MCSCPM -Chapter 359 Back at Prince Jing’s Mansion

Eunuch Sun was worried that Chu Helian’s health might suffer, so he kept advising him, “Your Majesty, your health is the most important. Prince Jing may have acted wrongly, but Your Majesty should consider your body and not let anger take over.”

“Not let anger take over? Tell me, what kind of son is this? One is useless, another only angers me—all because of women, those ‘femme fatales.’”

When the emperor said the words femme fatale, they sounded grave indeed. Everyone knew that a dangerous beauty could even bring down a nation. Chu Helian’s long-standing fears were coming true.

And the alleged cause of all this trouble was none other than Yin Qingyue.

Once Chu Helian gradually calmed down, Eunuch Sun said, “Your Majesty, have a sip of tea and ease your temper.”

“No need. I will go to Prince Jing’s Mansion myself.”

“Now? Your Majesty, perhaps it’s better not to go. Repeatedly leaving the palace—”

“I have my reasons for leaving the palace now.”

“Yes, Your Majesty. I will make the preparations immediately.”

With that, Eunuch Sun left the imperial study to make ready.

Chu Helian went straight to Prince Jing’s Mansion, unaware that the prince was not at home—perhaps busy with wedding arrangements.

The guards of the mansion grew serious upon seeing the emperor arrive.

“Your Majesty.”

“No need to be formal. Wait here; I will go to the backyard alone,” Chu Helian said, heading toward the rear.

The guards looked worried. “Your Majesty, perhaps we should accompany you?”

Chu Helian frowned. “We are already inside Prince Jing’s Mansion. Could anything happen here? Do you not trust your own skills, or is there something in the backyard?”

“No, Your Majesty, we know our place,” the guards knelt one by one.

Chu Helian proceeded alone to the backyard.

At that moment, Yin Qingyue had just stepped outside and sat in the pavilion, waiting for Dong’er to bring the medicinal herbs.

Soon, Dong’er returned with the prepared herbs and placed them on the stone table. Every type of herb was neatly laid out.

“Miss, what are you preparing these herbs for?” Dong’er asked, puzzled.

Yin Qingyue smiled faintly and began sorting the herbs. “There hasn’t been much to do in the mansion recently. Seeing that some herbs were left unused in the boxes, I decided to sort them today so that they won’t get spoiled.”

“You’re so kind. No wonder you’re called the Divine Physician.”

“You chatter too much,” Yin Qingyue teased.

Dong’er smiled. “Miss, the entire mansion is filled with joy now. Soon, you will become Prince Jing’s Princess Consort. I want to congratulate you in advance.”

At these words, Yin Qingyue paused her work. Although she felt joy and excitement, she remained cautious.

“What’s wrong, Miss?”

“Nothing.”

“Could it be that the approaching marriage is making you nervous?” Dong’er asked.

Yin Qingyue smiled without answering, returning to her work while saying, “Dong’er, you’re still young. There are things you wouldn’t understand. Even if I explained, you wouldn’t grasp it fully.”

Dong’er naturally didn’t understand but didn’t press the matter. She sat nearby, helping Yin Qingyue sort the herbs, saying, “No matter what, Prince Jing treats you so well. Before you came to Northern Hao, he’s never treated any woman like this. You are the first, and likely the last.”

“Oh? Is that so? What about Qingqing?”

“Qingqing? Miss, you may be mistaken. Prince Jing has no special feelings for Qingqing. As for other matters, I don’t know.”

“How could I misunderstand? Prince Jing is a prince. Being kind to people is only natural, isn’t it?”

“Yes, Miss. But the way he treats you is extraordinary,” Dong’er said as she continued her work.

Listening to Dong’er, Yin Qingyue felt pleased. Watching Dong’er’s diligent hands reminded her of Mei’er, who used to sit across from her, helping sort herbs in the same way.

Noticing Yin Qingyue’s silence, Dong’er looked up and saw her serious expression. “Miss, what’s wrong?”

Yin Qingyue shook her head and said nothing.

“You must be thinking of Mei’er. You’ve spoken of her so much, though we know she is gone. With your wedding coming, you must miss her,” Dong’er guessed.

“You seem to notice everything,” Yin Qingyue smiled faintly.

“Yes, Miss. Your expression gives you away. Being by your side for so long, I naturally understand your thoughts.”

“Enough, enough. Let’s not speak of her,” Yin Qingyue said.

“Understood,” Dong’er replied.

What Yin Qingyue didn’t realize was that her quiet work had already been observed by Chu Helian as he passed through the backyard.

Here was a woman, calm and diligent, laughing and chatting with her maid while sorting herbs—hardly the image of a ‘femme fatale.’

Chu Helian remembered the first time he saw her, disguised with a hideous makeup—he had been so curious about her then. And now, in such a short time, his son would even be willing to give up his position as heir for her.

Sensing a gaze, Yin Qingyue looked up and saw Chu Helian.

“Your Majesty?” she asked, surprised but unsurprised—after all, the emperor coming to the mansion was natural given Prince Jing’s impending marriage.

Dong’er noticed the emperor and quickly looked too. Startled, she put down the herbs, stood, and saluted.

Yin Qingyue whispered, “You may leave first.”

“Yes, Miss.” Dong’er quickly left.

Yin Qingyue then stood before Chu Helian and bowed. “Greetings, Your Majesty. I did not expect Your Majesty to come; please forgive me.”

“I did not have anyone inform you. It is not your fault,” Chu Helian said, noticing the herbs on the stone table. “Are these all for your use?”

“I merely saw many unused herbs in the mansion. Today I had time, so I decided to sort them,” she replied.

“I see.” Chu Helian’s question was casual, not from genuine concern.

Yin Qingyue, understanding the situation, said, “Your Majesty, you have come because of Prince Jing and me, haven’t you?”

“You are perceptive. That is exactly why I am here.”

“Please speak plainly, Your Majesty.”

“Since Prince Jing is not present, I will ask you a few questions.” Chu Helian’s face was serious. “I know that the news of this marriage was spread by Prince Jing himself, forcing me to compromise. He acted first and reported later. But no matter what, he is still my son. His marriage is not something he can decide alone.”

“I understand that, Your Majesty,” Yin Qingyue replied calmly.

“If you understand, why did you allow him to act so recklessly?” Chu Helian’s tone grew stern.

Yin Qingyue remained composed, unfazed by his demeanor, bowing slightly as she said, “Your Majesty, you are mistaken. Prince Jing is not acting recklessly. He did all this for me, and I am very moved and grateful. His dedication is genuine. How can it be called reckless? Since it is not reckless, I naturally cannot stop him.”

Chu Helian could not help but admire her eloquence. Last time, when she was summoned to the palace, she had spoken in a similar manner.

After a moment, Chu Helian said, “Prince Jing has defied me many times for you and committed mistakes no prince should. Do you realize that in Northern Hao’s history, no prince has ever done this? He is the first.”

“But he is human too. Your Majesty should not judge him harshly merely because he is a prince.”

“He is my son! If not for you, he would be heir apparent. Yet now, he willingly gives up everything, even risking my wrath, just to be with you. How can I not be angry?” Chu Helian’s anger was visible, though he restrained it, slamming his hands on the table. “Miss Yin, you must understand. I have pinned all my hopes on Prince Jing. Now, he can no longer be heir.”

Yin Qingyue’s eyes shifted slightly. Firmly, she said, “Your Majesty, you may think I am attached to him because he is Prince Jing, but even if he were not heir, not even a prince, I would still wish to be with him for life.”

“Regardless of who he is? No status, no title, no power—you still would?”

“Yes. I would.”

Hearing this, Chu Helian had no words to counter.

Yin Qingyue continued, “Your Majesty, now that we have reached this point, I must speak frankly. Prince Jing may be the obvious choice for heir, but being suitable as heir does not guarantee he could be emperor. In your mind, the Yi Prince erred and was sent to the provinces, Prince Jing defied you and was neglected. Now you have placed your hope on the Ling Prince—this must be your best decision.”

“From what you say, you hope I will support the Ling Prince and abandon the idea of Prince Jing as heir?”

“Yes. If Your Majesty could truly think this way, I would be delighted and also hope you can secure the future for both me and Prince Jing.” She bowed once more.

Chu Helian, naturally suspicious, found himself increasingly perplexed—Yin Qingyue openly spoke her mind, revealing her thoughts without restraint, making him impossible to predict.