MCSCPM -Chapter 374 Forced Marriage

“Marry him? Big sister, I don’t want to! I will never marry him. Please, big sister, don’t do this!” Yin Ziyu cried out, even desperately clutching Yin Qingyue.

But Yin Qingyue’s attitude was firm. “Father isn’t here. Your marriage is for me to decide. Things have reached this point—do you want this scandal to spread and make a mockery of you?”

“I don’t want to… I don’t want to…”

“In any case, I’ve made this decision for you. I will handle it.”

“Big sister…” Yin Ziyu cried out, then suddenly fell to her knees, sobbing and pleading, “Big sister, I beg you! Please don’t make me marry him! I can’t, absolutely cannot!”

Yin Qingyue looked at her coldly. This was the consequence of her own actions—no one else was to blame. There wasn’t a trace of sympathy in her eyes.

Yin Ziyu continued to plead, her throat hoarse from crying.

Feeling the noise was excessive, Yin Qingyue instructed Dong’er, “Dong’er, take her back to her room, find some clean clothes, and let her rest properly.”

“Yes.”

Dong’er stepped forward and helped her up. Yin Ziyu, exhausted from crying, was easily led away.

Yin Qingyue was not without compassion. She knew her actions were harsh, even cruel. But the body she inhabited had suffered greatly because of Yin Ziyu—she could feel that resentment. This was simply a repayment of karma.

Since things had come this far, Yin Qingyue would take the final step: she would go to Qian Zhuang and have him marry Yin Ziyu.

Before leaving, she informed Chu Jingcheng of her plan.

Hearing she intended to meet Qian Zhuang, Chu Jingcheng’s expression darkened. “You don’t need to go yourself.”

“How could I not? After all, Yin Ziyu is my sister.”

“You’ve set up so much… You wouldn’t actually let her marry Qian Zhuang, would you?”

“What do you think? Do you really think Qian Zhuang would marry her? I just feel her punishment isn’t enough yet,” Yin Qingyue said with a smile.

Chu Jingcheng understood and said, “I understand. You don’t go. I’ll handle it. Compared to you, he’ll listen to me better.”

Yin Qingyue was momentarily surprised. “You’ll go? This matter…”

“This matter is my responsibility. Enough talk—go rest. I’ll take care of it,” Chu Jingcheng said firmly.

Yin Qingyue had no choice but to nod in agreement.

Soon after, Chu Jingcheng left.

Yin Qingyue worried about Yin Ziyu after last night—her mood was so bad she might attempt suicide. If she died, so be it—but she couldn’t die in Prince Jing’s mansion. So Yin Qingyue went to Yin Ziyu’s courtyard.

The events of the previous night had left a deep wound in Yin Ziyu’s heart. She looked like a lost soul, sitting motionless all day without eating.

Yin Qingyue entered quietly. Yin Ziyu didn’t notice at first.

“Ziyu, are you okay?” Yin Qingyue asked softly.

Yin Ziyu didn’t respond but burst into tears when she heard Yin Qingyue’s voice, turning to look at her. She was in a pitiful state—but Yin Qingyue felt no sympathy.

“Ziyu, your big sister will handle this for you. Don’t worry,” Yin Qingyue said.

Yin Ziyu wiped her tears. “Big sister… you aren’t really going to make me marry him, are you?”

“What choice do we have? Think about it—Qian Zhuang is wealthy. If you marry him, your future will be secure.”

“But I don’t like him.”

“You’re not young anymore. I can’t care for you forever. Since things have come this far, I have to arrange everything for you,” Yin Qingyue said, gently taking her hand. “Prince Jing has already gone to Qian Zhuang. News should come soon. Once he goes, Qian Zhuang will naturally marry you.”

“What?!” Yin Ziyu was shocked, bursting into tears again, grabbing Yin Qingyue’s hands. “Big sister, I beg you! Please don’t! I really don’t want to marry him!”

Beg? Only now does she know to beg, Yin Qingyue thought.

Yin Ziyu sobbed, realizing she had come to rely on her sister but now was being sold out.

“Big sister… I beg you… please, big sister…”

After over half an hour, Yin Ziyu continued crying. Yin Qingyue, who could not bear seeing people cry, instructed the maid to stay and care for her, then left.

A few hours later, Chu Jingcheng returned.

“How did it go? Did he agree?” Yin Qingyue asked.

Chu Jingcheng sat and drank tea. “I went myself. How could he refuse?”

“That’s good.”

“Why aren’t you surprised?”

“You went personally. Why would I be?” Yin Qingyue smiled.

Chu Jingcheng stared thoughtfully for a moment. “What are your plans next?”

Yin Qingyue’s smile turned sly. “What else? Once she knows, she’ll come begging me. Then I’ll find a chance to throw her out. Think—will Qian Zhuang want her then?”

“You truly are like me,” he said proudly, sipping tea.

Normally, Yin Qingyue might have slapped him—but now, she felt a strange happiness.

“Chu Jingcheng, if you really marry me, will you regret it?”

He looked at her seriously. “I am determined to marry you.”

She said nothing, only a faint smile tugged at her lips.

Yin Qingyue thought: the Emperor has not opposed it. Soon, the decree should come. Once Yin Ziyu’s matter is resolved, everything will return to peace.

---

The next day, Yin Ziyu learned from a maid that Qian Zhuang was coming to propose.

“What? He’s really coming?” Yin Ziyu was shocked. Her last bit of hope vanished.

The maid lowered her head, too afraid to speak.

In a panic, Yin Ziyu rushed to Yin Qingyue, hoping for some last-minute sympathy. She ran straight into her sister.

Seeing Yin Ziyu arrive, Yin Qingyue knew her plan was progressing perfectly.

“Ziyu, you’re not well. Go rest,” Yin Qingyue said.

But in the next moment, Yin Ziyu knelt, clinging to her legs and crying, “Big sister, I beg you! I know I was wrong. I really don’t want to marry him! I know I did many bad things before, and I’ve gotten my punishment. Please, big sister, I beg you!”

“What happened to you, Ziyu?”

“I took Chengli away. I know I was wrong. I’ve been jealous of you all my life—your beauty, your kindness. Now I truly understand. Xiao Chengli doesn’t love me, and I hurt two children for him. I’ve been punished. Big sister, I beg you—not to make me marry Qian Zhuang.”

Her tear-streaked face showed genuine remorse.

Yin Qingyue bent down, lifting her. “Ziyu, do you truly understand your mistake?”

Yin Ziyu nodded desperately. “Yes, I really do. Big sister, I will never do it again.”

“If you truly understand, then tell me—what about Prince Jing?”

Her gaze dropped. “Big sister, I don’t want to hide it. I actually like Prince Jing. I know I shouldn’t. But I won’t try to take him. I only wish to stay by your side and care for him with you. Even without a title, I just want to stay.”

“Yin Ziyu, you’re thinking too much,” Yin Qingyue said, her eyes darkening.

“Big sister, I know I was wrong before, but I’ve learned. Just this once… I only hope to stay by Prince Jing’s side. Even as a concubine, I don’t mind.”

“Concubine?” Yin Qingyue pushed her away, smiling coldly. “Do you think I’m the same Yin Qingyue as before? Your tricks won’t work on me. I’ve given you chances, yet you still think of stealing Prince Jing. Yin Ziyu, how can I let you stay?”

Yin Ziyu froze. Yin Qingyue’s eyes and tone had changed. The sister who had always cared for her now felt like a different person.

“T-This wasn’t intentional, big sister, I just…”

“You brought this upon yourself. Yin Ziyu, I remember exactly how you treated me. Not a single scene is forgotten.”

“Big sister…”

“Don’t call me that. You’re not worthy.” Yin Qingyue’s gaze was sharp, like a thousand needles piercing Yin Ziyu. “You and Xiao Chengli hurt me, and today I return it to you.”

Yin Ziyu took a step back, eyes wide. “Big sister… what happened? Weren’t you always fond of me?”

At this point, Yin Ziyu still had the audacity to speak like this. Yin Qingyue snorted coldly.

“I give you two options: one, marry Qian Zhuang. Two, leave Prince Jing’s mansion and fend for yourself.”

“I don’t want to! I don’t want to!” Yin Ziyu broke down completely, leaning against the door, stunned at Yin Qingyue.

Yin Qingyue stepped closer, gripping her by the neck. “Listen: anyone who makes a mistake must be punished. The Yin Qingyue of the past is dead. You could steal Xiao Chengli then—I don’t care now. But if you touch Prince Jing, I will kill you.”