MCSCPM -Chapter 69 Déjà Vu

“Your Highness, may I ask why you’ve come here so late? If it’s nothing urgent, I should get some rest,” Yin Qingyue probed cautiously.

Leaning against the doorframe, Chu Jingcheng said, “Yin Qingyue… I feel as though I’ve seen you somewhere before.”

“…Huh?” Yin Qingyue paused, feigning confusion. “What do you mean, Your Highness?”

“At the palace banquet, we met. I felt a strange familiarity with you. Tell me, could we have met somewhere else?” Chu Jingcheng’s deep black eyes were like twin whirlpools. When Yin Qingyue met his gaze, she felt an almost overwhelming urge to reveal everything.

Chu Jingcheng waited for her response—or for a slip—but there was none. Yin Qingyue’s icy eyes, as if reading his mind, stared straight back without avoidance. A chill rose in his heart; suspicion was inevitable.

To Chu Jingcheng, his behavior seemed justified, but he didn’t realize Yin Qingyue was indeed probing his thoughts. If he truly was as she suspected, he could prove… interesting.

Yin Qingyue blinked and swallowed. Who would have thought this prince was so petty? So long ago, yet he still lingered on this memory… Well, if the roles were reversed, she’d probably never forget either.

“Your Highness, you jest. Haven’t we met at the palace?” she said, subtly stepping back with a faint smile.

But inside, her heart sank like a bucket of water. She had to be careful—she didn’t mind, but if Mei’er got implicated, it would be a serious matter.

Chu Jingcheng raised an eyebrow, his deep voice hypnotic: “I see…”

He didn’t argue further, but his gaze remained like still water, impossibly deep.

“I would never deceive Your Highness. If you doubt me, you may investigate,” Yin Qingyue said lightly. She would deal with the rest later—tonight she needed to get through this safely. If discovered, tonight would be far from peaceful.

“Heh… Very well. I believe you, then.”

Yin Qingyue gave a dry smile, recalling the thoughts she had read at the banquet with mind-reading. Looking at the night sky, she thought to herself: The prince must truly have a thing for women, even for such a… grotesque face like mine!

“Your Highness, it’s late. Early to bed and early to rise is best for your health. You should head back and rest,” she said, forcing a smile as she tried to see him off.

Chu Jingcheng nodded seriously. “You are right… but the steward hasn’t arranged a room for me. Perhaps I could use your place tonight?”

With that, he turned and walked into Yin Qingyue’s room. She was dumbfounded. What was happening?

“Your Highness, a man and woman alone at this hour… it could be bad for one’s reputation if word got out. Of course, I don’t mind, but you wouldn’t want to be the subject of gossip, would you?”

“That depends on the person!” Chu Jingcheng said, taking command as he sat in a chair. “Come in and speak.”

Yin Qingyue pressed her lips together. Could she really enter under such dangerous circumstances? Carefully, she probed his thoughts with her mind-reading. This woman was different from others she had seen; though perhaps imperfect in appearance, her personality was charming.

“…No, I cannot go in!”

“If I were to bring trouble to Your Highness, I could never forgive myself!” Yin Qingyue said softly from the door, then turned toward the side room. “I’ll squeeze in with Mei’er. If Your Highness wishes to stay here, I’ll make space for you.”

She didn’t believe his words—it was just a test of each other, cold-hearted as ever.

Hearing Yin Qingyue’s footsteps, Chu Jingcheng unhesitatingly entered the side room. Two women’s voices were heard inside. He pressed a hand to his brow but smiled slightly—this woman was impossible to let go of.

“…Your Highness?” Inside, one of the women had arrived. She froze, seeing the prince’s smile—cough cough, would he silence her?

“What is it?”

“Oh, the steward has arranged our room. I came to find Your Highness to rest.” Her gaze swept the room—no sign of Yin Qingyue. Had the prince come and found nothing?

“Hmm, let’s go.” Chu Jingcheng left the room without hesitation. Without Yin Qingyue, it was just an ordinary room—not worth lingering over.

Before leaving the West Garden, Chu Jingcheng looked at the side room. Would she come back after he left?

“Did Your Highness find her tonight?” Cold Feng finally asked, unable to contain his curiosity.

Chu Jingcheng cast a cold glance at him. “If you have time for idle thoughts, better go clean the toilets!”

Cold Feng wisely shut his mouth. Once Chu Jingcheng entered the room, he whispered to Cold Yi: “I bet he’s just been foiled again, heh…”

“Cold Feng!” Chu Jingcheng’s voice inside carried a rare note of exasperation. Cold Feng and Cold Yi exchanged glances—Cold Yi with amusement, Cold Feng sulking.

In the West Garden:

“Miss, it seems Prince Jing has left,” Mei’er rubbed her eyes. “Why did he come here so late?”

“Who knows? But since he’s gone, I won’t fight you for the blankets. Sleep well; I’ll go back,” Yin Qingyue said.

“Um, do you need help, Miss?” Mei’er asked, attempting to follow her down. Yin Qingyue pressed her hand gently: “Go lie down. There’s nothing to help with.”

In truth, after arriving in the side room, Yin Qingyue had some regrets. Her medicine kit was still in the room; if Chu Jingcheng’s curiosity got the better of him, he might see her pills… In the worst case, he could recognize the disguised pills, exposing all her efforts. Luckily, Cold Feng arrived in time.

“Phew, that’s a relief!” She checked her medicine kit, thankful for her habit of storing her pills after disguising them.

The next day:

“Miss Yin, is the food to your taste?” The steward’s enthusiasm for the woman who saved the Crown Prince surpassed even that for Prince Jingcheng.

“Very good,” Yin Qingyue nodded. Though a simple breakfast, the palace chefs had clearly taken care to make each dish exquisitely delicious—a true feast for the senses.

“Did you sleep well last night?” the steward asked, smiling.

Yin Qingyue thought of the uninvited Prince Jing. Apart from that incident… “Very well.”

“Then… if there’s anything you need, let me know and I’ll prepare it for you.”

“Yes. If possible, could you find me some medical books?”

“Certainly!” The steward nodded and personally selected them from Nangong Xiao’s study. Only he had access to the books in the Eastern Palace besides the residents.

“Miss, what shall we do next?” Mei’er asked, clearing the breakfast dishes.

“Go check on the Crown Prince’s condition, then we’re done for now. Our only duty here is to be on call for him!” Yin Qingyue wiped her mouth. “Let’s go!”