MCSCPM -Chapter 207 Doesn’t Want to Marry

“Who said? The prince hasn’t even spoken yet.”

After saying that, Leng Feng swam up, wringing out his soaked clothes and, not forgetting, splashed some water at Leng Yi. He snorted, “Leng Yi, are you secretly hoping I rush into marriage and have kids?”

“I do hope so. With your personality, marrying a woman might help you calm down a bit.”

“What’s wrong with my personality?”

“Impulsive,” Leng Yi said bluntly.

Those two words hit Leng Feng hard. Normally slick-tongued, he was now at a loss for words.

At that moment, Ding Heng came out of the pavilion, glanced over, saw Leng Feng’s soaked state, and shook his head before leaving.

If it weren’t for the fact that he was Prince Jing’s personal guard—someone likely to rise high if Prince Jing became Crown Prince or even emperor—Ding Heng’s family wouldn’t have had much reason to care.

“See? Your future father-in-law is truly disappointed in you.”

“Not your fault,” Leng Feng shot him a glare, then hurried to the pavilion.

Prince Jing looked at his drenched outfit and nearly groaned. “Leng Feng, are you really planning to dress like that to marry Ding Ying?”

“Your Highness… do you really want me to marry her?” Leng Feng was shocked. Though he had suspected it, now that it was real, he was genuinely afraid.

Prince Jing’s expression turned stern, his tone authoritative. “What? You don’t like the marriage I arranged for you? Then why did you kiss her before? And now, with Ding Heng coming to my residence to demand justice, if I don’t act, do you think he’ll just let it go?”

“But…”

“Enough. It’s decided. You wouldn’t dare go against my orders, would you?”

“I wouldn’t dare.”

“Then it’s settled.” Prince Jing glanced at Leng Feng, soaking wet, and shook his head like Ding Heng did. “Go change your clothes quickly. I’m going to the outskirts of the capital.”

“Again?” Leng Feng sighed helplessly. In the end, he changed into dry clothes and followed.

Chu Jingcheng had been going to the outskirts daily, which had already drawn attention. People gossiped, but no one could figure out the truth—just that the prince had brought back an ugly woman from Xize to live there, and that was all anyone knew.

Ran’er, Yin Qingyue, had just taken her medicine when she saw the prince entering. Was he planning to stay overnight again today?

“Does Prince Jing really have this much free time every day?” she asked, trying to politely refuse, but she opened the door for him anyway.

Prince Jing laughed and clapped his hands. “Guess what good news I’m bringing you today?”

His vague hint made Yin Qingyue frown and look at him oddly. She said, “Could it be… the prince is getting married?”

“If I were to marry, it would be you. I’d prepare the phoenix coronet and ceremonial gown for you.”

Yin Qingyue, confused, found herself trapped by his words and felt uneasy. She called over Mei’er.

“Mei’er, brew another bowl of medicine.”

“Miss, didn’t you just drink some?”

“This is for the prince. He seems… off. Brew it properly to treat him,” Yin Qingyue said teasingly.

Prince Jing feigned annoyance, lifted his robe, and sat down. “Yin Qingyue, woman, I truly cannot tolerate you.”

“Prince Jing is complimenting me, right?”

“Of course.” Prince Jing looked at her, lips curling slightly, full of affection. Then he remembered the news he had to share and sat up straight, clearing his throat: “I won’t tease you today. I’ve come to tell you—Leng Feng is getting married.”

Yin Qingyue froze. Leng Feng always seemed joking and carefree—how could he suddenly be getting married? It seemed like the world’s biggest joke. Not only did she not believe it, likely no one in Beihuo Kingdom would.

She hesitated and asked, “Leng Feng is getting married? Who is the poor girl?”

“The daughter of Ding Heng, Minister of Justice—Ding Ying.” Prince Jing spoke with a hint of glee, as if he could not wait to see Leng Feng in a red wedding robe.

“Ding Ying? Never heard of her.”

“When Shangguan Jiaoran came to make trouble that day, she was there too—just outside the door. Leng Feng actually kissed her. Her father, Ding Heng, came to my residence demanding justice, so I had no choice but to have Leng Feng marry Ding Ying to appease him. Whether Ding Ying wants to marry him or not—that’s another story.”

He said it so smoothly—never once asking Leng Feng’s opinion.

Did marriages in Beihuo Kingdom always work this way? Kiss someone, then marry them? Kiss someone, then they must wed? By that logic, she should have married Chu Jingcheng hundreds of times. She wasn’t sure if the prince said all this just to tease her—but it didn’t matter. Leng Feng needed to settle down a bit, stop nagging her every day.

Yin Qingyue pressed her lips together. “Only you, Prince Jing, could arrange a marriage so recklessly.”

Back at the Ding Residence, Ding Heng returned and told his daughter about the visit to Prince Jing.

Hearing this, Ding Ying completely collapsed, tears streaming down her face. Her dignity was utterly gone.

“Father! Didn’t you promise you wouldn’t go to Prince Jing? How could you break your word?” Ding Ying cried pitifully, wishing she could crawl into a hole and hide.

Everyone knew Ding Ying liked Prince Jing. Now, in front of the one she liked, her father said Leng Feng was to marry her—it was unbearable.

“Ying’er, I did this for your sake. Leng Feng already kissed you—should I just sit back?”

“But you can’t make me marry him!”

“Though Leng Feng is just a guard, he might rise to great things one day. Ying’er, listen to me, okay?”

“No! I won’t agree no matter what!” She covered her ears, refusing to hear another word from her father.

A young lady should never be forced into marriage. Ding Ying, naturally shy, didn’t even know how to face Leng Feng, let alone Prince Jing.

“Ying’er, think about it. You and Prince Jing can’t be together. But Leng Feng—he’s a personal guard to Prince Jing. When Prince Jing becomes emperor, Leng Feng will rise. Wouldn’t life be easier if you accepted?”

“Father, you’re not doing this for me—you’re doing it for yourself. You want to use my marriage for your own advantage.”

“What nonsense? I’m doing it for you.”

“I’m not stupid. I understand your intentions.” Ding Ying felt both hurt and disappointed—her father was gambling with her marriage, and that was too much.

This time, Ding Ying cried uncontrollably, tears streaming.

Ding Heng realized he may have been too harsh but only had his daughter’s best interest at heart, alongside his concern for the family’s future. Seeing her so upset, he felt guilty. “Ying’er, I really don’t mean that. Don’t you know how much I care for you? Think carefully: what’s most important for a young lady? Her purity. If word gets out, people will laugh at you.”

“Father, don’t say anymore. I don’t want to hear it.”

“If you marry Leng Feng, idle people won’t gossip. Besides, he’s also handsome…”

Handsome? Seeing Leng Feng soaked in the pond earlier, Ding Heng shook his head repeatedly. But if his daughter was to marry him, he had to speak well of him.

Ding Ying turned away, wiping her tears, and said over and over in a choked voice, “In short, I won’t marry… I just won’t.”

“Do you still dream of marrying Prince Jing? What’s wrong with Leng Feng?”

“I never thought of marrying Prince Jing. I dare not. And Leng Feng isn’t bad… it’s just… I don’t know him. How would we live together?” Finally, Ding Ying voiced her true thoughts. She and Leng Feng had only interacted once, with no emotional connection.

Just a kiss, and now marriage? That was unacceptable.

Understanding his daughter, Ding Heng stroked his cheek, realizing her shyness made this understandable. He softened, speaking gently: “I understand. But I’ve already spoken to Prince Jing. Backing out now is impossible. Prince Jing said as long as you agree, he will set a date for Leng Feng to formally propose.”

“Father, no, no, I’m really not ready!” She clutched her chest, anxious.

“All right, I won’t force you. We’ll wait a bit. But the marriage is Prince Jing’s decision—we cannot refuse. You should think carefully.”

She remained silent, biting her lip, tears streaming.

Ding Heng could only leave.

The thought of marrying Leng Feng was unbearable for Ding Ying. She had met him only once—how could she be expected to marry him?

She cried continuously. A maid came in, worried, and set some food on the table.

“Miss, don’t be so sad. At least eat something.”

“I won’t. Take it away.”

“That won’t do. If you continue like this, your health will suffer. You should at least eat a little.”

Ding Ying turned, eyes red. “I have no appetite. Go out. I want to be alone.”

“Miss, do you really not want to marry?”

“Why are you asking this? Did my father tell you to come in?”

“No, no. Sir said nothing. I just… feel for you. Your health isn’t great. Don’t let this matter ruin you.” The maid almost cried herself.

Ding Ying said nothing, looking at herself in the mirror. She wasn’t a top beauty, but she was elegant. Prince Jing didn’t want her, yet her father planned to marry her to Leng Feng. It was heartbreaking.

Her feelings for Prince Jing were gone, but her heart was still tangled. She remembered Shangguan Jiaoran saying that women in private residences were beauties—and she had seen Prince Jing kiss that beauty.

Her heart had twisted then, but soon calmed. As long as she didn’t hear Prince Jing’s name, she could remain calm. Over time, her heart could untangle.

But now… she was to marry a guard of Prince Jing.