MCSCPM -Chapter 84 Reading the Mind Again

But, what is meant to happen will happen.

“Qingyue, I’m going back to Mother’s chamber for breakfast. I’ll come back later.” Nangong Mei gave a gentle smile and left.

Yin Qingyue had no appetite for breakfast. Her own affairs were still unresolved, so she remained in her room, continuing to refine the antidote.

Not long after Nangong Mei left, she heard movement outside the room.

“Prince Jing is about to return,” a few palace maids said nervously, glancing at the door.

“Why so anxious?”

Upon hearing this, Yin Qingyue knew there was no escaping.

A familiar figure soon appeared before her—a handsome face that had appeared countless times in her mind. How could she forget it?

“Greetings, Prince Jing,” the maids knelt in unison upon seeing him.

“Rise,” Prince Jing said, and the words alone seemed to mesmerize the maids. Yin Qingyue, however, felt disgusted—these palace women were already displaying their own sort of scheming.

“Don’t remember me?” Chu Jingcheng repeated the exact words he had used at the banquet, making Yin Qingyue startle, though she quickly regained her composure.

The surrounding maids eyed her with jealousy, watching how intimate she appeared with Prince Jing.

“I remember,” Yin Qingyue replied coldly, turning away.

She had already sensed this visit. She knew Prince Jing would come to her quarters. Otherwise, why would he suddenly visit the Empress? Others might not understand his intentions, but she certainly did.

Her heart raced nervously, yet her outward demeanor remained calm.

The other women noticed her attitude and were nervous for her. Prince Jing’s cold, indifferent nature was well known, and seeing it in person only confirmed it. He didn’t even raise an eyebrow at them, let alone glance at them.

The maids were flushed with excitement, watching the spectacle. No wonder Prince Jing was so handsome—any woman would steal a glance at him, especially one of his status.

“I’ve been standing at the door for some time. Do you not know to invite me in?” Jingcheng said. He had indeed been waiting, but Yin Qingyue hadn’t intended to welcome him inside.

“If Prince Jing wishes to come in, then please do,” she said, recalling how she had once used her mind-reading to discern his thoughts, realizing the nature of them left her impression of him somewhat diminished.

Chu Jingcheng walked in, ignoring the glances of others. Today, he had come to gauge her, intrigued by this stubborn woman.

The room was thick with the smell of herbs, yet he showed no reaction, silently standing behind Yin Qingyue.

They stood in tense silence until Yin Qingyue finally spoke.

“Prince Jing, what brings you here today? If it’s nothing important, please do not disturb me while I refine the antidote,” she said, clearly rejecting his presence.

This ugly woman… how dare she speak to me like that? If only I could speak with Prince Jing, it would be the luck of a lifetime!

Yin Qingyue sensed the thoughts of the maids outside but ignored them with distaste.

“I’ve just arrived, and you wish to chase me away?” Jingcheng said, playful, though his mind carried other thoughts.

Yin Qingyue frowned. Why did this man linger on her so persistently? What was his purpose?

She turned, her gaze burning, as if to peer into his heart.

Prince Jing smiled slightly, showing no sign of discomfort.

They remained silent for a long while. Yin Qingyue’s eyes grew colder, preparing to use her mind-reading technique. Yet Jingcheng still smiled at her.

She focused her mind, delving into his thoughts.

For a moment, she thought she had accessed his mind, but found only emptiness—nothing at all.

Just as she was about to withdraw, she felt a pull, as if a powerful force was drawing her gaze back toward him.

Her pupils contracted in shock—she was being pulled in.

Prince Jing’s mind was deep and impenetrable. Nothing could be seen.

Panic rose in her. She had never encountered this while using mind-reading before. If she didn’t withdraw quickly, she could be trapped inside.

She calmed herself, deciding to explore his mind fully.

Still, she discovered nothing.

She had never seen such depth. Unconsciously, she recalled the banquet where she had glimpsed his mind, and the pull gradually faded.

A warmth came from her arm—she realized Jingcheng had grabbed her hand tightly.

“Enchanted by my gaze?” he said with a playful smile, yet there was a subtle teasing in his eyes.

A faint fragrance wafted from him, lingering near her nose.

“Your Highness, it’s getting late. Nangong Xiaoxiao is looking for you,” Leng Feng said, entering. Yin Qingyue heard everything clearly.

“Let her wait,” Jingcheng’s smile disappeared. He hated being disturbed, especially when doing something he enjoyed.

“Prince Jing, please leave. I must continue refining the antidote. If the Emperor finds fault, I cannot bear the consequences,” she said, showing no intention of detaining him.

“Afraid of me already?” he asked, seizing her arm again, warmth spreading to her heart.

Yin Qingyue jerked her arm free and turned away, wary of looking at him. She feared being drawn in again.

“Qingyue, I’m here,” Nangong Mei entered, seeing Jingcheng’s eyes lingering on Yin Qingyue. Her arrival broke the tension.

“Prince Jing, what brings you here?” she asked casually.

“I came to see how the antidote is progressing. I’ll take my leave now,” he said, turning to leave.

Yin Qingyue didn’t look back until his cold presence had faded.

The sensation she felt had been strange—her mind-reading was usually precise, yet today she had been drawn in.

She couldn’t fully understand it, but the feeling had been undeniably real.

This Chu Jingcheng was indeed no ordinary man, she thought.

“Qingyue, are you alright? You don’t look well,” Nangong Mei asked with concern.

“I’m fine,” Yin Qingyue said, sitting down. Using the mind-reading technique had drained her, explaining her pale complexion.

“That’s good,” Nangong Mei said, puzzled. Jingcheng’s visit had clearly been for Yin Qingyue, and she hadn’t misread his lingering gaze.

Yin Qingyue furrowed her brow, staring at the spot where he had stood, feeling that something was amiss. Outside, Chu Jingcheng had already departed.

“Your Highness seems particularly attentive to this divine physician,” Leng Feng remarked, gossiping, ignoring Leng Yi’s warning.

“Yes,” Jingcheng said with a smile.

“Could it be… you like her?” Leng Feng asked incredulously, wondering if his master had truly fallen for this ‘ugly woman.’

Prince Jing said nothing further, simply walking ahead.

Leng Yi shot Leng Feng a cold glance, warning him not to speak recklessly in others’ presence, lest the prince become angry.

Leng Feng covered his mouth, wary of incurring the prince’s cold glare.

Meanwhile, Nangong Xiaoxiao waited, holding something in her hands.

“Why choose an ugly woman when there’s a perfectly fine princess?!” Leng Feng thought, only to feel a cold gaze fix on him. It was Prince Jing. He smiled awkwardly and dismissed the thought.

Inside, Yin Qingyue’s mind lingered on the intensity of what had just happened.

A man so interested in her was rare. In this palace, everyone sought her favor, yet here he was—genuinely attentive. She smiled coldly but felt helpless.

“Qingyue, is there something between you and Prince Jing?” Nangong Mei finally asked, a hint of panic in her eyes. Their past encounters had been fateful—he had pulled at her clothes the first time they met.

“Princess Mei’er, I’m just a common woman. How could I have anything to do with Prince Jing?” Yin Qingyue said, speaking both to Nangong Mei and herself. Nothing could ever happen between them; it had all been coincidence.

“I see,” Nangong Mei considered it reasonable and didn’t press further, smiling.

“But Qingyue, one day you’ll marry a good man. You truly are beautiful,” Nangong Mei added sincerely, not finding Yin Qingyue unattractive.

“Thank you,” Yin Qingyue replied, not thinking about marriage yet, but appreciating her sincerity.

No matter what, she would never get involved with Prince Jing.