MCSCPM -Chapter 9 Robbed of Money and Virtue

“Your Highness, I heard that you were ambushed by bandits outside the capital?” A smile tugged at the corner of Leng Feng’s mouth. His tone was light and teasing—clearly knowing exactly what had happened to his prince, yet deliberately pretending otherwise.

“I’ve noticed that after not seeing you for several days, your mouth has become as sharp as a blade,” Chu Jingcheng said coldly, his expression dark, his voice flat. Leng Feng had fought through life and death with him; he was not merely a subordinate, but a comrade-in-arms, even a brother.

“I’m just curious—what kind of extraordinary person could strip off your clothes and even take your silver? How poor must she be? Your Highness, you weren’t carrying much silver to begin with.” In just a few sentences, Leng Feng laid the matter bare, his eyes fixed on the dudou.

“I too am curious what kind of extraordinary person she was,” Chu Jingcheng replied coolly. His hand clenched tightly around the dudou, as if through it he could see the true culprit.

“Your Highness, the set of clothes that was stolen from you is no ordinary thing. It bears the exclusive embroidered pattern of the Beihuo imperial family. As long as that woman is in Xize, even if we have to turn the world upside down, we can find her.”

Chu Jingcheng said nothing, but the chill in his eyes deepened. At that moment, a guard hurried in, worry written all over his face. He entered the hall, bowed, and reported, “Prince Jing, I don’t know who spread the news, but now all the common people in the capital know about what happened to you outside the city!”

“Hahaha!” Leng Feng couldn’t hold it in anymore and burst out laughing, laughing so hard he was almost dying.

“I think you shouldn’t be called Leng Feng,” Chu Jingcheng said flatly. “You should be called ‘Mad Feng.’”

This time it was the reporting guard whose mouth twitched. At a time like this, Prince Jing was still joking with Guard Leng! A dignified Prince Jing—overpowered by a weak Xize woman, stripped of his clothes and robbed of his money—an unmistakable case of robbery of both wealth and virtue!

“Your Highness, this woman has committed a grave crime. If she’s caught, even fifty strokes of the cane would be letting her off lightly!” Leng Feng reined in his laughter and put on an extremely serious expression.

Chu Jingcheng’s brows knit deeply together, his fingers gripping the dudou even tighter.

Just then, Leng Feng laughed again, utterly lacking in tact. “The ghost-shadow Leng Yi is here.”

Leng Feng and Leng Yi were both Chu Jingcheng’s first personal guards. Born on the same day of the same year, they were twins—one hot, one cold; one dynamic, one still.

“This subordinate greets Your Highness.” Leng Yi bowed respectfully, his movements precise, his expression solemn—purely businesslike.

“Rise. What have you found out?” Chu Jingcheng asked as he neatly folded the dudou and tucked it inside his clothing, pressing it close against his chest.

“In reply to Your Highness, while on the capital streets, this subordinate heard a woman describe you as: peerlessly handsome, appealing to both men and women alike.” Cold words, a serious expression, paired with such a statement—it created an indescribably strange effect.

“Hahaha—appealing to both men and women! This woman is interesting and bold. Why didn’t you bring her back to the inn?” Leng Feng laughed heartily and then slapped his younger brother heavily on the shoulder.

Chu Jingcheng’s eyes darkened—another woman!

“Your Highness, this subordinate stopped her and exchanged a few words with her. That woman was qi-deficient and physically weak, her breathing shallow and feeble, her complexion slightly sallow. There were no calluses on her hands—she is likely a concubine-born young lady from some household.” Leng Yi’s observations were meticulous, his reasoning sound—yet this time, he was completely wrong.

“No need to look for her. The most crucial thing now is to find the woman who stole my clothes! She will definitely sell them.” Even if she lived outside the capital, as long as she entered the city and went to a pawnshop, he would catch her on the spot!

“Your Highness, does that mean you’re letting go of the woman who said you appeal to both men and women?”

Leng Feng raised his hand and smacked Leng Yi on the head. “His Highness already said it—right now, the most important thing is to speed up the search for the woman who gifted His Highness that dudou!”

The guard who had been forgotten in the corner couldn’t hold it in and burst out laughing. Guard Leng really gave Prince Jing no face at all! But the moment the laughter fell, he felt sharp glares shooting toward him. Terrified, he immediately clamped his lips shut, not daring to laugh again.

“Leng Feng, Leng Yi—lead all the soldiers and guard every pawnshop in the capital. If any woman enters a pawnshop, she is to be carefully inspected. If the Emperor of Xize asks about it, this prince will explain personally.”
With that, Chu Jingcheng rose and walked toward the rear courtyard of the inn.