MCSCPM -Chapter 298 Infiltrating the General’s Mansion

After a moment, he suddenly said, “There’s another plan.”

“What plan?”

“We wait until nighttime and sneak into the general’s mansion.”

When Chu Jingcheng suggested this, Yin Qingyue immediately agreed. She said eagerly, “Good, then let’s prepare. We’ll go outside the general’s mansion right now.”

“Yin Qingyue, I know you’re anxious, but this matter cannot be rushed. Remember, very few people know about it. Only by investigating carefully can we clear Mei’er’s name. Do you understand?” He gripped her arm tightly, wanting her to understand the situation.

Seeing the determination in Chu Jingcheng’s eyes, Yin Qingyue calmed herself and nodded. “I understand. I won’t act impulsively.”

“That’s good. Then I can rest easy.” He suddenly hugged her and whispered, “Don’t worry. No matter what happens, I’ll be by your side.”

She only nodded, saying nothing more.

That night, Chu Jingcheng led Yin Qingyue to sneak into the Shangguan residence.

Fortunately, it was midnight, and everyone in the mansion was asleep. Chu Jingcheng brought Yin Qingyue to Shangguan Jiaoran’s door and devised a way to open it.

However, Yin Qingyue pushed him aside and whispered, “You wait here. I’ll go in alone.”

“Be careful. She still has her whip.”

“With you here, what is there to fear?”

Indeed, with Chu Jingcheng by her side, what could be frightening?

Chu Jingcheng stayed outside while she silently entered. Yin Qingyue had her own plan—if she confronted Shangguan Jiaoran directly, she would never admit anything.

So, she devised a trick.

Standing in the shadows, she lightly tapped a vase beside her, producing an eerie sound.

Shangguan Jiaoran slowly awoke, startled by the noise. She looked toward the dark corner where the sound came from.

Though usually willful and spoiled, she had her timid side.

“Who’s there? Who is it?” she asked, clutching the blanket tightly.

In a deep, heavy voice, Yin Qingyue said, “Miss Shangguan, have you forgotten? I’m Mei’er!”

“What did you say?” Shangguan Jiaoran was shocked and shrank back into the corner of the bed.

“I’m Mei’er. You killed me with your whip. Don’t you remember? I’ve come to see how you’re doing now.”

“Mei’er? You… you really are Mei’er?”

“Yes, of course I am. Miss Shangguan, can you tell me why you killed me? What did I ever do to you? Why were you so cruel?” Yin Qingyue asked deliberately.

Shangguan Jiaoran trembled all over, eyes filled with terror. “No, it wasn’t me. I didn’t kill you!”

“How could it not be you? You whipped me to death. Why won’t you admit it?”

“No, it wasn’t me, Mei’er. It really wasn’t me! I didn’t want you to die! How could I have wished that? You’ve misunderstood—I didn’t mean it! It really wasn’t me!” She waved her hands in panic. “Even Ding Ying got whipped, and she’s fine! I only hit you a few times. I didn’t mean to, Mei’er. If you have some hidden ailment, don’t blame me!”

“Are you sure you didn’t kill me?” Yin Qingyue asked.

Shangguan Jiaoran, terrified, spoke sincerely: “You have to believe me, Mei’er. I really didn’t want to kill you. Please, believe me!”

“Fine. Then tell me, who tried to kill me?” Yin Qingyue continued in her eerie voice.

“I… I don’t know. But I didn’t kill you!”

Yin Qingyue studied her expression and felt she might genuinely be telling the truth. But still, she thought, Ding Ying was frail and unharmed, and Mei’er was healthy. How could she have been harmed by the whipping?

“Mei’er, don’t come after me. If you want someone, go after the one who killed you,” Shangguan Jiaoran said, keeping her head lowered, too afraid to look at the direction of the shadow.

Yin Qingyue stepped out from the darkness. Seeing her trembling, she pretended to be Mei’er—not to punish her, but to force an admission. Yet Shangguan Jiaoran insisted she didn’t do it.

Yin Qingyue took some powder from her waist and sprinkled it on Shangguan Jiaoran. The powder would make her mentally confused for three days, alternating between excitement and drowsiness.

After finishing, Yin Qingyue left the room, where Chu Jingcheng waited.

“Well? Did you get anything?”

She shook her head. “She said nothing. She insists she didn’t do it. I don’t think we can get anything, so we’d better leave before we’re discovered.”

Chu Jingcheng nodded and led her away from the mansion, returning to their separate courtyard.

Once calm, Yin Qingyue considered something. In ancient times, cremation was taboo—it was seen as disrespectful. Why was Mei’er cremated? Could someone have been hiding something?

She looked at Chu Jingcheng, reading his thoughts: Shangguan Jiaoran might have been just the trigger, but the real cause of death might not have been the whipping. And now, the body had been cremated, leaving no way to examine it.

“What are you thinking?” Yin Qingyue asked.

Chu Jingcheng frowned. “You’ve already questioned Shangguan Jiaoran. She insists she didn’t kill Mei’er. Could the killer be someone else? Also, in Beihai, cremation is forbidden. There must be a reason Mei’er’s body was burned.”

“I’m thinking the same. But the mansion is full of guards; everyone saw Shangguan Jiaoran whip her. If it wasn’t her, who else could it be?”

Chu Jingcheng said, “Think about it. If we can enter, surely others can as well. Could someone have entered unseen and done something to Mei’er?”

Yin Qingyue listened carefully and nodded. “You’re right, but it’s just speculation. Perhaps it really was Shangguan Jiaoran—she didn’t expect her few lashes would kill Mei’er, so she refuses to admit it.”

Chu Jingcheng said nothing, glancing at the time. It was late. He took her hand. “It’s late. Rest. I’ll stay here with you tonight.”

“But I can’t sleep. Until Mei’er’s matter is resolved, I won’t be at ease.”

“Yin Qingyue, this is my order. You must obey.”

“But—”

“Enough. Rest now. I will handle Mei’er’s matter for you.” Chu Jingcheng forcibly took her to the room and pressed her onto the bed.

Yin Qingyue had no choice—she was no match in strength for him.

“Rest well. If anything happens, call for me.”

She obediently nodded and closed her eyes to sleep.

Chu Jingcheng left and rested in another room.

The next day:

Imperial Palace

In the study, a guard reported, “Your Majesty, Prince Jing has returned to the capital.”

Chu Helian was slightly surprised. “Wasn’t Prince Jing still in the county? How could he return?”

“The prince arrived yesterday and ordered Leng Yi to temporarily take over as county magistrate.”

“Nonsense! How can a prince abandon his people and return alone? Appointing a guard as temporary magistrate—ridiculous!” Chu Helian slammed his hands on the table in anger.

The guard continued, “Your Majesty, Prince Jing did not return alone. He came with the goddess doctor.”

Hearing this, Chu Helian was even angrier, restraining his wrath. He thought, “Yin Qingyue… she’s so bold. Surely she persuaded Jing to return. Since Mei’er is involved, he wouldn’t just leave her behind.”

If this continued, she might interfere in Beihai governance. Such a woman could threaten the realm—she must not be left unchecked.

Chu Helian ordered, “Summon Prince Jing to the palace immediately.”

The guards rushed to the prince’s residence, but he was not there—he was in the outskirts of the capital.

The guards hurried to the location, only to be stopped.

“By order of Prince Jing, no one may enter.”

“I am here with the emperor’s command. Summon Prince Jing immediately.”

The guards reported inside.

Chu Jingcheng, worried about Yin Qingyue, never left her side.

When the guard reported the emperor’s summons, he already expected it. Leaving his county post to return with Yin Qingyue would naturally anger his father. He likely could not avoid punishment.

“Go wait outside. I’ll be there shortly.”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

Yin Qingyue, hearing this, came over worried. “If the emperor finds out, you might—”

“I know your worry, but it’s fine. I’m not afraid,” he interrupted.

“What if—”

Chu Jingcheng gently placed a hand over her mouth, smiling softly. “Who am I? There’s nothing in this world that I fear.”

“The more you say that, the more worried I am. And your father… I know something about him.”

“Because you care about me, I’m willing to endure any punishment.”

Yin Qingyue sighed silently, unsettled.

Chu Jingcheng hugged her and whispered in her ear, “Wait here for me.”

He released her and pressed a gentle kiss to her forehead. “Yin Qingyue, stay here. You may go nowhere. I will return, and you must not leave.”

In that moment, it felt like both a farewell and a promise.