MCSCPM -Chapter 186 Publicly Rejected

Inside the imperial palace:

“Your Majesty, Prince Jing is about to arrive!” whispered Eunuch Sun nearby.

“Hm,” Chu Haolian said, eyes half-closed, deep in thought.

This palace banquet was originally intended to find suitable women for Prince Jing. Ever since Chu Haolian had met Yin Qingyue, he knew she was no ordinary woman. The only way to ensure her safety was to divert Prince Jing’s attention elsewhere. But how many women could really capture the prince’s interest?

“Prince Jing has arrived!”

In the distance, a white figure flickered.

“I, your son, pay respects to Father Emperor,” Chu Jingcheng said calmly, casually glancing around. Nearly all the ministers were accompanied by their daughters—each a beauty in her own right.

“Rise and sit beside me,” Chu Haolian said, pointing to the left.

“Thank you, Father Emperor,” Chu Jingcheng replied, slowly sitting down. Scenes like this were all too familiar. Back in Xize, Empress He Minmin had staged similar dinners, which had been far less interesting.

“The banquet hasn’t begun yet. Why not liven things up with a performance?” Chu Haolian smiled.

“Your Majesty, may I demonstrate my dance?” Shangguan Jiaoran stepped forward gracefully, composed and elegant.

“The general’s daughter shows such courage! Excellent! Display your performance for me and the esteemed ministers!”

“Thank you, Your Majesty!”

Shangguan Jiaoran wore a red dress, lips slightly pursed, hair flowing, ribbons draping over her shoulders, descending gracefully from midair.

“I humbly offer my performance!”

To the rhythm of the music, Jiaoran advanced step by step toward Chu Jingcheng, her burning gaze fixed on him.

Ribbons fluttered in the air. Red petals scattered like falling rain, ribbons twisting like swords, her movements fluid yet precise, her body swaying with hypnotic grace.

Even Leng Feng found himself mesmerized.

On the surface, she danced with ribbons, but her movements resembled swordplay—soft yet strong, irresistibly captivating. Her body’s motion brought out the seductive charm of red to perfection.

“Excellent!” Chu Haolian exclaimed loudly.

“Watch carefully, Your Majesty!” Jiaoran smirked. This was only the beginning; the best was yet to come.

The red ribbons fell, streaming through the air, powerful currents swirling around her. Ribbons were tossed far and tied tightly to pillars. She flipped gracefully and landed softly.

“Wonderful!”

“Marvelous!”

The ministers applauded in unison.

Indeed, her debut stole all attention.

“Soft yet strong, combining swordplay and dance—truly clever!”

“Your Majesty flatters me! All thanks to Father’s guidance!” Jiaoran said modestly, giving her father ample face.

“Indeed, the general’s daughter!” Chu Haolian nodded approvingly. If this girl were to marry Prince Jing, it would be a good match.

“The general’s daughter is excellent! Well taught!” a minister praised.

“Haha, flattery! Thank you!” Shangguan Qingyun laughed, proud that his daughter had brought him honor.

“Father, see? Your daughter hasn’t let you down!” Jiaoran’s eyes shone with pride.

“Jing’er, now that your elder brother is married, it’s time for you, as the second son, to consider taking a consort,” Chu Haolian said, hinting at the necessity of acting quickly to prevent future troubles.

Before Prince Jing could respond, the emperor continued: “I think the general’s daughter is quite suitable. What do you think, Jing’er?”

Jiaoran’s heart leapt with joy. She had to seize this opportunity. She stepped forward immediately.

“Your Majesty, I have admired Prince Jing for many years. If what you say is true, I would be willing to marry him.”

The moment her words left her mouth, the atmosphere froze. Even Leng Feng, usually quick to comment, fell silent.

“Ha!” Chu Haolian laughed heartily.

Although the ministers said nothing, their minds were buzzing. Many had coveted Prince Jing’s marriage for a long time. The emperor’s intent was clear: choose a suitable bride for the prince from among the ministers’ daughters. In Beihao, people were more liberal, and a general’s daughter was a prime candidate.

Yet, despite her outstanding performance, the ministers knew the path to the prince would be difficult if not impossible. Jiaoran’s brilliance made them envious.

“I have no intention of taking a consort, Lady Shangguan. Thank you for your kind offer,” Chu Jingcheng said coldly, bluntly rejecting her.

The declaration shocked everyone present.

“I can wait until the day Prince Jing wishes to marry,” Jiaoran said firmly. He was the only one for her.

“And if I don’t like you?”

“I will make you like me!” she replied confidently.

“Enough joking, ministers. Enjoy the banquet!” Chu Haolian said with a laugh.

“Thank you, Your Majesty.”

Jiaoran stared daggers at Chu Jingcheng. To be rejected so publicly, in front of the emperor and the ministers, was humiliating. If the emperor hadn’t changed the subject, she would have wanted to vanish into the ground.

“Chu Jingcheng, just wait. I refuse to believe you’ll never marry. Your queen will be me!” she whispered under her breath.

“Your Highness, rejecting her in front of everyone… isn’t that excessive?” Leng Feng whispered. Many ministers were present, and today, Jiaoran had lost face completely.

“This is a trivial matter,” Chu Jingcheng said with a cold smirk.

Previously, Jiaoran had trespassed into his mansion; this was a small punishment to temper her arrogance.

“After all, she is the general’s daughter. Some leniency is inevitable,” Leng Feng said helplessly.

“What I decide, I will not regret,” Chu Jingcheng said.

“Understood, Your Highness,” Leng Feng replied.

A red figure moved slowly toward the prince.

“Prince Jing’s rejection earlier was so blunt!” Jiaoran mocked.

“Miss Shangguan’s dance was admirable. I respect it,” Chu Jingcheng replied.

Jiaoran scoffed: “Prince Jing, why so heartless? You reject me in public yet praise me now. Jiaoran is not used to this.”

“I am always like this,” Chu Jingcheng said coldly.

He recalled his first days in Xize, expecting the women there to be soft and gentle, unlike Yin Qingyue, who was not. But Shangguan Jiaoran, despite her beauty and skill, did not interest him.

“Does the prince treat other women the same way?” Jiaoran sneered. She never lagged behind others in getting what she wanted. With her looks and talent, few in the capital could compare.

“My personal matters, Lady Shangguan, are none of your concern,” Chu Jingcheng said coldly, then disappeared.

“You—”

“Father, look at Prince Jing!”

“Jiaoran, he’s right in front of you. Learn to fight for what you want. I believe in you!” Shangguan Qingyun said, confident in his daughter’s abilities.

“Isn’t that Miss Shangguan?” Leng Feng smirked.

“Where is your prince? In the blink of an eye, he’s gone.”

“He has his own matters to attend to. We subordinates cannot follow. Do you want to go too?”

“Move aside! I haven’t settled the last score with you yet, don’t block my way.”

“Then I must thank you for your great kindness?”

“If you tell me where your prince is, I will forgive you. Anyway, I will be part of the Jingcheng household in the future!” Jiaoran said proudly.

Leng Feng snorted. Even the princesses of Xize would be obsessed with Prince Jing, yet this girl exuded unmatched confidence.

“I really don’t know where the prince went.”

“Never mind, I’ll find him myself.”

A red figure weaved through the crowd.

Many ministers and nobles at the banquet watched her every move.

“The general’s outstanding daughter, and Prince Jing still rejected her. What a pity!”

“Indeed, many women in Beihao have admired the prince for years. With him unmarried, envy runs high.”

“Not long ago, women blocked the entrance to Prince Jing’s mansion.”

The ministers whispered among themselves, each with hidden intentions. Everyone wanted their daughters married to the prince, fully aware that he was a man of great talent, destined for leadership, and associating with him meant endless wealth and honor.

“Ministers, are you certain Prince Jing will never marry?” Jiaoran asked with a cold smile.

“Of course. Tonight’s banquet is for Prince Jing. As you see, he rejected her resolutely. Can it really work?”

“I didn’t expect the ministers to be so concerned. If only they applied this diligence to governance…” she thought, smirking.

“Ministers, what are you discussing here?” Chu Haolian asked with a smile.

“Your Majesty, naturally, we worry about Prince Jing’s marriage,” Minister Li replied.

“Haha, Jing’er can decide for himself. I’m old now; it’s not my place to interfere,” Chu Haolian said.

The emperor was giving Jiaoran a graceful way out. Chu Jingcheng had publicly rejected her, yet she remained confident—a woman truly remarkable.

“Your Majesty is right. I have admired Prince Jing for years and will not give up on the one I desire,” Jiaoran said confidently, each word deliberate.

“Good! Truly a refusal that does not yield!” Chu Haolian laughed heartily.

Suddenly, he thought of his son’s secret—Yin Qingyue, the “divine doctor,” who was no ordinary woman, despite imperfect lineage.

“Your Majesty flatters me!”

“The general’s daughter is indeed outstanding. How could that be flattery?” Chu Haolian said, eyes half-closed, thoughtful.

Prince Jing’s marriage needed attention. A union with the general’s daughter would be beneficial.

“Lady Shangguan has shown great magnanimity in not taking offense tonight.”

“Yes,” the ministers echoed.