MCSCPM -Chapter 221 Showing You

Yin Qingyue knew she couldn’t push him away, so she let Chu Jingcheng kiss her until he finally stopped.

Seeing that she didn’t resist, Chu Jingcheng felt a sudden happiness. “You didn’t refuse me. Is that… does this mean you’re willing to compromise?”

As Chu Jingcheng’s grip loosened slightly, Yin Qingyue immediately pushed him away and took two steps back. The warmth of his lips still burned like fire on her own, making her face flush.

“Prince Jing, are you always like this? Forcing someone against their will,” she said, her voice tinged with reproach.

Even she wasn’t sure what she truly wanted. Did she love Chu Jingcheng? She didn’t know. This man had helped her again and again, but how she felt… was difficult to say. Perhaps his deep love had arrived too suddenly, leaving her confused—she had never been in love before.

“Force someone? If that’s what it takes to win you, I’m willing,” he said.

“How can you be such a rogue?” she asked.

“Yin Qingyue, you’ve always called me a rogue. This time, I won’t let you go,” he said, then suddenly scooped her up in his arms.

“What are you doing? Put me down!”

“Didn’t you say I’m a rogue? Then I’ll show you what a rogue really is.”

No matter how much Yin Qingyue struggled, he carried her into his carriage and commanded Leng Yi to drive back to his private residence.

“Wait… what about Mei’er?”

“Don’t worry, I already had someone send her back,” Chu Jingcheng replied.

“Where are we going now?” Yin Qingyue asked, shifting to create some space between them. She moved a step back; he moved forward. Step back, forward… step back, forward…

Eventually, Chu Jingcheng cornered her so she could barely move.

“Prince Jing, please… show some restraint,” she finally said.

Chu Jingcheng rested his hands on his thighs, seeing her like this, and couldn’t help but laugh. “I’m not going to kill you or do anything to you. Why are you so worried?”

“I…”

“What? You think I would…”

“Don’t talk nonsense! I didn’t think that way,” she interrupted. Yesterday, she had sensed his intention for them to bathe together. After his recent actions, she had nearly thought along those lines.

Chu Jingcheng smiled, thinking she had indeed been tempted, and held her hand tightly. “If you’re tired, just lean on me and rest for a while.”

Looking at his sharp, handsome side profile, Yin Qingyue reluctantly leaned on his shoulder. After a long day following Leng Feng, she was indeed tired. Her hand remained in his grasp without pulling away.

Chu Jingcheng thought, if he could, he’d stay like this forever. As long as Yin Qingyue was by his side, he would be content for a lifetime.

At the Lantern Festival, Ding Ying wandered for a long time, dazzled by the multitude of lanterns. She held the flowers, while Leng Feng followed behind, chatting occasionally. It seemed there was little progress in their relationship.

Suddenly, a group of children ran past, holding bright red lanterns and singing rhymes. The crowd surged, and Ding Ying was separated from Leng Feng. She frantically searched through the throng, stretching to see, but with so many people, she still couldn’t spot him. She was jostled further and lost her bearings.

“Leng Feng! Where are you? Leng Feng…” Her voice was small and anxious, almost lost among the crowd. Tears welled in her eyes. This was the first time she’d experienced anything like this, and she panicked.

At that moment, a man with a full beard appeared, kindly approaching her. “Miss, are you looking for someone?”

“Yes… have you seen a young man in green, holding a beautiful sword…” she tried to describe Leng Feng.

The man thought for a moment. “Ah, I saw him. He’s over there. Come with me, I’ll take you to him.”

“Really?”

“Of course. Follow me.”

Ding Ying, trusting and panicked, followed.

They went deeper into an alley. As the crowd thinned, Ding Ying paused. Something felt wrong. She stepped back. “Where is this place?”

The kind-looking man suddenly turned, his face twisted into a cruel, sinister grin. “Miss, you rarely go out, don’t you? Today, you’re in my hands. You’re unlucky. Come with me.” He reached for her.

Terrified, Ding Ying stepped back. “Who are you? Don’t come near me! I’ll scream!”

“Scream? There’s no one here. Screaming won’t help.”

“Help! …” She tried to run, dropping the bouquet.

The bearded man struck her neck hard. Pain shot through her, her vision blurred, and she collapsed unconscious.

Meanwhile, Leng Feng was frantic, searching desperately. The thought of Ding Ying in danger terrified him. He questioned several people, but none had seen her. Finally, a vendor called out, “Young master, are you looking for a girl with flowers?”

Leng Feng’s heart leaped. “Have you seen her? Where?”

“Just now, a bearded man took her into that alley,” the vendor pointed.

Leng Feng tightened his grip on his sword and rushed after them. By the time he arrived, he only saw the fallen bouquet. Ding Ying was gone.

“Ding Ying…” he called, but there was no response.

When Ding Ying woke, she found herself in an unfamiliar room, filled with heavy perfume and ornate furnishings, unlike any ordinary residence. Struggling to stand, she tried to leave, but several people entered.

The bearded man who had knocked her out was among them, along with a courtesan from the Drunken Immortal Brothel.

“Who are you?” she demanded, clutching her clothes tightly.

The two exchanged a sly glance. The bearded man said, “Boss, what do you think of this girl? Pretty, right? Set the price.”

The courtesan scrutinized Ding Ying, smiling seductively. “She’s nice-looking, but… doesn’t know her place. Old Zhou, is she… pure?”

“Don’t worry, Boss. She’s pure. Just name your price,” the man replied.

“Old Zhou, we’re old friends. Fifty taels?”

“Fifty? Boss, at least a hundred!” Old Zhou objected.

Ding Ying, realizing what was happening, burst into tears. “What do you want to do? You can’t treat me like this! My father will come! Leng Feng will come! Please, let me go!”

“Your father? Who is he?” the courtesan asked.

“My father is Ding Heng, Minister of the Court of Justice. If you don’t release me, he’ll make you pay,” she cried.

The courtesan laughed, waving a handkerchief. “Your father, huh? I’m above even him here in the Drunken Immortal Brothel. Don’t play tricks here—once you’re in, there’s no leaving.”

“I’m not lying! My father really is Ding Heng!”

“Enough! Give me the silver, Old Zhou. I’ve got another customer to see.”

The courtesan scowled at him. “I haven’t even checked this girl’s background! You expect me to just take your silver?”

“Boss, we’ve been friends for years!”

“Fine, fine. Later.” She glanced at Ding Ying. Judging by her clothes, she wasn’t an ordinary girl. If she really was Ding Heng’s daughter, trouble would fall on her head.

The courtesan hesitated. Whoever came here didn’t leave easily. She told Ding Ying, “Miss, I don’t care who you are. I’ll buy you with this silver. If you work hard, you’ll live well, and money will pour into your hands.”

“Please, let me go! I’ll give you plenty of silver! I won’t do this! Even if I die, I won’t do this! I beg you!”

“Stop. Saying won’t help.” The courtesan handed fifty taels to the bearded man. “Old Zhou, take it. If you don’t, forget it.”

Old Zhou, wary, took the silver. He intended to leave, but as he reached the door, someone kicked him back with force.

“Who dares hit me?”

“I’m coming for your life!”

The newcomer was none other than Leng Feng.