MCSCPM -Chapter 312 Selling a Favor

Meanwhile, at the Hai Residence…

Ever since returning from that inn, Hai Qingshuang hadn’t stepped out of the house. Yet for days, she couldn’t stop thinking about one thing—the ugly girl she had rescued there.

The more she thought about it, the more it seemed that she had seen that girl somewhere before, though she could not quite place it. Something about her felt familiar.

Sitting in the pavilion, Hai Qingshuang stared at the lotus flowers on the water. The image of that ugly girl kept replaying in her mind, especially her eyes—they seemed strikingly familiar.

She became lost in thought.

A young maid brought her a bowl of plain porridge. Noticing that her mistress seemed preoccupied—these past few days, she often stared blankly at the lotus flowers—she cautiously asked, “Miss, ever since you returned from your outing, you’ve been like this. Has something happened?”

Hai Qingshuang shook her head gently. “It’s nothing.”

“But I can tell you have something on your mind. You can speak freely. Lanxin can help you think it through.”

“You, a little maid, help me think it through?”

“Lanxin may not be as capable as you, Miss, but every time I see you like this, it pains me.”

Hai Qingshuang, who usually kept a cold expression, softened in front of Lanxin. She smiled faintly. “Really, it’s nothing. Don’t worry about it.”

Lanxin did not press further. She remembered the bowl of porridge she had prepared and quickly brought it over. “Miss, here’s the porridge you like.”

But Hai Qingshuang had lost her appetite. She waved her hand. “Forget it. I can’t eat right now.”

“But Miss hasn’t eaten all day. At least take a little,” Lanxin urged.

“I can’t eat now. If I want it, I’ll tell you.”

For some reason, Lanxin asked hesitantly, “Miss, are you thinking about Miss Shangguan from the Shangguan family?”

Shangguan Jiaoran. Lanxin had almost forgotten. She knew about her being captured, but Hai Qingshuang’s distraction had nothing to do with that.

Lanxin continued, “That Miss Shangguan has always relied on being the general’s daughter, acting arrogantly and overbearing. She even killed someone—a servant of that divine doctor whom Prince Jing cares about. It’s no wonder she was captured, even offending General Shangguan himself.”

Hai Qingshuang suddenly had a thought and froze in shock. Unsure, she quickly commanded, “Lanxin, fetch some brushes, ink, paper, and an inkstone.”

“Miss, what are you planning to do?”

“Just go,” Hai Qingshuang said firmly.

Seeing her mistress so urgent, Lanxin didn’t dare ask further and ran to fetch the supplies.

Hai Qingshuang picked up a brush and began sketching the ugly girl from her memory, carefully recreating her face.

Lanxin glanced at it, frowning. “Miss, who is this? Why is she so ugly?”

Hai Qingshuang didn’t answer. She studied the drawing closely. Despite the girl’s ugliness, her eyes were delicate and striking—far from ordinary. Hai Qingshuang felt she had seen them somewhere before, but she couldn’t recall where.

“Where have I seen her before? Why does it feel so familiar?” she murmured.

Lanxin looked puzzled. “Miss, who is she, and why are you drawing her?”

“Don’t speak,” Hai Qingshuang said coldly, her tone scolding. Lanxin was talkative, which sometimes tried her patience.

Lanxin covered her mouth and remained silent.

Hai Qingshuang stared at the sketch for a long time. Suddenly, a face flashed in her mind—the divine doctor she had seen at the flower-viewing banquet. The eyes were exactly the same, and the facial contours matched almost perfectly.

Could it be that the ugly girl was actually the divine doctor? But why would she look so hideous? Was it all in her imagination?

Questions flooded her mind. Stubborn by nature, Hai Qingshuang wouldn’t rest until she found out the truth. She decided to return to that inn to confirm—perhaps the girl had disguised herself with makeup.

Dropping her brush, Hai Qingshuang prepared to leave the residence, ignoring Lanxin’s calls, and headed straight for the gate. Little did she know, she would run into her father.

Hai Taifu was strict and highly disciplined. Seeing his daughter attempting to leave, he stopped her. “Qingshuang, where are you going again? Why do you go out every day these past few days?”

Hai Qingshuang bowed respectfully. “Father, I’m just going out to buy something. I’ll return quickly and won’t make you worry.”

“No. A young lady shouldn’t be out and about every day. You should stay home, embroidering and learning the arts. That is proper for a daughter.”

Respectful of her father, Hai Qingshuang didn’t dare defy him. She smiled and said, “Since you forbid it, Father, I will stay.”

Hai Taifu nodded in approval. Then he said, “By the way, Qingshuang, prepare yourself. I am taking you to the palace.”

“To the palace? Why now?” Hai Qingshuang asked, confused.

Hai Taifu didn’t explain much. “Just change your clothes. It’s urgent. Prepare quickly.”

Though puzzled, she obeyed and returned to her room to get ready.

As she was about to board the carriage, Hai Taifu revealed, “Qingshuang, this visit is actually requested by Consort Liu Zhaoyi.”

“Huh? Liu Zhaoyi?” Hai Qingshuang’s expression changed, appearing conflicted and slightly nervous. It was as though she were about to meet someone important, her heart racing.

Seeing her reaction, Hai Taifu asked, “Qingshuang, what’s wrong?”

“Father, must I go? What does Liu Zhaoyi want with me?”

“That, I do not know. Since she wants to see you, you should go.”

“But…” Hai Qingshuang hesitated. She was the mother of Prince Ling.

Hai Taifu had never seen his daughter act this way. Could she be hiding a secret?

“Qingshuang, what’s the matter? You’ve never hesitated like this before. Today, the Empress herself summons you—you must go,” he said firmly.

Hai Qingshuang knew the severity of the situation. If she refused, her father would be blamed, a burden she didn’t want him to bear. Still… who exactly was Liu Zhaoyi, and what did she want?

Seeing her hesitation, Hai Taifu said, “Come now, Qingshuang. We mustn’t waste time.”

He roughly helped her onto the carriage. On the way to the palace, Hai Qingshuang kept her usual icy expression. Though her face was unreadable, her mind was clearly preoccupied. Otherwise, she wouldn’t be so uneasy about meeting Liu Zhaoyi.

Meanwhile, Prince Yi…

Even after taking the imperial doctor’s medicine, his body still itched unbearably—a deep, bone-deep itch that scratching could not relieve. It was maddening.

He began to suspect that this wasn’t a natural illness. Nothing he ate or touched could have caused it. Could someone be deliberately harming him? The thought struck his mind.

A guard brought in a bowl of medicine. “Your Highness, the medicine is ready. Drink it now.”

The itching remained, and Prince Yi slammed the bowl down. “I won’t drink this. These quack doctors can’t heal the rash at all.”

“But, Your Highness, if you don’t take it, the rash won’t heal. Didn’t the imperial doctor say it requires full treatment?”

“Heal? I don’t believe these so-called doctors have any skill.”

The guard hesitated, then suggested, “Your Highness, I have an idea.”

“What idea?” Prince Yi asked eagerly.

After a pause, the guard said, “I’ve heard that the divine doctor is a master, capable of curing any disease. If she were here, Your Highness would be fine.”

Prince Yi’s eyes blazed. “Do you know that the divine doctor is missing?”

“Then why not find her?” the guard suggested boldly.

“What did you say?”

“I mean, since Prince Jing is so keen to find the divine doctor, why not use this to your advantage?”

The guard’s words carried weight. Prince Yi wasn’t stupid. Thinking it over, it made sense. His rash hadn’t improved; if delayed, who knew what might happen.

A plan formed in his mind. He could help Prince Jing find the divine doctor—first, to cure himself; second, to draw the Emperor’s attention toward the divine doctor.

He knew the Emperor was grooming Prince Jing as heir. A prince’s focus shouldn’t be distracted by a woman, lest external families interfere with politics—a problem that had happened before in Beihai.

Yes, this could work.

Seeing him silent, the guard asked, “Your Highness, what will you do?”

Prince Yi smiled. “Very well. Do it this way. Send someone to find the divine doctor. I’ll sell this favor to Chu Jingcheng.”

On the surface, it was a favor; in truth, it was a grand scheme.

The guards obeyed and immediately dispatched more men to search for Yin Qingyue. Almost the entire guard of Prince Yi’s residence was sent out.