MCSCPM -Chapter 205 Stripping Clothes Again

Yin Qingyue tried to snatch the bellyband back. As she stood and reached out, she didn’t get it—she fell right into Chu Jingcheng’s arms instead. She pounded him on the chest and scolded, “You really are shameless! Carrying a woman’s things around like that—aren’t you afraid of people laughing at you?”

“I do it willingly. It’s better than you carrying them, Miss Yin!”

“What?”

“You stripped my clothes before, and I was completely exposed to you. If I were a woman, I’d have no choice but to hang myself. Or else… I’d have you agree to me,” Chu Jingcheng teased, looking at her with mock pride every time he recounted the incident.

Yin Qingyue, however, was far from amused. Frowning, she threatened him: “Say another word, and I’ll strip your clothes in return and take them to the capital for other girls to see.”

Chu Jingcheng laughed heartily, his face radiating delight. “Yin Qingyue, I think you’ve changed a bit. You seem bolder around me now.”

Bold? After everything that happened on the journey from Xize to Beihao, who wouldn’t be bold? Plus, with Chu Jingcheng constantly teasing her about her bellyband and stripping his clothes, her initial embarrassment had long since vanished, replaced now with irritation.

Seeing her reaction made Chu Jingcheng even happier, and he continued to provoke her. “Oh? So you admit it then?”

“Qingyue didn’t admit anything. I just don’t want to argue with you anymore. It’s late; Prince Jing, you should leave.”

“I, however, refuse. I’ll stay here and see if you really dare to strip me.”

“You think I don’t dare?”

“Exactly. I think you won’t dare.”

Chu Jingcheng took two steps forward, swinging the bellyband in front of her with deliberate intent.

Though Yin Qingyue knew he was provoking her, she couldn’t stand his teasing. Raising her jade-like hand, she placed it on his collar.

“Since you want me to strip you, Prince Jing, fine! I’ll strip you today and sell these clothes tomorrow to earn some silver.”

If she got silver, wouldn’t she leave? For now, however, he was delighted.

Yin Qingyue unbuttoned his collar, quickly undoing two buttons, and stripped off his exquisitely embroidered outer robe.

“This is much more valuable than the last outfit. It’ll fetch a good price,” she said.

Chu Jingcheng didn’t resist. Instead, he remarked, “Go ahead and try pawn shops. Let’s see which one in Beihao dares to accept this outfit.”

He had already planned this—his clothes were so precious that anyone with eyes could tell they were royal. Even if they didn’t know it belonged to Prince Jing, they would recognize it as imperial.

Half-squinting, Yin Qingyue nimbly removed another layer of his clothing.

“Prince Jing must have underestimated me. With an outfit like this, anyone would accept it,” she said.

Then Chu Jingcheng grasped her hand and lowered his head, speaking softly: “Yin Qingyue… who exactly are you?”

She looked carefully at him. “I’m Yin Qingyue. Prince Jing, have you lost your memory?”

“There are countless women in the world, yet I’ve fallen for you. When, where—can you treat me as I treat you?”

“Isn’t Qingyue treating you well?”

“What’s good about it?”

Those words, spoken by Chu Jingcheng, tugged at the heart. With any other woman, he was cold and indifferent, often saying nothing at all. But with Yin Qingyue, he was a different man. Despite being stripped and having his clothes stolen, he couldn’t stop thinking about her.

Yin Qingyue had heard many sweet words before, but hearing this from Prince Jing felt like a slap—she herself was conflicted. Her heart’s truth was muddled; with his thoughts so difficult to read, she constantly questioned him.

At that moment, Leng Feng suddenly ran in, accidentally witnessing the scene: the prince partially undressed, holding Yin Qingyue’s hand in an intimate pose. Anyone would blush at the sight.

“P-Prince… I didn’t mean to,” Leng Feng quickly turned away.

His sudden appearance destroyed the mood. Chu Jingcheng pushed Yin Qingyue aside and hastily dressed himself.

“Leng Feng, I should gouge your eyes out,” he scolded.

“I-I didn’t mean to! I just saw that Your Highness hadn’t come out yet, so I checked!” Leng Feng protested, genuinely terrified.

“Forget it. All the mood you’ve ruined,” Chu Jingcheng sighed, noticing how Yin Qingyue had frozen at his earlier words.

“Yin Qingyue, I’ll leave tonight. Rest well. I’ll visit again.” With a sweep of his robe, he stepped out.

Leng Feng hurriedly bowed, apologizing repeatedly: “Miss Yin, I truly didn’t mean to disturb you and the prince. Please don’t mind!”

Yin Qingyue stayed silent, and Leng Feng quickly followed the prince.

Mei’er entered, worried at the untouched meal. “Miss, why aren’t you and Prince Jing eating?”

“Just a small matter,” she said casually, sitting down to eat. After all the chaos, she had almost forgotten how hungry she was.

“Mei’er, sit and eat too.”

“No, Miss. I’m still preparing your medicine.”

“The medicine will take a few hours. Sit and eat something first.” Yin Qingyue pulled her down beside her.

“Ah!” Mei’er suddenly cried out, raising her hand, which had a large burn mark.

Yin Qingyue’s brow furrowed in concern: “Oh no, how did this happen?”

“I accidentally got burned while preparing the medicine,” Mei’er explained.

“I’ll treat it.” Yin Qingyue led her to the inner room, fetched a small bottle of medicine, and had Mei’er sit still.

Seeing her mistress so worried, Mei’er quietly wept, moved. Yin Qingyue hurried to apply the medicine.

“Mei’er, does it hurt?” she asked gently.

Mei’er shook her head. “No, it doesn’t hurt at all. I’m just touched that you care so much, Miss.”

“You fool. Here in Beihao, it’s just us. If I don’t care for you, who will?”

“But Miss, Prince Jing is with you!”

“Mei’er, you don’t really think I’ll be with him, do you? He has many women around him—Shangguan Jiaoran, Qingqing, none are worse than me.”

“But Prince Jing only likes you!”

The more Mei’er insisted, the more uneasy Yin Qingyue felt. She couldn’t be sure if she truly understood Chu Jingcheng. His affection was clear, yet she felt conflicted.

“Mei’er… do you really think Prince Jing cares for me?” she asked softly while treating the burn.

Mei’er smiled, confident: “Of course. He’s saved you countless times and brought you to Beihao to take care of you. Not everyone receives such attention. Miss, Prince Jing really is good to you.”

“Good… maybe,” Yin Qingyue murmured, her unsettled heart stirred again.

On the carriage back to the capital, Chu Jingcheng remained silent. Leng Feng and Leng Yi exchanged glances, wondering what had happened.

Leng Feng hesitated, then asked, “Your Highness… if you want to punish me, I accept.”

“Who said I’ll punish you?”

“But I saw you and Miss Yin just now…”

Chu Jingcheng glared, and Leng Feng swallowed his words.

“Leng Feng, Leng Yi, today’s matter is not to be mentioned to anyone. What you saw and heard stays in your stomach until we return to the capital,” he ordered.

Leng Yi asked, “Your Highness… about Miss Yin… isn’t she supposed to be… ugly?”

This question had been on both their minds for a while.

Chu Jingcheng had said only he could see her true beauty, and their witnessing her in the residence had been purely accidental.

“You shouldn’t ask. No more questions, or you’ll face punishment when we return,” he warned.

“Yes, Your Highness. We won’t ask,” Leng Yi immediately replied.

A moment later, Leng Feng panicked, slapping his forehead: “Your Highness… last time, I kissed that girl. What should I do?”

“Didn’t I tell you? You must marry her. A girl kissed like that—you can’t escape.”

“But… what if Miss Ding doesn’t want to? And you haven’t married yet. How could I marry her?” Leng Feng said, laughing.

Chu Jingcheng shook his head. “If she complains, handle it yourself. But I warn you: if an innocent girl is kissed and you refuse to marry her, I’ll look down on you.”

Even the cold-faced guard Leng Yi couldn’t help a smirk.

Leng Feng frowned at Leng Yi’s reaction, thinking he was enjoying the show. He tried to protest, but Leng Yi interrupted: “Your Highness ordered it—you handle it properly. Once kissed, you are responsible… Miss Yin stripped…” He stopped abruptly, realizing he’d said too much.

Leng Feng got carried away. “So because Miss Yin stripped the prince’s clothes, he favors her? Shangguan Jiaoran and the others don’t matter, only because Miss Yin stripped his clothes, he’s smitten?”

Leng Yi couldn’t take it anymore and tugged at him.

Only then did Leng Feng realize he had gotten carried away—he had actually said all this in front of the prince!