MCSCPM -Chapter 338 Meeting Prince Jing

With Prince Ling gone, the emperor had no choice but to let it be. He would return on his own when he was done playing.

Prince Ling, having arrived at the private residence on the outskirts of the capital, noticed several guards outside. He knew Chu Jingcheng must be inside.

The guards were surprised to see Prince Ling. They truly hadn’t expected him to return so soon.

“Greetings, Prince Ling,” the guards said, bowing.

“No need for formalities. I’m here to see my Second Brother,” Chu Ling replied.

“He is inside, my lord,” the guard said.

Chu Ling hurried in, making his way to the backyard. Inside Yin Qingyue’s room, he found Chu Jingcheng standing quietly, lost in thought. Without Yin Qingyue, the annex felt much emptier, and it was no wonder Chu Jingcheng looked so sorrowful—he missed her terribly.

“Second Brother! You really are here!” Prince Ling said, happily stepping forward.

Hearing the voice, Chu Jingcheng turned, quickly composing his emotions. “Chu Ling? When did you return?”

“Today. I was supposed to go to the palace to see Father, but you know I don’t like the palace. So I ran away and thought I’d visit you at Prince Jing’s residence. Who knew you’d come here instead—made it a bit hard to find you,” Chu Ling said with a grin.

“Father ordered you back to the capital? Well, that’s better than staying outside,” Chu Jingcheng said.

“How so? I’d rather remain outside, free and unrestrained,” Chu Ling said playfully.

Chu Jingcheng stepped out of the room, and Chu Ling followed him into the courtyard.

Chu Jingcheng said, “Chu Ling, you’ve played enough. It’s time to focus. Don’t disappoint Father. He allowed your return hoping you’d make an effort.”

“I was hoping to avoid Father’s lecture. I thought coming here to see you, I could enjoy some freedom. And now you’re like Father,” Chu Ling teased.

“I do this for your own good,” Chu Jingcheng said earnestly, looking at him.

Chu Ling merely smiled. “Second Brother, don’t worry about me. I’m more concerned about you. Even while I was away from the capital, I kept track of your affairs. The incident with the goddess doctor must have affected you greatly.”

Chu Ling’s tone was teasing, but Chu Jingcheng’s face was serious. “Speak. What are you getting at?”

“What can I say? I was just thinking—Father wanted to kill the goddess doctor, yet you went searching for her. Aren’t you going directly against him? Don’t forget, Father values you highly. If you disappoint him, he’ll be heartbroken.”

Despite his playful demeanor, Chu Ling’s insight was deeper than most.

At this, Chu Jingcheng’s expression darkened, his gaze drifting into the distance. Slowly, he said, “Chu Ling, some matters are beyond one’s control.”

“Oh? What do you mean? Does that mean your search for Yin Qingyue is also beyond your control?”

“Chu Ling, you really haven’t changed a bit. You always have to dig into everything. Don’t ask about this. Focus on yourself and go back to the palace to see Father before he grows angry,” Chu Jingcheng advised.

Chu Ling, however, didn’t take it seriously. “Second Brother, I’d rather Father get angry—let him forbid me from entering the palace forever. That would suit me just fine.”

Chu Jingcheng shook his head. Chu Ling was stubborn. Yet, in a way, Chu Jingcheng envied him: free-spirited and carefree, carrying the title of prince yet living so independently. Unlike him—since birth, every step he took had to consider the royal reputation.

Seeing Chu Jingcheng fall silent, Chu Ling bumped him playfully. “Second Brother, guess what happened to me in the capital?”

“What happened?”

“Guess,” Chu Ling said mysteriously.

Chu Jingcheng had no time to guess. “Just tell me. I don’t care.”

“All right, I’ll tell you,” Chu Ling said eagerly. “Today in the capital, I met an ugly girl. I don’t know why, but the moment I saw her—especially her eyes—she had such spirit. Though not beautiful, her figure was good, she was very interesting, and her speech carried confidence. If not for her looks, anyone would think she’s extraordinary.”

He spoke excitedly, but Chu Jingcheng was indifferent—only Yin Qingyue could attract his interest.

Still, Chu Ling laughed as he said, “Second Brother, how can someone so ugly seem so intriguing? If I get the chance, I’ll bring her to Prince Ling’s mansion to have some fun with her—it’ll be great entertainment.”

Hearing this, Chu Jingcheng paused. An ugly girl, yet confident in speech—enough to catch Prince Ling’s attention? Everyone knew Prince Ling loved beauties; how could an ugly girl hold such influence over him?

He asked, “Where did you meet this ugly girl?”

“On the street. Later, I followed her to an inn. She went in through the back and closed the door. At least now I know where she is—it’ll be easier to find her next time.”

“Which inn?” Chu Jingcheng asked urgently.

Chu Ling, puzzled by Chu Jingcheng’s sudden interest, frowned. “Second Brother, why are you so concerned? Do you know her?”

“No, I just suspect…” Chu Jingcheng didn’t want to jump to conclusions.

“Are you suspecting that ugly girl is the goddess doctor? That you’re looking for Yin Qingyue? Second Brother, don’t misunderstand me—the girl is ugly because she wants to be. I’ve heard the goddess doctor is stunning; she could never be this ugly girl. You’re overthinking it.”

“I’m just suspecting. Perhaps you don’t know, she likes disguising herself as ugly—no one can recognize her once she does.”

“Is that even possible?” Chu Ling asked in surprise.

Just then, a guard entered. “My lord, Miss Hai has arrived. She says it’s urgent.”

“Hai Qingshuang?”

“Yes, she’s outside. She says she knows where Miss Yin is, so I came immediately to inform you.”

Hearing that it involved Yin Qingyue, Chu Jingcheng rushed to the front courtyard. Chu Ling, curious, followed.

In the courtyard, they saw Hai Qingshuang waiting.

She bowed slightly. “Greetings, Prince Jing,” she said, her expression calm but formal.

“No need for formalities. The guards say you know where Yin Qingyue is? Where is she now?” Chu Jingcheng asked anxiously.

Hai Qingshuang slowly lifted her head. She knew Yin Qingyue had her reasons for hiding. At first, she didn’t want to reveal the information, but seeing Prince Jing risk offending the emperor in search of her, she decided it was better to tell him and put his mind at ease.

“I’ve met Miss Yin and spoken with her,” Hai Qingshuang said.

“You’ve met her? So she’s still in the capital? Where exactly? Why would she meet you but not me?”

Before she could answer, Chu Ling ran up from the backyard. Hai Qingshuang’s heart skipped a beat, nearly leaving her breathless. But as a proud ice-cold beauty, she controlled her emotions—especially with Prince Jing present.

Ignoring Chu Ling, she said, “I only know she’s in an inn, though I’m not certain she’s still there.”

“An inn?” Chu Jingcheng asked Chu Ling, “Didn’t you just say the ugly girl was in an inn?”

“Yes. Could it really be the goddess doctor?” Chu Ling was surprised.

The “ugly girl” thought: ugly girl? That must be Yin Qingyue. Last time, she had disguised herself. But how could Prince Ling have already seen her?

Chu Jingcheng asked Hai Qingshuang, “Which inn?”

“Seems… it’s called the Shuitian Inn.”

“Shuitian Inn?” Chu Jingcheng muttered. He remembered passing by it before but hadn’t paid attention. Immediately, he left the annex and headed toward the inn, certain the girl was Yin Qingyue.

With Chu Jingcheng gone, only Hai Qingshuang and Chu Ling remained.

Hai Qingshuang, feeling slightly shy, turned her head away, heart racing. Chu Ling didn’t notice her feelings at all.

With a playful smirk, he noticed her blushing. Curious, he stepped closer. “What’s going on today? How did this ice-cold beauty turn into this?”

“What do you mean?” Hai Qingshuang asked, trying to steady her voice.

“You never blush. How come today, seeing me, you do? Does this mean you like me?” Chu Ling teased shamelessly. Anyone who blushed in front of him, he would claim liked him—and many girls inevitably fell for him.

Hai Qingshuang immediately refuted, “Prince Ling, you joke. I never blushed. I was just anxious to inform Prince Jing about Miss Yin, that’s why my face flushed.”

“I see. I thought someone like you would never blush, even before Prince Jing. How could you blush before me?”

Chu Ling implied that Hai Qingshuang’s heart belonged to Yin Qingyue. Everyone in the capital suspected it, yet she never explained. She liked someone right in front of her but couldn’t admit it and was misunderstood as liking Prince Jing.

Chu Ling leaned closer, teasing, “But if you like Prince Jing, the goddess doctor should be your rival. Why tell him about her whereabouts?”

“I never said I liked Prince Jing.”

“Isn’t that so?”

Of course not. Hai Qingshuang wanted to tell him but had no intention of explaining further.