MCSCPM -Chapter 199 Prince Jing’s Secret

On the streets of the capital, Ding Ying was being tugged along relentlessly by Shangguan Jiaoran.

“Jiaoran, slow down.”

“No! If Prince Jing is really taken away, it’ll be too late!” Shangguan Jiaoran said, her face full of worry.

“You need to remember who you are. Don’t think you can reach Prince Jing,” Ding Ying kept repeating in her mind.

That night at the palace banquet…

Ding Ying had been there too. The moment she first saw Chu Jingcheng, she had been captivated.

His image lingered in her mind, impossible to shake.

Ever since childhood, she had heard endlessly about Chu Jingcheng.

Her father often spoke of him—outstanding from a young age, surpassing ordinary men. As he grew, he became extraordinary.

At a young age, he had already earned countless military achievements for Beihai, far exceeding the contributions of Shangguan Qingyun.

Although Ding Ying had been young and naïve at the time, the desire in her heart never faded. She simply wished to see Prince Jing—even once—would be enough.

As Shangguan Jiaoran had said, Ding Ying was unlike other Beihai women, wild and impetuous by birth.

Her nature was gentle and refined, attentive and considerate—there was no trace of the typical Beihai woman in her.

Since seeing Chu Jingcheng at the banquet that night, she had come to understand her own feelings.

Though her father was the Minister of Justice, a man averse to conflict, she kept her feelings hidden, knowing her identity was unworthy of Chu Jingcheng.

When she realized her friend Jiaoran liked Prince Jing, she understood even more clearly that she could only remain a silent bystander, guarding Prince Jing without any improper desires.

By chance, she had seen Prince Jing kissing another woman in the brothel. That scene, unforgettable, served as a constant reminder: Prince Jing’s woman would never be her.

Last night, her father had warned her in the Ding residence, and she had remembered every word.

The Beihai royal family was complicated. Even though Prince Jing was extraordinary and many women adored him, her father’s words were meant to protect her. She was too pure-hearted and far too low in status for Prince Jing. Even with noble blood, she could never aspire to him.

Ding Ying kept every admonition in her heart. She knew that although her father’s words were strict, they were spoken out of concern. She understood that her temperament made her unsuited to be near Prince Jing.

“Yingying, what are you thinking?” Shangguan Jiaoran asked, concern etched on her face. Ever since leaving the Ding residence, something felt off.

“I didn’t sleep well last night, maybe that’s why I’m not fully alert,” Ding Ying replied gently. She didn’t want to tell Jiaoran, as her friend also liked Prince Jing—and knowing Jiaoran’s temperament, it would upset her.

“I’ll take you to see Prince Jing’s secret. That’ll cheer you up!” Shangguan Jiaoran said mischievously.

Ding Ying sighed. “All my life, you’ve been the naughtiest, always tricking me and sneaking around. Let’s not go to the villa. Let’s just go back.”

“No way! We’re almost there. If we turn back now, it’s giving up halfway. Besides, don’t you want to see it?”

“Well…”

Before Ding Ying could respond, Shangguan Jiaoran tugged her along and forced her to the gates of the villa.

“Where’s your Prince?” Shangguan Jiaoran sneered. She hadn’t expected to run into this “jinx” in broad daylight.

Leng Feng’s face was full of mockery. “Why is it you again? Chasing my Prince all the way here!”

“Cut the nonsense. Where’s your Prince?” Shangguan Jiaoran grew impatient.

A sly smile curved Leng Feng’s lips. “Why should I tell you where my Prince is? Miss Shangguan, this isn’t a place you belong. Please leave. I won’t repeat myself.”

This time, no matter what tricks Shangguan Jiaoran tried, he wouldn’t be fooled.

“Your Prince isn’t here, is he? Look at your expression—people say Prince Jing is hiding a woman here. True or not?”

Leng Feng hesitated. “My Prince… do you really think he’s that sort of person?”

Shangguan Jiaoran snapped, “Soft won’t work? Then try hard!”

In an instant, she hooked her heel around Leng Feng.

“Miss Shangguan, I apologize!” Leng Feng said, stretching his legs to trip her, then pulling her up.

“I told you your pathetic skills can only scare kids. You think you can fool me?” Leng Feng sneered.

“I was wrong! I’ll leave now. Let go of me,” Shangguan Jiaoran said coquettishly, pouting.

“I’m not falling for it again!”

“My martial arts aren’t as good as yours. Let me go, and I’ll leave immediately. Otherwise, I can’t get in.”

Leng Feng snorted. “You think I’m an idiot? If I let go, you’ll rush in, then how do I explain to the Prince?”

“So your Prince isn’t here? That makes things easier,” Shangguan Jiaoran said, smiling, winking at Ding Ying.

“Ah, my head is spinning.” Ding Ying half-closed her eyes, swaying into Leng Feng’s arms.

“She’s fainted! Catch her!” Shangguan Jiaoran said anxiously, signaling Ding Ying as she rushed forward.

“Ow, my head… spinning!” Ding Ying repeated.

The two had played together since childhood. Ding Ying’s body was weak, and Shangguan Jiaoran loved causing trouble. Whenever Shangguan Qingyun punished her, Jiaoran had Ding Ying pretend to faint. That way, everyone’s attention would be on Yingying, and Jiaoran would avoid punishment—a trick that never failed.

“Miss, your face is rosy. You don’t look faint at all. Get up, or you’ll fall!” Leng Feng said, smirking.

If he weren’t holding the girl, he wouldn’t have fallen for Jiaoran’s trick.

He let go immediately. “Miss, this is Prince Jing’s villa. Miss Shangguan cannot barge in. Please forgive the offense.”

“No, Jiaoran has to go in. I won’t let you!” Ding Ying whispered, clinging tightly to Leng Feng.

In an instant, they both fell to the ground, holding each other tightly.

“Miss, even if you hug me, I won’t marry you. Did Miss Shangguan set her sights on my Prince?” Leng Feng said.

Ding Ying froze. She had never been this close to a man before. Now, for Jiaoran’s sake, she threw caution to the wind.

“If you stay silent, I’ll assume you agree. If Miss Shangguan gets in and causes trouble, I cannot be held responsible. Prince Jing would punish me!”

Ding Ying remained silent.

“If you don’t let go, I’ll kiss you.” Leng Feng’s lips curved in a sly smile.

“In broad daylight? I don’t believe you’ll dare,” Ding Ying thought. Though Beihai was open-minded, she didn’t know this man at all. To kiss her for no reason would be improper.

“Jiaoran won’t come out. I won’t let go.”

“Last chance. If you don’t let go, I’ll really kiss you,” Leng Feng said, annoyed. He only wanted to scare her, but she still held tight.

“I won’t let go!”

At that moment, Ding Ying went black, a warm mouth pressed tightly against hers.

Their minds went blank, unaware of what they were doing.

“I really kissed her?” Leng Feng thought. She didn’t move away?

“This isn’t real, Jiaoran, come out! I must be dreaming!” Ding Ying whispered, closing her eyes. She couldn’t believe a stranger had stolen her first kiss.

Outside the villa gate, it was deathly silent.

“You ugly woman! Come out! Hiding here won’t save you!” Shangguan Jiaoran shouted.

“Who’s there?” Yin Qingyue appeared slowly.

“You are…?” Shangguan Jiaoran stared at the woman, shocked.

What a face—perfect to the extreme. She had once thought no one could match her beauty. Now, this woman surpassed her a hundredfold.

“Who are you?” After asking, Shangguan Jiaoran realized: this must be the beauty Ding Ying had said Prince Jing kissed in public.

She had breathed a sigh of relief before, thinking the woman brought back was ugly. Ugly women couldn’t compete. But now it was a stunning beauty, indescribably so.

Prince Jing didn’t usually pursue women, but as a man, he had brought a woman back from Xize—a beauty!

A surge of jealousy rose in Shangguan Jiaoran’s heart, quickly turning to anger.

“Shouldn’t I be the one asking questions?” Yin Qingyue said coldly, her gaze sharp. She had spent the day with Prince Jing, yet trouble had already arrived.

“You fiend! Seducing Prince Jing shamelessly!” Shangguan Jiaoran’s eyes reddened. All her frustration and anger poured onto Yin Qingyue.

“Miss, I have never met you, nor do we have any connection. Bursting into someone’s home and yelling—don’t you feel ashamed?”

Shangguan Jiaoran sneered, “Ashamed? That word suits you. Hiding here, afraid of the light, yet dreaming of becoming Princess? You think a pretty face alone can keep Prince Jing?”

But Yin Qingyue remained calm, simply watching her.

“You shameless woman! I’ll teach you a lesson today!” Shangguan Jiaoran shouted. Prince Jing had rejected her publicly because of this woman.

Next moment, she whipped her leather lash toward Yin Qingyue.

“I’ll show you the consequences of stealing my man!”

“Bang!” The whip hit the ground.

Yin Qingyue snorted. “Are all women Prince Jing attracts this shameless?”

Ever since receiving a letter from Qingyue, she knew this was just the beginning.

She hadn’t expected that Beihai women would fight over a man so recklessly, especially since Chu Jingcheng had nothing to do with her claims.

“Miss, look carefully. I’m unarmed. You with a whip—what’s the point? We’re both women. Must we fight over a man?” Yin Qingyue said coldly. Prince Jing’s charm truly was overwhelming, driving women to madness.

“Prepare to die!” Shangguan Jiaoran shouted, flinging her whip through the air.

Yin Qingyue skillfully dodged.