MCSCPM -Chapter 22 Threats

Xing’er froze, a bad premonition slowly rising in her heart. “What… do you mean?”

“What I mean? Don’t you understand, Miss Xing’er?” Yin Qingyue smiled charmingly, the playful glint in her eyes making Xing’er momentarily stunned.

Xing’er blinked and lowered her voice unconsciously. “I… how would I know?”

“It’s fine if you don’t know. Just remember this, Miss Xing’er: in a man’s heart, a woman’s position is exactly as I just said.” Yin Qingyue smiled lightly.

Seeing the complicated expression on Xing’er’s face, Yin Qingyue narrowed her eyes, and her expression instantly turned cold. “But unfortunately, in the eyes of the world, the order is exactly reversed: stealing is worse than being a concubine, and concubine worse than wife!”

Xing’er shivered all over, her voice trembling. “W-What… do you want?”

“I don’t want anything. What does your lifelong affair have to do with me?” Yin Qingyue raised an eyebrow lazily.

“You’re talking nonsense!” Xing’er bit her lip, trying to argue.

“Even if you are a young lady, it doesn’t change the fact of theft. Stealing is worse than being a concubine—that’s the reality! Do you think a palace maid who had a casual fling without a match is fit to be a proper official’s wife? Don’t forget, even palace guards have ranks!” Yin Qingyue mercilessly shattered Xing’er’s illusions.

“What do you want? I’ll tell you now—even if you know, you can’t do anything to me!” Xing’er’s face showed panic. She wiped the thin sweat from her forehead, her breathing erratic.

“I don’t want anything. Rather than saying I want to harm you, it’s better to say I want to help you.” Yin Qingyue said, then smiled at Xing’er.

She leaned close to Xing’er’s ear and whispered, “That person… is now under my control. Understand?”

“What? You?” Xing’er’s eyes widened in disbelief, and a sneer slowly formed on her face.

“If you don’t believe me, go ask him. See if your beloved brother dares to disobey me.” Yin Qingyue teased, and the words made Xing’er shiver all over.

Fuming, Xing’er tried to step forward and cover Yin Qingyue’s mouth. “What nonsense are you talking? Do you want to die?!”

“If I were you, I wouldn’t be doing something so reckless right now. I can make him listen to me, control him. With just a few words from me, he would obey.” Yin Qingyue looked at Xing’er coldly, smiling faintly.

She poked Xing’er’s forearm, and Xing’er felt a sudden numbness, involuntarily flinching and retracting her hand.

Yin Qingyue smiled charmingly. “What, you think you can move me?”

Xing’er froze. The gleam in Yin Qingyue’s eyes—bright and cunning—almost mesmerized her. She finally regained her composure and stomped angrily. “What do you want? I’m just a palace maid; I can’t help you!”

“Stay away from me. That’s the greatest help you can give me. You see, what I hate most are tails—those who sneak around behind me!” Yin Qingyue’s playful expression faded, and her tone turned calm.

“Is that all? Nothing else?” Xing’er blinked in surprise, unconvinced.

“If you want more, I can write you hundreds of things right now,” Yin Qingyue said coldly, with a faint sneer.

Xing’er was speechless. After a moment, she said, “I understand. I won’t follow you again, but you absolutely cannot tell anyone about me!”

“Now it’s me making demands, and you only have to obey! Who gave you the right to set conditions for me? Don’t forget, you’re the one with the leverage!” Yin Qingyue said lightly.

“I understand.” Xing’er bit her lip, tears of anger brimming in her eyes. She had never imagined that her leverage would fall into the hands of this ugly girl!

This girl in Luochen Courtyard, whom everyone thought they could bully, was now climbing above her!

Yin Qingyue glanced at Xing’er and immediately knew what she was thinking. She smiled faintly. “If it’s in my hands, it’s not shameful. If you’re unhappy, go ask that person. See for whom he works and whether he does so willingly!”

Xing’er paused, gazing into Yin Qingyue’s beautiful eyes. She wiped her tears and pressed her lips together, angrily saying, “I will go ask.”

With that, she turned and ran off.

Yin Qingyue watched her retreating figure, the corners of her lips curling with amusement. How interesting—at this rate, both of this “little couple” would eventually end up under her control.

Though Prince Jing had caused her a lot of trouble, he also gave her many advantages. At least now she was becoming increasingly skilled at leveraging power as a shield.

In high spirits, Yin Qingyue squatted down to continue picking Guanyin vegetable, humming a modern tune as she worked.

Meanwhile, Mei’er stayed at a distance, afraid to get too close, and didn’t catch the full conversation between Xing’er and Yin Qingyue.

All she saw was Xing’er arrogantly coming to provoke her mistress, then leaving with her head down, seemingly avoiding Yin Qingyue entirely.

Mei’er thought, with a complex mix of admiration and worry: her Miss had truly changed—strong and fearless. But what had she gone through outside Luochen Courtyard to mature and grow so quickly into this capable and formidable figure?

Miss was the eldest daughter of the Yin family, supposed to be pampered and highborn, not disguised in ugly makeup, outwitting servants in the garden!

Covering her eyes, Mei’er let out a low sob. Her Miss had endured so much.

Elsewhere, Nanny Zhao raised her chin high, glaring at the trees outside the door. The cicadas chirped as she panted heavily.

Her thick black brows knit tightly as a wave of irritability rose within her. Fingers adorned with jade rings slammed a teacup onto the table.

“That Yin Qingyue… that shameless girl! She provokes me every day! If I don’t deal with her, I’ll never get relief!” Nanny Zhao growled, baring her teeth.

“Yes! That ugly girl is insufferably arrogant. The other day, she even dared to offend you!” a woman standing nearby whispered, inciting her.

Seeing Nanny Zhao even angrier, the woman held a pink handkerchief to her mouth, sneering with disdain.

Though Luochen Courtyard was simple, life was leisurely. When bored, the women liked stirring trouble. So ugly, weak Yin Qingyue became everyone’s favorite target. Everyone wanted to step on her.

“Go fetch that shameless girl!” Nanny Zhao’s dull eyes glinted as she schemed, giving orders to the woman.

“Got it!” the woman said briskly, heading to find Yin Qingyue.

“Yin Qingyue, why are you lingering under the tree? Nanny Zhao’s looking for you!” the woman called out, full of contempt.

Yin Qingyue glanced at her coldly, wrapped the herbs she had collected, and sauntered gracefully toward the building.

The woman watched her elegant figure with jealousy, turning her mouth down in disdain.

“What use is a pretty figure if your face is ugly?” she muttered.

“Oh? Jealous, are we?” Yin Qingyue’s voice was clear and sweet, like a golden oriole in a secluded valley. She wasn’t angry but smiled at her provocateur.

“You—” the woman was speechless, her face flushed with rage.

“Hmph! Do you really think your figure is so great? Did I say my figure is good? Ugly people always cause trouble!” the woman protested.

“Did I say my figure is good? I only said it’s enviable. Some people can’t wait to throw themselves in, but others are flat as a board.” Yin Qingyue didn’t even glance at her.

“You!” the woman’s face turned red again.

“What are you two fighting about? Nanny Zhao wants everyone in the hall!” a little maid called out, glaring.

“Talking to this ugly girl lowers my status!” the woman spat.

“The ugly girl is talking to me,” Yin Qingyue said calmly, not at all angry.

“You’re the ugly one! How did someone so ugly survive?” the woman yelled.

“You just need to ask yourself,” Yin Qingyue smirked and stepped outside.

The woman fumed, her face burning, but could do nothing.

Encounters like this happened to Yin Qingyue several times a day; she had long since gotten used to them. She didn’t care what people thought of her appearance. Compared to surviving safely, what did ugliness matter? Survival was the only path—one must learn to bend and adapt. Her lips curved lightly, eyes bright with confidence.

“Miss, Nanny Zhao wants everyone to gather in the hall. Are we going?” Mei’er asked, concerned.

“Yes, why not?” Yin Qingyue replied calmly.

“I just… I feel something bad might happen,” Mei’er said, frowning in worry.

“When bad things come, they will come. You can’t always think about running away. Confront Buddha, kill Buddha. Confront God, kill God!”

Bathed in sunlight, Yin Qingyue’s eyes sparkled with confidence.

Mei’er froze again, staring at her radiant figure.

“Miss…” Mei’er murmured.

“Let’s go. It’s getting late,” Yin Qingyue said with a slight smile, walking toward the hall.

“Yin Qingyue, you really are something else, only coming out after being called so many times!” Nanny Zhao’s sharp, piercing voice rang out as they entered.

Mei’er clenched her hands tightly, worry etched across her face.