MCSCPM -Chapter 88 The Plan in the Cup

After returning to Xiyang Garden in Weiyang Palace, Yin Qingyue hurriedly found a safe spot to plant the Seven-Star Conjunction Flower. This flower was extremely demanding—temperature and soil had to be just right, or it would die.

Fortunately, she often tended flowers and herbs in the garden, carefully nurturing them day and night. The soil here was perfectly suited for the Seven-Star Conjunction Flower to grow.

Once everything was settled and watered, Yin Qingyue felt exhausted—her waist and legs ached—but as long as the flower survived the transplantation, the effort was worthwhile.

“Miss, it’s so late…where have you been? Huh? Why did you bring back a…plant?”

Mei’er had just woken, still sleepy-eyed, and her gaze fell on the small, unremarkable plant quietly growing in the freshly prepared soil.

“Mei’er, come take a look!” Yin Qingyue’s joy finally had someone to share with. Excited, she tugged the still-drowsy Mei’er over and proudly said, “Mei’er, this isn’t just any plant. This is the legendary Seven-Star Conjunction Flower! There aren’t many of them in the world!”

Mei’er looked at her excited mistress, confused. “It’s just a normal grass. I don’t see anything special about it.”

“Mei’er, it may seem ordinary now, but when it grows, it will have seven star-shaped leaves. In the center of those seven leaves, a new stem will grow, sprouting another seven leaves. This will continue for seven layers, and eventually, a star-shaped flower will bloom. This flower is an extremely rare medicinal herb…”

Mei’er bent closer to inspect the seemingly ordinary plant, shook her head, and muttered, “I still don’t see anything special…this is just a normal grass.”

Yin Qingyue pressed a hand to her forehead. After explaining so much, this girl still didn’t understand the uniqueness of the Seven-Star Conjunction Flower. She sighed; finding someone who truly understands you in this world was indeed difficult.

“Forget it, Mei’er. You don’t need to care for this herb. Don’t water it or touch it. I’ll handle everything myself.”

“Uh…okay,” Mei’er said dully, yawning. “I’ll go back to my room and sleep now.”

“Go ahead,” Yin Qingyue waved her off, crouching again to check on the precious Seven-Star Conjunction Flower.

Meanwhile, the wine was truly excellent. Nangong Wan hadn’t deceived him at all—the taste was soft, mellow, smooth, and fragrant. Truly a rare treasure among wines.

A smile finally appeared on Prince Jing’s face, his gaze softening toward Nangong Wan. “Third Princess, thank you for bringing such exquisite wine. It’s a taste of heaven on earth—just this one bottle.”

Under the moonlight, Nangong Wan, freshly made-up, looked even more delicate and beautiful. She parted her lips with a hint of shyness. “Prince Jing, you are too polite. I said, as long as you are happy, I am willing to do anything for you.”

Seeing that Jing no longer looked displeased, she boldly added, “Since we’ve known each other for some time, why don’t you call me Wanwan, and I’ll call you Jing-gege?”

Suppressing a frown, Jing glanced at Wan, lightly draped in sheer fabric, and at the fine wine in his hand. He reluctantly agreed, “Fine.”

“Jing-gege!” Wan’s heart leapt with joy, and she called out gleefully, earning a rolling eye from Nangong Xiaoxiao. As a younger sister, she couldn’t contain her excitement—hah! Too excitable, and you’ll never succeed.

After drinking their fill and noticing the moon had reached its zenith, Jing decided it was time to leave.

“The night is late. The two princesses should rest early.”

Jing stood, his head spinning slightly. He wasn’t sure if it was the wine, but his body felt unusually hot.

Damn it!

He cursed under his breath as the heat intensified—a strange, unnatural warmth coursing through him.

Nangong Wan clearly noticed his reaction and smiled inwardly. She helped steady his dizzying frame. “Looks like this twenty-year-aged Daughter’s Red is quite potent. Even someone like Jing-gege, who has tasted every fine wine in the world, is drunk.”

Jing could feel the softness of Wan’s chest brushing against him intentionally and unintentionally, fueling his burning desire and threatening his remaining composure.

“It’s late, I should take my leave now,” he said.

Nangong Xiaoxiao’s gaze darkened as she watched Jing being propped up almost entirely by Wan’s delicate body. A cold smile touched her lips. Jing was not the type to be coerced; Wan, you’re heading for disaster.

Following Wan’s cue, Xiaoxiao gracefully left.

Wan had already cleared her palace of attendants, leaving only a few trusted aides. She did not reveal to them that she had secretly added a colorless, tasteless aphrodisiac into the twenty-year-aged wine. This potion required both a man and woman to drink together, so she could not risk Xiaoxiao consuming it.

Ignoring the curious gazes of her staff, Wan carefully helped Jing to the side chamber’s bed. Excitement and shyness surged within her as she slid her small hand over his chest. The firmness beneath her palm made her heart flutter; her body tingled. Her seductive gaze softened, and in a voice that captivated, she whispered, “Jing-gege, tonight, Wanwan will be yours.”

Suppressing the torment of desire, Jing looked coldly at the woman before him. “I never expected it—the proud Third Princess of Xize to behave so disgracefully.”

Wan trembled, eyes wide. “Impossible! You drank so much, and yet you still have your wits!”

She sank into the tingling sensations of her own body. “Even if you’re still in control, you can’t escape, Jing-gege. Tomorrow, I will beg Father to marry me to you. From then on, I will follow you to the ends of the earth.”

Her warm breath brushed against his ear, making every pore ache with unfulfilled desire.

Wan’s hands climbed to Jing’s neck, attempting to kiss the man she longed for day and night.

“Jing-gege, have you finally accepted me?” Wan nearly cried from joy as Jing rolled over, pinning her beneath him.

Her eyes widened, a mix of nervousness and anticipation, as his face and deep eyes drew near. Her heart pounded like a startled deer.

Jing coldly glanced at her, then suddenly raised his hand with all his strength to press her acupoints.

Wan froze, wide-eyed, shocked and heartbroken, tears streaming down.

Meanwhile, Yin Qingyue meticulously checked the Seven-Star Conjunction Flower, fearing even the slightest sign of failure.

“You must survive tonight…” she silently prayed. Survive tonight, and you live.

Suddenly, noises came from the entrance of Xiyang Garden. Yin Qingyue’s heart skipped a beat, nervous.

The palace was full of restless spirits—surely they wouldn’t wander at night? But she hadn’t harmed anyone, and as a modern woman, she didn’t believe in ghosts. Yet, despite knowing better, she couldn’t help a flicker of fear in the darkness.

Gripping a sturdy stick from the herb garden, she cautiously approached to investigate.

Tiptoeing to the gate, she peeked out—only to be startled by a figure collapsing with a thud.

“Save me…”

A weak voice reached her. Yin Qingyue’s heart pounded as she kicked at the man beneath her.

“Hey, what’s wrong? Get up!”

It was Prince Jing. She sighed in exasperation. The man really did appear everywhere, like a ghost. First in the Imperial Garden, now collapsed at the entrance of the deserted Luocheng Courtyard—where no one dared go!

“Save me…” Jing’s weak voice was laced with pain and restraint, his hand feebly gripping her sleeve. “Save me…”

This was serious. Yin Qingyue bent down, holding his wrist and carefully feeling his erratic pulse.

Seeing him twisted on the ground in agony, she couldn’t help but laugh. “Ah, Jing, I never thought I’d see this day.”

It had only been a short while since the Imperial Garden, and already Jing had been drugged with an aphrodisiac! Not just any—this was a top-tier aphrodisiac: Mei’er Hehuan.

Mei’er Hehuan ranked second in the aphrodisiac world, only behind Feng Mei’ergu. It was almost impossible to acquire. These women truly spared no effort for a man.

But did he really have such power over them? Who had used Mei’er Hehuan on him?

Thinking back, Yin Qingyue guessed. Earlier in the Imperial Garden, Jing was with Nangong Xiaoxiao and Wan. Likely, it was either Xiaoxiao or Wan. Xiaoxiao seemed composed, gentle, but cunning—she probably instigated the naive Wan. But Wan was not stupid; she clearly had plans regarding Jing.

Struggling, Yin Qingyue dragged Jing inside. She had never ignored someone in need, and though Jing was annoying, he wasn’t bad. Still, she had to be cautious—if he discovered the truth, her life might be at risk.

Throughout the journey, Jing’s desire burned intensely, driving him closer to this strangely fragrant woman…

“Get away!” Yin Qingyue frowned, shoving away his hands groping her. She removed his outer robe and, under the candlelight, drove silver needles sharply into his body.

“Ah…” Jing groaned, awareness slowly returning. His reddened eyes took in her appearance, and he attempted to use his inner energy to calm the chaos within.

“You better not move. The more you struggle, the stronger the effect. Soon, even I won’t be able to save you,” Yin Qingyue said coldly, the needles landing precisely on his vital acupoints.

Jing gave up trying to channel his inner energy and sat quietly, letting Yin Qingyue work.