risk.

“Nanny, we cannot delay. I have been unconscious for so long and only now eliminated Consort Sun. Surely this has raised the Emperor’s suspicions. Consort De’s power is strong, with the Third Prince backing her. If we do not act, the consequences will be endless.”

“You are correct, Your Majesty. In my view, the priority is to eliminate Yin Qingyue before confronting Consort De.”

Empress He Minmin snorted. “Perhaps this time, we need not act ourselves.”

“Are you using someone else’s hand to do the work?” Nanny Lai asked slyly.

“Consort De is strong; I merely helped arrange it.”

“Your wisdom will ensure all obstacles are removed in due time,” Nanny Lai said, flattering her.

“It won’t be so simple. Consort De has drawn the Emperor’s attention. I thought she would be confined for a long time, but the Emperor released her. Nanny, remember, the Wan family’s influence is not to be underestimated. Though Consort De appears passive, behind the scenes she has done many unspeakable things!” Empress He Minmin admitted, secretly impressed.

“By beauty, Consort De cannot compare to you. By status, neither.” Nanny Lai laughed.

The Empress knew that sending the Third Prince to Jiangnan was no simple matter. Consort De had secretly made many moves. With Prince Jing and the Crown Prince involved, how could Yin Qingyue return to Luocheng Courtyard?

Consort De blamed Nangong Xiao for it. Yin Qingyue was closely connected to the Crown Prince; knowing Consort De’s temperament, she would act against her.

By the window, a pot of peonies bloomed perfectly.

Empress He Minmin snipped the flowers, letting them all fall.

“Even if they bloom beautifully, it is useless. Offend me, and the outcome is only one word: death!” she declared, her tone commanding.

“Someone, take this pot of flowers and throw them out!”

“Yes, Your Majesty!”

“Nanny, increase surveillance on Consort De. Report immediately if anything occurs.” The Empress wanted to see how Yin Qingyue might die at another’s hand.

---

At the capital courier inn:

Yin Qingyue sat quietly in her room, her mind filled with thoughts of Chu Jingcheng.

“Miss, are you all right? You’ve been inside so long,” Mei’er said, carrying a bowl of ginseng soup.

Little did they know, an even greater danger awaited.

“It’s nothing. Staying here is not safe; we must leave quickly.” Yin Qingyue thought of Chu Jingcheng’s intentions: if he wanted to kill her, the courier inn was no place to linger.

“Leave Xize and go to North Hao?” Mei’er teased.

“Why North Hao? Are there no other countries?” Yin Qingyue frowned. With her current condition, she couldn’t resist others, and staying near Chu Jingcheng was humiliating.

“Miss, where should we go? Alone, without the protection of Prince Jing, isn’t it dangerous?”

“First, give me the medicine,” Yin Qingyue smiled. Her priority was recovery.

“Miss, drink while it’s hot.” Mei’er placed the bowl down and hurried out, not wanting to become a burden. Wherever they went, she would follow.