MCSCPM -Chapter 269 Arrival at the County

Chu Jingcheng nodded seriously. “Yes, I want to know.”

Yin Qingyue pushed him gently and deliberately delayed before speaking. “Just now, she told me that Prince Jing likes to flirt with women, and that I should stay away.”

“You’re lying! How could I be such a man? Yin Qingyue, you’re getting bolder by the day. Don’t you know which ‘flower’ I’ve picked?”

Yin Qingyue turned her head, lifting the carriage curtain to look outside and change the topic. “We’re already out of the city.”

Chu Jingcheng tugged her back, slightly displeased. “Don’t change the subject.”

“No matter what she said, I don’t believe it.”

“So? Do you still want to pursue it?” Yin Qingyue asked.

“Forget it. With your sharp tongue, how could I pursue it?” He feigned resignation and sat down beside her.

Yin Qingyue looked down and smiled, finding Chu Jingcheng’s playful charm endearing.

With his eyes closed, Chu Jingcheng rested. The journey from Tuoshui County to the provincial county would take at least three days.

It was their first time spending three days together from morning till night.

As evening approached, they found an inn to rest. Chu Jingcheng kept a low profile—he didn’t make a scene, only having the waiter prepare a few upper rooms and deliver meals directly to their room.

Yin Qingyue took out the prepared medicine. Chu Jingcheng, bare-chested, faced her. These past few days, she had been tending to his injuries like this, so there was no embarrassment; besides, a doctor wouldn’t be shy about such matters.

“Your wounds have healed a lot. Given time, they’ll fully recover. Also, you must follow a strict diet: no spicy food, no contact with water. Don’t exert yourself too much or the wounds may reopen and bleed.”

“With you watching over me, do you really think I’d eat spicy food or touch water?”

“You didn’t say that no one can stop you from doing what you want?”

“That applies to others. You, Yin Qingyue, are an exception. Whatever you forbid me, I won’t do.” His tone was playful, yet filled with intimacy.

Yin Qingyue was speechless. She applied the medicine, rewrapped the bandages, and prepared to help him put on his clothes. But before he could wear them, Chu Jingcheng suddenly pulled her into his arms.

“Prince Jing, let go!”

“Since you’ve already stripped off my clothes, why bother putting them back on? Tonight, you and I…”

“Rogue!” Yin Qingyue raised her hand to strike him, but he caught it, lowering his head to press his chin against her forehead. “Yin Qingyue, today I am a rogue—what can you do about it?”

Yin Qingyue struggled helplessly, shaking her head, silently cursing him countless times for being a scoundrel.

“Prince Jing, didn’t you just say you’d obey me when it came to your own actions? Why aren’t you listening now?”

“Except for this matter, I’ll follow your instructions in everything else.” He was being deliberately rogue.

“Prince Jing, please let go.” Yin Qingyue pushed again, but she was overpowered. “Your wound… if it reopens, what then?”

“I’m not afraid.” He leaned down as if to kiss her, and she quickly turned her head.

At that moment, the door suddenly opened.

“Sir, your meal,” a waiter announced, carrying steaming food. He froze when he saw their intimate position—Yin Qingyue in Chu Jingcheng’s arms, his shirt disheveled. Even an outsider felt embarrassed.

Yin Qingyue hurriedly stepped back and turned around. Chu Jingcheng quickly dressed and shot the waiter a cold glare.

“I didn’t mean anything, sir. Please don’t mind—I didn’t see anything!” the waiter stammered.

“Why didn’t you knock before entering?” Chu Jingcheng asked sternly, clearly annoyed.

“I knocked several times outside before entering,” the waiter explained. Apparently, the earlier commotion drowned out the sound.

“Then put the food down and leave immediately.”

“Yes, sir!” The waiter placed the food down, lowered his head, and left, closing the door behind him.

The atmosphere turned awkward. Yin Qingyue stepped back. “Prince Jing, you eat first. I’ll go out.”

“Wait.” Chu Jingcheng stopped her. “Since we were interrupted earlier, you’ll stay and dine with me. Consider it compensation.”

“Prince Jing, you’re stubborn. It’s late—you should eat and rest,” she tried to refuse.

“I’m not tired. Stay with me.”

“This is an inn. Prince Jing, you should be more restrained.” Yin Qingyue continued to decline, leaving before he could insist.

Once outside, she clutched her chest, still embarrassed. How could the waiter have seen that? She paused, ready to return to the room, only to run into the same waiter. He glanced at her, smiled slightly, lowered his head, and hurried away.

Yin Qingyue blushed even more—embarrassed at being seen, angry at Chu Jingcheng’s rogue behavior. She quickly returned to the room.

Chu Jingcheng, though irritated at being witnessed, was secretly pleased—he had his beloved in his arms, after all. His annoyance gradually faded.

The night passed; he ate, blew out the candles, and went to sleep.

The next day, the group continued toward the county. But the weather turned bad, with rain falling. Luckily, there was only one day left of travel.

News of Chu Jingcheng’s arrival soon reached the county magistrate, Kong Xian.

“Sir, what should we do? If Prince Jing arrives, everything will be discovered,” a guard said anxiously.

Kong Xian, a corrupt official in his forties, was naturally worried. Chu Jingcheng’s mission to root out corrupt officials would expose him.

“Immediately order the accountant to prepare the records. Move the poor villagers into several residences and keep them inside. That way, Prince Jing won’t notice anything.”

“But… what if he suspects something?”

“Fool! If he notices, I’ll have your head!” Kong Xian shouted.

The guard hurriedly replied, “Yes, sir! I will not neglect the task.”

“Go, now!”

With Chu Jingcheng approaching, Kong Xian felt threatened. He had enriched himself for years, dominating the county. Now Chu Jingcheng was coming under his jurisdiction to fight corruption. Naturally, he needed to prepare everything carefully to avoid exposure and preserve his life.

Meanwhile, after a night of rain, the weather cleared, and the air was fresh. After a bumpy journey, they finally arrived at the county.

Upon entering, a lively atmosphere greeted them.

Yin Qingyue lifted the carriage curtain to look outside. The streets were peaceful; people dressed neatly and walked about harmoniously.

Vendors called out loudly, cheerful and energetic. Children ran after hawkers selling candied fruits, laughing and chasing one another. Even women sat along the streets, chatting contentedly, looking carefree and joyful.

Though not as prosperous as the capital, the county had a perfect charm of its own.

Yin Qingyue smiled. “This county seems livelier than Tuoshui. The people here look so peaceful and content.”

Chu Jingcheng followed her gaze and saw the bustling streets but commented coldly, “What you see isn’t necessarily true. Since the Emperor sent me here, there must be a reason. If there were no corrupt officials, would my visit be a waste of time?”

“Prince Jing, think about it. If there were no corrupt officials and this scene were real, wouldn’t that be a blessing for Beihao?”

“And if it’s fake?”

“Then it’s up to Prince Jing to make it real.”

Every word of Yin Qingyue was insightful, leaving Chu Jingcheng impressed. He thought that if she were a man, she might even surpass him in capability—but sadly, she was a woman.

“Yin Qingyue, I will remember your words. If this is true, it is indeed a blessing for Beihao. If not, I will make it so.”

Her heart warmed at his promise. She lowered the carriage curtain as the carriage stopped.

Magistrate Kong Xian was already waiting outside.

“I am Kong Xian, County Magistrate, respectfully welcoming Prince Jing.”

Chu Jingcheng stepped down, observing Kong Xian’s obsequious posture and flattering smile.

“You are Kong Xian, the county magistrate?”

“Yes, I am. I did not expect Prince Jing to visit. I apologize for my lack of preparation.”

“Your concern is unnecessary. Such a grand reception is far from improper.”

Kong Xian bowed and smiled. “Prince Jing, I have arranged a banquet with dancers and singers. You may rest first while I make the arrangements.”

Chu Jingcheng nodded. Kong Xian’s sycophantic behavior only increased his suspicion. For now, he would observe carefully.

Yin Qingyue also stepped down from the carriage. At first glance, Kong Xian looked clever and smooth, pretending to be upright. She intended to probe his thoughts but found that he only glanced at her briefly before lowering his head.