MCSCPM -Chapter 170 Someone Gets Jealous

Outside Jiangnan City.

“Miss Yin, look, this is where the bitter herbs are cultivated,” the man said, his face full of excitement.

As far as the eye could see, a vast expanse of green grass filled Yin Qingyue’s vision.

“Heaven is on our side!” Yin Qingyue’s eyes sparkled. This was the hope of Jiangnan.

What lay before her were all mutated bitter herbs. With careful use, the villagers could be saved.

“Take part of these bitter herbs back, and leave some behind. We’ll use the rest later.”

“Wouldn’t it be better to take them all?” the man asked, puzzled.

“Absolutely not. These bitter herbs are already scarce. If we take them all, we can only save a few people. Jiangnan is so vast—do you want the rest to die from the plague?” Yin Qingyue said calmly.

Even with these herbs, it wouldn’t be enough to treat the plague across all of Jiangnan.

“Miss Yin, is there anything else I can help with?”

“The plague—although caused by water pollution—must be addressed at the source. We have to fix the flood problem to truly control the epidemic.”

For a moment, the man seemed almost entranced. Though Yin Qingyue’s appearance was modest, her every gesture radiated a certain charm.

“Miss Yin, you’re amazing!” he said dreamily.

“You stay here and gather the bitter herbs. I’ll be right back.” With that, Yin Qingyue disappeared.

She had to act quickly to find more bitter herbs to save all of Jiangnan.

Ahead, the land was barren.

A strong stench of rot hit her immediately.

Hurrying forward, several piles of bones came into view.

“These… are all plague victims!” She noticed that even after cremation, the bones still had red spots. The plague had penetrated to the bone.

Not far away, a group of people were approaching.

“Your Highness, is that… Miss Yin?” Leng Feng asked, surprised.

Chu Jingcheng squinted, his gaze fixed on the figure ahead, careful not to miss a thing.

“Your Highness?”

“You all wait here,” Prince Jing sneered. In just a day, Yin Qingyue had already escaped. The woman he had his eyes on was indeed clever.

A sharp voice came from behind. “Miss Yin.”

Yin Qingyue snorted. “Prince Jing, you’re fast at finding people, huh?”

“Really? I think your escape speed is pretty impressive too,” Prince Jing said with a cold smile.

“Qingyue wonders—is Prince Jing praising me or mocking me?”

In an instant, Chu Jingcheng wrapped his arm around her waist.

Little did he know, he had been anxious while she was missing. He knew she wouldn’t get hurt, yet he couldn’t help worrying.

“From now on, you are not to leave me so easily,” Chu Jingcheng said with a sly, charming smile.

“Do I have to listen to you?” Yin Qingyue glanced back.

Not far behind were Chu Jingcheng’s men—he must have pursued her overnight to reach here.

With a swift motion, she shook off Prince Jing’s hand.

“Since you’re here, help out. Take your men to find these plants and save the people of Jiangnan.” She handed him some bitter herbs and continued on.

“Wait… since when did Miss Yin become a savior?” Chu Jingcheng squinted, thoughtful. Could it be that Nangong Chen had sent her to Jiangnan to deal with the plague? Otherwise, why would she stay here with no reason?

“Prince Jing, you are clever—would you ask such a foolish question?” Yin Qingyue said with a cold laugh.

She only wanted to stir chaos and watch Nangong Chen’s downfall. Even if Chu Jingcheng wanted to get involved, she wouldn’t mind.

Prince Jing snorted. “What I decide will not change.”

“Seems your luck is quite something,” Leng Feng said mockingly. In the time it took a tea to brew, Yin Qingyue had disappeared—and yet her opponent gave her the chance to escape.

“Take your men and go find them.”

As soon as Yin Qingyue finished speaking, she walked toward the city gates.

“Send people to follow her.”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

Yin Qingyue knew well that, with Chu Jingcheng’s temperament, he would definitely help her find a large supply of bitter herbs.

“Miss Yin, you’re back! I thought something might have happened to you!” the man said with a smile.

“I ran into a friend just now. Don’t worry about the bitter herbs,” Yin Qingyue said, smiling.

“Friend?”

Before he could ask more, she hurriedly said, “Time is short—take me back quickly.”

In no time, under the man’s guidance, Yin Qingyue returned to the refugees.

Due to the delay, the villagers’ conditions had worsened. Even the stronger men had red spots appearing on their skin.

“Datou, did you find the cure?” an old woman asked weakly.

“Yes, here it is—thanks to Miss Yin!”

A basketful of bitter herbs was laid on the ground.

“How can this cure the plague? It’s just some bitter herbs!” The old woman, though elderly, recognized the plant even after mutation.

“Grandmother, you have a keen eye. These bitter herbs may seem useless, but they are extremely effective. They grow near the source of pollution, opposing the plague at its root. This is the perfect remedy!” Yin Qingyue said confidently, word by word.

“I bet you’re sent by the Third Prince to trick this old woman!” the grandmother said, annoyed.

“Grandmother, one can eat carelessly, but one shouldn’t speak carelessly. Miss Yin has worked tirelessly for us, and we’ve seen it all,” the man defended.

“Yes, yesterday she promised, how come you change your mind now?”

“Grandmother, please stop. Miss Yin has already done so much. Let’s just try it,” Datou pleaded.

“Fine, I won’t interfere with the young ones.” The grandmother coughed repeatedly.

“Qingyue won’t let everyone down. First, thank you all,” Yin Qingyue said with a smile.

In ancient times, medical research lagged far behind modern standards, so it was hard to understand the true effects of herbs.

“Datou, bring all the herbs here. We’ll cook them together with the bitter herbs.”

“Okay.”

Not far away, Chu Jingcheng was watching her closely, noting every word and movement.

“Your Highness, all the plants similar to the little grass have been collected.” Several men carried bags of bitter herbs over.

“Deliver them to Miss Yin.” Prince Jing’s eyes showed a trace of displeasure, as if saying: I’ve brought you everything you need. Let’s see how you repay me.

A burning gaze fixed tightly on Yin Qingyue—it was obvious it was Chu Jingcheng.

“Everyone, look! Right ahead, all these bitter herbs mean hope for Jiangnan’s plague!” Yin Qingyue said, smiling.

She hadn’t expected Prince Jing to be so efficient.

“Bad, Datou fainted!”

“Where?”

“Right behind, at the place where the medicine is being boiled.”

Datou had collapsed, unconscious.

Yin Qingyue noticed some filthy matter next to him.

“I knew it—this girl couldn’t cure the plague. Might as well have waited to die. Now Datou’s dead, and we’re out of luck!” the grandmother said sarcastically.

“Grandmother, Datou just fainted. I think you’re biased against Miss Yin,” a woman argued. She didn’t fully trust Yin Qingyue’s skills—curing the plague wasn’t easy—but trying might give hope.

Encouraged by the woman, others supported her view.

“Exactly! She’s right. We’re already outside the city. A few more days of suffering won’t matter. Grandma, don’t be unreasonable.”

“Fine, the old woman is just stubborn. Let it be.”

After a brief quarrel, a deathly silence fell.

Yin Qingyue carefully examined the filth near Datou—there were several small worms. She clearly remembered seeing similar ones upstream the previous day.

Suddenly, she seemed to understand.

“Datou, wake up,” Yin Qingyue urged, pushing the man in front of her. Unbeknownst to her, Prince Jing was standing behind.

“Miss Yin… are you like this with every man? Even those you’ve had physical contact with?” Chu Jingcheng said with a cold smile, his voice full of jealousy.

“I wonder, when did Prince Jing start worrying so much about Qingyue?” she said without looking back, though she thought to herself—he was getting petty. She was only checking on the patient, yet he spoke so unpleasantly.

To Yin Qingyue, this was just a prelude to the drama.

“You asked for it. I’ve brought everything here. Now, Miss Yin, how will you repay me?” Prince Jing said with a sly, charming smile.

“This is for the benefit of the people of Xize. Please asking Prince Jing for recognition!” Yin Qingyue said coldly.

“Miss Yin,” Datou opened his eyes slightly, weakly.

“How do you feel?”

“I drank a bowl while boiling the medicine. Suddenly I felt nauseous, vomited, and then lost consciousness,” Datou said embarrassedly.

“No problem—that proves the bitter herbs are working!” Yin Qingyue’s eyes sparkled. Datou was the perfect proof that the plague could be cured.

“Really? The plague on me is gone?” Datou exclaimed, clutching Yin Qingyue’s hands tightly, oblivious to Chu Jingcheng’s burning gaze.

“In a few days, you’ll fully recover.”

“Miss Yin, thank you! The people of Jiangnan can be saved!”

“Datou, my hand…”

“Sorry,” Datou realized and quickly let go.

“It’s fine. Rest well. I’ll check on the other patients.”

Watching Yin Qingyue’s retreating figure, Chu Jingcheng didn’t even realize how much weight she carried in his heart.

“Your Highness, what will you do next?”

“After the plague is resolved, then we’ll plan,” Chu Jingcheng said, squinting thoughtfully.

“A few days ago, the Emperor’s letter… Your Highness has yet to reply. This may…”

“Mind your own business!” Prince Jing said coldly. He knew the importance of the letter. The Emperor’s decision was temporary and could be changed.

He was confident he could change everything. No matter how hard the path, for Yin Qingyue, he would spare nothing.

“Yes, Your Highness,” Leng Feng replied helplessly. Whenever Yin Qingyue was involved, The Emperor’s demeanor completely changed.