MCSCPM -Chapter 263 A Properly Arranged Marriage

“My lord thinks that Miss Yan is quite exceptional—prominent family background, influential household. If you stayed and became her husband, how carefree and happy your life would be!” Chu Jingcheng strode along as he spoke. Though his words were harsh, his expression showed that he trusted Leng Feng; he was only offering a warning.

Yin Qingyue laughed beside him. Though she had really wanted to hit Leng Feng back in the room, seeing him so anxious to explain reassured her.

She teased, “Leng Feng, your lord is right. You should stay and enjoy life as her husband.”

Leng Feng buried his head in his hands, feeling utterly crushed. He said to Yin Qingyue, “Miss Yin, don’t you understand my heart? The one I love is Ding Ying. If anyone were to marry me, it would only ever be Ding Ying. No other woman—I don’t want anyone else, and I never could.”

“If you say so, when Ding Ying wakes up and hears this, she’ll be very happy.”

“Wakes up? Miss Yin, what do you mean?” Leng Feng suddenly grew anxious.

“Now you know to be anxious?” Yin Qingyue said.

Leng Feng quickly grabbed her arm, sweat forming on his tense forehead. “Miss Yin, I beg you, tell me! What happened to Ding Ying?”

Chu Jingcheng stepped forward and pulled him away, coldly explaining, “Ding Ying is fine. She even came from the capital to find you. When she saw your clothes in the river, she fainted—but she’s alright.”

“Really?”

“When have I ever lied?”

Only then did Leng Feng finally relax. He hadn’t even noticed that he was still holding Yin Qingyue’s hand, which seemed to make Chu Jingcheng a little jealous.

Worried about Ding Ying, Leng Feng quickly headed to the county magistrate’s residence.

Before he went in, Chu Jingcheng noticed him still in his groom’s attire and hurriedly urged, “Change your clothes quickly! Do you really want to meet Ding Ying dressed like that?”

Looking down at himself, Leng Feng realized it would certainly frighten her. He chuckled sheepishly, “Right, I’ll change immediately,” and quickly ran to do so.

Chu Jingcheng shook his head, saying nothing further.

As he was about to enter Ding Ying’s room, Yin Qingyue stopped him. “We shouldn’t go in just yet. Give them some space so we don’t disturb them.”

“You’re right,” Chu Jingcheng nodded. Seeing that it was getting late, he took Yin Qingyue’s hand and said with concern, “You’ve had a long day. Get some rest.”

“I’ll help you change your medicine first.”

“No need. I’ll have someone else do it. You should rest.”

“But…” Yin Qingyue still looked uneasy.

Chu Jingcheng didn’t want her to be overworked. After some insistence, he finally persuaded her to rest. After all, she hadn’t slept for several nights while helping find him and Leng Feng, and he didn’t want his woman to be exhausted too.

Unable to resist, Yin Qingyue obediently went to rest.

Meanwhile, Leng Feng changed clothes and rushed to Ding Ying’s room. By now, she had awakened, and the servants were feeding her her medicine.

When the door opened and she saw him, tears suddenly streamed down her face. At first, she was stunned, then collapsed into uncontrollable sobs. The young servant beside her looked between her and the man who had just entered, realizing that he must be Leng Feng—the one everyone had been searching for all this time.

The young servant carefully set the medicine aside and quietly left, closing the door behind her.

Ding Ying, tears streaming, choked out, “Leng Feng? Is it really you? Really you?”

“Yes… it’s me.” Leng Feng quickly approached the bed, seeing her pale face. He felt both heartache and self-blame.

“Leng Feng… you’re really alive… is this a hallucination?”

“No, I’m really here.” Leng Feng took her hand and placed it against his face. “See? It’s really me!”

She touched his face, feeling the warmth, and believed him. Leng Feng was truly back.

“Leng Feng.” She suddenly threw herself into his arms, crying herself hoarse.

Leng Feng held her tightly, afraid to lose her again. Gently patting her shoulders, he said, “Ding Ying, I promised I would come back. I never break my promises. Whatever I promise, I’ll do it. But you must take care of yourself.”

“I was worried about you. I thought something had happened. Do you know, if you had died, I wouldn’t have been able to live either?”

“How can you think like that? Even if something happened to me, you must live well.”

“Impossible. If you were hurt, I couldn’t survive. Leng Feng, I can’t be without you—I’ve already fallen in love with you.”

These words were clearly from her heart. A proper young lady, saying something so bold—before, she might have been too shy to speak so openly. But now, having gone through everything, aside from life and death, there was nothing left to be shy about.

Leng Feng gazed at her tenderly. To him, she was the most beautiful woman in the world.

For a moment, he felt an impulse, leaning in slightly as if to kiss her. Ding Ying’s face flushed bright red at that instant.

Just as their lips were about to touch, Ding Ying turned her head, bowing it low. “Leng Feng… let’s… let’s wait a little.”

He understood—he might have been too hasty.

“Alright. Don’t worry. I, Leng Feng, will marry you properly and openly.”

Ding Ying nodded, still keeping her head lowered.

Holding her close, she finally felt reassured.

But soon, Ding Ying looked up and asked, “By the way, how did King Jing and Qingyue find you?”

“Well…” Leng Feng hesitated. He couldn’t exactly say they had found him in the bridal chamber.

“What happened? They found your clothes by the river but couldn’t find you for a long time. Where did you go?”

“I… I was rescued by someone. I healed and came here as quickly as I could.”

“Really? Who rescued you?”

“That doesn’t matter now, does it? I’m back and everything’s fine.” Leng Feng didn’t mention Yan Ling at all, fearing Ding Ying would be upset.

Ding Ying, sincere and guileless, wouldn’t have detected his evasiveness. And indeed, as long as he was safe and by her side, nothing else mattered.

She said seriously, “Leng Feng, promise me—no matter what happens in the future, you will never leave me again. Alright?”

“I promise you. I give you my word.”

His resolute gaze reassured her completely.

They held each other, losing all sense of time.

Only after Ding Ying fell asleep did Leng Feng finally leave, lingering to glance back at her several times.

But as soon as he stepped outside and the door closed, someone suddenly patted him heavily on the shoulder.

“You scoundrel! Do you know how worried we were? We almost went into the river to find your body!” Leng Yi scolded, though worried.

Seeing Leng Yi, Leng Feng felt an unprecedented sense of warmth. Nothing could convey the value of family like experiencing life and death together.

Leng Feng smiled. “Really? You were so worried I’d die?”

“I wasn’t worried! If you’d died, at least I wouldn’t have to deal with your nonsense.”

“Leng Yi, I just came back. Why are you still acting like this? If you’re worried, just worry—why put on a front in front of me?” Leng Feng nudged him.

“Ugh—!” Leng Yi frowned. The nudge hit his previously injured arm.

Leng Feng panicked and checked his injury. “You’re hurt too? Is it serious? Let me see.”

“It’s fine, fine. It’s nothing,” Leng Yi said, turning his arm away, “Besides, Miss Yin’s medicine healed it.”

“Fine, fine—why make a fuss? You’re just showing off,” Leng Feng said, teasing as usual.

Leng Yi glared and strode ahead, with Leng Feng following, asking, “By the way, what happened with you and the king during the incident?”

“What could happen? The king was rescued. After I escaped, I kept looking for him, with no news. Only after Miss Yin arrived did she find the king, and I tracked him down. But you… searched for days with no clue. Tell me, where exactly did the king and Miss Yin find you?”

Leng Feng sighed. “Honestly, you probably shouldn’t ask—this could turn into a big problem.”

“Big problem? What do you mean?” Leng Yi stopped, looking puzzled.

Leng Feng explained, “I was rescued by Miss Yan of the Yan household in Tuoshui County. But she desperately wanted to marry me—she even tied me up in the bridal chamber tonight. Luckily, the king and Miss Yin arrived in time. Otherwise… you’d already have a sister-in-law.”

“Wait, really?” Leng Yi was skeptical. But knowing Leng Feng never lied, he pressed, “So this big problem… is that Miss Yan?”

“Exactly.”

“Still, Leng Feng, you seem… regretful. If the king and Miss Yin hadn’t arrived in time, you’d have been happy, right?”

“Don’t be ridiculous,” Leng Feng shot him a look. “I haven’t told Ding Ying any of this, and you better not say a word either—or I won’t spare you. I’ll tie you up and make you the groom.”

“But she likes you,” Leng Yi quickly teased.

Leng Feng broke into a sweat. How could he have a brother who, instead of comforting him, threw him into further trouble?

Even bickering, the two brothers’ care for each other was undeniable.

Meanwhile, Chu Jingcheng had just finished changing his medicine and was about to sleep when he suddenly got up and went to Yin Qingyue’s room.

He knocked lightly. Yin Qingyue, now dressed and ready to rest, asked, “Who is it?”

“It’s me, my lord.”

Yin Qingyue put on her robe and opened the door. Seeing Chu Jingcheng, she asked, “King Jing, do you need me to change your medicine?”