MCSCPM -Chapter 295 Chopping Firewood

“Your Majesty… I do have something to report,” Blue Consort said.

“What is it?” the Emperor asked.

“It concerns General Shangguan’s daughter, Shangguan Jiaoran.”

Hearing this, Chu Helian’s eyes tightened, his brows furrowed, and his tone became low and serious. “What happened? How is this related to Shangguan Jiaoran?”

Blue Consort deliberately acted hesitant, stammering, “I hadn’t intended to speak of it, Your Majesty, as it’s just a matter involving a maid. But I have never concealed anything from you.”

“Speak! What happened?” Chu Helian fixed his gaze on her.

“It’s like this… the divine doctor’s maid died yesterday in her residence. The guards on duty said that Shangguan Jiaoran struck her with a whip, causing her death.”

“The maid is dead?”

“Yes. She has died,” Blue Consort confirmed.

Chu Helian remained calm. The saying goes that true anger is not shown on the face. He took two steps forward without speaking.

Seeing that he showed no outward anger, Blue Consort continued, “Your Majesty, what should be done about this matter?”

“Do not make this public for now. As for the maid, give her a proper burial.”

“Yes, Your Majesty. I have already arranged for her burial, and I’ve also sent someone to inform Miss Yin. After all, when a living person goes missing, she will naturally investigate.”

“Very well. For now, leave it at that. It’s only a maid, not a major matter,” Chu Helian said lightly.

He had no idea that Yin Qingyue regarded Mei’er as a sister. With Mei’er’s death, there was no way she would let it go.

“But Your Majesty, this is still a life. If Shangguan Jiaoran continues like this, she might cause harm to others as well.”

Chu Helian raised his hand to stop her. “She may have been indulgent, but this time, it might not have been intentional. Let’s not speak of it further.”

Blue Consort did not press the issue. She knew Chu Helian’s temperament—he disliked advice or interference, always suspicious by nature.

“Then, I shall not disturb Your Majesty further. I take my leave,” she said, bowing before leaving the imperial study.

Chu Helian seemed unconcerned, thinking it was merely a maid’s death. But Blue Consort knew that Yin Qingyue would never let it go.

Meanwhile, in the county:

Chu Jingcheng received a letter from Leng Feng. Leng Yi was already en route to the county, and Chu Jingcheng prepared to ride back to the capital as quickly as possible to report the events there to the Emperor.

Receiving the letter put Chu Jingcheng and Yin Qingyue at ease. Clearly, the murderer was no longer in the county, which is why the news had reached Tuoshui County.

Yet Yin Qingyue was curious. Why had Chu Jingcheng been so certain that the news would spread? She still felt unsettled and intended to probe his thoughts to find out what had happened that night.

As she stared at him, Chu Jingcheng suddenly grabbed her arm and kissed her, not allowing her to see his eyes. He felt she could read his mind.

Yin Qingyue blushed and pushed him away. “You are utterly shameless.”

“Yin Qingyue, why do I always feel that you can see through me? Especially your gaze… when you look at me like that, I can tell that you know what I’m thinking.”

“Aren’t you the one who says I’m the worm in your belly? Of course I know what you’re thinking.”

“Is it really that simple?” Chu Jingcheng stepped closer.

With guards nearby, Yin Qingyue took two steps back and whispered, “There are others here.”

Chu Jingcheng glanced at the guards. They immediately withdrew, understanding the situation.

With the guards gone, he smiled meaningfully. “Now that no one is here, guess what I want to do?”

He stepped forward, she stepped back. She stretched out her hand to block him, speaking in a commanding tone, “Chu Jingcheng, your body hasn’t recovered. You cannot do this.”

“You dare to call me by name directly, Yin Qingyue? Then I must teach you a lesson,” he said with a mischievous grin.

“You dare?”

“Who dares? If I don’t, then who will?” He pressed her gently against the wall and leaned closer.

Thinking he might try to take advantage of her, Yin Qingyue raised her hands to block him, but he moved her hands aside.

She closed her eyes tightly, biting her lip, feeling his breath at her nose. She grew nervous—but unexpectedly, he lightly brushed her nose with his hand.

Then came his triumphant laugh. “Yin Qingyue, seeing you nervous is delightful.”

Opening her eyes, she saw his proud expression. Blushing furiously, she pushed him away forcefully, scolding, “You are the most shameless person in the world!”

Although she was not truly angry, Chu Jingcheng became slightly anxious. He then stopped laughing and hugged her from behind, like a repentant child. “Alright, I won’t tease you anymore. Are you really mad at me?”

“I… when have I ever been angry?”

“Really not?”

Yin Qingyue pushed him away and said seriously, “Prince Jing, if this happens again, I really won’t pay attention to you.”

“There won’t be a next time.”

Seeing his sincere gaze, Yin Qingyue no longer felt angry. She sighed and said, “Alright, I should go check on Kong Ling. She’s been chopping wood for two days straight. I hope nothing has happened.”

“Are you abandoning me for her?” he asked.

“Different matters,” she said curtly and walked away.

At the backyard:

Yin Qingyue found Kong Ling, sweat pouring down her face, still chopping wood. Yin Qingyue thought: ten loads of firewood were impossible to finish in two days.

But when she entered the woodshed, she realized all the previously bundled wood had already been chopped.

Seeing Yin Qingyue approach, Kong Ling quickly dropped the axe and ran over, joyfully saying, “Miss Yin, I’ve chopped all the firewood.”

“Ten loads? You finished them all?”

“Yes, all of it. Look,” she said, pointing excitedly at the neatly chopped wood.

Yin Qingyue was shocked. She couldn’t believe a frail young woman could finish ten loads of firewood in just two days.

With a doubtful tone, Yin Qingyue asked, “You did all this alone, Kong Ling? Be honest.”

Kong Ling became anxious, tears brimming in her eyes. “Miss Yin, it’s really all me. I didn’t let anyone help. Two days and two nights, I didn’t rest. I won’t lie. Cai Lian can vouch for me.”

Yin Qingyue looked into her eyes and believed her. Kong Ling had only eaten once and drunk a sip of water during these two days. She hadn’t dared to stop, chopping wood continuously.

Such determination… Yin Qingyue herself couldn’t guarantee she could do the same. Yet this young lady had achieved it.

“Miss Yin, I passed the second stage! Don’t make me leave!” Kong Ling said, laughing and crying, her face grimy.

“Since you did it, I won’t make you leave. But there’s a third stage. Even if it’s easier, you still need to leave afterward. Understood?”

“Yes, thank you, Miss Yin.”

Yin Qingyue told her, “Go wash your face, eat something, and rest. Otherwise, you won’t survive the third stage.”

Kong Ling touched her face, which was indeed dirty, and smiled awkwardly. “It’s fine, I can still manage. I’ll survive to the third stage, and I won’t give up.”

Yin Qingyue shook her head but couldn’t help feeling a little helpless. She took out her handkerchief and wiped Kong Ling’s forehead. “You know, being too stubborn isn’t always good. If you keep this up, you might risk your life.”

Kong Ling fell silent for a moment. She took a deep breath and said, “I know I’m too stubborn, but I can’t help it. As long as I can stay by your side, Miss Yin, I’ll face any number of stages. I believe you will accept me willingly.”

“Alright, enough talking. Go eat and rest. Even if I want to keep you, you won’t survive if you push yourself too far,” Yin Qingyue said.

Kong Ling nodded repeatedly, exhausted, and went to rest.

Yin Qingyue then asked Cai Lian, “How did Kong Ling endure it?”

“Miss Yin, I advised the Third Miss many times, but she refused. She kept chopping, repeating that she wanted to atone for Master Kong,” Cai Lian explained.

“She is truly determined,” Yin Qingyue said.

“Miss Yin, I think the Third Miss’s determination has moved you. You probably won’t make things harder for her. But if she keeps this up, I fear she won’t endure it,” Cai Lian worried.

“She has already endured two days and nights. That shows she fears nothing,” Yin Qingyue said.

“I understand, Miss Yin?”

“Not now. Let her rest first,” Yin Qingyue said. She suddenly remembered something and told Cai Lian, “Go prepare some thin porridge for her. She hasn’t eaten for two days. Porridge will be better.”

Cai Lian smiled. “Yes, I’ll go now.”

She quickly went to the kitchen, cooked a bowl of porridge, and brought it to Kong Ling, who had just washed up and was very hungry.

“Third Miss, this is from Miss Yin. She says you haven’t eaten in two days. Some porridge will help,” Cai Lian said.

Hearing it was from Yin Qingyue, Kong Ling was overjoyed and drank the porridge eagerly, finding it delicious.

Cai Lian said, “Third Miss, I think Miss Yin has been moved by your sincerity. She will surely accept you.”

“Really?”

“The way Miss Yin spoke, I believe so. Otherwise, she wouldn’t have sent me with porridge.”

Thinking of this, Kong Ling realized that if she persevered, Yin Qingyue would accept her. She turned to Cai Lian and said, “From now on, don’t call me Third Miss. I’m no longer a miss.”

“This…” Cai Lian hesitated.

“Just call me Kong Ling,” she said firmly.