MCSCPM -Chapter 172 The Women of Luocheng Courtyard Are Freed

In Xize’s capital, the deeds of the divine physician had already spread like wildfire; even the imperial palace was not exempt.

In the Imperial Study:

“Father, I suppose you’ve already heard about the situation in Jiangnan,” Nangong Xiao said.

That morning, he had heard the rumor: in Jiangnan, an unattractive female physician had not only cured the plague afflicting the people but had also resolved the flooding.

“I have already heard,” Nangong Lin said, his gaze cold and steady. There was no way Nangong Xiao could know the news before him. Without thinking, he knew it was Yin Qingyue who had solved the problem.

“Now that the Jiangnan plague has been resolved, Father, do you still believe that only a ritual offering can save the people of Xize?” Nangong Xiao said, each word imbued with authority.

Nangong Lin slowly rose and approached him.

“Truly my son, Nangong Xiao, is as stubborn as I am!” Nangong Lin said with a smile.

When he learned that Yin Qingyue had resolved the Jiangnan plague, he felt more surprise than anger. Although he valued metaphysics, it had always been for the people of Xize. From the moment the diviners predicted disaster for Xize, he had worked tirelessly to prevent it—even if it meant sacrificing hundreds of women, he would not hesitate.

“I understand, Father, that your concern is for the people of Xize. Now that the plague is solved, shouldn’t the women of Luocheng Courtyard also be released?” Nangong Xiao asked with a smile. If he could persuade his father to release the women, Yin Qingyue would also be saved.

“You would risk your position as Crown Prince just to save those women?” Nangong Lin asked, trying to suppress his anger.

“Father, that is not my intention. You are obsessed with the rituals, yet unaware that saving the people of Jiangnan will prevent your reputation from being tarnished,” Nangong Xiao explained.

Nangong Xiao was no longer the same as before. He needed to regain the crown prince title to secure the throne.

“You are right! I misjudged you!” Nangong Lin said with a smile. He understood the reasoning behind his son’s words.

“Now, the matter that troubled me most has been resolved. Xize will be at peace!”

“I will immediately restore your position as Crown Prince and entrust Xize to you. How could I not feel at ease?”

The moment Nangong Lin finished speaking, Nangong Xiao knelt before him.

“Father, now that everything is resolved, what shall be done with the women of Luocheng Courtyard?” Nangong Xiao’s eyes gleamed with satisfaction.

“Release them all!” Nangong Lin said each word with imperial authority.

“Yes, Father! I will attend to it immediately!”

The Imperial Study quickly returned to calm.

Nangong Lin stood alone by the window, lost in thought.

He had trusted metaphysics for many years, never having been proven wrong. He had assumed ritual offerings could save the people of Jiangnan, but unexpectedly, Yin Qingyue—a mere woman—had accomplished such feats.

What puzzled him was why Yin Qingyue chose to save the people of Jiangnan. At the ritual platform, he had been ready to kill her. Now she acted to aid Xize—was this to make amends?

Though Nangong Lin speculated, he could not discern her true intentions.

“Bring me the imperial edict!” Nangong Lin said with a cold smile.

He was old now. In a few years, once Nangong Lin ascended the throne, he would feel completely at ease.

“By the mandate of Heaven, the Emperor decrees: due to the meritorious counsel of Nangong Xiao, his position as Crown Prince is hereby restored. The Third Prince will remain in Jiangnan. It is hoped that Nangong Xiao will diligently fulfill his duties and assist the Emperor. So commanded!” The shrill voice of Eunuch Li echoed through the Eastern Palace.

“Congratulations, Your Highness!” Eunuch Li said obsequiously, surprised that Nangong Xiao had restored his title in just a few days.

“Thank you for your advice, Eunuch Li,” Nangong Xiao said, a cold smile curling at the corner of his lips.

“It is Your Highness’s steadfastness that has earned this outcome!”

“I will remember your words, Eunuch Li.”

At this moment, Nangong Xiao knew that to secure the throne, he had to gradually win over those close to the Emperor. Even if he disliked Eunuch Li, he would suppress it.

At Luocheng Courtyard:

“The Crown Prince has arrived!”

“Old servant greets the Crown Prince,” Nanny Zhao said quietly, fearing any mishap.

“Stand and speak. By order of the Emperor, the women of Luocheng Courtyard are to be disbanded and return to their homes,” Nangong Xiao said coldly.

“Did I hear correctly?” Nanny Zhao looked in disbelief. If the women were released, there would be no benefits left for her.

That morning, Nanny Zhao had heard that the unattractive divine physician had saved Jiangnan from the plague. She never imagined it was true. The Crown Prince disbanding the women of Luocheng Courtyard also meant Yin Qingyue had a chance to survive.

“Do I need to repeat what I said?” Nangong Xiao said with a cold laugh.

“Old servant meant no disrespect! The Emperor is merciful. These women now have a chance to live, and I am happy for them!” Nanny Zhao said, smiling outwardly but feeling like her heart was bleeding.

Now, Luocheng Courtyard was just an empty shell. All of this was due to Yin Qingyue. Those who had suffered in the academy had seen a different ending unfold.

“Then convey the order immediately!” Nangong Xiao barked. Anyone who had harmed Yin Qingyue would face consequences.

He walked toward the room Yin Qingyue had once stayed in.

“Your Highness, that room is empty. It might be inconvenient for you to enter,” Nanny Lai said nervously.

“Do you think I need you to stop me?” Nangong Xiao said coldly.

“Old servant dares not!” Nanny Zhao knelt, though in her heart, she thought that even if Yin Qingyue had left Luocheng Courtyard, she would still be controlled by her influence.

“Yin Qingyue, you woman, you’d better have died early,” Nanny Zhao cursed silently.

A white figure slowly moved into the room.

“Qingyue, thank you,” Nangong Xiao said with a smile.

The room still seemed to carry her scent.

Wherever he stepped, his pain grew. The familiar scenes remained, but she was gone.

At this moment, Nangong Xiao told himself that only by ascending the throne could he protect the one he loved. He understood that if not for Yin Qingyue helping with the Jiangnan floods, his future would have been bleak.

“Qingyue, wait for me,” Nangong Xiao said with a smile. Everything he had done was for her.

What he did not understand was why Yin Qingyue, who had been traveling with Chu Jingcheng to Beihao, appeared in Jiangnan to save the people from the plague. A warm feeling surged in his heart.

“Could it be that Qingyue saved the people of Jiangnan for me?” he wondered.

Meanwhile, the imperial palace was filled with joy over the salvation of Jiangnan from the plague.

Inside Luocheng Courtyard:

“Send word immediately! The Jiangnan floods and plague have been resolved. All the ritual women of Luocheng Courtyard are to return home at once!” Nanny Lai said, each word authoritative.

This was the last time she would issue orders there. She would persist, no matter what.

“Nanny Zhao, is this true?” Several women asked in disbelief, as if dreaming.

“The Crown Prince came personally. Could it be false?”

“Can we leave now?”

“All the ritual women of Luocheng Courtyard, return home!”

“We can go home!”

The women cheered, tears of joy glimmering in their eyes.

Unbeknownst to them, all of this was thanks to Yin Qingyue. Those who had been bullied in Luocheng Courtyard now experienced a different ending.

“Nanny Zhao, why are the women freed?” Xue Zhenyu asked, approaching slowly. The sudden freedom did not bring her joy but worry.

“Why, do you wish to stay here forever with me, old maid?” Nanny Zhao sneered.

Xue Zhenyu laughed coldly. “Old hag, you want me to stay with you here? In the next life, maybe!”

“You… you little girl! Don’t think that just because you’ve left Luocheng Courtyard, life will be easy. Were it not for me, would you even be alive?” Nanny Zhao snapped.

“Then should I thank you for your great kindness?”

“Someone, take her away!”

In an instant, Xue Zhenyu grabbed Nanny Zhao’s hand. “Now it is the Emperor’s decree. If you harm me, are you trying to offend the Emperor?”

“Xue Zhenyu, when did you learn Yin Qingyue’s ways?” Nanny Zhao sneered, recognizing the familiar face she could never forget even in death.

“I never thought you missed that ugly woman so much. Enjoy your afterlife with her!” Xue Zhenyu said, making sure to return all the suffering she had endured.

“Hah, you lot! If not for Yin Qingyue saving Jiangnan, would you even walk out alive?”

“Yin Qingyue?” Xue Zhenyu’s eyes widened. The woman she had dreamed of killing had saved all the women of Luocheng Courtyard?

“Enough! Leave quickly. I don’t want to see you again!” Nanny Zhao said impatiently. Luocheng Courtyard would finally be quiet, with no one coming for revenge.

“Thank you for the Emperor’s mercy!” the women cried, though inwardly they questioned the value of their lives, once used for rituals at will.

“Nanny Zhao, you will guard Luocheng Courtyard and grow old alone!” Xue Zhenyu said coldly. She never wanted to return.

Soon, led by the guards, the women walked out of Luocheng Courtyard.

Watching them leave, Nanny Zhao felt uneasy. Though Luocheng Courtyard had always been quiet, now it was empty, and she had grown accustomed to wielding control over the ritual women.

A sharp voice rang from behind: “Nanny Zhao, keep this room clean.”

“Yes, Your Highness. I will assign people to clean daily, you have my word,” Nanny Zhao said with flattery.

For Nangong Xiao, preserving the place where Yin Qingyue once stayed was a memory in itself.

“No need. I will have it cleaned personally. Guard it well. No outsiders allowed,” Nangong Chen said calmly.

In an instant, he changed his mind. Anything related to Yin Qingyue had to be done by his own hands to ensure peace of mind.

“Qingyue, this is all I can do for you. Take care,” Nangong Lin said, gazing at the distant sky, a look of sorrow on his face.