MCSCPM -Chapter 242 Reading Her Thoughts

By chance, all of Liu Sishui’s thoughts were read clearly by Yin Qingyue. This woman truly had too many schemes in mind.

“Your Ladyship,” Yin Qingyue said, “Qingyue thanks you for your hospitality, but it’s already quite late.”

Liu Sishui stared at Yin Qingyue without blinking, as though admiring a rare treasure.

“It’s like this, Miss Yin. When I visited the Noble Consort’s palace earlier, we only met briefly and didn’t have time to talk properly. I simply wanted to invite you over for a chat—there’s no other intention.”

“Is that so?” Yin Qingyue replied, deliberately sounding vague.

“Oh right—how about coming to stay in my palace for a few days?” Liu Sishui suggested. “You’ve been in Beihou for quite some time now. There must be many interesting things no one has told you. If you come, I’ll tell you all about them.”

“Well…” Yin Qingyue deliberately put on a troubled expression.

“Are you worried about Noble Consort Lan?” Liu Zhaoyi said with a smile. “It’s fine—I’ll send someone to speak to her. She can’t possibly keep you to herself forever, can she?”

Even the word ‘keep’…

Yin Qingyue understood perfectly what Liu Zhaoyi was thinking. As a mother, she was indeed thinking far too much—going to great lengths to keep her here while waiting for her son to return.

Being pushed into something that felt like matchmaking at this level left Yin Qingyue utterly speechless.

“Your Ladyship, to be honest with you, Qingyue has already promised Noble Consort Lan to stay in her palace for a few days. How about this—I’ll be sure to come visit Your Ladyship often and keep you company for conversation,” Yin Qingyue said tactfully. She would much rather stay with Noble Consort Lan than with this overly doting mother.

With Yin Qingyue declining so politely, Liu Zhaoyi could hardly openly oppose Noble Consort Lan. She could only let it go.

“Alright then,” she said. “But you must promise me that you’ll stay in the palace a few more days. This is the first time I’ve ever liked a woman this much. Seeing you feels like seeing my own daughter. If possible, I truly wish I had a daughter like you.”

“Thank you for Your Ladyship’s fondness. You are kind and approachable—it’s just that Qingyue doesn’t have such fortune.”

“You do, you do. Perhaps in the future…” Liu Sishui suddenly stopped mid-sentence, smiled, and said, “Alright, let’s not talk about that. I had some pastries prepared for you—things you won’t find in the Noble Consort’s palace. I’ll have the servants pack them up for you to take back.”

Yin Qingyue did not refuse and nodded.

This woman is far too deep, she thought. Stopping halfway through her words—the so-called ‘future’ is nothing more than hoping I become Princess Ling, isn’t it?

“Thank you for Your Ladyship’s reward. I won’t disturb you further. When I have time, I’ll come again to chat with you.”

“Good. I’ll be waiting.”

With that, Liu Zhaoyi ordered the prepared pastries to be brought out and instructed several eunuchs and palace maids to escort Yin Qingyue back.

Yin Qingyue finally let out a sigh of relief, carrying the heavy box of pastries as she left Liu Zhaoyi’s palace.

She really wanted to tell Liu Zhaoyi that Prince Ling knew best what kind of woman he wanted—why should his mother trouble herself so much?

But then she thought that by the time Prince Ling returned, she would likely already have left the palace. A few words exchanged for appearance’s sake would be enough.

After Yin Qingyue left, Liu Sishui sighed. “This Miss Yin is truly gracious and proper. Compared to her, all those women around Ling’er are nothing at all. It seems I must have Ling’er return to the palace as soon as possible.”

A palace maid who had been attending her stepped forward and asked softly, “But Your Ladyship, with Prince Ling as he is now, he likely won’t return.”

“He must return, whether he wants to or not,” Liu Sishui said solemnly. In her heart, she thought how much she liked Yin Qingyue. If her son truly married her, he might finally settle down and earn the emperor’s approval.

On the other side, Yin Qingyue returned to Noble Consort Lan’s palace.

As soon as she entered, she saw Lan Rao anxiously waiting for her. Seeing her return safely, Lan Rao finally relaxed.

“What happened? Why did Liu Zhaoyi summon you so late?” Lan Rao asked, full of questions.

Yin Qingyue replied calmly, “Please don’t worry, Your Ladyship. Liu Zhaoyi only invited me over to talk. She asked me to stay in the palace a few more days—she probably wants me to meet Prince Ling.”

“What? She really said that?” Lan Rao exclaimed.

“Not exactly,” Yin Qingyue replied. “Perhaps Qingyue is overthinking it. Your Ladyship shouldn’t take it to heart.”

Not take it to heart? How could she not?

Liu Sishui clearly knew that Lan Rao had no children and was trying to win over Prince Jing, deliberately matching Yin Qingyue with him. Yet Liu Sishui wanted Yin Qingyue to marry Prince Ling—this was openly stepping in the middle and opposing her.

“Qingyue, listen to me,” Lan Rao said earnestly. “I truly treat you like my own daughter. Prince Ling is frivolous and unlearned, but Prince Jing is different. He’s the emperor’s favorite son and the most outstanding one. And he treats you so well.”

“I understand Your Ladyship’s meaning,” Yin Qingyue replied. “But what about Liu Zhaoyi’s side?”

“Just pretend you never heard anything she said. I’ll handle it.”

Lan Rao wished she could tear Liu Zhaoyi’s mouth apart, but she carefully concealed that emotion.

“It’s getting late. Go rest now. Don’t worry—I won’t put you in a difficult position.”

“Yes. Qingyue will take her leave.”

As Yin Qingyue lifted her eyes, she deliberately observed Lan Rao’s expression. Behind that gentle smile was deep dissatisfaction and anger toward Liu Zhaoyi.

This is exactly what I wanted, Yin Qingyue thought.

She had intentionally said those words to make Lan Rao anxious, pushing her to deal with Liu Sishui. With the two women fighting each other, wouldn’t she herself be free and unbothered?

Thinking this, Yin Qingyue smiled inwardly.

Back in her room, Lian’er came in to attend her, tidying her clothes while asking worriedly, “Miss Yin, are you alright?”

“What could be wrong?”

“I saw that you were gone for so long, so I got a bit worried.”

Yin Qingyue felt that Lian’er resembled Mei’er very much. Suddenly thinking of the box of pastries Liu Zhaoyi had given her, she took it out and placed it on the table.

“Lian’er, come here.”

“Yes, Miss Yin?”

“These are pastries rewarded by Liu Zhaoyi. I heard the Noble Consort’s palace doesn’t have them. Here—take them all.”

Lian’er was startled and hurriedly shook her head. “I can’t, Miss Yin! I’m just a servant. These were given to you by Liu Zhaoyi—how could I take them?”

“If I say you can take them, then you can. Take them all. If you can’t finish them, share them with others.”

“Miss Yin, I really can’t. If Noble Consort Lan finds out, I’ll be punished,” Lian’er said with her head lowered, nearly kneeling.

Yin Qingyue’s expression turned serious. She picked up the box and firmly shoved it into Lian’er’s hands. “Don’t worry—no one will know. Even if the Noble Consort finds out, just say I gave them to you. And stop calling yourself ‘this servant’ in front of me. The more you do, the more uncomfortable I feel.”

Hearing this, Lian’er’s eyes reddened and she began to sob softly.

For a servant like her, encountering a master like Yin Qingyue was truly a blessing in this lifetime.

“Miss Yin, you’re really kind.”

Yin Qingyue couldn’t stand seeing people cry. She quickly took out a handkerchief and wiped her tears. “Alright, don’t cry. Take the pastries away. You don’t need to attend me anymore.”

“Yes. Thank you, Miss Yin.”

How pitiful, Yin Qingyue thought.

Red walls and green tiles—this is where a woman’s glory and wealth begin, but also where lifelong imprisonment begins.

She sighed, filled with sorrow.

Enough—after such a tiring day, she had no heart left to think further.

That night, Yin Qingyue had a dream.

She dreamed of Chu Jingcheng returning from the prefectures, riding on horseback to her side, extending his hand toward her.

In that moment, she seemed to let go of all burdens and all weight. She reached toward that place filled with light, and with a pull from Chu Jingcheng, she was lifted onto the horse behind him.

Laughing and talking, they galloped across the grasslands.

The dream was so beautiful that it felt unreal.

When she awoke, daylight had already come.

Even after waking, the dream lingered in her heart. That scene—so carefree and beautiful. Yet once she opened her eyes, all she saw were walls on every side.

She shook her head, unwilling to let herself sink into it. A beautiful dream was, after all, just a dream.

After washing and dressing, Lian’er brought in a bowl of plum soup.

“Miss Yin, try this—it’s delicious,” she said, placing it on the table.

As Yin Qingyue was still at her dressing table, Lian’er stepped forward and inserted a simple, elegant hairpin into her hair. Looking at her reflection in the bronze mirror, she exclaimed, “Miss Yin, you’re truly beautiful.”

“You little rascal,” Yin Qingyue said with a smile. She walked to the table, looked at what Lian’er had brought, and asked, “What is this?”

“This is plum soup. It’s the eldest princess’s favorite, and the Noble Consort likes it too. It’s very good for the skin—though you’re already so beautiful, drinking it is just for the taste.”

“Oh? It even has beauty-enhancing effects?” Yin Qingyue laughed. “Then I must try it.”

She lifted the bowl and took a small sip. It was smooth on entry, then sweet and sour. The flavor was indeed wonderful—it was no wonder the Noble Consort loved it.

“It really is good,” Yin Qingyue praised.

“Yes. The Noble Consort often says the same. She must drink a bowl every day. Today she asked this servant to bring one for you as well.”

“Lian’er, help me thank the Noble Consort.”

“Yes.”

Although Yin Qingyue said it was good, she only drank a few sips before setting it aside. Stepping outside, she looked up at the sky—it seemed gloomy today, as though the weather was about to change. She wondered if it would rain.

At the same time, in the main hall of the Noble Consort’s palace…

Lan Rao was also savoring a bowl of plum soup. She had just set it down when loud commotion erupted outside, growing noisier all the way to the main hall.

“Who is making such a ruckus?” Lan Rao said angrily. “Bring them to me!”

When had anyone dared to cause such chaos in her palace?

As a palace maid was about to investigate, a voice rang out from outside:

“It’s this princess. Does the Noble Consort intend to drive me out?”

The person hadn’t appeared yet, but her voice came first.

Lan Rao recognized it immediately—the Eldest Princess had arrived.

Moments later, the Eldest Princess stormed in, her face full of arrogance. She wore a red outfit and held a red whip in her hand, clearly here to cause trouble. In that manner, she bore more than a slight resemblance to Shangguan Jiaoran.