MCSCPM -Chapter 290 The Worm in My Belly

Kong Ling said again, “Miss Yin, just let me stay here.”

Glancing at her pitiful eyes, Yin Qingyue said, “Alright. Since you insist on staying, you passed the first trial last night. Now comes the second trial.”

“Miss Yin, tell me what it is.”

Yin Qingyue looked at the pile of wood she had been chopping, then smiled faintly. “Since you like chopping wood, fine. I’ll give you two days to chop ten loads of firewood. And it must be neatly stacked. You cannot ask anyone for help—if I find out someone assists you, you fail. If you finish it on time, you pass. Are you willing?”

Kong Ling didn’t hesitate and nodded. “Yes! I promise. I can definitely do it. I’ll pass the trial.”

“Let’s see if you can actually finish it,” Yin Qingyue said, then left.

This young lady was clearly born into a wealthy household. Ten loads of wood, even over two days and nights, would be impossible for her. Not even a strong woodcutter could finish it. Yin Qingyue’s intention was simply to test her resolve.

Kong Ling, however, had no idea how much ten loads actually were. She thought it was just the pile in front of her.

Cailian, wearing a worried expression, knew that Yin Qingyue was making things difficult for Kong Ling.

“Third Miss, you should forget it. You won’t be able to finish ten loads of wood,” she said.

“How much is ten loads?”

Cailian pointed to a massive pile. “Third Miss, it’s that pile over there.”

Kong Ling looked and saw the mountain of firewood. She was stunned. “So much?!”

“Yes, Third Miss. You can’t finish it. Even the household woodcutters couldn’t do it in two days. And you’re so delicate. Besides, you got soaked in the rain last night. Your body hasn’t fully recovered,” Cailian warned.

Though frightened, Kong Ling had already promised. She wouldn’t go back on her word.

She gritted her teeth. “I promised, so I must complete it. I want to stay.”

“But Third Miss, I’m afraid you can’t manage it!”

“I’m not afraid. I can do it.” Kong Ling’s eyes were determined as she picked up the axe and resumed chopping.

Cailian sighed helplessly. Yin Qingyue was making things difficult for Kong Ling, but the girl refused to give up. It left people speechless.

“If you need anything, Third Miss, just tell me,” Cailian said.

But Kong Ling looked up sternly. “Cailian, Miss Yin said no help. Don’t help me either.”

“Yes,” Cailian said with a sigh. Stubborn people like this are everywhere.

After leaving, Yin Qingyue went to the kitchen.

Chu Jingcheng’s body was weak. He had returned yesterday covered in blood. Though the bleeding had stopped, losing that much blood would leave him feeble. He needed nourishment.

After thinking, Yin Qingyue decided to make a bowl of red date and white fungus soup—it’s perfect for replenishing blood.

The kitchen maid had never seen Yin Qingyue cook before. She was surprised.

“Miss Yin, what do you want to eat? We can prepare it for you. The kitchen is smoky; you might get your hands dirty!”

Yin Qingyue didn’t care. “It’s fine. Prince Jing’s body is weak. I’ll make some red date and white fungus soup for him.”

“Oh, Miss Yin, you’re making it for Prince Jing!” The maid smiled.

“Alright, fetch some red dates,” Yin Qingyue instructed.

The maids busily gathered the ingredients. Yin Qingyue carefully ground the red dates and placed them in a bowl to cook.

Within half an hour, the soup was ready. Its aroma was subtle, yet very palatable.

Carrying the bowl, Yin Qingyue went to Chu Jingcheng’s room.

By chance, Chu Jingcheng was already up, resting against the bed. His injuries weren’t fully healed. Seeing her enter, he teased, “You’re up so early. Why didn’t you wake me?”

“You need rest, Prince Jing. You’re hurt,” Yin Qingyue said, approaching the bed with the soup. “I made this for you early. It will help your recovery. You lost so much blood; it needs to be replenished.”

Chu Jingcheng looked at her with deep appreciation, a faint smile forming. “You actually made something for me. So my wounds weren’t for nothing.”

“This is my duty. You’re a patient. A doctor making food for a patient isn’t wrong.”

“Doctor? You should say ‘personal attendant.’”

Yin Qingyue shook her head, speechless. Early in the morning, hearing him tease her, she placed the soup in his hands. “Drink it all. Not a drop wasted. I’ll bring some hot water for you.”

Chu Jingcheng smiled, obediently taking the bowl, but reluctant to drink—after all, it was made by Yin Qingyue.

“If you don’t drink, I’ll give it to someone else,” she said, reaching to take it back.

“I’ll drink it. You made it for me, so how can I give it to someone else?” He quickly finished the entire bowl.

Yin Qingyue smiled in satisfaction and went to fetch a basin of hot water.

She soaked a cloth in the water, wrung it out, and approached him. “Your wounds need to be cleaned every day.”

“Are you going to strip me again?”

“How can I clean without removing the clothes?”

Yin Qingyue sat on the bed and swiftly removed his clothes. Just as her hand reached his collar, Chu Jingcheng pulled her into his arms, a mischievous look on his face. “How about I remove your clothes too?”

“Stop fooling around. You’re still injured.”

Yin Qingyue pushed him gently but then continued cleaning his body with the hot cloth.

Although his wounds were bandaged, he had fresh scars on his back. She needed to prepare medicinal powder; otherwise, old and new wounds would take longer to heal.

“These wounds aren’t deep, but still troublesome. I’ll prepare some medicine to speed recovery.”

“You’re here. I’m not worried about my wounds.”

“I’m not omnipotent. Not all injuries in the world can be healed,” she said.

Chu Jingcheng held her hand seriously. “You know, I used to wish you’d spend all your time on me—making breakfast, cleaning my body. That would make me happiest. But now that it’s real, I feel reluctant. I hate seeing you work so hard, especially after making soup for me early and now cleaning me. I can’t bear to see you exhausted.”

Yin Qingyue laughed. “It’s not tiring. Just making some soup and wiping you down—hardly anything.”

“That makes me worry even more,” he said.

“Enough. It’s late. Your body is cleaned. Let me help you dress so you can get up and walk.”

She helped him off the bed and dressed him in prepared clothes.

Chu Jingcheng teased, “You haven’t even entered the room yet, and you’re already tending to me like a wife to her husband.”

“You’re hurt. Taking care of you is natural.”

“So if I weren’t hurt, you wouldn’t care for me?” he asked, lowering his head.

Yin Qingyue, reading his thoughts, replied, “Then would that mean you’re injured for life?”

“You really are the worm in my belly,” he said affectionately.

“Smooth talker,” she teased.

“I only act like this toward you.”

Yin Qingyue looked up at him, seeing the faint smile on his lips. Unlike yesterday, he wasn’t brooding. She let him enjoy the moment.

Once dressed, Chu Jingcheng suddenly remembered something and called the guards.

“Send someone immediately to Tuoshui County. Bring Leng Yi and ask Leng Feng to return to the capital on a convenient day and report the recent events to the Emperor.”

“Yes, sir,” the guards replied and departed.

Yin Qingyue, however, was still worried. “Prince Jing, although you killed one black-clad man, there might be a second. What if this guard fails to deliver the news?”

Chu Jingcheng smiled confidently. “Relax. The news will get out this time.”

She asked hesitantly, “Are you really that sure?”

He turned away. “Don’t think about it. There will be no more assassins.”

Yin Qingyue remained silent. She didn’t know what exactly had happened last night. She couldn’t read his expression, leaving her unable to guess. Her heart was still a little uneasy.

She believed he had secrets but didn’t want to tell her—probably to prevent her worry. Since he didn’t say, she couldn’t ask.

Meanwhile, in the Shufei Palace:

Chu Fengjiao’s house arrest had been lifted. Hearing that her brother had returned to the palace, she hurried to see him.

Yi Wang was reading a scroll when he heard, “Brother!”

Hearing her voice first, then seeing her, Yi Wang put the scroll down and saw Chu Fengjiao running in happily, leaping into his arms.

“Brother, you’ve been back for days. Why didn’t you come see me?” she pouted.

Yi Wang, doting on his sister, replied lovingly, “Mother said you’ve been diligently studying and practicing embroidery. I didn’t want to disturb you.”

“Studying? Brother, Mother was keeping me under house arrest!”

“You made a mistake and upset Mother, so she punished you?” Yi Wang already knew but didn’t want to say.

Chu Fengjiao huffed unhappily. “Brother, you don’t know. While you were away, a lot happened. At the previous flower-viewing banquet, Father invited the goddess doctor to the palace. Her dancing was incredible.”

“Goddess doctor? The one Prince Jing brought back from Xize?” Yi Wang frowned.