MCSCPM -Chapter 318 Can’t Get Out

“Miss, actually this place is quite nice. You won’t be harmed. If you need anything, just tell me.”

“No, I need to leave immediately.” With that, Hai Qingshuang stormed out.

Once outside, she began searching for a way out. But this place was strangely confining. She walked for a long time yet could not find an exit. The area wasn’t large, but no matter how many times she searched back and forth, she couldn’t get out.

The maid caught up, panting. “Miss, it’s useless. You can’t get out. You should come back inside with me.”

“What is this place? Who brought me here?” Hai Qingshuang suddenly became agitated, grabbing the maid’s hand and shaking it violently.

The maid, of course, had her own unspeakable reasons. If she revealed that Prince Yi was behind this, she would certainly be killed. So she kept shaking her head, saying, “Miss, I really don’t know! Even if you kill me, I don’t know! Please, don’t make things hard for me.”

“Then tell me! Who is it?”

“I don’t know!”

Still claiming ignorance, the maid angered Hai Qingshuang. She pushed her away forcefully and shouted, “Fine, you won’t tell, huh?”

After that, Hai Qingshuang suddenly turned back to her room. Anything she could throw, she smashed—no matter what it was, as long as it could be destroyed, she smashed it all.

The maid did not intervene. After all, these things weren’t hers. If Hai Qingshuang didn’t vent her anger on the objects, she might vent it on the maid herself—it wasn’t worth the risk.

After a while, Hai Qingshuang grew tired of smashing things. She had never acted this way before, yet now she was as defiant as Shangguan Jiaoran. But she had to do this—otherwise, how could she leave?

The little maid remained indifferent, offering no advice. Watching her, Hai Qingshuang realized smashing things wouldn’t help.

Exhausted, she slumped to the side, anxious.

The maid stepped forward. “Miss, please stay calm. No one will hurt you. Trust me.”

Hai Qingshuang didn’t reply. But she hadn’t given up—she still needed to find a way out.

Meanwhile, after learning of Chu Jingcheng’s injuries, Yin Qingyue felt uneasy.

She thought long and hard. She wasn’t heartless—could she really wait until something happened to him before caring?

So she decided to sneak into Prince Jing’s residence after the inn closed, when everyone was asleep.

Avoiding the guards at the gate, she entered through the back door. No one knew when she came in.

Inside Chu Jingcheng’s room, fortunately, no one was present. The place seemed cleared.

Chu Jingcheng remained unconscious in bed, his face pale, lips dry, with traces of blood—so alarming that Yin Qingyue nearly panicked.

Quietly, she approached the bed and knelt, tears streaming uncontrollably.

Thankfully, Chu Jingcheng was still unconscious and didn’t notice her presence.

“Why are you so foolish? Do you not care about your own life for me? I only want you safe, not in trouble. Now you oppose your father, are injured so seriously, and every step forward will be difficult. Is it really worth it, for me?”

Chu Jingcheng didn’t move.

Yin Qingyue grasped his hand tightly, placing it against her face. The pain felt as if it were tearing her flesh.

“I won’t let anything happen to you. With me here, you’ll be fine,” she said sincerely.

Regaining some composure, she opened his clothes. His chest wound, previously torn, was still bleeding despite bandaging.

She removed the bandages and applied powdered medicine she had prepared herself. Every injury she treated, she sprinkled her powder on—this medicine greatly aided healing.

After treating him, she had to leave quickly to avoid being discovered. She hated leaving him, but it was necessary. Clutching his hand, she kissed his lips.

“Chu Jingcheng, you must be safe. Leaving is for your own good. If anything happens, I would die of guilt.”

With that, she bit her lip, took a deep breath, and left.

However, upon opening the door, she saw Leng Feng standing there.

Although Leng Feng was surprised to see Yin Qingyue, he wasn’t shocked.

“Leng Feng?” she exclaimed.

“Miss Yin, you’ve finally come,” Leng Feng said, as if he had known she would come today.

Yin Qingyue suddenly understood why entering had been so easy. Leng Feng had arranged it. The room had been cleared, and normally, a prince would not be without even a maid—so it was Leng Feng who had managed everything. This wooden-headed man had proven unexpectedly clever.

“Leng Feng, I’m just here to see Prince Jing. After that, I’ll leave. Don’t tell anyone I came—not even Prince Jing. Understand?” Yin Qingyue instructed.

Leng Feng replied, “Miss Yin, don’t leave again. Don’t you know the prince would risk his life for you? If he can’t find you, he will collapse.”

“Leng Feng, do you really think it’s appropriate for me to appear now?”

“Miss Yin, what do you mean?” Leng Feng frowned, unsure of her intent.

After thinking, he realized her words made sense. The situation was unstable. Her appearing now could cause chaos. The emperor also wanted her dead. Her presence now would put her in danger.

Yin Qingyue saw he understood, and said, “We’ll have to wait and see. Once the situation stabilizes, I’ll appear. Meanwhile, take care of Prince Jing—don’t let anything happen to him.”

Leng Feng said, “Miss Yin, you don’t need to appear openly. You can appear secretly. For example, you could stay inside longer. The prince needs you badly now. His injuries are serious; only you can help him.”

“I left medicine and powdered herbs in the room. After three days of treatment, Prince Jing will recover.”

“Okay. I’ll take care of him. But Miss Yin, where will you go now?”

“Back to the inn first. No one must find out about this, or it’ll be a huge problem.”

“I understand. Don’t worry, Miss Yin. I’ll protect the prince. But you must be extra careful, because Prince Yi is also looking for you. Ostensibly, it’s to help the prince—but why, we don’t know. Be cautious.” Leng Feng instructed, genuinely concerned for her safety. If anything happened to her, the prince could not withstand it.

Yin Qingyue nodded. “I’ll be careful and stay hidden. It’s late; I must leave. Take care of Prince Jing.”

With that, she left.

Leng Feng sighed, watching the prince’s room. “Prince, I’m sorry. I knew Miss Yin came, but I didn’t force her to stay. Now the situation is uncertain. Prince, don’t act rashly.”

Back at the inn, Yin Qingyue unfortunately ran into the same clerk as before. The clerk stopped her and demanded, “Where have you been? Why are you back so late? You’ve been acting so secretive. Ugly girl, are you hiding something from us?”

“I’m not hiding anything.”

“Really?” He stepped toward her.

Yin Qingyue stepped back two paces. He advanced two paces, cornering her.

“You always act like this! Where have you been?” The clerk pressed aggressively.

Yin Qingyue didn’t want to respond but had to explain. “I really haven’t done anything. Asking me won’t help.”

“Nothing? Are you kidding? I clearly saw you coming back from outside.”

“I had urgent business at the restroom.”

“I don’t buy it. Ever since you arrived, something seemed off. Ugly as you are, daring to be out alone—there must be a secret. Speak, or I’ll tell the innkeeper and have your pay withheld.”

Yin Qingyue rolled her eyes. This guy was crazy, but she couldn’t reveal her identity and had to endure it.

The clerk sneered and continued, “Are you going to tell me, or should I go tell the innkeeper?”

“Xiao Hu, what are you doing again? Is your skin itchy?” a sharp voice scolded from behind.

Yin Qingyue turned to see the inn’s matron. Her voice was always loud; everyone in the inn feared her—even the innkeeper gave way.

Seeing who it was, the clerk bowed and smiled, “It’s Matron Zhao! Do you need something?”

Zhao Matron immediately slapped his forehead and shouted, “Always bullying others! Go!”

Terrified, the clerk ran off.

Yin Qingyue chuckled to herself, liking the matron immediately.

The matron looked at Yin Qingyue gently. “Don’t be afraid, girl. If he ever bullies you again, tell me. I’ll teach him a lesson. You can’t always be so obedient. If he bothers you, hit him hard on the head. See if he dares again.”

“Thank you, Matron. I’ll remember. If he dares again, I’ll hit him.”

“Yes, hit him hard! Understand?”

“Yes.”

“All right, it’s late. You go rest. I’m tired too.” Yawning, Matron Zhao turned and went back to her room.