MCSCPM -Chapter 18 Hoisted by Her Own Petard

Mei’er followed orders and lay down on the low couch inside to sleep, but Yin Qingyue wasn’t even the least bit sleepy. She began calculating how to speed up her physical recovery.

After about an hour, having worked out a plan, she finally lay down to rest.

Although Yin Qingyue had agreed to clean the courtyard for a month, Nanny Zhao wouldn’t let her off so easily.

That day, just as the guards finished cleaning the courtyard, Yin Qingyue was about to rest against a tree when Nanny Zhao, twisting her body, swaggered over. Yin Qingyue couldn’t help but roll her eyes internally.

“You lazy girl! You’ve already finished cleaning the courtyard and want to rest? Get back to work!” Nanny Zhao squinted, her chin raised as if she could look down on everyone.

Mei’er, annoyed, pouted and muttered, “The work is already done!”

“Already done?” Nanny Zhao eyed them suspiciously.

“Don’t cut corners! I told you, since you agreed to clean for a month, you’d better give it your all! If I catch any slacking, this matter won’t end well!” Nanny Zhao glared at Yin Qingyue as she spoke.

Yin Qingyue’s expression turned slightly cold. Mei’er’s words, though a bit forward, were the honest truth.

The guards, now intent on currying favor with Prince Jing, had carried out her instructions diligently. The courtyard might not have been spotless, but it was certainly very clean.

If even that wasn’t enough for Nanny Zhao, life here would truly be unbearable! Anger rose in Yin Qingyue’s heart, but her sharp, perceptive eyes quickly came up with a plan.

Feigning hesitation, she grabbed Mei’er’s hand and shook her head.

With a sweet, delicate smile, she looked at Nanny Zhao. “Nanny, today Mei’er and I really did our best to clean the courtyard, but it seems it still doesn’t meet your standard.”

She lowered her head as if in difficulty, then continued, “In that case, cleaning simply isn’t suitable for us.”

Her small, cherry-like lips curled slightly as she added, “Here’s an idea: I know that bowl costs five coins. I’ll compensate you for one bowl, and you can hire someone else to clean the courtyard for a month.”

Nanny Zhao’s face stiffened immediately. Regret welled up inside her. She had meant to make things difficult for Yin Qingyue, but instead, she had hoisted herself with her own petard.

Yin Qingyue smirked inwardly. She and Mei’er had conceded so much, yet Nanny Zhao still wasn’t satisfied—she would learn firsthand the consequences of her own greed.

Even Mei’er couldn’t help but laugh quietly at the scene.

Nanny Zhao’s thick lips pressed together, her earlier arrogance gone, and she huffed through her nose. She cursed herself for not thinking it through—no matter how ugly or poor these two girls were, they could afford a five-coin bowl.

Yet hiring someone to clean Luocheng Courtyard again would cost at least a hundred coins. Why should she spend her own money? Never!

She cleared her throat twice, glanced at Yin Qingyue and Mei’er, and said, “Fine, fine. That’s enough for today. I’ll let it slide. But tomorrow, clean it properly!”

She turned and left, almost running, bouncing her backside as if afraid Yin Qingyue would pursue her.

Mei’er stuck out her tongue at Nanny Zhao’s retreating figure and turned to Yin Qingyue in indignation. “Miss, Nanny Zhao really hoisted herself with her own petard this time! For a single bowl, we agreed to clean Luocheng Courtyard for a month, and she’s still not satisfied!”

Yin Qingyue’s lips curved. “Greedy and never satisfied, like a snake trying to swallow an elephant. Some people only focus on immediate gain and fail to see the dangers lurking behind small profits. If we weren’t under her roof, I could make this ungrateful woman suffer anytime.”

Mei’er nodded, half understanding, and pouted. “Miss, I really shouldn’t have persuaded you to return to Luocheng Courtyard—I got all worked up for nothing.”

Yin Qingyue smiled, comforting her. “There’s food and shelter here, so it’s not all bad. Don’t worry; sooner or later, we’ll leave this place.”

After saying this, she fell into thought. Nanny Zhao’s blatant bullying stemmed from her life under her supervision. To be free, she needed sufficient strength so that no one could control her. For now, she wasn’t there yet; to leave Luocheng Courtyard, she would need to become stronger.

Thinking of this, she looked at Mei’er. “Mei’er, I’m going out for a while. If anyone asks, just tell them I’m asleep.”

Mei’er paled. “Miss, you’re going out again?”

Yin Qingyue smiled faintly. “If I stay here forever, I’ll never find a way out. Danger and opportunity always go hand in hand.”

Mei’er could only nod, worried. “Miss, you must be careful outside!”

Yin Qingyue changed clothes. With the lead guard’s help, leaving wasn’t a problem.

After leaving Luocheng Courtyard, she searched for an apothecary to prepare her herbs. Time flew, and soon it was noon. She found a tavern to have a meal.

As she stood before Full Moon Tavern, she suddenly noticed the familiar flash of rough cloth at a street corner.

Her delicate brows furrowed—someone she had seen before. She went upstairs to the second floor, deep in thought.

Upon entering, the waiter greeted her warmly, showing no disdain for her plain appearance. “Welcome, sir. What would you like?”

Yin Qingyue thought a moment. “Is there a table on the second floor? Take me there, by the window.”

The waiter nodded, towel on his shoulder, guiding her up politely.

It was mealtime, so the second floor was fairly crowded. One window table remained. Yin Qingyue ordered a simple bowl of noodles and a small dish, dismissed the waiter, and scanned the street outside.

She noticed several men skulking at the corner. They soon emerged, pointing toward the tavern, and began approaching it.

Yin Qingyue frowned—they were the same burly men from yesterday, still relentless. She pounded the table in irritation—sticking like chewing gum!

The waiter had just served the meal, and Yin Qingyue ate while plotting a way to escape.

After thinking for a while, she decided not to confront them directly—her body still wasn’t fully recovered.

She set down her chopsticks and called, “Waiter, come here!”

The waiter approached promptly. “Yes, sir? What can I do for you?”

“Where’s your restroom? I’m feeling a bit uncomfortable,” Yin Qingyue said, feigning constipation.

The waiter’s expression changed slightly, and he pointed. “That way, down the stairs, back, then out the rear door and turn right. Please go ahead.”

Yin Qingyue followed his directions, sneaking out the rear door toward the restroom, only to bump into the burly men.

Her expression darkened. She hastened into the restroom and peeked through the door crack, noticing the men blocking the entrance.

She rolled her eyes and stomped her foot—today, escape seemed impossible.

Steeling herself, she pushed the door open. “What are you doing blocking the restroom?”

To her surprise, the men weren’t aggressive like the other day.

The leader stepped forward, frowning but smiling wryly. “Miss, can we discuss this? We’ll pay double. Sell us the dang gui.”

Ah, still after the herbs. Yin Qingyue raised an eyebrow and smiled. “These dang gui are hard-won. I need them myself. I can’t sell them.”

The leader’s face darkened, but he quickly masked it with a cruel grin. “Bah! You’re being difficult. Hand them over, or we’ll kill you!”

Another burly man grabbed his arm, whispering, “Boss, she’s ugly but belongs to Prince Jing. The powerful man from yesterday—he went into Prince Jing’s residence!”

Realizing his lapse, the leader forced a smile. “Miss, just sell us the dang gui. Five times the price is fine.”

Yin Qingyue looked at the men and realized she couldn’t fight directly—she had to outsmart them.

Feigning fear, she shivered. “Don’t hit me! I’ll give them to you. I put them upstairs; I’ll go get them now.”

The leader seemed relieved but quickly assumed a menacing look. “Hmph. About time. Go get them!”

Yin Qingyue nodded and hurried into the tavern.

Some of the men felt uneasy. “Boss, is it safe letting her go in alone?”

The leader waved dismissively. “What’s there to fear? We’ve blocked both the front and back doors. She’s small and weak—how could she escape? No need to follow her upstairs and downstairs.”