MCSCPM -Chapter 248 Seeking an Audience with the Emperor

Anyone with half a mind could tell that Chu Helian’s words were spoken in irony.
What he truly meant was that he did not want anyone to know about this matter—but news, once leaked, could not be sealed, and it had already spread.

Ding Heng stepped forward, looking somewhat anxious. “Your Majesty, this matter concerns Prince Jing’s safety. We ministers are also extremely worried, which is why we entered the palace together, hoping to learn how things stand now.”

“The two of you show such concern for Jing’er—this is truly his good fortune,” Chu Helian said. “I will not hide it from you. Jing’er has indeed encountered an assassination attempt. At present, his whereabouts are unknown. I have already dispatched people to search for him, and I believe there will be news soon.”

“Then may I ask whether Your Majesty has already found out who is behind this?” Shangguan Qingyun asked.

Chu Helian shook his head. His fist lightly struck the arm of the dragon throne, outwardly calm yet inwardly troubled. “The people I sent out have not yet returned. This matter cannot be concluded for now. As for whether Jing’er has come to harm, that is still unknown. But as a son of the dragon, he is surely blessed by heaven.”

Upon learning that the news was true, the ministers looked at one another. Shangguan Qingyun and Ding Heng exchanged glances, then quickly looked away. The grudge formed between them earlier still lingered.

However, for the sake of their respective daughters, they temporarily endured it.

Shangguan Qingyun was also extremely anxious and quickly said, “Your Majesty, why not allow this minister to send people to search as well? That way Prince Jing can be found sooner.”

Chu Helian raised his hand to refuse. “No need. I have already sent people out. I originally did not wish to alarm anyone. Since you ministers now know of this matter, it must not spread among the common people, lest it cause unnecessary trouble.”

“Yes. Your Majesty’s consideration is thorough,” they replied.

“Since you all understand the situation, leave the palace at once. This matter must not be publicized,” Chu Helian said. After a pause, he suddenly asked, “Very few people knew about Jing’er’s departure from the capital to the prefectures. So why would someone attempt to assassinate him?”

To put it plainly, Chu Helian’s suspicions had flared up again, and he seemed to deliberately point the spear of doubt toward the court officials.

Everyone began discussing the matter, hands spread in helpless gestures, as though each person were entirely innocent.

Ding Heng and Shangguan Qingyun understood Chu Helian’s meaning. The Emperor was directing suspicion toward them. While suspicion was necessary for a ruler, it also had its drawbacks.

“Your Majesty, the most important thing now is to find Prince Jing. Only then will we know who is truly responsible. No matter who it is, this person must be eliminated,” Shangguan Qingyun said righteously, also trying to clear himself.

Ding Heng naturally could not sit by idly. He shot Shangguan Qingyun a glare and said, “That’s right. If the murderer is found, killing her ten thousand times still wouldn’t be enough.”

The two of them went back and forth until Chu Helian’s head began to ache.

“Enough. All of you may withdraw. I am somewhat tired,” she said.

Everyone understood the implication. “Then we shall take our leave.”

The ministers filed out, but Shangguan Qingyun and Ding Heng, with remarkable tacit understanding, turned back again.

At this moment, Eunuch Sun saw that the ministers had come out while Yin Qingyue was still waiting outside. His heart softened, and he decided to go in and report to the Emperor.

But as soon as he entered, he discovered that Shangguan Qingyun and Ding Heng had not yet left. He hurriedly bowed in apology. “This servant did not know the two lords were still here. Please forgive me.”

Eunuch Sun was about to withdraw when Chu Helian stopped him. “Eunuch Sun, what is it? Speak plainly.”

Seeing Shangguan Qingyun and Ding Heng present, Eunuch Sun hesitated somewhat.

“I told you to speak. Since when have you become so hesitant?” Chu Helian said.

“Replying to Your Majesty… it is Miss Yin requesting an audience. She has been waiting outside for half an hour. This servant thought the lords had all left and only then came in to report, not expecting General Shangguan and Lord Ding to still be here.”

“The divine physician? What business does she have?” Chu Helian asked.

“She says it concerns Prince Jing.”

Chu Helian’s face darkened at once, a trace of anger surfacing. She detested women interfering in governance. Even if her son liked her, she would not allow such involvement.

“Tell her that I will not see her. Jing’er’s matter involves many parties. Moreover, women should not interfere in state affairs. Does she not know this?”

“Yes. This servant will go reply at once.”

Eunuch Sun withdrew with the order. Yin Qingyue was still waiting outside and immediately stepped forward when she saw him. “Eunuch, is His Majesty willing to see me?”

“Miss Yin, His Majesty still needs to discuss matters with the two lords and cannot see you. You should return,” Eunuch Sun advised.

Since the Emperor had already issued his order, she would not be able to see him today no matter what. Not wanting others to see how anxious she was, she chose to retreat for now and return to the Consort’s Palace.

“Thank you for your trouble, Eunuch. Qingyue thanks you.”

“Miss Yin is too polite. It was nothing.”

“Then Qingyue will take her leave.”

Yin Qingyue looked unwillingly toward the Imperial Study one last time before finally leaving.

She thought to herself that if Prince Jing had truly met with trouble, the most worried person must be the Emperor. He would surely have sent people to search for him. With the Emperor’s power, finding one person would not be difficult.

Yet just now, Chu Helian had refused to let her enter. Ding Heng then thought about it and said,
“Your Majesty, that divine physician is not an ordinary person. Perhaps she has the quickest solution. Why not—”

“Lord Ding,” Chu Helian interrupted, “since ancient times, women have not been allowed to meddle in governance. You know this well. A woman should remain in the inner palace.”

“Though that is so, this minister believes the divine physician is not an ordinary woman. She may well be able to find Prince Jing. Delaying even a little could mean additional danger for him,” Ding Heng pleaded earnestly.

Upon hearing this, Shangguan Qingyun was, of course, displeased. His daughter had told him many times that Prince Jing liked to go to the outskirts of the capital to seek out the divine physician. The implication was obvious. If Yin Qingyue were allowed to search for Prince Jing and he survived, wouldn’t that bring them together? What then of his own daughter?

“What Your Majesty says is correct,” Shangguan Qingyun said pointedly. “No matter how capable the divine physician may be, she is still a woman. Since ancient times, women have not governed. This is an ancestral rule. How can we allow the divine physician to interfere?”

Ding Heng was naturally dissatisfied with Shangguan Qingyun opposing him yet again. Chu Helian’s head was already throbbing. Before the two could start arguing, she cut in first.

“Enough. I have my own plans. Everything will wait for news. You two may return now. I am tired.”

“Yes. This humble minister takes his leave.”

Chu Helian supported her forehead with one hand and waved them away.

Shangguan Qingyun and Ding Heng had no choice but to withdraw. As they came out, they faced each other coldly without speaking.

Shangguan Qingyun wondered whether Ding Heng cared so much about Prince Jing this time because of his own daughter. But he himself was also acting for his daughter. Another grudge was thus formed. Little did he know that Ding Heng’s anxiety was actually for Leng Feng—his future son-in-law.

“Lord Ding, let us temporarily set aside our past matters. This time our positions are the same—we are not enemies,” Shangguan Qingyun said, eyes forward, though his words were directed at Ding Heng beside him.

Ding Heng could not accept this at all and laughed outright. “General Shangguan, you are mistaken. I am not on the same side as you. You act for your daughter; though I also act for mine, you do it for Prince Jing. I do not.”

“What do you mean by that?” Shangguan Qingyun asked, confused.

Shangguan Jiaoran had not told him about Ding Ying and Leng Feng. During those three days of unconsciousness, he had nearly forgotten the matter entirely.

Ding Heng had no intention of continuing the exchange. He strode off, tossing out a cold remark. “General Shangguan, we are not on the same side. You would do well to understand that clearly.”

How tactless. Shangguan Qingyun felt nothing but disdain.

Since he was so tactless, there was no need for Shangguan Qingyun to continue offering warmth to a cold face.

Consort’s Palace

As soon as Yin Qingyue returned, Lan Rao pulled her over and asked, “Qingyue, did you go to see the Emperor?”

“Yes, but His Majesty did not see me,” Yin Qingyue replied softly.

Lan Rao was truly anxious. She took Yin Qingyue’s hand and comforted her. “Qingyue, don’t worry. Prince Jing is a war god, after all—not just anyone can get close to him. He will be fine. Besides, he is the Emperor’s son, protected by true dragon fortune. Nothing will happen to him.”

“I’m not worried,” Yin Qingyue said, turning her head away so the woman would not see her true feelings.

“At a time like this, you may fool others, Qingyue, but you cannot fool this palace. You are deeply worried about Prince Jing yet unwilling to say it. Holding it all in like this—don’t you find it unbearable?” Lan Rao said.

Yin Qingyue herself felt conflicted. She was not even certain of her own feelings, yet this woman asserted them so confidently, unafraid of being wrong.

“Your Ladyship truly worries too much,” Yin Qingyue replied. “Qingyue has said before—Prince Jing once saved me. If something has happened to him, of course I would be concerned. That is why I wished to see the Emperor and ask about Prince Jing’s situation.”

“Since you put it that way, I cannot twist your intentions, even if I may be overthinking it,” Lan Rao said. “But if something truly happened to Prince Jing, it would be I who would feel most distressed.”

She was indeed deeply distressed and had not recovered even after several hours.

Yin Qingyue could see Lan Rao’s concerns clearly. If Prince Jing were to meet with disaster, her dream of relying on him would be shattered, and so would her supposed support.

“Your Ladyship need not worry. Just as you said, Prince Jing is the Emperor’s son. He is surely protected by true dragon fortune.”

“Yes. Protected by true dragon fortune—he will certainly return safely,” Lan Rao said.

Yin Qingyue’s emotions were complicated, and she had no mood to speak further. After offering a salute, she withdrew.

She wondered whether she should remain in the palace and wait for news of Prince Jing. But she did not know how long it would take to receive word of his safety. Moreover, she had long since ceased to wish to stay in the palace.

Her sense of conflict only deepened.

Lian’er came in carrying a bowl of plum soup. Knowing Yin Qingyue was in a bad mood, she dared not disturb her and only said, “Miss Yin, you haven’t eaten anything all day. This servant made some plum soup for you. Please eat a little.”

“No need. Take it away.”

“But how can you not eat anything? Even a little would be good,” Lian’er urged.

Yin Qingyue sighed. Seeing how worried Lian’er was, she finally took the bowl, sipped one spoonful, and then put it down.

“I truly have no appetite. Lian’er, take it away. Don’t worry about me—I’m fine. I just want to calm down,” Yin Qingyue said, turning her back and saying no more. Her hands, however, were clenched tightly. She hid all her emotions deep inside—yet the deeper she buried them, the heavier her heart became.

Lian’er hesitated for a moment, then could only carry the plum soup out.