MCSCPM -Chapter 163 Capturing Mei’er

Meanwhile, the atmosphere in the Eastern Palace was particularly tense.

Nangong Xiao’s expression was grave. Even though Yin Qingyue had escaped the sacrificial rites, given the Emperor’s temperament, he would surely capture her.

“Report, Your Highness: Lord Xuan Guan has led the imperial guards to the capital courier inn to capture Mei’er.”

“Along the way, explain to me again, and lead your troops immediately— the faster, the better!” Nangong Xiao’s face was full of worry.

Mei’er was Yin Qingyue’s weak point. If she were captured, Yin Qingyue would find it nearly impossible to escape death.

“Your Highness, the troops are ready.”

“Go to the capital courier inn! I will get there ahead of Xuan Guan!” Nangong Xiao waved his whip, his eyes shining with determination.

“Your Highness, Xuan Guan is capturing Mei’er to fill the sacrificial vacancy,” a nearby guard explained.

“But choosing Mei’er to replace her is clearly targeting Yin Qingyue!” Nangong Xiao suddenly realized. Once the sacrificial rites began, Yin Qingyue’s death was inevitable.

“Hurry! If you’re late again, you’ll all die!”

Nangong Xiao had already missed once. He would not let Yin Qingyue suffer harm again. The pain of watching the woman he loved face death had been unbearable, and he would not endure it a second time.

“Your Highness, Lord Xuan Guan is just ahead of us,” the guard said excitedly.

“Quick, catch up to him!”

At this moment, Yin Qingyue’s life rested in Nangong Xiao’s hands. If they could only speed up a little more, hope would be within reach.

“Lord Xuan Guan, halt!” Nangong Xiao shouted sternly.

“Ah!” Xuan Guan immediately dismounted and bowed slightly to the prince.

“I pay respects to Your Highness,” Xuan Guan said.

“Rise!” Nangong Xiao commanded.

“Your Highness, may I ask why you are in such a hurry?” Xuan Guan casually glanced at the prince’s troops behind him—they were impressive in number.

“Today, I stop you from capturing Mei’er!” Nangong Xiao said each word with authority.

“Your Highness… did I hear incorrectly? Capturing the maid Mei’er is the Emperor’s command. Are you going to defy it?” Xuan Guan sneered.

“You heard correctly.”

Just as Chu Jingcheng could risk everything for Yin Qingyue, Nangong Xiao could also defy the Emperor for her.

“You may be disappointed, Your Highness!”

Before Xuan Guan could finish, he leapt onto his horse and raced toward the capital courier inn.

“Chase him!”

Nangong Xiao’s troops could not compare to the imperial guards. Soon, Xuan Guan was far ahead.

“Yin Qingyue, wait for me! I will not let anything happen to you!” Nangong Xiao kept whipping his horse forward.

Outside the capital courier inn, the imperial guards had already surrounded the building completely. Escape was impossible.

“Let’s see where you intend to flee this time,” Xuan Guan said coldly.

The imperial guards were personally appointed by the Emperor—an extremely formidable force. A fly could not escape from the inn.

“Seize the maid Mei’er!” Xuan Guan said each word with authority.

“Yes, sir.”

“Wait!” Nangong Xiao shouted.

At this moment, he no longer cared about consequences. If defying the Emperor could save Yin Qingyue, he would do it, even if it meant death.

“Charge!”

As Xuan Guan’s words fell, a large wave of guards surged toward the inn.

“If you want to enter, you’ll have to step over my body first!” Nangong Xiao sneered.

“Your Highness, I cannot obey. I serve the Emperor’s command,” Xuan Guan said, his eyes fierce.

“Someone, take the prince away!”

Swish! A sword was drawn from its scabbard.

“Looks like this will be entertaining!” Xuan Guan smirked.

With the prince’s strength, he could not hold out for even an hour before being defeated by the imperial guards—but he was willing to wait that hour.

Inside the capital courier inn:

“Your Highness, the inn is surrounded by Xize’s imperial guards,” Leng Yi reported seriously.

“I’ll go see for myself,” Chu Jingcheng said.

“No, my lord! How dare we trouble you to act personally? Let me go,” Leng Feng interrupted, eager to stretch his limbs.

“This is my doing. I will go,” Yin Qingyue said with sharp authority.

“You? Don’t be a burden—better stay in your room,” Leng Feng shook his head.

Yesterday, he had seen Mei’er bring a bowl of ginseng soup. With Yin Qingyue’s frail body, resisting the imperial guards was impossible.

“Miss Yin, you should rest. I will handle this matter,” Chu Jingcheng said as a white figure swiftly disappeared into the crowd.

Outside, chaos had erupted.

“Your Highness, stop now! One ugly girl isn’t worth risking your life over.”

“I’ll show you what’s what!” A cold sword blade shot toward Xuan Guan.

“Lord Xuan Guan, you’re bleeding!” a nearby guard exclaimed.

“Your Highness, don’t blame me for being ruthless,” Yu Chi said, a trace of blood at the corner of his mouth.

Xuan Guan leapt off his horse, drew a guard’s sword, and struck at Nangong Xiao.

Swish! The sword instantly snapped.

“You dare act recklessly in my territory?”

In an instant, everyone present was stunned. In a blink, Xuan Guan’s sword was broken.

Across the world, only Prince Jing could match this level of power.

“Pay respects to Prince Jing,” Xuan Guan said, sweat soaking his back.

“Two options: leave or die,” Prince Jing’s cold gaze surrounded him, sending chills down the spine.

“Prince Jing, spare me! I act under the Emperor’s orders to take Mei’er for the sacrifice! It’s for Xize’s people and the diplomacy of both countries!”

“This is your last chance. Leave, or die,” Prince Jing narrowed his eyes, having seen such tricks countless times.

“If Prince Jing won’t show mercy, don’t blame the swords,” Xuan Guan shouted. “Everyone, capture Mei’er at all costs! Generous reward awaits!”

“My lord, leave this to me. No need for you to act,” Leng Feng said with a smile.

Leng Feng alone charged into the imperial guards’ formation.

“Do you really think you can defeat the imperial guards?” Xuan Guan watched, curious.

But Leng Feng scoffed. “Imperial guards? I don’t even consider them!”

In less than the time of a single incense stick, all the guards around the inn were down, screams filling the air.

“Imperial guards? Not even fit to sweep the floors! And you expect my lord to fight personally? Insulting him!” Leng Feng twirled his fingers, eyes gleaming with pride.

“You useless lot! Why haven’t you attacked yet?”

“What, want to feel your tendons cut?”

“Lord Xuan Guan… this…?” The guards stepped back nervously. All were serving the Emperor, but no one wanted to risk their lives foolishly.

“Attack!” Yu Chi shouted.

“Leng Yi, come have some fun!” Leng Feng said with a wicked grin.

A white figure darted through the crowd, blinding light flashing.

In an instant, the imperial guards fell one by one.

“This useless lot! What use are you, if you can’t even capture a maid?” Xuan Guan shouted, furious.

Hundreds of imperial guards had been defeated by just two subordinates—it was ridiculous.

“Prince Jing, wait for me! Xize may lose today, but next time we’ll fight!”

Turning, Xuan Guan and the remaining soldiers slunk back to the palace in defeat.

Chu Jingcheng smirked. “With such strength, you dare oppose me?”

“My lord, these people are too weak. Claiming to be imperial guards—how laughable!” Leng Feng sneered.

“This time, thanks to Prince Jing’s help, Yin Qingyue is safe! Many thanks!” Nangong Xiao said, pain in his heart.

He had been too weak to protect the woman he loved.

“What I do doesn’t require gratitude,” Chu Jingcheng said, waving his sleeve as he turned away.

At that moment, Nangong Xiao truly understood the gap between himself and Chu Jingcheng. Regarding the sacrificial rites, he hadn’t dared save Yin Qingyue, merely because he was the Crown Prince. And now, he couldn’t match Chu Jingcheng in words or actions.

Inside the capital courier inn:

“Your Highness, did I do well just now?” Leng Feng laughed. Having lingered in Xize for so long without drawing his sword, today was truly satisfying.

“Pack up. We return home,” Prince Jing said, a cold smile at the corner of his mouth.

“My lord… did I hear correctly?”

Chu Jingcheng nodded slightly. Staying in Xize would only invite trouble; he did not wish to linger.

“Are we taking Yin Qingyue as well?” Leng Feng asked, displeased.

“Enough talk. Go pack!” Leng Yi, usually silent, couldn’t help but laugh.

Prince Jing looked toward the palace, deep in thought.

He knew the Emperor had already sent a messenger to his father. If he didn’t return soon, trouble would arise again.

And Yin Qingyue? How could he leave her behind?

The woman who stripped him—she would be disciplined properly.