MCSCPM -Chapter 217 The Toothless Tiger

She was supposed to kiss him? To say it out loud, that request was rather extreme!

Yin Qingyue absolutely wouldn’t do it at first. She turned to the side and muttered irritably, “Prince Jing, this request of yours… is a bit perverted.”

“Fine. Since you refuse, I won’t help you.”

“You…” Yin Qingyue panicked slightly. Chu Jingcheng was a man of his word—if he said he wouldn’t help, then he wouldn’t.

Seeing her flustered, Chu Jingcheng pressed the advantage. “You know my temperament. If you don’t want to, I won’t force you. But this matter… won’t be so easy otherwise.”

“Must it be this way?”

“It must.” A faint smile curved at the corner of Chu Jingcheng’s lips.

The urgent matter was to inform Minister Ding, so that if he came looking here, Yin Qingyue would be in serious trouble—perhaps even accused of abduction. But kissing Chu Jingcheng? A young lady could never be accused of such a thing.

Yin Qingyue hesitated, torn between doing it or not.

Chu Jingcheng suddenly turned and walked toward the door, tossing over his shoulder, “Very well. If that’s the case, I won’t force you. I have business to attend to, so I’ll leave first.”

Just as he was about to step out, Yin Qingyue’s mind clicked. She realized she had no choice but to compromise.

She stepped forward, grabbed Chu Jingcheng’s hand, turned, stood on tiptoe, closed her eyes, and kissed him.

In that instant, the air seemed to freeze—cold and hot at the same time—a feeling impossible to describe.

What Chu Jingcheng had hoped for was happening, yet he was still a bit surprised.

The warmth between their lips gradually increased, as if caught between ice and fire. Yin Qingyue kissed him somewhat indifferently, pressing only her lips against his. Not half-heartedly, she kissed him fully. The next moment, Chu Jingcheng wrapped his arms around her slim waist, holding her completely against him.

Yin Qingyue’s eyes widened. She hadn’t expected this. She tried to push him away, but he held her tightly. The kiss became more passionate.

The tables had turned—he was now in control.

Chu Jingcheng kissed deeply and forcefully. Yin Qingyue gradually shifted from resisting to yielding, letting him act freely on her lips.

After some time, a memory flashed in her mind—the time when Chu Jingcheng had nearly killed her, when she had read his mind and then felt emptiness. Thinking of that moment now made her heart burn like fire.

She pushed him away forcefully, turning her back so he couldn’t see her expression.

Chu Jingcheng, still wanting more, didn’t press further. He assumed she was shy and turned his back as well.

“Though I’m not fully satisfied, it’s enough. I’m a little pleased. Yin Qingyue, you should do this more often. When I’m pleased, I might help you with anything.”

Yin Qingyue’s thoughts shifted. After taking her tonic, she decided to try reading his mind.

She looked at Chu Jingcheng directly, and suddenly, she was shocked.

He… was thinking about something! He was imagining her after a bath—innocent like water back then, now as cunning as a fox. And imagining a day when he could invite her to bathe together.

Yin Qingyue lowered her head and cursed silently. Truly shameless.

At that moment, Chu Jingcheng spoke again, “It’s getting late. I can’t stay long. Take care of yourself—drink your medicine; don’t save any for me.”

He finished his instructions and was about to leave but paused, turning back to say, “Remember, you are mine. There must be no one else in your eyes. I will come again—have a pot of good tea ready.”

Chu Jingcheng had arrived in a hurry and left in a hurry. Watching his figure fade, Yin Qingyue felt an inexplicable flutter in her heart. She wasn’t sure what this feeling was.

Mei’er, seeing Chu Jingcheng leave, came to the front courtyard. She noticed her mistress looked thoughtful.

“Miss, what’s wrong?”

“Nothing.” Yin Qingyue quickly adjusted her mood.

“If there’s something, you should say it.”

“What could it be? Don’t worry.” She certainly couldn’t tell Mei’er that she had read the Prince’s thoughts about inviting her to bathe.

Had her mind-reading failed again? Chu Jingcheng was far too bold.

“By the way, how is Miss Ding?”

“She’s resting now. Perhaps she’s tired from today.”

Indeed, Ding Ying had cried nearly the entire day—how could she not be exhausted?

“Miss, I’ve prepared your medicine. Will you take it now?”

“Yes, bring it over.”

“Very well.”

All day, it had been just medicine. To restore her health, she felt like she had practically grown up on it.

Ding Residence

Night had fallen. The Ding residence glowed with light—not for a celebration, but because everyone inside was searching for Ding Ying. Those who had gone to the tea house had just returned.

Ding Heng paced the main hall, hands behind his back, cold sweat covering him in anxiety.

“Master…”

The butler who had returned from the tea house rushed in, anxious. “Master, the tea house said the young lady indeed went there with Miss Shangguan, but Miss Shangguan left first, and then Miss Ding left later.”

“Where is Ying’er now?” Ding Heng asked frantically.

“We’ve searched everywhere, but there’s no sign of her. Master, what should we do?”

“Ying’er, you mustn’t get into trouble. You’re my only daughter! It’s all my fault. I shouldn’t have pressured you. It’s my fault!” Ding Heng regretted forcing his daughter to comply—otherwise, she wouldn’t have run off.

“Quickly send more people out. You must find her!”

“Yes, yes…” The butler hurried to gather more men. Just as he left, Leng Yi from Prince Jing’s residence arrived.

Leng Yi, wearing his sword, cold-faced and serious, showed the Prince’s badge. “Is your master present? I’m here by order of the Prince.”

Seeing the badge, the butler dared not delay, quickly escorting him inside.

Ding Heng, at first, didn’t realize it was about his daughter, and sighed. He led Leng Yi as if sending off a guest. “Guard Leng, we have important matters and cannot entertain you. Come back tomorrow if needed.”

Leng Yi calmly waited until he finished, then said, “Master Ding, don’t worry. Miss Ding is safe. The Prince sent me regarding this matter.”

“Really? Ying’er is safe? Where is she?” Ding Heng asked excitedly.

“You don’t need to worry. The Prince only says she will return in three days. During these three days, he hopes you won’t search the city. He assures you, Miss Ding will return safely.”

Finally, Ding Heng exhaled. With the Prince’s guarantee, what could he say?

Leng Yi stepped forward, lowering his voice. “The Prince also asked me to tell Master Ding, after three days, if Miss Ding willingly marries Leng Feng, the Prince will oversee the marriage. If she refuses, the Prince hopes you will not force her. The matter will then be dropped, and you can accept it for her sake.”

Leng Yi delivered the message clearly, word for word.

Having experienced his daughter’s disappearance, Ding Heng accepted this arrangement. With the Prince’s words, he had no objection.

Ding Heng nodded. “Very well. Thank you, Guard Leng, for taking the trouble. Please convey to your Prince: if my daughter truly dislikes this marriage, let it be called off.”

“Master Ding is wise. I will take my leave and return her personally after three days.”

“Thank you.”

Leng Yi completed his task and left promptly, returning to Prince Jing’s residence to report.

“Your Highness, I’ve informed Master Ding. After hearing your words and considering Miss Ding’s brief disappearance, he was understandably worried. He had no choice but to accept your suggestion, albeit reluctantly.”

Chu Jingcheng’s plan had gone perfectly. Returning from the suburban residence, he could have immediately informed Ding Heng, but he delayed a few hours so that the Ding family would worry—forcing him to agree reluctantly.

“This Ding Heng wants me to approve Leng Feng marrying Ding Ying, but really, he’s just paving his own way,” Chu Jingcheng said.

Leng Yi looked puzzled. “Your Highness, why do you say that?”

“Think about it. Leng Feng has only one guard. Just because he kissed Ding Ying, Ding Heng wants to marry his daughter to him. That’s unreasonable.”

From the start, Chu Jingcheng knew Ding Heng’s intentions. He hadn’t stopped it partly to save Ding Heng’s face and partly because he wanted to find a match for Leng Feng—to discipline his lazy nature.

Leng Yi, not foolish, understood immediately. He muttered, “Your Highness is formidable… but Ding Heng is a sly old fox!”

“Even a sly fox is a toothless tiger before me,” Chu Jingcheng said.

“Indeed, compared to Shangguan Qingyun, Ding Heng is nothing,” Leng Yi said disdainfully.

Chu Jingcheng smiled. He made it seem like he was bending to Ding Heng, but it was all for show. He would never be manipulated—he only allowed it to play out while keeping full control.

If Ding Ying truly married Leng Feng, Ding Heng might not be an enemy, but a potential ally. Yet Chu Jingcheng would ensure he used the situation, not be used by it.