MCSCPM -Chapter 91 Something Happens

Ever since Nangong Xiaoxiao’s scandal came to light, Emperor Nangong Lin had tried to suppress and contain the news, but the story still spread like wildfire throughout the capital. People were wary of directly mentioning it due to the Emperor’s authority, but whenever the topic came up, it was always exchanged through knowing glances or references to “that person.” Yet, in everyone’s mind, “that person” was no longer seen as a proper master. In the sprawling capital, anyone unaware that the Second Princess Nangong Wan had been involved with a guard seemed behind the times, as if ignorance of the affair were even more shameful than the crime committed by the person directly involved.

After a few days of palace cleansing, things finally settled for a short while. In these quiet days, Yin Qingyue, having nothing pressing to do, spent her time either visiting Weiyang Palace to check the Empress’s pulse or focusing on her experiments with the so-called “Youth Preservation Technique.” The Empress and other palace consorts were extremely interested in this pursuit—understandable, as matters concerning one’s appearance always captivated women.

That night, Yin Qingyue had accidentally obtained the legendary Seven-Star Aligned Flower in the Imperial Garden, and, surprisingly, it survived transplantation—a result of her tireless care. Today, she was admiring the first branch sprouting from the Seven-Star Flower when Consort Yu arrived, accompanied by Xiu’er.

Consort Yu wore a pleated lotus-colored skirt paired with an off-white shawl. In the morning sunlight, she appeared fresh and radiant, like a golden oriole. Xiu’er’s attire was the same as before, though her complexion looked noticeably healthier.

“Your humble servant greets Consort Yu!”

Yin Qingyue performed a light palace bow. Consort Yu had been gaining attention lately, and she had previously visited Yin Qingyue seeking medical attention, only to be turned away. From that moment, she harbored a grudge.

Seeing this plain woman show such indifference, Consort Yu was already displeased. For appearances’ sake, she forced a cold smile. “I heard today that the Empress’s old illness has flared up. Your medical skills aren’t very impressive, are they? Luckily, I didn’t let you examine her last time—otherwise, treatment might have been delayed.”

Yin Qingyue’s expression froze, her eyes cold. “Old illness? Consort Yu, I wonder where you heard that. I checked the Empress’s pulse yesterday, and there was no anomaly.”

She did not believe the Empress’s ailment was a recurrence; it was more likely that someone wanted the Empress incapacitated.

“I wouldn’t know, but someone so confident in herself, yet failing to diagnose the cause, has caused the Empress to be poisoned again, hasn’t she?”

Consort Yu glared at Yin Qingyue with cold disdain, as though the woman were already a useless nobody in her eyes.

But Yin Qingyue had no time for petty squabbles. She sent Mei’er to tend the Seven-Star Flower and hurriedly packed her medicine kit for Weiyang Palace.

On the way, she pondered: who was attempting to kill by proxy?

“Divine Physician Yin is here. I was just about to summon you,” said the steward eunuch of Weiyang Palace, a colorful yet articulate man, meeting Yin Qingyue at the gate and urgently ushering her inside.

“Yesterday, the Empress seemed fine, but today, for some reason, her poison flared up. It scared me terribly. I’ve already sent for His Majesty; he will come after morning court.”

Yin Qingyue listened carefully to every word, noting every detail.

“Your Majesty, Divine Physician Yin has arrived,” the steward announced, receiving two strained coughs from the Empress as acknowledgment, then led Yin Qingyue into the inner chamber.

Yin Qingyue’s heart skipped a beat at the sight: Empress He lay on the bed, struggling to breathe. Her complexion was purplish, her glabella bruised, and her once sharp, expressive eyes sunken and lifeless. She wheezed, coughing up bright red blood onto the handkerchief.

A few young maids attended her silently, too frightened to speak.

Sensing something extremely suspicious, Yin Qingyue carefully checked the Empress’s pulse and asked, “Your Majesty, did you see anyone yesterday? What did you eat?”

Though elderly, the steward had a sharp memory. “Yesterday, because of the sultry weather, the Empress had an extra bowl of lotus seed and white fungus soup. All other meals were recorded by the imperial kitchen, and taste-testers had confirmed them free of poison.”

He paused, a hint of doubt in his voice. “As for visitors, the Empress only saw Consort Lian yesterday…”

Nangong Mei’er? Why would she be in Weiyang Palace? Sun Consort and the Empress had long-standing secret rivalries, but Nangong Mei’er was known to dislike conflict. Why come here?

Before Yin Qingyue could ponder further, urgent yet steady footsteps approached.

“Yin Qingyue greets His Majesty. Long live the Emperor!”

Yin Qingyue calmly acknowledged the Emperor, who merely waved her to rise and went straight to the Empress’s bedside.

“What has happened to the Empress?”

Seeing Empress He’s pitiful state, Nangong Lin flew into a rage. The palace was becoming increasingly audacious, repeatedly attempting to poison the Empress.

“Your Majesty, I just checked the Empress’s pulse. The poison is a potent type called ‘Three-Day Zhu Poison.’ As the name implies, those who ingest it will perish within three days.”

“What nonsense poison!” Nangong Lin’s face darkened. “I need to know who poisoned the Empress! And how to neutralize it!”

Yin Qingyue lowered her head, serious. “This poison is made from eighteen ingredients, combining both extreme Yin and Yang elements. It must be countered by the same person who prepared it. Even a slight miscalculation could cost the Empress her life.”

In other words, uncovering the poisoner was the only way to break the poison.

The Emperor scowled. “No other way?”

Yin Qingyue shook her head. This “Three-Day Zhu” poison was something she had only read about in ancient texts, thought long lost. Now, seeing the symptoms match perfectly, she realized the situation was dire.

“Out here!” Nangong Lin vented his fury on the steward eunuch, who knelt immediately, slapping his own mouth. “It’s my fault! I failed to protect the Empress!”

Empress He, struggling to breathe, tried to rise. Nangong Lin hurriedly supported her. She spoke weakly, “Your Majesty, do not blame the palace staff; it is not their fault…”

Her words hinted that she might know who the culprit was. Nangong Lin asked urgently, “Empress, lie down. When did you start feeling unwell?”

She obeyed, letting him grasp her trembling hand. “After seeing Mei’er yesterday, my body felt off… and gradually worsened to this state.”

Her eyes fell, sorrowful. “I didn’t think much of it, but…”

Nangong Lin’s expression darkened. “Send for the Second Princess.”

Though Sun Consort’s daughter, Nangong Mei’er, was gentle and conflict-averse. She avoided rivalry, quietly pursuing her own interests. The Emperor had always been grateful for her harmless nature. But now, the Empress was poisoned after seeing Nangong Mei’er—and coincidentally, the previous poison had been traced to Sun Consort.

Nangong Lin’s gaze darkened, frustration mounting. Not long ago, mystics had hinted that unrest would occur in the palace, and now their words proved true.

Soon, the steward brought Nangong Mei’er to Weiyang Palace. Her face was filled with grief, as if struck by a great blow.

“Father, I greet you,” she knelt, her eyes still moist.

Nangong Lin ignored her emotion, snapping, “Tell me! Did you poison the Empress?”

Yin Qingyue sighed. In this palace, even a father and daughter could doubt each other. Poor Nangong Mei’er, gentle and serene, now faced undeserved calamity.

Nangong Mei’er lifted her chin stubbornly. “Father, what are you saying? When did Mother get poisoned?”

Her expression seemed genuine, yet Nangong Lin’s doubts remained. “Why were you in Weiyang Palace yesterday?”

Kneeling with a straight back, she said, “I came to seek justice for Mother.”

“The investigation is complete! The poisoner is your mother, Consort Sun! The evidence is conclusive! Whether you believe it or not, it’s the truth!” Nangong Lin roared, exasperated.

“Mother did not poison the Empress,” Nangong Mei’er replied coldly, fueling his anger.

“How dare you! Could the Empress and I have wrongly accused her?” His eyes burned. “Bring Consort Sun here! I will question her personally!”

“She cannot come,” Nangong Mei’er said, her voice calm but filled with suppressed pain.

“What do you mean? Cannot come?” Nangong Lin’s forehead throbbed, veins bulging. “I’ve spoiled her too much, and now this has happened?”

“She took her own life last night,” Nangong Mei’er said, her eyes piercing into her father’s, as if seeking the truth in his face.

Nangong Lin froze, and the palace fell into sudden silence.

After a long pause, his voice trembled. “Mei’er… what did you say?”

“When I came to Mother yesterday, seeking the truth but left disappointed, I learned that Mother ended her life with gold. It’s because, Father, you never trusted her,” Nangong Mei’er’s tone was calm, concealing untold anger and pain. She lifted her eyes to meet his.

“How could this be possible!” Nangong Lin sank beside the Empress’s bed, unable to believe it. “Mei’er, you must be lying! How could your mother…”

The Empress coughed weakly. Her attendants quickly replaced her bloodied handkerchief with a clean one, as she tried to comfort the Emperor. “Do not grieve too much, Your Majesty. I still wish for you to see Sister Sun first.”