MCSCPM -Chapter 274 Young Master Kong

“Disappeared?” Yin Qingyue immediately asked. “Cailian, do you know where they were placed?”

Cailian shook her head. “I don’t know that. I only know it’s a few residences—probably not in the city.”

“Mm. The reason I came out today is to find those residences and locate the people. That way, we’ll have evidence to ensure Lord Kong is brought to justice as soon as possible.”

Cailian suddenly understood and nodded repeatedly. Still, she couldn’t think of a method. “Miss Yin, how do you plan to investigate?”

“Where is the largest teahouse in the city?” Yin Qingyue asked.

“Teahouse?”

“You’ll take me there.”

Cailian didn’t quite understand, but she still led Yin Qingyue to the place.

Soon, they arrived at the city’s largest teahouse, called Drunken Immortal Pavilion. It looked grand, though it felt almost “too extravagant” for a county town.

Inside, a waiter immediately greeted them, bowing and smiling. “What would the two ladies like to eat?”

“Whatever you have,” Yin Qingyue said and headed up to the second floor.

The waiter was delighted. Business had been slow recently, so encountering a guest like this was a blessing.

Yin Qingyue took a seat by the window with Cailian. From there, they could clearly see the street below.

“Miss, what are we doing here?” Cailian asked, still puzzled.

“Let’s try our luck. Maybe we’ll find the answer I’m looking for,” Yin Qingyue replied.

“Answer? I don’t understand what you mean,” Cailian said.

“Cailian, from now on, you don’t need to call yourself a servant in front of me. I’m not your master, understand?” Yin Qingyue said earnestly.

Cailian hesitated, then thought for a moment. “But I… I’m used to it. I can’t change that immediately.”

“Then change now. You’ll get used to it. Once Lord Kong is punished, you won’t be a maid anymore. You won’t have to call yourself a servant, and you can find a good family to marry into,” Yin Qingyue said, looking intently at her.

“Miss, don’t tease me,” Cailian blushed.

“I’m not teasing. Which young woman wouldn’t marry? Do you want to stay unmarried forever?”

“Of course not.”

“Then it’s settled.”

“But when you say it like that…” she lowered her head, her face red, embarrassed yet smiling.

Yin Qingyue didn’t respond but turned her gaze to several men who had just entered. They dressed plainly, yet their posture and demeanor were unlike ordinary people.

They immediately summoned a waiter and ordered many exquisite dishes.

“Waiter, bring the steamed duck we had last time, medium rare,” said one of the men.

“Young Master Kong, any other orders?”

“No. Just bring the dishes and a few pots of fine wine,” he replied.

“Right away,” the waiter said and hurried off.

Yin Qingyue found it odd. Though dressed plainly, these men moved like sons of wealthy families—generous and confident in every gesture.

Cailian glanced up, noticing Yin Qingyue staring at them. Following her gaze, she also saw the men.

“Miss, do you want to know who they are?”

Yin Qingyue curiously asked, “You know?”

“They’re actually sons of prominent families in the county. The one in white is Lord Kong’s close confidant. He usually dresses differently, but perhaps because of Prince Jing’s arrival, he’s keeping a low profile to avoid attention,” Cailian explained.

At that moment, the man in white suddenly said, “Do you know that Prince Jing is an idiot? My uncle said he only likes watching dancers. When he sees them, his eyes go wide. That’s it. Everyone says he’s clever, but he’s really just a fool.”

“Young Master Kong, so we don’t have to dress like this anymore? My style has been ruined these past few days,” a man in blue grumbled, looking at his clothes with dissatisfaction.

The man called Young Master Kong smacked him on the head with a folding fan. “Didn’t you hear my uncle? We dress like this to avoid attention. Wait until Prince Jing leaves the county, or we’ll get my uncle into trouble.”

“I don’t get it. How does this concern us?”

“It’s important! If we dress better and eat better than the locals, we’ll arouse suspicion. Do you want Prince Jing watching us? You won’t escape his attention,” Young Master Kong said.

“Oh… I see. Young Master Kong is right,” the blue-clad man replied, laughing half-understandingly.

Listening to their conversation, Yin Qingyue realized that Kong Xian was indeed a cunning fox, planning all this in advance.

But at least she now knew one thing: the man in white was Kong Xian’s nephew and must know a lot. She needed to catch his attention and get him to talk.

Just then, the waiter brought the dishes Yin Qingyue had ordered. Deliberately, she knocked them over, sending plates crashing to the floor.

“Miss! I’m so sorry… these dishes cost a month’s wages!” the waiter panicked.

Yin Qingyue waved him off. “It’s fine. Just clean it up and go.”

The noise naturally drew the attention of the young masters. They looked over and were stunned at the sight of Yin Qingyue.

“When did this county get such a beautiful woman?”
“Where did she come from? She’s like a celestial being descending to earth!”

They stared at her, captivated. Young Master Kong sighed, “If only I could share the moonlight with her and drink a cup or two… that would be the greatest pleasure in the world.”

“Looks like Young Master Kong is about to make a move,” Cailian whispered.

“No one could resist such a beauty!” he said, standing and moving toward Yin Qingyue.

The waiter tried to apologize, but Young Master Kong pushed him aside and commanded harshly, “Bring the best dishes immediately. I’m treating this lady.”

“Y-Yes, sir!” the waiter replied, hurrying off.

Yin Qingyue glanced at Young Master Kong politely. “Thank you, sir.”

“You’re welcome! It’s my honor to treat a lady,” he said eagerly.

“Why not dine together?” she asked.

“Of course!” he said, sitting eagerly.

Cailian quickly stood behind Yin Qingyue silently. She didn’t know why Yin Qingyue was acting this way, but she didn’t speak.

Yin Qingyue pretended to be shy, keeping her head lowered.

Young Master Kong stared at her, eyes wide, licking his lips with desire.

“May I know your name, lady? I’ve never seen you before,” he asked.

“I am Yin, from nearby. My family is strict, so I rarely go out. Today is a fine day, so I came for a walk. I never expected to meet you, sir. It’s truly my fortune,” Yin Qingyue replied softly.

“That makes me happy. But being with you is my true fortune,” he said, staring at her.

“The wind is strong, and your friends are here. It’s inconvenient. Why don’t we move to a private room? I have many things I’d like to ask,” she suggested.

“Of course! I’ll tell you everything I know,” he said eagerly, opening the side room.

Yin Qingyue had Cailian wait outside and entered the room. Young Master Kong, confident, gave a look to his companions, then hurriedly locked the door behind them.

Yin Qingyue turned her back to him and smiled slyly. This big fish had indeed taken the bait—but using her beauty to trap him felt slightly awkward.

“Now that it’s just the two of us, what would you like to ask?” he asked.

“I want to ask you…” Yin Qingyue slowly turned. Before he could approach, she twisted his hand behind his back effortlessly.

He fell onto the table in pain, but still laughed, thinking she was teasing him. “So you like this, huh? I like it too,” he said.

“Really?” Yin Qingyue pressed harder, her expression cold and stern. “Do you know where Lord Kong has hidden the refugees in the city?”

At her question, he immediately grew alert, the playful expression gone. “Who exactly are you?” he asked nervously.

“Don’t worry about who I am. If you don’t answer truthfully, your hand will be ruined.” She pressed on a deadly acupoint; even slight pressure caused unbearable pain.

“Do you know who I am? How dare you treat me like this! Aren’t you afraid of dying?” he shouted.

“At this point, you still dare to threaten me? This acupoint is lethal. If I press harder, you’ll die. Whether you believe it is up to you,” she said, warning and threatening him simultaneously.

Despite appearing formidable, he was actually terrified.

“Miss, let’s talk calmly. Release my hand first. I’ll tell you anything you want to know,” he pleaded.

“Don’t play games with me. I ask again—where did Kong Xian hide the refugees? If you don’t answer, I won’t be merciful,” she said, pressing slightly harder.

He cried out in pain. “Mercy, miss! I’ll tell everything!”