MCSCPM -Chapter 30 Deliberate Trouble

Hehe, Yin Qingyue thought to herself, letting out a small smile, and quickened her pace.

When she reached the circular archway in the back courtyard, she noticed several guards pacing restlessly around.

Her heart jolted. The back courtyard was usually very quiet, rarely monitored by guards. Even when there were guards, it was only one or two. Why were there five or six guards today?

Slightly surprised, Yin Qingyue paused at the courtyard entrance, carefully observing the situation inside.

After waiting a few minutes, the five or six guards entered the courtyard. Yin Qingyue exhaled quietly, reassuring herself that maybe she wasn’t overthinking.

She continued walking toward the inner courtyard. But what if someone noticed the herbs in her hand—what should she do?

After thinking it over, she tossed the herbs into a nearby pit, planning to retrieve them the next time she had an opportunity to leave.

Satisfied with her plan, she covered the herbs with some gathered grass and started moving further into the courtyard—only to see a group of guards emerging from within.

A faint smile curved Yin Qingyue’s lips. She had sensed something was off the moment she entered this courtyard and had anticipated trouble, just not this soon.

The guards surrounded her.

Yin Qingyue glanced at them—about seven or eight in total. It seemed Nanny Zhao had truly underestimated her. If she weren’t weakened by her illness, what could these people do to her?

Hehe. A cold laugh escaped her lips as she continued into the courtyard.

“I won’t make things difficult for you. Take me to see Nanny Zhao,” she said, showing no resistance, just a perfect arc at the corner of her mouth as she looked at the guards.

The guards, unwilling to slacken, surrounded her tightly and escorted her to Nanny Zhao’s residence.

Nanny Zhao was sipping tea, having waited a long time for this moment since Yin Qingyue had left. She was furious at this ugly woman and wanted nothing more than to tear her apart!

Xing’er was beside Nanny Zhao, and from a distance, she saw Yin Qingyue being escorted into the courtyard. For Yin Qingyue, Xing’er wanted to tear her skin off—how dare this ugly woman make her beloved clean for her!

And on top of that, she had threatened her!

What a cunning, treacherous ugly woman! Truly, trouble comes from the ugly. This was going to be entertaining. Yin Qingyue, how dare you provoke me, Xing’er! Whether you had the palace tattoo or not, what did it matter? Xing’er’s lips curved in a sly smile.

Nanny Zhao took the freshly poured tea from Xing’er and sipped it. Today’s tea tasted different—richer, more fragrant.

“Xing’er, your tea skills improve every day; the tea has never been this fragrant!”

“Not at all, it’s thanks to you, Nanny Zhao!”

“Your words grow sweeter by the day! If not for you, we wouldn’t have been able to punish this ugly woman today!”

“Helping you relieve your worries is our privilege!” Xing’er smiled coldly.

The guards brought Yin Qingyue before Nanny Zhao and demanded she kneel.

Yin Qingyue resisted, remaining in a half-kneeling position, refusing to fully submit.

“What a hopeless, useless mudpile!” Nanny Zhao shouted, angrily slamming her teacup onto the table at Yin Qingyue’s defiance.

Yin Qingyue looked at her and said, “Why are you so angry, Mistress Zhao? Why bring so many guards?”

“Hmph! Speak! Did you go to Jiupin Ju? Sneaking out at midnight—what were you doing?” Nanny Zhao’s eyes were cold. She had finally caught Yin Qingyue’s mistake and wasn’t about to let her off easily.

“Mistress Zhao, I just went out without reporting to you, for a little walk. Is it necessary to mobilize so many?” Yin Qingyue carefully avoided revealing her true purpose for going out.

“Hehe, you dare tell me that? People saw you at Jiupin Ju, and you still deny it!” Nanny Zhao suddenly stood, her face lined with mockery.

“Mistress Zhao, one mustn’t speak without evidence. You are a veteran of the palace—managing Luochenyuan requires order and evidence!” Yin Qingyue glanced at Xing’er, her eyes sharp. It had to be this woman who tattled! Truly brazen.

Xing’er’s gaze met Yin Qingyue’s; a sneer curled her lips.

“Mistress Zhao, at most you can punish me for sneaking out. What could I possibly have done?” Yin Qingyue’s eyes flashed with cold light as she glanced at Xing’er.

“Still daring to speak! Tell me—what did you do at Jiupin Ju? Who was that Nangong Xiao following you? And what were the herbs you bought at the pharmacy for?” Nanny Zhao asked angrily. Though she had someone tail Yin Qingyue, their reports indicated that after Jiupin Ju, she went to the pharmacy.

Every move of Yin Qingyue had been under her control—yet this woman still dared to lie! Had the tiger lost its roar, assuming Nanny Zhao was a weakling?

“Search her!” Nanny Zhao commanded. The guards, with lecherous grins, prepared to frisk Yin Qingyue. Though she was ugly, her figure was still shapely. A few guards even began imagining her curves.

Xing’er’s eyes glinted with amusement.

“Wait! The women of Luochenyuan are devoted and pray for our kingdom. If they are blessed, how can other men touch them?” Yin Qingyue’s eyes flashed cold light.

Nanny Zhao noticed the anger in Yin Qingyue’s gaze. “Xing’er, see what she’s hiding. If I find anything, we’ll see how to punish you!” she growled, teeth gritted.

Yin Qingyue glanced at Xing’er, a faint smile on her face. “This will disappoint you,” she thought.

Xing’er approached, tilting her head, sneering: “Facing death, and still threatening me? What does having or not having the palace tattoo matter?”

Yin Qingyue looked at her and said, “You seem to have forgotten to leave yourself a way out. One should never act too decisively.”

Xing’er sneered, rolling up her sleeves, preparing to search Yin Qingyue thoroughly. If she found the slightest trace, today would be Yin Qingyue’s end! The thought thrilled her.

She reached into Yin Qingyue’s bosom—but as she searched, her smile turned into panic. There was nothing! How could this be? Didn’t someone see her?

Nanny Zhao saw Xing’er’s expression, anger flashing. “Search properly!” she barked.

Sweat appeared on Xing’er’s forehead. If she failed, Yin Qingyue would gain leverage over her. Her hands trembled, her expression increasingly anxious.

Yin Qingyue noticed and laughed inwardly. How ridiculous—these women dared confront her without understanding the situation.

“I told you—you must leave yourself a way out!” she said with a smile, looking at the flustered Xing’er.

Nanny Zhao watched as Xing’er searched Yin Qingyue for a long time, finding nothing. She too grew anxious.

After a long time, Xing’er suggested, “Mistress Zhao, perhaps this ugly woman hid something in her inner clothes?”

Xing’er glanced at Yin Qingyue, thinking: Even if I don’t find anything, I can undress her publicly—let’s see what she does then.

The guards began stirring, eager to see Yin Qingyue’s body.

Nanny Zhao’s lips curved into a smile. “Undress her!”

Yin Qingyue looked at Nanny Zhao, then swiftly brushed aside Xing’er, stepping in front of Nanny Zhao. In a voice only she could hear, she said:

“You seem to forget I have a backing. You dare undress me in public? Let me tell you—I did enter Jiupin Ju, even into the kitchen. Think carefully about who can enter a kitchen. Consider well before touching me.”

Hearing this, Nanny Zhao’s anger surged. This ugly woman kept invoking her backing—and she had no way to counter it! Perhaps it was bluffing, but Nanny Zhao could not ignore it.

“Backing? That’s just talk,” Nanny Zhao said, suppressing her anger.

Then she abruptly lifted Yin Qingyue’s sleeve, seeing the palace tattoo on her shoulder still intact, and stormed off in frustration.

Xing’er quickly hugged her arm protectively.

“Nanny Zhao, tell me—what happens if a girl in Luochenyuan, whether a sacrificial candidate or maid, loses her palace tattoo?” Yin Qingyue said, glancing at Xing’er.

Xing’er, sweating profusely, hurriedly said, “Mistress Zhao, this woman is ungrateful. Just lock her up and starve her! Look at how arrogant she is, daring to disrespect you!”

Nanny Zhao was angry, but she was still rational. Arbitrarily imprisoning a sacrificial candidate would bring the Emperor’s wrath. And Yin Qingyue’s backing was not to be underestimated.