MCSCPM -Chapter 181 The Cloaked Night Reconnaissance

At this moment, in the imperial study:

“Your Majesty, I have completed all investigations. Yin Qingyue is indeed living outside the capital suburbs,” a man in black whispered.

“So it’s true…” Chu Haolian’s eyes narrowed slightly, thoughtful.

He recalled hearing from Eunuch Sun that Chu Jingcheng had arranged a residence for Yin Qingyue outside the capital suburbs. At first, he didn’t believe it—after all, this was his own son, and given Chu Jingcheng’s nature, he wouldn’t easily defy orders.

Yet in reality, when Chu Haolian summoned Prince Jing, Chu Jingcheng had already explained the reason for the delay. But Chu Haolian was naturally suspicious, so he only half-believed his son.

“Are you certain it’s his private residence?” Chu Haolian’s gaze sharpened coldly.

The private residence outside the capital suburbs had been a reward personally given by Chu Haolian to Chu Jingcheng after a military victory, and no one had lived there for years. Now, to let Divine Physician stay there temporarily… Chu Haolian couldn’t help feeling some anger.

“Your Majesty, I saw it with my own eyes. Prince Jing’s men headed there with carts full of daily necessities. There’s no mistake,” the black-clad man said calmly. Having been in the outskirts for several days, he could not have been mistaken.

“Leave for now. I’ll summon you if needed,” Chu Haolian said coldly.

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

In an instant, the man disappeared.

Being naturally suspicious, Chu Haolian had secretly organized a team, unknown to anyone. This team mainly collected intelligence, especially to verify the truth of any information for Chu Haolian.

At this moment, the imperial study was empty. Even Eunuch Sun, who had been by the emperor’s side for years, had been sent elsewhere.

“Jing’er is here, and yet you’ve brought Divine Physician there…” Chu Haolian sighed. Few of his sons ever made life easy.

His worry was not about Yin Qingyue, but Chu Jingcheng. The woman’s background was mysterious; if her presence endangered the prince’s status, it could even threaten Beihao’s political stability.

Beihao women were independent-minded, and he feared Yin Qingyue might take advantage of the situation for ill purposes.

“Yin Qingyue… who exactly are you?” Chu Haolian repeated to himself.

If current circumstances continued, he could not be sure if his son would face danger. Though Chu Haolian had yet to appoint a crown prince, Chu Jingcheng was already his choice. If something happened to him, Chu Haolian didn’t know to whom the throne should pass.

“Your Majesty, it’s time for a meal,” Eunuch Sun’s quacking voice arrived.

“Bring it in.”

“Your Majesty, is something troubling you?”

Eunuch Sun entered, carrying the morning meal, swaying as he walked.

“Lately, I feel as if something hasn’t been completed. Can you think of what it might be?” Chu Haolian said helplessly.

“Your Majesty, you work tirelessly on state affairs and your health is poor. Perhaps you should rest,” Eunuch Sun said with concern, though Chu Haolian interpreted it differently.

Was the eunuch implying that due to his age, he shouldn’t occupy the throne and should step down?

“I just feel slightly unwell, but it’s nothing serious. Have some imperial doctors tend to me. Why so alarmed, Sun?” Chu Haolian’s lips curled into a faint, cold smile.

“I only worry for Your Majesty’s health, so you don’t exhaust yourself.”

“Very well. Nothing urgent these past few days, so we’ll forgo court and I’ll return to my chambers to rest,” Chu Haolian said, coughing slightly. Acting the part meant doing it convincingly.

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

“Cough, cough.” Chu Haolian coughed violently again.

“Your Majesty, please take care of yourself.”

In no time, Chu Haolian lay in bed, face pale.

“No one may see me without my order.”

“Your Majesty, rest assured, no one will disturb you,” Eunuch Sun said with fawning respect.

The grand bedchamber was empty. Chu Haolian’s eyes scanned the window—no unusual signs. Using the pretense of illness, he could sneak out unnoticed.

Chu Haolian pondered for a long time, still uneasy about Yin Qingyue. Only by seeing her himself could he be reassured. After all, this woman had caused a huge stir in Xize.

“Order that no one may enter during my convalescence, no matter who!” Chu Haolian shouted.

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

Chu Haolian quickly removed his yellow robe and changed into a guard’s uniform. He had planned everything. Under the cover of night, he would blend in with the guard unit. With the proper identification tag, he could leave the city freely.

No one could stop him—he wanted to see for himself what kind of woman Yin Qingyue was. Unlike other emperors, Chu Haolian personally investigated matters of importance, not just taking reports at face value.

A sovereign disguised as a guard, just to see the woman his son had brought home—he was likely the only one in the world to do this.

Familiar with the palace layout, Chu Haolian soon evaded the guards, exited through a side gate, and hired a carriage to reach the outskirts.

He gazed at the small courtyard before him—the place his son had secretly kept a beauty. He couldn’t help a cold smirk as he quietly entered the courtyard, moving swiftly without alerting anyone.

Inside, Yin Qingyue wore a purple robe, seated at a table. In the flickering candlelight, she studied an ancient medical text she had brought from Xize.

Outside, Chu Haolian’s eyes shifted slightly, taking in the woman quietly reading. Though her face was unusually plain, her aura was extraordinary. A faint cold smile appeared at his lips.

“Who’s there?” Yin Qingyue sensed a prying gaze and called toward the door.

Startled, he lightly leapt onto the roof, silently impressed by her alertness.

Yin Qingyue opened the door—no one was there. But she was certain someone had been peering at her moments ago.

Late at night, her eyes coldly scanned the trees, a faint smirk curling her lips. “If you’ve come, why hide?”

At those words, Chu Haolian landed lightly, eyes gleaming with intent. “How did you know I was in the trees?”

“I didn’t know. I was just testing,” Yin Qingyue said calmly, honestly.

“Heh!” He let out a cold laugh. “What a sly woman.”

Though her tone was calm, it carried a quiet, imposing authority.

Yin Qingyue realized this man was far from ordinary. His poise and aura could not belong to a mere guard.

She instinctively raised a sliver of caution, but her gaze remained serene. “Women and villains are difficult to handle.”

She admitted candidly that women could be just as cunning as men. Why shouldn’t they be?

Her frankness made Chu Haolian pause in thought. Normally, a person in this situation would panic and seek safety. But Yin Qingyue faced him with calm intelligence—she was not simple.

“You truly are as cunning as a scoundrel, and the man you cling to is the pride of Beihao,” the man’s voice echoed from the trees with weight.

Yin Qingyue smiled lightly. “Cling?”

“Not cling. Whose place is this where you live? Yours?”

“No, and naturally not yours either. Prince Jing hasn’t said anything—why do you comment so much? Who exactly are you?” Yin Qingyue replied flatly.

The man’s words dripped with coldness. “Sharp-tongued.”

No wonder my most promising son fell for her. How many women in the world would answer back like this? Truly audacious!