MCSCPM -Chapter 302 Things Are Not Good

Leng Feng looked at Yin Qingyue and said, “Miss Yin, I just went to the palace. Prince Jing told me to reassure you—he’s fine now. He’ll be able to leave the palace soon, so you can wait for him at your private residence.”

“Is he really okay?” Yin Qingyue asked, worried.

Even if Leng Feng wasn’t very clever, he knew better than to let Yin Qingyue worry. So he said, “Prince Jing is fine, really. It’s just that the emperor won’t let him leave, so he has to stay in the palace. But he asked me to look after you. If you need anything, just say it—Leng Feng will make sure it’s done.”

“As long as he’s okay, that’s enough. You don’t need to take care of me—you just take care of Ding Ying properly.”

“Even if you didn’t say it, Miss Yin, I would still take care of Ding Ying. I will make sure nothing happens to her again.” Leng Feng said with a sweet smile.

Yin Qingyue smiled silently. Not wanting to disrupt the couple’s time together, she said, “By the way, it’s getting late. I should head back, so I won’t disturb you.”

Ding Ying quickly said, “You’re not disturbing us at all, Miss Yin. I’m happier than anyone that you came.”

“All right, I have a few matters to attend to, so I can’t stay long. I’ll come visit again when I have time.” Yin Qingyue held her hand and reminded her, “Ding Ying, your health is important. Take care of yourself, okay?”

“I understand,” Ding Ying nodded.

Yin Qingyue glanced at Leng Feng once more, then left.

As soon as she left, Leng Feng sighed, which Ding Ying noticed immediately. She asked, “What’s wrong? You seem troubled.”

Leng Feng didn’t want to hide it from her, so he told her the truth. “Actually, Prince Jing is seriously injured. The wound he got in the county hasn’t healed yet, and then the emperor whipped him. When I went to the palace today, his face was pale. But he didn’t want Miss Yin to worry, so I had to lie to her, telling her he was fine.”

Hearing this, Ding Ying grew anxious. “Then Prince Jing’s condition must be serious?”

“It’s not that bad. The imperial doctors are in the palace, so he’ll be fine. But for the time being, he can’t leave. Oh, and don’t tell Miss Yin about this—don’t let her worry.”

“I understand. I won’t say anything.”

Ding Ying was genuinely concerned for Yin Qingyue. She knew Yin Qingyue had always had a hard life. With Mei’er just dead and Prince Jing in the palace, injured and unable to come out, Yin Qingyue must be deeply worried.

“Miss Yin really is pitiful,” Ding Ying said, her eyes starting to redden. “Alone in Beihai, now with Mei’er gone… she must be heartbroken. Even if she appears calm, her heart must be hurting badly.”

Leng Feng held her, comforting her. “Don’t worry. Miss Yin has a kind heart. Good will come to her.”

“Yes, it will,” Ding Ying said, holding onto him tightly, unwilling to feel helpless like Prince Jing and Yin Qingyue.

After returning to her private residence in the outskirts of the capital, Yin Qingyue was completely alone. Apart from Mei’er and Chu Jingcheng, she truly had no one.

The emptiness made her feel both lonely and uneasy.

She kept staring at the door, thinking that Chu Jingcheng would appear soon.

But no matter how long she waited, he didn’t come. And a whole day passed while she waited.

Inside the palace, at the residence of Noble Consort Shu.

The news of Prince Jing being punished had spread through the palace, so He Ningxiang naturally knew.

She was inwardly delighted, though she still pretended to maintain a façade of compassion.

Before long, she called for Prince Yi.

Chu Yifeng seemed indifferent to Chu Jingcheng’s situation. Whether he truly didn’t care, or was pretending not to care, no one knew.

Arriving at the main hall, he asked He Ningxiang, “Mother, why did you call for me?”

“You know about Prince Jing, right? He was whipped twenty times by your father and is still recovering.”

“What do you mean by this, Mother? Just say it directly,” Chu Yifeng said.

He Ningxiang hesitated briefly, then walked closer to her son, smiling. “You know your father has always loved Prince Jing the most. Even though he punished him this time, he’s still very concerned. He just doesn’t know how to save face.”

By this point, Chu Yifeng had already guessed her plan. Before she could say more, he said, “Mother, you want me to persuade Father? To make him think well of me and give him a chance to save face?”

He Ningxiang was surprised that he had guessed her thoughts, but smiled. “Yes, Yifeng, that’s exactly it. So you go talk to your father.”

“I can’t go.”

“Why not?” He Ningxiang asked, astonished. This was a golden opportunity.

Chu Yifeng’s expression darkened. “Mother, I know you want the best for me. But I don’t want Father’s opinion of me to change because of Prince Jing’s situation. Besides, it wouldn’t change anyway. Why bother?”

“But… doing something is better than doing nothing. For all these years, I’ve tried to keep a low profile, hoping the emperor would notice you. Now the opportunity is here—why refuse? Even if Father doesn’t change his opinion, it’s better than nothing,” He Ningxiang pleaded.

But Chu Yifeng remained stubborn. He had long resented his father. As the eldest son, why did his father treat Prince Jing better than him? He had spent years pretending not to care, acting filial and obedient, enduring hardship in silence.

“Mother, don’t try to persuade me. I won’t go. I promise, I will earn my father’s favor on my own.”

He Ningxiang sighed, realizing her son’s stubborn nature. She gave in. “Fine, if you won’t, I won’t force you.”

“Thank you for understanding, Mother.”

“All right. You may leave now.”

“I’ll take my leave,” he said, bowing and departing.

Chu Yifeng’s insistence left her helpless—but there would be other opportunities in the future.

However, it was not Prince Yi who pleaded for Prince Jing—it was Lan Rao.

She had been waiting for a chance to speak to the emperor about the matter. Two days had passed, and she thought the emperor’s anger might have subsided. She seized the opportunity and went to the study.

Seeing her enter, Emperor Chu Helian knew she was there for Prince Jing. Before she could speak, he stopped her.

“Consort, if you are here for Prince Jing, I will not listen,” he said firmly.

Lan Rao was displeased but lowered her voice. “Your Majesty, two days have passed. Your anger should have subsided. Prince Jing has already been punished—please, just let it go.”

“Let it go? This concerns the people; I cannot let it go easily.”

“But Prince Jing has already been punished! His injuries are still serious—the doctors say they nearly affected his tendons and bones. He’s been punished and scolded. Please, Your Majesty, stop; don’t endanger his health further.”

Chu Helian was still angry and would not be swayed by her words. He waved his hand. “I’ve punished him; it’s his own fault.”

“What about further punishment? He can’t be injured again.”

“When did I say I would punish him again?”

“Does that mean Your Majesty will not pursue this?” Lan Rao asked hopefully.

Chu Helian’s face hardened. “Consort, matters of the previous dynasty cannot be interfered with by the harem. I have my own ways. Leave now.”

“Your Majesty, please… spare him,” Lan Rao begged, almost on her knees.

Chu Helian’s anger did not waver. He raised a hand and ordered the guards, “Take Consort Lan back to the palace.”

The guards arrived but did not use force, standing beside her.

Lan Rao realized it was useless. The emperor was suspicious—her pleas would not help. She said, “Then I will take my leave.”

Chu Helian turned away, ignoring her. Lan Rao left, dejected.

Back in the palace, she remained restless, pacing anxiously. The servants and eunuchs dared not speak.

About three hours later, a young eunuch ran in, panting.

This was Lan Rao’s spy in the study. Seeing him arrive meant serious trouble. She immediately sent away the other eunuchs and servants.

“Speak! Has something happened in the study?”

The eunuch gasped, “Your Highness, something very bad has happened! The emperor has summoned the imperial guards to arrest the divine doctor at the outskirts residence—and she is to be executed immediately!”

“What?!” Lan Rao was horrified. Killing the divine doctor would be like killing Chu Jingcheng!

This was Chu Helian’s so-called solution—to eliminate Yin Qingyue.

Lan Rao staggered, her face pale. “No! If Yin Qingyue is killed, Prince Jing will fall out with the emperor. If they persist, the emperor may grow distant from him. Then what use is it to try to win him over?”

She realized she had to notify Prince Jing immediately.

With that thought, Lan Rao hurried to find Chu Jingcheng.