MCSCPM -Chapter 86 An Unexpected Gain

“Big sister, you’re dressed so beautifully today—where are you headed?”

Nangong Wan looked at Nangong Xiaoxiao, adorned in her splendid palace attire, and smiled warmly. Yet the warmth didn’t reach her eyes.

“It’s my third sister, isn’t it? I’m just going to the Imperial Garden to admire the flowers. Would you like to come along?” Nangong Xiaoxiao replied with a polite smile, even extending an invitation to Nangong Wan.

“With elder sister inviting, how could I refuse?” Nangong Wan answered softly, her tone gentle and seemingly timid. Inside, however, she was calculating: why was Xiaoxiao dressed so luxuriously so late at night? Could it be…?

Nangong Wan let out a faint chuckle, though her heart was full of disdain. This “elder sister,” raised under the Empress’s wing since childhood, unloved and coddled, seemed timid on the surface—but her subtle scheming, as her younger sister, she knew all too well.

Each with their own hidden motives, the two sisters, along with their attendants, headed toward the Imperial Garden.

Meanwhile, Yin Qingyue was crouched on the ground, struggling with an unusual little herb.

This was no ordinary plant. Though unremarkable in appearance, it was an extremely rare and valuable herb. Ancient texts described it as: “The Seven-Star Constellation Flower, its fragrance leads to visions, with its effects heightened under moonlight.”

Yin Qingyue had come to the Imperial Garden to escape the oppressive, stifling atmosphere of Weiyang Palace. She hadn’t expected to stumble upon such a flower. Overjoyed, she grabbed a small spade to transplant it. She knew the value of even a single plant of this kind.

Carefully, she removed surrounding weeds and widened the digging area, silently praying that she wouldn’t damage the delicate roots of the flower.

Clouds swirled around the moon, adding an ethereal, dreamlike quality to the night.

Yin Qingyue focused entirely on the small, not-yet-bloomed Seven-Star Constellation Flower, unaware that a man in a white robe, embroidered with dragon patterns, had quietly approached.

Prince Jing watched with interest. The woman, completely absorbed in her task and unconcerned with her appearance, somehow softened the hard lines of his sharp, angular face. There was something about her that felt different from other women—he couldn’t explain it, yet she inexplicably drew his attention.

Finally! She had unearthed it—intact!

Yin Qingyue couldn’t contain her joy, her face lighting up in a broad smile. Even her scars seemed less harsh in that moment. Such a rare Seven-Star Constellation Flower was hard to come by; not even the whole country would likely yield a second one.

“Cough… cough.”

Startled, she heard a light cough. Raising her eyes, she saw a man in a white robe, his long hair cascading like a waterfall over his shoulders. In the moonlight, he seemed otherworldly, almost ethereal.

And his face… exquisitely delicate, eyes captivating…

Wait! Yin Qingyue suddenly realized—this face… it was Prince Jing! Panicking, she quickly turned her gaze elsewhere, but it was too late.

“Lift your head.”

His deep, penetrating eyes radiated a coldness that sent a chill down her spine. He looked at her without a trace of warmth. This was Prince Jing, the second prince of Beihao, famed for his exploits and granted his own estate at a young age. Handsome and charismatic, he had captivated countless people, both in Beihao and even in the neighboring Xize Kingdom. And yet, somehow, this scarred, “ugly” woman dared to look down on him.

It infuriated him.

Yin Qingyue carefully secured the Seven-Star Constellation Flower, adding some soil to prevent it from wilting along the way. Calmly, she lifted her head and, feigning composure, asked, “Prince Jing, what brings you here?”

His voice was cool and clear, like autumn dew: “Why are you here at this hour?”

Standing, she brushed dirt from her clothes and looked at him with a teasing smile. “I’m obviously gathering herbs. Is Prince Jing blind?”

His anger flared instantly, his eyes burning with barely contained fire. She always had a way of disrupting his normally controlled demeanor.

“Yin Qingyue, you have a lot of nerve, speaking to me this way—you’re the first to do so,” he said, his voice dark with suppressed anger.

“Look me in the eye and tell me who gave you such audacity,” he demanded.

Feigning innocence, she obeyed and met his gaze. This was a rare chance to probe his mind—she couldn’t pass it up.

His eyes, usually like a calm, unfathomable pond, now churned with unseen waves.

Yin Qingyue struggled to concentrate. Something unusual was happening—never before had her mind-reading been met with such resistance. She was somewhat tired today, but normally had more than enough energy for mind-reading. Yet Prince Jing was no ordinary person.

Under the moonlight, his gaze swept over her like wildfire. She shivered, feeling as though her very being was being inspected, the intense heat of his stare brushing across her lips, neck, and even seeming to penetrate her thin clothing.

“You… you beast!” she finally shouted, breaking away from his depths. Her small face flushed, even her scars tinged with color.

Prince Jing’s lips curved into a triumphant smile. Being teased by this “ugly” woman so often, today he had finally gained the upper hand. Seeing her usually stern and commanding demeanor now flustered was oddly satisfying.

Yin Qingyue’s chest rose and fell with frustration, glaring at him, muttering “beast” under her breath, before turning to pack her herbs.

“Wait! Could it be that you can really read minds?”

Startled, she froze. Her excitement at peering into his thoughts had completely blinded her to the fact that this was a trap—Prince Jing had deliberately left a small gap for her to slip into his mind.

“I don’t know what the Prince is talking about,” she said calmly, though inside, she seethed at the cunning fox in front of her.

“Oh? You don’t know? Then why did you call me a beast?” he pressed.

She hesitated, but stubbornly replied, “In broad daylight, you stare at me like that—so vulgar—I shouldn’t call you a beast?”

“Broad daylight?” Even he couldn’t suppress a smirk. “Yin Qingyue, take a good look. Is this broad daylight? Look at the moon in the sky.”

Rolling her eyes, she ignored his tease and carefully set the Seven-Star Constellation Flower in place, preparing to leave.

“Stop!” he commanded sharply as she moved.

“Prince Jing, do you have orders for me?” she asked, darkly and coldly. Yin Qingyue never obeyed threats.

The chill in her gaze was clear even in the moonlight, making him inexplicably restless.

“I have my reasons,” he said, stepping forward and grabbing her wrist.

“Why?” she asked, annoyed.

“Why do you dislike me so much?” he asked.

“I never like people who talk too much and are full of themselves,” she replied matter-of-factly.

“You think I talk too much?” he thundered. “And what does full of oneself mean?”

“Nothing,” she said, raising an eyebrow, refusing to continue the discussion.

His gaze turned ice-cold, chilling her.

“Prince Jing, what a coincidence to see you here,” she said upon spotting a familiar figure nearby—her relief evident.

Five steps away, Nangong Xiaoxiao watched Prince Jing, her almond-shaped eyes filled with bashful delight. She silently celebrated this rare chance encounter, hoping it would increase his favor toward her. Only… Nangong Wan remained an obstacle.

Xiaoxiao’s eyes darkened as she glared at Wan—this meddlesome woman had insisted on following her out late at night, spoiling what could have been a private encounter with Prince Jing. Opportunities to be alone with him were nearly impossible to come by.