MCSCPM -Chapter 193 A Moment of Impulse

“I didn’t tell you to repay me, and yet you’re in such a hurry?” Chu Jingcheng said with a smile.

“It’s not that,” Yin Qingyue replied, sneering. “If Prince Jing brings me out into the streets, all of Beihao—not just the capital—will come knocking and causing trouble. Who knows how many?” She wasn’t afraid of trouble herself, but Mei’er was with her, and she didn’t want anyone to harm her.

“Miss Yin, you live outside the capital every day. What trouble could possibly reach you?” Chu Jingcheng said with a mocking smile.

He had already stationed guards around the suburban residence. How could anyone dare cause trouble?

“If Prince Jing is so confident, then let me tell you who it was.”

Chu Jingcheng nodded, indicating that she should continue.

“Not long ago, late at night, a man came to the side residence. He didn’t introduce himself, acted strangely, spoke a few words, and left. I didn’t know exactly what he was doing, but his every word and action was very similar to yours.”

Could it be the emperor? Chu Jingcheng thought.

Although he hadn’t mentioned Yin Qingyue being placed in the side residence to his father, if the emperor had investigated personally, he would have had no way of knowing otherwise.

“Tell me more about this man,” he said.

“He should be middle-aged, but physically strong,” Yin Qingyue said.

Before she could continue, Chu Jingcheng interrupted: “That’s trouble? He didn’t do anything to you.”

“Of course he didn’t. Even now, simply living in a suburban house brings trouble. If today passes and Prince Jing takes me into the streets, I wonder how many women will hate me!” Yin Qingyue said, sneering.

In the Western Ze palace, she had seen princesses’ jealousy firsthand. The women of Beihao were even wilder; who knew what they might do?

“Miss Yin, afraid of trouble?”

“No. It’s not for myself. The women of Beihao are fierce and unrestrained; I cannot bear their jealousy if Mei’er were hurt,” Yin Qingyue said, her eyes showing concern.

Chu Jingcheng frowned. “Don’t worry, we’re not sneaking around.”

He suddenly realized that the recent palace banquets held by his father were not accidental. Since the emperor had seen Yin Qingyue a few days ago, he would naturally take some action.

That evening’s banquet was clearly a signal.

After all, as a prince of Beihao, if he were ever to marry, he could not be with Yin Qingyue.

Chu Jingcheng understood the importance of bloodlines. His avoidance of women was not just due to political affairs, but because he did not want to be tied to bloodline obligations. Choosing a woman he did not love would be worse than remaining alone.

“Still, Father’s actions seem unnecessary. Even if a banquet is held, I would not choose Shangguan Jiaoran,” Chu Jingcheng thought.

From another perspective, since Chu Haolian had sneaked from the palace just to see Yin Qingyue, it was clear how important this matter was.

Before returning to the country, two letters and Yin Qingyue’s early behavior in Beihao all seemed deliberately orchestrated.

Thinking of this, Chu Jingcheng dared not draw conclusions. Without evidence, the emperor merely seeing her could not prove anything.

“Prince Jing, you’re shameless! Since when did you and I have anything to do with sneaking around?” Yin Qingyue said coldly.

She had seen shameless people before, but none like Prince Jing.

“Don’t be embarrassed. Here, it’s just you and me,” Chu Jingcheng said, a sly smile curling his lips. By saying “sneaking around,” Yin Qingyue had indirectly acknowledged the situation.

Her cheeks flushed slightly. She was still an innocent young lady, yet repeatedly teased by Prince Jing, she had unknowingly become his.

Seeing her shy, Chu Jingcheng said, “Look at you, shy like this… even the most awkward bride eventually meets her in-laws. Are you afraid?”

“You’re the one who’s afraid! All of this is just in your imagination!” Yin Qingyue said, sneering, unaware that his words were heartfelt.

“You saw him ahead of time. Besides, your ‘father-in-law’ is a bit strict,” the prince said, caressing her silky, delicate face, reluctant to let go.

At that moment, Yin Qingyue realized: the visitor at the side residence that day—could it have been the emperor himself?

She could not imagine a ruler descending from his throne to meet an unknown woman without revealing his identity.

If the emperor had issued an edict, he could have seen her immediately—why go through such trouble?

“Afraid to meet him?” Chu Jingcheng asked seriously.

Yin Qingyue tugged lightly at the corner of his mouth, helpless.

No matter what Chu Jingcheng said, she had no recourse.

What he did not realize was how quickly the emperor acted. Chu Jingcheng worried—he did not know his father’s true opinion of Yin Qingyue. Despite years as ruler of Beihao, the emperor had never appointed an heir. Even if Chu Jingcheng did everything, the crown prince title was not his.

“I am here. Even if the in-laws don’t like it, they can do nothing,” Chu Jingcheng said, smiling. Whoever stood in his way could not prevent him from having the woman he wanted.

In an instant, he pulled Yin Qingyue tightly into his arms, gazing at her incomparable beauty.

For now, he did not tell her that the man seeking her was none other than his father.

For the first time in his life, Chu Jingcheng felt how difficult the path ahead was. Yet seeing Yin Qingyue beside him gave him a sense of peace he could not describe.

“Yin Qingyue,” he called softly.

Then, his warm lips pressed against hers again, teasing, probing inch by inch with his tongue.

Yin Qingyue let out a muffled sound. “Can’t you give a warning first? If this were modern times, it would be considered a crime.”

Not far off, several villagers passed by, their faces full of surprise.

“Heavens! Do they have no shame? In broad daylight, and openly like this!” one man said, displeased.

“Even though Beihao is open-minded, it’s not to this extent! Someone’s watching—mind your image!” another said.

“Do you even know how to write the word ‘shame’? No sense at all!”

Suddenly, a piercing, icy gaze enveloped them, stabbing their hearts like a poisoned thorn. The villagers felt breathless.

“Can’t you restrain yourselves?” Yin Qingyue said calmly, without struggling.

Chu Jingcheng sneered. “Who made me think of such things? You did.”

The villagers watched silently, afraid the same gaze would fall on them.

“Let’s go. We can’t interfere in this anyway. Best not to provoke them, or we’ll be in trouble,” the villagers said, retreating cautiously. They could tell these two were no ordinary people just by their attire.

“Let’s go!”

Soon, the villagers were gone.

“Staying here is no fun. I’ll take you shopping!” Chu Jingcheng said, smiling. He only wanted to spend more time alone with Yin Qingyue. If it weren’t for Shangguan Qingyun or these villagers, he could do so freely.

“Prince Jing, you even care about villagers?” Yin Qingyue sneered. Normally, he never cared what others thought, yet he seemed impatient now over a few passing villagers.

“Where can you go in my hands? Wherever I take you, you have no choice,” Chu Jingcheng said, eyes half-closed, deep in thought.

“Since there’s no choice, then say no more. Let’s go!” Yin Qingyue said, each word commanding.

“This time, you won’t disappoint me!” he replied.

Not far off, a carriage approached.

“Isn’t that a countryside carriage?” Yin Qingyue thought. She had been with Prince Jing all along and hadn’t noticed him summon it.

“In a moment, it’ll be just the two of us. No one will disturb,” a cold voice came from behind.

“Thanks, Prince Jing. Just don’t cause trouble,” she replied.

Now she realized: Prince Jing’s care was meticulous—like a woman’s. She had only been concerned about being seen and trouble, yet he had thought of a solution.

“How is it? Satisfied?” A warm breath brushed her ear, tingling and spreading through her body.

The ears are a sensitive spot for women. Yin Qingyue had never been unfaithful, yet now flushed from Prince Jing’s teasing.

“Enough! Get in the carriage!” she snapped, not wanting him to see her embarrassment.

“Where to, Prince?” the driver asked quietly, eyes unconsciously on Yin Qingyue.

Having served the prince for years, he had never seen a woman so close and beautiful. For a moment, he thought he must be mistaken.

“And who is this?”

“Just strolling around the capital, minding her own business. Don’t ask too much,” Chu Jingcheng said coldly. Yin Qingyue could only allow him to see her; no other man was permitted.

“Yes, Prince,” the driver said, flattering, though his mind was elsewhere. He wondered: could this be the future princess? The prince clearly cared for her.

“I’ve already seen the capital. What’s left to see?” Yin Qingyue said, resigned. To her, the prince simply wanted more alone time; the shopping was just an excuse.

“The capital is vast. There’s much you haven’t seen. This is nothing like Xize,” Chu Jingcheng said with a sly smile.

“Prince Jing, enough. No need to mention Xize here. Being in Beihao, speaking of it only adds worry,” she said.

“I won’t mention it. Just accompany me and enjoy the scenery. I won’t do anything to you,” he said.

At that moment, the driver froze.

He had heard rumors that the prince had brought a Xize woman and kept her in a side residence. Now he saw it was true.

Earlier, she had been plainly unattractive. How could she become so beautiful in just a few hours?

Strangely, could this beauty have been brought by the prince himself? Previously plain, now exquisite—how could it be?

The driver’s confusion only cleared when Chu Jingcheng shot him a cold glance. Immediately, he bent to pull the reins, daring not to think again.