MCSCPM -Chapter 337 Prince Ling Returns to the Capital

It turned out that Prince Ling had already returned to the capital. Yin Qingyue knew that, despite his somewhat capricious nature, Prince Ling had a good heart. He disliked false pretenses and enjoyed the freedom of a carefree life.

This made him completely different from Chu Jingcheng and Chu Yifeng. He had no interest in politics and preferred the unrestrained, wandering lifestyle of a free-spirited gentleman.

Yet, in truth, Chu Ling was also very composed and understood the proper timing for every situation.

Of course, Liu Zhaoyi had no idea. She didn’t understand that her son’s nature was such that he preferred to stay outside the palace, entirely weary of palace intrigues, even if it meant remaining outside for life.

Yin Qingyue didn’t expect that merely watching him would leave her somewhat dazed. She had never imagined that such a prince existed in the world.

Seeing her watching him, Chu Ling thought she might be interested in him, and teasingly said, “Ugly girl, why do you stare at people like that? Could it be that you’re trying some trick to—catch the attention of this… lord?”

Yin Qingyue immediately looked away. This was Prince Ling; of course she didn’t want him stooping down to help clean up the vegetables.

She smiled and said, “You’re overthinking, my lord. I just need you to help clean up here. Since you refuse, then leave it to me.”

Chu Ling, however, found it amusing. With a playful grin, he said, “You won’t let me help? Then I insist on helping you.”

“I said it’s unnecessary,” Yin Qingyue replied, crouching down to pick up the cabbages.

Chu Ling crouched beside her, grinning, helping her gather the vegetables. Yin Qingyue glanced around; she wasn’t sure if he had brought guards. If the guards saw this, they might step forward with swords, and that could be a capital offense—having a prince pick up vegetables!

Yet, seeing that no guards appeared after some time, she figured either they hadn’t followed, or Chu Ling had easily shaken them off.

After they picked up a whole basket of vegetables, Chu Ling even helped load them onto the carriage. Yin Qingyue didn’t understand his thinking: he hadn’t wanted to help before, but now he voluntarily carried them up. Perhaps he was being courteous—but not in the way she expected.

“My lord, let’s pretend this incident never happened. Thank you for helping me load the vegetables,” Yin Qingyue said.

Chu Ling smiled. “Ugly girl, are you thanking me? If I recall correctly, just now you were the one lecturing me.”

“That was just now. Since you’re willing to help, I won’t say anything more,” she replied.

“Then in that case, I should thank you,” he said.

“No need. Please stay here,” she said, stepping into the carriage. “Let’s head back to the inn before we lose time.”

The driver nodded and drove off.

Chu Ling didn’t know why, but he found Yin Qingyue intriguing. Though plain, she caught his interest. He followed the carriage to the inn.

Once the carriage stopped, the driver nudged her. “See? He followed you back. You better deal with him before the innkeeper notices—it won’t look good.”

Yin Qingyue glanced over and met Chu Ling’s eyes. She understood he found her amusing and was teasing her, so she let him come along.

Chu Ling smiled at her, and Yin Qingyue felt a little embarrassed—after all, this was Prince Ling.

She whispered to the driver, “Unload the vegetables and take them to the front courtyard. Find Xiao Hu to settle the accounts.”

“Ugly girl, do you want me to chase him away?”

“No need. I’ll handle it myself.”

“Alright. Just be careful. I don’t think he’s entirely harmless.”

“Mm-hmm.”

The driver went ahead to the front courtyard.

Yin Qingyue walked over to Chu Ling. “My lord, did you need to see me for something?”

Chu Ling shook his head. “Not really. I just want to know who you are.”

“Who am I? I’m just an ugly girl. Why would you be curious?” Yin Qingyue said playfully. She didn’t understand Chu Ling’s tastes—they said he liked beauties, yet he seemed interested in someone like her. Strange.

Chu Ling smiled. “Ugly girl, what’s your name? I’m genuinely curious. Why not tell me?”

“Are you joking? Looking at your appearance and clothing, I know you are important. I’m just a maid at this inn—how could I possibly tell you my name?”

“The more you say that, the more I want to know. Besides, if you’re ugly, perhaps I could find a doctor to help improve your looks,” Chu Ling said confidently.

Yin Qingyue wasn’t interested. She knew her appearance and politely refused. “I’ve been like this since birth. No doctor can fix it. If they could, there would be no ugly women in the world.”

“Don’t you trust me?”

“It’s not that I don’t trust you, my lord. I just don’t trust any doctor. I appreciate your kindness, but please stay here. This isn’t a place for you. If you want food, go to the front.”

She lowered her head slightly and turned toward the backyard.

Chu Ling didn’t give up and tried to follow, but Yin Qingyue placed her hands on the door handle. “My lord, I’m resting now. You cannot enter here. Please leave.”

With that, she closed the door, giving him no chance to speak.

Blocked outside, Chu Ling couldn’t very well knock on the door—it wouldn’t suit his demeanor. He smirked, thinking he’d return another day to see the “ugly girl.”

For now, he had other matters—he needed to visit Prince Jing’s residence. The two brothers had been close since childhood. Chu Jingcheng treated Chu Ling well, unlike the rigid relationship he had with Chu Yifeng.

Given Prince Ling’s carefree nature, Chu Jingcheng welcomed his visits.

Upon reaching Prince Jing’s residence, the guards were stunned. They hadn’t expected the emperor to allow Prince Ling’s return.

“By the way, where’s the Second Prince?” Chu Ling asked.

The guard hurriedly said, “Greetings, Prince Ling.”

“No need for formalities. I’m here to see the Second Prince. Is he home?”

“He just left for his private residence in the outskirts. He probably won’t be back soon,” the guard said, knowing the two princes were close. If Prince Yifeng had asked, the truth would not have been revealed.

Chu Ling thought: The outskirts? Isn’t that where the goddess doctor stays?

He had already heard about recent events in the capital—the goddess doctor was nearly killed by the emperor. Prince Jing had been searching for her, and it seemed he was genuinely troubled by love this time.

“Alright, I’m going to find the Second Prince now.”

The guards did not stop him, and Chu Ling headed toward the outskirts.

Meanwhile, the palace guards, realizing they had lost track of Prince Ling, returned to the emperor without delay.

“Your Majesty, we were tasked with escorting Prince Ling to the palace, but he slipped away on the way,” a guard reported, nervously.

“What? Prince Ling is gone?” Chu Helian put down the memorial, frowning, but he wasn’t angry—just disappointed.

The guard bowed. “Your Majesty, it was our failure. We lost track of him.”

“Did he leave on his own, or did something happen?”

“He said it was urgent and told us not to follow. We tried, but he shook us off. We’ve sent people to find him, but no news yet.”

Chu Helian sighed and tossed the memorial onto the desk. “I knew it. Prince Ling is hardly fit to be a prince. With such a nature, how can I trust him?”

Eunuch Sun, worried the emperor might overexert himself, cautioned, “Your Majesty, please don’t get angry. Your health is most important.”

“I’m not angry, just disappointed,” Chu Helian replied.

“Your Majesty, think of it this way. Prince Ling may be mischievous, but he’s never done anything harmful. He probably just wanted to explore the city first. He’ll return when the time comes. Please don’t be angry,” Eunuch Sun comforted him.

Chu Helian had never had high hopes for Prince Ling—he knew his son well.

“Very well, let him go. He probably won’t cause serious trouble,” Chu Helian said, resigned. His son always gave him headaches.

The guard asked cautiously, “Your Majesty, should we send people to search for him now?”

“No. Let him stay out there. If he doesn’t return today, then send people.”

“Yes, Your Majesty,” the guard replied and left.

Seeing the emperor resting his head on his hand, Eunuch Sun knew he was still concerned about Prince Ling. Outside the study, he called the guard back.

“Eunuch, is there a command from the emperor?”

“No. I just want to say something. Even if Prince Ling is fine, please continue searching for him. Once found, bring him to the palace.”

The guard was puzzled. “But the emperor just said there’s no need to search.”

“The emperor’s thoughts are his own. He is still worried about Prince Ling,” Eunuch Sun said.

The guard understood. After all, his son had just returned to the capital and ran off—how could one not worry? He nodded. “Understood, Eunuch. I will send people.”

Eunuch Sun smiled silently, watching the guard leave before returning to the study. He saw the emperor frowning and felt deep concern.

Between the attempted assassination of Prince Jing, the goddess doctor’s incident, and now Prince Ling’s mischief, Chu Helian’s headaches with his sons were never-ending. How did he end up with sons like this?