MCSCPM -Chapter 373 A Proper Young Lady

“Miss, what exactly happened? Is it about your sister?”

“If everyone were as clever as you, that would be remarkable,” Yin Qingyue said with a smile.

Dong’er didn’t press further; she was already relieved that Yin Qingyue wasn’t angry with her.

“Then, Miss, you should rest. I’ll take my leave first.”

“Mm.”

After Dong’er left, Yin Qingyue sat quietly for a while, thinking about tomorrow. The reckoning for that woman was about to come. A faint smile curled on her lips. Now, she just had to watch the show unfold.

Yin Ziyu, of course, had no idea about any of Yin Qingyue’s plans. After being so humiliated by Chu Jingcheng, her anger only grew.

She plopped down at her dressing table, looking at herself in the mirror—elegant, refined, perfectly made up.

“Yin Qingyue… what is it that makes you better than me? And Xiao Chengli… and even Prince Jing… what did you feed them?” she shouted, sweeping everything off the table.

Clatter!

The maid outside didn’t dare enter. After seeing her storm in earlier, she didn’t even think about knocking again. Everyone in the mansion knew the temperament of the Second Miss by now.

Yin Ziyu couldn’t sleep all night, replaying Chu Jingcheng’s words, her heart filled with unease and confusion.

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The next day:

Yin Qingyue got up, washed, and called for Dong’er.

“Miss, any instructions?”

Yin Qingyue handed Dong’er a letter. “Once Prince Jing leaves the mansion, give this letter to Ziyu.”

Dong’er nodded without asking questions. “Rest assured, Miss. I’ll deliver it.”

“And if she asks who it’s from, just say it’s from the Prince.”

“I don’t know why, but I’ll follow your instructions.”

“Smart as ever,” Yin Qingyue smiled.

Dong’er smiled in return, hiding the letter in her sleeve. She came behind Yin Qingyue and said, “Dong’er is here to do your hair and makeup.”

Yin Qingyue didn’t refuse. Dong’er began choosing hairpins while saying, “Miss, soon you’ll be the Princess Consort of Prince Jing. Then I’ll be attending to you every day.”

“Are you not going to marry then?”

“No, as long as I can stay by your side, nothing else matters. I’d even be your servant for life,” Dong’er said joyfully, completely devoted.

But Yin Qingyue’s expression suddenly turned serious. Looking at Dong’er in the mirror, she asked, “Dong’er, are you truly willing to stay by my side forever?”

“Of course!”

“But Dong’er, you’re a good girl. You deserve a proper life of your own. After I marry, I’ll tell the Prince to find you a good match. He won’t mistreat you.”

Dong’er panicked, her expression falling. “Miss, do you think I’m no good? If I’ve done anything wrong, tell me, I’ll fix it!”

“Silly girl,” Yin Qingyue said, taking her hand. “It’s not that you’re bad… it’s because you’re too good that I don’t want you to suffer. Think about it: a woman’s life is about finding a proper home, isn’t it?”

Dong’er shook her head desperately. “No! Miss, please don’t make me leave. Being with you is the greatest fortune of my life.”

“Dong’er…”

“Please, Miss, let me stay with you. I’ll be happy for my whole life.” Tears welled in her eyes.

Seeing her like this, Yin Qingyue softened. She had wanted to give her freedom, but Dong’er didn’t want it.

“All right, all right, we won’t talk about this anymore. Since you don’t want to leave, it’s your choice. But if one day you really find your own match, you must tell me, okay?”

“Yes, as long as you don’t let me go.” Dong’er wiped her tears and smiled, picking a hairpin and placing it in Yin Qingyue’s hair. “Miss, do you like this hairpin?”

Looking in the mirror, Yin Qingyue smiled. “It’s beautiful. Anything you pick is the best.”

Dong’er beamed, delighted by the praise. A woman’s heart could brighten in an instant.

After leaving Yin Qingyue’s room, Dong’er went straight to Yin Ziyu.

Yin Ziyu stood alone in the courtyard, dazed, staring blankly ahead.

Dong’er carefully approached, taking the letter from her sleeve, softly calling, “Second Miss Yin.”

Hearing the voice, Yin Ziyu turned and saw Dong’er. Since Dong’er worked for Yin Qingyue, she treated her politely.

“Oh, Dong’er… what is it? Are you here for me?”

“This letter is for you,” Dong’er said, handing it over.

Yin Ziyu took the letter, confused. “Who is it from?”

“The Prince.”

“Prince Jing?” Hearing it was from Chu Jingcheng, Yin Ziyu became ecstatic. She quickly tore it open.

Noticing Dong’er was still there, she paused and said, “Thank you, Dong’er. You may leave now.”

“Yes, Miss.” Dong’er bowed and left.

Alone, Yin Ziyu tore open the letter. Inside were Chu Jingcheng’s words: “Wait at the Tianzi room of the Tianshui Inn tonight.”

Clear and simple.

Yin Ziyu was thrilled, jumping up with excitement, clutching the letter like a treasure. She paced back and forth, her heart racing. Though she didn’t understand why the Prince had summoned her, she was certain it was good news.

Once calm, she sat at her dressing table to prepare herself, putting on all her best clothes and even wearing the pink dress from last night again. She waited quietly for nightfall.

Little did she know, she was merely the second “Shangguan Jiaoran”—and her fate would be even worse.

---

At night, she left, deliberately avoiding everyone, and headed to the Tianshui Inn.

The inn, like yesterday, had been rented out by Qian Zhuang. Upon arrival, the attendant welcomed her as if expecting her, guiding her upstairs to the Tianzi room.

Inside, no one was there. The attendant said, “Please sit, Miss. The person you’re waiting for will arrive shortly.”

“Alright.” Yin Ziyu sat down.

The attendant poured her a cup of wine. “Miss, this is the finest wine in our inn. Please try it.”

Dropping all her guard, Yin Ziyu drank it in one sip.

The attendant saw this, then left, closing the door.

Yin Ziyu waited inside—but unexpectedly, her head began to spin. She wobbled and realized there must have been something wrong with the wine. But it was too late. Suddenly, she collapsed.

Soon, the door was pushed open. Qian Zhuang entered.

Everything went according to Yin Qingyue’s plan…

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The next day:

When Yin Ziyu woke, her head still throbbed. She sat up, looking around the Tianzi room. Gradually, she realized her clothes were disheveled—and next to her was Qian Zhuang.

“Ah!” she screamed.

Qian Zhuang rolled off the bed, hastily pulling on his clothes, looking at her with disdain. “What’s all the shouting? I haven’t spoken yet.”

“You beast! I’ll kill you!” Yin Ziyu wanted to get up, but her clothes were in disarray. Thinking about last night, she felt sick to her stomach.

Qian Zhuang smirked. “So much for being a proper young lady. Looks like you weren’t pure to begin with. I wasted my efforts.”

“You…” Yin Ziyu was too angry to speak, tears streaming down her face.

Qian Zhuang, now dressed, tossed a silver ingot onto her. “This is for you. If you were a proper young lady, I might even have married you. But since you’re not… disgusting.”

With that, he swaggered out.

Yin Ziyu had truly fallen into hell. She would never show her face again, and if the story spread, her shame would be beyond words.

She cried until her voice was hoarse, then slowly got up, dressed, and left the inn in complete disarray, returning to the Prince Jing mansion.

Upon arrival, she immediately sought out Yin Qingyue. Though Yin Qingyue knew everything, she pretended to be unaware. And since Yin Ziyu hadn’t returned the previous night, it was natural for her elder sister to show worry.

Yin Ziyu burst in, crying.

“Ziyu? What happened? Where were you last night? I searched all night for you!” Yin Qingyue asked.

“Big Sister… I… I was defiled by that Qian Zhuang,” Yin Ziyu blurted out.

“What? How? Why are your clothes like this? Bruised and discolored?” Yin Qingyue pulled her to sit and demanded explanations.

Through sobs, Yin Ziyu recounted everything from the previous night.

Yin Qingyue listened intently, fully aware of everything.

Then Yin Ziyu glared at Dong’er. “Dong’er, why did you trick me? That wasn’t the Prince’s letter!”

Dong’er quickly explained, “Second Miss Yin, you’ve misunderstood. I didn’t know either. I received the letter at the back gate, saying it was from the Prince. I didn’t dare delay, so I delivered it to you immediately.”

Hearing this, Yin Ziyu had no further argument. If Qian Zhuang had planned to defile her, he would have done his homework thoroughly.

Having no one to vent her anger on, she cried again.

Yin Qingyue comforted her but also spoke firmly. Once Yin Ziyu calmed down, Yin Qingyue said, “It’s already done. Nothing can change what happened. Now, it seems… you have no choice but to marry him. Otherwise, this matter will never end.”