MCSCPM -Chapter 289 Being a Little Conscientious Tonight

“You’re covered in sword wounds. If you try to tell me that you got them by accident, that would be treating me like a child. You don’t want to say, and you’ve had everyone hide it from me. Fine, I won’t ask. This time you were lucky—so many wounds, but none life-threatening. Apply the medicine, rest for a while, and you’ll recover. Remember this: if you do this again, I won’t save you next time.”

Yin Qingyue spoke non-stop. Though her words were scolding, filled with reproach, they were also full of care and worry.

Chu Jingcheng smiled. He had never felt so happy. After escaping death, having Yin Qingyue by his side was the greatest happiness he could ask for.

It took a long time to clean his wounds. Only then did Yin Qingyue bring her ground medicinal powder, applied it to his injuries, and carefully bandaged each one.

She looked at him. “How do you feel now? Better?”

“Much better. With a goddess doctor like you, what do I have to worry about?”

“Don’t get too cocky. If I weren’t here—”

Suddenly, Chu Jingcheng covered her mouth, a serious glint in his eyes. “Don’t say that again. You’ll be by my side—a lifetime by my side.”

Yin Qingyue’s eyes reddened. Even now, he could still say such moving words.

Seeing her about to cry, Chu Jingcheng quickly said, “Alright, don’t be sad. I’m fine now, aren’t I?”

“I’m not crying because you’re hurt. I’m crying because you got hurt but don’t want me to worry.” With that, she leaned on him, quietly crying.

This was probably the first time Yin Qingyue had shown her emotions so completely in front of him.

“Chu Jingcheng, you said you were afraid, afraid I might get hurt. Now I’ll tell you, I’m afraid too. I’m afraid you’ll get hurt. Without you, I don’t think I could survive.”

“Qingyue…”

“Promise me that from now on, no matter what happens, don’t hide things from me. I want to know everything about you, what you’re doing. Don’t make me worry, okay?”

Her voice, though tired, carried a deep, heavy emotion.

Chu Jingcheng held her tightly, ignoring his own injuries. “I promise you.”

They clung to each other, unwilling to let go even a little. But soon, Chu Jingcheng shivered.

Yin Qingyue immediately noticed and touched his forehead—he had a fever. Alarmed, she said, “You’re burning up.”

Then she touched his hand. It was cold. “You must be feeling chilled from the fever.”

“I’m fine,” he said.

“Even if your body is strong as iron, you got soaked in the rain. The wounds being wet will make you cold. The severity may vary, but you can’t just say you’re fine.” She spoke almost like giving an order.

The guards waiting outside asked, “Miss Yin, do you need us to do anything?”

“Fetch some hot water.”

“Yes.”

The guards went out and brought in several basins of hot water. Yin Qingyue, half-amused and half-exasperated, said, “You can all leave. We don’t need you here.”

“But—”

“I can handle it. Go.” Yin Qingyue’s tone left no room for argument. The guards, though worried, left and shut the door.

Using a hot towel, Yin Qingyue helped wipe Chu Jingcheng’s body to relieve the chill. She worried intensely, while he laughed casually. “Why not take off all my clothes so you can clean more easily?”

“Really? Now you talk like this?”

“I’m serious. Not joking.”

Next, Yin Qingyue deliberately pressed on one of his wounds. Chu Jingcheng immediately winced, groaning in pain. “Yin Qingyue, are you trying to kill me? I’m a patient!”

She retorted, “And now you know you’re a patient, so be quiet.”

“How can I be quiet when you’re here?”

“Fine, then clean yourself,” she said, pretending to walk away.

But he pulled her back, a face full of mock surrender. “Alright, I was just joking. I won’t cause trouble.”

“Good,” she said, a faint smile on her lips.

She continued wiping him down, checking his forehead. It was burning, his body chilled. This would last through the night.

Once done, she covered him with a blanket. “How is it now? Feeling better?”

“No, still cold.”

“I’ve added a blanket.”

“Yin Qingyue… I’m going to freeze to death.” He curled up, teasing or serious, it was unclear.

Yin Qingyue thought carefully. Fever can be serious, and he was sweating coldly. She added everything she could.

He smiled weakly at her. “It’s late. You should go rest. I’ve been through worse. This is nothing. I can endure it.”

“How can I rest with you like this?”

She hesitated, then made up her mind. She couldn’t let her patient freeze to death.

After a moment, she removed her coat and shoes, slipped under the covers, and held him.

Chu Jingcheng’s eyes widened in surprise. He hadn’t expected her to join him under the blanket.

“I’m worried you’ll freeze. Human body temperature is highest, so this way, you won’t be cold,” she explained deliberately.

He looked at her, so close, and smiled. Though pale, he said, “Why are you being so conscientious tonight?”

“I already explained.”

“I don’t want your explanation.”

He acted like a stubborn child. “If you don’t give me a good reason, you can’t get in my bed.”

So stubborn. Yin Qingyue felt exasperated, but his health came first. She said, “Prince Jing, you promised to marry me, right? So what’s wrong with me joining you under the blanket?”

That satisfied him. He smiled faintly, said nothing, and hugged her tightly, closing his eyes.

Yin Qingyue listened to his strong heartbeat, right by her ear.

After a while, he said, “A lifetime. You’ll lie in my arms forever.”

“And if I don’t?”

“Then I won’t let go. From this moment, you’ll always be in my arms.”

His warmth was gentle, passionate, and something every woman wished for but could rarely find.

But he gave this warmth only to her. No one else got even a trace.

Yin Qingyue closed her eyes, pressing closer. She only wanted to be by his side.

Time seemed to stop. Everything was quiet.

After a long while, she slowly opened her eyes and looked at his face. He slept differently than usual—no furrowed brows, a faint curve at the corner of his lips.

Seeing this Chu Jingcheng, she couldn’t help but smile.

He held her through the entire night without letting go.

The next morning, the air was fresh.

Yin Qingyue woke and checked his forehead—his fever had gone. She didn’t want to disturb his rest, so she quietly got up, dressed, and slipped out.

The guards, who had stayed up all night, asked, “Miss Yin, how is the Prince?”

“He’s fine. Notify me if he wakes.”

“Don’t worry, Miss Yin. We’re keeping watch.”

She smiled faintly and returned to her room.

Cailian immediately pulled her. “Miss, you should go persuade Third Miss.”

“What happened? What’s she doing now?” Yin Qingyue tensed—could she have gone kneeling again?

“Early this morning, Third Miss changed into servant’s clothes and went to the backyard to chop wood. I tried to stop her, but she wouldn’t listen. She’s never done this before.”

Clearly, the girl had decided to stay.

Yin Qingyue went to the backyard. Sure enough, she saw her in coarse clothing, holding an axe, trying to chop wood. A young lady like her could barely lift the axe—it was more like struggling than actually chopping.

Kong Ling wiped sweat and continued working. Her determination was pitiful.

“Third Miss Kong, what are you doing? Stop! The axe could hurt you.”

Seeing Yin Qingyue, she smiled. “I’m fine. I can do it.”

“No one asked you to do this.”

“I want to serve you. I’ll do all this work. And Miss Yin, don’t call me Third Miss anymore. Just call me Kong Ling. I’m no longer a lady; I’m just a girl by your side.”

Yin Qingyue’s face darkened. “When did I say you should be my servant? Even if I did, you’ve only passed the first test. Go back. Your family will worry.”

Hearing this, Kong Ling panicked. She put down the axe. “Miss Yin, I can endure any hardship. I’ll pass the remaining two tests. I’ve told my family I want to serve you. I won’t go back. Please let me stay.”

“You’re abandoning your family, Kong Ling. Don’t you know there are many orphans in this world?”

“I know, Miss Yin. You might say I’m heartless for leaving my family, but to atone for my father’s sins, I can give that up.” Her eyes glistened with tears, on the verge of crying again.