MCSCPM -Chapter 209 Women Understand Women Best

“Your Highness, the reason you’re so aggressive is because of me, isn’t it, Yin Qingyue? You knew I wouldn’t be able to resist you,” she said.

“Since you know, why ask? Anyway, you haven’t stolen my clothes, nor my silver,” she pushed him away.

Just then, Mei’er came out of the bedroom, holding the last plum blossom.

“Miss, the vase inside is full, and this is the last one. What should we do?”

Chu Jingcheng suddenly took the blossom, inhaled its fragrance, and, like a lovesick man, said, “This flower is for me, as a greeting gift from Miss Yin today.”

Mei’er laughed quietly on the side, still observing her mistress. “Your Highness, Miss has always loved these flowers.”

“I know,” he said with a smile, tucking the flower into his waistband, not caring how ridiculous it looked on a grown man.

“You’re such a rogue,” Yin Qingyue said, exasperated.

Outside the courtyard.

Leng Feng was in a daze, his whole demeanor subdued. He wasn’t joking around anymore, just silent, eyes darkened from sleepless nights.

Beside him, Leng Yi nudged him with an elbow. “Hey, what’s going on with you lately? Are you really this nervous about getting married?”

Leng Feng didn’t answer, just stared blankly, eyes darting back and forth.

“Leng Feng, this isn’t like you. Tell me—maybe I can give you some advice.”

“Advice?” Leng Feng muttered.

“Yeah! If you don’t tell me, how can I help you?”

Then he thought: how could Leng Yi possibly help? He gave him a disdainful look. “You? You can’t help me. You’ve got a blockhead for a brain.”

“Blockhead? I think you’re the blockhead.”

“Me? You’re the blockhead!”

And just like that, they started arguing over who was the blockhead.

Normally, Leng Feng would have argued back fiercely—but now, with his own troubles pressing on him, he didn’t have the energy.

Leng Yi, unused to Leng Feng’s silence, persisted. “All right, I won’t argue today. Just tell me what’s bothering you. I’ll help you figure it out.”

Leng Feng, the eternal blockhead, thought hard but couldn’t come up with anything. Finally, he said, “Do you know… the Ding family girl doesn’t want to marry me anymore.”

Leng Yi frowned, leaning closer. “Wait, didn’t you say you didn’t want to marry? Now that it’s exactly what you wanted—she refuses—you’re still worried?”

“You don’t understand. Prince Jing already promised Lord Ding, so this marriage can’t be revoked. Besides… I actually kissed her. You don’t understand a girl’s honor.”

“So?”

“So now, Prince Jing wants me to find a way to make the Ding girl voluntarily marry me.”

“Isn’t that like driving a duck to the slaughter?” Leng Yi said.

“Exactly! How am I supposed to figure out a girl’s heart? How do I make her willing?” Leng Feng frowned miserably, looking to Leng Yi for ideas. Seeing none, he sighed. “See? I told you, even you can’t help me.”

“Who says I can’t help?” Leng Yi tilted his head, eyes narrowed, a knowing smile on his face. He leaned close to Leng Feng’s ear and said, “Who understands a girl’s heart best?”

“How would I know?”

“You fool. Women understand women. You’ve lived all these years for nothing.”

“You’re the one living for nothing. Just tell me—what do I do?” Leng Feng was getting impatient.

Leng Yi, savoring the moment, propped his chin and grinned mischievously.

“Leng Yi, stop stalling. Tell me!”

“You have to promise me one thing, and I’ll tell you.”

“Fine.” Leng Feng surprisingly agreed.

“Good. If I tell you, you must promise me three things.”

“All right, deal.”

“You want to woo a girl, right? Our prince excels at charming women—look at how Miss Yin can’t resist him. She’s a woman, and he’s pursued her for so long. So, it’s perfect for you to ask Miss Yin to help you understand a woman’s heart.”

“Leng Yi, what’s in your head? You actually thought of this?” Leng Feng’s eyes widened in admiration—Leng Yi suddenly seemed heroic in his eyes.

“That’s because I’m smarter than you,” Leng Yi said smugly.

“But… why would Miss Yin help me? I haven’t treated her well before. Asking her for help seems… impossible.”

“Miss Yin doesn’t hold grudges. She’ll help you. Go ahead and try.”

Encouraged, Leng Feng gathered his courage. Between Prince Jing’s pressure and Miss Yin herself, he chose to muster boldness and ask for help.

Entering the courtyard, he saw Yin Qingyue teasing the prince. Now wasn’t the right moment, so he waited.

Coincidentally, Yin Qingyue saw him and called out, “Leng Feng, why are you going in and out?”

Chu Jingcheng turned, frowning sharply. “Leng Feng, are you seeing ghosts?”

“No, Your Highness, I just saw a celestial beauty,” Leng Feng said, glancing at Yin Qingyue.

“A celestial beauty? You should gouge out your eyes! You’re betrothed—why are you looking at another woman, especially Miss Yin?”

“I really didn’t mean that, Your Highness, I—”

Yin Qingyue, disliking Chu Jingcheng’s personality, cut him off. Turning to Leng Feng, she said, “You seem troubled. Why not just say it?”

Leng Feng hesitated, glancing nervously at the prince.

Seeing her encourage him, Chu Jingcheng was curious what he’d say and nodded.

“It’s nothing… I just… I want Miss Yin to help me understand a girl’s heart—how to win a girl.”

The words left his mouth, and Chu Jingcheng froze. If he had water, he would have spat it out. Even Yin Qingyue was momentarily dumbfounded.

“Leng Feng, what do you mean?” she asked.

Leng Feng sheepishly smiled, embarrassed. “It’s the prince’s fault. He insisted I pursue the Ding girl, so I have no choice—I’m asking for your help.”

“But… you’re already engaged to Miss Ding?”

“She doesn’t want to anymore, and the prince still insists…” His voice trailed off.

Chu Jingcheng’s face darkened. “Leng Feng, you’re the one marrying the girl. I’m just helping you get a virtuous wife, and here you are, badmouthing me to Miss Yin.”

“I dare not,” Leng Feng bowed his head.

Yin Qingyue seemed to understand. This was entertaining, and she genuinely wanted to help. Being stuck in the courtyard was boring anyway, so helping him would pass the time.

She stood and approached him. “Leng Feng, I’ll help you with this.”

“Really?”

“When have I ever gone back on my word?”

Chu Jingcheng coughed loudly, jealous, and said, “Leng Feng, Miss Yin has agreed. What are you waiting for? Go!”

Relieved, Leng Feng didn’t waste another second.

Outside, Leng Yi greeted him eagerly. “So? Did she agree?”

“Yes! Miss Yin is a celestial beauty.”

“Hmm?”

“Not just a celestial beauty… a living bodhisattva. I’ll definitely thank her properly if this works out.”

“Are you coated in syrup or something? You’re praising her non-stop. Never seen you like this before,” Leng Yi said, unimpressed.

Leng Feng laughed, head thrown back. “Back then she was ugly—I didn’t understand why the prince treated her so well. Now I get it—who wouldn’t like a beauty?”

“Don’t forget, you promised me three things,” Leng Yi reminded, lest he go back on his word.

“Don’t worry. What I promise, I deliver,” Leng Feng said.

Inside the courtyard, Chu Jingcheng was fuming. Leng Feng had only spoken a little, yet she had so readily agreed.

“Yin Qingyue, when did you become so agreeable?” he asked.

She smiled, teasing him: “I’ve always been this way. You just didn’t notice.”

“Really? If you’re so nice, why do you always hurt me?”

“Your Highness, nonsense. I know when I hurt your heart.”

“Fine, fine. I get nothing from you anyway,” he sighed, glancing at the sky—it was getting late.

“I’ll leave for now and come see you another day. Take care of yourself. My medicinal herbs are very valuable,” he said, beginning to walk off.

Yin Qingyue called him back, adjusted his collar, and said, “Even though it’s not autumn yet, nights are still damp. Dress warmly and take care of yourself.”

A warmth rose in Chu Jingcheng’s heart. He held her hand gently. “You still care for me?”

“I live here, eat your food… I have to show some respect.”

Chu Jingcheng smiled. “You must be in a good mood today.”

Yin Qingyue pushed him gently. “Let’s go—stop lingering.”

“Mm, I’m going,” he said, looking at her approvingly. She could get jealous, she could care—it was progress.

She was extraordinary, unlike ordinary women: from Luocheng Academy, formerly of the Xize merchant family, eldest daughter of the Yin family, never favored, often bullied. Perhaps that was why she found it hard to form attachments.

But Chu Jingcheng guessed only half right. Her past made her cautious with feelings, but it wasn’t the same as the hardships of being the eldest daughter of the Yin family.