MCSCPM -Chapter 64 The Way of the Pawn

“Yes!” Xing’er stood up respectfully, her eyes filled with a mix of awe and fear toward Yin Qingyue. The weak girl who used to be constantly bullied by Xue Zhenyu had undergone a drastic change—now strong and clever, her presence naturally drew others to follow. Perhaps this pragmatic approach was the best choice, for Xing’er could not guarantee how Xue Zhenyu would treat her in the future. Learning to protect herself here was crucial.

“Thank you, Miss, for sparing your servant,” Xing’er lowered her head, too afraid to meet Yin Qingyue’s gaze. After all, she had once suffered under Xue Zhenyu’s schemes alongside her, and now, the tables had turned—she was the one being manipulated.

“You needn’t thank me. I’m looking forward to your future performance. I never rely on useless people,” Yin Qingyue said, her gaze cold and voice calm.

“Rest assured, Miss. Whatever you ask of me in the future, Xing’er will obey wholeheartedly and will never harbor second thoughts,” Xing’er said quickly, kneeling on the bed in earnest. Her fear of Yin Qingyue was genuine, and as the saying went, a clever bird chooses the right tree to perch on. After today’s events, she already understood the road ahead.

Hearing this, Yin Qingyue’s lips curved into a smile devoid of warmth. “From now on, report all movements of your mistress to me. If you wish to be a pawn, then fulfill your duties as one.”

Xing’er shivered inwardly at the subtle warning. “Yes, your servant will obey.”

“And you know how to relay this to your current mistress without arousing suspicion. If you fail, you won’t even remain a pawn,” Yin Qingyue said lightly, with a faint smile.

This remark stirred waves in Xing’er’s heart. She couldn’t help but glance up at Yin Qingyue, realizing how much she had changed—now inscrutable, commanding, and formidable.

“Miss, rest assured. Xing’er knows what to do,” she said, suppressing her fear and speaking with determination.

“This thing must be dealt with quickly. After use, it’s best to burn it to avoid leaving traces,” Yin Qingyue added, patting the bedding and intentionally—or perhaps casually—glancing at Xing’er.

Xing’er’s heart pounded as she noticed the safflower and angelica peeking from the bedding—the very items that had almost cost her life.

Having said what needed saying and pointed out what needed pointing, Yin Qingyue turned and left.

Once she departed, Xing’er boiled the angelica and safflower into a medicinal drink and drank it. Soon, unbearable abdominal pain overtook her. She writhed on the bed, moaning softly, careful not to make too much noise for fear of being overheard. It felt as though blood flowed from between her legs.

As night fell, Xing’er carried a basin of water into Xue Zhenyu’s room. She immediately sensed the tense atmosphere; she had anticipated that Xue Zhenyu would question her.

Seeing Xing’er enter, Xue Zhenyu rose from the bed, picked up a cup of water from the table, and smiled: “You must have been scared today. Put the basin down and rest a bit. Drink some water to calm yourself.”

Xing’er placed the basin on a rack, looking confused, then reached for the cup Xue Zhenyu held. “Thank you, Miss.”

“Good that you know how to thank me! The worst is not knowing right from wrong and causing harm to yourself,” Xue Zhenyu said sharply. Xing’er knew she was suspicious of today’s events with Yin Qingyue. Xue Zhenyu’s usual vigilance meant one misstep could lead to blame. Today, Xing’er’s earlier display of dissatisfaction had not gone unnoticed, and Xue Zhenyu would not easily let it slide.

Xing’er would continue to serve closely, and much of her life was known to Xue Zhenyu. She could not let her mistress doubt her loyalty or provide an opportunity to punish her.

“Miss, rest assured, Xing’er knows how to behave,” she said.

“Is that so?” Xue Zhenyu sneered. “Then tell me what happened after I left today. What did Yin Qingyue say to you?”

Xing’er had anticipated this. She looked at Xue Zhenyu with utmost sincerity and extreme caution. “Miss, you don’t know that ugly thing, right? She only said things you wouldn’t like. Why give her the satisfaction of upsetting you?”

Xue Zhenyu’s gaze was cold. She smiled faintly. “Oh? Then tell me exactly what she said that I wouldn’t like.”

“Well…” Xing’er hesitated, too afraid to speak freely. Seeing this, Xue Zhenyu encouraged her, “Go on, speak freely.”

“That ugly one said that the ritual is coming soon, and sooner or later, Miss will die before her,” Xing’er said. She only repeated what Yin Qingyue had once told Xue Zhenyu—a borrowed truth.

Xue Zhenyu’s expression shifted slightly. “Hah! Sounds just like her words!”

She held her forehead, sighing. “Xing’er, don’t you think she changed too quickly? The ugly girl we used to bully now stands above us. Her ability to win hearts is something even I envy.”

“Is that so?” Xing’er smiled lightly. “Miss, rest assured. Xing’er will always be by your side. Whatever tricks that ugly one uses, I will block them in front of you.”

Xing’er began flattering Xue Zhenyu—she loved hearing such praise and could never tire of it.

“In the past, I had no worries, but now it’s different. Sigh… hearts are so hard to keep,” Xue Zhenyu sighed helplessly, as if someone had truly betrayed her.

Xing’er didn’t know what to say until Xue Zhenyu asked, ghostly and unsettling: “Xing’er, would you ever betray me?”

“Of course not. My heart has always belonged to you, Miss,” she replied earnestly. Every word was scrutinized by Xue Zhenyu.

“Really? Then tell me, at a moment of life or death, what would you choose?”

Xing’er knew she referred to today’s events. Life or death? She inwardly laughed coldly but outwardly said: “Your servant does not blame you, Miss. Everyone faced difficulties today.” She spoke carefully, though her “no blame” was false; in her situation, she would have done the same.

“No blame? That’s a lie, isn’t it?” Xue Zhenyu slowly approached, lifting Xing’er’s chin, her eyes icy.

She knew this long-serving maid was lying. “Xing’er, do you think following her benefits you more than me? Or that she can protect you better now?”

“Miss, what are you worried about? Ever since leaving the palace, I’ve been yours. Xing’er would never betray you.”

With that, Xing’er knelt heavily on the floor, ignoring her pain. If Xue Zhenyu did not trust her, her value as a pawn was lost.

“Worried? Betrayal? Xing’er, I’m afraid… I fear someone will sell their master for their own life,” Xue Zhenyu said, smiling faintly.

“Why don’t you drink water, Xing’er? Not thirsty or afraid?”

She raised an eyebrow, waiting. Her gaze coldly fixed on Xing’er.

Xing’er hesitated, calculating the risk. If she refused, Xue Zhenyu would doubt her loyalty; if she drank, what if the water were poisoned?

Seeing her hesitation, Xue Zhenyu prompted: “What are you afraid of, Xing’er? Poison in the water?”

“No, Miss. My life belongs to you. If you don’t trust me, what meaning does life have?” Xing’er struggled, hoping to move her mistress.

“Trust? Xing’er, if you don’t trust me, why ask if I trust you?” Xue Zhenyu said with a cold laugh.

Realizing words were useless, Xing’er adopted an innocent pose, tears in her eyes, and slowly drank the water. “I have been alone since childhood, cared for by no one. Serving you, Miss, I only wished to serve well, never imagining anything else, just hoping to live my life faithfully. Miss, must you not trust me?”

Seeing this, Xue Zhenyu took the cup and tossed it onto the table. “Xing’er, why are you crying? Don’t you see, I trust you? Besides, it’s just ordinary water. See!”

She poured the cup onto the ground—plain water. Clearly, the test was simply to probe Xing’er. Since she drank it, Xue Zhenyu would ask no further questions.

“Help me wash up!” Xue Zhenyu said, letting the matter drop. Even if Xing’er hid something, she would not confess easily. Observing slowly was wiser; killing her now would reveal nothing. Yin Qingyue, we shall see.

Xing’er carefully assisted Xue Zhenyu with her washing and grooming. Each had their own schemes.

Meanwhile, Yin Qingyue returned to her room, sitting on the bed, her gaze even colder as she reflected on the day’s events.

Although Mei’er accompanied her, she stood quietly aside, knowing her mistress was protecting her, fearful of a repeat of previous injuries.

“Miss, are you really going to use Xing’er?” Mei’er asked, hesitant, recalling the trouble Xing’er had caused both her and her mistress.

Yin Qingyue smiled faintly. “What? Jealous, Mei’er? Don’t worry, no one can replace your place in my heart.”

Blushing, Mei’er replied, “Miss, I’m not jealous. I just fear Xing’er might pretend loyalty and harm you.”

“Rest assured, even with ten guts, she won’t dare,” Yin Qingyue said confidently.

Mei’er’s eyes widened in confusion. Yin Qingyue continued: “I hold her leverage in my hands forever. A woman who’s had a miscarriage is different from one who hasn’t. Even if she erases all traces, she will never be innocent again. She knows this, and therefore will never betray me.”

One thing Yin Qingyue didn’t say: Xing’er was smart. She knew which decisions would benefit herself most and how to preserve her hard-won life.

After hearing this, Mei’er admired her mistress’s cunning. She had never imagined Yin Qingyue could become like this. Had she been so sharp back in the Yin household, she would never have fallen to her current state.

Tears threatened to fall, but remembering Yin Qingyue’s words to be strong, Mei’er held them back.

Yin Qingyue sighed, both pained and helpless: “Mei’er, you must be made of water, always shedding tears.” She handed her a handkerchief.

Mei’er shook her head. “No, I’m made of soil. I must be strong.”

Yin Qingyue couldn’t help but laugh.

Elsewhere, at the capital’s courier inn, Prince Jing, Chu Jingcheng, wore a long black robe embroidered with the royal insignia of Xize in the lower right corner. Proud and aloof, he sat at his desk.

In front of him were several sheets of rice paper with drawings of an ugly woman, next to a red bellyband.

Frowning ever deeper at the illustrations, he muttered to himself.

Outside, Leng Feng whispered to Leng Yi: “See? I told you, the prince has taken a fancy to a Xize woman.”

Leng Yi remained expressionless, saying nothing.

Inside, Prince Jing coldly asked, “Is the latrine cleaned?”

Leng Feng, running, said, “Prince, your desires are unsatisfied—you can’t punish your subordinates, can you?” Then he sprinted off.