MCSCPM -Chapter 157 The Woman Who Stripped Clothes

Inside the room.

Yin Qingyue carried her clothes and went behind the screen, preparing to bathe.

She slowly removed her garments, revealing fair, smooth skin.

A comfortable bath to wash away her fatigue didn’t sound so bad.

Unbeknownst to her, Chu Jingcheng had already slipped quietly into her room.

He of course knew she was bathing. Behind the screen, wisps of steam rose, partially obscuring her figure.

Chu Jingcheng squinted slightly. He didn’t approach the screen, but instead walked toward the bed.

On the bed lay a bundle—something she had brought even while fleeing Luochen Courtyard. It was clearly special. He wasn’t usually one to rummage through others’ belongings, but for her, he made an exception.

He walked over slowly and opened the bundle. Upon seeing familiar items, his pupils constricted sharply, and his brows furrowed.

He had found his lost clothes in her room! The woman who stripped his clothes was now unmistakably revealed!

He had suspected Yin Qingyue before, but without evidence, he would never make baseless judgments.

Now, with his clothes right there in her room, it was obvious—who else could have stripped him but her?

“Yin Qingyue, you woman…” Chu Jingcheng murmured, a trace of a strange smile tugging at his lips despite his furrowed brows.

At that moment, Yin Qingyue emerged, dressed in red.

Seeing Chu Jingcheng, her entire body stiffened.

He… how is he here?!

Her fair skin was faintly visible through the robe, and the ugly makeup she had worn earlier was long gone.

Beside the bed stood Chu Jingcheng.

“Surprised? Shocked? Afraid?” Chu Jingcheng slowly walked toward her, lifting a strand of hair from her face. “Are you wondering why I’m here?”

Yin Qingyue remained calm and unafraid. She held her breath and met his gaze. The moment had come. She could read his mind: not long ago, he had… wanted her. Now that he realized she was the one who stripped his clothes, he even wanted to kill her!

“At this point, what is there left for you to deny?” Chu Jingcheng whispered, his right hand slowly tracing down her cheek.

Her skin felt exquisite. Her bright eyes shone with captivating light. She was beautiful indeed.

Thinking of what she had done to him before, he couldn’t help but laugh inwardly. Seeing her like this, he really wanted to carry her to the bed and…

But if he knew that Yin Qingyue had misread his true thoughts, what would he think?

“It’s true. I stripped your clothes, stole your silver. What will Prince Jing do with me?” Yin Qingyue said, smiling, moving his wandering hand away while adjusting her robe and walking forward.

“Oh, right. There’s no time to punish me now. I’m about to be sacrificed, and Prince Jing won’t get the chance,” she added with a smile, radiant enough to outshine the sun and moon.

For a moment, Chu Jingcheng was stunned, but then returned to his usual composure. He had seen many beauties, but Yin Qingyue’s beauty was different—lively, pure, yet with a subtle allure.

“Yin Qingyue, come here,” Chu Jingcheng squinted. Seeing her walk ahead and increase the distance, he was displeased.

She had provoked him; there was no reason to run now. If she hadn’t stripped his clothes before, none of this would have happened!

“I must calm my heart. After fasting and bathing, I must not be angry. Otherwise, angering Heaven will bring disaster to Xize,” she said deliberately, keeping her distance.

He wanted to kill her, yet commanded her to approach. Only a fool would comply!

But before she could finish, Chu Jingcheng moved in a flash. Strong hands swiftly pulled her onto the bed.

The next moment, before she could react, warm lips pressed against hers.

Her eyes widened. What was happening? Chu Jingcheng had wanted to kill her—so why this kiss? Her kiss was abruptly stolen!

Yin Qingyue pushed him hard, but her weakened body and drained energy from mind-reading left her at a disadvantage.

She was just a woman; how could she match Chu Jingcheng?

A war king, who had slain countless enemies on the battlefield, now faced her, and she could only be pinned.

Yet even so, she refused to submit.

She opened her mouth slightly, and when his tongue entered, she bit down on his lips.

A metallic tang of blood filled the air.

“You woman!” Chu Jingcheng’s lips bore traces of blood, his smile wicked and enthralling.

Many women had tried to approach him, but today, Yin Qingyue dared to bite him—so audacious!

“I bit you, shameless one!” she said, then bent her knees to strike him.

Chu Jingcheng tore her robe open. Her fair skin was revealed before him.

“What exactly are you doing?” Yin Qingyue clutched her clothing. She was still a virgin and didn’t want to lose her honor here.

Chu Jingcheng ignored her protests, biting her shoulder—leaving a clear mark.

“An eye for an eye,” he said.

What logic is that? She had stripped him and bitten him; now she had to endure the consequences.

Her clothes were now almost gone, exposing her entirely to Prince Jing. He had meant to kill her, yet now this.

Had her mind-reading gone wrong?

The thought flashed, but she immediately dismissed it—impossible. She had never erred.

“Now, I’ve paid you back. Neither of us owes the other!”

Chu Jingcheng smiled, leaning close, his breath warm on her face. “Really, we owe each other nothing?”

She had provoked him—escaping wasn’t so easy.

He rose, letting her adjust her robe. Getting her was only a matter of time; no need to rush.

He glanced at his clothes. “One bead is missing.”

Yin Qingyue’s heart skipped. She had indeed planned to sell it, but later placed it in her pouch. Luckily, he hadn’t checked.

“You took the few coins I had along with my clothes. There must be a shortage. Did you sell the bead?” he asked casually.

At that moment, a maid’s voice came.

“Miss Yin, have you finished bathing? Please prepare to go to the sacrificial altar.”

“Wait, I’ll be there soon!” Yin Qingyue composed herself, turning to him. “You shouldn’t be here now.”

“Miss Yin, are you ready?” the maid outside sounded impatient.

“Prince Jing, take your clothes. As for the bead… sorry, I had tight funds at the time and sold it,” she said with a grin, deliberately.

She then went to the mirror and quickly applied powder.

In seconds, she transformed into an ugly woman. Chu Jingcheng’s heart stirred—she was so good at disguise.

Once finished, she walked quickly toward the door, not glancing at him once.

Because of her quick movements, the maid outside didn’t notice a man inside the room.

Chu Jingcheng was extremely frustrated—never had a woman treated him this way!

Yin Qingyue emerged in red. Her figure drew the admiration of the maids, though her face was now unattractive.

“One more hour, Miss Yin, before you leave here. Nanny Zhao says you must eat a meal of fasting food before leaving, as a mark of respect to Heaven,” a maid instructed.

“Mm,” Yin Qingyue replied calmly.

“Miss Yin, this way.”

After everyone left, the door opened again. Leng Feng saw Prince Jing step out.

Seeing the garment in Prince Jing’s hand, Leng Feng froze.

“Your Highness… the clothes in your hand…” Leng Feng stammered.

This was from Yin Qingyue’s room. Prince Jing had found his clothes there!

It meant… Yin Qingyue was the woman who stripped Prince Jing’s clothes—the woman he had longed for!

Heaven! Could anything be more explosive?

“To the sacrificial altar,” Chu Jingcheng said slowly, handing the clothes to Leng Yi, who had arrived.

Watching Prince Jing walk ahead, Leng Feng smirked. “Leng Yi, big news! These clothes!”

“Quiet!” Leng Yi said expressionlessly.

Meanwhile, in the Imperial Study, Nangong Lin sat on the dragon throne, looking content.

“Your Majesty, Yin Qingyue has been captured. Once midnight arrives, the Heaven Sacrifice can begin,” the lead guard said with a smile.

“Good. Generous rewards for everyone!” Nangong Lin said with eyes curved in delight.

Once the sacrifice was completed, floods and plagues in Jiangnan would be resolved. Xize would prosper.

“Thank you for your reward, Your Majesty.”

“Now, notify the officials. All sacrificial women are present. Tonight, the ceremony must proceed. I will personally oversee the ritual.” Nangong Lin’s joy was evident.

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

“Wait. Issue my edict—release Consort De. I want her to go with the sacrificial ceremony.”

The lead guard, though confused, dared not question palace orders. He bowed, “As you command, Your Majesty.”

After the guard left, Nangong Lin walked to the window, smiling.

“Your Majesty, the moon is so bright tonight, the Heaven Sacrifice is certain to succeed,” said Eunuch Li.

“Of course. Once the sacrifice is completed, all my worries will vanish,” the Emperor replied.

“Indeed, Your Majesty. Last night, news came from the Empress—she has awakened. This is all thanks to the officials. Were it not for the Heaven Sacrifice, the Empress would still be unconscious.”

Eunuch Li’s words made Nangong Lin frown.

The Heaven Sacrifice also meant losing the Divine Physician.

“Your Majesty, the Divine Physician is from Luochen Courtyard. Tonight, she will be sacrificed.”

Nangong Lin nodded. “For Xize, she should feel honored. She comes from a prestigious merchant family, the Yin family. I will not wrong them.”

“Your Majesty, your benevolence will surely be remembered by the Divine Physician,” Eunuch Li flattered.

“Arrange everything. I will go to the sacrificial altar immediately,” Nangong Lin said, his mind at ease. Once the sacrifice was done, the floods could turn.

“Yes, Your Majesty.” Eunuch Li bowed, then left to have the imperial sedan chair prepared.