MCSCPM -Chapter 87 Cooked Rice, Done Deal

“Prince Jing, I didn’t expect to run into you here.”

Nangong Wan stepped forward gracefully, her sweet smile directed straight at Prince Jing’s back.

Prince Jing internally groaned—had he ignored some unlucky omen before leaving? At this late hour, of all times, he was encountering these clingy sisters!

Reluctantly, he turned, giving a stiff greeting: “Greetings, Eldest Princess. Greetings, Third Princess.”

Nangong Wan took another step forward, hoping to get closer to her beloved, only to notice the small figure of the woman he had just been with. Her heart sank, and she froze in place.

Nangong Xiaoxiao’s face, as radiant as a blooming flower, instantly turned cold. “Prince Jing, why are you involved with this woman so late at night? If anyone were to see this, it would surely stir rumors.”

Jing frowned slightly. “Eldest Princess, though I am in the palace of Xize, do my actions really need your supervision?”

Xiaoxiao’s heart skipped; she realized she had been too impatient in confronting him. If Jing were to grow annoyed with her, she would have to find a way to make amends.

Quickly, she forced a smile. “Your Highness speaks unfairly. Xiaoxiao only cares about you. And since Doctor Yin was sent to attend to Mother, yet appeared here instead, Xiaoxiao feared Mother’s condition might worsen. Please, Prince Jing, forgive my concern.”

Even the Eldest Princess had said so much, and Jing could not press further. Meanwhile, Yin Qingyue let the corner of her mouth curl into a faint smile.

“I shall return to the palace to prepare the antidote for the Empress. I take my leave,” she said lightly, leaving Prince Jing quietly observing her retreating figure, a ripple of emotion crossing his cold gaze.

This scarred woman! Did she really dislike him so much?

Seeing Yin Qingyue leave, Xiaoxiao and Wan relaxed slightly. Xiaoxiao regained her bashful composure and looked at Jing with hopeful eyes. “Prince, would you accompany me for a walk?”

Not wanting to be outdone, Nangong Wan stepped forward, placing herself between Xiaoxiao and Jing, cheeks tinged with shyness. “Prince, the moonlight tonight is so beautiful. Would you walk with me instead?”

Jing looked at the two sisters clinging to him, then at the carefree back of the scarred woman. Somehow, he agreed.

Secretly, he hoped the woman would glance back to witness his popularity—but she did not.

The group wandered through the Imperial Garden. Xiaoxiao and Wan competed for his attention, and though Jing noticed, he could not shake a strange, inexplicable irritation.

“Prince Jing, please sit in my palace for a while. I’ve had wine and dishes prepared, and servants fetched the finest wine from Xize. I humbly invite you to my hall,” Nangong Wan said, using the garden’s proximity to her palace to her advantage.

Xiaoxiao shot Wan a venomous glare—this cunning girl had invited Jing to her palace. If Father discovered it, he might favor Wan, leaving Xiaoxiao with nothing.

Jing’s handsome brows furrowed. “So late at night, a man visiting the Third Princess’s palace—it seems improper, does it not?”

Seeing Jing unmoved by temptation, Xiaoxiao quickly devised a plan. “Prince, I shall accompany you. Now there is nothing to fear from idle gossip.”

Wan, shy yet determined, added, “I’ve heard of Prince Jing’s remarkable achievements on the battlefield. Surely, you’re not afraid to enter my palace?”

Jing’s gaze darkened. “Afraid of what? Since both Eldest and Third Princess invite me, I shall taste the wine the Third Princess speaks of.”

He thought to himself: let’s see what tricks you two have.

They arrived at Wan’s palace. Guards whispered among themselves, astonished at seeing the two princesses with Jing in the middle of the night. Yet, as subordinates, they dared not interfere, only observing respectfully.

As expected, the palace courtyard was prepared with wine and dishes, bathed in soft moonlight, fireflies dancing lightly—a truly enchanting scene.

“Prince Jing, please sit. My sister and I will fetch the wine,” Xiaoxiao said, swirling her skirt and gesturing for Wan to follow.

Wan hesitated but, with a shy smile, accompanied her.

Xiaoxiao closed the door behind them, looking at Wan’s delicate face lit by candlelight. She internally cursed, yet smiled softly, addressing her gently. “Sister, you like Prince Jing, don’t you?”

Wan blushed. Even in the palace, to have her feelings revealed like this was embarrassing.

“You already know?” she asked, shy yet guarded. Xiaoxiao was cunning, and Wan knew she would not match her.

“I’ve noticed everything. Naturally, I know,” Xiaoxiao said softly. After a pause, she added, “Anything related to Prince Jing, you always care for. And whenever I approach him, you somehow block me, don’t you agree?”

“That’s because I also like Prince Jing!” Wan finally admitted, straightening her posture and looking directly at Xiaoxiao.

“I do like him, but only because he is different from others,” Xiaoxiao said softly, glancing at her painted nails. “As the Eldest Princess, my future marriage will be arranged by Father, leaving no choice for me.”

Her gaze returned to Wan. “But you’re different. As Third Princess, you have the support of the Virtuous Consort. Father may not show it, but he loves you dearly. In the future, you can choose a good match. Even marrying Prince Jing wouldn’t displease him.”

Wan’s defenses began to crumble, but she still reasoned, “But Prince Jing doesn’t like me. How can anyone force a man like him to marry me?”

Xiaoxiao smiled faintly. “Feelings develop gradually. And how do you know he doesn’t like you? Even if he doesn’t now…”

She leaned close to Wan’s ear, whispering mysteriously: “Once the rice is cooked, the deal is done. How could he refuse then?”

Wan shivered, staring at Xiaoxiao in disbelief, her lips trembling, words failing her.

“No need to be nervous. Growing up in the palace, you know how these things work. Whether to act or not is up to you,” Xiaoxiao said elegantly, turning and sweeping her skirts. Wan couldn’t help but stare.

“Why so slow?” Jing, growing impatient, asked as Xiaoxiao returned.

“Prince, no rush. Your Third Princess has brought the wine,” Xiaoxiao said mysteriously, smiling slightly. Jing frowned, uncertain.

“If nothing else, I shall take my leave,” Jing said, trying to quell his unease and the sense of foreboding.

“Prince Jing, Wan has arrived,” Xiaoxiao’s words were cut off as Wan entered, now in a different outfit, carrying the wine with graceful poise.

Xiaoxiao scorned her silently—Wan had not inherited the Virtuous Consort’s calm dignity.

“Third Princess changed her clothes?”

Jing looked at Wan, ethereal as moonlight, and felt an inexplicable irritation. Was she trying to seduce him already? Were all Xize women this bold? These sisters repeatedly flaunted their charms, yet perhaps one woman was different…

He dismissed the thought with a cold laugh, curious to see what these two women intended.

Seated, Wan approached, presenting a twenty-year-aged “Daughter’s Red” wine from Xize. “Prince Jing, I’ve heard of your love for fine wine and spared no effort in obtaining this bottle.”

“Truly, Third Princess, I am undeserving of such trouble on your part,” Jing said, watching her pour the wine. The aroma was rich and intoxicating—a rare treat.

“As long as Prince Jing is pleased, everything I do is worthwhile,” Wan said softly, sitting beside him like a gentle breeze, eyes full of subtle emotion.

Xiaoxiao sipped her wine, smiling delicately, eyes glinting with intent. “Indeed, my sister has put much effort into pleasing Prince Jing.”

Jing merely smiled faintly, noticing Wan pour for him but not for Xiaoxiao. Curiosity piqued: “Third Princess, have you forgotten the Eldest Princess?”

“Prince, drink with me. Xiaoxiao is weak with wine and can only sip lightly,” Wan explained, saving Xiaoxiao from embarrassment. Jing’s brows lifted in acknowledgment.

He raised his cup and drank in one gulp.

Moonlight shimmering, wine before him—though no favored beauty was present, the scene was already enchanting.