MCSCPM -Chapter 233 Losing Him

He had thought the matter was settled. Yet, shortly after Shangguan Qingyun and Ding Heng left the main hall, Chu Helian ordered Eunuch Sun to summon Chu Jingcheng to the palace immediately.

By the time the message reached the Jing Prince’s residence, half an hour had already passed.

The eunuch who delivered the message came discreetly, without alerting anyone in the residence.

Chu Jingcheng knew his father would summon him, so he was prepared.

This time, Chu Helian dismissed everyone, leaving only Chu Jingcheng.

“Your son pays respects to His Majesty.”

“There’s only father and son here, no need for formalities,” Chu Helian said, stepping forward.

“Jing’er, I won’t beat around the bush. I summoned you today regarding Shangguan Jiaoran.”

Chu Jingcheng’s brows furrowed, his expression clearly resistant. “Father, I understand, but I have already made my decision and it will not change. Please don’t force me.”

“Because of that divine healer?”

“Father…”

“Enough,” Chu Helian interrupted. “You don’t need to explain. I know about you and the divine healer. But don’t forget who you are.”

It wasn’t merely a reminder—it was a warning. Chu Jingcheng had come prepared.

“Today, I must tell you, Father, that in this life, it will only ever be Yin Qingyue. I will never marry Shangguan Jiaoran, no matter what.”

His tone was resolute, carrying the weight of defiance—as if anyone who tried to force him would be killed.

Chu Helian knew his son’s character better than anyone. If he pushed further, the result was predictable.

Stepping closer, Chu Helian placed his hands behind his back, resigned. “Jing’er, do you understand? Marrying Shangguan General’s daughter would create a protective wall for us. If you act on your own wishes, what will Shangguan Qingyun do?”

He analyzed the pros and cons seriously—after all, as Emperor, the state’s interests came first.

Chu Jingcheng remained unmoved. “Father, I understand and could follow your wishes, but I repeat: I cannot do it.”

“You… do you wish to anger me to death? Aren’t you afraid I would kill the divine healer?”

Finally, he spoke the word ‘kill’—exactly the fear Yin Qingyue had harbored.

Through gritted teeth, Chu Jingcheng said, “If you kill Yin Qingyue to force me to marry Shangguan Jiaoran, then Father, you will also lose your son.”

“Lose? You dare say such a thing to me?”

“Yes. Even if it is disrespectful, I must say it.” Each word from Chu Jingcheng was firm and decisive.

Looking into his son’s eyes, Chu Helian was both angry and helpless. “Jing’er, you are forcing me. Do you really think I wouldn’t kill her?”

Chu Jingcheng smiled coldly, bitterly ironic. “Father is forcing me. I believe you would kill her, but believe me too: if she dies, I will not survive either.”

At that moment, father and son faced off: one willing to kill, the other to die—for the sake of one woman.

Finally, Chu Helian slumped onto the Dragon Throne, gripping the armrest tightly. “It seems I am powerless. If I kill the divine healer, I lose my son. What kind of deal is this? I seem to be at a loss.”

“So, Father will no longer trouble her?” Chu Jingcheng felt a surge of relief.

“If I truly killed her and lost you, I would indeed become a tyrant.”

Chu Jingcheng’s heart lightened. “Your son thanks Father.”

“Very well. But regarding you and Shangguan Jiaoran, it still must be addressed properly,” Chu Helian said awkwardly.

“Father, think carefully. I imagine you’ve investigated Shangguan Jiaoran, right? You know her better than I do. Considering the Ding family incident, could such a woman truly become the Jing Prince’s consort?”

“This…”

“You are wise, Father. I can think of it; you certainly have too.”

Indeed, Chu Helian had thought about Shangguan Jiaoran’s suitability. But hearing his son voice what he had been weighing made the doubts feel magnified.

Shangguan Jiaoran—truly fit to be Jing Prince’s consort?

Chu Helian paced, deep in thought.

Pressing on, Chu Jingcheng said, “Father, I know you act to court Shangguan General. But many matters are not limited to one path.”

“I understand your meaning. I summoned you partly to test you. It seems, no matter what, you will not marry Shangguan Jiaoran,” Chu Helian said, a mixture of helplessness and reluctant concession in his tone.

Stepping forward, Chu Jingcheng answered firmly, “Yes. I will never marry her.”

That “never” left no room for change.

After a moment, Chu Helian said, “Since your mind is so fixed, forcing you is useless. Today, I used the Ding family affair to take part of Shangguan General’s military command. I suspect he will now try to force me to decree the marriage.”

He deliberately used the word ‘force,’ though everyone knew Chu Helian was never forced by anyone.

Chu Jingcheng had done everything to reject this marriage—even staking his own life. Now, all the pressure shifted onto Shangguan Qingyun.

“Father, have you already made a decision?”

Truly father and son—Chu Jingcheng guessed that his father, having spoken, already had the next move planned.

“I do have a plan. You will leave the capital and go to the provinces,” Chu Helian said.

“The provinces? That’s your meaning, Father?”

“Yes. First, it delays the marriage. Second, it gives me time to think. Third, regarding Shangguan General’s remaining troops—once we regain that, your marriage to Shangguan Jiaoran can be decided as you wish,” Chu Helian said, his gaze imagining the scene.

Normally, Chu Jingcheng would never leave the capital—or Yin Qingyue. But now, he seemed forced to go, giving him a chance with her.

Seeing his son hesitate, Chu Helian said, “Jing’er, I know you don’t want to go. But it’s unavoidable. You’ll go to handle corrupt officials. There are indeed such issues in the provinces—consider it business.”

“Since Father has said this, very well. I will go,” Chu Jingcheng said.

“Then departure will be tomorrow.”

In a private residence on the outskirts of the capital:

Yin Qingyue had been exhausted these days. She had taken a short nap in the afternoon, but by evening, she felt much more awake.

After taking her medicine, she felt much better.

Though night had fallen, she couldn’t sleep and sat under a tree in the courtyard.

“Miss, the moon is beautiful tonight—big and bright. It’s the first time seeing it since arriving in Beihau,” Mei’er said, gazing happily at the moon.

Yin Qingyue smiled gently and teased, “You child, everything seems new to you. The moon? Don’t we see it every day?”

“But tonight it’s especially beautiful. Maybe it’s because I’m in a good mood,” Mei’er replied.

“Good mood?”

“Yes. Miss, these past days without you, I had no spirit. Now that you’re back, everything seems beautiful.”

Yin Qingyue laughed, covering her mouth.

At that moment, horse hooves sounded outside.

So late—who could it be?

“Mei’er, go check,” Yin Qingyue said cautiously. Two young women on the outskirts naturally needed to be careful.

Mei’er nodded and went to the front yard. Yin Qingyue waited, but instead of Mei’er, Chu Jingcheng appeared.

Today, he didn’t look as usual. His expression was heavy, his gaze empty.

“What’s wrong?” Yin Qingyue asked, approaching him.

“Nothing,” he said, averting his eyes and standing under the vines. “Yin Qingyue, tonight, stay with me. I wish to be with you this night.”

Normally, she would have refused, perhaps harshly, to push him away.

But seeing his lonely, desolate, almost pitiful figure, Yin Qingyue softened.

“Very well. Stay tonight,” she said.

He turned in surprise. “You won’t push me away?”

“I happen to be unable to sleep. Since you’re here, we can talk—why not?” she said, offering an excuse, though perhaps not truly one.

“You, Yin Qingyue, are always so hot and cold.”

“Am I?”

“You are. And mostly cold. Even though I burn for you, your heart remains inaccessible,” he said, his voice hollow. “Tell me—what is in your heart? What must I do to reach it?”

Meeting his gaze, Yin Qingyue saw light in his eyes—tender, pitiful—and instinctively took several steps back.

Chu Jingcheng stepped closer, taking her hand and raising it to his chest. “Tell me, what must I do for you to accept me, to stop keeping me at a thousand miles away?”

“Prince Jing, what do you mean by this? When have I ever rejected you so far away?”

“Have I not?” he pressed.

Yin Qingyue looked at him steadily. “Prince Jing, as a member of the royal family, a wife must be of pure blood. I… do not meet that requirement.”

In modern times, the same applied in the Yin Group: the head must marry a bride of proper bloodline. Minor branches did not matter. Likewise, in Beihau.

Chu Jingcheng let out a soft laugh. “Yin Qingyue, you truly think of me this way?”