MCSCPM -Chapter 363 Heading to Northern Hao

Yin Zhengqi nodded, slowly rising. From his sleeve, he took out a prepared letter and handed it to his daughter.

“This is a letter from your father. Take it to Northern Hao and deliver it to your eldest sister.”

Yin Ziyu took the letter, thought for a moment, and accepted it.

“I’ll make sure to deliver it to her personally.”

“Good. Then go prepare yourself,” Yin Zhengqi said, picking up his teacup and taking a slow sip.

Yin Ziyu left and returned to her room to pack. She only brought a couple of outfits, thinking that, after all, Yin Qingyue was already Prince Jing’s consort—surely she’d have money to buy new clothes if needed.

The night before her departure, the entire Yin household naturally became aware. The servants didn’t dare gossip openly, but behind the scenes, the rumor mill was already buzzing.

In the kitchen, a few maids washed vegetables while chatting.

“Now our Second Miss is going to Northern Hao too.”
“Of course! If it weren’t for the eldest miss, where could Second Miss go? Now that the eldest will be Prince Jing’s consort, Second Miss must benefit from it as well.”
“Do you think Second Miss will also become some kind of consort in the future?”
“What do you mean?”
“Second Miss is so capable. Didn’t she steal the eldest miss’s fiancé before? Now, if she goes to Northern Hao, who knows what might happen with the future Prince Jing’s consort?”

The maids laughed. Everyone knew Second Miss liked to take what the eldest had. If she really went to Northern Hao, anything could happen!

Then a small maid whispered, “Guess what, if the eldest miss’s fiancé gets stolen again, will she be heartbroken?”
“Definitely!”

They all looked sympathetic. But little did they know, the once timid eldest miss had changed. Back then, she might have been devastated, but now, it would be Second Miss’s challenge to see if she could actually take Chu Jingcheng from her.

As the maids chatted, the housekeeper happened to overhear. She came in and knocked each of them lightly on the head with her fist.

“What nonsense are you talking? If Second Madam or Second Miss hears this, you’ll be in big trouble!”

The maids quickly pleaded. “We know, housekeeper! Please don’t tell Second Madam! She’d beat us to death!”

“Why are you so nervous? When did I ever say I’d tell Second Madam?”

Hearing this, they relaxed a bit.

The housekeeper said, “Alright, don’t talk about this again. This time I heard it, next time, who knows?”

“Understood, housekeeper. We won’t speak of it,” they said, resuming their work quietly.

Meanwhile, Yin Ziyu had packed her things. Mrs. Zhao, busy at the new shop, finally returned. Hearing that her daughter was willing to go to Northern Hao, she was overjoyed. Perhaps her daughter could also become a consort, making their family connected to royalty.

“Ziyu, I knew you’d understand. It’s best that you’ve thought this through,” Mrs. Zhao said.

“All right, Mother. Stop talking. I understand and am ready to go.”

Mrs. Zhao held her hand, advising, “Remember, take good care of yourself in Northern Hao.”

“You too, Mother. After I leave, you must take care of yourself as well.”

“As long as you’re well, I’m willing to do anything,” Mrs. Zhao said.

“Mother…” Yin Ziyu suddenly threw herself into her mother’s embrace, crying softly. “I don’t know when I’ll return, but don’t worry, I won’t let you down.”

Mrs. Zhao gently patted her back. “I’ll miss you, but for your future, go confidently. Once there, don’t oppose Yin Qingyue—after all, that’s her territory now.”

Hearing this, Yin Ziyu felt a pang of frustration. “Mother, did you know that Xiao Chengli is also going to Northern Hao, supposedly to expand his business? Isn’t it obvious he’s going to see Yin Qingyue? He still has feelings for her!”

“Really?”

“Would I lie about this?”

“But…”

“The letter is from a Xiao family servant. If he is unjust, then I won’t be fair either,” Yin Ziyu gritted her teeth.

Mrs. Zhao was annoyed too, but thinking that her daughter was going to Northern Hao, she thought Xiao Chengli was nothing compared to royalty.

“Ziyu, calm down. You’re going to Northern Hao anyway. Rest well tonight so you can travel tomorrow.”

Yin Ziyu didn’t dwell on it. Getting angry wasn’t worth it. She said, “Mother, you should rest too. I’ve decided—I’ll go to Northern Hao and won’t disappoint you.”

Mrs. Zhao nodded slightly, saying no more. It was late, so she left.

Yin Ziyu, however, couldn’t sleep. She still harbored a bit of hope for Xiao Chengli, trying to convince herself he was just going on a business trip. Yet a small glimmer of hope lingered in her heart.

The next day, Yin Ziyu boarded the carriage and set off for Northern Hao.

After several bumpy days, she finally reached the Northern Hao border.

Her feelings were a mixture of nervousness and excitement.

But as she entered the border, the carriage was stopped by Prince Jing’s guards.

The guards carefully inspected the carriage, as it belonged to the Xize family. They had to check thoroughly.

“Who goes there? Don’t you know this is Northern Hao?” a guard asked.

Yin Ziyu had never seen such a scene. Terrified, she drew the curtain aside to see the guards surrounding them.

“Step aside! I am Yin Qingyue’s only younger sister. You know who she is, right? She’s a goddess doctor and will become Prince Jing’s consort!”

The guards glanced at each other skeptically.

“You say you are? Are you really?”

“If you don’t believe me, I can go to Prince Jing’s mansion. Then you’ll see.”

“No, without proof, we can’t let you go. What if you have bad intentions?” the guards refused.

Yin Ziyu had no choice but to get out of the carriage.

Perhaps feeling emboldened because her sister was now Prince Jing’s consort, she said, “Do you know what will happen if you delay me? If Prince Jing finds out, you’ll be punished!”

“Miss, we still can’t let you through without proof. Not just anyone can enter on a whim,” the guards said.

Frustrated but keeping her composure, Yin Ziyu said, “If you don’t believe me, ask my household guards.”

One of Yin’s guards stepped forward. “Sirs, she truly is our young lady. The future Prince Jing’s consort is our eldest Miss. You must believe us—everything Second Miss says is true.”

“Really?”

“Absolutely.”

The guards were still uncertain, but considering the guard’s urgency, one of them gave instructions: “Send this to Prince Jing immediately. Let him decide.”

“Yes, sir.” The guards hurried off.

Yin Ziyu was anxious. Did she really have to wait here all the time?

“You won’t let me wait here forever, right?”

“If you truly are the goddess doctor’s sister, we’ll let you in. If not, you must return. We won’t trouble you,” a guard replied.

Fuming, she could only wait patiently.

Soon, another carriage approached. Yin Ziyu saw it was from the Xiao family—surely Xiao Chengli was inside.

Indeed, he had come to Northern Hao.

Even as his carriage approached, Prince Jing’s guards stopped it and questioned him.

“Stop! Who goes there?”

Xiao Chengli leaned out slightly and showed his Xiao family badge. “I am from the Xiao family, inspecting our Northern Hao shop. Please allow me passage.”

“Ah, from the Xiao family,” the guards said, seeing the badge, and stepped aside.

But Yin Ziyu was anxious. Xiao Chengli could enter so easily—she couldn’t miss this opportunity. She shouted at him:

“Xiao Chengli!”

He looked in her direction, surprised she was here.

Yin Ziyu hurried to his carriage. “Tell them I am Second Miss of the Yin family, here to see Yin Qingyue. Get them to let me in!”

The guards asked, “Mr. Xiao, do you know this girl? Is she really from the Yin family?”

Xiao Chengli glanced at her coldly. “You’re mistaken. I don’t know her,” then looked at Yin Ziyu, adding, “Miss, I don’t know you.”

“What?” Yin Ziyu shook her head in disbelief. “Xiao Chengli, what are you saying? You don’t know me? You bastard! How can you say that?”

“Miss, I truly don’t know you. Please don’t trouble me,” he said.

“I never imagined you could be so heartless. If you do this, don’t blame me,” she said.

Xiao Chengli ignored her, lowered the curtain, and said to the driver: “Go.”

The carriage departed immediately.

Yin Ziyu couldn’t believe it. They had shared a bed before, and yet he could say such words! He truly didn’t want her—he was going to find Yin Qingyue.