MCSCPM -Chapter 40 Staying in the Palace

Yin Qingyue curved her brows and smiled. “Your Majesty should also understand that since this is a chronic illness, it naturally accumulates over many years. It’s unrealistic to expect it to be cured the moment medicine is taken. But as long as Your Majesty persists, in time you will surely recover. The question now is this: it was merely a small cough—why did Your Majesty allow it to develop into a chronic ailment? Could it be that Your Majesty believes mystical arts will bless minor ailments into healing themselves?”

Nangong Lin was taken aback instead. “I sincerely pray to the heavens. With the heavens’ protection, shouldn’t I recover?”

Yin Qingyue couldn’t help laughing and crying at the same time. “Your Majesty, if relying solely on the heavens’ protection were enough to cure you, would you still be coughing like this every day? The ancients said: do all that lies within human effort, then await Heaven’s will. Only by taking good care of yourself will the heavens see your effort and bless you.”

She smiled gently, yet her gaze was serious beyond doubt. “So many people in this world believe in mystical arts. Would the heavens truly bless those who are listless, unwilling to strive, and only hope to rely on divine favor to gain promotion and wealth, rather than those who work hard and better themselves?”

Nangong Lin fell into deep thought. Yin Qingyue’s words were well reasoned, forcing him to consider their logic.

Yin Qingyue smiled again. “Your Majesty, if such a person appeared in your court—someone who neither knows how to handle affairs nor cares for himself, believing that relying on Buddha’s blessing alone could grant longevity and promotion—would you tolerate him? Why is it that when the matter concerns yourself, you fail to see it clearly? Could it be that the person involved is blind?”

Seeing Nangong Lin seemingly persuaded, Nangong Chen felt a surge of irritation. If Yin Qingyue were allowed to continue speaking nonsense, how could he still achieve his aims through mystical arts? Only when Nangong Lin believed solely in them could he use the mystic officials to his advantage. If Nangong Lin formed his own judgment, those officials would no longer wield the same influence!

Thus, he darkened his face and cast a contemptuous glance at Yin Qingyue. “Ugly woman, everything you’ve said sounds like nothing but nonsense. You may be sharp-tongued, but this so-called grand reasoning is utterly groundless! Are you implying that Father Emperor doesn’t care for himself? It’s just a small cough—could it really cost him his life?”

“Third Brother, that’s a biased statement,” Nangong Xiao interjected angrily. “Can’t small ailments develop into serious illnesses? Miss Yin speaks sincerely—can’t we at least listen?”

“Enough!” Nangong Lin slammed the table heavily. “Chen’er, stop this nonsense. Miss Yin only wishes to cure my cough. By refusing to let her speak, are you hoping I suffer this ailment for the rest of my life?”

The force of the blow triggered another bout of coughing, his old face flushing red.

Seeing this, Nangong Chen knew Nangong Lin was angered and had no choice but to concede. He lowered his head and cupped his hands. “Father Emperor, please calm your anger. This son admits his fault.”

After that, he shot Yin Qingyue a furious glance before lowering his head again in silence.

“Miss Yin, if you have more to say, say it all now,” Nangong Lin said, lifting his chin at her with an air of condescending generosity.

Yin Qingyue frowned slightly. She disliked Nangong Lin’s lofty demeanor, but under another’s roof, one must bow one’s head. If she wanted to stay in the palace, she still needed to rely on this superstitious old man.

Thinking this, annoyance rose within her, and she lowered her head. “In reply to Your Majesty, Qingyue’s intention in raising this matter was to hope that when Your Majesty faces an issue, you won’t look only at the mystical aspect, but also examine it rationally.”

“Oh? Have I been irrational about anything?” Nangong Lin stroked his beard and frowned, somewhat displeased.

This ugly woman seemed rather clever. Her words were layered and winding—at times surprising him, at times impressing him, at times pleasing him, and at times irritating him. He was curious what she would say next.

“Reporting to Your Majesty, Qingyue believes that today’s body inspection was not as simple as it appeared. Consider this: had the Crown Prince not spoken up righteously, in Your Majesty’s fury you might not have had time to investigate and would have taken Qingyue’s life. If Qingyue had died unjustly, how would the heavens judge Xize? And how would the people of the realm view Your Majesty?” Yin Qingyue raised her head and smiled faintly.

When speaking of these schemes and plots, Yin Qingyue was unlike ordinary frail women who kept silent. She spoke openly and confidently, her eyes flashing with intelligence and assurance, leaving everyone in the room momentarily stunned.

No one had expected that such an ugly woman could possess such captivating eyes.

Guided by Yin Qingyue’s words, Nangong Lin reflected carefully. Finding her reasoning sound, his expression changed immediately. He said angrily, “So such a thing truly happened! If not for my keen discernment, I would have almost been deceived! Who dared do this? I will never let him off!”

Yin Qingyue lowered her head and silently rolled her eyes. Nangong Lin was quite adept at flattering himself—if she hadn’t deliberately stirred the matter up, where would his ‘keen discernment’ have come from?

“So who does Miss Yin believe committed this treasonous act?” Nangong Chen glanced at her and tossed the hot potato back into her hands.

“This concerns the safety of Xize’s state and should be handled by the court. Why does the Third Prince ask Qingyue instead? This is not Qingyue’s duty, and I dare not speak recklessly,” Yin Qingyue replied with a radiant smile.

Trying to make her dig her own grave? Not so easy!

Nangong Chen was momentarily speechless. After a while he said, “The culprit chose no one else to frame but you. Surely this matter cannot be entirely unrelated to you.”

A glint flashed in Yin Qingyue’s eyes. She gave Nangong Chen a ghostly smile, making her ugly makeup appear even more twisted and frightening, sending chills down his spine.

Amitabha—this was exactly what she had been waiting for!

Instead of refuting him, Yin Qingyue nodded. “What the Third Prince says is true. Though Qingyue is not yet aware of the details, this matter must indeed be connected to me. Therefore, Qingyue begs Your Majesty for mercy and permission to stay in the palace for a time. Once this matter is resolved, I will return to Luocheng Courtyard.”

Nangong Lin frowned, hesitating. On one hand, the mystic officials said women from Luocheng Courtyard must not leave; on the other, this matter endangered the state and could not be ignored.

Nangong Chen narrowed his eyes, a meaningful smile appearing. If Yin Qingyue returned to Luocheng Courtyard, it would be hard for him to act. But if she stayed in the palace, dealing with her would be much easier.

Thus, he stepped forward and cupped his hands. “Miss Yin speaks reasonably. This son thinks the same. In urgent times, flexibility is needed. Please grant permission, Father Emperor.”

Nangong Xiao also understood Nangong Chen’s intentions. Yet if Yin Qingyue returned to Luocheng Courtyard and died inexplicably, no one would know. Keeping her in the palace was safer.

With that in mind, Nangong Xiao also stepped forward. “This son also agrees with Third Brother. Please consider the realm and grant Miss Yin’s request.”

Seeing the rare agreement between the two princes, Nangong Lin no longer insisted and nodded. “Very well, we’ll do as you say. But where should Miss Yin reside?”

At that moment, Nanny Lai—ignored for some time—smiled and spoke. “Your Majesty need not worry. Since Miss Yin is from Luocheng Courtyard, why not have her move into the Buddhist hall to keep this old servant company?”

Her eyes curved with her smile as she continued without regard for the strange looks on Nangong Xiao’s and Nangong Chen’s faces. “First, the Buddhist hall is a tranquil place, where Miss Yin may absorb spiritual blessings and better pray for Xize. Second, this old servant has lived there alone for years—lonely and without anyone to discuss Buddhist teachings. Though Miss Yin’s appearance may be somewhat unsightly, her speech is extraordinary. I wish to befriend her; teaching and learning from each other would be a fine thing. What does Your Majesty think?”

After some thought, Nangong Lin found nothing inappropriate. As long as Yin Qingyue had a suitable place to live, he didn’t care where it was.

He turned his gaze to Yin Qingyue, probing yet firm.

As the young head of the Yin Group, Yin Qingyue was adept at reading people. Seeing Nangong Lin’s meaning, she did not object. Where she lived didn’t matter—as long as she stayed far away from the Third Prince.

She lowered her head and replied, “Thank you for Your Majesty’s grace, and thank you for Granny’s kindness. This common woman has no objections.”

Nangong Lin nodded, and the matter was settled.

Yin Qingyue raised her head, her gaze colliding with those of Nangong Xiao and Nangong Chen. Their expressions differed, but their thoughts were much the same:

Though the body inspection ended anticlimactically, the struggle for power centered on imperial authority had only just begun.

At this moment, Chu Jingcheng stood by the window, staring blankly at the scenery outside.

On the desk beside him, a paperweight pressed down a piece of gold-edged cloud-dragon-patterned paper, upon which two bold characters were written: “Woman.”

The scene left Leng Feng and Leng Yi—who had come to report—looking at each other in confusion. Chu Jingcheng was usually cold, shrewd, and inscrutable. Such absent-minded moments were not uncommon. But the word “woman” written on the paper made the scene feel oddly out of place.

Leng Feng, who never held his tongue, saw Chu Jingcheng still lost in thought and whispered to Leng Yi, “So, which woman do you think His Highness is thinking about?”

Leng Yi frowned, stepped back, and glared at him. “Mind your words!”