MCSCPM -Chapter 85 The Backfire

As Chu Jingcheng approached Nangong Xiaoxiao, he immediately noticed her shy, delicate expression. His gaze quickly shifted elsewhere—perhaps he thought he had found an answer, or perhaps not.

Regardless, simply being able to see Yin Qingyue again today was already enough to satisfy him.

No one could have imagined that the illustrious Prince Jing would expend so much effort over a woman considered “ugly.”

“Your Highness, the Crown Princess is waiting for you ahead,” Leng Feng whispered into Chu Jingcheng’s ear.

He had already seen the princess waiting, obviously sent by the Empress herself to find him.

“Prince Jing, you’ve arrived,” Nangong Xiaoxiao said with a smile, striving to show her most perfect expression to leave a good impression.

“All women in this world are so fake; few are sincere,” Chu Jingcheng muttered, sighing. The women around him were all like this, making the idea of marrying and having children extremely difficult. No wonder he had grown disillusioned.

“I wonder why the Crown Princess has come to see me,” Chu Jingcheng noted, realizing Nangong Xiaoxiao had changed into a new outfit—a rainbow-colored long silk gown gifted by the Empress herself.

“I’ve come specifically to thank Prince Jing for visiting Mother today. This embroidered pouch is my own work. I hope Prince Jing will accept it,” Nangong Xiaoxiao said, a faint blush coloring her cheeks.

“Crown Princess, that’s not appropriate. Prince Jing is not yet married; he shouldn’t casually accept gifts from others,” Leng Feng explained, knowing fully his master’s intentions. Earlier, the Empress had already made her wishes clear, yet Jingcheng still had not agreed. If Leng Feng couldn’t handle something as simple as this, Jingcheng might very well be angry at him.

“Well…” Nangong Xiaoxiao slowly lowered her head. For a princess of her status to have her gift refused was truly perplexing.

“Thank you for your kindness, Princess. Please return to your chambers,” Chu Jingcheng said after a long pause.

Nangong Xiaoxiao was still unwilling to give up. She couldn’t believe that, with her rank and beauty, she could be outshone by an “ugly woman.”

“If Prince Jing refuses, then so be it,” she said, disappointed. She didn’t want to force him; gifts must be earned, not taken by compulsion.

“Elder sister, why are you here? Doesn’t Mother need care?” Nangong Wan appeared seemingly out of nowhere, each word like a sharp blade directed at her sister.

“You speak as if elder sister and Prince Jing are just here to see the divine physician,” Nangong Xiaoxiao replied, fabricating a story that never existed. Leng Feng, Leng Yi, and Chu Jingcheng remained unbothered.

“Prince Jing, it must have been hard to come specifically to see Mother,” Nangong Wan said, turning to Chu Jingcheng with a sweet expression. The fleeting twisted expression she had shown earlier disappeared immediately.

Before Chu Jingcheng, these two women tried their best to show their finest selves, unaware that he harbored deep disdain for both.

“Prince Jing seems tired. He should return to the East Palace Pavilion to rest,” Leng Feng said, amused by the sisters’ rivalry and jealousy.

“Prince Jing!” both Nangong Xiaoxiao and Nangong Wan called simultaneously, a rare display of synchronicity.

As Chu Jingcheng walked away, the two women revealed their true natures.

“Elder sister, is that all you know how to wear? You always flaunt this rainbow gown to attract attention. Should I send you some other clothes?” Nangong Wan mocked.

“I appreciate your kindness, but I don’t need it. It’s not that I lack clothing; I simply like the gown Mother gave me. Perhaps some people here are arrogant only because they lack talent,” Nangong Xiaoxiao replied coldly, smiling faintly.

“Hey…” Before Nangong Wan could respond, Leng Feng approached.

“Princesses, Prince Jing instructed me to accompany you to see the preparation of the antidote. May I ask if that is acceptable?” Leng Feng said with a smile, secretly delighted. His master had given no such instructions; he was acting on his own initiative.

“Let’s go,” the two sisters said in unison.

“How synchronized these two princesses are!” Leng Feng marveled, pleased at how easily he could manipulate them.

At the same time, Nangong Xiaoxiao and Nangong Wan shared the same thought: Leng Feng was close to Chu Jingcheng. If they could curry favor with him, they could easily track the prince’s whereabouts.

The three walked together into the East Palace Pavilion.

Yin Qingyue had been immersed in mind-reading moments earlier. Hearing the noise outside, she realized the two princesses, led by Leng Feng, had come to the East Palace Pavilion—and they were here for her.

“Qingyue, look who’s here,” Nangong Mei whispered, noticing the princesses’ arrival. To avoid awkwardness, she quickly hid.

Nangong Wan entered the room and was immediately hit by a strong, pungent smell.

“What is this? Why does it smell so bad?” Nangong Wan stared directly at the “ugly” woman.

After all, heroes have historically loved beauties. At the previous banquet, she had seen Prince Jing’s lingering gaze on this woman. Nangong Wan looked at Yin Qingyue as if she were an enemy, her cold eyes fixed on her.

From the moment they entered, the sisters kept their eyes on her. Yin Qingyue quickly noticed Leng Feng signaling to her repeatedly.

A clever woman like Yin Qingyue, aided by her mind-reading, quickly understood his intention.

“Princesses, are you here to help check on the medicinal herbs for the Empress?” she asked with a smile, momentarily at a loss for words.

“Alright, I’ll do it,” the two sisters said, each vying to display their abilities before Prince Jing.

“Very well, thank you for your help,” Yin Qingyue said, handing them the bitter herbs she often consumed. Anyone in the palace unaccustomed to them would struggle.

“This is an herbal remedy from the Empress. It is somewhat bitter. You may find it hard to endure, but please bear with it,” she said, smiling. She knew the sisters had no idea she was deliberately tormenting them.

These herbs were normally eaten by commoners; palace women unaccustomed to them would find them intolerable.

Yin Qingyue knew this was deliberate, but she chose not to comment. Palace affairs were not really her concern, but she didn’t want to miss such a good opportunity.

“What is this? It’s so bitter!” the princesses exclaimed in unison. Unbeknownst to them, Leng Feng was watching their every reaction.

“These are bitter herbs, very bitter, but excellent for maintaining beauty and complexion. If taken long-term, the benefits are substantial,” Yin Qingyue explained. The herbs naturally had detoxifying properties.

“Really?” Nangong Xiaoxiao asked happily, her regal demeanor completely gone.

“Yes, Princess. Long-term use will have these effects.”

Nangong Wan suddenly found this divine physician surprisingly approachable. A woman’s desire for beauty was indeed strong—but the bitterness remained. Leng Feng stifled a laugh, quietly admiring Yin Qingyue’s cleverness.

“Are there any other herbs we should try?” Nangong Xiaoxiao asked, eager to maintain her beauty and capture his attention before her sister.

Nangong Wan, unwilling to be outdone, immediately responded.

“If there are other herbs, I am willing to try them for Mother,” she said, her determined gaze catching Yin Qingyue’s attention.

Yin Qingyue smiled faintly. Thanks to Leng Feng’s assistance, she had managed to make these two princesses completely overextend themselves.

“These are for health, with very good effects. The taste is strong,” she said, handing them herbs harmless to the body.