MCSCPM -Chapter 278 The Third Miss of the Kong Family

The little girl was at an age where she could not understand why her father was being held in a prisoner’s carriage.

Her mother, however, wiped her tears, crouched down, and said, “Lanlan, your father did something wrong. When someone does wrong, they must be punished. When you grow up, you must never do wrong, do you understand?”

The little girl called Lanlan nodded, wiped her mother’s tears, and said, “Mother, don’t worry. Lanlan will behave well and won’t make you sad.”

The woman held her tightly and wept bitterly.

The little girl’s dark eyes watched her father. She didn’t understand why this was happening, but she remembered her mother’s words: when she grew up, she must not do wrong.

On the prisoner’s carriage, Kong Xian looked up at the patch of sky above. Others were right—only when one is close to death does one truly recognize the wrongs one has done.

Soon, he was brought to the execution ground. The executioner spat on his blade.

Kong Xian knelt on the ground. At this point, he realized his mistakes. So many people had gathered, and every single one wanted him dead.

Suddenly, he raised his head and shouted, “Your Majesty, I have wronged you!”

The executioner lifted the blade and swung it down at lightning speed.

Blood spread across the ground, a vivid red.

Kong Xian was dead—a just end. For the people of the county, it was a cause for celebration.

Soon, the news of Kong Xian’s execution reached the magistrate’s residence.

Yin Qingyue finally relaxed. “Now it’s done. With Kong Xian dead, the county can be saved.”

Beside her, Chu Jingcheng, hearing her words, dismissed the guards who had come to report and said, “Now you can rest assured.”

“Yes. Kong Xian has been punished. But Prince Jing, there’s still work to be done.”

Yin Qingyue continued, “Have you forgotten? Kong Xian had multiple wives and many children. Are you going to ignore them?”

Chu Jingcheng thought for a moment. Indeed, he had overlooked this. “Kong Xian’s crimes have nothing to do with his wives and children. Let them go.”

“I’ll handle this. After all, dealing with women is easier for me. Kong Xian is dead, but someone has to comfort them,” Yin Qingyue said.

“You already have the demeanor of a princess consort,” Chu Jingcheng teased.

“Who wants to be your princess consort?” She smiled and left without responding further. Chu Jingcheng teased her a little more, but Yin Qingyue ignored him and returned to her room.

Cailian was tidying up and, seeing her return, ran over quickly. “Miss, I’ll stay. I won’t leave.”

“Don’t you want to go home?” Yin Qingyue asked.

Cailian shook her head. “Actually, there’s no one left at home. My parents passed away long ago. Even if I return, I wouldn’t know what to do. Miss Yin, just let me stay by your side.”

“But I will eventually leave here. Do you want to stay in the magistrate’s residence for your entire life?”

“Miss Yin, you will be here for some time, right? So let me stay while you’re here. If you leave the county, I’ll return home,” Cailian said nervously, afraid Yin Qingyue would send her away.

Seeing her so anxious, Yin Qingyue agreed. After all, she couldn’t leave the county immediately and would need someone to assist her.

“Very well. You can stay. But you must promise me that once I leave the county, you will go home.”

“Yes, yes, Cailian understands,” Cailian nodded vigorously.

Yin Qingyue instructed, “By the way, Cailian, bring Kong Xian’s wives and children here.”

Cailian was puzzled. “Miss, why?”

“Don’t ask now. Just bring them here.”

Cailian hesitated, then slowly said, “Since Lord Kong was imprisoned, his wives and children have moved out. I heard they’re staying in an abandoned house.”

“An abandoned house? That won’t do. Kong Xian’s crimes have nothing to do with them,” Yin Qingyue said anxiously, urging Cailian to fetch them quickly.

Knowing Yin Qingyue had good intentions, Cailian hurried to the somewhat abandoned house.

The wives, seeing Cailian, glared. They now wore rough homespun clothing and ate simple meals. They blamed Chu Jingcheng and Yin Qingyue, and since Cailian sided with Yin Qingyue, she naturally became their enemy.

“What are you doing here? Go away!” Kong Xian’s second wife barked.

Cailian remained polite. “I’ve come for you ladies. Miss Yin wishes to see you.”

“See us? To see how miserable we are now?”

“You misunderstand, Second Madam. Miss Yin is not like that.” Before Cailian could continue, Second Madam splashed a basin of water all over her.

“Ah!” Cailian was soaked from head to toe.

“You brat! Go! Find your Miss Yin—she’s your savior.”

“Second Madam, I…”

Second Madam was still not satisfied. She stepped forward to strike Cailian, but the eldest wife stopped her.

“Ninglan, stop this,” the eldest wife said, her tone commanding. She appeared to be around forty.

Second Madam protested, “Eldest sister, what are you doing? I want to teach this ungrateful girl a lesson!”

“It’s none of her business,” the eldest wife said.

Ignoring her soaked state, Cailian bowed. “Cailian greets Eldest Madam.”

“No need to call me Eldest Madam. I am no longer a lady. Our lives are simple now, and we understand things clearly. There’s no need for wealth or status. Just having the family together is enough,” she explained, refusing to go to the magistrate’s residence.

Cailian felt awkward. In her current state, even if she knelt, they would not follow her back.

The eldest wife added, “Don’t come here again. It’s quiet and comfortable here. We don’t need wealth. Just being together as a family is enough. Now go.”

“But Eldest Madam, Miss Yin sent me. She may just want to help you,” Cailian said.

“Help? We have hands and feet; we don’t need anyone to help. Kong family erred, but we won’t beg for money. Keep your respect and leave,” the eldest wife said, dragging Second Madam inside.

Having endured the death of their husband, they had seen the harshness of the world and could accept this modest life. Though simple, it was large enough for the whole family.

As Cailian left, someone called out. Turning, she saw Kong Xian’s third daughter, Kong Ling.

Kong Ling, the eldest wife’s daughter, was her father’s favorite—beautiful, obedient, and kind. She often looked after Cailian when she arrived at the magistrate’s residence.

“Third Miss, are you well?” Cailian asked with concern.

Kong Ling smiled gently. “I’m fine. Cailian, are you here to take us to the magistrate’s residence?”

She had overheard Cailian’s conversation with the eldest and second wives.

Cailian nodded, a bit aggrieved. “But they refused, so I can only leave.”

“I’ll go with you,” Kong Ling said.

“Third Miss? Are you willing to go, but what about your mothers…”

“It doesn’t matter. I’m going.”

Cailian found it strange. Normally obedient, she rarely went against her mother. But now, she wanted to defy her mother to meet Yin Qingyue.

Seeing Cailian’s surprise, Kong Ling said, “Would you return empty-handed? I’ll go with you, at least to give you an explanation.”

Cailian was persuaded and agreed, bringing the third miss to the magistrate’s residence.

Yin Qingyue was waiting in her room. Seeing Cailian and Kong Ling arrive, she appraised the young girl—delicate and pleasing to the eye.

Cailian explained, “Miss, only Third Miss was willing to come.”

“Why are you soaking wet?” Yin Qingyue asked, noticing Cailian’s state.

“Nothing. I slipped accidentally.”

Yin Qingyue knew she was lying. “Go change into dry clothes.”

“Yes,” Cailian said, glancing at the third miss before leaving.

Now only Yin Qingyue and Kong Ling remained. The gentle smile from before was gone.

“You are Kong Ling, the third miss of the residence?” Yin Qingyue asked.

Kong Ling smiled coldly. “I am no longer the third miss. My status is far below yours, Miss Yin.”

“Status is not determined by rank or wealth. It depends on how you carry yourself,” Yin Qingyue said.

“You are right,” Kong Ling replied, lifting her head. Though polite, her eyes were full of hatred.

Yin Qingyue understood—it was hatred for her father’s death and the misfortune she caused.

However, she pretended not to notice, smiling. “You are indeed beautiful and reportedly obedient. I see it for myself.”

Upon hearing this, Kong Ling knelt.

“What are you doing?” Yin Qingyue frowned.

“Miss Yin, I know my father was wrong. Even if he died, it’s deserved. I wish to stay by your side and serve you. Please grant me this,” Kong Ling pleaded.

Yin Qingyue did not expect this and was slightly surprised.

“Third Miss, get up. How could you be my servant?” Yin Qingyue quickly helped her up.