MCSCPM -Chapter 25 Leaving Luochen Courtyard Again

After hearing this, Mei’er looked at Yin Qingyue with a mix of doubt and trust, clearly still not fully convinced.

Yin Qingyue smiled. “Mei’er, when have I ever lied to you? Your Miss, am I now the kind of person to suffer losses willingly?”

Mei’er couldn’t help but laugh through her tears. Yes—her mistress had changed. She was no longer the foolish girl who quietly endured being bullied.

If that was the case, trusting her mistress once more wouldn’t hurt.

Seeing Mei’er believe her, Yin Qingyue went on to explain the Guanyin vegetables in detail and even shared some tasty cooking methods.

After listening, Mei’er volunteered to make dinner for Yin Qingyue, and Yin Qingyue let her.

Being from a well-off household, Mei’er’s cooking skills were exceptional. Even the first time she prepared Guanyin vegetables, it turned out delicious, leaving Yin Qingyue fully satisfied.

After finishing the meal, Yin Qingyue stretched, feeling that her body had improved somewhat after consuming sesame, peanut husks, and Guanyin vegetables over the past few days.

She thought for a moment and decided to press on: first restore her health, then make her plans.

Those who had harmed her would definitely be repaid—one by one!

The thought flashed across Yin Qingyue’s mind. She smiled slightly and began thinking about how to regain her strength.

Exercising after dinner would help her body absorb the medicinal ingredients better.

With that in mind, Yin Qingyue called Mei’er. “Mei’er, I’ll be going out for a while. Watch the courtyard carefully. If anyone comes by, just say I’m sleeping.”

Having spent the past couple of days with Yin Qingyue, Mei’er trusted her words and abilities more and didn’t stop her. She only nodded. “I understand. Be careful, Miss.”

“Don’t worry. I have it under control. But you… be careful too, all alone in Luochen Courtyard.” Yin Qingyue felt a strange unease for a moment but quickly dismissed it.

Yin Qingyue would never face an insurmountable obstacle or an undefeatable enemy.

Leaving the courtyard, she followed the path she knew well, slipping out quietly. Because of a lingering sense of unease, she didn’t notice she had a tail.

Once Yin Qingyue was out of the courtyard, a figure emerged from behind a tree. On closer look, it was Xing’er.

Xing’er frowned, looking at the now-empty courtyard and lowering her head in thought.

There was too much mystery surrounding Yin Qingyue. Could she really have a backer who made the guards obey her willingly?

Impossible. This ugly girl, having entered Luochen Courtyard, could not possibly have anyone protecting her.

Biting her lip, Xing’er’s gaze drifted. What should she do with this ugly girl? Yesterday, she had wanted to bully her but had been threatened instead.

Just thinking about Yin Qingyue holding leverage over her made Xing’er restless.

Her eyes hardened. She decided to find her mistress first. Rather than letting Yin Qingyue threaten her, she would take care of Yin Qingyue first.

Turning around, she returned to Xue Zhenyu’s courtyard.

Xue Zhenyu had just finished dinner and was lying on her couch. Seeing Xing’er return, she didn’t even lift her head. “Where were you wandering again? Get back to copying sutras! You haven’t finished today’s quota!”

Xing’er bit her lip and leaned close. “Miss, I encountered something just now.”

Xue Zhenyu opened her eyes and glanced at her. “What’s so important you had to come back and tell me?”

Xing’er hesitated, then whispered into her ear: “I just saw that ugly girl, Yin Qingyue. She snuck out of Luochen Courtyard!”

Xue Zhenyu sat up abruptly, incredulous. “What? That ugly girl… snuck out of Luochen Courtyard?”

Xing’er nodded firmly. “I saw it with my own eyes. It’s absolutely true.”

“That girl is audacious beyond reason! Ugly enough to disgust anyone, yet she dares to do this! Let’s see who can protect her now!” Xue Zhenyu slammed the couch and stood, furious.

“Miss, calm down. I think this isn’t so simple,” Xing’er hurriedly stepped forward to soothe her mistress.

“Not simple? It’s just that audacious ugly girl! This time, I’ll make sure she doesn’t get away!” Xue Zhenyu said coldly.

“Miss, she’s been audacious before. How is it that she’s never caught?” Xing’er frowned.

Xue Zhenyu paused, thinking. “Indeed, it’s not the first time she sneaked out. Last time, she was taken to a dark room by Nanny Zhao… yet she came out unscathed.”

“I also think something is off about her. That’s why I reported her sneaking out, so you can decide what to do,” Xing’er lowered her head, hiding her unease.

“No matter what, I will never let that ugly girl off. Just seeing her makes me sick!” Xue Zhenyu’s eyes gleamed with a deadly light.

“What do you plan to do, Miss?” Xing’er asked, seizing the opportunity.

“We must devise a flawless plan. That monster must have some tricks; otherwise, she couldn’t have survived the dark room unharmed,” Xue Zhenyu pondered.

“I think so too. But Miss, who exactly is backing her?” Xing’er probed cautiously.

“How should I know? But if she survived Nanny Zhao’s hands, her status must not be ordinary,” Xue Zhenyu said after thinking.

“If her backer saved her from Nanny Zhao once, I don’t think they could do it twice. These days, when Nanny Zhao troubled her, no one even spoke up for her,” Xue Zhenyu said confidently.

“So… Miss, you mean…” Xing’er’s eyes lit up, clearly realizing something.

“Let’s go find Nanny Zhao. I don’t believe she’ll ignore her!” Xue Zhenyu smiled smugly.

But soon, her expression darkened. Every time she met that old woman, she had to bring a piece of jewelry to appease her for a good expression.

That old woman was no good! When Xue Zhenyu had the chance to rise in status, the first thing she would do was toss that old woman off a cliff.

She sifted through her jewelry box, finally selecting a pearl and silver hairpin, tucking it into her sleeve, and led Xing’er to Nanny Zhao.

At that moment, Nanny Zhao was enjoying dinner in her courtyard, pleased with her own cleverness.

Though Yin Qingyue had scolded her that morning, she had punished the ugly girl, saving her dinner—and even her lunch.

Saving the ugly girl’s meal money was enough for her to add a meat dish daily!

Picking bits of meat from her teeth, Nanny Zhao squinted in satisfaction, as if she were biting into Yin Qingyue herself.

“Zhenyu pays respects, Nanny. Are you eating?” When Xue Zhenyu entered Nanny Zhao’s courtyard, this was the scene she saw.

She cursed the old woman in her mind. They were the important ladies of Luochen Courtyard, yet could only eat coarse meals daily. And this old woman—she got to eat meat!

Why should she have such good food? She’s just a useless old woman!

Though thinking this, Xue Zhenyu still put on a meek expression and respectfully greeted Nanny Zhao.

“Oh? Miss Xue, what brings you here?” Nanny Zhao grinned broadly, showing no teeth.

Xue Zhenyu’s family had some status. Every time she visited, she gave a small gift, and today might bring more silver.

Thinking this, Nanny Zhao’s chubby face lit up. She twisted her body and pulled Xue Zhenyu closer. “Miss Xue, stand up.”

“Thank you, Nanny.” Xue Zhenyu silently cursed the old woman. How dare she touch her?

Xing’er smiled faintly behind her, eyes glinting with pleasure. That ugly girl, Yin Qingyue, was in for big trouble today. Let’s see if she dares act so brazenly again!

“Miss Xue, why come at this hour? Curfew is almost here,” Nanny Zhao said, teasing her since Xue Zhenyu hadn’t offered money yet.

Xue Zhenyu stiffened, cursing inside. That greedy old woman—she just delayed giving money, yet she dares to threaten her!

Xue Zhenyu forced a smile. “Miss Zhenyu just encountered something and wasn’t sure what to do, so came to ask Nanny. Forgot the time—please forgive me. This hairpin is for Nanny’s drink.”

With that, she produced the pearl-and-silver hairpin from her sleeve and handed it to Nanny Zhao.

Nanny Zhao examined it, then tucked it into her bosom, smiling. “Well said, well said. I’m not that unreasonable. What matter brought Miss Xue all the way here?”

Xue Zhenyu’s smile brightened, her eyes flashing coldly. “It’s about that ugly girl, Yin Qingyue.”

“That ugly girl caused trouble again?” Nanny Zhao’s eyes widened.

“This… Miss Zhenyu isn’t sure if it’s proper to say. If it will make Nanny uncomfortable, perhaps not…” Xue Zhenyu carefully tested Nanny Zhao’s reaction.