MCSCPM -Chapter 360 Spreading the News

After a while, Chu Helian stood up, sighed, and took a few steps forward. He spoke slowly, “Miss Yin, I know that no matter what, I cannot stop you two. I also worry about losing a son. If I oppose this too strongly, who knows—you might leave the capital, and in that case, I gain nothing.”

“So, Your Majesty means…”

“Everything… I don’t wish to say more. You know I opposed you from the very beginning, and that will not change. But Prince Jing is determined, and I cannot go against him.”

In the end, Chu Helian never clearly stated his position; his words were deliberately vague.

Yin Qingyue didn’t say anything further. She figured it was getting late, and the emperor of Northern Hao could not stay out for too long.

“It seems I won’t wait for Prince Jing. The hour grows late; I shall return to the palace.”

“Yes, I humbly see Your Majesty off.”

Chu Helian remained silent and turned to leave.

Yin Qingyue watched his departing figure. Who could have predicted things would come this far? She understood clearly that the emperor was deeply pained and regretful—his most promising son had defied him, all for a woman. Putting herself in his shoes, she could only smile wryly.

Shortly after the emperor left, Ding Ying sent over some gifts.

A servant from the Ding family said, “Miss Yin, these are gifts sent by my lady. She knows that you and Prince Jing are about to be married, so she asked me to deliver them.”

“Please thank your lady on my behalf.”

“I will, Miss.”

Yin Qingyue nodded. Since Ding Ying and Leng Feng were also about to marry, Ding Ying could not leave her residence or come to Prince Jing’s Mansion herself, so she sent the gifts through a servant.

After storing the gifts, Yin Qingyue asked Dong’er to prepare a present to send to Ding Ying.

Once the gift was wrapped, she handed it to the servant. “This is a gift from me. Please give it to your lady.”

The servant carefully accepted it, nodding. “Rest assured, Miss.”

“Mm.”

After the servant left, Yin Qingyue had no interest in opening Ding Ying’s gifts—it was nothing more than a small gesture. Back at the private residence, Ding Ying had often sent little presents like this.

She sighed, thinking of Chu Helian’s visit just now, feeling a slight unease in her heart.

Now, Yin Qingyue was riding the waves of fortune in Northern Hao. With admiration came envy.

News of this spread from Northern Hao to Xize, and people along the way eagerly discussed it.

The common folk of Northern Hao all knew: Prince Jing already had a favored woman. Even before marriage, she had been brought into the prince’s mansion, and she was a widely acclaimed divine physician.

In a tea pavilion outside Xize, a few passersby sipped tea while discussing Prince Jing’s upcoming marriage.

An elder said, “I hear that Prince Jing of Northern Hao is marrying a divine physician—a woman from Xize, no less.”

“No way. A prince of Northern Hao, marrying someone from our Xize?”

“It’s true. The news has spread everywhere. Who doesn’t know?”

“Then tell me, who is she?”

The elder stroked his beard. “That, I don’t know. But she must come from a prominent family; otherwise, why would Prince Jing notice her? Even if not, she must possess exceptional talent.”

The other person nodded, sipping his tea. “This woman is truly fortunate. To become Prince Jing’s princess consort—what a blessing.”

They talked for a while longer, when a passing merchant suddenly interjected, “You probably don’t know Prince Jing’s current situation.”

The two looked puzzled. “What do you mean? Who is Prince Jing? He is the future ruler of Northern Hao!”

The merchant smiled. “Ah, you don’t know. I’ve traveled far and wide, and I visited Northern Hao. The current Prince Jing is not what he used to be. The emperor no longer values him; Prince Jing is just an empty shell.”

“No way. Is that true?”

“Absolutely. I heard Prince Jing defied the emperor for that divine physician. In a fit of anger, the emperor barred him from attending court. Now, the one favored by the emperor is Prince Ling. Prince Jing foolishly ruined his future for a woman—a true femme fatale,” the merchant said, regret on his face.

Hearing this, the two nodded, realizing the merchant spoke carefully and likely truthfully. They sighed. “Prince Jing’s courage for a divine physician is commendable.”

“Enough, enough. We’re in Xize; Northern Hao’s affairs don’t concern us!” the elder said.

“Yes, better to focus on making some money than gossip,” another added.

They left off the discussion, sipping their tea, and went their separate ways.

Of course, the news reached the Yin household.

Yin Qingyue was about to become Prince Jing’s consort—such good news could not be hidden.

In the Yin household’s backyard, hurried footsteps ran from the front yard. Yin Ziyu rushed frantically to her mother’s room and opened the door to find her mother pondering matters.

“Mother, have you heard?” Yin Ziyu asked anxiously.

Mrs. Zhao nodded. “How could I not? That girl, Yin Qingyue, who was supposed to die, went to Northern Hao and is now about to become Prince Jing’s consort.”

“Mother, she’s really risen in status now.”

“Indeed. Becoming Prince Jing’s consort is like a phoenix perched atop the highest branch. I truly underestimated her. How could I have not foreseen this day?” Mrs. Zhao said, part regretful, part angry.

Regret for not having treated Yin Qingyue better earlier, anger that someone who was supposed to die left Xize unharmed and became Prince Jing’s consort.

Yin Ziyu felt some regret too. Though not born of the same womb, they were still like sisters. With Yin Qingyue rising in status, she should at least support her.

“Now she’s going to be Prince Jing’s consort. Our Yin family will benefit from her title. Her becoming consort is fortune accumulated over eight generations,” Yin Ziyu said, begrudgingly.

“At this point, what can you do? Her becoming Prince Jing’s consort benefits us. Don’t be jealous.”

“I’m not jealous, Mother. Just… a bit unwilling to accept it.”

“What? Do you want to be Prince Jing’s consort too? You’re so competitive. If you were more capable, I wouldn’t have to worry so much,” Mrs. Zhao chided her daughter.

Yin Ziyu frowned. “Mother, what does this have to do with me? Who knew Yin Qingyue would have today? Am I any worse than her? Why do you keep blaming me?”

Mrs. Zhao’s face flushed, but she controlled her resentment, taking a deep breath. “Enough, enough. That girl becoming Prince Jing’s consort raises our family’s status. Let’s focus on that.”

“What do you mean?”

“Think about it. With Yin Qingyue as Prince Jing’s consort, our family’s prestige rises. Your father will have an easier time with business,” Mrs. Zhao said, already thinking of profits.

Yin Ziyu said nothing. She was trapped at home, envious of Yin Qingyue but powerless to act. She had taken Xiao Chengli from her, yet remained stuck at home, unable to marry.

Mrs. Zhao didn’t notice her daughter’s expression. She instructed, “The household will be busy these days. Don’t cause trouble. Help your father with business, understand?”

“What business?”

“Follow Yin Qingyue’s success. Our family must expand our shops and make a profit.”

“Open shops now? Our family is on the brink. Who would buy from us?”

“Yin Qingyue is about to become Prince Jing’s consort. Who wouldn’t respect that? Now go. I’ll find your father,” Mrs. Zhao said, preparing to leave.

Yin Ziyu had no choice. Yin Qingyue’s fortune was soaring while she remained stuck at home, unmarried and almost grown up.

Soon, Mrs. Zhao went to speak with Yin Zhengqi.

Yin Zhengqi, serious by nature, was both delighted and strategic about his eldest daughter becoming Prince Jing’s consort. He recognized the opportunity. Mrs. Zhao’s arrival coincided with his thoughts, so her suggestions aligned perfectly.

“You’re right. Xize has always favored agriculture over commerce. Now that Qingyue is to become Prince Jing’s consort, it’s natural to expand our shops,” he said.

“Exactly, Master. I’ll have people handle it right away,” Mrs. Zhao said.

“Go ahead.”

As Mrs. Zhao prepared to leave, Yin Zhengqi called out, “By the way, where’s Ziyu?”

“I told her to stay in her room.”

“Call her here. I have something to say to her.”

Mrs. Zhao looked puzzled. “Master, what do you want to tell Ziyu?”

Yin Zhengqi, composed and purposeful, said, “Call her here first. I have urgent matters. Meanwhile, you go arrange the shop expansion.”

Mrs. Zhao nodded and left the room, summoning a maid.

“Madam, any orders?”

“Go fetch the Second Miss. Tell her Master wants her.”

“Yes, Mistress.”

Cunning as ever, Mrs. Zhao suspected that Yin Zhengqi had important instructions for Ziyu, but first, she had to handle the shop arrangements.

Yin Ziyu still wore an expression of reluctance.

A maid arrived from the front yard. “Second Miss, Master wants to see you.”

“Now?” Yin Ziyu thought it odd.

The maid didn’t know either, only shook her head.

Yin Ziyu wondered if it had something to do with Yin Qingyue. She shook her head and went to the front yard.

Entering the room, she saw her father sitting solemnly.

“Father, why did you call me? What’s so urgent?”

In front of Yin Zhengqi, Yin Ziyu always appeared obedient and gentle, smiling faintly with a touch of elegance, her eyes even reflecting some resemblance to Yin Qingyue.

“I called you because of your eldest sister’s matter,” he said.

“My eldest sister? You must have heard. She’s in Northern Hao and is about to become Prince Jing’s consort. I truly envy her, but this is a happy event for our Yin family as well,” Yin Ziyu said softly, deliberately showing admiration.