MCSCPM -Chapter 288 Setting the Three Tests

“Third Miss, you agreed to this yourself. If you can’t endure it, you can leave anytime.”

“I won’t leave,” Kong Ling said firmly.

Yin Qingyue had nothing to say, only feeling a headache. Fine, she thought; she didn’t believe Kong Ling would really hold out that long. So she entered.

Kong Ling stayed kneeling, looking sincerely devoted.

Back in the backyard, Yin Qingyue glanced at the sky. Rain seemed likely, and she worried about Kong Ling. If the girl was really stubborn, she might kneel until midnight and fall ill from the downpour.

Cailian, not knowing what Yin Qingyue worried about, brought a coat over to her. “Miss Yin, what are you thinking?”

Yin Qingyue considered and decided to give instructions first. “Cailian, Third Miss is kneeling outside. If it rains, take an umbrella and go get her, bring her back inside.”

“So… Third Miss is still kneeling outside?”

“Yes. If she likes kneeling, let her kneel. I just worry that the rain will make her sick—it could cause lasting illness.” Yin Qingyue explained with concern.

Cailian nodded, but frowned, hesitantly asking, “Miss Yin… if Third Miss really kneels like this… maybe you could—”

“You mean you want me to let her stay by my side?” Yin Qingyue guessed before Cailian could finish.

Cailian said earnestly, “Actually… Third Miss isn’t bad at all. Back when she was in the mansion, she treated me kindly. If she could be with you, that would be nice.” She even looked a little sad.

Seeing this, Yin Qingyue wondered if she was really being too cold. Sighing, she said, “Cailian, some things you don’t understand. Everyone has helpless moments and difficulties. I’m no different. Bringing her along would be inconvenient in many ways.”

“I don’t fully understand what you mean, Miss Yin, but I’ll respect you and won’t make things difficult for you.”

“You’re sensible. If only Third Miss had even half your sense,” Yin Qingyue sighed. Tightening her cloak, she looked up at the sky, feeling heavy-hearted.

She had been here so long. What about Ding Ying and Leng Feng? Perhaps they had already returned to the capital. And she, still trapped here, couldn’t leave anytime soon.

Thinking this, she realized she still had no idea where Chu Jingcheng had gone. The guards seemed tight-lipped, refusing to say a word.

Since bringing back the culprit last night, Chu Jingcheng had been acting strangely, clearly hiding something, yet saying nothing.

Yin Qingyue rubbed her hands anxiously. All she could do was wait for his return.

As she waited, midnight arrived, and just as Yin Qingyue predicted, heavy rain began to fall.

Cailian, following Yin Qingyue’s instructions, took an umbrella to the front gate.

Kong Ling was still kneeling, stubborn as ever.

Seeing Cailian approach, she assumed Yin Qingyue had sent her. Excitedly, she asked, “Cailian, did Miss Yin send you?”

Cailian opened the umbrella over her head, looking troubled. The rain was loud, so she had to raise her voice. “Third Miss, you should go back. Don’t kneel like this—you’ll catch a cold.”

“I won’t go. Let Miss Yin come out and see me. I’ve knelt until midnight without fainting. I’ve passed the first test. Cailian, go tell Miss Yin!”

“Third Miss, don’t trouble Miss Yin anymore. She has her own difficulties. Please go back; I’ll take you.”

Hearing this, Kong Ling felt heartbroken and cried bitterly, her face wet from tears and rain.

She shouted, “Miss Yin, come out! I did it! You promised me—if I pass the test, I can stay with you. There are still two tests left, I can do them all!”

“Third Miss, why are you forcing yourself?”

“Cailian, please, go tell Miss Yin I passed,” she pleaded, grabbing Cailian’s clothes.

Once a glamorous lady, now she had become so earnest. Cailian felt both pity and admiration for Yin Qingyue—surely only someone like her could command such respect.

Cailian had come out to escort Kong Ling back, as instructed by Yin Qingyue. She felt conflicted.

“Third Miss, get up. It’s pouring rain. Your body can’t handle kneeling like this. You’re already frail; another illness would be disastrous.”

Cailian crouched to pull her up, but Kong Ling stubbornly refused.

At that moment, Yin Qingyue came out. She knew Kong Ling’s obstinacy—such determination was rare.

Seeing Yin Qingyue, Kong Ling pushed the umbrella away, walked forward while kneeling, and stopped in front of her. “Miss Yin, I did it. I passed your first test. Midnight has arrived, hasn’t it?”

Now, Yin Qingyue couldn’t back out. Seeing Kong Ling soaked through, she knelt, gently wiping the rain from her face with a silk scarf. “Your father is lucky to have a daughter like you.”

Kong Ling looked at her with eyes full of sympathy, self-pity, and a tinge of heartache.

“Third Miss, your father’s death was deserved,” Yin Qingyue said.

Hearing this, Kong Ling lost control, crying loudly, tears mixing with rain. She clutched Yin Qingyue. “My father’s sins were great. I must atone for them.”

At that moment, her sincerity was evident.

Yin Qingyue held her, gently patting her hand. “Actually, you’ve done nothing wrong.”

Gradually, Kong Ling calmed down.

The rain poured harder. Yin Qingyue helped her up and instructed Cailian to take her to the backyard to rest.

Cailian supported her to the backyard, found her dry clothes, helped her change, and brewed a bowl of ginger soup to warm her.

“Miss, you should have a bowl too; you got wet in the rain.” Cailian handed a bowl to Yin Qingyue.

But Yin Qingyue had no appetite for ginger soup. She pushed it aside. “I’m fine. Watch Third Miss carefully. I’ll go to the front courtyard.”

“It’s so late. Where are you going?”

“Prince Jing hasn’t returned. I’m worried.” Saying this, Yin Qingyue prepared to go to the front courtyard, then paused and turned to the pale Kong Ling. “Rest well. We’ll discuss this matter later.”

Having given instructions, she went out.

In the front courtyard, Yin Qingyue found the guards who had been following her. Even these men admitted they couldn’t have lost track of her if they tried; it was embarrassing for them.

“Where’s Prince Jing? Why hasn’t he returned yet?”

“We don’t know, Miss Yin. We were only ordered to escort you back.”

“Still unwilling to tell the truth? It’s past midnight, and the rain is so heavy.” Yin Qingyue’s tone sharpened.

The guards exchanged glances, shaking their heads. “Miss Yin, we really don’t know.”

“Really? If something happened to the Prince, would you want to keep your heads?”

“Miss Yin, we truly don’t know. If we did, we would have told you. We’re worried too.”

Yin Qingyue studied them, satisfied they weren’t lying. But with this rain, if something had happened to the Prince… what then?

She commanded, “Alright. Send more men to search every place. Leave no stone unturned. Go!”

“Yes, Miss Yin!” The guards hurried, anxious. After all, it was the Prince. If anything happened, they would be punished.

Just as they prepared to search, Chu Jingcheng’s elite soldiers returned with him—but he was covered in blood, soaked, yet conscious.

Yin Qingyue was horrified and rushed to support him. He was weak, his head drooping.

She asked a soldier, “What happened? Why is he like this?”

The soldiers shook their heads, saying nothing, their faces serious. Even with a knife at their necks, they wouldn’t speak.

Chu Jingcheng’s injuries were the priority. Yin Qingyue helped him to a room. Slowly, he regained awareness.

Once on the bed, he grabbed her hand and even smiled. “Soon I’ll take you back to the capital and marry you.”

“Now’s not the time for jokes,” Yin Qingyue said anxiously.

“This is no joke. I’m serious.”

“Then tell me, what happened? Why are you covered in injuries? Your old wound reopened!” Yin Qingyue opened the bandages. The wound had split and bled. Her face went pale with fear.

Chu Jingcheng didn’t mind the pain, holding her hand tightly. “As long as I see you again, I’m content.”

Flustered, Yin Qingyue quickly got medicinal herbs and blood-stopping remedies.

She cleaned and bandaged his wounds while scolding him, “If you get yourself like this again, I swear, I’ll leave and never let you see me.”

This time, Chu Jingcheng dared not reply. He knew Yin Qingyue would do as she said.

So he quietly lay there and let her treat him.

Yin Qingyue frowned, busy tending to his wounds. Old injuries compounded with new ones—he would need time to recover fully.

Her heart was anxious. Chu Jingcheng never let her relax; she was always on edge around him.