MCSCPM -Chapter 366 A Small Talk

After Leng Feng stepped aside, Prince Ling entered.

“Second Brother, you’re really enjoying yourself today. It’s enviable,” he remarked.

Chu Jingcheng, however, wore a cold expression and asked sternly, “Chu Ling, what’s going on with you? Shouldn’t you be in the palace right now?”

“It’s stuffy in there,” Chu Ling replied casually.

“You snuck out again? You truly are reckless,” Chu Jingcheng scolded.

“I just came out a bit, Second Brother. Why speak like that?” Chu Ling said as he walked in and plopped down onto a seat.

Chu Jingcheng shook his head, exuding both the aura of an elder brother and a hint of helplessness.

Chu Ling poured himself a cup of tea and continued talking to himself. “Being alone in the palace is nothing like before when you and the eldest brother were around. Now I’m stuck helping Father review memorials—it’s so tedious. It’s nothing like the carefree life you have here.”

“Carefree? Chu Ling, you’re blessed but don’t even realize it,” Chu Jingcheng replied.

“What do you mean?”

“Father values you. You should be happy about that.”

Chu Ling wasn’t happy at all; he was frustrated. Back then, he could travel wherever he pleased, enjoying complete freedom. Comparing that life to his current situation was like night and day.

Chu Jingcheng knew what was going on in Chu Ling’s mind but didn’t want to say too much. He said seriously, “Follow me to the study.”

“What? Does Second Brother keep treasures in his study?”

“All you ever care about is such trivial things. How can you ever become accomplished?”

“Second Brother, don’t be so serious,” Chu Ling said.

“You need to rein in your careless nature,” Chu Jingcheng said, walking toward the study.

Although Chu Ling disliked seeing Chu Jingcheng so serious, he followed, thinking to himself that this was probably about court affairs or the matter of being heir apparent.

Ah, he had finally escaped the palace to enjoy some freedom, only to be caught again by Chu Jingcheng.

---

Meanwhile, in the rear courtyard, Yin Qingyue led Ding Ying inside.

“You’re weak. You should stay at home resting. I should be the one visiting you,” Yin Qingyue said.

“Miss Yin, that’s not right. I came today to thank you,” Ding Ying replied.

“You mean for arranging things between me and Leng Feng, don’t you?”

“You understand me perfectly. Honestly, you’re the greatest benefactor to both me and Leng Feng. If it weren’t for you, I would have died after being whipped by Shangguan Jiaoran. Back in Tuoshui County, you helped find Leng Feng, and even cured his serious illness. I owe you two lives, really, and I could never repay such kindness in my lifetime.”

Tears welled in Ding Ying’s eyes.

Yin Qingyue looked at her tenderly and comforted her. “Ding Ying, don’t say such things. Saving you or Leng Feng is what I should do. As a physician, how could I stand by and watch someone die?”

“Miss Yin, please accept my gratitude. I sincerely thank you.”

“Enough of that. You and Leng Feng are happy now. That’s what matters, and I’m glad for you.”

Ding Ying blushed and smiled, lowering her head. “As long as I can be with Leng Feng, I can accept anything. Even a simple life is fine.”

“Being with the one you love is what matters,” Yin Qingyue said.

“What about you, Miss Yin?” Ding Ying asked, her gaze softening. “Now that the whole capital knows Prince Jing is going to marry you, finally, you and Prince Jing are about to be together.”

Yin Qingyue smiled, no longer avoiding such topics. “Yes, if we can finally settle down after all this, that would be good.”

Ding Ying knew about Chu Jingcheng and Yin Qingyue. Prince Jing loved her and had done so much for her. Now that their marriage was imminent, Ding Ying felt nothing but happiness for them.

“You and Prince Jing have come this far—it hasn’t been easy,” Ding Ying said.

“Easy or not, one only knows by experiencing it,” Yin Qingyue replied.

“When will your wedding be?”

“I… don’t know yet,” Yin Qingyue said carefully.

“Don’t know? Why not?” Ding Ying asked in surprise.

Yin Qingyue knew that Prince Jing intended to notify the emperor after the fact, waiting until the emperor implicitly approved before preparing the wedding. She could not say this, so she explained, “Prince Jing needs to prepare many things for a royal marriage, so it’s taking some time.”

“I see. Then I must give you a grand gift when the time comes,” Ding Ying said, smiling.

Soon, Ding Ying furrowed her brow, thinking of Shangguan Jiaoran. Despite her past misdeeds, she was still Ding Ying’s friend.

Seeing Ding Ying’s somber expression, Yin Qingyue asked, “What’s wrong?”

“Nothing, I just thought of Jiaoran,” Ding Ying replied.

“Ah, she must have followed Yi Wang to the counties by now,” Yin Qingyue said.

“She’s pitiful. She didn’t like Yi Wang but had to marry him. Even worse, following him to the counties is hard for her,” Ding Ying said, her eyes glistening.

Yin Qingyue analyzed carefully but knew the emperor’s true purpose. “The emperor’s actions were for Yi Wang’s good, to keep him away from the capital. Once this matter fades, Yi Wang will return, after all, he’s the emperor’s son.”

“But the real reason is that Yi Wang tried to assassinate Prince Jing. The emperor cannot openly punish him, so he used this as a form of discipline,” Yin Qingyue thought silently.

Ding Ying nodded thoughtfully. “Even if Jiaoran is troublesome, I believe she isn’t truly bad. Hopefully, she’s learned a lesson.”

“Ding Ying, your generosity is rare. If all women were like you, the world would be better,” Yin Qingyue said.

“Miss Yin, don’t flatter me. Jiaoran used to be my friend,” Ding Ying said.

“Enough. Let’s not dwell on this. Today should be about happier matters,” Yin Qingyue said.

They then spoke joyfully about Ding Ying’s marriage.

Ding Ying said, “Don’t let his quiet nature fool you. Leng Feng understands everything. He told me a lot about his past. Do you know whom he mentions the most?”

“Who?”

“Leng Yi. They bicker often, but Leng Feng cares for him deeply. They’re quite a pair. Unfortunately, I married Leng Feng before Leng Yi returned. I think he regrets that.”

Ding Ying asked, “Miss Yin, did Prince Jing say when Leng Yi would come back from the counties?”

“Leng Feng didn’t say? Prince Jing already ordered Leng Yi to return. The new county magistrate has been appointed,” Yin Qingyue replied.

“Really?”

“Yes, but traveling from the county to the capital will take some time.”

“As long as he returns, Leng Feng will surely be happy,” Ding Ying said with a smile.

Yin Qingyue smiled quietly, remaining silent.

---

Elsewhere, Chu Jingcheng led Chu Ling to the study. A tense atmosphere settled immediately.

Chu Ling said, “Second Brother, don’t lecture me about principles. In the palace, Father constantly lectures me, and Mother scolds me. I understand.”

“If you understood, you wouldn’t have snuck out,” Chu Jingcheng said.

“But Second Brother…”

“I just want to talk with you today. No need to be so tense.” Chu Jingcheng sat down, staring at Chu Ling seriously. “Chu Ling, you are still Father’s son. You must understand the weight of the responsibilities you carry.”

Chu Ling flopped onto a chair, placing his hands on the armrests with a sigh. “I understand, that’s why I’m anxious. You know my temperament—I can’t endure this.”

“Do you want to follow the same path as Yi Wang and me?” Chu Jingcheng asked.

“What do you mean by that?”

Chu Jingcheng explained, “You know Father’s nature. If you disappoint him, your fate will be the same as Yi Wang’s. You may not care, enjoying freedom, but what about Consort Liu? Do you think she could remain unaffected if something happened to you?”

Chu Ling lowered his head, thoughtful. Though he loved freedom, he was filial and didn’t want his mother to suffer.

Chu Jingcheng continued, “Chu Ling, one day the future of Northern Hao will be entrusted to you. You must control your mind. You’ve had your fun, but for your mother’s sake, you must restrain yourself.”

Chu Ling said, “Elder Brother, I remember everything you said, but I’m not suited to be emperor. You know that.”

“Knowing or not, it doesn’t matter. With Yi Wang disgraced and me distanced from Father, the one who can now be heir apparent is you.”

That single declaration struck Chu Ling. He understood Chu Jingcheng’s meaning: with Yi Wang losing favor and Prince Jing sidelined, the person closest to the emperor—and the likely heir—was now him.