MCSCPM -Chapter 353 Staying Behind

“Father, I… I don’t want anything to happen to you.”

“Then obediently get into the bridal sedan. Today, you must get married.”

“I…” Shangguan Jiaoran faltered. At this moment, she hesitated. Her gaze lowered slightly—eighty-three lives were at stake, a burden she truly dared not bear.

“Jiao’er, just consider it Father begging you.”

Shangguan Jiaoran fell silent…

Outside the Shangguan residence, the wedding procession was magnificent. Festive horns sounded again and again.

Just when everyone thought the Shangguan family’s young lady would never come out, at that very moment, the matchmaker supported Shangguan Jiaoran—now wearing the phoenix crown—as she emerged.

Shangguan Qingyun followed behind her. After saying so much, he had finally managed to get his daughter onto Prince Yi’s bridal sedan.

Once Shangguan Jiaoran boarded the sedan, the people from Prince Yi’s residence lifted it and departed amid gongs and drums.

A guard from Prince Yi’s residence stepped forward to congratulate Shangguan Qingyun. “Congratulations, General Shangguan.”

“Thank you,” Shangguan Qingyun replied with a forced smile.

The guard did not linger. After offering his congratulations, he left.

Not long after the bridal sedan departed, Shangguan Qingyun’s expression turned cold as he said to the servant beside him, “Go fetch some wine.”

The servant replied, “Master, the wine has already been prepared. The guests who came to congratulate you are all inside. Do you want to—”

“Bring the wine to my room.”

After giving the order, Shangguan Qingyun turned back into the residence. Ignoring the guests who had come to congratulate him, he locked himself in his room.

Inside, Shangguan Qingyun drank one jug after another. The servant kept bringing in jugs of wine.

“Master, you really shouldn’t drink anymore. It’ll harm your health,” the servant urged.

“Get out.”

“Master, the young lady’s bridal sedan has already arrived at Prince Yi’s residence. If you keep this up, it’ll only make her sad. Please stop drinking.”

Suddenly, Shangguan Qingyun glared at the servant and roared, “Get out—did you hear me?!”

As soon as he finished speaking, he flung the empty wine jug in his hand to the ground.

The servant dared not say another word. He set down the jug he had just brought in and left.

Shangguan Qingyun continued drinking nonstop.

While things were gloomy on this side, Prince Yi’s residence was filled with joy.

Court officials and nobles had already come to offer congratulations—largely because he was Prince Yi. But after what had happened earlier, everyone understood how to read the situation. Prince Yi had already fallen from favor; it was only due to the Emperor’s mercy that he was allowed to complete the wedding before being sent off to a remote county.

Though they offered congratulations, many did so with caution, unwilling to get too closely involved with Prince Yi lest they be implicated themselves.

By now, Shangguan Jiaoran had arrived at Prince Yi’s residence. She was in her room, a red veil covering her head. Once everyone left, she lifted the veil herself. This time, she did not fling it aside, but gently set it down.

Looking at the new bridal chamber adorned with red candles, Shangguan Jiaoran’s feelings were indescribably mixed.

She had still come. In the end, she had become Princess Yi. Yet everyone knew that it wouldn’t be long before she would follow Prince Yi to a remote county. The title of “Princess Yi” was merely a name—unless the Emperor relented, she would likely spend her entire life there with him.

“I never imagined that I, Shangguan Jiaoran, would end up like this,” she sighed, filled with resentment.

On the wedding night, Shangguan Jiaoran stayed in the bridal chamber. It wasn’t until late at night that the tightly shut door finally opened, and Prince Yi stumbled in, reeking of alcohol.

That was fine—she didn’t want him to touch her anyway.

“Shangguan Jiaoran… this time, I’ve really fallen into your hands,” he muttered drunkenly, spouting nonsense as he staggered and collapsed onto the bed, still mumbling, “This time… I’ve completely lost. Completely lost.”

Shangguan Jiaoran watched from a distance, sitting far away and not daring to get close, afraid that Prince Yi might do something again.

Prince Yi had drunk too much, and the two naturally could not consummate the marriage. He fell asleep immediately, while Shangguan Jiaoran sat on a chair nearby for the entire night, remaining on guard the whole time.

Meanwhile, at Prince Jing’s residence, Chu Jingcheng had just returned from Prince Yi’s residence, reeking of alcohol.

“Your Highness, you’ve drunk quite a lot. You should return to your room and rest,” a guard advised.

“You don’t need to worry about me,” Chu Jingcheng brushed him aside and went alone to the courtyard where Yin Qingyue was staying.

As soon as he reached the entrance, he saw Dong’er.

Dong’er hadn’t expected Prince Jing to come and was startled. She quickly lowered her head and saluted. “I didn’t know Your Highness would come. Please forgive me.”

“No need for formalities. Is the young lady inside?” Chu Jingcheng asked.

“She just went inside. Earlier, she waited for Your Highness for a while, but when you didn’t come, she went in,” Dong’er replied.

Chu Jingcheng was startled—then delighted. “She was waiting for me?”

“Yes.”

Chu Jingcheng smiled, overjoyed, and quickly went to Yin Qingyue’s door, gently knocking.

Yin Qingyue was about to go to sleep. When she opened the door and saw Chu Jingcheng standing outside, she was surprised and a little pleased. “Why did you come back so late?”

“Did you miss me?” he asked.

“Nonsense. I was just worried you drank too much,” Yin Qingyue said stubbornly, unwilling to admit it. She took his hand with concern. “You must have drunk a lot—your whole body smells of alcohol. Come in quickly. I’ll get some water so you can wash your face.”

She pulled him inside, fetched a towel, dampened it, and handed it to him. Chu Jingcheng, however, didn’t take it.

“I’m tired. Help me wipe my face.”

“You…” Yin Qingyue was helpless. But thinking about how much he must have drunk at Prince Yi’s wedding, she sighed. Fine—she’d indulge him this once.

She took his hand and gently wiped his face, softly reminding him, “Remember, drinking harms your body. Too much is never good. And if you catch a chill, that’s even worse. Don’t do this again, understand?”

Chu Jingcheng looked at her with a smile, his heart warm. He couldn’t help but grab her hand, gazing at her deeply.

“Stop it,” she said.

“I’m not fooling around. Yin Qingyue, since when have you been this gentle with me?” he teased.

“It looks like you really are drunk,” Yin Qingyue said, pulling her hand back and walking toward the washbasin. Just as she was about to wet the towel again, Chu Jingcheng stepped up behind her and wrapped his arms around her from behind.

“If I really were drunk, that would be great,” he said softly. “Then I’d have a reason to stay in your room.”

Yin Qingyue froze. She could clearly feel his breath by her ear—real and unmistakable.

He held her tightly, unwilling to let go. “Tonight, I’ll stay here. Alright?”

After a long moment, Yin Qingyue still didn’t answer. But the corners of her lips curved upward, a faint smile on her face.

Not hearing a reply, Chu Jingcheng tightened his arms slightly and continued, “If you don’t answer, I’ll take that as a yes.”

“When did I ever agree?” Yin Qingyue broke free, turned around, and teased him. “No. You need to hurry back and wash off the smell of alcohol.”

“Are you rejecting me?” Chu Jingcheng gave a wicked smile and leaned closer again.

In the next moment, Yin Qingyue pushed him to the door, assuming the posture of a proper wife. “It’s already very late. Hurry back to your room. I need to rest too.”

“You really want to drive me away?”

“You’re too tired tonight. Go rest properly—and wash off that smell of alcohol.”

“But I’m not tired,” Chu Jingcheng persisted. He’d come tonight with courage, hoping to stay. Who would’ve thought Yin Qingyue would see right through him and insist on sending him away? If it were anyone else, they’d have already opened the door for him.

It wasn’t that Yin Qingyue didn’t want him to stay. It was just that he had drunk so much tonight—he truly needed proper rest.

“No matter what, go rest,” she said.

Helpless, Chu Jingcheng could only give in. He didn’t like the smell of alcohol on himself either. “Alright. I’ll listen to you. You rest well too.”

“Mm.”

He gently kissed her forehead, then left.

Another quiet night followed, as if everything had returned to its proper course.

Yin Qingyue closed the door and leaned against it, smiling contentedly. Now things were finally better. Prince Yi had suffered his retribution, and even Shangguan Jiaoran had married Prince Yi and would be heading to a remote county. For both Chu Jingcheng and herself, this was excellent news.

And there was another happy thing as well—Leng Feng and Ding Ying. Lovers had finally become a couple.

Though she and Chu Jingcheng were together now, what the future held was still unknown.

The next day.

Two imperial edicts suddenly came from the palace. One was sent to Prince Yi’s residence, ordering Prince Yi to depart immediately for a remote county. Prince Yi was finished—if he wanted to rise again, it would take a very long time.

The other edict went to Prince Jing’s residence. The Emperor ordered that Prince Jing need not attend court for the next few days; as for when he would return, further instructions would follow.

Those in the harem and court were all astute people. The Emperor’s actions clearly meant distancing himself from Prince Jing. The position of Crown Prince—of future heir—would likely no longer be his.

Prince Yi had committed such a grave mistake, and Prince Jing was so disobedient. Thinking it over, the most likely future heir could only be the useless Prince Ling, Chu Ling.

In response to the Emperor’s edict, Chu Jingcheng showed no displeasure at all. On the contrary, he felt much more relaxed.

For so long, everyone had treated him as the future heir. The burden on his shoulders was unimaginable.

Now this was fine—he could enjoy some freedom for a while. This mess could be handed over to that useless Prince Ling instead.

Meanwhile, Prince Ling’s residence also received an imperial summons.

Prince Ling was in the back courtyard shooting arrows—though it was more a moment of playful whim than serious practice.

A palace guard said, “Prince Ling, His Majesty orders you to enter the palace immediately.”

Chu Ling was surprised. When had his father ever thought of him? He asked, “What is it about?”

“The Emperor didn’t say. He only instructed that Your Highness enter the palace as soon as possible.”

“How annoying,” Chu Ling muttered, displeased. He handed his bow to a nearby servant and said, “Put this away properly. I’ll be back shortly.”

“Yes,” the servant replied, carefully taking the bow.