MCSCPM -Chapter 270 The Banquet

Kong Xian lowered his head and asked, “Prince Jing, could this be the Divine Doctor?”

“Yes. She has accompanied me. So, Lord Kong, seeing her is the same as seeing me. Do not neglect her—understood?” Chu Jingcheng said.

“I understand, sir. I would never dare be negligent. I have already arranged everything; Prince Jing and the Divine Doctor need only settle in peacefully.”

Yin Qingyue walked to Chu Jingcheng’s side. She said nothing, but kept her eyes on Kong Xian. Though he tried to hide his panic, in front of Chu Jingcheng and Yin Qingyue, it was obvious.

Kong Xian ordered attendants to take Yin Qingyue and Chu Jingcheng to their rooms, waiting quietly for the evening’s banquet of song and dance.

When Yin Qingyue entered the room, it was filled with maidservants, all bowing, “The servants pay respects to Miss Yin.”

This display was clearly arranged by Kong Xian.

“I don’t need so many people serving me. You may all leave,” she said.

“Miss Yin, we serve you by Lord Kong’s orders.”

“Oh? And?” Yin Qingyue asked disdainfully.

The maids exchanged glances, as if the magistrate’s orders were imperial edicts they dared not defy.

One bold maid said, “We dare not neglect you, Miss Yin. Whatever you need, just tell us; we will wait here.”

“I won’t say it twice. Leave at once, or I’ll report to Lord Kong that you don’t even listen to me.”

Hearing this, the maids panicked. “Yes! We will leave immediately, Miss Yin.”

“Go.” Yin Qingyue was annoyed. These maids were clearly placed deliberately by Kong Xian—supposedly to serve her, but in reality, to watch her. After all, in Tuoshui County, the magistrate had never done this. As the saying goes, the more guilty one feels, the more deliberately one acts.

The maids filed out one by one. Yin Qingyue called back the last one, who appeared obedient and resembled Mei’er in some ways, though she didn’t dare look up at Yin Qingyue.

“What orders does Miss Yin have?” the maid stammered.

“Bring me a change of clothes. Only you—no one else should enter.”

“The servants have already prepared the clothes and warm water for your bath, Miss.”

“How thoughtful,” Yin Qingyue remarked.

The young maid beamed—perhaps glad to be singled out. Yin Qingyue, being a woman in a strange place, naturally preferred some female companionship, and she found this maid likable.

The maid quickly prepared the clothes. After a bath, Yin Qingyue changed into a fresh set of attire, feeling much more refreshed after several bumpy days without proper care.

The maid couldn’t help but praise, “Miss Yin, you are truly beautiful. In all my life, I’ve never seen anyone as fair and divine as you.”

Yin Qingyue merely smiled and sat before the mirror, inserting her simple wooden hairpin. She asked, “What’s your name?”

“I am called Cailian. I only recently arrived at the county magistrate’s residence.”

“Oh? I see the magistrate has many maids. Does one county magistrate really need so many?” Yin Qingyue asked, testing her while watching her reaction in the mirror.

Cailian hesitated, unsure how to answer.

“Why? Is there something you can’t say?”

“No, no, Miss. I am just clumsy with words and afraid of saying something that might displease you.” She blushed deeply.

“Very well. If you don’t want to say, I won’t push. Besides, I was just asking casually.”

“Yes,” Cailian replied, relieved. She then took out golden hairpins from a nearby box and asked with a smile, “Miss, these are all prepared for you. Which would you like me to put in your hair?”

“No need. I’ll wear my own.”

Cailian noticed Yin Qingyue’s wooden hairpin—simple and modest. She wondered how someone like the Divine Doctor, clearly valued by Prince Jing, could wear such a plain hairpin and attire. Yet, her face was breathtaking.

Yin Qingyue, noticing her curiosity, smiled and asked, “Cailian, which looks better, my wooden hairpin or the golden ones in your hands?”

“Of course your hairpin is more beautiful! These golden pins are common, unworthy of you, Miss.”

“You have a clever tongue, much like Mei’er,” Yin Qingyue said.

“Mei’er? Who is Mei’er?”

Mentioning Mei’er, Yin Qingyue’s expression darkened. Since leaving the palace, she hadn’t had a chance to say goodbye to Mei’er and wondered how she was faring.

After a moment, she said, “Mei’er is my maid. She resembles you somewhat.”

Cailian was thrilled.

“Cailian, did you grow up in this county?” Yin Qingyue asked.

“Yes.”

“Then you must be familiar with it.” Cailian nodded but remained reticent. Yin Qingyue did not press further.

She stood and checked the sky. After the rain, the weather had cleared.

Several maids arrived to inform her, “Miss Yin, the Lord has arranged a banquet in the front courtyard. We are to escort you there.”

Everything had clearly been arranged. Yin Qingyue followed without objection. In the front courtyard, the decorations were festive, and fine food and wine were ready. The county’s notable figures had all arrived.

She saw Chu Jingcheng seated at the main position, speaking with Kong Xian. When he noticed her, he beckoned her over.

Reluctantly, she approached, planning to sit quietly, but Chu Jingcheng had deliberately saved a seat next to him.

As she sat, he leaned close, whispering, “I feel at ease only when you sit beside me.”

“I’m not going anywhere. Why worry?”

“You may not run, but I fear losing you.”

The remark was so clever that Yin Qingyue secretly admired him, wondering what strange thoughts occupied his mind.

Kong Xian, being perceptive, knew Chu Jingcheng cherished Yin Qingyue as a treasure, so he treated her with utmost respect.

Kong Xian said, “Prince Jing, Miss Yin, I have prepared some performances by the county’s most famous dancers. I am sure you will enjoy them.”

“Dancers?” Yin Qingyue felt a twinge of jealousy.

Chu Jingcheng, however, smiled with satisfaction. “Shall we not enjoy it at once?”

“Yes,” Kong Xian clapped. Soon, the dancers appeared.

Yin Qingyue shot a look at Chu Jingcheng. He caught her gaze, grinning. “Jealous?”

“Jealous of what? Just dancers.”

“If you are jealous, admit it. I love seeing you like this.”

Ah—he was deliberately provoking her jealousy.

Yin Qingyue teased back, “Prince Jing, I won’t eat your jealousy. I just want to see if any of these dancers please you. If one does, making her your consort wouldn’t be bad.”

“Yin Qingyue, you’re heartless!” Chu Jingcheng frowned, losing this round of the banter.

The dancers appeared one by one, dressed elegantly and ethereally—truly exquisite. Each smiled, clearly honored to perform for Prince Jing.

The music began. The dancers moved gracefully, their faint perfume filling the air.

The county’s dancers truly lived up to their reputation—beautiful, nimble, and enchanting.

Yin Qingyue admired them but knew her sword dance could not compare.

Chu Jingcheng, however, paid them little attention, gazing at Yin Qingyue with a faint smile, satisfied simply to have her nearby.

After a moment, he said, “Yin Qingyue, in my eyes, none of them can compare to you.”

“Oh?” Yin Qingyue was slightly surprised—she hadn’t expected him to notice her envy.

“You forget, you are the insect in my heart. Whatever you think, I know.”

“So, Prince Jing, you know all my secrets?”

“Of course.” He looked confident.

Yin Qingyue said no more. Even if he truly knew, would he know she didn’t belong to this era?

Watching the dancers, she noticed the lead dancer seemed in pain, her brows furrowed, yet she forced a smile.

Looking closer, Yin Qingyue saw the dancer’s ankle was injured and unbandaged—likely to preserve appearance for the performance. She endured the dance until the piece ended, bowed, and retreated.

Another dance began, but Yin Qingyue was puzzled—why would an injured dancer continue? She resolved to find out.

She told Chu Jingcheng, “Prince Jing, I’ll retire for now.”

“What’s wrong?”

“I’m tired and want to rest.”

He looked concerned. “Are you really okay?”

“Yes, I’m fine. Just a little exhausted from the past few days,” she said earnestly.

He considered, then nodded. “Alright. Go rest and take good care of yourself.”