MCSCPM -Chapter 285 The Mark

However, she suddenly thought of something. Even if he refused to reveal his identity, perhaps the man in black had a mark on his body.

The next moment, Yin Qingyue began searching his clothes. There was nothing on his neck, nothing on his chest. Just as she was checking his back, the sound of hooves came from a distance.

She stood up to look and was surprised to see Chu Jingcheng approaching, accompanied by his guards. His expression was stern and cold, but his eyes were red with worry.

The moment he saw Yin Qingyue, Chu Jingcheng immediately jumped from his horse and ran to her, wrapping her tightly in his arms.

“Yin Qingyue, must you make me worry every single day? Do you know how frightened I was? Truly frightened.”

Held in his arms, Yin Qingyue could clearly feel his heartbeat, the gentleness, the tension, the fear.

Her eyes reddened. He was so worried for her, just as concerned as she had been for him. She said, “I’m sorry. I was afraid too—afraid that something would happen to you.”

Hearing this, all of Chu Jingcheng’s slight resentment vanished. He tightened his embrace. “Didn’t I tell you? Nothing will happen to me. You must wait for me to come back.”

“Yes… Qingyue knows she was wrong. It won’t happen again.” She obediently pushed him away slightly, looking into his worried eyes. “See? I’m fine. Nothing happened.”

“Even so, I still worry,” he said.

“I shouldn’t have made you worry,” she said softly.

Finally, Chu Jingcheng smiled, brushing his nose gently against hers. “You always do this. Now that you’ve scared me so badly, I’ll make you pay double next time.”

Yin Qingyue didn’t reply, only smiling lightly.

At that moment, a guard reported, “Your Highness, what shall we do with the corpse?”

Only then did Chu Jingcheng notice the body on the ground. The man was bare-chested. He frowned and looked at Yin Qingyue, feigning reproach. “Did you strip him?”

“What nonsense? He killed two people! Besides, it’s only his arms,” she replied.

Yin Qingyue knew he was teasing her. She glanced at him and continued, “He wouldn’t say who sent him. No matter how I pressed him, he refused to speak. Unexpectedly, he bit his tongue to kill himself. People like this just followed the wrong master.”

“Enough. I understand your intentions, but don’t ever do this again. Otherwise, I will confine you.”

“But—”

“This matter is in my hands. I’ll get to the bottom of it,” Chu Jingcheng said decisively.

Yin Qingyue reminded him, “By the way, I suspected he might have a mark. Killers like him often have a symbolic mark. You must check carefully.”

“I know,” Chu Jingcheng said, looking at the black-clothed man. His eyes darkened as he clenched his fists.

Could it really be him? Chu Jingcheng thought.

But it was just a guess; he needed to investigate thoroughly first.

“Bring him here. I will check personally.”

“Yes.”

The guards lifted the man onto a horse. Yin Qingyue’s horse had died, so Chu Jingcheng placed her behind him on his horse. He wrapped his arms around her from behind and held the reins, riding back toward the county.

Along the way, Chu Jingcheng rested his chin on her shoulder, teasing her with a playful smile. “Don’t be nervous. I won’t let you fall.”

She replied calmly, “Since when have I been afraid?”

“Really?” He laughed suddenly.

The next moment, he jerked the reins, and the horse’s front hooves rose as it let out a loud whinny.

Though Yin Qingyue wasn’t afraid, the sudden movement made her tense. She leaned forward into his embrace instinctively.

Chu Jingcheng laughed loudly. “You said you weren’t scared!”

“You rogue,” Yin Qingyue cursed him.

“I am a rogue, and a rogue only you may scold,” he said, kicking the horse forward at high speed.

Back at the county, Chu Jingcheng ordered the guards to bring the corpse for inspection. Yin Qingyue wanted to go with them, but Chu Jingcheng said firmly, “You go back to your room and rest. If you don’t listen, I’ll confine you for real.”

“But I’m worried—”

“No need. I will handle it.” Chu Jingcheng was stern, pushing her back into her room.

Cailian, seeing Yin Qingyue return, hurried to greet her. Seeing Chu Jingcheng accompany her, she stayed aside silently.

Chu Jingcheng glanced at her. “Cailian, watch over your lady. Don’t let her leave.”

“Yes,” she said obediently.

Yin Qingyue let it be, needing time to change out of her male disguise. She said, “I won’t disturb you. You should go now.”

“You’re being obedient. I can finally relax. Rest well.”

“Mm.”

Chu Jingcheng finally left.

Cailian, after he departed, asked curiously, “Lady, where did you go? And why are you wearing a guard’s uniform?”

Waving her hand, Yin Qingyue said, “Go get me a change of clothes.”

Cailian nodded and quickly returned with a clean outfit.

Yin Qingyue changed back into her own clothes, feeling lighter. She went to the door, wondering how Chu Jingcheng’s inspection was going.

“Miss Yin, it’s getting late. You should rest. Prince Jing has ordered you not to go,” Cailian said.

Yin Qingyue looked back and smiled. “Why are you suddenly listening to Prince Jing so well?”

“I… I’m not. But Prince Jing only wants what’s best for you, and I also do,” Cailian said.

“Alright, I won’t tease you anymore.” Yin Qingyue watched her, noticing her flushed cheeks.

Indeed, it was late. Chu Jingcheng had forbidden her from interfering today, but tomorrow was still another matter. The killer had been found; there should be no further murders.

Meanwhile, Chu Jingcheng examined the body. The man was dead, and his body was cooling.

Standing aside, he watched the guards search the corpse for marks, checking from neck downward. They found nothing.

“Your Highness, no marks. He seems to be just an ordinary killer,” a guard reported.

Chu Jingcheng didn’t think it was that simple. He knelt by the corpse, then had a sudden thought. He tilted the man’s head, moving the hair on the back of his head.

Sure enough, there was a red mark. Chu Jingcheng was genuinely shocked.

This mark—was indeed the exclusive emblem of the Yi Wang Mansion. This man wasn’t a professional killer but a guard from Yi Wang’s mansion.

“Yi Wang… it really was you.” He turned the corpse to confirm.

Earlier, it had been only a guess—but now it was proven true.

The nearby guards saw the mark too—the emblem of Yi Wang Mansion. They recognized it.

Seeing Chu Jingcheng’s furrowed brow, a guard asked, “Your Highness, what shall we do?”

He said nothing, his eyes narrowing. The feeling in his heart was indescribable—a fire enclosed, unable to burn freely.

The guard continued, “Since this was done by Yi Wang’s people… should we report it to the Emperor?”

Chu Jingcheng raised his hand, silencing him. He drew a deep breath and said coldly, “Burn the body.”

“Burn it? That’s evidence!”

“Didn’t you hear me? Burn it.” His tone was decisive.

The guards dared not resist and followed orders.

Chu Jingcheng added, “Remember, don’t spread this matter. Apart from those present, no one is to know. Understood?”

“Yes.” The guards knew well—anything involving Yi Wang was a royal affair. They had no choice but to obey.

After leaving, Chu Jingcheng sat silently, his gaze dark as ink. His heart felt like a fire trapped within, unable to release.

He never expected it would truly be Yi Wang. In his memory, Yi Wang valued brotherhood most. Why now trap him in the county? And the previous assassination attempt—surely Yi Wang had ordered it.

This matter was wide-reaching, involving not only the princes but also Consort Shu and the Emperor.

All night, Chu Jingcheng didn’t rest, pondering this complex situation—the trickiest he had ever faced.

The next day, Yin Qingyue received word that Chu Jingcheng had cremated the corpse.

She hurried to him and saw him in the front courtyard, his expression dark and weary, clearly sleepless.

“Why did you cremate the killer? Did he have any marks?” she asked.

Seeing her, he slowly lifted his head. Bloodshot eyes stared back. Coldly, he said, “No marks.”

“No marks?” She didn’t fully believe him. “Surely you found something, right?”

Chu Jingcheng feared her intelligence—he felt she could see through him, but this matter was too critical. He would never reveal it.

Standing, he said seriously, “There really was nothing. The man is dead. If we didn’t burn him, what else should we do?”

“Really?”

“I’ve checked. There were no marks. Nothing to show who sent him.”

Looking at his serious eyes, Yin Qingyue could only believe him, though the man was already cremated.

Chu Jingcheng knew she would persist, but he refused to let her know the truth.

“Now, take care of the aftermath. The new magistrate is dead, and the news can’t go back to the capital. I will handle it. You should rest.”

Yin Qingyue grabbed his hand. “You didn’t sleep all night. Don’t go bother yourself. Let someone else handle it. You should rest.”