MCSCPM -Chapter 46 Suspicion

Instead, Nangong Mei’er looked back at Nangong Xiao with the same “you’re a strange creature” expression. “How could Eldest Brother think that way? Actually, Miss Yin has a delicate frame. If she were a bit fuller, she would certainly be graceful and charming. And her features are quite refined—her eyes are very pretty, her nose is small and straight, her chin is pointed. It’s just that her eyebrows are a bit thick, her lips a bit too red, her complexion somewhat sallow, and there’s that ugly big black mole.”

Listening to Nangong Mei’er’s words, Yin Qingyue couldn’t help but draw in a sharp breath. Nangong Mei’er truly did have some medical knowledge, so the way she looked at people was different from that of ordinary folk.

No matter how ugly the makeup Yin Qingyue painted on her face, it could only alter her appearance. She couldn’t distort her figure, nor could she change the basic shape of her features. Thus, even with ugly makeup, Nangong Mei’er—who was accustomed to judging people by their bone structure and musculature—still saw what was attractive about her.

Someone versed in medicine did not stop at surface appearances when judging others. That was why Nangong Mei’er had discovered so many pleasing aspects of Yin Qingyue.

Yin Qingyue was secretly alarmed and at the same time became even more certain that she must not get too close to Nangong Mei’er. If Nangong Mei’er discovered her disguise, things would truly be disastrous.

Nangong Xiao stared at Yin Qingyue’s ugly face for a long while, then still shook his head. He really couldn’t accept Nangong Mei’er’s claim that Yin Qingyue wasn’t actually unattractive.

Yin Qingyue didn’t dwell on it. She turned sideways to invite the two of them into her room on the eastern side of the Buddhist hall and asked them to take their seats.

Before the stools even had time to warm beneath them, Nanny Lai came rushing in.

“Why have the Crown Prince and the Second Princess taken an interest in coming to the Buddhist hall today?” Nanny Lai smiled kindly with narrowed eyes, though alarm bells were ringing loudly in her heart.

It was only the second day, yet both the Crown Prince and the Second Princess—who never came here before—had set foot in the Buddhist hall. Could it really be all because of Yin Qingyue’s medical skills?

The rumors in the palace had indeed spread. Now both the Crown Prince and Consort Sun seemed to have intentions of drawing Yin Qingyue to their side.

Nanny Lai’s feelings were complicated, yet she also felt a bit relieved. Fortunately, Her Majesty the Empress had already moved to win over this ugly girl yesterday. Otherwise, by today it would have been too late for regret—this was only Yin Qingyue’s second day in the palace!

Yin Qingyue looked at the roomful of people, each with a different expression, and slightly frowned. So many people crowded into her room—weren’t they tired of it?

Leaving Nanny Lai aside, since this was her territory, and not mentioning Nangong Xiao, who had helped her before—what exactly was Nangong Mei’er here for? She really shouldn’t be getting involved with this Second Princess at all.

Nangong Xiao glanced at Nanny Lai, frowned slightly, and said calmly, “We merely came to see Miss Yin. After all, Miss Yin is the woman from Luocheng Courtyard who prays for Xize. Xize has the obligation—and must—ensure her safety.”

After returning to the Crown Prince’s residence in a daze yesterday, he suddenly realized what a grave mistake he had made.

Setting aside his debt of gratitude to Yin Qingyue, she was also a divine physician who had cured his long-standing ailment in a single day! Previously, only he knew how superb her medical skills were, so he hadn’t felt any urgency to draw her to his side.

But yesterday, Yin Qingyue had clearly demonstrated her abilities in front of Nangong Lin. That meant everyone present now knew of her extraordinary medical skills.

Yet not only had he done nothing, he had even allowed Yin Qingyue to stay in Nanny Lai’s Buddhist hall. Wasn’t that equivalent to personally handing a female divine physician straight into the Empress’s hands?

Although the Empress’s second son, Nangong Yu, was known for roaming mountains and rivers, painting and calligraphy, and seemed to lack ambition, one could never judge a person’s heart by appearances. Besides, who knew what the Empress herself truly had in mind?

The more Nangong Xiao thought about it, the more he felt foolish. After muddling through the night in confusion, he came to the Buddhist hall at once, determined that no matter what method he used, he could not let Yin Qingyue fall under the Empress’s control!

Seeing Nangong Xiao’s expression suddenly turn grim, Yin Qingyue smiled slightly. “Your Highness speaks too gravely. With Qingyue residing in the Buddhist hall, there is the Buddha’s protection—how could there be any danger? Compared to that, Qingyue is more curious: is there any progress regarding the person who attempted to frame Qingyue and thereby harm Xize?”

At the mention of Xize, Nangong Xiao’s attention—previously locked in subtle opposition with Nanny Lai—was drawn back. He shook his head slightly and sighed. “This matter is not so simple. I fear it will take some time before there are results.”

Yin Qingyue hadn’t truly intended to learn the outcome anyway. She nodded and changed the subject. “Speaking of which, Qingyue has yet to thank Your Highness for your assistance yesterday. Had it not been for Your Highness speaking up with righteousness, Qingyue would likely not be alive at this moment.”

Nangong Xiao shook his head slightly. “It was a small matter, not worth mentioning. Miss Yin need not take it to heart.”

Yin Qingyue sighed and lowered her head. “I truly don’t know who it was, to use such despicable means to frame Xize.”

Nangong Xiao lowered his gaze. “No matter who did it, I will certainly find them, bring them to justice, and give Miss Yin an explanation!”

Nanny Lai was startled. There seemed to be an element of courting in Nangong Xiao’s words. She quickly turned to observe Yin Qingyue’s expression. Seeing Yin Qingyue slightly lowering her head, her face still calm and unmoved, Nanny Lai finally relaxed.

It seemed this girl truly had no intention of currying favor with the Crown Prince. Otherwise, she wouldn’t be so indifferent. With that thought, Nanny Lai withdrew her gaze from Yin Qingyue.

At this moment, Yin Qingyue slightly raised her lowered head and looked at Nangong Xiao, her eyes flickering with an indescribable depth. “No matter what, the person behind the scenes will not give up easily. Your Highness must be careful.”

In any case, Nangong Xiao was still on her side for now. Since that was so, joining forces with him—without harming the Empress’s interests—did not violate her agreement with the Empress.

As soon as these words were spoken, the heart Nanny Lai had just put at ease tightened again. What was wrong with this ugly girl? Was she trying to have the best of both worlds—currying favor with the Empress while also trying to hook the Crown Prince?

Gazing into Yin Qingyue’s earnest eyes, Nangong Xiao couldn’t help but feel a warmth and sweetness rise in his heart. His usually gloomy, cold face rarely showed such a warm smile. “That goes without saying—I know. But Miss Yin must also be careful. If that person could deceive Third Brother, there’s no guarantee they couldn’t infiltrate the harem.”

Nangong Mei’er looked at Nangong Xiao, then at Yin Qingyue, and tilted her head with a smile. “Miss Yin, why don’t you just stay in the palace from now on and not leave?”

Her words instantly drew everyone’s attention. Nanny Lai’s eyes widened as she began to ponder the implications behind Nangong Mei’er’s statement.

Yesterday, Yin Qingyue’s third and most important condition had been to leave Luocheng Courtyard. Yet today, Nangong Mei’er came and suggested she remain in the palace? Was this an offhand joke from Nangong Mei’er—or something more?

Thinking of this, Nanny Lai’s heart trembled. Could it be that Yin Qingyue, without her knowledge, had also extended conditions to Consort Sun, and that Nangong Mei’er was here today to deliver Consort Sun’s response?

Yin Qingyue blinked, genuinely not understanding Nangong Mei’er’s intent. “Why does the Second Princess say this?”

Nangong Mei’er’s eyes curved into a smile. “Miss Yin has only known Eldest Brother for two days, yet Eldest Brother already smiled at you. I’ve known Eldest Brother for so many years and rarely ever seen him smile. Clearly, Miss Yin is different to him.”

As if completely unaware of how shocking her words were, she propped her head on her hand and smiled sweetly at Yin Qingyue. “If Miss Yin were to stay in the palace in the future, wouldn’t Eldest Brother smile even more?”

Nangong Mei’er’s words were like a stone dropped into still water, stirring up a thousand ripples. Nangong Xiao immediately withdrew his smile and sternly rebuked, “Don’t speak nonsense!” It was unclear whether he was scolding Nangong Mei’er, or scolding his own heart that had been thrown into sudden turmoil by her words.

Yin Qingyue smiled faintly and gently shook her head at Nangong Mei’er. “Your Highness is joking. Leaving aside the fact that Qingyue comes from Luocheng Courtyard, even just looking at this ugly face of mine, I shouldn’t stay in the palace.”

Nangong Mei’er shook her head. “Miss Yin, you really aren’t ugly.”

Yin Qingyue’s heart jolted. She quickly interrupted, “For Qingyue, appearance is not important. What matters is that in one’s lifetime, one lives with a clear conscience.”

She smiled at Nangong Xiao. “In truth, the Crown Prince’s smile isn’t for Qingyue, but for Xize, isn’t it? For a mere commoner like Qingyue to be able to contribute to Xize with a weak body is naturally something to be happy about.”

Nangong Xiao snapped back to his senses and quickly nodded. “Miss Yin is right. That is precisely what I was thinking of when I smiled.”

Nangong Mei’er frowned slightly and did not pursue the matter further, merely pouting and refusing to speak anymore.

Fearing she might cause further trouble, Nangong Xiao simply stood up. “It’s getting late. I should be heading back. It’s not very safe for Second Sister to return alone from such a secluded place to Guan Ju Palace. Why not come back together with your elder brother?”

Seeing Nangong Xiao speak with good reason, Nangong Mei’er could not press further. She stood up helplessly. “Alright.”

Worried that Yin Qingyue might continue to have contact with the two behind her back, Nanny Lai quickly stood up and bowed. “This old servant will see Your Highnesses off.”

Yin Qingyue merely stood slightly as a gesture and then sat back down, watching the three leave together. A faintly mocking smile curved at the corner of her lips.

After Nanny Lai returned, her face darkened at once. She stared coldly at Yin Qingyue. “Miss Yin truly has some skill. In just two days, you’ve already built up quite a network of connections—and all right under this old servant’s nose!”

Yin Qingyue raised her eyes to look at Nanny Lai, unhurriedly lifting her teacup for a sip. “Why must Nanny be so anxious? Aren’t more friends always better?”

Nanny Lai snorted coldly. “Miss Yin, don’t forget—your friends may not be Her Majesty the Empress’s friends!”

Yin Qingyue set the teacup down heavily on the table with a dull thud. “If Nanny does not trust Qingyue, you may speak plainly. There’s no need to beat around the bush like this!”