MCSCPM -Chapter 235 Leaving the Capital

Indeed, she needed to clear her head. Scenes from last night kept flashing in Yin Qingyue’s mind, and now that she had calmed down, they made her heart restless and tangled.

The moment she sat still, anxiety crept in. She had spent the entire morning busying herself with tasks, trying to numb herself, yet nothing could erase the memories.

At that moment, Ding Ying arrived, bringing a huge pile of gifts with her.

“Ding Ying, your injury isn’t healed yet. Why are you here?” Yin Qingyue asked, guiding her inside and seating her.

Ding Ying smiled. “I thought that since you’ve been with me all these days, you must be tired. And now that you’re leaving, I have no one to talk to, so I came to see you myself. I know you wouldn’t come to see me.”

“Ding Ying…”

Ding Ying suddenly interrupted. “No need to say anything—I know. That’s why I came to see you.”

Yin Qingyue smiled gently. “You really understand me. But if you’re coming, why do you always bring so many things?”

At this, Ding Ying’s expression darkened. “Last time I came, Jiao Ran broke a lot of your things. I thought I’d bring some new ones to replace them.”

“That wasn’t your fault. She wanted to cause trouble—things breaking is just a side effect.”

“No. It was Xiangxu who told Jiao Ran I was coming. She said you were a demoness who bewitched me, which is why Jiao Ran came. I apologize on her behalf—please don’t be angry with her.”

From her tone, Ding Ying didn’t blame Jiao Ran for using her, nor did she hold a grudge for the whip she received.

Yin Qingyue said, “Ding Ying, you’re truly a good girl, not blaming her at all.”

“Honestly, at first I hated her for using me and for nearly killing me with that whip. But then I thought, I’ve known Jiao Ran for years, she’s been kind to me, straightforward, never hiding secrets from me. And, Qingyue, I believe she isn’t a bad person at heart. Could you forgive her? I apologize to you on her behalf.”

This woman was truly remarkable. Even after nearly dying, she could still speak so magnanimously. Yin Qingyue admired and respected her for it.

“Ding Ying, you’re the best girl I’ve ever met, and your heart is the purest. You’ve let it go—what else can I say?” Yin Qingyue replied.

Although Yin Qingyue disliked Shangguan Jiao Ran, she let it go. Adult forgiveness for childish quarrels—it was done.

The conversation became much more comfortable.

By afternoon, Ding Ying sighed. “I wonder when Leng Feng will return.”

“Return? Where has he gone?”

Ding Ying looked surprised. “Qingyue, you don’t know? Leng Feng is going with Prince Jing to the provinces. The Emperor sent him there to investigate corrupt officials, so Leng Feng has to go too. Didn’t Prince Jing tell you?”

No—despite sharing a bed, Chu Jingcheng hadn’t said a word!

Yin Qingyue was shocked. Her thoughts froze. “Since when? Leaving today?”

“Yes. They’ve likely already left—probably near the outskirts by now.”

In an instant, Yin Qingyue stood up. She didn’t know when Prince Jing would return—after all, she still lived in his residence.

“I’ll go out for a bit. I won’t escort you back. We’ll talk later,” she said, and dashed off, leaving Mei’er behind. She didn’t care about Ding Ying’s words behind her.

She quickly found a carriage and headed toward the outskirts, urging the driver nonstop. “Please, hurry!”

The driver whipped the horses, speeding up.

After about half an hour, they finally caught up with Chu Jingcheng’s convoy.

The sudden arrival of a carriage caused the convoy to halt.

Chu Jingcheng, on horseback, noticed the carriage. Pulling his reins, his horse headed toward it, as if it knew Yin Qingyue was inside.

Yin Qingyue stepped out, and saw Chu Jingcheng in front of her. He dismounted, walked over, lifted her from the carriage, and set her down gently.

“Why are you here?” Chu Jingcheng was surprised, but happiness shone in his eyes as he looked at her.

Yin Qingyue frowned. “Why didn’t you say anything?”

“Say earlier? Would that help?”

“You shouldn’t have kept it from me,” she said firmly.

“You’re right, I shouldn’t have. But I’m not going to battle—just to the provinces to deal with corrupt officials. Don’t worry, I’ll return in a few days.”

Yin Qingyue reminded herself to be generous—she came to see him off, and couldn’t be petty.

“Take care of yourself,” she said.

Chu Jingcheng smiled and leaned closer. “You care about me—I’m truly comforted. As for… last night, when I return, we’ll talk properly.”

Talk properly—the words struck her, leaving her momentarily stunned. She stepped back. “Prince Jing, I’m here to see you off. You must take care of yourself.”

She couldn’t face or discuss it. Chu Jingcheng didn’t push. After all, this woman was already his.

“Yin Qingyue, I wish I could take you with me, but I can’t. Listen carefully—the Emperor knows about you now, so you don’t need to hide behind a disguise.”

“I’ve made arrangements. No one will trouble you. Even if they try, you won’t fear them.”

He gave her instructions, one by one. Yin Qingyue said nothing, feeling a sudden ache in her heart, though she didn’t show it.

“Prince Jing, I believe that if you become Emperor of Beihai in the future, you will be a wise ruler.”

“That’s enough,” he said.

Chu Jingcheng mounted his horse without looking back—he didn’t want to leave while seeing her face.

Yin Qingyue stood there a long while, watching until the horse was far away before getting into her carriage.

The feeling in her chest was indescribable—heavy, uncomfortable, yet unidentifiable. It felt… empty.

On the way back to the capital outskirts, she suddenly heard horse hooves. Her first thought: Chu Jingcheng had returned. She lifted the curtain—but it wasn’t him. It was Shangguan Jiao Ran, riding fast, whipping her horse anxiously. She too was trying to see Prince Jing off.

Shangguan Jiao Ran saw Yin Qingyue and glared fiercely—angry that she had caused three sleepless nights and messed with Ding Ying’s affairs. She wanted to confront her, but had no time; she needed to catch up with Chu Jingcheng.

Yin Qingyue smirked. Pulling a bead from her clothing, she flicked it at Jiao Ran’s horse. The horse reared and neighed loudly, almost falling—but Jiao Ran merely got dust in her face. Yin Qingyue had aimed carefully; it was just a small prank.

Jiao Ran, furious but pressed for time, hurried onward. Yin Qingyue felt slightly relieved.

By the time Jiao Ran caught up, Chu Jingcheng had already left. She hadn’t delayed him—otherwise, Jiao Ran would have missed him.

Jiao Ran raised her whip to cause trouble, but outside Yin Qingyue’s capital residence stood a line of palace guards.

Jiao Ran didn’t enter, thinking: could it be that the Emperor sent them to arrest Yin Qingyue? Delighted at the thought, she rode back to the General’s mansion.

On the way, she met Shangguan Qingyun.

Seeing his daughter return, he asked, “Where have you been?”

“I went to see Prince Jing off, but that demoness Yin Qingyue played a trick on me, so I’m late,” she complained.

Shangguan Qingyun was angry. “When will you grow up?”

“Father, don’t be quick to scold me. I saw that outside her place were palace guards—I think the Emperor sent them to catch her. She wants Prince Jing for herself? Impossible!” She said proudly.

“Ran’er, are you sure? Palace guards?”

“I’m certain, Father! Palace guards. The Emperor must have blamed that demoness and sent them to arrest her, maybe even kill her.”

“Ran’er! Walls have ears! Don’t talk nonsense,” Shangguan Qingyun scolded. “Nothing’s confirmed. Don’t say the Emperor wants to kill her—if others hear, the consequences could be serious.”

Jiao Ran didn’t care. “Father, this is our home, the General’s mansion. Who dares speak against me? If anyone does, I’ll whip them!”

“Ran’er, you’ve grown so unruly! I spoiled you, and now look at you. Stay put and copy the women’s code—learn some discipline.”

“Copy the code? Father, you know I hate those rules—they’re just shackles for women. I won’t do it!” She turned away, stubborn.

Shangguan Qingyun groaned. “You must copy it. Want to be Prince Jing’s consort? Change your ways. Otherwise, I can’t help you.”

With that, he left.

Jiao Ran, shocked by his final words, said nothing further.

Unbeknownst to her, the Emperor had long deemed her too reckless to be Prince Jing’s consort.

The words weighed heavily on Shangguan Qingyun’s mind.

Jiao Ran could only return to her room, copying the women’s code again and again. She knew palace guards surrounded Yin Qingyue’s residence—she would wait and see. Surely, the Emperor would punish Yin Qingyue.

“Yin Qingyue, today is your day. The position of Prince Jing’s consort is mine. I told you, now you have to stake your life—this is your retribution.”