MCSCPM -Chapter 317 Testing

“They all call me the ‘ugly girl,’ and I don’t even have a name. Even if I did, I wouldn’t know it myself,” Yin Qingyue answered calmly, without a hint of embarrassment.

Hai Qingshuang, with her scheming mind, only made Yin Qingyue even more clever.

“Lift your head, let me see you.”

“Better not. I’m afraid I’ll scare you.”

“You already scared me last time. Lift your head, let me see you.”

Yin Qingyue had no choice. She raised her head, but after a moment, she lowered it again, pretending to be timid. “Miss Hai, it’s better if you don’t look. Weren’t you here to eat? Whatever you want, just tell me, and I’ll have the kitchen prepare it.”

“Anything will do. Why don’t you help me decide? I don’t know what’s good here.”

“Then… alright.”

Yin Qingyue quickly retreated and selected a few dishes for Hai Qingshuang, instructing the kitchen to prepare them promptly so that Miss Hai could eat and leave quickly.

When the dishes were served, Yin Qingyue personally carried them to the table.

As she served, Hai Qingshuang said, “By the way, ugly girl, have you heard? Prince Jing has been seriously injured. Even the imperial doctors are at a loss. Nobody knows how he is now.”

“Prince Jing is hurt, so he won’t recover quickly. I heard he’s been searching for someone. I don’t know who it is, but I think that person must be extremely important to him. Otherwise, he wouldn’t risk himself while injured. Poor man.”

Hai Qingshuang kept talking about Prince Jing, observing the “ugly girl” closely to see if her expression changed when she mentioned him.

The more Hai Qingshuang talked, the more suspicious Yin Qingyue became. Something was odd—why would this proud and aloof Hai Qingshuang care so much about Prince Jing? Could it be… that she actually liked him?

Yin Qingyue decided to read Hai Qingshuang’s mind to see what game she was playing today.

Putting down the dishes, Yin Qingyue looked at her carefully—and instantly understood. Hai Qingshuang had never truly liked Prince Jing; she had been fond of the carefree and unruly Prince Ling since childhood.

Everyone knew Prince Ling was wild, free-spirited, and flirtatious, fond of wandering the world. His heart could not be tamed.

Hai Qingshuang had buried her feelings deep, never revealing them. Seeing Prince Jing in his current state reminded her of herself; she saw a similarity between herself and him, which is why she wanted to help Prince Jing find Yin Qingyue.

That was her real motive. Talking about Prince Jing was a deliberate ploy to make Yin Qingyue worry, hoping she would inadvertently reveal herself.

Hai Qingshuang never expected that Yin Qingyue would see straight through her intentions.

Turning her eyes elsewhere, Yin Qingyue continued serving the dishes.

“Ugly girl, how long have you been here? Your serving looks a bit clumsy.”

“You are clever, Miss Hai. I haven’t been here long. Back home, I did farm work. Now, luckily, the innkeeper didn’t mind and let me stay and work.”

Yin Qingyue thought to herself: she almost fooled herself with this story—it was completely improvised.

Hai Qingshuang looked at her, believing every word, seeing no hint of deceit.

“Seems your family conditions aren’t very good.”

“Yes, my parents are seriously ill. I rely entirely on myself,” Yin Qingyue continued her act.

Hai Qingshuang realized that if this went on, she might leave empty-handed today. She had come out with great effort and had to figure this out.

Thinking quickly, she said, “No need to serve more. I have no appetite. Let’s settle the bill—I have matters to attend to.”

“But Miss Hai, these dishes—”

“You can eat them. Consider it my treat.” Hai Qingshuang suddenly stood, smiling at Yin Qingyue. “Alright, I’ll come again when I have time.”

Yin Qingyue understood her sudden departure. It was a ruse—Hai Qingshuang was waiting to see if she would make a move.

Her guess was correct. Hai Qingshuang had not really left. She hid outside the inn, observing whether the “ugly girl” would go to Prince Jing’s residence. If she did, then she truly was Yin Qingyue; if not, she was just an ugly girl.

Hai Qingshuang waited anxiously. But the Yin Qingyue inside had already seen through her thoughts and deliberately stayed inside, occasionally glancing outside. She didn’t know exactly where Hai Qingshuang was, but she knew she was out there. Going out now would be tantamount to revealing herself as Yin Qingyue.

Outside, Hai Qingshuang grew impatient despite her normally composed temperament.

At that moment, a man appeared behind her. From his waist, he took a white cloth and swiftly pressed it over her mouth and nose.

Hai Qingshuang struggled violently. Her hands flailed, and she kicked the ground desperately, but she gradually felt herself weakening. Soon, everything blurred, and she lost consciousness, collapsing.

The man, worried someone would see, lifted her and quickly carried her away.

Hai Qingshuang was taken to a residence and locked in a room, while the man left.

He did not go elsewhere; instead, he went to Prince Yi’s residence to report.

“Your Highness, the task is complete. Miss Hai is now in a residence. I locked her in temporarily to prevent escape or accidents.”

Chu Yifeng nodded. “Good. Does she know who did this?”

“Don’t worry, Your Highness. She won’t discover it.”

“Very well. Keep watch.”

Chu Yifeng smirked coldly. This had a purpose. The Hai family patriarch, though neutral in court, now slightly favored Prince Jing, which displeased him. Moreover, he had long desired Hai Qingshuang. Simply put: Hai Qingshuang liked Prince Ling, while he liked Hai Qingshuang.

Now, at twenty-three, her father had not married her off. Would she become an old maid? Marrying Hai Qingshuang meant gaining influence of the Hai family—beneficial and harmless for Chu Yifeng. He secretly chuckled.

The guard continued: “Your Highness, Prince Jing fell ill while searching for the divine doctor. He is now bedridden, unconscious.”

Chu Yifeng had already heard the news and was unfazed. He laughed, “Even better. If he dies, I won’t have to act. He’ll torment himself to death naturally.”

“Your Highness, shall we go see Prince Jing? He visited you before.”

“No rush. I have my plan. By the way, any news on the divine doctor?”

The guard bowed. “I sent people outside the city to search, but no results. We don’t know if she left Beihao for Xize.”

“Impossible. Even at full speed, she can’t reach Xize so fast. And she is a woman—how far could she travel? Send more people to find her. I itch all over; without the divine doctor, I will suffer.”

The guard hurriedly assured, “Your Highness, even if we search all of Beihao, we will find the divine doctor.”

“Go.” He waved them off.

Outside, the abducted Hai Qingshuang slowly woke, her head throbbing.

Sitting up, she realized she was in an unfamiliar room. She recalled being outside the inn before someone suddenly covered her mouth, and she lost consciousness.

Could it be a kidnapping?

But that didn’t make sense—if it were, why hadn’t they bound her? Why place her in a room?

Shrugging, she decided not to overthink it.

Getting out of bed, she moved to the door. Just then, it opened, and a maid entered with food.

“You’re awake, miss!” the maid smiled, placing the dishes on the table. “You must be hungry. Eat something.”

“Who are you?”

“I’m your maid, just call me that. Oh…” The maid went to the inner room and brought out some clothes. “These are for you. Change quickly.”

“These clothes?”

“I saw your clothes were torn, probably when you were taken. So I prepared new ones.” The maid handed them to Hai Qingshuang.

Examining her clothes, she saw the tear. Likely caused during her abduction.

She changed. Once dressed, she was thoroughly confused. Where was she? Why was this maid so kind, with no intention to harm her?

“Where is this? Why am I here? Who brought me?” she demanded.

The maid avoided the question. “Eat first, miss.”

“I asked you where this is! Who brought me?” Hai Qingshuang’s expression turned icy.

The maid shook her head. “I don’t know either. Just stay here safely. I’ll take good care of you.”

“Who asked you to take care of me?”