MCSCPM -Chapter 282 Facing Off

Yin Qingyue’s dance had spread throughout the entire dance house. Some of the dancers regretted not having seen it and kept sighing in disappointment.

However, Yin Qingyue had no time to dance again. She had to focus on arranging the affairs of the county and resolving the issues as quickly as possible.

Chu Jingcheng was equally busy. Over the past few days, he hadn’t dared to take a moment of rest, fully occupied with managing the county, and barely had a chance to speak to Yin Qingyue.

Gradually, over several days, the county began to stabilize. Naturally, the Emperor received word of these developments.

A guard reported on how Chu Jingcheng and Yin Qingyue were settling the people and managing the county’s issues.

Chu Helian had not expected Yin Qingyue to be so capable. He had been half-doubtful before—about her curing the plague and dealing with the flood—but now he had no choice but to believe it.

He began to feel some admiration for her.

Seeing the Emperor’s thoughts, Grand Eunuch Sun smiled and said, “If Your Majesty does not concern yourself with bloodlines and agrees to let Prince Jing take her as his princess consort, this servant believes all under heaven would admire Your Majesty even more, and Your Majesty’s benevolence would be even more deeply respected.”

Chu Helian frowned. He had considered it, but Yin Qingyue’s brilliance, her personality, and her abilities meant that if she later interfered in court affairs, it could disrupt the established order—a grave offense.

He replied, “There’s no rush on this matter. It can be discussed later.”

Grand Eunuch Sun knew the Emperor well. He hated being ordered around and hated being hurried by others even more. Well, he was just a servant, after all.

At that moment, a young eunuch entered and reported, “Your Majesty, Liu Zhaoyi requests an audience outside.”

“When?”

“This servant does not know.”

Chu Helian was in no mood to see Liu Zhaoyi and waved his hand. “I have important matters to attend to. Send her back.”

The eunuch dared not argue and quickly left.

Outside, Liu Zhaoyi waited anxiously. Seeing the eunuch emerge, she asked, “Did the Emperor summon me?”

“The Emperor says he is handling important matters and cannot see Your Majesty at the moment. Please return to the palace for now,” the eunuch replied respectfully.

“What? The Emperor won’t see me?” Liu Sishui was surprised. The Emperor had always shown her great favor. Could he really refuse to see her?

But Liu Sishui was not unreasonable. If the Emperor refused, she would wait.

“Fine, I will wait here. Once the Emperor is free, I will see him. Then, I’ll ask the eunuch to inform him.”

The eunuch lowered his head and said respectfully, “Yes, Your Majesty.”

So Liu Sishui waited outside the study. Like Lan Rao, she decided to wait right at the door.

Half an hour passed, yet the Emperor had not appeared.

Unable to restrain herself, Liu Sishui finally raised her voice and called, “Your Majesty, I have urgent matters to ask you!”

No response came.

She continued, “I simply want to know why Prince Ling, who promised to return, has not come back. Emperor, please tell me.”

No matter how much she asked, Chu Helian inside did not reply.

Chu Helian felt a headache coming. He slammed his hand on the table and instructed Grand Eunuch Sun, “Tell Liu Zhaoyi that it was my decision. Prince Ling is too playful, so I sent him elsewhere.”

“Yes, I will inform her immediately,” Sun said and left the study.

Seeing Sun Eunuch appear, Liu Sishui hurriedly asked, “Sun Eunuch, did the Emperor summon me?”

Sun Eunuch spoke politely, “The Emperor sent me to inform Your Majesty, Liu Zhaoyi, that Prince Ling is too playful, and thus he has been sent elsewhere and is temporarily forbidden from entering the palace.”

“What?” Liu Sishui was both shocked and anxious. “How could this happen? Sun Eunuch, let me go in. I must ask the Emperor myself.”

“Your Majesty, I advise you to return to the palace. The Emperor is busy with state affairs and cannot see you. Please understand,” Sun said gently.

But Liu Sishui, worried that her son could not return, ignored the eunuch’s advice and tried to enter, only to be stopped by him.

With a cautionary tone, Sun Eunuch said, “Your Majesty, please think carefully. The Emperor must have his reasons. This is only temporary; Prince Ling will naturally return soon. Why not wait?”

Liu Sishui knew his words made sense. But now, even the late Prince Yi had returned—why couldn’t Prince Ling come back? Was he to be forbidden forever for being playful?

Thinking of this, Liu Sishui felt uneasy. Yet Sun Eunuch was right: if she angered the Emperor, Prince Ling might never return. She had no choice but to return to the palace for now.

She instructed Sun Eunuch, “Tell the Emperor that Prince Ling is my only son. I hope he will be allowed to return soon.”

“Yes, I will convey your message,” Sun replied.

Helpless, Liu Sishui left.

On the way back, she ran into Lan Rao. The last time they had met in the imperial garden, Liu Sishui had been humiliated. Now, learning that her son could not return, her anger flared. She glared fiercely at Lan Rao but remained silent.

Lan Rao had already heard that Prince Ling could not come back. Seeing Liu Sishui’s glare, she knew Liu Sishui must have seen the Emperor and suffered indignities.

Lan Rao smirked, “So Liu Zhaoyi visited the Emperor. Must be asking about Prince Ling, right?”

Her tone was mocking. Naturally, Liu Sishui could not remain calm.

“Prince Ling is my son! I went to ask the Emperor—does it bother you, Noble Consort Lan?” Liu Sishui said sharply.

“It’s not that,” Lan Rao replied smoothly, “but I was thinking—Prince Ling is so playful, it will be hard for him to succeed. No wonder the Emperor did not allow him to return.”

“Lan Rao, don’t push your luck! You can criticize me, but not my son!” Liu Sishui’s voice grew sharp with anger.

But Lan Rao ignored her and continued, “Did I say something wrong? Raising a son like Prince Ling, you might as well have… ended it when he was born.”

“You… Lan Rao! How dare you speak such nonsense? Do you want me to tell the Emperor what you just said?” Liu Sishui clenched her fists, her face turning blue with fury.

Lan Rao’s goal was to provoke her. Seeing her angry, Lan Rao was delighted and continued, “Go ahead and tell the Emperor. Let’s see if he would believe I said such things.”

Lan Rao’s expression was arrogant, even haughty. Her eyes held contempt.

Liu Sishui struggled to control her temper. If she hit her, she would be at fault. She gave a cold smile. “Lan Rao, don’t be so pleased with yourself. You have no children. Mocking me is really just mocking yourself.”

“Yes, I have no children. That’s far better than giving birth to a son like Prince Ling.”

“I think you simply cannot have children.”

“Whether I have children or not is none of your business. If Prince Jing is safe, I might have a son after all.” Lan Rao’s meaning was clear: she wanted to secure Prince Jing as an ally to ensure she would bear children and have influence in the future.

Liu Sishui snorted and raised her voice disdainfully, “You’re just imagining things. How much of Prince Jing’s heart can you really understand? You court him blindly, but the result may not be what you hope.”

It was like pouring cold water on Lan Rao’s fiery ambition.

Yet Lan Rao didn’t care. With a wicked smile, she said, “Don’t worry about me, Liu Zhaoyi. Focus on your son instead. And as for your plans to have him marry Yin Qingyue—you better wake up and stop dreaming. The Emperor sent Yin Qingyue to go with Prince Jing to the county. Don’t you understand the meaning?”

Liu Sishui understood perfectly. Even if there was a glimmer of hope, she could not give up. She wanted to secure Yin Qingyue for her son.

Seeing her intention, Lan Rao said, “Liu Zhaoyi, stop scheming. Yin Qingyue will inevitably be Prince Jing’s. Your son will never marry her.”

“That remains to be seen.”

“Very well. Let’s see who is right in the end.”

Lan Rao smiled arrogantly, turned, and left, sneering as she went.

Liu Sishui remained, her eyes burning with rage. If not constrained by her status, she would have slapped Lan Rao already.

Meanwhile, in the county, the sick villagers were slowly recovering under Yin Qingyue’s treatment. Those who were weak began to regain a healthy complexion.

Since her dance, the children in the county loved her even more. They constantly surrounded her, asking her to teach them to dance, always calling her “Big Sister Mei.”

Time passed quickly, and soon it was the sixth day.

Cailian was helping Yin Qingyue pack her clothes. With the new county magistrate arriving soon, Yin Qingyue and Prince Jing had to prepare to return to the capital.

“Miss Yin, once you leave, we may never meet again,” Cailian said, her eyes red.

Yin Qingyue comforted her, “Silly girl, life is full of farewells. Don’t be sad.”

“But I can’t bear to leave you.”

“You must learn to. Don’t forget, you promised me—you’d go home on the day I leave, find a good family, and get married.”

Cailian’s face turned pale, and she felt sad. After finishing packing, she handed the clothes to Yin Qingyue, sniffling. “Miss Yin, be careful on the way. Cailian will miss you.”

Taking the clothes, Yin Qingyue smiled warmly and pulled her close. “I’ll miss you too. Take care of yourself and learn to grow up.”