MCSCPM -Chapter 239 Arranged Meetings in Ancient Times

Yin Qingyue glanced at Ding Ying, feeling a bit helpless. “Consort Lan, I won’t trouble you in the palace any longer. I think I should go to Ding Ying’s home instead.”

Ding Ying understood what Yin Qingyue meant and quickly spoke to Consort Lan, “Yes, Your Highness. Today, Miss Yin will stay at my house.”

Lan Ruo, however, didn’t look very pleased, though she still smiled politely. “Miss Ding, your illness just recovered. If Miss Yin goes, she might end up troubling you. I think it’s better for her to stay in the palace and keep me company. That’s decided.”

She walked up to Yin Qingyue, holding her hand warmly. “Miss Yin, it’s decided. Don’t refuse. Just think of it as keeping me company.”

There was a faint commanding tone in Lan Ruo’s words. Yin Qingyue knew that if she tried to leave, this woman probably wouldn’t allow it.

Caught in a dilemma, she had no choice but to concede. “Very well, then I will stay and accompany Your Highness today.”

“That’s better. Send Miss Ding home.”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

A few palace guards stepped forward. Ostensibly, they were there to escort Ding Ying, but it had the unmistakable air of imposition.

Ding Ying had no choice but to bow and leave, casting one last helpless glance at Yin Qingyue.

Lan Ruo escorted Yin Qingyue to her own private chambers.

Her residence was undoubtedly the finest among all the consorts’ quarters, staffed with countless palace maids.

“Miss Yin, stay here a few days and treat this as your home. You can also talk to me during this time,” Lan Ruo said.

Talk? Was Consort Lan really planning not to let her leave?

Mei’er at home was surely worried sick.

Yin Qingyue could only nod. Lan Ruo instructed the maids to take her to bathe first.

“You must be tired after a long day. I’ll have them take you to bathe.”

“Thank you for your kindness, Your Highness.”

“Miss Yin, as I said, treat this place as your home. Be at ease,” Lan Ruo’s eyes were full of sincerity.

Yin Qingyue found this kind of woman terrifying—unreadable, cautious, and clearly not ordinary.

She knew that Lan Ruo’s kindness was likely self-serving, meant to manipulate her in some way.

Bathing in the palace was no ordinary affair. The pool was large—over five feet wide. Yin Qingyue shook her head. Jumping in alone felt intrusive enough; with several palace maids attending her, it would feel unbearable. Even with Mei’er at home, she felt uncomfortable while bathing.

Her naked body being watched by so many? Impossible.

“You may leave. I don’t need your assistance,” she said, intending to dismiss them.

Unexpectedly, all the maids dropped to their knees, trembling, begging, “Miss Yin, did we do something to offend you? It’s our fault! We deserve punishment!”

Yin Qingyue stared in disbelief. Just because of one word, the maids were terrified out of their wits.

“Get up! What are you doing? You didn’t do anything wrong. I just don’t need you to serve me,” she bent down to pull them up. But they refused, shaking all the more.

One by one they kowtowed. “Consort Lan instructed us to serve you. If Miss Yin sends us away, she might think we failed in our duties and punish us.”

“This…”

“Miss Yin, please allow us to serve you.”

Faced with this scene, Yin Qingyue was both speechless and slightly horrified. What kind of person was Consort Lan to terrify the maids so thoroughly?

Deciding to go along with it for now, she called them up. “Fine, you may stay, but stand behind the screen.”

“Thank you, Miss Yin.”

“Now get up!”

The maids rose and obediently stood behind the screen, not daring to approach the pool without instructions.

Bathing alone in such a large pool made Yin Qingyue feel both pampered and nervous.

While soaking, she pondered what Lan Ruo was really plotting. Was it just to curry favor with Prince Jing? Surely she wouldn’t devote so much attention solely to her.

Eventually, she shook off the thought—Lan Ruo wouldn’t harm her.

After the bath, Lan Ruo had a pale red outfit prepared, embroidered with elegant pear blossoms, along with gold and silver jewelry. Yin Qingyue didn’t mind changing into the clothing, but the jewelry was another matter.

She closed the box containing the jewelry and handed it to a maid. “I won’t be needing these. Please thank Consort Lan for me.”

“Miss Yin, this…”

“Enough. Even if you all kneel, I still won’t take them,” Yin Qingyue said firmly. She had been forced to come here by Lan Ruo, and now being asked to wear jewelry was unnecessary. She wasn’t part of the palace; she had no desire to wear it or change herself in any way.

The maids exchanged glances, unsure what to do.

At that moment, Lan Ruo arrived. She had just overheard Yin Qingyue say, “I won’t take them.” Smiling, she waved the maids away.

“Miss Yin, you may rise. There’s no one else here, so formalities aren’t needed. I came to see if you needed anything. I initially thought to let you rest, but I was concerned, so I came. Just now you said you didn’t want them? Didn’t want what?” Lan Ruo feigned curiosity.

“Your Highness, I won’t be staying long in the palace. I have no fortune to enjoy Your Highness’s gifts. I cannot accept this jewelry.”

“Miss Yin, what I give you, you must accept. You cannot disregard my intentions.”

“I absolutely cannot accept it,” Yin Qingyue said, her expression darkening. She felt increasingly uneasy.

Lan Ruo, ever tactful, realized Yin Qingyue truly disliked the gifts. It wasn’t a great loss. “Very well. Since you don’t like them, I’ll take them back. It’s late, so I won’t disturb you further. Rest well tonight.”

“Thank you, Your Highness. I humbly see you off,” Yin Qingyue replied.

Lan Ruo smiled and left. Once the door closed, Yin Qingyue finally felt some peace. She was exhausted and tossed and turned before finally falling asleep.

The next day, news of Yin Qingyue spread quickly through the city. People spoke of her extraordinary beauty and unmatched skill in sword dancing. The mystery surrounding her made everyone curious, eager to catch a glimpse of her.

Soon, the news reached Qingqing. The gold hairpin in her hand dropped, and tears flowed uncontrollably.

A young maid picked up the hairpin and asked curiously, “Miss Qingqing, what’s wrong?”

She said nothing, only dabbing at her tears.

“Don’t scare me, Miss Qingqing.”

“I’m fine,” she choked out.

The maid put down the hairpin, not daring to ask further, and left quietly.

Of course, Qingqing knew who the woman was—the same woman kissed by Prince Jing that day. The thought filled her with sorrow. How could fate be so cruel? Waiting for someone, only to have hope dashed.

“Prince Jing… did you ever truly care for me?”

Tears fell, and her handkerchief was soaked.

Meanwhile, in the consort’s palace…

Liuzhaoyi, Liu Sishui, often visited. Upon hearing that Yin Qingyue had stayed in Consort Lan’s palace instead of returning home, she arrived early.

She found Yin Qingyue and Consort Lan having just finished breakfast.

Seeing Liu Sishui, Yin Qingyue quickly bowed. “Yin Qingyue pays respects to Liu Sishui.”

“No need for formalities. Sit with me,” Liu Sishui said.

“Yes.”

Liu Sishui looked at Yin Qingyue closely. Her beauty was unparalleled. She couldn’t help but praise her: “Yesterday at the Flower Viewing Banquet, your sword dance was marvelous. I saw it from afar, but now up close, Miss Yin, you are truly a rare beauty of this world.”

“You flatter me, Your Highness. I dare not claim such merit,” Yin Qingyue replied modestly.

“Not only is your appearance exquisite, your speech is elegant and refined too!” Liu Sishui continued to lavish praise.

Yin Qingyue thought to herself, it’s better to hide her beauty with makeup; it avoids so much trouble.

Lan Ruo suddenly interjected with a smile. “Liu Sishui, Prince Ling has been away from the palace for about a month now, hasn’t he?”

Liu Sishui tensed. She knew Lan Ruo was deliberately speaking in front of Yin Qingyue. She forced a smile. “Ling’er was sent on imperial business. He won’t be back so soon.”

“Is that so? He is usually reckless. I’m surprised the emperor trusted him with duties!”

“What do you mean by that, Consort Lan?” Liu Sishui’s voice carried restrained anger.

Lan Ruo smiled faintly. “Nothing. He’s not so young anymore. A man must eventually marry and settle down. Liu Sishui, perhaps you should guide him properly, so he won’t cause trouble in the future.”

“Yes, Consort Lan,” Liu Sishui replied, her gaze turning to Yin Qingyue. Even a single glance left her satisfied. She thought, if Prince Ling could marry a woman like Yin Qingyue, he would surely settle his heart.

Lan Ruo nodded. Prince Ling loved beauty. A woman like Yin Qingyue could indeed captivate him.

But Yin Qingyue was not for Prince Ling—Prince Jing came first.

Liu Sishui continued, “I wonder when Miss Yin will have free time. I could arrange for you to meet Prince Ling. How about that?”

Arranged meeting?

The words flashed through Yin Qingyue’s mind. She felt speechless. Arranged meetings were a thing even in ancient times?