MCSCPM -Chapter 216 Kiss Until Satisfied

On the other side, since Ding Ying had agreed to spend three days trying to get along with Leng Feng, Yin Qingyue took the initiative and brought her to stay at her residence.

“Miss Yin, am I disturbing you?” Ding Ying asked.

“Not at all. I’m always here with only Mei’er for company. If you come, I’ll have someone to talk to. Besides, you can’t very well stay at an inn all alone, can you?”

Ding Ying nodded. That made sense.

Mei’er, a good maid, brought her a cup of hot tea. “Miss Ding, my mistress has a kind heart and treats everyone well.”

Ding Ying bit her lip. Shangguan Jiaoran had called Yin Qingyue a “witch” repeatedly in front of her, yet after just a few hours, she seemed to have developed a slight liking for Yin Qingyue, without any trace of hostility.

“Thank you so much for taking care of me.”

“It’s nothing. I’ll tell Leng Feng about your stay here. Spend a few days getting along, and after three days, I won’t pressure you anymore,” Yin Qingyue said.

“Thank you.”

Yin Qingyue instructed Mei’er to settle Ding Ying in a room in the back courtyard, prepared the room, and brought in fresh bedding. Since it was only for three days, she didn’t prepare too much.

Mei’er led Ding Ying inside and brought her a pot of hot tea.

“Miss Ding, if you feel uncomfortable staying here, just let me know. My mistress is concerned about your safety staying alone. Though it’s simple, I hope you won’t mind.”

Ding Ying glanced around the modest room. “It’s fine. It’s only three days.”

“Very well. If you need anything, tell me.”

“Much obliged.”

After Mei’er settled Ding Ying, she went to the front courtyard to inform her mistress, though she couldn’t resist a small complaint.

“Miss, Miss Ding is Shangguan Jiaoran’s good friend. You’re helping Leng Feng and letting her stay here… I wonder if she’ll appreciate it.”

“What’s wrong with you, girl?”

“Mei’er means no harm, just that you’re so kind, I worry. Maybe she and Shangguan Jiaoran are of one mind, and later she might turn on you.”

Yin Qingyue smiled, unconcerned. “Ding Ying may be Jiaoran’s good friend, but she isn’t as domineering or arrogant. She’s sensible, knows right from wrong clearly, so Mei’er, you don’t need to worry.”

Hearing this, Mei’er finally relaxed and said nothing further.

Looking outside, it was almost dark. Yin Qingyue suddenly remembered something she hadn’t done, so she went to the door and instructed Mei’er:

“Mei’er, guard the back courtyard. Don’t let Ding Ying come to the front courtyard, and you yourself don’t go either.”

“Miss, what’s the matter?”

“Think about it. We’re hiding the daughter of the Minister of Justice here. Wouldn’t Minister Ding search the entire city for her?”

Mei’er understood immediately. “Got it, Miss. I’ll guard the back courtyard and won’t let Miss Ding through. I’ll prepare some snacks to send to her as well.”

“Good. Also, prepare a pot of hot tea to bring over.”

“Understood. I’ll go right away.”

Mei’er went to prepare them, while Yin Qingyue waited at the door, seemingly expecting someone.

Prince Jing’s Residence

Leng Yi hurriedly returned to the courtyard and went to the main hall to report to Prince Jing.

“Your Highness, Miss Shangguan caused a commotion with Miss Yin just now.”

Hearing this, Prince Jing slammed his teacup on the table, frowning. “And then?”

“Don’t worry, Your Highness. Miss Shangguan eventually fainted and was sent back to the General’s Residence by Leng Feng. I’m not sure if Miss Yin did anything to the tea, but she wasn’t harmed,” Leng Yi explained.

Knowing Yin Qingyue wasn’t harmed, Chu Jingcheng felt less anxious. These days, the emperor’s spies had been keeping an eye on him, so Leng Yi had only been observing Yin Qingyue secretly.

“What’s happening now?” Chu Jingcheng asked.

“Your Highness, Miss Yin devised a plan to let Leng Feng meet Ding Ying. Now she has brought Ding Ying to her residence. The reason… remains unknown.”

“What does that woman want?”

“Why not ask her yourself, Your Highness?”

Chu Jingcheng rose. He hadn’t left the residence today precisely to attract attention, so that any imperial spies would report back. Yin Qingyue—he was determined to handle her, no matter what his father thought. For now, he was merely employing a delaying tactic.

Without hesitation, he strode forward.

Suburban Private Residence

Yin Qingyue waited at the door for half an hour, noticing the sky darken. She thought of Chu Jingcheng’s temperament—he wouldn’t remain silent. If he hadn’t heard about her and Shangguan Jiaoran causing a scene at the tavern, she wouldn’t believe it.

Yet these days, he hadn’t come. Previously, she was confident he would return, but now doubts arose, bringing a strange sense of loss, which she barely recognized.

Just then, she heard a carriage arrive outside.

For a moment, she hoped it was Chu Jingcheng… but could it be Leng Feng?

Before she could guess, Chu Jingcheng strode in, face dark, clearly displeased. Seeing Yin Qingyue at the door, he noticed she had lost a little weight in just a few days.

That feeling of “a day apart feels like three years” was precisely apt.

Yin Qingyue’s eyes flickered with a moment of joy, but she quickly hid it.

“Were you waiting for me?” Chu Jingcheng asked, lowering his brows slightly, his tone tinged with anger.

“Prince Jing, since you know I’m waiting, isn’t your question redundant?” Yin Qingyue retorted and turned to go inside.

Chu Jingcheng took two quick steps, grabbed her hand, and pulled her close. His gaze suddenly grew cold. “Yin Qingyue, do you take me for nonexistent? My patience is limited, and with you, it’s almost exhausted.”

His grip on her arm was painful. This was the first time Chu Jingcheng had acted like this. Even with foreknowledge, Yin Qingyue hadn’t expected him to be so angry.

“Prince Jing, are you really angry? Did I do something wrong?”

“You did nothing wrong. This is my fault.”

“That’s not right,” she protested.

“You… you woman.” He sighed in frustration, slowly letting go of her hand, looking slightly guilty. Turning to the side, he asked softly, “Yin Qingyue, while you were busy with Leng Feng, did you really forget me?”

He was jealous. Coming from Prince Jing’s residence here, he had overturned the jar of jealousy and pounced on her.

Yin Qingyue’s heart stirred. She took his wrist, drew him closer, and smiled gently. “The weather’s been bad these days, so I had Mei’er prepare a pot of hot tea each day, thinking of you, Prince Jing, who always enjoys tea.”

“Really… every day?”

“Yes, but you’ve been busy and haven’t come.”

“That’s because…” He hesitated. Should he mention his father’s spies? He swallowed the words and said instead, “Yin Qingyue, do you know how much I’ve missed you these past few days?”

“Prince Jing…”

“Even knowing you’re helping Leng Feng, I can’t control my heart. Today, I heard about your commotion with Shangguan Jiaoran. Do you know how worried I was?” He enunciated every word carefully, afraid that the woman he longed for would misunderstand.

Yin Qingyue did not pull her hand back. She let him hold it tightly and smiled. “What have I done to deserve your concern?”

“Because you’re worth it.”

Those five words were sweet and sincere. No matter Yin Qingyue’s conflicting feelings, she believed them. They moved her.

Putting that aside, she nodded. “I understand your feelings, but now… shouldn’t you help someone else first?”

“You mean Leng Feng?”

“You’re smart.”

“To hear you praise me is rare indeed.”

Yin Qingyue laughed. When did this man become so eloquent? Had he gone to study with his master these past few days?

Back to serious matters, Chu Jingcheng’s anger softened. Yin Qingyue poured him a pot of freshly prepared tea and said, “I’ve persuaded Ding Ying to spend three days with Leng Feng. If she develops feelings after three days, that’s great. If not, then you will need to step back too. A marriage where neither party is fond of the other cannot proceed.”

“You’re trying to get the upper hand first.”

“I’m just trying to reassure Ding Ying. Otherwise, how could she agree?”

Chu Jingcheng wasn’t heartless. He understood these feelings. Putting himself in her position, it made sense.

“Very well. I agree.”

“I knew you weren’t heartless,” Yin Qingyue said, smiling, no longer distant toward him.

After drinking tea, he remembered something. “Yin Qingyue, you were waiting outside. I assume you knew I would come. Tell me, what do you want me to do?”

“To be frank, Ding Ying is staying here. Over three days, we can’t have Minister Ding searching everywhere for his daughter. So I’ll trouble you, Prince Jing, to notify Ding Residence. If Minister Ding trusts you, he won’t worry about Ding Ying.”

Hearing this, Chu Jingcheng smirked, raising his brows. “I see your intention… but I never do anything without gain. You understand, right?”

Yin Qingyue, sensing a transaction, asked cautiously, “Then what must I do to have you help?”

“Kiss me—kiss me until I’m satisfied.”