MCSCPM -Chapter 175 A Beauty Brings Disaster

Outside Prince Jing’s Mansion:

“Leng Feng, take Miss Yin and Mei’er to the outskirts of the capital. They will stay temporarily at my private residence,” Chu Jingcheng said, his expression serious.

“Yes, Your Highness.” Leng Feng did not ask further. From the moment Eunuch Sun appeared, he knew this matter was far from simple.

“This must not be revealed to anyone. Ensure Yin Qingyue’s safety.” Even back in Beihao, Chu Jingcheng worried someone might suddenly try to kidnap her.

At this moment, Yin Qingyue remained silent in the carriage.

“He must have run into some trouble, or else she wouldn’t be placed outside the city,” Yin Qingyue thought to herself. She hadn’t expected that, arriving in Beihao, problems would follow immediately.

But perhaps it was for the best—keeping her distance from Chu Jingcheng would lessen his burden and her own worries.

“Miss, the two of us are staying in the suburbs… will it be safe?” Mei’er asked, worry etched on her face.

“Don’t worry, Mei’er. Nothing will happen,” Yin Qingyue said with a reassuring smile.

“Miss, I trust you,” Mei’er said, eyes shining.

“Move!” Leng Feng barked sharply.

As the carriage moved on, Chu Jingcheng lingered at the mansion gate. Only when the carriage faded from view did he slowly leave.

“Yin Qingyue, rest assured—while you are with me, nothing will happen.”

“Leng Yi, prepare to enter the palace!” Chu Jingcheng said coldly.

“Yes, Your Highness.”

The moment he stepped into the palace, Chu Jingcheng realized trouble awaited him.

“Your Highness!” The palace guards respectfully greeted him. As a war prince, all feared and revered him.

Chu Jingcheng waved slightly, signaling them to stand down.

Soon, he and Leng Feng arrived outside the Imperial Study.

“Wait here,” Chu Jingcheng said calmly. He did not want anyone else involved in his conversation with his father.

“Prince Jing requests an audience!” Eunuch Sun’s sharp voice echoed through the study.

“Announce him,” Chu Haolian replied.

“Stand guard outside. No one may disturb the conversation between me and my father,” Chu Jingcheng said, each word commanding authority. Anyone trying to take advantage of him was out of the question.

“Yes, Your Highness!” Leng Feng responded solemnly.

Inside the Imperial Study:

“Your son pays respects to the Emperor!”

“Jing’er, come over and look at this,” Chu Haolian said with a smile.

On the desk lay an already opened letter.

“A letter from Xize. Father shows me this—what does it mean? Is it to punish me?” Chu Jingcheng sneered. It was just Xize’s war declaration, an attempt to test his limits—an insult if they underestimated him.

“I didn’t say a word, Jing’er. Are you too eager?” Chu Haolian said, eyes half-closed, thoughtful. Even past fifty, the years had left deep marks, but also a profound depth of mind.

“Could it be that Father means something else?”

“Xize has issued a war declaration. Will you respond?”

“Xize’s military is weak; they will fail without attack. This is trivial and doesn’t require my personal attention,” Chu Jingcheng said with a cold smile. He had already understood the situation: when the Jiangnan floods and plague were unresolved, Yin Qingyue had escaped, and the letter was unjust. Now, with everything settled, Xize would be clearly in the wrong.

“Hehe, I was merely joking with you.”

“You’ve been in Xize for six months. Is there a woman you fancy?” Chu Haolian asked, knowing his son well. Yet he didn’t know everything Chu Jingcheng had experienced in Xize.

“Father, why am I half an hour late entering the palace today?”

“Your Majesty, I was arranging the divine physician’s residence,” Chu Jingcheng said calmly, unfazed.

The Emperor, suspicious by nature, had only grown more so over the years.

“Father, if there’s nothing else, I shall take my leave.”

“Six months apart, and you won’t talk with your father?” Chu Haolian said, a hint of suspicion about Yin Qingyue in his mind.

“Of course not,” Chu Jingcheng remained composed. Though he could never match his father in cunning, he had the advantage of experience and confidence.

“Regarding Xize, I see no need to discuss further. The divine physician has successfully saved the people of Jiangnan, and Beihao is at peace,” Chu Jingcheng said simply.

Chu Haolian had only wanted to see if his son would reveal Yin Qingyue’s background.

“Very well.”

Silence fell. Chu Haolian slowly rose and spread the memorial documents on the desk before his son.

“I am old and can’t manage everything. In the future, I will need your help, Jing’er.”

“I am willing to serve Beihao on the battlefield,” Chu Jingcheng replied without hesitation. Any sign of doubt could invite suspicion.

“Well done. Just as I hoped—your ambition mirrors my own when I was young,” Chu Haolian said, satisfied.

“Father teaches well; all is thanks to you.”

“Before acting, consider the consequences. What you insist may not always be right,” Chu Haolian advised.

Although Yin Qingyue’s deeds were widely known, in his eyes, they did not erase Chu Jingcheng’s past mistakes in Xize.

“Father’s guidance, I shall remember always,” Chu Jingcheng said, flawless in delivery.

The more precise his words, the more Chu Haolian’s suspicion deepened.

“Jing’er, I am tired. Rest well now that you’ve returned.”

“Yes, Father.”

Chu Haolian watched his son’s figure fade, thoughtful. He did not believe in mystical notions like Nangong Lin—yet even calling Yin Qingyue a “beauty that brings disaster” reflected his view.

Outside the Imperial Study:

“Your humble servant greets the Noble Consort!” Eunuch Sun said, obsequiously.

Among the harem, Consort Lan Rao held the most power. Though the Empress was dead, one consort controlled the palace—a rare feat. This was partly due to Lan Rao herself.

Dressed in a light purple gown, Lan Rao looked elegant and alluring, her figure outlined subtly. Her small face had delicate features, cheeks slightly flushed, lips pursed.

“Where is the Emperor?” Lan Rao asked coquettishly, her voice soft and enticing.

“He is currently speaking with Prince Jing,” Sun replied.

“Prince Jing is back?” Lan Rao feigned surprise, though she had long known. She lingered outside the study to see him, hoping to win his favor.

Though she was first among the four consorts, time and beauty were fleeting. Aligning with Chu Jingcheng could secure her position.

Chu Jingcheng was unparalleled among the Emperor’s sons—brave in battle, famed, composed. Even Lan Rao could not resist taking notice.

Most importantly, she had no child. Aging, without Chu Jingcheng’s support, her influence could wane. Chu Jingcheng might become the future ruler; gaining his favor could secure her as Empress Dowager.

“He’s back today.”

Before Eunuch Sun finished speaking, Chu Jingcheng emerged from the study.

“Prince Jing, you’re back!” Lan Rao exclaimed, though the wrinkles around her eyes betrayed her age. No amount of makeup could hide the passage of time.

“Your son pays respects to Mother Consort,” Chu Jingcheng said calmly. All encounters seemed deliberate, and Lan Rao was just another obstacle.

“Rise. After six months, Jing’er seems thinner,” Lan Rao said, feigning concern, eyes glimmering with tears.

“Thank you for your concern,” Chu Jingcheng smiled lightly, unwilling to respond further.

“Come with me to fetch some medicine to replenish your strength,” Lan Rao said, extending her hand to grasp his.

“I will send someone to the Imperial Pharmacy later. There’s no need to trouble yourself,” Chu Jingcheng said coldly. Women in the harem climbed for power, unaware that the higher they rose, the harder the fall.

He subtly withdrew his hand. Any further contact would disgust him.

“What nonsense! Does having the divine physician mean I no longer need Mother Consort’s medicine?”

Lan Rao looked around but did not see any woman present.

“The divine physician—is she not with you?”

“I have matters to attend to, and will take my leave!” Chu Jingcheng refused to respond further. His position was built by his own hands on the battlefield; he would not tolerate anyone seeking favors from him.

“Jing’er,” Lan Rao called softly, but could only watch him walk away, fading from sight.

“One day, I will make you mine!” she thought confidently. She believed men were easily swayed by power and beauty—Chu Jingcheng was no exception.

If the divine physician were not capable, he would never have brought her back. As a woman, Lan Rao understood that. To restrain Yin Qingyue, she would need to try to win over Chu Jingcheng.

“Noble Consort, Prince Jing is always like this. There’s no need to be angry,” Eunuch Sun said with a smile. He had learned the Prince’s temperament well.

“How could I be angry? He’s just a child, throwing a tantrum,” Lan Rao quickly changed her expression, smiling. Everything was only a matter of time—she had patience and would wait it out.