MCSCPM -Chapter 210 Shutting the Door and Staying In

Yin Qingyue agreeing to help Leng Feng wasn’t surprising at all, though Chu Jingcheng might have felt a twinge of jealousy.

She instructed Mei’er to bring the medicinal herbs that the prince had sent previously. These were all precious herbs. She had been taking them to restore her health for quite some time, though she wasn’t entirely sure of their effect.

“Miss, the prince sends these herbs from time to time. It really shows how much he cares for you.”

“You only know how to talk,” she replied.

“Miss, don’t tease me. The prince’s heart belongs entirely to you; he doesn’t even notice other women,” Mei’er giggled, then asked, “Miss, why do you want to help Leng Feng? He keeps talking about you—he’s just following the prince’s orders, isn’t he?”

Yin Qingyue replied slowly, “I’ve never cared what others think of me… besides—”

She trailed off, feeling a strange sensation in her chest. Leng Feng had followed the prince for many years, and his teasing of her was really because of the prince…

Finally, she smiled. “Alright, sort these herbs and boil them in batches, one bag at a time.”

“Understood.”

They quickly sorted and bagged the herbs, making future preparation easier.

Mei’er asked, “Miss, with Leng Feng’s temperament, how could any girl tolerate him? The Ding family is prominent; surely they wouldn’t approve of him.”

Yin Qingyue disagreed. “Though his personality is rough around the edges, he isn’t a bad person. His cheerful, carefree nature actually makes him attractive to girls.”

Mei’er looked puzzled. “Miss, where do you see that in him? Is that really a good personality?”

“Sometimes,” Yin Qingyue replied.

“Sometimes? He’s bad all the time!” Mei’er snorted.

“Mei’er, are you stopping me because… you have feelings for him?” Yin Qingyue teased casually, and Mei’er panicked.

“Absolutely not! He’s too sharp-tongued, I wouldn’t want him,” Mei’er waved her hands repeatedly.

“Mei’er, I just thought, being stuck in this courtyard every day is boring. Why not find something interesting to do?”

Mei’er thought about it and nodded in agreement. “You’re right, Miss. Finding something interesting is good.”

Yin Qingyue smiled and handed the prepared herbs to Mei’er. “Go boil the herbs, and be careful this time—don’t hurt your hands again.”

“Yes, Miss,” Mei’er replied quickly, taking the herbs to the kitchen.

Yin Qingyue sighed. Since arriving in Beihai, the prince often visited, and she had seen much of the capital. Yet, the more the prince treated her well, the more confused she felt. There was a barrier in her heart she couldn’t cross.

Was she meant to stay in this courtyard forever? To remain in Beihai for the rest of her life?

All these questions weighed on her. She didn’t know what path to take next, and for now, she could only take one step at a time.

The next day.

After promising to help Leng Feng yesterday, he hurried to the city today—but the prince didn’t come.

Yin Qingyue looked toward the gate. “Why isn’t the prince here today?”

“He’s busy these days and couldn’t come. So I came alone,” Leng Feng said.

“Oh…” Yin Qingyue’s words betrayed a trace of disappointment without her realizing it.

Leng Feng hesitated before speaking. “Miss Yin, quickly teach me how to understand a girl’s heart! Lord Ding and the prince are pressuring me, and I don’t have much time!”

This was the first time he seemed so anxious. Yin Qingyue flicked her sleeves, smiled, and said, “Leng Feng, your prince wants you to marry the Ding girl, right?”

“Of course.”

“When you kissed her, did she hit you?”

“No, she just cried silently, without making a sound,” Leng Feng recalled.

Yin Qingyue thought carefully. From what he said, it seemed the Ding girl’s character was gentle and reserved. She analyzed the situation thoroughly.

“Leng Feng, from what you’ve said, the Ding girl is someone who swallows her grievances and is naturally timid. Your personality won’t make her accept you—it will only frighten her.”

Leng Feng nodded in agreement, but he wondered: could he really change his nature?

“Miss Yin… how can I change my personality in such a short time? I’m not like the prince—so charming—or like Leng Yi—so composed.”

“I never said you had to change. Even if you wanted to, I don’t have time to mold you,” she bluntly replied.

“What should I do now?” Leng Feng panicked.

Yin Qingyue, calm as ever, took a sip of tea and studied him. Shaking her head, she sighed.

“It seems the only option is to make a bold attempt.”

“Bold attempt? I’m no dead horse—I’m a fine stallion!” he said proudly, standing tall.

Yin Qingyue shot him a glare, secretly thinking how foolish he was. This wasn’t just a dead horse—it was a silly horse. She regretted agreeing to help him yesterday.

“Listen, Leng Feng. If I’m helping you, you have to follow everything I say. If you oppose me even slightly, I’ll stop helping, and your prince can deal with you as he sees fit.”

“All right, all right, I’ll do whatever you say.”

“Good. Now, what’s the most important thing? Do you know?”

“Of course! Make the Ding girl marry me!”

Yin Qingyue stood, clenched her fist, and lightly struck his head. “The biggest problem is that she doesn’t want to marry you! So the most important thing now is to make her understand—why your prince is so determined to push you—this is truly your own doing.”

Even with his strong physique, the blow hurt.

“Miss Yin, what should I do?”

“Arrange to meet her. Explain the kiss from before so she won’t misunderstand you at first. Understand?” she said sternly, like scolding a child.

Leng Feng stepped back nervously, fearing another punch, and smiled awkwardly. “But she won’t meet me if I ask. Why would she?”

“Then you need a plan. Are you going to give up if she doesn’t come?”

“So… what do you suggest?”

“The last time the prince mentioned, when Shangguan Jiaoran caused a scene, the Ding girl was there too. So they must be on good terms,” Yin Qingyue said.

Leng Feng nodded. “Yes, that’s when I kissed her.”

Yin Qingyue snorted and got to the main point. “Tomorrow, go to the Ding residence. See if the Ding girl will meet you. If she refuses, then Shangguan Jiaoran can help.”

Help? Yin Qingyue wasn’t planning to ask Shangguan Jiaoran herself—the ‘help’ meant something else.

Leng Feng hesitated, then said, “Fine, I’ll go. But if she refuses, how would you get Shangguan Jiaoran to help? She’s tricky, doesn’t like you, and I’ve had conflicts with her. She definitely won’t help.”

“Don’t worry about that now. Go see the Ding girl first. If she agrees, you won’t need Shangguan Jiaoran. That’s just a backup plan.”

“All right, tomorrow I’ll go. I’ll leave you to your business today. If this works out, I’ll thank you properly,” he said, clasping his hands in respect and left.

Meanwhile, at the Ding residence.

Ding Ying hadn’t left her room for several days, occasionally walking in the courtyard in front of her room.

Xiang Xu draped a cloak over her. “Miss, your health has been poor these past few days. Don’t catch a cold—it would be terrible.”

“I know. You don’t need to worry about me.”

“Miss, you’re still thinking about all this. Stop thinking. If you don’t want to, your father won’t force you.”

Won’t force? The prince had already commanded it, and her father had practically ordered her to marry Leng Feng. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have gone to the prince repeatedly.

Shaking her head bitterly, she said, “I know my father’s character. If he hadn’t made up his mind, he wouldn’t have gone to the prince himself.”

“What will you do, Miss? I’ve served you since childhood and hate to see you sad,” Xiang Xu said, eyes brimming with tears.

Ding Ying grabbed her hand. “Enough, don’t be sad. When you’re upset, I’m even sadder.”

“I’m sorry, Miss, it’s my fault,” Xiang Xu said.

Ding Ying remained silent, though her heart ached.

Xiang Xu suddenly suggested, “Miss, should I go find Miss Shangguan to talk to you? Maybe she can offer a solution.”

“No. Don’t involve her. I don’t want everyone to know,” Ding Ying said.

Of course, the fewer people who knew, the better. Xiang Xu agreed and gave up the idea.

The weather had grown slightly windy, and the air was cool.

Ding Heng had just returned from the palace and, seeing his daughter’s state, softened his heart.

Seeing her father, Ding Ying hurried back to her room, locked the door, and sat on the bed, quietly wiping her tears.

Though she dared not entertain any improper thoughts about the prince and knew they could never be together, hearing his name or seeing him still stirred her emotions.

Now, she was to marry a guard of the prince—what was this? And the prince himself had decided this. Her heart was in turmoil.

Ding Heng called softly from outside, “Ying’er, open the door. Stop fussing. I know you’re upset.”

Ding Ying didn’t respond.

“I don’t want to force you, but a girl’s honor is important. You’ve always been timid and cautious. If you don’t pursue this, that’s fine—but I am your father. I can’t just stand by.”

“Father, stop. I need to rest now,” Ding Ying said, her voice breaking.

Seeing this, Ding Heng feared forcing her would make things worse.

“All right, I’ll leave. Rest well,” he said, sighing. It seemed there was no easy solution.