MCSCPM -Chapter 271 Inquiry

Tonight’s banquet was held for Prince Jing, so Chu Jingcheng couldn’t leave early and had to stay. As for Yin Qingyue, she quickly took her leave.

After leaving the front courtyard, she left Cailian behind and went alone to the place where the dancer had been, intending to observe secretly.

She had just reached the door when she saw the dancer inside. Yin Qingyue stood to the side and did not enter.

From inside the room came the dancer’s sighs:
“Luckily, I passed. If I hadn’t finished this dance because of my injury, I would have been the culprit.”

Another woman was massaging her feet, pitying her. “Sister, look at your feet—they’re all injured.”

“It doesn’t matter. As long as it’s for our dance hall, I’m willing to endure anything.”

“But Sister, it hurts me to see you like this.”

“Ya’er, if I don’t do this, our dance hall can’t survive.” The dancer’s voice was full of helplessness.

Ya’er began crying, filled with worry. “Sister, you were already ill, yet you had to perform. We can’t even afford the medicine now. Even the herbal shop at the end of the street is about to close. There are barely any reputable shops left in the county. All of this is because of that Lord Kong—he’s simply too cruel.”

“Ya’er, don’t speak recklessly. This is the County Magistrate’s residence; if anyone hears, do you want to die?”

“But… I just can’t accept it. What law have we broken? Lord Kong isn’t the Emperor himself; why does he have the right to torment us like this?” Tears welled up in her eyes.

The dancer reached out and hugged her, gently patting her back to comfort her. “Ya’er, don’t worry. As long as your sister is here, I won’t let you suffer.”

“Sister, Ya’er has grown up; you don’t need to take care of me anymore. It’s you who must cherish yourself.”

“I know, don’t worry.”

Outside the door, Yin Qingyue had heard enough and couldn’t help herself. She decided to step forward and knock lightly on the already-open door. She entered, saying, “Sorry to bother you both. I overheard a bit of your conversation and wanted to ask you about it.”

Yin Qingyue’s sudden appearance startled the two. They knew she was the divine doctor who had come with Prince Jing. She had just been sitting in the main seat—how was she now here?

The dancer and Ya’er quickly came forward to bow. “Greetings, Divine Doctor.”

Yin Qingyue hurried to help them up. “You don’t need to bow to me. I’m not an important person, nor am I royalty. We are all of equal status.”

“You are the Divine Doctor, a person close to Prince Jing. Naturally, you are like our master.”

“Master? Your words seem to imply something else. You mentioned Lord Kong just now—what did you mean? Could you explain?”

The dancer and Ya’er immediately panicked, lowering their heads. “It’s nothing. You must have misheard, or overthought it.”

“Really? But your expressions can’t fool me. Tell me, what exactly happened?”

“Really nothing. Please, don’t ask anymore.”

Seeing that they were unwilling to speak and were avoiding her gaze, Yin Qingyue couldn’t read their thoughts.

She glanced at the dancer’s injured foot, sighed, and asked, “What happened to your foot?”

The dancer shook her head. “I injured it by accident. It’s nothing serious.”

“You danced with an injury for your livelihood? I’ve heard the dancers in the county are quite famous and popular. How could you risk yourself like this just to survive?” Yin Qingyue wanted to ask further.

The dancer looked up at her, thinking, This woman is remarkable; she spotted the problem with just a few words.

But she dared not speak freely. Besides, she was still in the County Magistrate’s residence. If Kong Xian found out, she would surely die.

“You misunderstand. Though we dancers are famous in the county, we are not ordinary women. There are times of hardship you wouldn’t understand. Everyone struggles to survive; we are no exception.”

“Oh?” Yin Qingyue knew she was lying, but pressing further would yield no answer.

That was fine; Yin Qingyue didn’t want to force her. After all, Kong Xian had the power to change the entire county overnight, and he could certainly make this dancer unable to escape suffering or death.

“Since you say so, perhaps I’m overthinking. I won’t disturb you anymore.” Yin Qingyue bowed politely, then turned to leave. At the door, she stopped and addressed the dancer: “Your foot is injured. Though it’s the ankle, the meridians inside have already been affected. If you continue dancing like this, you may never dance again.”

Having said this, Yin Qingyue left.

The dancer and Ya’er exchanged glances. This divine doctor’s reputation was well-deserved; she could tell how serious the injury was with just one look.

“Sister, the Divine Doctor is right. You can’t continue like this—you must think of yourself too,” Ya’er said.

The dancer watched Yin Qingyue’s retreating figure, longing. “If she treated me, I’m sure my injury would heal quickly… but how could such a divine doctor treat someone like me?”

“Sister, I’ll ask her to treat you.”

“Don’t be foolish. That’s impossible. Who are we, and who is she? We can’t even afford it.” Her tone was bitter. She glanced at the darkening sky, then said, “It’s late. Let’s return to the dance hall and gather the other sisters.”

“All right, Sister, I’ll go call them.”

Ya’er quickly went to gather the other dancers. Soon, everyone was ready to leave, and they exited the County Magistrate’s residence.

They did not realize that Yin Qingyue was quietly following behind them, even blending into the group. Fortunately, it was late, and no one noticed her.

Yin Qingyue was taking a great risk. If anyone in the County Magistrate’s residence discovered she was missing, a search would surely ensue. If found in the dance hall, they could be accused of harboring a criminal and all would suffer.

The group returned to the dance hall. Many dancers, exhausted, went straight to rest. Only the injured dancer did not. She went to a separate building, and Yin Qingyue silently followed.

The dancer was not resting but visiting an older woman—likely the head of the dance hall.

“Yuelan, how did it go today?” the dance hall head asked.

The dancer, named Yuelan, said, “Mother Gu, don’t worry. Today went smoothly. Nothing unexpected happened. I don’t think Lord Kong will pursue us further.”

Mother Gu sighed. “You poor girl, performing even with an injury.”

“As long as Lord Kong spares the dance hall, it doesn’t matter if my leg is ruined.” Yuelan’s eyes filled with tears.

“That Lord Kong is a beast. He’s made our lives miserable. Everyone suffers because of him. He even embezzled the imperial relief funds. Soon, the entire county will be ruined.”

“Mother Gu, walls have ears. If anyone hears and it reaches Lord Kong, we’ll be in serious trouble.” Yuelan said worriedly.

Mother Gu, though cautious, couldn’t help expressing her resentment in her anxiety.

“Yuelan, the dance hall relies entirely on you now. But I hate seeing you suffer. Your foot… sigh, I think we should just close the dance hall.”

“No, Mother Gu. Absolutely not. No matter how much pressure Lord Kong puts on us, we cannot yield. This dance hall represents the efforts of so many sisters over many years, as well as yours. How can you say such a thing?”

“But in its current state…”

“It won’t happen. As long as Yuelan is here, this will never happen. Mother Gu, rest assured, the dance hall will never close.” Yuelan said firmly, determined not to let anything happen to the hall, even at her own expense.

Mother Gu sighed. She was helpless and could do nothing, muttering under her breath, “That Kong Xian, this time Prince Jing is here—he’s doomed.”

Yuelan shook her head. “I think Prince Jing won’t be affected by Kong Xian. The county has been tidied up, and there’s nothing overtly wrong. He likely won’t notice… but…”

“But what?”

“Only that the divine doctor with Prince Jing seems to have noticed. I met her in the County Magistrate’s residence. She asked me about this matter, but I didn’t dare tell her. If anyone overheard, our dance hall would be finished.” Yuelan said cautiously.

Their conversation had all been overheard by Yin Qingyue. At that moment, she suddenly stepped out from behind a pillar. “You didn’t need to be so cautious just now,” she said to Yuelan.

Yin Qingyue’s sudden appearance shocked Yuelan and Mother Gu, leaving them staring in disbelief.

Mother Gu, trembling, asked, “Who… who are you? Did you hear everything just now?”

“I heard it all,” Yin Qingyue said.

Mother Gu was terrified. If this matter reached Kong Xian, she would be ruined.

But Yuelan knew Yin Qingyue. She tugged at Mother Gu’s sleeve. “Mother Gu, she is the divine doctor.”

“What?” Mother Gu was startled again, looking at Yin Qingyue from head to toe. Such a beautiful woman, and only a divine doctor? She asked suspiciously, “You… really are the divine doctor?”

“Mother Gu, ‘divine doctor’ sounds too grand. My name is Yin Qingyue. I came here with Prince Jing to investigate corrupt officials,” Yin Qingyue said, deliberately emphasizing the last part.