MCSCPM -Chapter 53 Attending the Banquet

Ever since she had treated the Crown Prince and the Emperor, Yin Qingyue had anticipated a day like this. The palace was full of people eager to curry favor—before, they had been minor figures, but today’s visitors were far more important. Yet Yin Qingyue remained unfazed, handling it with her usual composure.

After arranging the banquet, He Minmin did not linger but left immediately. As she reached the door, she turned back and gave Yin Qingyue a deliberately meaningful smile. Yin Qingyue understood the Empress’s intention and nodded slightly in return.

The banquet was set for tonight. Upon receiving the news, Yin Qingyue remained as calm as ever, seemingly unfazed, continuing to tinker quietly in her room. It wasn’t until dusk fell that she made a brief preparation and stepped out of her chambers.

She initially thought she might be late, but upon arriving, she saw the place was already crowded. The daughters of the ministers had arrived, each dressed in elaborate finery. Yin Qingyue stood at the edge, feeling an immediate reluctance to enter.

She had never liked such gatherings. Today she was here under imperial orders, so despite her distaste, she could not simply turn away. She would stand, wait for the banquet to begin, and then leave early.

“Ah! Isn’t that the goddess doctor who treated the Emperor and the Crown Prince a few days ago?” Standing on the outskirts, Yin Qingyue thought she would go unnoticed—but clearly, she had drawn attention.

The daughters of the ministers, seeing her there, immediately surrounded her. Questions, small nudges, and chatter ensued, making Yin Qingyue frown in irritation.

“The goddess doctor!” someone exclaimed. “I didn’t expect to meet her here.”

The news of her healing the Emperor had already spread. Although these noble ladies rarely left their homes, many had heard of it. Those with a discerning eye recognized her instantly.

Now that she was a celebrated figure, these ladies wasted no time in flattering her. They no longer cared about her appearance; she was the famous “goddess doctor” invited to tonight’s banquet.

“This is your first time here, goddess doctor. If you’re unfamiliar with the surroundings, I’ll show you around,” said a girl in pink, trying to ingratiate herself, even calling Yin Qingyue “younger sister” and herself “elder sister.”

Another nearby girl chimed in, “I know this place well; let me show you around instead!”

Someone had begun volunteering to assist her. Yin Qingyue glanced at them but didn’t recognize any of the girls and didn’t know their intentions. In the end, she decided not to give them the opportunity.

“Thank you, elder sisters, but Yin Qingyue will just stand here for a while,” she said, then sat down on a nearby stone bench to show her point.

The flustered girls froze. Their attempts to curry favor were immediately shut down. They stood, blinking, unsure how to respond.

The garden, previously bustling, fell suddenly silent. Those not directly involved were surprised but said nothing, returning to their own matters.

“Then I’ll sit with you, younger sister, until the banquet starts,” said the girl who had first spoken, sitting beside Yin Qingyue. Seeing this, another girl joined in, trying not to fall behind.

Yin Qingyue inwardly scoffed. Their flattery was entirely performative; if she hadn’t healed the Emperor and Crown Prince, none of these women would have been so eager to surround her. The tricks and obsequiousness made her feel sick. But outwardly, she remained calm:

“Then I’ll trouble you, elder sister.”

She deliberately said “elder sister,” singular, not plural. This subtly implied that she only acknowledged the one girl, leaving the others sidelined. The girl smiled, pleased, thinking her approach was approved.

The sidelined noblewomen bristled, a mix of white and red on their faces, clearly annoyed. Yin Qingyue’s faint smile barely registered with them, absorbed as they were in their own frustrations.

Nearby, partially hidden behind trees, two figures quietly observed: Nangong Wan and Nangong Xiaoxiao. They had arrived early and stood silently, watching the scene unfold.

As the banquet hour drew near, Yin Qingyue rose and stretched. The girl who had been “accompanying her” quickly stepped forward.

“Be careful, there’s a slope here,” she warned, moving to steady Yin Qingyue.

Yin Qingyue, slight and fragile-looking under the touch, disliked being touched. After a brief moment, she respectfully bowed:

“Thank you, elder sister, but I can manage myself.”

She stepped away, leaving the flustered girl behind. Her clear refusal made the previous flattery ineffective, causing others nearby to quietly take pleasure in her rejection.

Just then, a voice called behind her.

“Prince Jing!”

Yin Qingyue froze, then regained her composure. Slowly turning, she saw exactly the face she expected: sharp features, cold eyes—the recently arrived Prince Jing of Beihai.

Now it made sense why so many ministerial daughters were present—Nangong Lin was using women to distract Chu Jingcheng. Since ancient times, beauties have been used to charm heroes; it was a clever tactic.

“Not recognizing me?” he asked. His expression remained unchanged. This “ugly woman,” he knew—he had seen her several times before, though he hadn’t expected her to enter the palace and earn the title of “goddess doctor.”

Originally, he had no intention of speaking to her, but compared to the fluttering women around him, he preferred to talk to her.

“How could I not recognize you?” Yin Qingyue replied coldly. She had anticipated his presence at the banquet; Nangong Lin would never let such an opportunity pass. Beihai was powerful, and Chu Jingcheng was a high-ranking prince—of course, flattery would be directed toward him.

She remained outwardly calm, even in his presence.

But her calmness had an immediate effect on the surrounding noblewomen. Those who had been fawning over her quickly turned their attention to Chu Jingcheng.

Indeed, he was stunningly handsome, his position unquestionable. Gaining favor with him was the ultimate goal. Yin Qingyue, despite her fame as a goddess doctor, was ultimately just a subject within the kingdom. Meanwhile, Chu Jingcheng’s status meant that being noticed by him could elevate someone to a royal consort—the kind of fortune that made one dizzy with delight.

The noblewomen, weighing risks and benefits, quickly surged toward him.

“I, Liu Qian, greet Prince Jing!” said a noblewoman at the front, abandoning her usual demure demeanor and stepping forward with a formal bow.

“Women from Xize are indeed bold,” Chu Jingcheng remarked meaningfully at her, then fell silent. The comment was directed at Yin Qingyue, though its meaning remained unclear.