MCSCPM -Chapter 177 A Certain Man Appears Just in Time

Inside the brothel:

“I don’t have time to waste here with you. Get Miss Qingqing out for me, now!” the burly man snapped.

Suddenly, a large handful of shiny silver notes flew into the air.

“Wow, money!”

“It’s mine!”

“Mine!”

The women around him jumped up, waving their hands wildly, scrambling for the bills.

“Sir, don’t throw the money yet! Didn’t you just say you were here to see Miss Qingqing? She’s still getting ready. You know she rarely appears in front of strangers. It’s natural for her to be shy!” the madam hurriedly explained, gesturing toward the people inside.

“Fine, let Miss Qingqing prepare properly. At most, half an hour!” the burly man said with a grin.

But before he could finish, several attendants carrying sticks lifted him up.

“Are you looking for death?”

“You think Miss Qingqing can be seen just because you have a few coins? Countless people have knelt, calling out to me for her, and I never let them see her! Who do you think you are?” the madam snapped, her tone dripping with scorn.

Miss Qingqing was the brothel’s main attraction; letting anyone see her would reduce its business.

“I’m telling you! Take your money and leave now!” she said, every word full of authority. Anyone who delayed her profit had a bad end waiting.

“Do you even know who I am? Let me go now, and I’ll spare your lives!” the man spat.

“What immortal nonsense is blowing over here? I’ve seen all the nobles in this capital!” the madam retorted smugly. Over the years, she had seen countless wealthy men trying to meet Miss Qingqing. Even ministers, offering piles of money, were nothing new.

“Listen carefully! I am the nephew of the current imperial concubine. You dare not offend me! Bring out Miss Qingqing now!” the burly man growled, his jowls trembling.

“With your cowardly look? You claim to be a royal prince? Don’t make me laugh. Pretending to be the concubine’s nephew? You’re asking to die! Call the authorities!”

“Bring him out!” the madam ordered.

“Yes.”

“I’ve met countless people, but never a concubine’s nephew who looks like you!” the madam laughed. She had been in this brothel for years and seen all kinds of men. Many men, thinking a few coins could get a glimpse of Miss Qingqing, had tried—and failed.

“You old hag, wait! When I go to the authorities, you’ll regret this!” the man threatened.

Outside, the crowd grew. Not just for the commotion, but because of Miss Qingqing.

In the past, many had come to the brothel demanding to see her. But the burly man was the first to claim he was a concubine’s nephew.

“Look at him! Claims to be the concubine’s nephew—what a shameless guy,” one man laughed.

“Ah, we still won’t see Miss Qingqing today. What a shame!”

“Seen it all before. Years of this. Every time someone makes a scene, does anyone actually see her?”

“If only I could see her face, my life would be complete!” Several men chattered excitedly.

“That madam is fierce! I wonder how Miss Qingqing deals with her,” one man said tenderly, revealing his admiration.

“Miss, let’s go. These people are disgusting, Mei’er’s getting goosebumps,” Mei’er muttered.

“Build your resilience. Later, you’ll encounter plenty like them,” Yin Qingyue said seriously. Mei’er relying too much on her wasn’t good.

“Miss, if we wait one more hour, can we leave?” Mei’er pleaded.

“Alright,” Yin Qingyue smiled, but her eyes never left the second-floor window. She sensed someone standing there, their gaze sharp and intense—as if shooting through the window.

Yin Qingyue knew this look. Only Chu Jingcheng or Nangong Xiao had ever looked at her that way.

“Could it be…?” she murmured, her eyes fixed on the window, imagining Miss Qingqing’s face.

A single face could attract countless people—but Miss Qingqing’s popularity wasn’t only because of her beauty. Rumor had it her mother was from Xize and her father from Beihao. Xize women were known for their gentle charm, which Miss Qingqing had inherited.

By contrast, Beihao women were often wilder and independent. Men, used to patriarchal dominance, were less attracted to them. Thus, Miss Qingqing, gentle and enchanting, was highly sought after in the capital.

“Miss, do you think Miss Qingqing likes Prince Jing?” Mei’er asked innocently.

“Mei’er, when did you start thinking like that?”

“Miss, I think Prince Jing isn’t the type to be with a brothel woman. It must be that Miss Qingqing likes him and spread rumors to get his attention. Miss, am I right?” Mei’er said, eyes sparkling with pride.

“That makes sense, but I think it’s more complicated than that,” Yin Qingyue replied. Chu Jingcheng’s personality was not one to casually flirt with a brothel girl; there was likely another reason, or perhaps, as Mei’er suggested, it was a rumor.

Inside the brothel:

“Today, you’ve made me very angry! Don’t think I won’t act if you don’t cooperate!” the burly man shouted.

“You don’t listen? Today I’ll show you what real power is!” the madam said, eyes flashing with anger.

Suddenly, cheers erupted outside.

“Look, Miss Qingqing is coming out!”

“Miss Qingqing!”

“Miss Qingqing is here!”

A woman in white appeared at the second-floor window, like a celestial being, quietly observing everything below.

“Wow! I finally see Miss Qingqing! I’m so happy!” one man swooned and fainted.

“I hope she removes her veil!” people whispered.

Even with the veil, Miss Qingqing was captivating. Her big, sparkling eyes exuded a subtle charm, almost enchanting the crowd.

“So beautiful!” murmurs rose from the crowd.

“Eyes? Who knows if they’re pretty? Maybe there’s a scary face under them!” Mei’er muttered.

“Old hag, let him out! I want to see her!” the burly man shouted.

“Let him go,” the madam said helplessly. Miss Qingqing rarely showed herself—what strange event had caused this?

Suddenly, Miss Qingqing smiled, her eyes lively and dancing.

“See? She smiled at me! She must like me!”

“No way! She’s smiling at me!”

“It’s me!”

In an instant, several men began fighting.

Unbeknownst to them, Miss Qingqing’s smile wasn’t for any of them—it was for a familiar figure quickly approaching.

It was none other than Prince Jing.

“Yin Qingyue, what are you doing here?” a sharp, cold voice said from behind.

“Watching Miss Qingqing! Could it be that Prince Jing came to see her too?” Yin Qingyue’s eyes narrowed.

“Stop fooling around! Go back!” Chu Jingcheng said softly. He didn’t want to draw attention to her, as revealing his identity would cause a stir. Few in the capital knew the prince’s true face, and Miss Qingqing was one of them.

At the prince’s appearance, her world lit up. Their secret remained between them.

“Prince Jing! Why are you here?” Mei’er asked in surprise.

“Take the herbs back. I have business to discuss with your mistress,” he said, grabbing Yin Qingyue’s hand and pulling her toward the alley.

“What is Prince Jing avoiding?” Yin Qingyue teased, almost being dragged along.

No one noticed his every move; the crowd’s attention remained fixed on Miss Qingqing.

At the moment Chu Jingcheng held Yin Qingyue’s hand, Miss Qingqing’s heart felt as if bleeding.

“Brother Jing, why are you holding that woman’s hand?”

“Who is that woman?”

She watched, stunned, her smile gone, refusing to believe it.

“Look, what’s wrong with Miss Qingqing?”

Her gaze darted nervously, panic in her eyes.

“Surely you scared her!”

Instantly, the crowd outside went silent, careful not to frighten her further.

Then, slowly, Miss Qingqing turned away, silent.

With a swoosh, the window was closed.

“Miss Qingqing, don’t go!” the crowd called.

“Everyone’s seen Miss Qingqing today. She’s standing by the window, probably tired—she needs rest, right?” the madam said with a smile.

“Nothing! Didn’t even see her face!”

“Now you know Miss Qingqing’s rules—she doesn’t see outsiders!”

“What rules! She came out!”

“Enough! Everyone go home. I’m closing the brothel today,” the madam said helplessly.

“No show for us, let’s go!”

After sighing, the crowd quietly dispersed.