MCSCPM -Chapter 273 Searching for the Residences

After a peaceful night, the next day arrived.

Chu Jingcheng quietly summoned his guards, deliberately avoiding Kong Xian’s spies.

“Prince Jing, what are your orders?”

Chu Jingcheng glanced outside and then instructed the guards, “I want you to investigate Kong Xian thoroughly, starting from his property. Not a single detail can be missed.”

“Understood, Your Highness.”

“Also, send people to check the area around the county for anything unusual. Any suspicious place must be investigated completely.”

“What exactly does Your Highness mean?”

“Kong Xian has several residences where he is hiding refugees. You must find these houses as quickly as possible and bring the people out,” Chu Jingcheng said, his entire presence radiating authority.

The guards immediately understood. “Rest assured, Your Highness. I will follow your orders and find them as soon as possible.”

Chu Jingcheng nodded. He knew that until the people were found, there wasn’t enough evidence. Once they were discovered, Kong Xian would face severe punishment.

Not long after the guards left, Yin Qingyue arrived. She saw Chu Jingcheng frowning, his face full of worry.

She stepped forward gently. “Prince Jing, even if you don’t investigate personally, Kong Xian won’t escape his fate.”

Chu Jingcheng looked at her, noticing the genuine concern shining in her dark eyes. He smiled and deliberately asked, “So, what do you think should be done?”

“Actually, hiding so many refugees is no easy task. There is no wall in the world that doesn’t leak.”

Chu Jingcheng’s expression shifted from puzzled to serious. “Explain.”

Yin Qingyue spoke slowly. “Don’t you remember what you said before? The fastest way to gather information is through taverns and teahouses. How can you forget that now?”

Chu Jingcheng deliberately took her hand. “Yin Qingyue, I truly cannot do without you.”

“You always flatter me,” she said.

“Only to you.”

Yin Qingyue shot him a glance, and a faint smile appeared on her lips, though she found him exasperating.

She took a few steps outside and said, “Since your health isn’t good, I’ll handle the search for the residences myself.”

“You’re going alone? I already gave orders to have them investigate. You should stay by my side,” Chu Jingcheng insisted.

“Your guards are excellent, but some matters are better handled personally.”

Chu Jingcheng knew Yin Qingyue was stubborn; he couldn’t change her mind. Yet he persisted, “No, I won’t let you go alone. Didn’t we agree last night that no matter what happens, you must not go alone? Have you forgotten?”

Yin Qingyue was surprised that he used last night’s agreement against her, but she had already made her decision before arriving. She wouldn’t yield. Standing before him, she said, “Prince Jing, it’s broad daylight. Nothing will happen. Trust me; I won’t act without confidence.”

“Why are you so stubborn? Fine, I’ll go with you,” Chu Jingcheng admitted, knowing he couldn’t win.

“No. Your injury isn’t healed yet. You must rest here. You need to take care of yourself. Understand?” Yin Qingyue said gently, almost as if speaking to a child, her tone soft and maternal.

Chu Jingcheng saw the warmth in her eyes and felt spoiled by it. He realized he was defeated and finally said, “Alright… I truly can’t win against you.”

“Then rest well. I’ll go first.”

“Mm.”

Yin Qingyue thought to herself that he had indeed become more obedient.

But there was no way Chu Jingcheng would let her investigate alone. The guards he dispatched were highly capable. Moreover, even if he stayed behind, he would know what was happening outside. His presence at the county office was merely to divert attention and ensure that Kong Xian would be caught off guard.

After leaving the room, Yin Qingyue returned to her room to change into a simple teal robe, unobtrusive.

Cailian curiously asked, “Miss, are you going out?”

“You’re coming with me,” Yin Qingyue said deliberately. Bringing Cailian was strategic. If she went with Chu Jingcheng, others would suspect. With Cailian, no one would notice. It might also serve to test Cailian.

“Where are we going?”

“You’ll see,” Yin Qingyue said, taking Cailian’s hand. “Remember, we’re going out secretly. Don’t alert anyone in the mansion. Understand?”

Upon hearing this, Cailian became nervous and anxious.

Seeing her flustered, Yin Qingyue teased, “Are you worried I shouldn’t leave secretly? Or do you want to tell Lord Kong?”

“Miss Yin… no, it’s not that,” Cailian stammered.

“Then why are you so nervous?”

“I… I’m not,” Cailian replied hurriedly.

Yin Qingyue suddenly gripped her hand firmly, her tone sharp. “Cailian, I know there are things you’re afraid to say. I won’t force you, but I already know. If you tell Lord Kong that I’m going out, it will do you no good.”

Cailian froze. “Miss Yin… what are you saying? I really don’t understand.”

“Whether you understand or not, Cailian… do you want to see the people of this county suffer? Do you not want Lord Kong to face the punishment he deserves?” Yin Qingyue said sternly.

Cailian was shocked. Her words struck Cailian’s heart like a hammer.

Seeing the hesitation in her eyes, Yin Qingyue realized that, like Mei’er, Cailian was kind-hearted and had a conscience; otherwise, she wouldn’t have reminded her how similar Cailian was to Mei’er.

Fortunately, Cailian was a good girl. Though afraid, she could not go against her conscience. After a moment, she said, “Miss Yin, I see your heart is pure. Since you already know… I’m willing to help you.”

“Good. Now, I need you to come with me to investigate something.”

“Yes.”

Yin Qingyue smiled and, not wanting to waste time, quickly left the mansion with Cailian, using the back door to avoid being noticed.

Since Chu Jingcheng and Yin Qingyue had arrived at the county office, the place was filled with spies. Avoiding their eyes wasn’t easy. Cailian, formerly serving Lord Kong, now assisted as a cover, making it much easier to leave the county office unnoticed.

Once on the streets, the scene was noticeably different from yesterday. The earlier prosperous look had faded.

Merchants still shouted their wares, but few came to buy anything.

Children ran and played, but they were all thin, and laughter was scarce.

The streets no longer echoed with the chatter of women and children, elegant clothing, or the bustling crowd from the day before.

Yin Qingyue dressed simply and had disguised herself, so no one recognized her as the renowned female doctor.

Cailian followed cautiously. Seeing the scene, she felt uneasy.

“Miss Yin, since you know, I won’t hide it. You can see for yourself: Lord Kong is extremely tyrannical here. The people are too afraid to voice their anger. This county, once prosperous, now looks like a ruined city,” Cailian said.

Listening, Yin Qingyue scanned the streets and agreed. It indeed looked like a ghost town.

Yin Qingyue asked, “Hasn’t anyone dared to report this?”

“Report it?” Cailian laughed bitterly. “Who would dare? Any small stir, and Lord Kong would know. It has happened before—those people were beaten to death. Since then, no one dared try again.”

“This county magistrate truly deserves the title of a tyrant,” Yin Qingyue muttered.

“Miss, beware of eavesdroppers!” Cailian warned nervously.

“Do you think Lord Kong can do anything to me?”

“No, miss. You’ll be fine, but your servants could all be in danger.” Cailian looked around cautiously, fear evident in her eyes.

Yin Qingyue shook her head silently. Kong Xian truly deserved to be skinned alive.

At that moment, a ragged old woman suddenly fell before Yin Qingyue, weakly saying, “Miss, have mercy… please give me some food.”

Cailian immediately stepped in front of Yin Qingyue. “Miss, are you alright?”

“I’m fine.” Yin Qingyue moved toward the old woman, but Cailian pulled her back. “Miss, don’t go near her—you might get dirty.”

“It doesn’t matter.”

Cailian fell silent, seeing Yin Qingyue’s kindness. The old woman looked truly pitiable.

Her face was dirty, her clothes torn beyond repair, and her shoes so worn her toes bled, exposed to the cold.

“Miss, you’re a good person. Please, give me something to eat. I haven’t eaten in days.”

In the woman’s eyes, Yin Qingyue saw both dissatisfaction with the world and helplessness.

“Stand up first,” Yin Qingyue said, helping her to her feet. She took some coins from her waist and handed them over. “Grandmother, use this to buy clean clothes and shoes, and get some food.”

The old woman’s eyes filled with tears as she knelt and kowtowed repeatedly. “Thank you, Miss! You’re like a bodhisattva on earth! Blessings will come to you! Thank you, Miss!”

“Grandmother, stand up now,” Yin Qingyue said gently.

Finally, the old woman shakily rose, looking at Yin Qingyue as if she were a goddess.

Yin Qingyue held her trembling hand. “Go buy food quickly.”

The old woman thanked her countless times before slowly walking away, her body swaying as if about to fall.

“How pitiful,” Yin Qingyue muttered.

Cailian nodded. “There are many like her. Before Prince Jing and you came, the streets were full of such people. After Lord Kong’s so-called reforms, they vanished overnight.”