MCSCPM -Chapter 83 He Has Come

“Today, I’m going to the palace.” Prince Jing sat upright in his chair, clad in black. He held a cup of tea, sipping slowly, each movement the epitome of elegance and precision.

“Your Highness, are you going to see the Empress?” Leng Feng asked. He had heard that recently, because of the Empress’s poisoning, the divine physician from the Luocheng Courtyard had been summoned to the palace.

Prince Jing remained silent, only giving Leng Feng a cold look.

Leng Yi shot Leng Feng a glance, silently telling him not to ask such foolish questions.

“Yes, Your Highness. I understand. I’ll go prepare immediately,” Leng Feng said, hurrying off to make arrangements to see the ailing Empress.

Chu Jingcheng rose and walked to the window, troubled by something he hadn’t experienced before. It was unlike his usual composed self.

The memory of that day in the forest lingered in his mind, leaving him restless and unable to forget.

“Leng Yi, bring me that thousand-year ginseng,” Prince Jing said, his gaze fixed on the room, unyielding.

This woman… what is it about her that unsettles him so completely? Today, he was determined to confirm his own feelings.

“Your Highness, everything has been prepared,” Leng Feng said, entering cautiously and avoiding Prince Jing’s piercing eyes.

“Go to the Yangwei Palace,” Prince Jing said, moving with the swiftness of the wind. His steps were firm yet composed.

In the Yangwei Palace, Nangong Xiaoxiao sat beside her mother, weary. He Minmin was nearly asleep, her complexion pale.

“Prince Jing has arrived!” the eunuchs announced in shrill voices. He Minmin, lying on the bed, was startled awake.

“Send him in,” she said, a hint of surprise and pleasure crossing her face. She hadn’t expected Chu Jingcheng to visit her.

Nangong Xiaoxiao quickly adjusted her clothes, worried that any impropriety on her part would leave a poor impression on Prince Jing.

She had just spilled a bowl of medicine, and her face flushed with embarrassment.

“Greetings, Empress,” Chu Jingcheng entered gracefully. Nangong Xiaoxiao stood awkwardly, unsure what to say.

He Minmin’s eyes briefly flickered with disdain, but it passed quickly.

“Prince Jing, what brings you here today?” He Minmin asked, a faint blush on her joyful face, though the pallor of illness could not be hidden. Normally, Jingcheng paid little attention to her, yet today he had come willingly.

“I heard about the Empress’s illness. I came to check,” Prince Jing said coldly, uninterested in explanations for the two women before him.

“Oh? Xiaoxiao, shouldn’t you greet Prince Jing?” He Minmin’s expression shifted subtly. As the Empress of the nation, she was rarely treated this way—except by him, Prince Jing. Few others would dare.

Chu Jingcheng signaled Leng Feng, who quickly brought in a thousand-year ginseng.

“Is this the herb from Prince Jing? Please accept it, Your Majesty,” Leng Feng presented the ginseng, his eyes gleaming.

“Xiaoxiao, accept it,” Nangong Xiaoxiao quickly stepped forward and took the ginseng. In the presence of Prince Jing, every action felt deliberate.

He Minmin only glanced at the ginseng, recognizing its rarity—far superior to the offerings she had received from the Emperor.

“Xiaoxiao, thank Prince Jing for me,” she said, seeing Nangong Xiaoxiao’s expression and understanding her intentions. She was merely creating an opportunity for the two of them.

“On behalf of my mother, Xiaoxiao thanks Prince Jing,” Nangong Xiaoxiao said, bowing elegantly in her purple gown.

Prince Jing barely glanced at her, ignoring the display entirely.

Leng Feng watched the women fawn over Prince Jing with satisfaction. His master possessed such charisma, yet he had no concubine.

“Empress, please take care of yourself. Avoid further mishaps,” Prince Jing said, expressionless, looking at He Minmin on the bed.

“Your kindness is received,” she replied, her mind calculating. Though the second most powerful figure in Beihuo, Prince Jing’s military achievements were unmatched. If Nangong Xiaoxiao were married to him, it would strengthen ties between the two nations and cement her own position.

“Your Highness, please cherish yourself,” Prince Jing added, seemingly reading He Minmin’s thoughts, cutting her schemes short.

“I’ve heard you’re young and accomplished. Have you considered marriage?” He Minmin asked pointedly. Her sonless status left only Nangong Xiaoxiao, and marrying her to Jingcheng would be ideal.

However, Prince Jing seemed uninterested.

“I have no intention of marrying or having children yet. I wish only to serve my country,” he said, though his thoughts lingered on the woman who had once pulled at his clothes.

“Prince Jing, such lofty ambitions!” He Minmin said, her tone laced with sarcasm.

“And what of our Xiaoxiao? Does Prince Jing hold any interest in her?” she asked bluntly this time.

Nangong Xiaoxiao’s face flushed crimson. She had never considered it, yet her mother had spoken so openly before Prince Jing.

“Mother…” Xiaoxiao murmured, turning away, wanting to preserve her dignity in front of him.

“It’s late. Rest, Empress,” Chu Jingcheng refused to answer He Minmin’s probing, unwilling to repeat himself.

“Hehe, Xiaoxiao, see Prince Jing out,” He Minmin said, having created the opportunity.

“No need. We have to visit the Eastern Palace Pavilion later,” Leng Feng said with a smile. Knowing his master’s temperament, he understood that nothing could force him otherwise.

Nangong Xiaoxiao awkwardly stood, watching Chu Jingcheng’s retreating figure with mixed emotions.

He Minmin sneered but said nothing more.

In the Eastern Palace Pavilion, Yin Qingyue busied herself developing the antidote. With Nangong Mei’s help in recent days, her work had become considerably easier.

“I heard Prince Jing visited the Empress today and even brought a thousand-year ginseng.”

“How do you know?” two maids whispered outside.

“The Empress’s attendants said so,” one replied. Yin Qingyue’s heart stirred at the mention of Prince Jing’s name.

“He… he came?” A bad premonition crept into Yin Qingyue’s mind.

“Qingyue, what’s wrong?” Nangong Mei noticed her dazed expression.

“Nothing, just thinking about how best to arrange these herbs,” Yin Qingyue quickly recovered.

As they left the Yangwei Palace, Leng Feng asked, “Your Highness, why refuse such a perfect match?”

“Could it be that the prince still cares for that woman?” he teased. Despite his master being alone, Leng Feng suspected there was someone in his heart.

Chu Jingcheng’s cold glance silenced him. A familiar feeling coursed through his body.

“Your Highness has yet to marry, so I wouldn’t dare interfere,” Leng Feng said, laughing nervously.

“When have I ever stopped you from marrying? If you want Nangong Xiaoxiao, simply take her,” Leng Yi joked.

Leng Feng bristled, “We’re talking about the prince’s marriage and heirs!” he protested.

Today, he had the chance to see her again. Chu Jingcheng thought of Yin Qingyue’s face, realizing if he understood his own feelings, he wouldn’t linger here so long.

“Let’s visit the divine physician,” Chu Jingcheng said with a slight smile.

Leng Feng watched in bewilderment. Why was his master so interested in an unattractive woman, going out of his way to see her?

“Could it be… he likes her?” Leng Feng’s shock was evident.

Leng Yi glanced at him, signaling him not to overthink. Leng Feng looked away, still puzzled by his master’s rare, genuine smile.

Chu Jingcheng first returned to his room to change into a more imposing outfit.

Yin Qingyue, still working on the antidote, had no idea he was approaching, yet an uneasy premonition slowly enveloped her.

“Qingyue, what are you thinking? You’ve been distracted all this time,” Nangong Mei asked, puzzled. She had never seen Yin Qingyue behave this way.

“Nothing… I’ve just been overworked recently,” Yin Qingyue said, hiding the truth. It was Prince Jing who disturbed her peace, though she wouldn’t reveal such a secret.

“Thank you for these past days, Qingyue. I’ve learned so much from you in medicine,” Nangong Mei said, unwittingly mixing genuine gratitude with her initial intentions of helping her mother.

“Princess Mei’er, it’s nothing. You’ve helped me immensely. How could I let you thank me?” Yin Qingyue replied, careful not to owe anyone in the palace too much.