MCSCPM -Chapter 49 Fight to the Death

Back in the palace, Consort Sun watched her daughter tinkering with medicinal herbs and suddenly an idea struck her. Consort De’s pride—wasn’t it because she had a son? If only she could have a son too…

Thinking this, she instructed Nangong Mei’er, “Mei’er, you must spend more time with the divine physician recently. Oh, and there are still some snow ginsengs your father gave me in the storage—bring them to her.”

“Mother, those are thousand-year snow ginsengs! You don’t even want to eat them yourself!” Nangong Mei’er said in surprise at her mother’s words.

“What of a thousand-year snow ginseng, or even ten-thousand-year snow ginseng? Mei’er, you must understand—if we can win this person over, even giving several ginsengs is worth it!” Consort Sun stood and paced lightly across the thick carpet, confident and composed.

“Your daughter has been foolish; I will have Xiuer fetch them immediately,” Nangong Mei’er said after a moment of thought. She realized that her mother’s insight surpassed her own—it was true, she was still inexperienced.

“Truly my daughter, so perceptive in a single moment! Ah, if only you were a prince,” Consort Sun said with a smile, though a hint of sadness touched her voice.

“Mother, you say that again and I’ll go fawn over the divine physician to get your illness cured sooner, so you won’t be nagging about it every day!” Nangong Mei’er said, pouting slightly.

“Foolish girl, nonsense! Haven’t I always been thinking of you, trying to find you a good husband?” Consort Sun stepped forward, taking Nangong Mei’er’s hand and smiling.

Hearing her mother bring up marriage, Nangong Mei’er’s expression changed slightly. She quickly said, “Mother, it’s getting late. I must go see the divine physician, or your little dream will be ruined.”

With that, she quickly withdrew her hand from Consort Sun and dashed off.

Meanwhile, in Weiyang Palace, He Minmin sat upright in a pale purple palace robe, holding scissors as she carefully trimmed flower branches, occasionally speaking to those around her.

“Do you know why I summoned you today?”

The young lady below flinched and shook her head. “Xiaoxiao does not know. Please instruct me, Mother.”

He Minmin put down the scissors, signaling a maid to take the flowers away.

“Consort Shu left early, and you have long been raised under my care. Now that you are coming of age, tonight’s banquet for the ministers will be your own suitor-selection feast.” Her gaze was icy, her tone detached, without a trace of emotion.

Nangong Xiaoxiao’s expression remained timid, though inside she was already brimming with determination. She would never let anyone dictate her life.

“Mm, Mother also hopes you will find a suitable husband, so let me know if anyone catches your eye,” He Minmin’s tone softened, showing some satisfaction with Xiaoxiao’s response.

Xiaoxiao understood: any prospective husband required her mother’s approval, otherwise she might end up alone.

“Xiaoxiao humbly follows Mother’s teaching. I heard Mother has already received the divine physician’s help, so I preemptively wish Mother eternal youth.”

Which woman does not love beauty? He Minmin’s expression softened slightly. “Bring my rainbow-feathered robe.”

“Xiaoxiao, this rainbow-feathered robe was bestowed upon Mother by your great-grandmother. Now that you are of age, I gift it to you. When you wear it at your wedding, it will surely make you famous throughout the capital,” He Minmin said, handing the robe to her.

Xiaoxiao felt joy inside, but outwardly remained humble. “Mother, that cannot be allowed. The elegance of this robe belongs only to Mother; anyone else would simply be unworthy of wearing it.”

“Xiaoxiao, such sweet words, just like your mother,” He Minmin said, a tinge of nostalgia in her tone.

Xiaoxiao’s heart skipped—this meant the robe must be refused.

“Mother, being raised under your care is already a blessing. I absolutely cannot accept this rainbow-feathered robe.”

Hearing this, Empress He Minmin smiled more deeply. “I know Xiaoxiao is filial. Since you insist, I shall not force the matter.” She then told the maid, “Return it to its place.”

Though Xiaoxiao was inwardly displeased, she showed no sign of it.

He Minmin was pleased with her performance—she wanted a compliant pawn, not a wolf-child who would bite back.

“Mother, I heard recently Consort Sun has been treating the divine physician well. You must be careful,” Xiaoxiao said casually.

He Minmin’s temper flared at first, but recalling Nanny Lai’s words, her anger quickly subsided.

“I am the head of the six palaces. How could I be petty? Xiaoxiao, as the Princess of Xize, you must speak with restraint.”

“Yes, Mother’s lesson is right,” Xiaoxiao lowered her head, twisting her handkerchief to hide the contorted expression on her face.

Empress He Minmin’s gaze flickered, noting a striking resemblance—indeed, the child’s movements mirrored someone familiar.

Annoyed, she said, “Mm, Xiaoxiao, it is enough that you understand. It’s late; return to the palace soon.”

“Yes, Xiaoxiao takes her leave.”

She left the palace, and as soon as she stepped outside, her face twisted, only to vanish moments later.

Meanwhile, in her own quarters, Yin Qingyue was enjoying herself leisurely, holding several freshly picked plants. She was most delighted with the smelly herb and the bitter herb.

The smelly herb smelled foul but was incredibly useful—who would have thought such a thing existed in the palace?

The other plant was water radish, useful both medicinally and as food.

Excited, Yin Qingyue began preparing.

Taking advantage of the empty palace, she sneaked into the small kitchen, washed the water radish, and prepared a little porridge, some side dishes, and, most importantly, a stack of sauces. She then quickly returned to the inner room of the Buddhist hall.

Though she had once been the young mistress of the Yin family, she had always loved dishes with water radish. With her knowledge of medicine, she knew its health benefits. She had feared she would never taste it again, yet here it was in the imperial palace—a humble yet precious food.

Just as she was about to enjoy her meal, she suddenly heard voices nearby and hurriedly wrapped the smelly herbs. After all, not everyone could tolerate their scent, and explaining would be too troublesome.

Once she had done all this, she finally settled down to eat, satisfied.