MCSCPM -Chapter 28 Who Are You?

“Mm.” A pained groan escaped Nangong Xiao as he slowly opened his eyes. Seeing Yin Qingyue beside him, he was not surprised, only struggling slightly as he tried to sit up.

Yin Qingyue remained her usual calm self, even though she could see from Nangong Xiao’s eyes that he harbored no ill intentions.

Seeing that she had no intention of helping him up, Nangong Xiao gritted his teeth against the pain and slowly sat upright.

“Where… is this?” Nangong Xiao finally spoke. With his alluring face came a voice that was equally magnetic, full of charm.

Ever since Yin Qingyue had met him at the entrance of Jiupin Ju, she had quickly brought him to the remote outskirts, where few people lived.

But Nangong Xiao knew nothing of what had happened after he had fainted.

Frowning slightly, Nangong Xiao noticed that Yin Qingyue remained silent. He strained to recall the events from earlier, remembering the scene as he left Jiupin Ju. Suddenly, he looked up sharply at her.

“Who… are you?” His tone was calm, yet his deep eyes fixed steadily on Yin Qingyue’s face.

Her face was still plain and unattractive, yet surprisingly, Nangong Xiao was not put off by her appearance, nor did he show even a hint of disdain.

What kind of person is this? Yin Qingyue felt a sudden curiosity about the man before her.

Rubbing his still-sore forehead, Nangong Xiao glanced at her and asked, “It was you who saved me?”

He flexed his limbs, suddenly feeling a surge of strength as his body gradually regained power. A wave of joy rose in his chest.

His chronic illness had left his body weak for years; even ordinary movements were tiring. Yet now, he felt light and capable.

Amazed, he looked at the woman before him and asked again, “Who… are you?”

Although Yin Qingyue did not know his identity, his clothing indicated he was no ordinary man. Out of caution, she did not intend to reveal her own identity.

“You don’t need to know all that. Yes, I did save you, but there are conditions,” Yin Qingyue said lightly, her gaze on the handsome man before her. If he had lived in the modern era, he would surely have been a popular young celebrity. Compared to Prince Jing, his appearance was slightly less striking, but still undeniably beautiful.

Her eyes locked with his, and Nangong Xiao’s gaze deepened. Suddenly, he smiled faintly, glancing at her. This woman was interesting. Though her appearance was plain, her eyes were captivating—beautiful eyes, cold at first glance but revealing a kind heart beneath.

“Where… is this?” Nangong Xiao looked around, noting the dilapidated room, cobwebs everywhere, and the faint sound of rats gnawing on wood.

“This is not the Imperial City—it is the outskirts,” Yin Qingyue’s cold voice answered.

Nangong Xiao looked at her. “Why bring me here? Is this your home?” He examined her plain cloth attire; though simple, she did not appear impoverished. His brows furrowed, questioning her identity.

Yin Qingyue had brought him here to avoid being seen by too many people. Treating him in this secluded place would be safer.

“Mm,” she nodded. She had no intention of explaining further.

“You said you saved me on conditions. What are your conditions?” Nangong Xiao asked, eyeing her slender frame, a mischievous, natural charm curling at his lips. But which prince was he referring to? Which prince in the palace was sick—sometimes arrogant, sometimes reserved, sometimes charmingly mischievous?

Yin Qingyue smiled faintly. “Which prince do you mean by ‘you’?”

Nangong Xiao decided not to hide his identity. He wanted to see her reaction upon learning who he really was.

“The Crown Prince… Nangong Xiao.”

Yin Qingyue felt a twinge in her heart. Seeing the meaning in his eyes, she deliberately widened her eyes. But for now, all she wanted was the secret recipes of Jiupin Ju’s dishes—she didn’t care who he was.

“All I want are the recipes for Jiupin Ju’s dishes,” she said, her expression cold as she looked at Nangong Xiao.

Perhaps Nangong Xiao could never understand why a woman would want something like this. He hadn’t claimed Jiupin Ju as his own—why would she demand the recipes from him?

To her, the recipes were far more valuable than gold or jewels—they contained ingredients that could restore her body quickly.

Nangong Xiao smiled. “If it’s just Jiupin Ju’s recipes, I can satisfy your request.”

“But can we go tomorrow?” He smiled faintly. Though the woman was unattractive, she was interesting, and he did not want her to leave immediately.

Yin Qingyue checked the time. She had been out for a while, and if she delayed further, Nanny Zhao would surely find out, and Mei’er would get involved again. She did not know what tricks Nanny Zhao might play.

“Now. I don’t have time to chat, nor to look after you! Even if you are the Crown Prince, I still don’t have time!” Yin Qingyue said coldly, seeing the surprise on Nangong Xiao’s face.

He frowned, a faint smile brushing his lips. “Fine. I’ll take you to Jiupin Ju’s kitchen to see the recipes!”

Nangong Xiao could not comprehend it. Could a mere recipe really be more important to her than being alone with him? Was she really a woman?

Reluctantly, he sat up, noting the carriage outside, presumably hers.

Yin Qingyue took the driver’s seat and quickly headed toward Jiupin Ju.

Upon arrival, she smiled slightly, eyes narrowing. She was thrilled at the thought of obtaining the secret recipes, particularly those ingredients that could restore her health.

Nangong Xiao noticed the subtle change in her eyes and grew more curious. What did these recipes mean to her? Was she merely a foodie?

He studied her again. Though unattractive, her figure was well-proportioned, curvaceous, and graceful. Even her back could captivate many.

“Miss, please follow me,” Nangong Xiao said.

Yin Qingyue followed, slowly approaching Jiupin Ju’s kitchen.

Even before reaching it, the aroma of food reached them—refreshing and inviting.

With her experience, Yin Qingyue noticed that besides the fine ingredients, many high-quality medicinal herbs were included. But exactly which herbs, she could not yet tell.

Nangong Xiao, noticing her slight frown, smiled. “Miss, would you like to taste Jiupin Ju’s dishes?”

Yin Qingyue had no interest in eating; she just wanted to see the ingredients. She didn’t know that after she left earlier, Xing’er had informed Nanny Zhao, and Mei’er had been imprisoned.

Jiupin Ju was brightly lit with lanterns. Seeing the Crown Prince leading a woman into the kitchen, the guards dared not interfere. They were surprised, to say the least.

“Greetings, Crown Prince!”

“Rise,” Nangong Xiao’s calm voice floated out as he strode into the kitchen.

Jiupin Ju maintained high standards. As he entered, someone immediately brought a prepared white garment and draped it over his long frame.

Yin Qingyue received the same—a plain white garment that didn’t quite fit.

Nangong Xiao led her to examine the carefully prepared ingredients.

“Miss, feel free to look around,” he said.

The guards outside could not understand why such a woman had the Crown Prince’s favor. Later, they were shocked to see him personally bringing her to inspect Jiupin Ju’s kitchen—an area forbidden to ordinary people.

Yin Qingyue pulled out a cloth from her robes, containing hidden pockets with tools. She retrieved a small dagger, evenly spreading a small pile of ingredients, inspecting and smelling them with practiced precision.

Nangong Xiao was stunned. Such focused study of ingredients? Who was this woman? She seemed especially interested in the Lingzhi mushrooms. But he could see a different emotion in her eyes—did Lingzhi mean something to her? Were they that important? His mind buzzed with questions.

Yin Qingyue frowned slightly. There were no unusual ingredients here. Had she made a mistake?

Impossible, she thought. Perhaps the recipe was meant to be secret; the Crown Prince said he’d show it to her, but it was a lie.

Looking at Nangong Xiao, she studied him carefully. In his eyes, she saw no concealment. What was going on? She frowned.

Nangong Xiao noticed her confusion, unaware of what was happening.

Yin Qingyue stepped closer to him and asked, “Have these always been the ingredients used? Nothing else?”