MCSCPM -Chapter 351 Unwilling to Part

The corners of Chu Jingcheng’s lips curled upward, and he suddenly put on a proud, slightly arrogant expression as he said,
“Then you’d better be careful. This prince absolutely won’t let you escape again.”

“Alright, let’s first discuss Leng Feng and Ding Ying’s matter,” he continued.

Chu Jingcheng pondered for a moment. “Actually, I’ve already decided to buy a residence for Leng Feng. He has followed me for so many years—I really can’t let him be treated unfairly.”

“Has an auspicious date been chosen?”

“Not yet. We’re waiting for the Ministry of Rites to send over the dates.”

“It must be a good day,” Yin Qingyue said. After thinking for a moment, she added, “Oh right, three days from now is an auspicious day. The ritual officials will likely choose that. But five days later is Prince Yi’s wedding to Shangguan Jiaoran, so Leng Feng and Ding Ying’s wedding must be after that.”

Only then did Chu Jingcheng remember. He nodded and said, “That’s true. I’ll inform the Ministry of Rites in advance. But I was thinking—you’ll sooner or later be this prince’s Princess Jing anyway. Why don’t you go take a look at Ding Ying? On her wedding day, having you by her side would help her relax.”

“That makes sense. I’ll go take a look. Even if you hadn’t said so, I would’ve gone anyway.”

“So that means you admit you’re this prince’s Princess Jing.”

“At a time like this, you’re still being shameless,” Yin Qingyue turned her head away and replied irritably.

Chu Jingcheng laughed. “Alright, I won’t tease you anymore. You’ve just arrived, so you must be tired. Get some good rest. In a while, I’ll send a young maid over. You’re a woman—there should always be someone by your side. Even if you don’t want it, just consider it putting my mind at ease.”

Ever since Mei’er left, Yin Qingyue’s mood hadn’t been very good, and she didn’t really want anyone following her around. But what Chu Jingcheng said was also true—she was, after all, a woman. Going in and out, it was only proper to have someone with her. She couldn’t possibly have the Prince Jing’s guards follow her everywhere.

So she could only agree. “Alright. I’ll listen to you.”

“When you’re this obedient and listen to me, I’m happy,” Chu Jingcheng said.

After laughing a few times, he left.

Yin Qingyue stayed in the room for a while longer. It was already getting late. This was her first time staying in Prince Jing’s residence, and everything felt unfamiliar. She carefully looked around—the flowers and plants in the courtyard were very well tended, quite fitting Chu Jingcheng’s temperament.

At that moment, a young maid walked over with her head lowered. Coming to Yin Qingyue’s side, she said, “Miss, it’s getting dark. You should go inside.”

Yin Qingyue looked at the maid. She was gentle and refined, quite pretty, and seemed not much younger than herself.

“Prince Jing sent you, didn’t he?”

“Yes. The prince said that Miss doesn’t like noise, so when serving you, I shouldn’t disturb you too much.”

“What’s your name?”

“My name is Dong’er.”

“Dong’er?” Yin Qingyue murmured. The name sounded very similar to Mei’er’s. Dong Mei, Dong Mei… Chu Jingcheng really did think this through.

Dong’er looked at Yin Qingyue. It was her first time seeing such a beautiful woman. She had only heard rumors before—she hadn’t expected her to truly be this beautiful. She couldn’t help but look a few extra times, but she remembered Prince Jing’s instructions well. Yin Qingyue disliked noise and talkative people, so she didn’t say much.

Noticing Dong’er’s gaze, Yin Qingyue smiled gently and asked, “Why are you staring at me like that?”

“This servant knows her mistake,” Dong’er quickly lowered her head.

“Alright. From now on, you don’t need to call yourself ‘this servant’ in front of me. I’m not your mistress, and you don’t need to be so restrained. Since Prince Jing arranged for you to be by my side, he naturally knows your temperament suits me. There’s no need to be nervous—I’m not Prince Jing,” Yin Qingyue explained.

Dong’er hadn’t expected Yin Qingyue to dare speak of Prince Jing like that. If it were anyone else, Prince Jing would’ve long since lost his temper.

“I understand,” Dong’er said. “But Miss, it’s already late—why not go inside and rest?”

“You really are just like Mei’er,” Yin Qingyue said with a trace of emotion in her voice. She smiled faintly and went into the room.

Dong’er didn’t know who Mei’er was, nor did she want to meddle, so she simply followed her inside.

---

The Ding Residence

As soon as Ding Heng returned, he told his daughter the news. Ding Ying was overjoyed yet extremely shy—her face flushed red as she kept her head lowered.

Ding Heng said, “Ying’er, the prince has already agreed. Once the Ministry of Rites selects the date, Leng Feng will come to formally propose. For these few days, stay at home, don’t go out, and don’t see Leng Feng. That’s a major taboo for women before marriage.”

“Don’t worry, Father. I know all this. Besides, there will be a matchmaker there—it won’t go wrong.”

“Now that this marriage is settled, Father’s heart is finally at ease,” Ding Heng said. As he spoke, he let out a soft sigh, feeling a little sad—more than anything, he was reluctant to part.

He only had this one daughter. Naturally, he would be heartbroken when she married off. But he also knew very well that marrying Leng Feng was beneficial for the Ding family.

Seeing her father’s thoughts, Ding Ying’s eyes reddened. Choking up, she said, “Father, I know you can’t bear to part with me. Don’t worry—even after I’m married, I’ll come back often to see you.”

Ding Heng shook his head and sighed. “Father doesn’t ask for much. I only hope you’ll be happy in the future, and that Leng Feng will treat you well.”

“He will,” Ding Ying said firmly. “Leng Feng will definitely be good to me. I believe in my judgment. He’s a good person—he won’t let me suffer even the slightest grievance.”

In her heart, Leng Feng treated her sincerely. After spending this time together, she believed it even more.

“That’s good. As long as you’re happy, Father is willing to do anything. It’s just…” Ding Heng suddenly stopped mid-sentence.

“Just what? Father, why don’t you finish?”

“It’s just that Leng Feng is only a personal guard. I’m worried you’ll suffer after marrying him—plain food and simple living. I don’t know if you can endure it.”

Ding Ying smiled faintly, clearly not caring at all. “Daughter doesn’t mind any of that. As long as I can be with Leng Feng, it doesn’t matter where we are. Even coarse clothes and simple meals are fine. As long as we work at sunrise and rest at sunset, that’s already enough.”

As she spoke, her face lit up with a smile, her eyes filled with longing.

Seeing his daughter think this way, Ding Heng no longer worried.

Glancing at the sky, he stood up. “Alright. During this time, just prepare well. You don’t need to worry about the wedding day—Father will arrange everything properly and make sure you marry Leng Feng in grand style.”

“Thank you, Father.”

With that, Ding Heng left.

Ding Ying sat in the room, smiling the entire time. Thinking about how she was about to be married, she rubbed her hands together nervously.

At that moment, Xiangxu came in. Seeing her young lady like this, she laughed. “Miss, you’re finally happy now. Prince Jing has agreed, so your heart is at ease. Looks like our future master is also very happy—he must be busy preparing to welcome you.”

“You little rascal, stop teasing me,” Ding Ying said.

“I’m not teasing you. I just know your feelings—your wish has finally come true.”

“It’s just… I wonder what Leng Feng is doing right now,” Ding Ying said.

Xiangxu put down what she was holding and walked over. “Miss, didn’t Master say just now? Before the wedding, you two can’t meet. But if you really want to know what he’s doing, I can go take a look for you.”

“No need. If word gets out, people will laugh at us,” Ding Ying quickly stopped her.

“Alright, alright, I won’t go,” Xiangxu laughed, covering her mouth, and went out.

Ding Ying stayed in the room, smiling the whole time.

Soon, Prince Jing sent a guard to the Ding residence to inform Ding Heng of the arrangements.

“Lord Ding,” the guard said, “the prince said that five days from now is Prince Yi’s wedding day, so Miss Ding’s wedding will be postponed a bit—but not for long. Also, the prince has already purchased a residence for Leng Feng so that he may properly welcome Miss Ding.”

Hearing this, Ding Heng was very satisfied. Prince Jing truly treated Leng Feng well. If it were anyone else, what master would buy a house for his own guard?

“Alright, I understand. Go back and report to Prince Jing,” Ding Heng said.

“Yes.”

The guard from Prince Jing’s residence immediately returned.

---

The Next Day

Yin Qingyue got up early. Having just arrived at Prince Jing’s residence, she still wasn’t used to it and had only slept a few hours.

Dong’er said, “Miss, you must not have rested well last night.”

“How do you know?”

“Dong’er stayed outside the whole time and saw you tossing and turning in bed. You must’ve had trouble sleeping,” she said as she placed the incense burner prepared that morning on the table. “Miss, this is sandalwood incense—it helps with sleep. Light some tonight so you can rest better.”

“You’re very thoughtful,” Yin Qingyue said, looking at her.

“I’ve always served my masters, so I know these things and prepared a bit more,” Dong’er explained.

Yin Qingyue simply smiled and said no more. After dressing and preparing, she set out for the Ding residence to visit Ding Ying.

Dong’er followed along, as Prince Jing had instructed her to stay close.

At the Ding residence, the outside looked as usual, but once inside, it was already decorated with lanterns and colorful ornaments—just waiting for Prince Yi and Shangguan Jiaoran’s wedding to pass so their own wedding could take place.

When Yin Qingyue arrived, Ding Ying was extremely happy and quickly pulled her inside. But Yin Qingyue instead held her hand and said, “Ding Ying, I came to see you—but I’m also taking you out.”

“Out? Where to?”

“Don’t tell me you don’t want to choose your wedding dress?”

“So that’s what it is,” Ding Ying said. “Miss Yin, don’t worry. My father has already arranged everything. New red fabrics have been delivered—I just need to choose.”

“That won’t do,” Yin Qingyue said. “It’s your wedding, not your father’s. This only happens once in a lifetime—it’s better to personally go out and choose. The ones your father sent over are always just a few pieces back and forth.”