MCSCPM -Chapter 316 Understanding

From Xize to Beihao, they had gone through so much—death, fleeing for their lives, disappearances, even misunderstandings. All of it had happened.

Even the bad memories were precious. After all, who else could endure so much and yet have their heart remain unchanged?

He looked up and sighed, feeling a deep sadness. All the beautiful memories now seemed somewhat desolate and lonely.

Chu Jingcheng slowly calmed himself. He wondered why she had left. Could it really have been because the Emperor’s Guards came to capture her, leaving her no choice but to leave? But if that were the case, if Yin Qingyue knew he was searching for her now, she should have come out.

Could it be… that she didn’t want to make things difficult for him?

This conclusion settled firmly in Chu Jingcheng’s mind. He thought, that must be the reason.

“Yin Qingyue, you woman, why are you so foolish?” Chu Jingcheng suddenly muttered.

Unbeknownst to him, Yin Qingyue was standing in the shadows of the inn. She watched him, quietly observing, noticing his sickly appearance, his stubborn refusal to rest, his venturing out even while ill, soaked to the bone.

Her heart ached instantly. Tears welled in her eyes. She clenched her fists tightly, worried sick, but didn’t know what to do.

Chu Jingcheng, don’t search for me anymore. Promise me, take good care of yourself. The more reckless you are, the more I cannot rest. Do you want to see me suffer and die out of guilt?

Tears flowed despite her effort to hold them back. She wiped them away, even covering her mouth to stifle any sound, so Chu Jingcheng wouldn’t notice.

At that moment, Chu Jingcheng suddenly pressed his hand to his chest, looking extremely uncomfortable. In the next instant, he vomited blood, a bright red pool spilling onto the floor.

Yin Qingyue was terrified. She lost all reason for a moment, taking hurried steps forward, impulsively intending to move from the shadows. But just then, Leng Feng arrived and supported Chu Jingcheng.

She halted her steps and slowly retreated again. She breathed a sigh of relief, grateful she hadn’t acted on impulse—Leng Feng had arrived just in time.

Leng Feng insisted on taking Chu Jingcheng away. As he helped him up, he said, “Your Highness, if you keep this up, when Miss Yin appears, you won’t even be able to open your eyes to see her.”

Chu Jingcheng said, “Nonsense. If she appears, how could I not open my eyes?”

Leng Feng realized his lord, feverish, was speaking nonsense.

Ignoring Chu Jingcheng’s orders and stubbornness, Leng Feng managed to carry him out of the inn. Staying any longer would have been dangerous.

Only once Chu Jingcheng was taken away did Yin Qingyue step out, eyes wet, but determined not to let herself cry aloud.

Watching the direction Chu Jingcheng had gone, her heart ached deeply. She knew that without her, he wouldn’t have ended up like this. If there was blame to be placed, it was on herself—she was the true culprit.

Meanwhile, the inn staff prepared to close for the night, as it was long past closing time.

One attendant noticed Yin Qingyue at the doorway, staring blankly outside, her eyes red, her body trembling.

“Ugly girl, what’s wrong? Why are you standing outside? Have you been crying?” he asked.

Yin Qingyue hurriedly wiped her tears, turning with a smile. “No, the wind just blew into my eyes. They got red when I rubbed them.”

“Oh, I thought you were crying. But ugly girl, it’s better not to cry—you’ll look even uglier.” The attendant was from Shicheng, but his words were more like a well-meaning reminder than an insult.

Yin Qingyue had no time to retort. She smiled slightly and politely said, “Thank you for the reminder. I won’t cry again,” then headed to the back courtyard.

The attendant was left confused, chuckling awkwardly, and closed the inn doors.

On the other side, Leng Feng quickly brought Chu Jingcheng back to Prince Jing’s residence.

Due to the fever and inflamed wound, Chu Jingcheng had lost consciousness and slept deeply.

Leng Feng fetched a doctor to examine him. After checking his pulse, the doctor sighed. “The wound is inflamed, and with the fever, how could he be out in the rain? Really…”

Leng Feng asked anxiously, “Doctor, how is my lord?”

“The treatment is symptomatic: treat the wound, follow the prescribed medicine on time. Prince Jing must avoid strenuous activity and cannot get wet again. Otherwise, the consequences will be severe.”

“Yes, I’ll take care of him. Thank you for preparing the medicine.”

The doctor went to write the prescription.

Leng Feng stepped outside and instructed a guard, “Immediately spread word of Prince Jing’s injury and his illness tonight. The faster, the better.”

The guard hesitated. “Leng Feng, why do this?”

“Don’t ask so many questions. Just do it.”

Realizing he couldn’t defy Leng Feng, the guard left, ensuring that news of Prince Jing’s illness would spread quickly, reaching every street by morning.

Leng Feng’s intent was simple—he wanted to see how long it would take for Yin Qingyue to appear once she knew Prince Jing was hurt.

The next day, the news indeed spread, albeit on a smaller scale; not many knew.

That night, Chu Jingcheng remained asleep, his forehead burning. Palace doctors were sent.

The imperial physician frowned. “Prince Jing has overstrained his mind, causing instability and delaying the illness. Coupled with prior whipping, the wound is inflamed. We can treat only the external injury… but the emotional pain…”

He sighed. Everyone knew Prince Jing’s condition stemmed entirely from searching for Yin Qingyue. Otherwise, how could he have ended up covered in injuries?

They say: “Where there are beautiful women, there are calamities.” It was true in this case.

At the Hai residence, news of Prince Jing’s injury reached Hai Qingshuang. Knowing the situation, she thought of the “ugly girl” at the inn—the skilled female doctor. She wasn’t entirely sure it was her, but curiosity gnawed at her.

Previously blocked by her father, she had not confirmed at the inn. The more curious she grew, the more she wanted to go.

She called Lan Xin. “Lan Xin, stay outside the door. Don’t wander. I’m going out. If my father comes, say I’m asleep. Understand? Don’t let him see.”

“Miss, where are you going? Why so secretive, and hiding it from father?”

“Don’t ask so much. Did you remember what I said?”

Lan Xin nodded stiffly, worry written on her face.

Hai Qingshuang did not reveal her destination. She slipped out, secretly heading to the same inn from before.

There were quite a few people at the inn. The attendant hurriedly greeted her. Recognizing Hai Qingshuang of the Hai family, known for her cold demeanor, he approached respectfully.

“Miss Hai, are you here to dine?”

“Are there rooms on the second floor?” Hai Qingshuang asked.

“Yes, Miss Hai. Please follow me upstairs.”

Once seated, Hai Qingshuang said, “I don’t need your service. Send that ‘ugly girl’ from last time to me.”

“But Miss Hai, you are so noble. That ugly girl… her appearance…”

“I don’t repeat myself. Go immediately.” Hai Qingshuang’s cold tone froze the atmosphere.

The attendant had no choice but to fetch Yin Qingyue from the back.

At that moment, Yin Qingyue was washing dishes in the courtyard. Usually, she only helped when the front hall was short-handed.

The attendant hurriedly pulled her up. “Ugly girl, Miss Hai is here. She wants you to serve her. Hurry, don’t offend her. She’s the daughter of Grand Tutor Hai.”

Yin Qingyue, still confused, was pushed forward. She shrugged off his hand. “Let someone else go. I’m ugly. What if Miss Hai—”

“She won’t mind! Didn’t she save you last time? She won’t reject you. Go quickly.” The attendant pushed her gently, just like before.

Yin Qingyue reluctantly complied. She knew Hai Qingshuang was clever. Spending time with her risked revealing her true abilities—too dangerous.

On the second floor, Hai Qingshuang waited.

“Sorry for being late, Miss Hai,” Yin Qingyue said.

“Not late.” Hai Qingshuang glanced at her, surveying her from head to toe.

Yin Qingyue knew Hai Qingshuang wouldn’t come without reason. Her expression suggested she was probing for information.

“I’m ugly, yet you don’t mind. You also helped me last time—thank you.”

“No need. It’s what I should do. By the way, did anyone trouble you afterward?”

Yin Qingyue shook her head. “No, it must have been because of you. They didn’t dare.”

Of course, that wasn’t the real reason—they didn’t dare because Yin Qingyue had drugged Chu Yifeng. He was incapacitated and wouldn’t care about her.

Hai Qingshuang smiled, scrutinizing the “ugly girl” before her. Yin Qingyue, aware of Hai Qingshuang’s intent, kept her gaze lowered, hiding her eyes.

After a moment, Hai Qingshuang said, “By the way, I still don’t know your name. Can you tell me?”