MCSCPM -Chapter 62 Head-to-Head Confrontation

Yin Qingyue watched Nanny Zhao, who was about to leave, and a flicker of thought crossed her mind. She smiled faintly and said, “Nanny, you’re leaving so soon?”

Nanny Zhao found it odd and asked, “Oh? Do you still have business here?”

“No business exactly. But I’ve heard that Xing’er’s skills are exceptional. If you want a massage, wouldn’t her skills surpass anyone else’s?”

These words immediately drew Xue Zhenyu’s furious glare at Yin Qingyue. She hadn’t expected Yin Qingyue to bring up Xing’er.

She had long known that Yin Qingyue had no good intentions, and now it was obvious her target was Xing’er. If anything happened to Xing’er, it would directly implicate Xue Zhenyu herself. Naturally, her heart was thrown into panic.

This ugly wretch was no longer the powerless girl she could once dominate at will. Now, she felt fear toward her.

Yin Qingyue ignored her entirely. At this moment, Nanny Liu, who already harbored some resentment toward Xue Zhenyu, deliberately provoked: “Indeed, I’ve heard that girl’s skills are quite impressive.”

Nanny Liu had never liked Xue Zhenyu. She always paid tribute to Nanny Zhao, never considering her, and just now Xue Zhenyu’s actions nearly caused her trouble. So naturally, she despised her even more.

Hearing this, Nanny Zhao slightly turned to Xue Zhenyu, her expression tinged with curiosity. “Miss Xue, is it really as they say?”

This question made Xue Zhenyu hesitate. She hadn’t expected Nanny Zhao to be so unreliable—so easily manipulated by Yin Qingyue and Nanny Liu.

She didn’t want Yin Qingyue to point out Xing’er, leaving her defenseless. If Nanny Zhao insisted on seeing Xing’er’s skills, wouldn’t the truth be revealed? Moreover, she didn’t even know exactly what had happened to Xing’er—whatever she said, Nanny Zhao must not enter.

After a moment’s thought, Xue Zhenyu replied, “That girl Xing’er is indeed talented, but since she massages me often, I’ve learned about seventy to eighty percent of her skill. So, it’s better if I do it myself!”

Hearing this, Nanny Zhao slightly nodded.

Seizing the moment, Xue Zhenyu guided Nanny Zhao away. Just as they took a step, Yin Qingyue suddenly said, “But it’s only seventy to eighty percent, after all.”

Her tone dripped with mockery. On one hand, it embarrassed Xue Zhenyu; on the other, it subtly told Nanny Zhao that if she truly wanted a proper massage, she might as well have Xing’er, whose skills were superior, do it.

With a slight arch of her brow, Yin Qingyue watched the scene unfold with amusement. This enraged Xue Zhenyu further. Yin Qingyue, once the bullied one, now seemed like a completely different person, always opposing her, always winning. Xue Zhenyu felt deeply frustrated and was determined to compete with her, though her repeated attempts had ended in failure.

“Does Miss Yin think that Nanny deserves to be massaged by a maid? Isn’t that a deliberate insult?” Xue Zhenyu snapped, which angered Nanny Zhao.

As the steward of Luocheng Courtyard, how could she be belittled like this? Already annoyed with Yin Qingyue, Nanny Zhao’s attention sharpened at Xue Zhenyu’s words. “Is this what you mean, Miss Yin?”

Yin Qingyue arched her brow as Xue Zhenyu’s attack redirected toward her. “Ah, I see. So Miss Xue thinks Xing’er’s skills aren’t worthy of massaging Nanny. Then, by that logic, wouldn’t Miss Xue herself be even less worthy?”

The words left Xue Zhenyu speechless. She had asked for trouble herself.

Though Nanny Zhao disliked Yin Qingyue, Yin Qingyue’s words made her realize that Xue Zhenyu wasn’t entirely innocent either. She said firmly, “Enough. Let Miss Xue massage me.”

A cold chuckle rose in Yin Qingyue’s mind. It seemed Nanny Zhao was determined to protect Xue Zhenyu—but could she really?

Sure enough, Nanny Liu casually remarked, “It’s strange… speaking of Xing’er, I haven’t seen her all day. Usually, she’d come by our courtyard early. Truth be told, her tea-making skills even surpass mine.”

Though said casually, the words hit Nanny Zhao hard. Even if she looked down on Nanny Liu, the point was valid. Combined with Xue Zhenyu’s excessive flattery today, could it be that Xing’er was doing something hidden inside?

Nanny Zhao’s expression immediately changed. She snapped at Xue Zhenyu, “Are you hiding something? No wonder you’ve been so attentive today.”

Xue Zhenyu was momentarily at a loss. She had thought the situation was under control—until this unexpected problem arose.

Nanny Zhao, convinced that Xue Zhenyu was concealing something, raised her voice: “I warn you, if anything improper happens in Luocheng Courtyard, I will not let it slide.”

Xue Zhenyu felt enraged. That ugly wretch treated you like that, and yet you dare not punish her?

Still keeping her composure, she quickly removed her jade hairpin and, while Yin Qingyue and Nanny Liu weren’t paying attention, handed it to Nanny Zhao. “Nanny, it’s nothing. Xing’er came to the medicinal wash today but was unwell. I feared she’d dirty or offend you, so I let her rest in her room.”

Yin Qingyue watched silently, pleased. The unnamed observers would likely believe the medicinal wash excuse. Indeed, Xue Zhenyu was truly unaware of the truth—this made things much easier.

Nanny Zhao slid the hairpin into her sleeve, but her lips still carried no leniency. With Nanny Liu and the ugly wretch present, if Xing’er truly had done something improper, Nanny Zhao as steward could not escape responsibility. One hairpin would not settle it, and she had no intention of returning it.

“Since it’s just the medicinal wash, let her come out! It’s better than fueling speculation,” Nanny Zhao said, her tone softening but firm.

Xue Zhenyu, realizing the matter was unavoidable, silently prayed that Xing’er had done nothing wrong. Her irritation at Nanny Zhao deepened—after all, Nanny Zhao had taken her hairpin, yet still forced her out.

Yin Qingyue’s gaze grew colder, knowing that Xue Zhenyu could only pray now—too late for her misdeeds.

Nanny Zhao, seeing her compliance, summoned the guards and forced the door open, stepping in first. Nanny Liu followed closely.

Just as Xue Zhenyu was about to follow, Yin Qingyue’s voice cut softly through the air: “You didn’t expect it, did you? That one day, you too would feel so helpless?”

Before she could respond, Yin Qingyue had already entered the room. Xue Zhenyu gritted her teeth in hatred and forced herself inside.

Meanwhile, Xing’er had mixed the crushed safflower with hot water but could not bring herself to drink it. She knew the child inside her was gone; this was merely to prevent further complications. Yet every thought of the child vanished without her even realizing it, leaving her in bitter turmoil.

She also knew this was for her own survival—otherwise, her life might not have been spared. But fear gripped her: what if it harmed her body, leaving her incapable of motherhood forever? She struggled in despair.

Hearing the commotion outside, she quickly hid the prepared safflower and lay down on the bed, utterly weak.

At the door, the room remained tightly shut. Nanny Zhao ordered the guards to kick it open, but Xue Zhenyu blocked them: “Nanny, Xing’er is still an unmarried girl. How can we let the guards break in?”

“Then will you do it?” Nanny Zhao snapped, furious at her attempt to obstruct her.

Xue Zhenyu tried to stall, hoping the worst wasn’t true inside.

“Nanny, if we barge in recklessly, Xing’er’s reputation would be ruined!” Xue Zhenyu exclaimed in desperation, unaware that her words only strengthened Nanny Zhao’s resolve.

“Miss Xue?” Nanny Liu sneered at her words.

Nanny Zhao’s anger flared. She fixed Xue Zhenyu with a fiery gaze. With no other choice, Xue Zhenyu forced out: “Nanny knows, Xing’er has always served you faithfully. I’m sure you know her character.”

“That’s only known by going in!” Nanny Zhao had no desire to waste more words. She had initially shown some leniency out of respect for the hairpin, but Xue Zhenyu had overstepped. At her command, the guards kicked the door open.

Xing’er sat up in panic, clutching the cup to her chest.

The group followed Nanny Zhao into her room. Yin Qingyue observed the panicked Xing’er and sneered inwardly—so convincing.

“What are you doing here?” Nanny Zhao demanded first, noticing Xing’er’s pale face. Her initial suspicion was justified.

“Servant…” Xing’er stammered, dropping to her knees, heart pounding.

Seeing this, Xue Zhenyu quickly stepped in to smooth things over: “See, I told you to rest. How are you feeling now?” She touched Xing’er’s forehead and nodded. “The fever has gone.”

Xing’er quietly echoed her words, understanding the unspoken guidance.

Yin Qingyue watched them and couldn’t help but sneer. So much loyalty between mistress and maid… And Xue Zhenyu actually cared for a servant so deeply? Who would believe that? She chuckled lightly: “Nanny, it seems that question wasn’t really for you, was it?”

Xue Zhenyu, realizing Yin Qingyue was deliberately sowing discord, hurriedly explained: “Xing’er had a high fever this morning. I feared she’d be confused and say something wrong.”

Yin Qingyue arched a brow: “And what might she have said? Could it have been very important? Tsk tsk, might have implicated more than one person, huh?”