MCSCPM -Chapter 184 A Certain Woman Mends a Certain Man’s Clothes

The next day, at Prince Jing’s residence:

“Your Highness, breakfast is ready.”

“Leng Feng, bring me one of my robes,” Chu Jingcheng said, a faint, cold smile curling on his lips.

“Your Highness… do you intend to give it to Shangguan Jiaoran?” Leng Feng teased mischievously. He deliberately provoked the prince, recalling how Jiaoran had caused such a scene at the mansion yesterday.

“Just bring the robe. Stop wasting words,” Chu Jingcheng said, displeased.

“Yes, Your Highness,” Leng Feng replied, pouting.

Chu Jingcheng gazed toward the outskirts of the capital. Yesterday, so many women had crowded at the gate—why couldn’t Yin Qingyue act a bit like them?

It had already been a full day since he last saw her, and he could not help feeling a trace of longing.

“Leng Yi, prepare to head to the private residence outside the capital,” Chu Jingcheng said, his eyes glinting.

“Your Highness, aside from clothes, should I bring anything else?”

“No need. Needle and thread will be there.”

“Needle and thread?”

“Just prepare them.”

Soon, Chu Jingcheng and his entourage arrived outside the city’s outskirts.

“The prince’s heart seems completely stolen by Yin Qingyue. He can’t stop thinking about her private residence. One day without seeing her feels like three years!” Leng Feng said helplessly.

Seeing that no one paid attention, he added in complaint, “I think Shangguan Jiaoran would suit the prince—her temperament matches his.”

“The prince has his own plans,” Leng Yi said calmly.

“Miss, Prince Jing is here,” Mei’er said in surprise, looking at Chu Jingcheng. It was still breakfast time—why had the prince come so early?

“If he’s here, he’s here. Should we roll out a grand welcome?” Yin Qingyue sneered. Her words were directed at the prince. He kept her locked outside the capital’s outskirts every day; his visit now felt no different from a prison inspection.

“Miss Yin, are you not welcoming me?” Chu Jingcheng asked coldly, his gaze sharp.

“Yin Qingyue, there’s no need to be like this. Our prince didn’t even eat breakfast before coming here—what more do you want?” Leng Feng said, displeased.

“Did I make him skip breakfast? Did I make him come?” Yin Qingyue shot back, leaving Leng Feng momentarily speechless.

“If Miss Qingyue misspoke, feel free to correct her, but please, attendants, don’t go around spouting harsh words to provoke people,” Chu Jingcheng said calmly.

“You… you ungrateful woman!” Leng Feng clenched his teeth, holding back his anger.

Everything Yin Qingyue ate and wore was thanks to Prince Jing; even her life had been saved by him. Leng Feng couldn’t help but think, what nerve does this woman have to remain so bold here?

“Since I’m here, I don’t mind dining with you all, do I?” Chu Jingcheng’s eyes flashed with a trace of something almost like joy, which Yin Qingyue immediately noticed.

She snorted, “You did this on purpose!”

“Prince Jing, a few dishes are still in the kitchen. They’ll be ready shortly,” Mei’er said nervously. She hadn’t expected the prince to dine with them—it was such a special consideration.

Chu Jingcheng nodded slightly, his gaze never leaving Yin Qingyue. She did not look away; instead, she met his stare directly.

She could not shake the feeling that the man who had come yesterday bore some resemblance to Chu Jingcheng.

“Yin Qingyue, why are you staring at me? Could it be… you want to offer yourself?” Chu Jingcheng’s lips curved with a sly, mischievous smile.

Yin Qingyue snorted, “Prince Jing, when did you become so self-absorbed? Qingyue truly cannot understand!”

“You don’t need to understand,” he said, half-closing his eyes, deep in thought. Yin Qingyue would not stare at him without reason—something was definitely afoot.

“Prince Jing, Miss, the meal is ready,” Mei’er said cheerfully. Usually, it was just her and Miss Qingyue; now, with the prince, it was lively enough.

“Mei’er, sit and eat.”

“Miss… is this proper?” Mei’er asked awkwardly. How could a maid eat with the prince?

“Since my lady said so, go ahead,” Chu Jingcheng said with a cold smile.

“Yes, Your Highness,” Mei’er replied.

At the table, Mei’er did not take any food.

“Mei’er, eat,” Yin Qingyue said, smiling as she served her.

“Miss Yin, do you usually treat Mei’er this way?” Chu Jingcheng felt a pang of jealousy, though he tried not to show it.

“Yes, so what?”

“Prince Jing, don’t misunderstand. Miss usually treats Mei’er as a sister, which is why,” Mei’er whispered nervously, fearing she might upset him.

“What did I say wrong?”

Silence fell over the table like a tomb. After some time, the three finished breakfast.

“If the prince has no further matters, Qingyue will go rest. Farewell,” Yin Qingyue said, her eyes cold. She found the prince’s sudden arrival bewildering—coming all the way here just for breakfast!

“Miss Yin, am I really so unpleasant?” Chu Jingcheng asked with a faint, cold smile.

“Not unpleasant. Qingyue simply has tasks to attend to and cannot accompany you.”

Leng Feng could not hold back: “Yin Qingyue, how can you be so ungrateful? Prince Jing has done so much for you and you show no reaction?”

“When we were in Jiangnan, Qingyue already told you what it means to be grateful. I don’t wish to repeat myself,” Yin Qingyue said coldly.

Before Leng Feng could reply, Chu Jingcheng stood and said, “Leng Feng, bring me my robe.”

Leng Feng returned with a white robe.

Yin Qingyue stiffened, wondering—was the prince using the “clothing incident” to threaten her?

“Surprised to see this robe?” Chu Jingcheng asked coldly.

“No… Qingyue doesn’t understand your meaning,” she said.

“This is merely my usual robe—not that one,” the prince hinted.

He tossed the robe into her hands without another word.

“Prince Jing… what is the meaning of this?”

“This is my robe. Naturally, you will wash it,” Chu Jingcheng said, each word commanding authority.

Yin Qingyue remained silent and took the robe, turning to leave.

“Wait.”

“Can you explain everything at once, Your Highness?” Yin Qingyue said impatiently.

Chu Jingcheng stepped closer.

“Sew the beads on my robe,” he instructed. A single white bead appeared in front of her.

“Anything else, Prince Jing?”

“Tomorrow, I will come again,” he said, each word heavy with authority.

Yin Qingyue snorted coldly: “I shall be ready at any time!” She turned and entered the room. She only wished to rest quietly, but the prince clearly intended to test her patience.

Outside, Chu Jingcheng stared at the signboard—this was merely a private residence, not the prince’s mansion. He merely wanted an excuse to see Yin Qingyue; after all, imperial orders could not be defied.

“Miss, Mei’er will help you sew,” Mei’er said worriedly.

“You go handle the other tasks. This little thing, I can manage,” Yin Qingyue said with a smile. She did not want Mei’er to struggle.

“Prince Jing is clearly doing this on purpose!” Mei’er said in confusion. Normally he cared for Miss Qingyue, so why make her work today?

“Enough, you silly girl. It’s just sewing a robe.”

“But Miss!”

“Go check the kitchen—are the medicines finished?”

“Yes, Miss.”

Yin Qingyue clutched the robe tightly, eyes closed, the image of Chu Jingcheng lingering in her mind. She remembered the fabric and pattern from the robe in the deserted mountain, though this one was different.

How can anyone be so perverse? Besides Chu Jingcheng, I truly cannot think of anyone more twisted, she thought.

A familiar scent drifted into her nose. The white robe, always with Prince Jing, carried a familiar fragrance.

Yin Qingyue rose slowly and looked out the window.

Soon, Mei’er entered:

“Miss, the medicine is ready. Your health is weak—let me handle these delicate tasks.” Mei’er placed down the soup and medicine, worry etched on her face.

“When did my advice ever fail you, Mei’er?” Yin Qingyue said with a cold smile. This girl always cared for her, and just watching her made Yin Qingyue feel tenderly protective.

“Miss, it’s just the two of us here. If Mei’er doesn’t look after you, who else would?” Mei’er said sadly.

Though far from home, and even with Prince Jing’s help, Mei’er understood this could not last forever.

“Mei’er, don’t worry. I will handle things myself,” Yin Qingyue said, eyes flashing. Xize had failed to subdue her, and Beihao would not frighten her either.

“Miss, Mei’er worries about you. Brother Leng Feng wasn’t entirely wrong—Prince Jing is so good to us. Doing something for him is only proper.”

“Then let me do it myself,” Yin Qingyue said, smiling. If repaying the prince meant just sewing his robe, she was willing—but future challenges would likely not stop there.

“Miss, drink the medicine first,” Mei’er smiled.

On the way back to Prince Jing’s residence, Leng Feng sighed: “Your Highness, Yin Qingyue is so ungrateful. Why do you insist on this?”

As a bystander, he could no longer tolerate it. Yin Qingyue was just a woman—what merit or virtue allowed her to earn the prince’s favor?

“Leng Feng, you’re the one thinking of women, yet speak of the prince?” Leng Yi said slyly.

“What’s with everyone today? Have they all gone mad?”

“I will come again tomorrow!” Chu Jingcheng declared.

“What? Did I hear correctly?” Leng Feng was shocked.

He was obsessed with Yin Qingyue, but not to this degree. Had the prince not glanced at a single one of the women yesterday?

“I said what I needed to say—I don’t wish to repeat it,” Chu Jingcheng said with a faint smile, the image of that little woman flashing in his mind again.

Immediately, the carriage fell into complete silence. Leng Feng gazed helplessly outside, wondering when the prince would ever marry.