MCSCPM -Chapter 328 Searching for the “Fairy Sister”

When the Emperor bestowed a marriage upon Prince Yi, Prince Yi naturally received the news as well. Once again, it was Eunuch Sun who personally went to Prince Yi’s residence.

The moment the decree was read out, Chu Yifeng nearly went mad.

“Eunuch Sun, is this truly my father’s decree?” Chu Yifeng asked in disbelief.

Eunuch Sun wore a congratulatory smile. “Prince Yi, congratulations. His Majesty knows that you like Miss Shangguan, so he has granted it. Hurry and thank His Majesty.”

“Thank him?” Chu Yifeng said angrily. “Eunuch Sun, that is nothing but a rumor! How could I possibly like Shangguan Jiaoran? Please return to the palace and explain the situation to my father. I do not like Shangguan Jiaoran, nor will I marry her as my princess consort.”

Eunuch Sun paid no heed to his anger and said with a smile, “Prince Yi, this is His Majesty’s gracious intention. Moreover, the imperial decree has already been issued—it cannot be taken back. His Majesty also asked this servant to tell you that you are no longer young and it is time to take a consort. Shangguan Jiaoran is the only daughter of Shangguan Qingyun. This is a fine match, whether for Your Highness or for Beihua as a whole. I hope Prince Yi will accept it.”

“I will never accept it,” Chu Yifeng replied firmly.

But Eunuch Sun was only there to deliver the message; Prince Yi’s feelings were none of his concern. Still smiling, he said, “Prince Yi, the decree has already been issued. If you refuse to accept it, that would be defying the imperial will. Please consider carefully. This servant must return to the palace to report and will take his leave.”

Chu Yifeng said nothing more. He waved his hand and turned back into the room.

Eunuch Sun dared not delay and quickly returned to the palace to report. As for Prince Yi’s attitude, he chose not to mention it, fearing that the Emperor would become angry.

Meanwhile, Chu Yifeng still could not come to terms with it. What kind of person Shangguan Jiaoran was—how could he not know? There was no way he would marry such a shrew.

The one in his heart was Hai Qingshuang. The woman he wanted to marry was Hai Qingshuang.

A guard stepped forward and said, “Prince Yi, do you truly intend to marry Miss Shangguan? She is famous for her fiery temper—everyone in the capital knows it. If Your Highness marries her, then in the future…”

“Enough,” Chu Yifeng interrupted. “I know this in my heart. But my father has issued the decree, and I…” He let out a heavy sigh, waved his hand weakly, and said, “You may leave. I wish to be alone.”

The guard withdrew.

Chu Yifeng slumped into a chair, deeply distressed. A fire burned in his chest with nowhere to vent. He had no idea what to do.

The imperial decree could not be disobeyed, yet he had no desire to accept Shangguan Jiaoran. Being caught between two impossible choices—this was truly a dilemma.

On the other side, Prince Jing also heard the news, but he paid it little mind. For Shangguan Jiaoran to marry Chu Yifeng was, to him, a tremendous blessing—at least his father would no longer force him to marry her.

If she were betrothed to Prince Yi, then Prince Yi would likely have no mind to deal with him either. One move, two gains.

Still, he could not help but feel puzzled. Why would his father suddenly bestow Shangguan Jiaoran in marriage to Prince Yi?

Just then, a guard reported, “Your Highness, it is said that the entire capital is spreading rumors that Prince Yi likes Shangguan Jiaoran. That is why His Majesty issued the decree to fulfill Prince Yi’s wish.”

“Such a thing?” Chu Jingcheng frowned. “Prince Yi has always been cautious. How could something like this happen now? Where did this rumor come from?”

“It is said to have come from several children. They were shouting it in the streets and alleys. The news spread and eventually reached the palace, where His Majesty heard of it,” the guard replied honestly.

Chu Jingcheng found it strange. Given Prince Yi’s careful nature, he would never reveal his feelings so carelessly. How could those children know?

Could it be that Prince Yi himself had set this up—to draw Shangguan Qingyun to his side? But even so, there was no need to marry Shangguan Jiaoran.

He then asked, “Do you know where those children got the information?”

“They said they heard it from a ‘fairy sister,’ but they don’t know who she was.”

“A fairy sister? Are there really immortals in this world?” Chu Jingcheng scoffed.

“This subordinate does not know. I only know that His Majesty has already issued the decree. The imperial edict has reached the Shangguan residence, and General Shangguan seems to have accepted it. As for Prince Yi, he cannot defy the decree.”

Chu Jingcheng nodded, but suspicion stirred in his heart. Suddenly, he realized something.

A woman as beautiful as a celestial being—there could only be one: Yin Qingyue. Back in the prefecture, children had called her the same thing.

Could that “fairy sister” really be Yin Qingyue? And if so, why would she do this? Was it to prevent Prince Yi from targeting him, deliberately using this scheme?

If that were the case, how did she know Prince Yi intended to deal with him?

His brows knitted tightly.

Seeing his expression, the guard asked, “Your Highness, have you thought of something?”

“I order you now—find those children and ask them where they met the ‘fairy sister’ they spoke of.”

“Why does Your Highness wish to find her?”

“If we do so, we may be able to find Yin Qingyue.”

The guard was surprised. Yin Qingyue? What did this matter have to do with the divine physician?

But thinking it over, he understood. In the entire capital, who else could truly deserve the title “fairy sister” besides the divine physician?

“Rest assured, Your Highness. This subordinate will investigate at once.”

Chu Jingcheng added, “Be sure not to alert the common folk or anyone from Prince Yi’s residence. Investigate secretly—preferably disguised as ordinary citizens.”

“Yes, this subordinate understands.”

To avoid drawing attention, Chu Jingcheng did not personally go to question them. He waited anxiously at his residence.

The guards from Prince Jing’s residence disguised themselves as servants. After all, the Prince had ordered them not to startle the grass or alert the snake—especially not the people of Prince Yi’s residence.

By coincidence, those children were still running through the streets and alleys shouting the rumor, unaware that because of them, Prince Yi was now forced to marry Shangguan Jiaoran—like a band of little matchmakers who had brought the two together.

The guards captured the children. Frightened, the children fell silent.

A little girl asked, “Who are you? Are you the same people from last time?”

“Last time?” The guard did not dwell on her words and asked directly, “You said the matter about Prince Yi was told to you by a ‘fairy sister.’ Where is she? Where did you meet her?”

“We don’t know,” the children replied.

“You don’t know? How could you not know?” the guard pressed. “Tell me, and I’ll give you candy.”

As he spoke, he took out some sweets.

Unable to resist the temptation, the children quickly said, “We really don’t know. Last time, she gave us sugar figurines and told us to say those things. Then she left.”

“She left? Where did she go?”

“We don’t know. We met her in a small alley,” the children said truthfully, not daring to hide anything for the sake of the sweets.

The guard hurriedly asked, “Which alley? Take us there, and all this candy will be yours.”

The children nodded eagerly and led them to the alley, pointing and saying, “It was right here. The fairy sister gave us the sugar figurines here and taught us what to say here.”

The guards looked around. There was no one in the alley. Across from it was a teahouse, and nothing nearby seemed suspicious. Seeing nothing unusual, they did not pursue the matter further.

“Alright, let’s return and report.”

As they were about to leave, the leading guard suddenly remembered the children. He gave them all the candy he had and patted their heads. “Remember—don’t tell anyone about today, understand?”

“Got it!” The children scattered happily.

The guards quickly returned to Prince Jing’s residence.

“Your Highness, we questioned the children. That so-called ‘fairy sister’ taught them those words in a small alley.”

“Mm. You may withdraw.”

“Yes.”

Determined to find Yin Qingyue, Chu Jingcheng would not let go of any lead. Since she had appeared in that alley, he would wait there and see—surely he would find her.

That very afternoon, Chu Jingcheng left his residence without telling anyone. He went to a private room in the teahouse opposite the alley. From there, he could clearly see the entrance of the alley. The moment Yin Qingyue appeared, he would spot her.

A waiter came over and asked, “Young master, what would you like to order?”

“Anything will do,” he replied.

“Very well.”

But Chu Jingcheng waited for a long time, and Yin Qingyue never appeared. Day after day passed, yet there was still no sign of her.

Could it be that she would never come back?

That day, he summoned his guards.

“I want you to immediately search all the taverns and inns in the city. See if there is any trace of Yin Qingyue. Once you find anything, report back to me at once.”

“Your Highness, wouldn’t this alert her?”

“I can’t worry about that anymore.”

The guards understood his urgency. Otherwise, he would not have spent so many days searching outside.

However, this matter was soon known to Leng Feng. He did not want Prince Jing to find Yin Qingyue at this time. If she appeared now, it would be bad for the Prince.

Thus, Leng Feng advised, “Your Highness, you should stop searching for Miss Yin. If she truly wishes to appear, she will do so herself. Even if Your Highness does not look for her, she will eventually come.”

Hearing this, Chu Jingcheng shot him a cold glance. “Leng Feng, since when do you speak like this? Do you not know that I have always wanted to find her?”

“This subordinate knows. But the situation is different now. His Majesty has not yet clearly stated that Miss Yin will be spared. If she returns now, something is bound to happen—and it will not be good for Your Highness either.”

“How would it not be good?”

“Your Highness knows perfectly well.”

“Enough!” Chu Jingcheng snapped. “Since when does my business require your interference? Since I am determined to find her, I will not allow anyone to harm her.”

Chu Jingcheng was furious. Leng Feng had never opposed him before. To do so now—especially over Yin Qingyue—was something he could not tolerate.