MCSCPM -Chapter 356 Refusing to Leave

Chu Ling continued to complain, “If it weren’t for you and Eldest Brother, Father Emperor wouldn’t even have thought of me. Tell me—what were you trying to do? How did you end up dumping this mess on me?”

Watching Chu Ling vent, Chu Jingcheng laughed instead. He patted Chu Ling on the shoulder and said meaningfully, “No matter what, this is your responsibility.”

Those words—your responsibility—made Chu Ling’s heart sink, as if something heavy had lodged itself in his chest.

“Second Brother, I understand everything you’re saying,” Chu Ling said helplessly, “but there are some things you feel powerless about—and so do I.”

It was probably the first time Chu Jingcheng had seen him looking so downcast. For someone who loved freedom so much, being confined within the palace would naturally make him look like this. He did seem a bit pitiful.

“Chu Ling,” Chu Jingcheng said seriously, “now that Father Emperor values you, the burden on your shoulders will only grow heavier. You must put the bigger picture first.”

“I know,” Chu Ling replied, shaking his head. “But no matter how hard I try, I’ll never meet Father Emperor’s expectations. Unlike you, Second Brother—you’ve always been the most promising prince in Father Emperor’s eyes. In the future, he might even make you Crown Prince.”

“That might have been possible before,” Chu Jingcheng said calmly, “but now, not necessarily.”

There was not the slightest hint of regret in his tone.

Chu Ling shook his head again. “You just don’t want to be Crown Prince, so you’re throwing this whole mess at me. Second Brother, that’s really ruthless of you.”

“Enough,” Chu Jingcheng said. “You should hurry back to the palace. If Father Emperor finds out you’re gone, he’ll be furious. Both I and Prince Yi have disappointed him—now all his hopes rest on you. Don’t disappoint him again.”

“Second Brother, stop rushing me,” Chu Ling protested. “I finally managed to sneak out. If I go back now, who knows when I’ll get another chance to leave? Father Emperor wants me to handle everything now. You know my heart isn’t in court politics—how am I supposed to learn all this?”

“Take it slowly,” Chu Jingcheng replied. “Besides, there are so many ministers at court—they’ll all assist you.”

But hearing this only made Chu Ling feel even more uneasy. He quickly said, “Why do I feel like you’re talking as if you’ll never return to court, as if you’re handing everything over to me? Second Brother, let me tell you—I don’t want to replace you. You know that.”

Chu Jingcheng simply smiled. “You’re also Father Emperor’s son. How can that be called replacing me? Even if Father Emperor makes you Crown Prince, it wouldn’t be inappropriate.”

“Please don’t mention the Crown Prince,” Chu Ling said, waving his hands in rejection. “I don’t want that position at all.”

Yin Qingyue, standing nearby, could tell exactly what Chu Ling was thinking. She had just read his mind—he truly had no desire to be Crown Prince. Living freely like a wandering immortal was his style.

She stepped forward and said, “Prince Jing, Prince Ling has finally managed to leave the palace. Don’t talk about these things with him.”

“Even if I don’t say it today, it’ll be said sooner or later,” Chu Jingcheng replied in an explanatory tone. “And if I don’t say it, others will.”

But Chu Ling’s attention immediately shifted to Yin Qingyue, as if all his worries had vanished. In no time, he was back to his carefree, playful self, smiling at her. “The Divine Physician is right, after all. She really understands this prince.”

“Prince Ling flatters me,” Yin Qingyue said. “Everyone knows you dislike being restrained. Prince Jing mentioned these things just now, and you became unhappy—so naturally, I asked him to stop.”

“Looks like Second Brother only listens to you,” Chu Ling teased.

“Prince Jing is a royal prince,” Yin Qingyue replied calmly. “I’m just an ordinary person. How could he possibly listen to me?”

Chu Ling turned to Chu Jingcheng with envy. “Second Brother, you’ve got fine wine and a beautiful woman by your side—life must be quite pleasant for you now.”

Chu Jingcheng’s face darkened. Yin Qingyue hadn’t spoken to him with this expression just now, and he couldn’t help feeling jealous. He said to Chu Ling, “Enough fooling around. It’s getting late—hurry back.”

“Second Brother, just let me stay a little longer.”

“No.”

“Second Brother—”

“Don’t forget,” Chu Jingcheng said sternly, “there are many eyes watching you. You absolutely cannot make a single mistake. One wrong step, and you’ll end up like Prince Yi.”

At the mention of Prince Yi, Chu Ling’s expression sank. He sat down heavily and sighed. “What do you think happened to Eldest Brother? He’s always been cautious and never caused trouble. Just because of this one mistake, Father Emperor sent him off to a distant county—isn’t that too harsh? And he hasn’t even finished his wedding yet. It’s really pitiful.”

If this were the past, Chu Jingcheng might have felt some sympathy. But Prince Yi had repeatedly tried to kill him. Ending up like this was entirely his own doing—he had no one to blame.

Seeing Chu Jingcheng’s heavy expression, Chu Ling asked, “Second Brother, what’s wrong? Don’t tell me you also think Eldest Brother was wronged?”

“Nonsense,” Chu Jingcheng replied coldly. “Father Emperor never acts without reason. If Prince Yi was sent away, he must have committed some wrongdoing.”

“What wrongdoing?” Chu Ling asked. “Do you know?”

Did Chu Jingcheng know? Of course he did—Prince Yi had tried to kill him. He had already asked Father Emperor how the matter would be handled. Now it seemed Father Emperor’s solution was to remove Prince Yi from the capital. That was fine—once Prince Yi was gone and his power collapsed, he would no longer pose a threat.

Chu Ling nudged him and said, “What’s with you? Every time we talk about Eldest Brother, you start spacing out. That’s no fun.” Then he turned to Yin Qingyue with a grin. “The Divine Physician is much more fun—and even prettier. What do you think of me?”

Chu Jingcheng was speechless.

Yin Qingyue shook her head slightly and said, “Prince Ling is naturally very good.”

“Good in what way?” Chu Ling asked eagerly.

“If Prince Ling wants to know so much,” Yin Qingyue replied with a smile, “why not hurry up and take a wife? Let your Princess Ling tell you every day by your pillow.”

“A Princess Ling—now that’s something I like,” Chu Ling said with satisfaction. Then he stared at Yin Qingyue and teased, “I wonder if the Divine Physician would be willing to become this prince’s Princess Ling?”

“Chu Ling, that’s enough,” Chu Jingcheng snapped. He pulled Chu Ling over, putting some distance between him and Yin Qingyue. His expression turned serious. “She is my woman. You’d better not toy with her—or I won’t spare you just because we’re brothers.”

Seeing how anxious Chu Jingcheng looked, Chu Ling burst out laughing. He had only meant to tease Yin Qingyue and provoke Chu Jingcheng—and he’d succeeded.

“It seems Second Brother really treats the Divine Physician well,” Chu Ling said. “No wonder you fell out with Father Emperor for her.”

“If you don’t speak,” Chu Jingcheng retorted, “no one will think you’re mute.”

“Alright, alright, I’ll stop,” Chu Ling said. “By the way, I haven’t visited your residence in a long time. How about I stay for dinner tonight before leaving?”

“No,” Chu Jingcheng refused outright. “Do you think I don’t know what you’re planning? Hurry back to the palace. It wouldn’t be good if someone caught hold of any leverage against you.”

“I actually hope someone does catch me,” Chu Ling said with a grin. “That way I wouldn’t have to return to the palace. Staying in my Prince Ling’s residence would be far more carefree.”

As he spoke, his face lit up. Then he suddenly remembered something and said, “Oh right, Second Brother—I recently got a very fine bow. It feels powerful just holding it. But I’m stuck in the palace and don’t know when I’ll be able to return. How about I give it to you?”

At the mention of a bow, Chu Jingcheng was somewhat interested, but he knew Chu Ling wanted an excuse to stay longer.

“No need,” Chu Jingcheng said firmly. “Keep a good bow for yourself. Just because you can’t leave the palace now doesn’t mean you never will. I have plenty of bows here.”

“Second Brother, why are you so stubborn?” Chu Ling complained. “It’s just a bow—are you afraid I’ll ask you for something in return?”

“That’s not it.”

“Forget it,” Chu Ling said, waving his hand. “It’s getting late—I’ll head back so I don’t put you in a difficult position. I’m not afraid of Father Emperor finding out I left the palace; I’m just worried the servants will be punished. I’d become a sinner then.”

As he prepared to leave, he glanced at Yin Qingyue and said, “Beautiful lady, when I get out again next time, I’ll come see you. If my Second Brother ever treats you badly, come find me—I’ll treat you well and never let you suffer.”

Yin Qingyue remained silent, thinking to herself that Prince Ling really was mischievous—bold enough to tease her right in front of Chu Jingcheng. But Chu Jingcheng knew exactly what kind of person he was, so he wouldn’t truly be angry—just a little jealous.

“I’m off,” Chu Ling said. “I’ll visit again another day.”

With that, he left.

Yet Yin Qingyue’s gaze lingered in his mind. It felt strangely familiar, though he couldn’t remember where he had seen it before.

If he ever found out that Yin Qingyue was the “ugly girl” from that day, he would surely regret it deeply.

After Chu Ling left, Chu Jingcheng finally felt relieved. Turning to Yin Qingyue, he noticed that the smile on her face hadn’t yet faded. Seeing this made him somewhat annoyed.

“You seem very nice to Prince Ling,” he said. “You kept smiling when you spoke to him, but whenever you talk to me, you always look expressionless.”

“Is that so?” Yin Qingyue asked. “Am I really like that?”

“Look—you’re doing it again right now.”

Seeing his jealous expression, Yin Qingyue found it even more amusing and couldn’t help laughing. She lowered her head slightly, smiling softly—so beautiful it could topple kingdoms.

Chu Jingcheng’s heart leapt. He reached out and touched her cheek. “Stay like this,” he said. “I want to do something.”

“Hm?”

Before she could react, Chu Jingcheng leaned down and kissed the corner of her lips—light as a dragonfly skimming the water.

“Yin Qingyue,” he said, “I want to marry you.”

“Prince Jing…” Yin Qingyue was startled. Looking at him, she said softly, “This isn’t the time to say such things.”

“I’m serious.”

“But right now…” Yin Qingyue still had her concerns.

Chu Jingcheng, however, had no intention of thinking that far ahead. As long as Yin Qingyue could stay by his side, he didn’t care about anything else.

With a firm tone, he said, “Yin Qingyue, once I make a decision, no one can change it. If I say I will marry you, then no matter who it is, they won’t be able to stop it.”