MCSCPM -Chapter 61 Drama upon Drama

Thinking this, Yin Qingyue quickened her pace, following the small path rapidly toward Luocheng Courtyard.

Inside Luocheng Courtyard, Xue Zhenyu was in a foul mood. She still couldn’t understand how Yin Qingyue suddenly seemed to have changed completely. Could it be… some kind of possession?

Suddenly, a thought flashed through her mind, and a cruel, wicked smile curled at the corner of her lips. Xing’er happened to notice this expression and felt uneasy, wanting to step back.

“Xing’er, let’s go to that ugly wretch’s place,” Xue Zhenyu said arrogantly.

Hearing this, Xing’er’s unease intensified. Yin Qingyue now feared nothing, and if she were to reveal Xing’er’s loss of virginity, could Xing’er even survive?

The thought alone caused her body to react involuntarily. She suddenly cried out, “Ouch!” clutching her stomach.

Xue Zhenyu frowned, displeasure flashing in her eyes. “What’s wrong with you? You were fine just a moment ago.”

“Miss… I don’t know what’s happening to me,” Xing’er whimpered.

Before she could finish, the pain in her abdomen worsened, twisting her features.

Seeing this, Xue Zhenyu scoffed, “I see, you’re scared of that ugly wretch. Fine, I’ll go by myself. No need for you to come.”

No sooner had she finished speaking than Xing’er fainted, blood soaking her pants. Xing’er had never seen anything like this before, and panic surged through her. She quickly shut the door.

After a great struggle, she managed to get Xing’er onto the bed, slapping her face hard to try to wake her.

After several heavy slaps, Xing’er finally regained consciousness, though her face was pale and her lips tinged bluish.

“What happened? Could it be—” Xue Zhenyu hesitated, thinking of the terrible possibility.

Xing’er, anticipating what she might say, quickly denied it: “Miss, I just came for the medicinal wash. I forgot about this in the past few busy days.”

After the fainting episode, Xing’er realized her abdominal pain likely indicated a miscarriage. If news of a palace maid colluding with a guard and miscarrying spread in the palace, her life would be forfeit.

Hearing her explanation, Xue Zhenyu finally relaxed, though she was still displeased about the soiled bedding. Still, if her earlier suspicion had been true, not only would Xing’er have been ruined, even Xue Zhenyu herself could have been smeared.

“Then rest well. Tonight I’ll sleep next door with Sister Li,” Xue Zhenyu said, unable to tolerate sleeping in such a filthy place, and left the room.

Enduring the pain, Xing’er got out of bed, removed the soiled bedding, wrapped it up, returned to her own room, and changed her pants. After all, the medicinal wash was no different, and she could hide it from others.

Relieved, she applied some rouge and powder to her face and, seeing no one around, quickly went to meet the guard she favored.

The guard, upon seeing Xing’er, immediately rushed at her, frightening her. She pushed him away in panic.

“What’s wrong with you today?” the guard asked, his expression gloomy.

Xing’er could only give a wry smile: “I came for the medicinal wash.”

She had thought to tell him about her miscarriage, but seeing that he was only interested in their previous encounter, her spirits immediately sank.

The guard, now disinterested, said: “Then go rest. I still have to stand guard.”

Xing’er nodded silently and left.

Taking advantage of the inattentive gatekeeper, she ran quickly outside. Her time in the palace had been short; she knew she had to take the medicine quickly, or else she might truly become incapable of bearing children.

This entire scene, however, was clearly observed by Yin Qingyue, who had returned. Seeing Xing’er acting suspiciously, she decided to follow her.

Xing’er arrived at an apothecary and bought a lot of safflower and angelica.

Yin Qingyue immediately understood the situation: Xing’er had not only lost her virginity but also miscarried. This promised to be entertaining.

Having confirmed the facts, Yin Qingyue didn’t linger and returned to Luocheng Courtyard.

Inside, Mei’er waited anxiously, deeply worried.

When she finally heard Yin Qingyue singing as she entered, a huge weight lifted from her heart.

Seeing Mei’er’s nervous expression, Yin Qingyue teased: “Mei’er, stop staring like that. Your eyes are all red, like a rabbit’s.”

“Miss, you’re mocking me! Mei’er was only worried about you,” Mei’er said, pouting, feeling aggrieved.

Seeing this, Yin Qingyue stopped joking and took a steaming bun from her pocket, handing it to Mei’er: “Eat quickly. Ever since you’ve been with me, you haven’t had a single easy day.”

Hearing this, tears once again fell from Mei’er’s eyes, dripping onto her wounds, causing her to grit her teeth in pain.

“Stop crying. Your tears have salt. Don’t you want your face to heal?” Yin Qingyue said helplessly, handing her a handkerchief.

Seeing her mistress’s exasperated expression, Mei’er couldn’t help but laugh through her tears.

“After you finish the bun, we’ll go see Xue Zhenyu,” Yin Qingyue said casually, almost scaring Mei’er out of her wits.

Mei’er quickly patted her head: “Miss, if she doesn’t come provoke us, I’ll be thankful enough. Why are you going to see her?”

“Don’t worry. I guarantee she won’t bother us at all—and she’ll actually be very happy,” Yin Qingyue said confidently.

Though Mei’er was still somewhat skeptical, she chose to trust her mistress, sensing that Yin Qingyue was different now.

She quickly finished the bun. “Miss, I’m done. Let’s go.”

“Swallow it first,” Yin Qingyue said, laughing as she saw Mei’er’s cheeks puffed.

Mei’er quickly chewed and drank some water.

Yin Qingyue then led her straight to Xue Zhenyu’s courtyard.

Upon arrival, the courtyard gate was tightly shut. Just then, Xue Zhenyu appeared, swaying her hips as she walked over.

“Ugly wretch, what are you doing in my courtyard?”

“Miss Xue, aren’t you worried about losing your tongue in this wind? Do you even know whose courtyard this is?” Yin Qingyue’s gaze turned slightly cold as she replied.

Seeing that look, Xue Zhenyu recalled the terrifying scene from earlier, her voice softening slightly: “Then… what are you doing here?”

“I ask, Miss Xue, why keep the courtyard shut on such a bright, sunny day?” Yin Qingyue said calmly.

Xue Zhenyu realized something: she had planned to sleep next door tonight, but now had to return—and yet the gate was closed.

She pounded on the gate but received no response.

About to shout some harsh words, she remembered Yin Qingyue was nearby. If word got out, it would be bad for her.

Just then, Yin Qingyue said: “Mei’er, it seems Xing’er is the real owner of the Bamboo Fragrance Garden. Let’s go back.”

Xue Zhenyu couldn’t stand this insult. She pounded on the gate with all her strength, “Bang! Bang!”

Seeing her completely enraged and losing her refined demeanor, Yin Qingyue’s smile deepened. The time was nearly right—the main act was about to begin.

Sure enough, a voice shouted: “All this time, what are you banging on the gate for?”

Nanny Zhao hobbled over, supported by Nanny Liu.

Seeing Nanny Zhao, Xue Zhenyu instantly felt her strength drain, glaring at Yin Qingyue before quickly reverting to her proper lady-like appearance. “Nanny, it’s a misunderstanding. This gate is old and broken; it won’t open.”

Hearing this flimsy excuse, Nanny Zhao didn’t press further, as she had indeed received generous gifts before.

“If it won’t open, call the guards. You’re a proper lady, not some street shrew,” Nanny Zhao said with a hint of disdain.

The words almost made Xue Zhenyu spew blood in anger. The old woman spoke so venomously!

Yin Qingyue watched the commotion calmly. Xue Zhenyu suddenly realized something—was all this orchestrated by the ugly wretch? No, she couldn’t open the gate in front of Nanny.

“Miss, the sun is so strong. If you stand here, your delicate skin will burn. I just learned a new massage technique. How about I massage you?” Xue Zhenyu said, smiling obediently.

Hearing this, Nanny Zhao quickly touched her cheek. Having been injured by the ugly wretch on the left side, she couldn’t afford the right side to burn either.

“Fine, help me back. Nanny Liu, open the gate for me,” Nanny Zhao ordered sternly.

Nanny Liu seethed at this thought: She’s worried about herself getting hurt, yet wants me standing in the sun! She cast a furious glance at Xue Zhenyu—all of this because of her!

Yin Qingyue couldn’t help but laugh at these people. Humans excel at pretending and flattering, yet this play would not end so easily.

Meanwhile, back in her room, Xing’er crushed the safflower in a bowl and swallowed it. Normally, it should be boiled into water or a decoction, but that would be far too risky for her.

So focused and anxious, she didn’t even notice the commotion already brewing outside.