MCSCPM -Chapter 15 Smelling You

Chu Jingcheng grabbed her hand. Her pulse was weak, unlike that of a healthy person. It seemed her claim about being unwell was true. Since she wasn’t acting deliberately, he didn’t make things difficult for her.

When he finally saw her face clearly, his sculpted brows furrowed—it was this ugly woman again! Hadn’t she left already? How had she appeared again? Suspicion rose anew.

“My apologies, sir, for any offense. I shall take my leave,” Yin Qingyue said, imitating the delicate, shy demeanor of a woman from ancient times, and turned toward the pharmacy.

She had barely walked a few steps when she was called back. “Wait—I haven’t let you go yet.”

In the distance, Leng Feng smirked, patting Leng Yi on the shoulder proudly. “See that? The prince isn’t interested in pretty girls fluttering around. There are plenty of women in the world—one of them must suit him. I think this woman, though ugly, has some fate with our prince.”

“Stop talking nonsense. Didn’t you just say the prince had a connection with the bold woman?”

“Both of them have a connection. Perhaps the prince came to Xize and decided to bring back two women at once. Look how seriously he sniffed that undergarment—must’ve been fragrant. The bold woman must be a stunning beauty to leave such an impression.”

Leng Yi couldn’t stand it anymore and turned to leave, leaving Leng Feng alone staring ahead. The more he watched, the more amused he became. The ugly woman tried to leave, but the prince held her hand firmly!

Yin Qingyue was at a loss. Earlier, people at the pawnshop called her ugly, and now he wouldn’t let her go.

“Miss, I have an improper request,” Chu Jingcheng said softly, holding her hand tightly to resolve his doubt.

Gradually, a crowd gathered on the street, staring at the pair in confusion. A handsome, tall man taking a liking to an ugly woman and trying to forcibly take her away—should they intervene or not?

“Let them be. If the ugly woman marries such a handsome man, what luck! Let’s just watch it happen,” said an older woman. She had once been a beautiful woman herself, but a fire had scarred her face, leaving her known as an ugly woman for life. She had longed to marry a good-looking man herself—impossible with her appearance. Now, seeing a handsome man holding an ugly woman in the street, she felt a little comforted.

The rest of the crowd murmured amongst themselves, mostly just for entertainment. Chu Jingcheng’s cold gaze swept over them like arrows, making them uneasy. Soon, the crowd dispersed, leaving only Yin Qingyue and Chu Jingcheng on the street.

“Sir, what is it you need? If I can help, I will do my best,” Yin Qingyue said politely.

“You can definitely help,” he replied coldly, a flash of barely visible ferocity in his eyes. As she turned to leave, he smelled a faint trace of a familiar scent again.

Confused, she watched as he approached. Just as he was about to get close, she stepped back.

“Sir, though I am ugly, I understand that men and women should keep their distance.”

A cold light flickered in Chu Jingcheng’s eyes. Rumors said women in Xize were delicate and timid, strictly following chamber etiquette—they were said to be as fragile as water. Yet in the suburbs, he had just been ambushed by a woman. Some women in the capital were just as bold as those from Beihai.

He concluded that the “water-like” women of Xize were limited to royal or high-status families.

“You’ve been staring at me the whole time; I didn’t think you’d be so shy,” he said as he approached. As she turned to walk, he pulled her quickly toward him.

“I just wanted to smell your scent up close,” he said, “because you are suspicious—you appeared twice, and that feminine scent appeared both times, though the second time was less obvious than the first.”

Yin Qingyue realized from his words and expression that he was suspicious of her. Could his nose really be sharper than a dog’s? The perfume powder she had applied shouldn’t have given her away! How could she keep him from approaching?

Before she could react, as he neared her neck, she swiftly raised her hand and struck his fair face.

Slap! His motion stopped instantly. In the distance, Leng Feng’s eyelids twitched—Prince Jing had been slapped! Another “first”: the first time the prince had ever been hit. Incredible—the ugly woman was bold indeed!

Chu Jingcheng’s right hand shot up, firmly grabbing her. His dark eyes were unfathomable, like a calm, endless abyss, radiating icy resolve. After a moment, he said coldly, “Woman, you’ve been to the suburbs of Xize.” Not a question, but a statement.

The pressure of his grip increased. Yin Qingyue lowered her head, thinking carefully. She was weak and lacked strength; she couldn’t confront a powerful person head-on yet.

Moreover, she was the one who had taken the prince’s clothes! Judging by his expression, now that he knew it was her, dismembering her could easily happen. In some ways, the prince’s character resembled hers: ruthless, vindictive, exacting. In modern times, she could be ruthless—but now, she couldn’t. If she didn’t strike first, he would crush her entirely.

“Hm?” Chu Jingcheng uttered softly, drawing closer. As he neared her neck, he noticed her sniffling. His eyes grew colder as he watched her silently.

“I am but a frail woman. If I have offended you, sir, I can only say I’ve never seen a man so handsome. Even an ugly woman may have small thoughts. Sir… can you understand me?” Yin Qingyue’s eyes filled with tears, looking pitiable.

Seeing him remain silent, she continued, feigning great grievance: “I am looked down upon for my ugliness. Others vent their anger on me. Sir, look—my arms are all red.” She rolled up her sleeve, revealing delicate wrists marked with red streaks.

Chu Jingcheng’s expression turned serious as he studied her. After a moment, he relaxed his grip slightly and stepped back.

“I apologize for today’s offenses. I will never look at you again, sir. Please rest assured,” Yin Qingyue said softly, turning to leave. Chu Jingcheng did not follow.

As she walked away, her tears receded, leaving a faint bitter smile on her lips. Her body was still weak, limited in every way. Once her strength returned, she vowed to settle every score with them—one by one.