MCSCPM -Chapter 236 Invitation to the Flower Viewing Banquet

However, at Yin Qingyue’s private residence on the outskirts of the capital, the scene was quite different—completely unlike what Shangguan Jiao Ran imagined.

Outside the estate stood a line of palace guards. What Jiao Ran didn’t know was that they weren’t there on the Emperor’s orders to arrest Yin Qingyue; it was Consort Lan who had come to see her.

Consort Lan rarely left the palace, so her sudden visit surely had a purpose.

After sending off Chu Jingcheng, Yin Qingyue noticed the palace guards and was slightly surprised.

Just then, Mei’er ran out of the house, anxiously pulling Yin Qingyue inside. “Miss, someone from the palace has come—it’s a consort!”

Yin Qingyue, curious, went in and saw Consort Lan dressed in luxurious brocade. Her attire was elegant and proper, with a golden dangling hair ornament, extremely magnificent.

Seeing the ornament, Yin Qingyue immediately understood her identity. “Your humble servant Yin Qingyue pays respects to Consort Lan.”

When Lan Ruo saw her, Yin Qingyue’s beauty and composure struck her. She had delicate, fair skin and a confident demeanor—a true image of a cultivated young lady.

Indeed, she was breathtaking. Lan Ruo, who had long considered herself beautiful, had to admit she was slightly outshone. Yin Qingyue combined the soft elegance of a Western Ze girl with the boldness and grandeur of a North Hao woman—truly rare in the world.

How could such a beauty have been rumored to be unattractive?

Lan Ruo thought this but showed no expression. Instead, she became curious and asked gently, “How did you know I’m a consort?”

Yin Qingyue lowered her eyes politely and said, “I only guessed, and it seems I was correct.”

In fact, the golden hair ornament alone proved her status. Only two people could wear it—the Empress and a consort. Since the death of the Empress, the Emperor had not remarried. Thus, she must be a consort.

“Guessed? Truly clever. No wonder Prince Jing cherishes you so much, not even caring for the daughter of the Shangguan family,” Lan Ruo remarked.

At this, Yin Qingyue became cautious. The visitor did not seem friendly, and the mention of Shangguan Jiao Ran suggested she was probing for information.

“Your Highness, you are exaggerating.”

“Not at all. Everything I say is the truth.”

“Your Highness… I wonder why you came here all of a sudden?” Yin Qingyue asked carefully.

Lan Ruo had maintained a gentle, poised, and benevolent demeanor since her arrival. “Now that the tales of the Divine Physician have spread across the capital, it has become a celebrated story.”

“Your Highness, I am Yin Qingyue, the title ‘Divine Physician’ is far beyond what I deserve,” Yin Qingyue replied humbly.

“Yin Qingyue?” Lan Ruo considered the name carefully. “Such a good name, and not only that—the person behind it is even more beautiful.”

Every sentence from Lan Ruo was praise, but this clever woman’s intentions were unclear, leaving one guessing.

Yin Qingyue remained cautious, keeping her gaze and demeanor restrained.

With a slight frown, she lowered her head and said, “Thank you for your praise, Your Highness. But your beauty is rare in this world; I am far from matching it.”

“You have a sweet tongue. Very well, I shall be candid. I came to invite you to the Flower Viewing Banquet at the palace, to taste the Qiongjing Yulu wine, a favorite of North Hao women. The flavor is mild but exquisite,” Lan Ruo said, a small smile playing at her lips.

The Flower Viewing Banquet occurred only once a year, and Qiongjing Yulu was exclusive to the royal family. Moreover, the banquet was typically for the daughters of high-ranking ministers or the consorts. Lan Ruo inviting Yin Qingyue was unusual.

It served two purposes: to curry favor with Prince Jing and to gauge the Divine Physician’s abilities.

Yin Qingyue did not want to get involved in the royal family, yet somehow, she was being drawn in.

She politely declined. “Your Highness, what merit do I, Yin Qingyue, have? I am neither a minister’s daughter nor a palace woman. It would be inappropriate for me to attend. I am grateful for your kindness, but simple fare here suffices for me.”

She deliberately emphasized the last sentence, adding weight to her refusal.

Hearing this, Lan Ruo teased lightly. “Why not? Prince Jing values you so much. In the future, you may be connected to the royal family. Attending the palace is inevitable—why not go now?”

Yin Qingyue’s face darkened slightly, but keeping her head low, she forced a smile and said softly, “Your Highness, you must be mistaken. Your words put me under pressure. I am truly sorry to disappoint your kindness.”

“In short, you still don’t wish to enter the palace,” Lan Ruo said.

“Your Highness, you have made a special effort to come. This honor should not be refused, but I fear I am unworthy and might trouble you, so I must respectfully decline,” Yin Qingyue said calmly.

Though they had spoken only briefly, Lan Ruo found Yin Qingyue hard to read.

After a pause, she relaxed her expression and smiled. “It seems no matter how warmly I invite you, you won’t be swayed. I dislike forcing someone to do what they do not want, so very well.”

Yin Qingyue remained impassive. “Thank you, Your Highness.”

“Very well. Since you won’t go, I shall return to the palace.” She stood, appearing somewhat regretful—though whether genuine or for show was unclear.

Yin Qingyue bowed once more. “Seeing off Your Highness.”

“No need. I smell medicine in this room—your health may not be well. Take care of yourself; a woman’s body is more precious than a man’s,” Lan Ruo reminded sincerely.

“Thank you for your concern, Your Highness.”

“Very well. I shall return to the palace.”

Though she had been tricked by Yin Qingyue’s subtle defiance, Lan Ruo showed no embarrassment—likely due to her rank.

Once outside and in her carriage, Lan Ruo finally relaxed. Yin Qingyue had refused a personal invitation. It was like a slap to the face—painful, yet she couldn’t react openly.

She marveled at Prince Jing’s choice: a woman not only beautiful but also tactful and poised, surpassing even a consort in grace. She found herself feeling a hint of jealousy.

“Yin Qingyue, who exactly are you?” Lan Ruo murmured to herself.

Returning to the palace, after a long ride, she was naturally tired and planned a short nap.

At that moment, the Emperor arrived at her chamber. Lan Ruo instantly became alert, greeting him gently. “Your Majesty, why are you here now?”

Chu Helian’s expression was serious. “My dear, I am here regarding the Flower Viewing Banquet. You’ve been preparing it, haven’t you? How is it going?”

Ah, he was concerned about the banquet. Lan Ruo’s eyes briefly darkened with disappointment, but she still smiled gently. “Your Majesty, rest assured. I’ve handled such affairs before. Everything has been carefully arranged—I will not let anything go amiss.”

“Good. I trust your work.”

“Your Majesty, you came personally. Surely it’s not only to ask me these matters? In previous years, you left it entirely to me. Why the change now?” Lan Ruo asked cautiously.

Chu Helian did not beat around the bush. He looked at her seriously. “My dear, regarding this banquet, I have one task for you.”

“What task?” Lan Ruo suddenly felt nervous.

“You must invite someone—Yin Qingyue, the Divine Physician—to attend the Flower Viewing Banquet in the palace.”

Lan Ruo was slightly surprised, though not entirely unexpected. Calmly, she explained, “Your Majesty, I already visited her. But she refused, insisting she does not wish to enter the palace. I tried to persuade her, but she would not relent.”

“You already went?” Chu Helian asked in surprise.

“Yes. Since the Divine Physician cured Lady Ding’s daughter, I thought to invite her to show appreciation. But she was unwilling, so I could not force her.”

Her expression looked innocent.

Chu Jingcheng (Prince Jing) had not expected her to be so proud, refusing even a consort’s kind invitation. The more she resisted, the more intrigued he became.

Frowning, he commanded sharply, “If she will not come voluntarily, then bring her here with my imperial order.”

This startled Lan Ruo. If the Emperor’s order was involved, Yin Qingyue had no choice—unless she dared defy it.

Before she could dwell on it, Chu Helian narrowed his eyes. “You went to the outskirts without consulting me? Explain this.”

Lan Ruo immediately knelt, trembling slightly. “Your Majesty, I did not dare. As I said, I went because she healed Lady Ding’s daughter and spared trouble for Lord Ding and General Shangguan. I only wished to thank her for relieving the Emperor’s worries.”

Chu Helian, satisfied with her explanation, spoke softly, “Very well, my dear. I am not here to punish you.”

Lan Ruo rose silently.

“Now you must go again, carrying my imperial order. She must attend the Flower Viewing Banquet,” he said sternly, his tone an order.

Helpless, Lan Ruo had to go again. With the Emperor’s decree, Yin Qingyue could no longer refuse—unless she truly feared death.

Half an hour later, Lan Ruo arrived at Yin Qingyue’s estate for the second time that day.

Mei’er hurried her inside, nervously bowing. “Where is our lady?”

“She is bathing, Your Highness. She may not have expected you to come again, so could not greet you personally. Please forgive us,” Mei’er said anxiously.

Since Yin Qingyue was bathing, Lan Ruo could only wait, kindly telling Mei’er, “It’s alright. I will wait here. You need not serve me—please go.”

“Yes, Your Highness,” Mei’er said, hurrying out.