MCSCPM -Chapter 291 Beating Mei’er

Chu Fengjiao couldn’t see his expression, but she nodded as she spoke. “Yes, it’s that goddess doctor. At first, I didn’t like her at all, but after getting to know her, I realized she’s very kind. I wanted to be her friend, but Mother was unhappy when she heard and forbade me from associating with her. I got so angry that she put me under house arrest. Brother, Mother is always like this—she never respects me.”

She began to complain, her face full of indignation.

Yi Wang hadn’t formed an opinion about this goddess doctor yet. He’d heard that she was highly skilled and extraordinary, but only through hearsay.

Seeing Yi Wang remain silent, Chu Fengjiao frowned and asked, “Brother, what are you thinking about?”

He snapped back to reality. “Nothing.” Then he suddenly smiled and looked at Chu Fengjiao. “You little girl, don’t blame Mother. She’s doing it for your own good.”

“That’s not true! Mother always decides everything for me. I have no freedom at all.”

“You’re a princess, not an ordinary citizen. Every gesture of yours represents the royal family. Mother’s strictness is warranted. You should try to understand her more.”

“Brother, I thought you would help me when you came back, but you’re just like Mother!” Chu Fengjiao pouted, clearly upset.

If this were before, Chu Yifeng would have indulged his sister. But now, since it involved that goddess doctor—Prince Jing’s person—he couldn’t let Chu Fengjiao run wild.

He said, “Fengjiao, you’re no longer a child. Many things cannot be solved by simply being angry. If you continue like this after you’re married, wouldn’t your husband’s family laugh at you?”

Chu Fengjiao blushed, stammering, “Brother, what are you saying?”

“I’m not joking. You’ll marry someone one day.”

“I don’t want to! I want to stay with you!” She suddenly grabbed Chu Yifeng’s arm and shook it. “Does that mean you don’t want me anymore?”

“Silly girl, how could I not want you?” He reached out and gently brushed her nose.

Flustered, Chu Fengjiao covered her flushed face and ran off, forgetting all her complaints about Mother.

After Chu Fengjiao left, Chu Yifeng summoned his personal guards.

“What are your orders, my lord?”

“I want you to immediately investigate the goddess doctor Prince Jing brought back. Find out everything related to her,” Chu Yifeng commanded.

“Yes, sir. I’ll investigate thoroughly.”

The guards bowed and left.

Chu Yifeng’s expression, however, was dark and tense, his hand clenched tightly.

“Chu Jingcheng, let’s see what you’re capable of,” he said coldly.

Meanwhile, in the General’s Mansion in the capital:

Recently, Chu Jingcheng had left the capital, and the enchanting Yin Qingyue had gone with him. Her good friend Ding Ying also accompanied them.

Shangguan Jiaoran spent her days at the mansion, bored and with nowhere to go. She even missed Yin Qingyue’s presence, as at least it wasn’t dull when she was around.

At this moment, she was in the courtyard practicing with a whip, striking so hard that leaves fell all over the yard.

Yun’er stood nervously nearby. Whenever her mistress was angry, she would practice with her whip. If she couldn’t vent her anger, she would take it out on the maidservants. And recently, knowing that Chu Jingcheng and Yin Qingyue had gone to the county made her mistress even angrier.

After whipping for a long time, Shangguan Jiaoran finally stopped and walked to the stone table to drink some water.

“Miss, you should rest a bit,” Yun’er said timidly.

“I don’t want to rest! I’ve been so angry these past few days. If I don’t vent it with the whip, how will I release it?”

“But last time, Miss, when Father saw you like this, he was upset. If he sees it again…”

“When did you learn to lecture me?”

“I… I don’t dare.”

“Then shut up.”

Shangguan Jiaoran’s face darkened. She already had a storm of anger brewing inside, and if Yun’er said another word, she might just strike her with the whip.

With a fierce look, she swung the whip again at the treetops, muttering angrily, “Enchantress, how dare you compete with me? Who do you think you are? Even Consort Lan and the Emperor support you now? If I see you again, I won’t let you off!”

Leaves scattered all over the yard. It was clear how intense the fire inside her heart was.

“The position of Prince Jing’s wife is mine! No one can take it, especially not you, Yin Qingyue!” she shouted.

At that moment, a maid ran over, panting. “Miss! Miss! I have something to tell you!”

Shangguan Jiaoran stopped, frowning. “What’s the matter? Speak quickly.”

“Miss Ding Ying has returned.”

“What? Ding Ying’s back?”

“Yes. She actually returned a few days ago, but no one knew. I just heard from Xiangxu that she’s been home because she’s not feeling well,” the maid said hurriedly.

Hearing this, Shangguan Jiaoran suddenly felt energized. She tucked the whip into her waist. “Let’s go to the Ding residence.”

She rushed to the Ding residence. The gate servants didn’t dare stop her. She knew the house well and arrived at Ding Ying’s room quickly.

Xiangxu happened to meet her. “Miss Shangguan, why are you here?”

“Where’s your mistress?”

“She’s not feeling well, in her room.”

“Not feeling well? I want to see her.” Shangguan Jiaoran peeked into Ding Ying’s room.

Indeed, Ding Ying had returned a few days ago. Yin Qingyue had specifically instructed that once Ding Ying was settled, she should return to the capital immediately, as her health wasn’t suited for travel. She returned alone.

Leng Yi and Leng Feng were still in Tuoshui County. Fortunately, Leng Feng’s injuries had improved significantly by then.

Xiangxu tried to stop her, her face tense. “Miss Shangguan, my mistress is under house arrest. Please don’t trouble me.”

“House arrest?”

“Yes. Since she returned, she hasn’t left her room. Previously, she snuck out of the capital and was caught.”

“I see,” Shangguan Jiaoran said, but she didn’t want to trouble Xiangxu further. “Fine. Go tell her I came by.”

“Yes, I will,” the maid promised.

Having been turned away, Shangguan Jiaoran needed a way to save face.

After she left, Xiangxu went to the kitchen to bring medicine to Ding Ying.

Although Ding Ying had been under house arrest these days, it was for recuperation. Her previous illness hadn’t fully healed, and her asthma flared up during the chaos at the pharmacy, leaving her weaker than before.

Xiangxu brought the medicine. Ding Ying, reading, asked, “Why did it take so long to get the medicine?”

“Miss Shangguan came just now, but I told her you were under house arrest, so she left,” Xiangxu explained.

“Jiaoran? I see… She’s been back for a while but didn’t send anyone to inform me.”

“Miss, don’t blame me. If it weren’t for that whip, your health wouldn’t have been so weak,” Xiangxu said.

“Enough, Xiangxu. That’s in the past. Don’t mention it again, understand?” Ding Ying’s tone was firm.

Xiangxu lowered her head and remained silent, placing the medicine before Ding Ying.

Setting her book aside, Ding Ying took the medicine. Its bitterness hit her nose. She had been taking medicine daily without fail, and now, for her health, she had to finish it. She handed the empty cup back to Xiangxu.

After a moment, she asked, “Xiangxu, have you inquired at Prince Jing’s residence? Any news of Miss Yin?”

“I went. They said Miss Yin went with Prince Jing to the county to deal with corrupt officials, but there’s been no news since. She’s probably on her way back.”

“Good, that’s fine.” Ding Ying felt relieved. Leng Feng would surely return as well.

She picked up her book and immersed herself in poetry and prose to pass the time.

However, after leaving the Ding residence, Shangguan Jiaoran initially planned to return to the General’s mansion. But hearing that the corrupt officials in the county had been dealt with, she wondered if Yin Qingyue had returned as well.

Thinking this, she decided to check the suburban residence in the capital.

Rushing there without stopping, she only saw Mei’er.

These days, only Mei’er had been there. The suburban residence was guarded by Prince Jing’s men, left by Chu Jingcheng for Yin Qingyue’s safety.

Seeing Shangguan Jiaoran, the guards didn’t stop her. After all, Yin Qingyue wasn’t there. Even if Shangguan Jiaoran caused a scene, there was no one to confront.

Mei’er, however, stepped forward. “Miss Shangguan, why are you here?”

Shangguan Jiaoran looked down on her. “Where’s your mistress? Has she returned?”

“Miss Yin isn’t here, Miss Shangguan.”

“How can she not be? Ding Ying is back already.” Shangguan Jiaoran didn’t believe Mei’er.

Mei’er remained polite, speaking softly. “I never lie, Miss Shangguan. My mistress truly isn’t here.”

“Get out of my way!” Shangguan Jiaoran shoved her aside and stormed into Yin Qingyue’s house.

The room was empty. She searched the bed, but there was no Yin Qingyue. Instead, she left the room in disarray.

Mei’er, who tidied Yin Qingyue’s room daily, tried to stop her. “Miss Shangguan, please don’t mess up my mistress’s room. She really isn’t here. You won’t find her no matter where you look!”

Daring to stop her? Shangguan Jiaoran flew into a rage, swinging her whip with all her strength at Mei’er.

Mei’er’s back stung painfully from the strike—the force was heavy.

“What do you think you are, daring to stop me?!”