MCSCPM -Chapter 362 The Letter

Mrs. Zhao’s repeated words made Yin Ziyu’s heart waver slightly.

However, she had already given Xiao Chengli one day. If he still didn’t give her a satisfactory answer, she would definitely go to Northern Hao. Now, all she hoped for was that Xiao Chengli still had a shred of conscience—to give her a proper status.

Mrs. Zhao knew her daughter liked Xiao Chengli, so she advised, “Ziyu, look at Yin Qingyue. She’s living so well in Northern Hao. Originally, she was at death’s door, yet she survived and even became Prince Jing’s consort.”

“Mother, I understand what you’re saying. I know, but I still want to wait a little longer.”

“Wait? Wait for what?”

Yin Ziyu naturally didn’t say, turning aside. “Mother, don’t ask.”

Mrs. Zhao knew her daughter too well. Whenever she acted like this, it was always about Xiao Chengli. Sometimes, Mrs. Zhao could turn a blind eye, but now that Yin Qingyue was enjoying glory, her own daughter mustn’t fall behind.

If her daughter could marry a prince as well, that would truly be a triumph.

“Ziyu, you must be obedient. Look at Yin Qingyue now, and look at yourself. You have to strive harder, do you understand?”

“All right, all right, Mother, I know. Don’t say more,” Yin Ziyu said, turning to leave.

Mrs. Zhao could only shake her head helplessly, sighing that her daughter resembled herself too much. Compared to Yin Qingyue, her daughter still lagged behind quite a bit. Naturally, she felt uncomfortable and frustrated.

At that moment, a young maid ran over. “Second Madam, the shop has opened. We should go quickly.”

“I almost forgot,” Mrs. Zhao said, clapping her hands. She had been talking with her daughter and nearly forgot that the Yin family’s new shop was opening today.

She hurried over to the new shop. To her surprise, the normally quiet shop was now crowded with people, all rushing in to buy things. Such a scene was rare—even on special occasions, it was hard to see this many customers.

“Second Madam has arrived!”

Someone in the crowd called out. Several women approached Mrs. Zhao with smiles, flattering her.

Usually, these women wouldn’t bother being so courteous.

“Second Madam, congratulations! Your Yin family is truly fortunate.”
“Yes, now the Yin family has a new shop. Your family tombs must have good fortune.”
“Look at Second Madam—your complexion is even more radiant now, glowing and healthy.”

The women complimented her line by line.

Mrs. Zhao understood perfectly. Normally, hearing such flattery would be difficult, but now, all this was because of Yin Qingyue. Everyone in Northern Hao knew she was about to become Prince Jing’s consort, so it was no wonder the shop was crowded.

“What brings you ladies here today?” Mrs. Zhao asked.

“Oh, Second Madam, it’s because of Yin Qingyue. Otherwise, you probably wouldn’t see us here.”

“Of course, we heard that Miss Yin is about to become Prince Jing’s consort. That’s such good news; we had to come congratulate her.”

“Then you’re congratulating the wrong person. The future consort isn’t at her maternal home,” Mrs. Zhao said with a tone of disdain, yet with a smile.

The women exchanged glances, slightly embarrassed. “Second Madam, although Miss Yin isn’t your biological daughter, why didn’t you go for her wedding? Instead, you opened a shop?”

“That’s none of your business.”

“Yes, yes, yes… we were being nosy. We just came to congratulate you, but it seems you’re not welcoming, so we’ll leave. We’ll come another time,” the women said, smiling.

Mrs. Zhao didn’t stop them. These women had looked down on her before, but now that Yin Qingyue was becoming Prince Jing’s consort, they were eager to flatter her. Mrs. Zhao wasn’t impressed.

The women left, whispering to each other:

“Did you see her face? She turned green with envy when they mentioned Miss Yin’s wedding.”
“Of course. She’s not her biological daughter. Outwardly, she has prestige, but inside, she must be jealous and angry. Look at her own daughter—what chance does she have?”
“Yes, and when Miss Yin went to the Luocheng Institute, the Yin family wanted Ziyu to marry into the Xiao family, but the Xiao family refused. So now her daughter can only stay at home.”
“Stay at home? Nicely put, she’s just left idle. Plainly, she’s unwanted.”
“So, when she heard Yin Qingyue would become Prince Jing’s consort, her face fell.”

The women walked away, gossiping and laughing mockingly. Of course, Mrs. Zhao didn’t know.

Once the shop opened, what was on the surface nearly failing, thanks to the news about Yin Qingyue, everyone understood the situation and flocked to curry favor. Soon, most of the goods were sold. The Yin family profited immensely.

A clerk said to Mrs. Zhao, “Second Madam, look, there are still customers. Maybe you could open another shop.”

“How is that easy?”

“Why wouldn’t it be? The eldest lady is now Prince Jing’s consort,” the clerk said with a smile.

Mrs. Zhao glared at him but restrained herself for the sake of business. “Fine, go quickly and restock the missing items. Don’t let the shelves run out.”

“Yes, Madam,” the clerk said cheerfully and went to replenish stock.

Though Mrs. Zhao was frustrated, seeing the shop doing so well—all thanks to Yin Qingyue—she had no choice but to swallow her pride.

While the Yin family’s new shop thrived, Yin Ziyu anxiously waited in her room.

She didn’t know if Xiao Chengli would reply, unable to sit still, she walked in the courtyard. The day was growing late—did Xiao Chengli really need this long to respond? Why hadn’t he given her an answer?

She began to overthink. Could it be that Xiao Chengli still couldn’t forget Yin Qingyue? If so, what did that make her? She had already lost two children for him—who could understand that pain? Could Xiao Chengli?

“Miss, the master has ordered your travel bag prepared for your journey to Northern Hao,” a young maid said.

“What preparation? Go away,” Yin Ziyu scolded angrily. “Who told you to touch my things?”

“But the master… told me to prepare them,” the maid replied.

Yin Ziyu fell silent. Clearly, her father had decided firmly she must go to Northern Hao. This could help her marry into a prestigious family and revive the Yin family.

The young maid trembled, not daring to look at her. Yin Ziyu thought a moment, then said, “Fine, you may go first.”

“Yes, Miss.” The maid was about to leave when Yin Ziyu called her back. “By the way, has Mr. Xiao sent any news?”

The maid thought carefully. No, she hadn’t received anything. “No, Second Miss.”

“No? Could it be… he really plans to…?” Yin Ziyu didn’t voice the words “forget me?” but she was upset, waving her hand. “Go now. If there’s any news, bring it to me immediately.”

“I understand, Miss,” the maid said, leaving carefully.

Yin Ziyu waited in the courtyard until nightfall, thinking no news would arrive and feeling hopeless.

Just as she was about to return to her room, a young servant from the rear courtyard ran over, holding a letter.

“Second Miss, Young Master Xiao sent a letter. He insisted it be delivered personally to you.”

Yin Ziyu was overjoyed, quickly taking the letter. “All right, you may leave. But remember, no one must know about this. If I find out, there will be severe punishment.”

“Don’t worry, Miss. No one will know,” the maid said wisely, leaving cautiously.

Yin Ziyu held the letter, both excited and anxious. She went inside and closed the door.

Opening the letter, she realized it wasn’t from Xiao Chengli himself but from a Xiao family servant.

The letter said Xiao Chengli was going to Northern Hao to expand the Xiao family’s shop and didn’t know when he would return.

What? Xiao Chengli was going to Northern Hao to open a shop?

Furious, Yin Ziyu crumpled the letter and threw it to the ground. Was he going to see Yin Qingyue?

She was filled with rage.

“Xiao Chengli, you bastard! Don’t think I’ve rejected you—I, Yin Ziyu, am the one rejecting you now, you scoundrel!” she shouted in frustration.

The young maid outside heard the commotion and rushed in, but the room’s furniture was unharmed.

“Second Miss, what’s wrong?”

“Go away,” Yin Ziyu snapped.

The maid left without question.

Yin Ziyu stayed inside for a while. She couldn’t let Xiao Chengli gloat. Since he was unfair, she would be ruthless too. Determined, she went to see her father.

“Father, I’ve decided. Tomorrow I will go to see my eldest sister.”

“Good. If you’ve made up your mind, it’s right. You can also plan your future while visiting your eldest sister,” Yin Zhengqi said leisurely, sipping tea.

“But Father, I can’t go alone. The journey is far.”

“Don’t worry. I’ve already made arrangements for you. You’ll have a carriage escort for safety.”

Yin Ziyu smiled gently. “Thank you, Father.”

“Once you arrive in Northern Hao, don’t trouble your eldest sister, understand?”

“Don’t worry, Father. I understand.”