MCSCPM -Chapter 72 Malicious Intent

“Miss, something’s wrong! After taking his medicinal meal, the Crown Prince suddenly can’t breathe properly. The steward said it’s different from his usual symptoms. You need to go quickly!” Mei’er pushed the bulge on the bed anxiously.

“Mm, okay!” Yin Qingyue, still dizzy, hurriedly dressed without even washing up and was pulled out.

The moment she arrived at Nangong Xiao’s bedchamber, Yin Qingyue instantly became alert. She saw him clutching at his chest, veins bulging, face turning blue-purple from suffocation, and a sudden stream of blood running from his nose…

Yin Qingyue ran forward in three quick steps, placing her fingers on his wrist. Her expression changed, and she shouted to the steward, “He’s been poisoned! Prepare warm water with light salt immediately and induce vomiting!”

“Yes!” The steward panicked at the word “poison,” but fortunately, Yin Qingyue remained calm.

“Also, take some steamed buns, burn them to carbon, grind into powder, and get the Prince to ingest it!”

“Ah?” The steward froze. What kind of method was this?

“Now, go!” Yin Qingyue commanded sharply, simultaneously using a few silver needles to slow the flow of his blood.

“Give me the water!” After making Nangong Xiao drink the warm water, she pressed her fingers under his jaw, opened his mouth, and unhesitatingly reached in.

He retched until there was nothing left. Then Yin Qingyue gave him the powdered charred buns to ingest.

“Miss Yin, what does this powder do?” The steward asked nervously, seeing Nangong Xiao’s expression worsen.

“It adsorbs any remaining toxins. Soon, the Prince will vomit it all out. We’ll repeat a few more times. Prince, how do you feel now?”

“Mm… much better.” Nangong Xiao still felt a slight nausea but the severe abdominal pain had stopped.

“All I can say is that the Prince has ingested arsenic. For anything else, you’ll have to investigate yourself.”

“Thank you for today.” Nangong Xiao’s eyes flashed with a harshness he didn’t show to Yin Qingyue, his back turned.

“It’s my duty. Steward, prepare a set of this prescription. There’s still residual poison in the Prince’s body. Though he’s out of danger, it’s better to eliminate it completely.”

Yin Qingyue exhaled deeply, slumping softly into a chair, a sheen of sweat forming on her forehead.

“Since things are settled here, Miss Yin, you should return and rest.” Nangong Xiao didn’t realize his gaze toward Yin Qingyue was full of concern.

“Mm, if Your Highness feels any discomfort, have the steward call for me immediately!” Yin Qingyue thought that her subordinates could handle the rest; after taking the medicine, he would be fine, so she didn’t need to stay.

Once outside the bedchamber, Yin Qingyue paused at the gates of the Eastern Palace Pavilion, lost in thought.

“Miss, why aren’t you leaving?”

“Nothing… let’s go back.”

After closing the door, Yin Qingyue retrieved a small package of… pearls from a hidden compartment in her medicine chest. Prince Jing was residing not far away in the same mansion, so it was best to deal with these now.

Seeing no one around, she tucked the pearls into her bosom and slipped out through a side door.

“Li Ji Pawnshop?”

She looked up at the black-on-red wooden sign and stepped inside.

“Anyone here?” Yin Qingyue glanced around. On the counter were a few pieces of jewelry and jade, but the main hall was empty.

“Ah, here she comes!” A young clerk of about fourteen or fifteen in grey cloth ran out. Seeing Yin Qingyue in fine embroidered silk despite her white attire, he thought either a sale or a pawn would benefit them.

“Miss, have a seat. Are you here to buy… or pawn?” the clerk asked politely.

“I… want to pawn something. Who is in charge here?” Yin Qingyue took out a small pouch, each pearl round, plump, and of excellent quality.

“Wait here. I’ll call our manager!” The clerk’s eyes sparkled as he lifted the curtain and ran inside.

“Heh, so trusting… aren’t you worried I might run off with these?” Yin Qingyue muttered.

“If you were that type of person, you wouldn’t even care about my little pawnshop,” came a calm, cultured voice from inside.

Yin Qingyue turned to see a middle-aged man in a blue robe, smiling gently, with crow’s feet that gave him a wise and approachable look.

“You want to pawn these pearls?” The manager immediately saw the dozen or so pearls on the table but found the young woman more interesting.

“Yes. Manager, can you appraise them? How much are they worth?” Yin Qingyue sat down across the table.

“Although we usually don’t ask about origins, Miss, I see you naturally possess the aura of nobility. You don’t seem short on money, so why the rush to pawn these pearls?” The manager’s gentle tone was free of any ill intent.

“Thank you for the compliment…” Yin Qingyue didn’t believe in auspicious appearances, so she just listened.

“These pearls are of no use sitting with me. Better to convert them into something tangible. If you’re worried about their provenance, I can direct you elsewhere.” Yin Qingyue prepared to tuck the pearls away.

The manager did not stop her. Seeing her genuinely about to leave, he spoke lightly, “I’m just curious, Miss. How did you come to be here?”

“What?” Yin Qingyue sensed the words carried a hidden meaning.

“You are not of this world. How did you come to be here?” the manager murmured, as if to himself, without hiding his meaning.

Yin Qingyue stared in disbelief but retorted, “I don’t understand what you’re saying!”

“Hehe, don’t panic, Miss. I’m just a small pawnshop manager, seeking a quiet life. I have no interest in the scheming and deceit elsewhere. I am inclined to accept these pearls, but even if you wanted to discard them, you couldn’t. Miss, it’s best you don’t even think of it.”

“But…” Yin Qingyue gripped the pearls, eyes narrowing at the manager skeptically.

She didn’t believe in mystical talk, but this manager seemed unfathomable. She steadied herself—his words had no evidence, and even if spread, no one would believe them.

“Perhaps you feel uncertain, but since you are here, accept it. Heaven has its own decrees…”

“Heh, what do you know…” Yin Qingyue interrupted, slowly sitting and casting a self-mocking, sardonic glance.

“Miss… as you can see, this is the only place I’ve lived. Changing environments may feel unsettling, but before the Dao, individual emotions are insignificant!” The manager seemed reflective, his wise eyes filled with nostalgia.

“To be honest, before today I was a complete materialist. The ‘Dao’ you speak of seemed mere superstition, but now… I can’t help but believe,” Yin Qingyue shook her head and smiled bitterly.