MCSCPM -Chapter 204 What a Scoundrel

“Your Highness… this… is this Miss Yin?” Leng Yi asked, his tongue tied.

“How is it? I won’t repeat myself. From now on, Miss Yin will appear like this in this residence. If you speak out of turn, I’ll cut out your tongue,” Chu Jingcheng said. Of course, he had no intention of really doing it—just a little scare tactic.

Finally understanding, Leng Yi swallowed hard and, dazed and stiff, retreated. He looked nothing like the composed court guard he usually was.

Stepping out of the house, Leng Yi stared straight ahead and muttered, “Leng Feng… she really is a goddess. How is this even possible…”

“Now you believe, right? Tell me, what kind of elixir did Miss Yin take? She was an ugly woman, yet she became a goddess?” Leng Feng said.

Leng Yi shook his head, suddenly thinking, “Could it be… Miss Yin was always like this? She deliberately disguised herself as ugly?”

Leng Feng pondered. Though it seemed incredible—why would a beauty purposely wear ugly makeup?

But on second thought, it made sense. Mei’er had made Yin Qingyue appear ugly before, didn’t she? It was for survival.

The two of them spoke back and forth, completely unable to wrap their minds around it.

Meanwhile, at the Shangguan General’s residence, General Shangguan was in a serious headache.

Yesterday, he had confined his daughter, feeling deeply troubled himself. After much thought, he decided to enter the palace to meet the emperor.

When Chu Helian realized it was Shangguan Qingyun, he had an idea of what was happening.

“Minister, do you have urgent matters that bring you to the palace at dawn?”

Shangguan Qingyun knew not to rush regarding his daughter’s affairs. The emperor had already reassured him; pushing too hard might anger the emperor. He had to proceed carefully.

At that moment, eunuch Sun brought in some tea. “Your Majesty, this is Longjing tea, brought to the palace by General Shangguan.”

“Oh?” Chu Helian’s face brightened. “You’ve really been thoughtful, minister.”

Bowing, Shangguan Qingyun said, “Your Majesty deals with countless matters daily. Today I obtained a batch of the finest Longjing tea and thought of bringing it to you personally, hoping Your Majesty will like it.”

Chu Helian swirled the cup and inhaled the fragrance. “This Longjing is indeed the king of teas—aromatic and refreshing.”

“I am glad Your Majesty likes it,” Shangguan Qingyun said.

Chu Helian sipped and nodded repeatedly. “Even palace Longjing is excellent, but it cannot compare to this! Sweet at first sip, lingering flavor afterward.”

Relieved at the emperor’s delight, Shangguan Qingyun bowed again and said, “Your Majesty, I’ve recently requested an audience with Prince Jing, but he doesn’t seem to stay in the palace often and seems to avoid me. I wonder if Prince Jing is occupied with important matters?”

“Is that so? Or is there another reason?” Chu Helian asked, setting down the cup and looking serious.

Shangguan Qingyun sighed occasionally. “Your Majesty… I came to the palace on behalf of my daughter, Shangguan Jiaoran.”

“So it is. Minister, you truly care for your daughter!” Chu Helian smiled, though his gaze darkened slightly. “I know Miss Shangguan is clever, beautiful, and a suitable match for my Jing’er. But Jing’er is a bit scattered in temperament. Give him time, and I will make the decision when he settles down.”

Shangguan Qingyun replied, “Your Majesty, we shouldn’t interfere in a young couple’s affairs, but it is evident Jiaoran has feelings for Prince Jing.”

“Minister, do not rush this matter,” Chu Helian warned.

“But Your Majesty, I heard Prince Jing spends each day at a residence outside the city, where a divine physician he brought from Xize lives. If rumors spread, it could affect Prince Jing.”

Chu Helian knew his son was indeed attached to the woman. And he admitted to himself that the woman had exceptional abilities. What exactly made his son so devoted?

Shangguan Qingyun continued respectfully: “Your Majesty, I’ve heard recently that Prince Jing publicly kissed a stunningly beautiful woman. The whole capital knows. If ignored, it may escalate. And I heard… that woman is the divine physician.”

Sure enough, the news had reached Shangguan Qingyun, explaining his early arrival at the palace.

Chu Helian pretended ignorance. “Minister, are you joking? I’ve heard the divine physician is extremely ugly. How could she be stunning?”

“Because…” Shangguan Qingyun stopped mid-sentence. Could he tell the emperor his daughter saw it herself? That would imply she caused a scene there.

“Why aren’t you speaking?” the emperor asked.

“Your Majesty, I’ve only heard the story, but it is likely true. If that woman is indeed the divine physician from Xize, she is absolutely not suitable for Prince Jing.”

“This matter cannot be decided prematurely. Whether ugly or beautiful cannot be judged by hearsay!” Chu Helian said.

Still, he thought to himself: his son is really hard to manage. At over a hundred years old, he had to handle all this. Being emperor isn’t easy.

He also suspected the woman Prince Jing kissed could indeed be the divine physician, but he remained half-doubtful without seeing it firsthand.

“Your Majesty, I hope you can arrange a marriage soon,” Shangguan Qingyun pressed gently, worried for his daughter’s heart.

Chu Helian, ever cautious, had anticipated this. He suppressed it but allowed the minister’s suggestion to surface, keeping his own plan intact.

“Minister, do not rush. My son is mine to handle. The more pressure you apply, the worse it will be. If your daughter is too impatient, she’s not suitable to be Prince Jing’s consort,” Chu Helian said, though his hand tightened slightly on the armrest.

Hearing “not suitable,” Shangguan Qingyun’s heart sank. Despite being a top general, he had no choice but to follow the emperor’s pace.

“But Your Majesty…”

“Enough, minister. I have said, I will decide. If every minister insisted as you do, I’d be too busy to attend morning court!”

Shangguan Qingyun had no choice but to comply, knowing this visit was in vain.

“Since Your Majesty says so, I will wait patiently,” he said, resigned.

Seeing the matter temporarily settled, Chu Helian relaxed a bit. “Minister, do not worry. Prince Jing will marry your daughter, but patience is necessary.”

Another reassurance, leaving Shangguan Qingyun quietly accepting the situation.

The emperor then asked Sun to prepare a chess set: “There’s some time before morning court. I want to play a few rounds with the general.”

“Yes, Your Majesty,” the eunuch replied.

They played several rounds, but Shangguan Qingyun’s mind wasn’t on the game. Despite a smiling facade, he lost every match in spirit.

At the private residence outside the city, Chu Jingcheng had stayed there all day since the morning delivery of medicinal herbs.

Leng Feng and Leng Yi spent the entire day outside, still wondering what medicine could turn an ugly woman into such beauty.

Evening fell.

Mei’er prepared several dishes. Seeing Prince Jing had not left, she stayed in the kitchen. Only when the food was ready did she bring it in.

“Your Highness, will you stay here tonight?” Mei’er asked while serving.

Chu Jingcheng smiled. He had spent the day sparring in words with Yin Qingyue, who insisted he leave. He, however, refused to go, enjoying watching her frustrated and flustered.

“I won’t leave today,” he said teasingly, his gaze fixed on her.

Hearing this, Yin Qingyue looked up, glaring coldly: “Do you plan to stay here with only Leng Feng and Leng Yi outside?”

“This is my place. If I am to guard, I guard here,” Chu Jingcheng said brazenly.

“Then should I leave, letting you be alone?” she asked.

“Yin Qingyue, every word you say implies you want to leave. Why? Is this place so unsuitable?”

“No, I have no money or herbs. If I leave, I have nowhere to go. But if you stay, this courtyard might be torn apart,” she said.

“You mean… Shangguan Jiaoran? Are you jealous?” Chu Jingcheng leaned forward, grinning mischievously. “Why is this room full of jealousy?”

“Dream on,” she snapped, averting her eyes.

Mei’er blushed despite herself, saying hurriedly: “Miss, I’ll prepare your medicine in the kitchen. Eat first, and I’ll bring the medicine.” She left quickly.

Left alone, night falling, the house was quiet. Was he really planning to stay the night?

“Prince Jing, you’d better leave. This room is too small to hold a Buddha like you,” Yin Qingyue said, trying to shoo him out.

Chu Jingcheng, amused, ignored her. He pulled out a red bellyband from his sleeve, sniffed it, and said, “Even a Buddha is drawn to beauty.”

Seeing it, Yin Qingyue’s face turned green. “You’re truly a scoundrel.”