MCSCPM -Chapter 65 Nangong Xiao’s Relapse

In the Luocheng Courtyard, Yin Qingyue was sitting leisurely on her bed, carefully studying a book in her hands.

Mei’er placed a bowl of porridge and some steamed buns on the table, her thoughts a jumble as she looked at her mistress.

She didn’t know how to speak. She had assumed that her mistress had already secured Xing’er’s loyalty, meaning there would be one less person working against her. But the words she had just overheard unsettled her.

Thinking of this, Mei’er’s heart shivered, almost causing her to spill the bowl.

“Mei’er, what’s wrong? You seem distracted,” Yin Qingyue said, closing her book and looking at Mei’er calmly, her gaze clear and steady.

Mei’er felt a bitter heaviness in her heart. She had no idea how to explain. She had thought that with her mistress disguised in her ugly makeup, the upcoming ritual would pass without incident—but fate had other plans.

Her eyes reddened instantly.

Seeing this, Yin Qingyue’s gaze softened with a trace of concern. Mei’er had always been innocent and open with her emotions, and now her current expression clearly indicated she had overheard something troubling.

“Mei’er, do you have something you want to tell me?” Yin Qingyue asked gently. She didn’t want to force Mei’er, only coax her to speak the truth.

Mei’er shook her head, frustrated with herself. How could she tell her mistress that her own name appeared on the ritual list?

She had thought that her mistress had become wiser and confident enough that life would be easier going forward, but no matter how carefully she planned, one could not outwit the heavens.

Yin Qingyue realized Mei’er wasn’t going to tell her voluntarily, but given Mei’er’s personality, it must be something related to her. “Mei’er, I hope you’ll speak openly—don’t keep it bottled up.”

Hearing this, Mei’er’s eyes turned even redder. Clenching her fists and struggling for a moment, she said, “Miss… when I went to get the food just now, I overheard the kitchen maids talking. They said…”

She paused, taking a deep, trembling breath before continuing: “This time, the ritual list… it includes your name, Miss.”

At this, Mei’er could no longer contain her emotions and began to sob softly.

Yin Qingyue paused, a faint smile appearing at the corner of her lips. “Mei’er, don’t cry. Your mistress is who she is—how could anyone simply dictate what happens to me?”

She immediately understood: given her disguised ugly appearance, it was impossible for her to be chosen for the ritual so easily. Someone must have tampered with the list—but was it the vengeful Nanny Zhao, who hated her deeply, or someone in the palace who saw her as an obstacle and wanted her eliminated?

Hearing this, hope flickered in Mei’er’s eyes, but it quickly faded. Though her mistress was clever now, the ritual was a royal affair. With nothing to protect herself, how could she possibly escape it?

Seeing her distress, Yin Qingyue asked gently, “Mei’er, don’t you trust me?”

“No, no, Mei’er of course trusts you, Miss,” Mei’er said quickly, nodding repeatedly like a small chick pecking at rice.

Hearing this, Yin Qingyue smiled calmly. “Then don’t overthink it. Your mistress will handle everything.”

Her smile deepened, her gaze sharp and intelligent.

Although Mei’er still felt a bit worried, her trust in her mistress strengthened, and her panic lessened. “Miss, come and have your porridge.”

Hearing this, Yin Qingyue knew Mei’er had finally come out of her anxious spiral—otherwise, she wouldn’t know what to do.

At the Eastern Palace Pavilion:

“Imperial physician, why has the Crown Prince fallen ill again?”

During today’s early court session, Crown Prince Nangong Xiao had suddenly collapsed. Nangong Lin immediately adjourned the court, ordered the prince sent back to the Eastern Palace Pavilion, and summoned all the imperial physicians to attend to him, which led to the scene unfolding now.

“Your Majesty, regarding this…” An elderly physician with completely white brows and beard stepped forward, bowing low, his gaze darting anxiously as he avoided eye contact.

“Hm?” Nangong Lin, seeing the most senior physician hesitating and stumbling over his words, barely restrained his impatience. “Speak plainly!”

“Yes, Your Majesty. We… we lack sufficient knowledge to diagnose the Crown Prince’s illness. His condition… appears normal, Your Majesty… we truly do not know how to proceed!”

“Slap!”

Before the words finished, Nangong Lin slammed his palm onto the table.

“Normal? Then why did he suddenly vomit blood and fall unconscious? Do you take me for a fool?”

“Your Majesty, forgive us! Spare us, Your Majesty…” The physicians, seeing the emperor’s rising anger, immediately knelt, kowtowing and pleading frantically.

“Useless! A bunch of incompetent doctors—useless in a crisis! What good are you to me?” Nangong Lin waved his sleeve sharply. “Take them all away, imprison them. When you can solve the problem, then you may return!”

“Your Majesty, spare us! While we are helpless, we heard that a female divine physician cured the Crown Prince before—perhaps…”

Before the lead physician could finish, he was dragged away. Nangong Lin frowned. He knew of Yin Qingyue, but she had offended Prince Jing at the banquet and he had already ordered her back to the Luocheng Courtyard.

“Your Majesty…”

He Minmin emerged from the bedroom, having overheard the physicians’ words. They were powerless, but there might still be hope with Yin Qingyue. Though He Minmin did not wish for the prince to recover, she now clearly understood what the emperor was thinking.

Seeing He Minmin’s anxious expression, Nangong Lin’s face softened.

“Xiao’er is under Heaven’s protection; the Empress needn’t worry too much.”

He Minmin wiped a tear from her eye. “Yes… but the physicians are powerless. The only person who might heal the Crown Prince is still at the Luocheng Courtyard, unaware of the situation. Your Majesty, now is not the time to worry about appearances—his health is paramount!”

Knowing the emperor’s pride, she used this method to provoke him into agreeing, giving him a way to save face.

Nangong Lin’s expression hardened, but his features softened slightly. “Of course I will prioritize Xiao’er’s health. The Empress is right—I will summon Yin Qingyue immediately.”

Though he agreed, He Minmin worried he might still hesitate. She bowed gracefully. “Your Majesty, I acted hastily. Please forgive me. The Crown Prince may not be mine by birth, but I have watched him grow. Surely you understand my concern…”

Fearful of overstepping, she worried Nangong Lin might not allow Yin Qingyue to leave Luocheng Courtyard. Since Yin Qingyue’s medical skills were exceptional, the sooner she arrived, the sooner the prince could recover and her own youthful beauty preserved.

Seeing the Empress feign weakness, Nangong Lin’s expression softened further. “I understand your concern for Xiao’er’s safety, but such words must not be spoken again. If overheard, it would be a laughingstock.”

“Your Majesty is correct; it was my negligence!”

He Minmin rested her head against Nangong Lin’s chest. He did not push her away, and she felt a surge of joy. In the past, the emperor wouldn’t even glance at her. Clearly, the medicine prepared by Yin Qingyue was effective.

Back at Luocheng Courtyard:

“Miss, a group of palace guards just arrived… wake up, Miss!” Mei’er anxiously shook the large bundle on the bed near Yin Qingyue, urging her.

Yin Qingyue groaned, half-awake: “Mei’er… I just lay down… let me sleep a bit more…”

“Miss, get up! Now is not the time to sleep! The Crown Prince has suddenly relapsed. The emperor sent people to bring you to the Eastern Palace Pavilion to treat him!”

Mei’er helped Yin Qingyue into her clothes. By the time she finished, Yin Qingyue was fully awake.

Handing her a damp cloth, Mei’er said: “Quick, wipe your face! They’re probably waiting impatiently!”

Yin Qingyue wiped her face vigorously. “How… could the Crown Prince’s illness relapse so quickly? It shouldn’t happen this fast…”

Ignoring her muttering, Mei’er hung the towel on the washstand, brushed Yin Qingyue’s hair, and hurriedly dragged her outside.

“Oh, don’t worry, eunuch. How could we ever be short of Miss Yin? She’s a divine physician—we’re the ones who have to curry favor!” A voice called out flattery as soon as they stepped outside.

“Good, Miss Yin, you’re here. Please come with us—time is critical, we cannot afford delay!” The eunuch bowed slightly.

Yin Qingyue smirked faintly at Nanny Zhao and Nanny Liu, then climbed into the prepared sedan chair without a backward glance.

Nanny Zhao and Nanny Liu’s faces turned pale, then after the group left, Nanny Liu whispered to Nanny Zhao: “It’s just medical skill, yet she seems to think she’s above even you now.”

Nanny Zhao inhaled deeply, calming her anger at Yin Qingyue’s mocking glance, and scowled at Nanny Liu: “Mind your own business. If I hear gossip like this again, there will be consequences!”

Nanny Liu laughed dryly, lowering her head to hide the annoyance in her eyes.

“Nanny Zhao, what was the purpose of those people coming just now?” Xue Zhenyu had been hiding in the shadows, curious and jealous, seeing Yin Qingyue treated with such respect as she was placed into the sedan chair.

Nanny Zhao weighed the gold bracelet on her wrist, glancing at Xue Zhenyu: “This isn’t normally something for outsiders to know, but since you want to know, I’ll tell you. Don’t repeat it to anyone.”

“Don’t worry, Nanny. Do I seem the type to spread rumors? This kind of thing stays private.”

Nanny Zhao nodded and then explained the guards’ purpose to Xue Zhenyu.