MCSCPM -Chapter 60 Drama upon Drama

Nanny Liu was even more frustrated. Wasn’t it just now that you didn’t want me to help you? You really pick on the weak.

Even though she was reluctant, she still followed Nanny Zhao’s orders and helped her up.

Then Nanny Zhao let out a shriek: “Careful!”

Grabbing Nanny Liu’s arm tightly, she hobbled out into the courtyard. Before anyone could figure out what was happening, the scene had already dispersed.

Xue Zhenyu was especially enraged. She had thought she could punish this “ugly wretch” properly, but instead, Yin Qingyue had escaped so easily. Could it be that this ugly wretch had found some leverage over Nanny Zhao?

Recalling Yin Qingyue’s fearless gaze, Xue Zhenyu shivered in fear and quickly dragged Xing’er away.

Seeing Xue Zhenyu leave, the rest of the onlookers reluctantly departed as well.

Once everyone had gone, Yin Qingyue and Mei’er returned to her room.

She crushed some medicinal herbs and applied them to Mei’er’s face, speaking with concern: “Mei’er, I know you’re thinking of me, but I want you to always protect yourself first.”

“Mistress, I—”

Mei’er started to say something, but Yin Qingyue cut her off: “Mei’er, we came into Luocheng Courtyard together. We may have the master-servant title, but I see you as my sister, not just a maid.”

She continued: “From now on, remember: if anyone hits you, hit them back hard.”

Her words were bold, striking deeply into Mei’er’s heart.

“Mistress, that could cause trouble for you,” Mei’er said softly, bowing her head.

Yin Qingyue let out a cold laugh: “Trouble? Mei’er, trouble doesn’t just avoid you because you don’t provoke others. The only way to stop people from coming after you is to make yourself strong enough that no one dares.”

Mei’er nodded in understanding.

Satisfied that Mei’er understood, Yin Qingyue didn’t say more. She warned Mei’er not because she overestimated herself, but because she knew Mei’er was intelligent yet too innocent.

In her previous life, as the young mistress of the Yin family, she had learned deceit and maneuvering in the marketplace, surrounded by people who sought fame, profit, and power. This life, however, Mei’er was pure-hearted, acting only out of care to protect her original self and Yin Qingyue in this tiger’s den.

She wanted Mei’er to grow strong, capable of standing on her own. She understood that Luocheng Courtyard was only a temporary stop.

“Mei’er, rest well. I need to go out for a bit,” Yin Qingyue said, taking a sip of coarse tea.

Mei’er immediately stood up, wincing at her injuries. “Ouch! Mistress, where are you going?”

“I’m going to buy a few things. After what I did to Nanny Zhao, she’ll probably try to make things difficult for us with food,” Yin Qingyue explained.

“Mistress, it’s all my fault,” Mei’er said, feeling guilty.

Yin Qingyue lightly tapped her hand. “Silly Mei’er, did you forget what I just said?”

“I understand, Mistress. You must be careful,” Mei’er said firmly, clenching her fists.

Seeing this, Yin Qingyue said nothing further and left. Normally, she would avoid sneaking out after causing trouble, but her herbs were running low, and after today, the courtyard guards would surely be stricter. If she didn’t go now, she wouldn’t know when she could next leave.

Meanwhile, Nanny Zhao, who had been pushed by Yin Qingyue, lay on the bed wailing in pain.

“Nanny, why didn’t you punish that ugly wretch?” Nanny Liu asked, massaging her.

Nanny Zhao snorted coldly: “She’s been kicked out of the palace and is still so arrogant. Something’s off. Plus, there’s some unclear business with the Crown Prince—what if she has some connection with him? If I punish her and she reports to the Crown Prince, I’ll never return to the palace.”

“You really trust that the Crown Prince would go against Prince Jing?” Nanny Liu asked skeptically, though not aloud.

Nanny Zhao looked at her with disdain: “After being in the palace so long, don’t you understand how unpredictable people are? Prince Jing may be special, but this is still Nanyao Kingdom.”

“You are wise, Nanny. I am humbled,” Nanny Liu replied with a forced smile, secretly afraid that the backing Nanny Zhao had was real.

“Just serve me properly. When I return to the palace, I’ll plead for you,” Nanny Zhao said, smiling as if she were already returning.

“I understand,” Nanny Liu said obsequiously.

On the other side, Yin Qingyue arrived at the Wine & Spirits House and asked the waiter for a private room.

Knowing her special status, he led her to a first-class room.

Inside, she washed her face, darkened her skin to a wheat tone, thickened her eyebrows, flattened her formerly straight nose, and added freckles.

Compared to her old “ugly” disguise, she looked far more ordinary and inconspicuous.

Finishing her transformation, she slipped out unnoticed, only to run into Chu Jingcheng and Crown Prince Nangong Xiao at the entrance.

As she tried to leave, Leng Feng blocked her: “Hmm, haven’t we met somewhere before, miss?”

Rolling her eyes internally, she feigned nervousness: “Sir, I think you’re mistaken. I just arrived in the capital.”

“Leng Feng, the prince still has official business,” Leng Yi said seriously.

Seeing the situation settled, Yin Qingyue stepped forward—but slipped, bumping directly into Chu Jingcheng’s chest. Her nose hurt, but she quickly pulled away.

“My apologies, sir,” she said.

Yet Chu Jingcheng drew her back into his arms. “Your scent is… unique.”

She froze, lowering her head and nervously explaining: “I… I’m using night fragrance, sir. You must mean its smell.”

She quickly opened the small vial in her sleeve, releasing a pungent stench.

Leng Feng immediately jumped back: “Prince, have you gone mad over a woman? She just smells bad!”

The Crown Prince frowned, but Chu Jingcheng remained impassive.

Yin Qingyue decided to toy with him: “Sir, you’ve held me long enough. If you keep this up, I won’t be able to marry.”

Chu Jingcheng glanced at her and released his hold. Yin Qingyue wasted no time, sprinting away.

Leng Feng laughed teasingly: “Even if the prince likes women, he shouldn’t just hold someone on the street! Now she’s scared off.”

Crown Prince Nangong Xiao frowned. What’s up with Prince Jing? Even if he’s desperate, why cling to her like that?

Chu Jingcheng turned to Leng Feng before entering the Wine & Spirits House: “Afterwards, you clean the latrine.”

Leng Feng had no choice but to follow, while Leng Yi stayed serious and the Crown Prince entered last.

The waiter had meant to inform the Crown Prince about Yin Qingyue but, seeing Chu Jingcheng enter with him, forgot entirely.

Inside, Chu Jingcheng sipped tea but kept thinking of that woman—the fragrance was identical to the bold woman from before, yet it vanished suddenly. The scene felt eerily familiar.

Seeing him lost in thought, Leng Feng nudged Leng Yi: “See? I told you the prince likes that woman.”

Leng Yi sneered: “You think the prince would like both the woman who stole clothes and the one who offended him?”

“No, I think I’ve seen her somewhere… just can’t recall,” Leng Feng replied confidently.

Leng Yi snorted: “If it’s a girl, you’ve seen her before.”

Suddenly, something clicked in Leng Feng’s mind. “I remember! Her eyes—they’re exactly like Yin Qingyue’s!”

Hearing Yin Qingyue’s name, Crown Prince Nangong Xiao’s heart skipped. “You must be mistaken. I know Yin Qingyue well; that girl isn’t like her at all.”

He glanced at Chu Jingcheng. Seeing his expression unchanged, he relaxed, yet still didn’t want Yin Qingyue linked to Chu Jingcheng.

“I know the Crown Prince is familiar with Yin Qingyue, or you wouldn’t have backed her,” Leng Feng said sarcastically.

The Crown Prince’s face stiffened. “My chronic condition was mostly cured thanks to Yin Qingyue.”

A simple statement, yet it revealed their connection.

Meanwhile, Yin Qingyue sat in a tea house, eating buns and drinking tea.

After finishing, she bought a few more buns to take back to Mei’er.

Originally planning to use this disguise to pawn the beads, she hadn’t expected to run into their owner. Today, it seemed, she’d have to quickly return to her old “ugly” look and head back to Luocheng Courtyard.