MCSCPM -Chapter 296 Mei’er Has Died

Kong Ling had long since let go of her lofty young lady airs. “Cai Lian, has Miss Yin been treating you well?”

“Yes. Miss Yin is kindhearted. She treats everyone the same,” Cai Lian replied.

Kong Ling smiled but didn’t say anything more.

At that moment, news arrived from the capital.

A guard handed the letter directly to Yin Qingyue. At first, she felt it strange—why was it addressed to her? Could it be a letter from Consort Lan?

When she tore it open, it wasn’t from Consort Lan. It concerned Mei’er. The letter contained the devastating news: Mei’er was dead.

Seeing this, Yin Qingyue felt her legs weaken, and the letter slipped from her hands to the ground.

Chu Jingcheng, who didn’t know what had happened, picked it up. Upon reading it, he realized the truth and immediately looked at Yin Qingyue. Her face was tense, clearly panicked.

“Are you alright?” Chu Jingcheng asked.

Yin Qingyue opened and closed her mouth for a long moment before she finally said, “Mei’er is dead? How is that possible? She was fine when I left.”

“Don’t worry,” he said.

“How can I not worry? No, I must return to the capital immediately!” Yin Qingyue was frantic and went to gather her things.

But Chu Jingcheng stopped her. “We don’t even know if this is true. Perhaps it’s someone trying to deceive us.”

Yin Qingyue pushed him aside. “True or false, I have to see for myself. Mei’er is like my own sister. Don’t worry, I’ll be careful. The county still has no new magistrate; you cannot leave. I can go alone.”

“That’s impossible. I won’t let you go alone,” Chu Jingcheng insisted.

For the sake of a maid, he couldn’t abandon the county. If the Emperor found out, he would be punished.

“You’re the Prince of Jing. The county has no magistrate. You absolutely cannot leave. And without the Emperor’s orders, you definitely can’t abandon the county. If the Emperor learns you left the people behind to return to the capital, you won’t escape punishment,” Yin Qingyue said, expressing her concern.

But Chu Jingcheng was firm. After a pause, he made a decision. “I’ll go with you. Even if Father blames me, he won’t kill me. Don’t worry; I’ll bear all the consequences.”

“Chu Jingcheng, you’re a prince, responsible for the safety of the entire Beihai. Mei’er is my maid. This is my matter to handle. It has nothing to do with you.”

When she said the last four words—“nothing to do with you”—Chu Jingcheng’s eyes darkened, a chill spreading across his face.

He hadn’t expected her to say that. Everything he had done was for her, and yet these simple words dismissed him. It was a bitter, cold blow.

But Yin Qingyue, consumed with worry over Mei’er, didn’t notice his expression.

Just then, Leng Yi arrived. Seeing Chu Jingcheng’s extremely cold face and glancing at Yin Qingyue, he could tell something had just occurred.

Chu Jingcheng, seeing Leng Yi, suddenly had an idea.

Leng Yi stepped forward. “Your Highness, I hope I’m not late.”

“You’re not. Have Leng Feng and Ding Ying returned to the capital?”

“Yes, they have.”

He nodded and immediately commanded, “Leng Yi, I appoint you as acting magistrate of the county until a new magistrate arrives. Then you may return to the capital.”

“Your Highness, what does this mean?”

“I will return to the capital with Miss Yin first.”

Though Leng Yi didn’t know the full situation, he had to obey Chu Jingcheng’s orders. He bowed and said nothing.

Yin Qingyue looked at Chu Jingcheng. “I can go alone.”

“I’ve decided, and it won’t change. Pack your things. We depart immediately,” Chu Jingcheng said coldly. His tone reflected the chill from her earlier words, yet he still couldn’t stop worrying about her.

Seeing his insistence, Yin Qingyue had no choice. For now, Mei’er’s situation was the priority. She quickly returned to her room to pack.

Cai Lian, seeing her hurriedly gather her things, worried something serious had happened. “Miss Yin, what’s happened? Why are you in such a rush?”

“Don’t ask. Prince Jing and I must return to the capital immediately.”

“Now? Really?” Cai Lian was surprised, but more than that, she felt reluctant to part.

“Yes, now. Something has happened in the capital.” Once she finished packing, she held Cai Lian’s hand. “After I leave, you must leave the county residence and return home, understood?”

“Miss Yin, do you really have to go? Can’t you stay another day? Why the rush? At least let Cai Lian see you off properly,” Cai Lian said, her voice trembling.

Yin Qingyue wiped her tears. “Cai Lian, I must leave. I’m very grateful for all you’ve done for me. I can’t leave you anything, but don’t mind it.”

“How could I? You’ve treated me so well already. I’m content. I just… don’t know when I’ll see you again,” Cai Lian said, crying.

“If fate allows, we will meet again,” Yin Qingyue comforted her.

However, Kong Ling learned of Yin Qingyue’s departure and rushed over, kneeling on the ground. “Miss Yin, let me go with you. Take me to the capital.”

Yin Qingyue lifted her gently. “Kong Ling, I can’t take you. I have urgent matters in the capital. You cannot come.”

“But you said if I passed your three trials, I could follow you. I haven’t even completed the third trial yet!”

Yin Qingyue thought for a moment. “The second trial, I’ll have Leng Yi check how you chop wood. Fail, and you leave. Pass, you stay in the county until I return. Then I’ll see how patient you are. Patience is the third trial.”

Kong Ling nodded. “When will you return, Miss Yin?”

Yin Qingyue didn’t know—perhaps in a few days, months, a year… or not at all. She only said, “We’ll see.”

Kong Ling finally felt reassured. If Yin Qingyue left and never returned, what would she do?

Yin Qingyue finished packing and left. Chu Jingcheng was already waiting outside with the carriage. Yin Qingyue got in and ordered the guards to ride swiftly to the capital.

Concerned for Mei’er, Yin Qingyue was anxious all the way. Chu Jingcheng, however, remained silent and stern, which puzzled her after she calmed down.

She asked, “What’s wrong? Why haven’t you said a word?”

“Nothing,” he replied briefly.

Yin Qingyue knew he was troubled. His heart had been pierced by her words—“this has nothing to do with you.”

She leaned close, reading his thoughts. “Prince Jing, is it because of what I said earlier?”

He said nothing.

Feeling guilty, she explained, “You must understand, I didn’t mean to hurt you. I only spoke out of worry for Mei’er. If it weren’t for that, I never would have said such things.”

Chu Jingcheng knew she always saw through him. But her explanation eased his anger. He looked at her. “If it weren’t for Mei’er, you wouldn’t have said that?”

“Of course not. It’s all my fault. I was too anxious. I never intended to hurt you.”

“I don’t blame you,” he said with a smile, feeling relieved.

Still, Yin Qingyue sighed. “I don’t even know if this news is true. I’m so worried about Mei’er.”

Chu Jingcheng suddenly hugged her. “Mei’er will be fine.”

But Yin Qingyue remained uneasy. Some things never happen without reason. If Mei’er were fine, why would that letter exist?

Leaning on his chest, she felt somewhat reassured but still nervous. Chu Jingcheng held her tightly.

After a day on the road, Chu Jingcheng received a letter from Leng Feng: Mei’er was dead and had been buried.

Seeing the letter, Chu Jingcheng’s face changed, and Yin Qingyue noticed.

“What is it?” she asked.

Chu Jingcheng tore up the letter and threw it from the carriage.

Yin Qingyue sensed something and asked urgently, “Is it about Mei’er?”

“No,” he said.

“Then what is it?” she asked, unconvinced.

“It’s something in the palace. You don’t need to know,” he said deliberately.

She couldn’t pry further; his gaze was distant, likely feeling guilty. Yin Qingyue didn’t realize this.

Upon returning to the capital, Yin Qingyue and Chu Jingcheng hurried to the private residence in the outskirts.

The guards outside, seeing them return, exchanged glances. Regarding Mei’er, they knew Chu Jingcheng and Yin Qingyue would be angry.

“Greetings, Prince Jing,” the guards said, kneeling.

“Stand up,” Chu Jingcheng said coldly.

The guards glanced at Yin Qingyue. Before she entered, one said, “Miss Yin, Mei’er…”

But before he could finish, she rushed in, calling, “Mei’er, are you here?”

“Mei’er…”

No matter how loudly she called, Mei’er did not appear.

A guard stepped forward. “Miss Yin, stop looking. Mei’er is dead. Her body has been cremated.”

Yin Qingyue nearly collapsed. Chu Jingcheng caught her. Then he asked the guards, “Tell me what happened.”

“Your Highness, Miss Mei’er… she really is dead. It was Miss Shangguan who struck her with a whip.”

Yin Qingyue’s face went pale. She whispered, “Shangguan Jiaoran… you didn’t even spare Mei’er.”