MCSCPM -Chapter 77 A Bunch of Useless People

“Useless! A bunch of useless people!”

With a flick of his sleeve, Nangongchen swept the delicate tea and snacks off the table. Upon hearing the news of the mission’s failure, he was nearly about to explode with anger.

Consort De lightly brushed the rising steam with her armored fingers. “My son, when will you learn to remain calm and composed?”

“Mother, none of the assassins we sent returned. Who knows if they might have succumbed to torture and spilled everything about us…” Nangongchen worried. What he didn’t know was that even the Crown Prince hadn’t had a chance to use coercion; in fact, to protect Yin Qingyue and prevent her from revealing that deadly poison gas, Leng Feng and Leng Yi had gone over the assassins’ corpses, hacking a few more times.

“Think logically, my son. Since they haven’t made a move by now, it’s impossible. And they’re professionals—what should be said, what shouldn’t, is all guided by their code.” Consort De didn’t yet know of mind-reading techniques in this world, otherwise she wouldn’t have been so relaxed.

Her nature was always calm and indifferent, never competing or insisting, but for her son, she didn’t mind using some cunning.

“Mother…” Nangongchen was somewhat soothed, though his eyes still held a trace of resentment. “I absolutely cannot give up. Do you have any other ideas?”

“My son, think carefully. The one with a solution isn’t me this time!” Consort De looked at her son. He was clearly talented, but impatient. The closer he got to success, the more desperate he became. She understood the feeling but couldn’t help feeling a little worried.

“Even if the Divine Physician’s methods are exceptional, she’s still from Luochenyuan. Compared to the fate of the state, medicine is secondary—His Majesty surely understands this. Rather than feel helpless here, you should speak with Officer Yuchi of the Xuan Office.”

Consort De’s words seemed to open a window for Nangongchen in his desperate situation. He smiled. “I understand. Thank you for your guidance, Mother.”

“Go. I am tired as well. I’ll rest for a while.” Consort De waved her hand and lay down on the soft couch.

“Third Prince…” Seeing Nangongchen leave the palace with a suddenly enlightened expression, a trusted aide approached. Nangongchen waved him off. “Let’s go pay a visit to Officer Yuchi!”

“Yes… and the Crown Prince?” the aide asked quietly. Nangongchen’s eyes gleamed coldly. “Hmph. Since I was able to trigger his illness once, I can do it a second time. This time, with Yin Qingyue gone, let’s see who can save him!”

The next day.

“By imperial decree, the Crown Prince’s health has fully recovered, and Miss Yin is to return to Luochenyuan!” The official reading the decree finished, summarizing the contents of the golden imperial edict.

Mei’er widened her eyes in disbelief and almost lost her composure in front of the official, only calming down after Yin Qingyue tugged her sleeve.

“Miss…” Mei’er followed behind Yin Qingyue, packing her things, indignantly muttering, “Is this how they treat you once you’re used up? When you’re useful, they treat you like royalty, and when you’re no longer needed, they kick you aside. Even the Crown Prince didn’t defend you. I’ll never save him again!”

“Heh, don’t say that. The Crown Prince has his own difficulties. Besides…” Yin Qingyue had already anticipated this day after learning who was behind the plot involving the Third Prince. It had just come sooner than she expected.

“Miss Yin.” Without her noticing, Nangongxiao and Prince Jing appeared behind her. Yin Qingyue smiled. “Do you two have business with me?”

Nangongxiao’s expression was complicated. “Rest assured, Miss Yin. I will do everything in my power to help you get out of there as soon as possible!”

“Heh, Luochenyuan isn’t a prison. Why speak as if one is being released after serving a sentence?” Yin Qingyue slung her medicine box over her back, and Mei’er hoisted her bag, bidding the two farewell as they left.

“Prince, look at this!” Leng Feng, unusually serious, called out. Yin Qingyue kept walking, and Chu Jingcheng had no intention of staying, but Leng Feng stopped them.

“What is it?”

Chu Jingcheng had no study in medicine, but Leng Feng had brushed up on basic medicinal knowledge with Yin Qingyue over the past few days. At least he could recognize common herbs. Previously, Yin Qingyue had speculated about the herb causing the Crown Prince’s illness, which Leng Feng remembered. Seeing the same herb in the Crown Prince’s medicine bag, he immediately pointed it out.

After explaining its effects to Chu Jingcheng, he immediately stood. “We need to find the Crown Prince.”

Nangongxiao examined the small yellow herb. “You mean someone put this into my decoction? Insolent! Only someone as brazen as Nangongchen could do this.”

“I understand. Thank you for alerting me, Prince Jing!” Nangongxiao inhaled deeply, hiding all emotion behind his cold expression.

“It’s nothing. My purpose here is merely to bid farewell to the Crown Prince!” Chu Jingcheng said.

“Miss Yin has left, and you can’t stay either?” Nangongxiao asked slyly.

“Yes.” Chu Jingcheng nodded calmly. “Farewell.”

After watching Chu Jingcheng’s figure disappear, Nangongxiao turned to his loyal steward. “Is it because I’m too lenient that Nangongchen dares act so recklessly?”

The steward bowed respectfully. “Your Highness’s kindness is a rare virtue, but some people cannot be indulged.”

“Exactly. Today, organize Nangongchen’s influence in the court for me and deliver it tonight. Some people need a lesson.” Nangongxiao sat at his desk, pen in hand, ready to write.

“Yes, Your Highness.” The steward responded and quietly withdrew.

“Oh? Look who’s here—the famed Divine Physician Yin! Why, aren’t you supposed to be staying in Luochenyuan? Why are you rolling in here dusty and grim-looking with your baggage?”

Even though she had anticipated it, hearing Xue Zhenyu’s mockery still riled her a bit. “Zhao Nanny taught you well. Weren’t you in Luochenyuan praying for the Kingdom of Xize? Why do you sound like a resentful woman?”

“What did you say?” Xue Zhenyu’s face flushed red. Usually, Xing’er would have chimed in, but she stayed silent. Xue Zhenyu stomped her foot. “Xing’er, go back. Let’s see how long this Divine Physician in Luochenyuan can remain arrogant!”

“Yes,” Xing’er responded softly, exchanging a subtle glance with Yin Qingyue.

“Sigh… we’re back again.” Mei’er sighed, setting the bundle on the bed, and looked at Yin Qingyue leisurely. “Miss, why aren’t you worried at all?”

“Heh, this sort of thing is up to fate. Being anxious won’t help.” Yin Qingyue shrugged. “Honestly, I’ve gotten used to this environment—it’s quite comfortable!”

“But the day of the Heaven Offering is coming soon. Coming back now… who knows what could happen!” The thought scared Mei’er so much that tears pricked her eyes.

“Fortune favors the righteous. Perhaps your Miss here isn’t that unlucky!”

If she hadn’t displayed her medical skill and attracted the attention of the Crown Prince, the Empress, and even the Emperor, it might have been fine. But now that she had been noticed, quietly being a pawn wasn’t so easy.

Inside Luochenyuan, piercing screams could be heard.

“Ah!”

“Help! I don’t want to die!”

“Let go of me! Let go!”

Yin Qingyue and Mei’er stood at the entrance, silently watching. The day of the Heaven Offering had arrived, and these women were being dragged to the ceremony. Lacking the power to resist fate, they could only obediently accept the arrangements.

“Waaah! I don’t want to die! It’s not my turn yet!” One girl was dragged out by two guards, screaming miserably. Her delicate face distorted in terror.

“Mei’er, what’s going on?” Yin Qingyue frowned, watching the girl being forced out.

“Probably the girls chosen for the Heaven Offering. I don’t know the rest. But I remember this girl was ranked lower—her turn hadn’t come yet. And… Miss, I recall Xue Zhenyu should’ve been among them, why isn’t she here?”

Mei’er looked at the dragged girl, noticing that the detestable Xue Zhenyu wasn’t included. She was a little disappointed.

Her simple heart was fully transparent to Yin Qingyue. If not for the Crown Prince’s incident, this matter might not have been resolved. Now that her life was saved, she would accept it. Heaven always has a sense of irony, doesn’t it?

Seeing Zhao Nanny and Liu Nanny at the entrance, smiling at the head of the guards while speaking, Yin Qingyue and Mei’er approached.

“Ah, Officer Xuan, please forgive us. The girl recently suddenly contracted measles. We’re fine, but we feared her ill condition would offend Heaven. We know how important this is, so we postponed her to the next time…” Zhao Nanny’s flattering voice carried as they stopped.

Weighing the silver in her hand, the guard leader pocketed it and said seriously, “You’re right, but this happens only once. There won’t be a second time!”

“Yes, yes, yes, safe journey, Officer!”

Zhao Nanny’s face was full of wrinkles from smiling so much. She eagerly saw them off, then straightened. When she turned and saw Yin Qingyue’s eyes—seeming to see everything—fixed on her, she shivered and took a step back.

Rubbing the cool silver hidden in her sleeve, Zhao Nanny thought she might have overreacted a little.