MCSCPM -Chapter 334 Hesitating and Undecided

These medicinal ingredients were all things she had never heard of before. Shangguan Jiaoran had never encountered them in her life. Though she still harbored doubts, she thought to herself that trying wouldn’t hurt.

“Fine. I’ll take it as you helping me. But if you dare to lie to this young lady, you’ll definitely suffer for it!”

“Since I said I’m helping you, I naturally won’t deceive you, Miss Shangguan. I hope you can successfully rid yourself of Prince Yi,” Yin Qingyue said with a trace of wicked charm in her tone.

Shangguan Jiaoran pondered over those medicinal ingredients. When she finally came back to her senses, Yin Qingyue had already left.

To avoid being discovered, Yin Qingyue hurried back at a much faster pace. By the time she returned to the rear courtyard, all the firewood had already been unloaded.

When the aunt saw her, she immediately pulled her aside and whispered, “What happened to you? Why were you gone so long? Did you run around somewhere?”

“No, my stomach wasn’t feeling well. See, I’m back safe and sound, aren’t I?”

“Alright, alright. The firewood has all been moved. Let’s leave quickly.”

Yin Qingyue nodded and silently followed the aunt out of the Shangguan residence and back to the inn.

She thought to herself that there was nothing more for her to do now—she only needed to wait quietly for news. Whether this would succeed depended on how clever Shangguan Jiaoran was.

On the other side, after returning from the grove to her room, Shangguan Jiaoran’s mind was filled with Yin Qingyue’s words and the list of medicinal ingredients.

She hesitated, unable to decide whether she should really do this. Drug Prince Yi—was it truly feasible?

If it could cause the physician to misdiagnose him and believe he had an incurable hidden ailment, then that would be enough. She didn’t actually want him to be incapable—she only wanted his reputation ruined so that he wouldn’t marry her.

Perhaps those herbs really did work.

“Yun’er,” Shangguan Jiaoran called out.

Yun’er entered quickly. “Miss?”

“I need you to leave the residence immediately and fetch a few medicinal ingredients for me.”

Yun’er was confused and worried. “Miss, are you feeling unwell? Why do you need medicine? Should I invite a physician?”

“I’m fine.”

“Then why are you getting medicine?”

Shangguan Jiaoran didn’t explain further. She took out a piece of paper, wrote down the medicinal ingredients Yin Qingyue had told her, and handed it to Yun’er.

“Don’t ask so many questions. I need these medicines right now. Go fetch them.”

Yun’er glanced at the list. As a simple maid, she couldn’t recognize the names and could only nod. “Alright, Yun’er will go at once.”

Just as Yun’er was about to leave, Shangguan Jiaoran suddenly grabbed her.

“Yun’er, remember this—don’t tell anyone. Not even my father. After you get the medicine, come back immediately.”

“Miss, please don’t scare Yun’er. What are these medicines for? Why are you being so secretive? Did something happen?”

“You silly girl, why ask so much? Just go. Remember what I said.”

Yun’er dared not ask any more questions. She nodded quickly and hurried off with the prescription.

Shangguan Jiaoran had taken this step after all. She did not want to marry Prince Yi—her heart belonged only to Prince Jing. If this prescription worked, it would solve her greatest problem.

However, she overlooked one thing: Yin Qingyue would never help her without a reason.

Yin Qingyue’s real plan was this—after Shangguan Jiaoran carried out the scheme, even if Prince Yi’s reputation was ruined, given the emperor’s temperament, the marriage would still be decreed regardless.

This move would only make matters worse.

But Shangguan Jiaoran knew none of this.

At this moment, not long after Yun’er had left, Shangguan Qingyun came to see his daughter.

The imperial decree of marriage had left Shangguan Jiaoran distressed, but Shangguan Qingyun himself was also full of helplessness. However, since the emperor’s decree had already been issued, he had no choice but to accept it.

When Shangguan Jiaoran saw her father enter, she turned her head away. These past few days, she had been sulking with him—angry that he had accepted the decree and put her in such a situation.

“Ran’er, I heard from the servants that you’ve been staying in the grove in the rear courtyard these days. What’s wrong with you?” Shangguan Qingyun sat down, questioning her seriously.

“Father already knows what I’m angry about. Why pretend not to know?” she replied coldly.

“Because of the imperial marriage decree?”

“What else could it be? Father sold his own daughter just like that. What more can I say?” Shangguan Jiaoran said angrily.

Shangguan Qingyun sighed. “Ran’er, Father had no choice. Think about it—could you stay locked up in the Court of Judicial Review forever? I went to beg His Majesty, but he refused to release you. Now he agreed to let you out by granting you marriage to Prince Yi. Father accepted the decree for your sake. Otherwise, I’d rather defy the edict than agree to this marriage—especially since I know you like Prince Jing.”

“Since Father knows, you should also know that even if I were locked in the Court of Judicial Review for life, I still wouldn’t marry Prince Yi. I didn’t kill anyone. Once the truth is uncovered, I’ll naturally be released,” Shangguan Jiaoran said emotionally.

Shangguan Qingyun’s face darkened. “Do you really think you could come out? If you truly didn’t kill anyone and the real culprit can’t be found, then you’d stay there for life. That’s exactly what Father fears—so I had no other choice!”

“But… I really can’t marry Prince Yi. I don’t like him,” Shangguan Jiaoran began to cry softly.

“Father knows you’re suffering, but right now, this is the only way.”

“No, there’s still a chance. As long as—” Shangguan Jiaoran suddenly swallowed the rest of her words and quickly looked away, guilt flashing in her eyes.

Shangguan Qingyun immediately noticed the abnormality. “What were you about to say just now?”

“I…” Shangguan Jiaoran panicked, but quickly thought better of it. This matter couldn’t be told to anyone—not even her father. She steadied herself and said, “It’s nothing. I just think that before the very last moment, there’s always hope.”

“Is that all you meant?”

“Does Father not believe me?”

“Of course I believe you,” Shangguan Qingyun replied quickly.

The next moment, Shangguan Jiaoran stood up and pulled her father toward the door. “Alright, Father. I need some quiet time. You should go.”

“Fine, fine. Think it through carefully. After all, this is the emperor’s decree.”

“I know, I know.”

She pushed her father out and locked the door.

Shangguan Qingyun shook his head helplessly outside before leaving.

Shangguan Jiaoran shut herself in the room, waiting for Yun’er to return with the medicine. If she had still hesitated before, now she was completely determined—no matter what, she would never marry Chu Yifeng.

Meanwhile, after finishing reviewing memorials, Chu Helian took a slow walk in the imperial garden. State affairs had been overwhelming lately, leaving him no time to relax.

“When did the flowers in this garden bloom so beautifully?” Chu Helian sighed.

Eunuch Sun stepped forward. “Your Majesty, you’ve been busy with state affairs, and with Prince Yi’s upcoming wedding, you haven’t had time to visit the garden. This servant suggests you come here more often—seeing flowers naturally lifts one’s mood.”

“Perhaps. But my mood isn’t decided by flowers,” Chu Helian said. “Prince Yi’s affairs have been giving me a headache.”

“Prince Yi is about to marry. Your Majesty needn’t worry.”

Chu Helian frowned. “How can I not worry? His health is poor, and the wedding has been postponed again and again. I’m truly uneasy.”

“Forgive this servant for speaking out of turn,” Eunuch Sun said. “But perhaps Prince Yi’s illness isn’t entirely a bad thing. After all, he’s marrying Miss Shangguan—the daughter of General Shangguan. Prince Yi should be happy about this. As for Your Majesty, there’s no need to worry.”

Chu Helian looked at him and smiled. “Eunuch Sun, you’ve been by my side for so many years. You really do understand my thoughts best. If everyone around me were like you, that would be wonderful.”

“Your Majesty flatters this servant too much. I dare not accept such praise,” Eunuch Sun bowed.

“If I say you deserve it, then you do,” Chu Helian said with a smile. After walking a few more steps, his expression darkened again. “By the way, how has Prince Jing been lately?”

Eunuch Sun lowered his head slightly. “Reporting to Your Majesty, Prince Jing has been staying at his residence recently. This servant isn’t fully aware. Should I go to Prince Jing’s residence to check?”

“No need,” Chu Helian said after some thought. “I’ll go myself.”

“Your Majesty will go personally? Last time you visited Prince Jing’s residence, it caused quite a stir. This time, I fear—”

“Fear what?” Chu Helian asked.

“Your Majesty, you are the Son of Heaven. It’s not ideal to leave the palace so often.”

Chu Helian knew that going out of the palace unnoticed was nearly impossible. But if he wished to go, no one could stop him. He waved his sleeve decisively.

“I’ve decided. I’m leaving the palace now. Just keep things as low-key as possible.”

As the emperor, no one could stop him—least of all a eunuch.

Soon, Chu Helian quietly left the palace.

However, when he arrived at Prince Jing’s residence, he didn’t see Prince Jing.

The guards hurriedly reported, “Your Majesty, Prince Jing has been going to the teahouse recently. He says he’s waiting for Miss Yin to appear.”

“What? A prince loitering in a teahouse all day—what kind of behavior is that?” Chu Helian snapped.

“This servant deserves death,” the guard trembled.

Chu Helian was furious at his disappointing son. For the sake of a woman, he spent his days in a teahouse. If word got out, Prince Jing’s reputation would be ruined—and as his father, Chu Helian felt deeply ashamed.

After all, Prince Jing was the one he cherished most. Perhaps the throne itself might one day be passed to him.

Suppressing his anger, Chu Helian decided he had to see just how far Jing’er had gone.