MCSCPM -Chapter 358 Rumors

Elsewhere, at Prince Jing’s Mansion.

Chu Jingcheng sat alone in the courtyard, frowning in thought, his expression unreadable.

Recently, Leng Feng had been busy with his impending marriage to Ding Ying, so he rarely stayed nearby, and Leng Yi was still on his way back to the capital.

Chu Jingcheng remained in the courtyard for a long time, thinking over the words he had just spoken to Yin Qingyue. Marrying Yin Qingyue as the Princess Consort of Prince Jing was no idle talk—it was a firm decision.

The guards in the backyard, seeing their prince so deep in thought, couldn’t help but approach. “Your Highness, you’ve been sitting here for a long time. Has something happened?”

Chu Jingcheng didn’t speak but frowned even more tightly.

“Your Highness, it’s getting late, perhaps you should—”

He suddenly raised his hand, interrupting the guard. His gaze shifted slightly, he exhaled deeply, and his expression turned serious as he said, “I need you to carry out a task immediately.”

“Your Highness’s command, I will see it done.”

“I want you to spread the word that the Prince Jing Mansion is about to welcome a Princess Consort—the Divine Physician herself.” Chu Jingcheng had made up his mind.

The guard was stunned, hardly believing it, and pressed further, “Your Highness, this is no small matter. Marriage arrangements are usually granted by the Emperor. If you act unilaterally—”

“I said it. I will marry my Princess Consort, and no one can stop it. Spread this news immediately, and make it as fast as possible.”

Although the guard had some reservations, the prince had given the order, so he had no choice but to obey.

Soon after the guard left, the news spread quickly, and the capital was abuzz. The Prince Jing Mansion was about to welcome a Princess Consort—the Divine Physician herself—and the rumor spread wildly. The more exaggerated the gossip, the more it pleased Chu Jingcheng.

Meanwhile, Yin Qingyue was sitting quietly in her room when Dong’er hurried in, her face beaming with congratulations.

Yin Qingyue noticed the expression and asked, “Dong’er, what’s going on?”

“Congratulations, Miss.”

“Congratulations? For what?”

“You’re the one involved. Don’t you know?” Dong’er said.

Yin Qingyue found it strange. Chu Jingcheng had ordered her not to go out freely, so she had stayed in the mansion all these days. What could possibly have happened that was so joyful?

She asked, “Dong’er, I’ve been inside all this time, haven’t gone anywhere, haven’t done anything—why are you congratulating me?”

“You’re joking, Miss. You’re going to be the Princess Consort of Prince Jing. How could you not know?”

“Princess Consort of Prince Jing?”

“Yes. Now the whole capital knows. The Prince Jing Mansion is going to welcome a Princess Consort—and that’s you. Even the girls in the mansion just found out,” Dong’er said, thrilled.

At that moment, the teacup in Yin Qingyue’s hand nearly slipped to the ground. She had known Chu Jingcheng might mean it, but she thought it was just idle talk. Who knew that within a few days, the news would already spread?

It seemed he intended to act first and report later—fully aware that the Emperor would not approve. This was exactly the move he had made.

Yin Qingyue was astonished and momentarily speechless.

Dong’er, noticing her mistress’s expression, whispered, “Miss, you really didn’t know? I thought you might have guessed…”

“Enough, Dong’er. Let’s not speak of this now.” Yin Qingyue put down her teacup and went to find Chu Jingcheng.

In the front courtyard, she found him leisurely drinking tea, a look of satisfaction on his face as if awaiting the harvest.

She rushed over anxiously, her voice questioning, “Prince Jing, was it you who had the guards spread the word about marrying the Princess Consort?”

Seeing her so flustered, Chu Jingcheng smiled casually. “Why, are you displeased? Isn’t being my Princess Consort a good thing?”

“It’s just that you were far too reckless. If the Emperor finds out, there will surely be—”

“Surely what? I told you before, my decision cannot be changed. Even if Father disagrees, I will marry you,” Chu Jingcheng said seriously.

Yin Qingyue looked into his eyes—gentle yet resolute, filled with his deepest love. Every time she saw this gaze, even the coldest, hardest part of her heart would melt.

Chu Jingcheng stepped closer, sensing her worry. “Yin Qingyue, do you trust me? I will give you the future you desire. Do you trust me?”

“I trust you, but nothing is truly settled yet. What you’re doing now may only bring trouble.”

“For you, I am willing to do anything.”

“Prince Jing…”

“Didn’t you once say, no matter what I become—even if I lose my title and possessions—you would still follow me? That was no lie, right? Then what is there to worry about?”

Tears welled in Yin Qingyue’s eyes. She smiled faintly, her heart full of words she didn’t know how to speak.

In the next moment, Chu Jingcheng hugged her tightly, resting his jaw on her shoulder. He knew her heart had already begun to yield.

“Will you marry me?”

His tone carried a hint of coaxing.

Could Yin Qingyue refuse? This man was willing to forsake his status as Prince Jing—and potentially future heir—to be with her. A man like this could not be found again.

Finally, she nodded. “I will.”

Hearing those three words, Chu Jingcheng was ecstatic. He held her tightly, unwilling to let go. After all the hardships, this woman had finally agreed to marry him—the moment he had waited for so long.

All previous unhappiness, suffering, and waiting seemed meaningless now.

“Yin Qingyue, I promise you, in this life, you alone are enough.”

“I feel the same.”

They embraced, making a promise—not in grandiose words, but with the weight of true emotion.

Of course, news of Chu Jingcheng and Yin Qingyue’s impending marriage quickly spread to the West Ze Kingdom.

Now seated on the throne, Nangong Xiao was reviewing memorials in the imperial study. Since the late emperor’s passing, he had mourned deeply. Now, as the new emperor, everything had come so fast.

He could not forget his father’s deathbed grip on his hand. His father had entrusted the kingdom to him, urging him to become a wise ruler. Those last words he could never forget.

While the late emperor was alive, dark arts had manipulated people and caused countless deaths. Now that he had passed, Nangong Xiao immediately banned the practices, executing the officials who had engaged in them. The West Ze Kingdom was finally much more peaceful.

As he reviewed memorials, a eunuch entered. “Your Majesty, there is a matter I am unsure whether to report.”

He put the documents down. “What could not be said? Speak freely.”

“Your Majesty, news has come from Northern Hao—Prince Jing is to marry a Princess Consort.”

Chu Jingcheng? Since leaving, he had rarely heard that title. The matter seemed important to the court, but he was indifferent. “Prince Jing marrying a Princess Consort? Isn’t that normal?”

“I hear that the bride is a Divine Physician.”

“Divine Physician?” Nangong Xiao’s expression immediately changed. The Divine Physician—could it be Yin Qingyue? How could this happen in just a few months?

“Your Majesty, are you alright?”

“I am fine. You may leave.”

The eunuch quickly exited.

Nangong Xiao was deeply troubled. He knew Yin Qingyue had left with Prince Jing but did not expect that Chu Jingcheng would actually marry her.

The heartbreak weighed heavily on him. The memorials in his hand crumpled under his grip.

Yin Qingyue—are you really going to marry him?

Tears glimmered in his eyes, yet his bearing as emperor remained. Still, the pain in his heart was a ripple he could not escape.

“Yin Qingyue… is this truly the ending?”

The memorials slipped from his hands. His heart ached so deeply that he could not speak.

He had imagined this outcome, but it came too fast—before he even had a chance.

While Nangong Xiao was in sorrow, in the Northern Hao palace, Chu Helian looked shocked.

Despite his efforts to prevent it, Prince Jing acted first and reported later, and now the news had spread throughout the capital.

Furious, Chu Helian struggled to stay calm.

Eunuch Sun said, “Your Majesty, Prince Jing’s actions may—”

“May what? He is openly defying me. He knows I would never approve, yet he acts first and reports later. If I do not agree, the entire world will ridicule me!”

“Your Majesty, please do not be angry. Prince Jing acted recklessly, but his feelings for the Divine Physician are genuine—surely you understand?”

“How could I not understand? That’s exactly why I worry! The Divine Physician is not from Northern Hao. A single woman has captured a prince’s heart. If she becomes the Princess Consort, how can he focus on governance?” Chu Helian slammed his hand on the table, standing up. “I must go to the Prince Jing Mansion immediately.”

Eunuch Sun nervously said, “Your Majesty, now may not be appropriate. Perhaps it’s better not to go.”

“If I do not go, won’t Prince Jing run amok?” Chu Helian said, displeased.