MCSCPM -Chapter 349 Discussing the Wedding Date

No sooner had she stepped inside than a palace maid came forward and said, “Princess, shortly after you left just now, Her Ladyship suddenly fell seriously ill.”

“What? Mother Consort is gravely ill?”

“Please don’t worry, Princess. The imperial physicians have already been here and said it’s nothing serious. You needn’t be anxious,” the maid replied.

Chu Fengjiao hurried inside, but her mother consort had already fallen asleep. She sat by the bed, deeply worried, yet afraid to leave, fearing something might happen to her mother.

A maid stepped forward and said, “Princess, you should go rest for now. We servants will stay here and keep watch. If anything happens, we’ll notify you immediately. Please rest assured.”

“No,” Chu Fengjiao said firmly. “With my imperial brother in such serious trouble, Mother Consort must be heartbroken. I have to stay by her side and look after her.”

“But Her Ladyship has just taken her medicine and fallen asleep. She’ll likely rest for quite a while. The Princess is delicate herself—it would be better if you went to rest first.”

“Is it that you didn’t hear me clearly, or you don’t understand?” Chu Fengjiao said softly, afraid of waking her mother. “I said I’m staying, so I’m staying. You may all leave. I’ll watch over Mother Consort myself.”

The maids dared not say more and withdrew.

---

Meanwhile, over at Zhaoyi Palace.

Because of Prince Ling’s arrival, the entire palace was filled with joy and celebration.
Especially Liu Zhaoyi—her face never stopped smiling.

Prince Ling still carried his usual carefree air, but in front of his mother he behaved properly. He bowed and said, “Your son greets Mother Consort.”

“You child, why did you only return to the palace now to see your mother?” Liu Sishui said, pulling Chu Ling to sit beside her. “Do you know how your mother has been longing for you day and night?” She then instructed the maids, “Bring out the pastries I prepared.”

“Mother Consort, there’s no need to trouble yourself.”

“How can that be trouble? I haven’t seen you in so long. Look at you—you’ve grown much thinner. Life outside the capital must have been hard.”

Chu Ling smiled dutifully. “Mother Consort, don’t worry about your son. I’ve been doing quite well these days.”

“Quite well?” Liu Sishui sighed. “You’ve been far from the capital all this time. His Majesty only just agreed to let you return. How could that be considered ‘well’?”

“I really am doing well,” Chu Ling replied. “Look at me—do I seem thin? Life outside is free and easy. I’m quite happy. I just worry about you, Mother Consort, and your health.”

Liu Sishui smiled with relief, then shook her head helplessly and sighed. “You child… your mother has pleaded with your father many times for your sake before finally getting him to let you return. You mustn’t disappoint His Majesty. It’s time you rein in your playful nature. You’re a prince—you should act like one.”

At this, Chu Ling frowned slightly and turned aside. “It wasn’t easy for me to come into the palace. Please don’t talk about these things. You know I don’t like court affairs.”

“I know you don’t like them,” Liu Sishui said patiently. “I don’t ask you to accomplish great feats, but at least don’t let your father look down on you. He made you Prince Ling because he hopes you’ll amount to something. Yet you spend all your days wandering about outside…”

“Mother Consort, please stop.”

Just then, the maids brought in the pastries Liu Sishui had prepared. Prince Ling deliberately focused on them, picking one up and eating it as he said, “They taste just as good as ever.”

“Listen to me first,” Liu Sishui said, taking the plate away, her expression turning serious. “Look—Prince Yi has run into trouble, Consort Shu has been confined, and Prince Jing has disappointed His Majesty over the divine physician. If you can do something now that pleases your father, your status will naturally rise.”

Chu Ling sighed helplessly. “No matter what I do, in Father Emperor’s heart, Prince Jing will always be the best. Don’t try to change me anymore—my nature is already set.”

“How could it not be changed? As long as you’re willing, you certainly can.”

“Stop talking. I’m eating pastries.”

Liu Sishui smiled faintly. “Alright, I won’t bring it up anymore. Eat properly. I made these myself—see how much you like them. If it’s not enough, take some with you later.”

“Thank you, Mother Consort.”

“As long as you don’t anger your father, I’ll be satisfied.”

Prince Ling smiled. What he dreaded most about entering the palace was hearing these lectures from his mother. He’d heard them almost every day since childhood.
But she was his mother after all—everything she did was for his own good.

Soon after, the mother and son chatted and laughed, and Zhaoyi Palace grew livelier.

---

Elsewhere.

Inside a carriage, Yin Qingyue and Chu Jingcheng sat together as the carriage headed toward Prince Jing’s residence.

Yin Qingyue was still hesitating. “Prince Jing, is it really appropriate for you to take me to the Prince Jing Residence at a time like this?”

Chu Jingcheng’s expression was stern. “I’m taking you back to my residence—who would dare say a word? Besides, even Father Emperor is no longer pursuing the matter. Naturally, you should go to Prince Jing’s residence with me.”

“But I’ve been living in the separate courtyard for so long. I’m used to it. Maybe I should—”

“I’ve already decided. There’s no need to say more. Besides, sooner or later, you’ll be entering Prince Jing’s residence anyway.”

“Why?”

“Why?” Chu Jingcheng’s lips curved upward as he leaned closer to her, wearing a wicked smile. “You’re about to become my Princess Jing. If you don’t live in Prince Jing’s residence, where do you plan to live?”

Yin Qingyue turned her head aside. “When did I ever say I wanted to be your Princess Jing?”

Chu Jingcheng suddenly pulled her into his arms, drawing even closer. “You’ve long been mine. In this life and the next, you’re destined never to escape my grasp. These days, because of Prince Yi’s affairs, I haven’t properly taught you a lesson—your mouth has gotten cheeky again.”

As he spoke, Chu Jingcheng lowered his head, about to kiss her, but Yin Qingyue pressed her index finger against his lips. “Prince Jing, stop fooling around.”

“I’m not fooling around. I’m serious.” He removed her hand and was about to force the kiss.

Yin Qingyue didn’t dodge. At such close distance, her heart still raced.

But just then, a guard outside the carriage announced, “Prince Jing, we’ve arrived.”

Chu Jingcheng’s mood was interrupted again. He frowned unhappily, took a breath, gently released Yin Qingyue, and was about to step down when he turned back, lifting her chin firmly. “Remember this—once you step into my Prince Jing Residence today, you will never leave again. You are my Princess Jing.”

“Prince Jing…”

“From now on, you’re not allowed to go anywhere. You will stay by my side, and I’ll take care of you for the rest of your life. If you dare leave, then even if I must chase you to the ends of the earth, I will bring you back to answer for it.”

These words brought tears to Yin Qingyue’s eyes. To say such things to her—there would be no one else in this lifetime but Chu Jingcheng. For her sake, he disregarded his status as a prince; even if it meant death, even storming the imperial palace, he would not hesitate. Such devotion was something she could never repay.

Chu Jingcheng kissed her lightly on the forehead. “Yin Qingyue, I command you—your emotions and your tears are only allowed in front of me.”

With that, he led her down from the carriage. Before them stood the Prince Jing Residence.

News that Chu Jingcheng had brought Yin Qingyue back had already spread throughout the residence.

The steward had originally arranged many maidservants to attend her, but Chu Jingcheng knew Yin Qingyue disliked such fuss. Besides, after Mei’er’s incident, she had no heart for it.

“From now on, you’ll be staying here. Every move you make will be under my watch.”

Yin Qingyue looked at him and saw the confidence and smugness in his eyes. She shot him a glare. “So your purpose in bringing me here is to keep me under surveillance?”

“Of course. You leave at the slightest excuse—I’ve grown afraid. I’ve already arranged guards outside. If you try to leave the residence, I’ll know immediately. So you’d best give up any thoughts of leaving.”

“You’re such a rogue.”

“I’ll gladly be a rogue for you,” Chu Jingcheng laughed loudly.

Yin Qingyue was too lazy to argue with him.

Just then, a guard ran out and reported, “Your Highness, Lord Ding has arrived and is waiting inside. He says he has business with you.”

“Lord Ding? Why would he come at this hour?” Chu Jingcheng said, puzzled.

Yin Qingyue, however, smiled knowingly. “If Lord Ding is here, it must be for Ding Ying—and if it’s for Ding Ying, then it’s naturally about Leng Feng.”

“Leng Feng? I nearly forgot—I still have him locked up in a room.”

“Then you’d better go see him quickly,” Yin Qingyue urged.

But Chu Jingcheng was uneasy about leaving Yin Qingyue alone. After some thought, he asked the guard, “Has the courtyard I ordered prepared earlier been tidied up?”

“Yes, Your Highness. We didn’t dare delay—it’s already been prepared. Miss Yin may move in right away.”

“Good. Take Miss Yin there for me.”

“Yes.”

Chu Jingcheng nodded, then looked at Yin Qingyue, his tone much gentler. “I’ll go see Ding Heng first. You go rest for a while—I’ll come to you shortly.”

“Go take care of your business first.”

Chu Jingcheng then entered the residence. As soon as he reached the main hall, he saw Ding Heng waiting.

When Chu Jingcheng arrived, Ding Heng stepped forward and said, “This humble official greets Prince Jing.”

“Lord Ding,” Chu Jingcheng said, “you’ve come at this hour—for your daughter, I presume?”