MCSCPM -Chapter 71 The Hidden Hand

“What? Yin Qingyue and Prince Jing are both staying in the Eastern Palace Pavilion?” The first to receive this news wasn’t the Third Prince Nangong Chen, but the Grand Princess Nangong Xiaoxiao.

“Yes! I have a distant relative working in the Eastern Palace Pavilion. He told me this, and it’s absolutely true!” the maid said confidently.

“It’s one thing for Yin Qingyue to be in the Eastern Palace Pavilion, but why would even Prince Jing stay there?” Nangong Xiaoxiao couldn’t understand what reason Prince Jing would have to remain, but when she recalled how intently he had stared at that ugly woman during the banquet, her heart trembled.

“Go inform the Young Princess immediately. Tell her I have news about Prince Jing to share!” Nangong Xiaoxiao instructed the maid. She couldn’t deal with this alone.

The announcement outside of “The princess has arrived” made Nangong Xiaoxiao pause mid-step. She smoothed the hem of her pink lotus-embroidered gown and took her seat calmly.

“Your Highness, as soon as I received your message, I came over. What news do you wish to share?” Nangong Wan tried to suppress her impatience, taking a sip of water while urging her sister on.

Nangong Xiaoxiao waved the attending maids away before speaking:

“Don’t worry, sister. I received news that Prince Jing is already staying in the Eastern Palace Pavilion. That alone is no cause for concern. But what’s troubling is… that woman, Yin Qingyue, has moved in under the guise of ‘treating the Crown Prince’s chronic illness.’ You remember how arrogant she was at the banquet—can you really swallow your pride and let her prance around in front of Prince Jing?”

Nangong Xiaoxiao lightly sipped her fragrant green tea, unsurprised to see Nangong Wan’s face twist with jealousy. “That shameless woman—what right does she have!”

“Exactly. Apart from her medical skills, what advantage does Yin Qingyue even have? No beauty, no background—what could she possibly offer Prince Jing? He’s only fascinated temporarily!”

“You’re right, sister. But seeing her linger around Prince Jing, I just can’t bear it!” Nangong Wan admitted. Though it made sense logically, her resentment remained.

“Hehe, you’re not alone. There are plenty in the capital who dislike her,” Nangong Xiaoxiao said, a cold gleam in her eyes as she wrung her handkerchief into a twisted mess.

“So, what do you think we should do?” Nangong Wan asked, recognizing her ally in jealousy.

“From the last banquet, we saw that competitions in talent couldn’t defeat her. If I hadn’t tampered with the zither contest, she might have become famous overnight. To destroy her, we must target her strongest area,” Nangong Xiaoxiao said, digging her nails into her palm as if envisioning Yin Qingyue’s inevitable despair.

“Her strongest skill… naturally, medicine. Sister, how do we attack her in that field?” Nangong Wan asked eagerly.

“Who said we need to beat her? You know as well as I do, Yin Qingyue’s skills aren’t something built overnight. Even in Xize, there’s no one whose medical skill surpasses the imperial physicians in such a short time. So we won’t outshine her in art—we’ll… break her undefeated record.”

“You mean…” Nangong Wan began to suspect, but hesitated, missing a crucial detail.

“Think, if Yin Qingyue fails—and causes irreversible damage—can she still survive in Xize?” Nangong Xiaoxiao leaned closer, looking directly into her sister’s eyes.

Nangong Wan licked her dry lips. “Irreversible damage?”

“Exactly. If she accidentally harms the Crown Prince’s health in a way that can’t be cured… don’t think the Emperor will forgive her. Even the Empress wouldn’t allow her to stay.”

Nangong Wan gasped, eyes wide in horror. “You mean… harm the Crown Prince?”

“Quiet! Do you want the whole palace to hear?” Nangong Xiaoxiao covered her sister’s mouth sternly.

Gasping for breath, Nangong Wan could only nod repeatedly, blinking rapidly to make her sister release her.

Once satisfied, Nangong Xiaoxiao lowered her hand. “Keep your voice down.”

Nangong Wan drew deep breaths, still shocked. “If this fails… absolutely fails… if discovered, it would be trouble for us.”

“You think of that, I naturally think of it too. Yin Qingyue excels at treating asthma, but not every illness. If the Crown Prince falls ill from something else while she’s in charge, and she can’t help… our plan’s first step succeeds,” Nangong Xiaoxiao said with a smirk. “What do you think?”

Nangong Wan’s heart raced. If the plan failed, attempting to harm the Crown Prince would be punishable by death.

“…I…” she looked down at her handkerchief, hesitating.

“What else worries you? Think of Prince Jing. If you hesitate, Yin Qingyue will succeed!”

“…Fine. What should I do?” The handsome face of Prince Jing flashed in Nangong Wan’s mind. The memory of Yin Qingyue humiliating her at the banquet finally made jealousy outweigh fear.

“Hehe, you don’t need to do much. I’ll handle the imperial physicians and Mother. All you need to do is assist me when I’m too occupied,” Nangong Xiaoxiao reassured her.

“And… even if we’re discovered…”

“Even then, it won’t implicate us!” Nangong Xiaoxiao smiled.

“Alright!”

Eastern Palace Pavilion

Yin Qingyue had no idea she was already stirring jealousy. She had adjusted the prescriptions, discussed dietary matters with the steward, and survived the chaos of the day.

If it were just treating illnesses, she wouldn’t be so exhausted. The real challenge was having someone she was cautious of—whose every movement was unusual—watching her constantly. After staring for a while, Yin Qingyue would glare at him, only to receive an even bolder gaze in return.

“Hey, how long do you plan to stare? The door’s that way—goodbye!” Back in the West Garden, Yin Qingyue finally lost her patience. All she wanted was to shower, remove her makeup to let her skin breathe, and sleep soundly!

“Mm, you rest well!” Chu Jingcheng surprised even himself by saying this. But to Yin Qingyue, it was just an ordinary farewell. He left without looking back, and she didn’t bother to respond.

“Mei’er, unless it concerns the Crown Prince’s health, don’t tell me anything else!” Yin Qingyue said solemnly to Mei’er outside the door after washing up. To anyone unaware, it would sound like she was discussing matters of state.

“Alright, Miss, just rest well!” Mei’er said, heart aching as she watched Yin Qingyue’s exhausted, half-open eyes, nodding obediently.