The Dandy's Duchess

Chapter 4: The Prince

The young man laughed rather than taking offense at Li Yun's reaction. His handsome face bloomed into a brilliant smile, his hand firmly gripping her wrist. With his other hand, he reached out to block her strike, his gaze glinting with amusement. "Now that's more like you! Why let yourself be bullied by some weak, delicate ladies? They're like flowers you could crush with a touch. Why let them get under your skin? Come on—I'll go with you to handle them."

As he spoke, he pulled her forward, not loosening his grip in the slightest.

"I told you, I'm not going!" Li Yun pushed down her unease. *Is this... qi?* She recalled a martial artist she'd once met who had mastered *qi* to a level where he could kill a bull barehanded and shatter stone without injury. *Could it be... I have this now, too?*

He glanced at her, surprised. "Then what's keeping you? It can't be him, can it? You've never been afraid of anyone or anything. Don't tell me you're scared of him just because he's your future husband?"

"Scared of him? Please! I just don't want to go," she retorted.

Unfazed, he continued to hold her wrist firmly, studying her reaction with an air of curiosity. He seemed even more interested. Li Yun watched him closely, trying to assess the situation. It sounded like there was some event taking place today—a gathering that would attract many people. If she had to go with him, there would be no avoiding the crowd. She needed to tread carefully and stay guarded. Such a gathering might offer her a chance to grasp more about this world and her circumstances.

Seeing her resignation, the young man chuckled softly. "That's more like it! What, don't you want to see Young Master Rong of the Rong Estate? He hasn't stepped foot outside in ten years. And then there's Qing Ran, back from his studies after seven years abroad. The capital's more lively than ever with them around—missing out would be a shame!"

Without further ado, he tightened his hold and led her out of the pavilion.

"Rong Jing... Qing Ran..." she silently repeated. These names sounded prominent and well-known. Since awakening, she'd been hearing the title "Crown Prince" constantly, and now these two new names. Today's event likely centered around them. This could be her best chance to carefully observe without raising suspicion.

As they walked, he cast her a sidelong glance. She noticed his eyes glinting with some unreadable emotion, his smile deepening as he saw her no longer resisting his grip.

Then, his gaze landed on the kneeling servant girl by their feet. Her face was as pale as death, stained with blood as she trembled on the ground, waiting for her punishment. "Servants need to know their place. If they can't behave, you should just dispose of them. I can find you ten more obedient ones if you'd like. They'll obey every word, keep quiet when told, and know exactly where they stand."

The girl's face turned ghostly white at his words. She knelt, shaking violently, but dared not beg for mercy.

Li Yun glanced at her momentarily, her mind racing. This girl was likely a personal maid who had tended closely to her. Anyone in such a position would notice even the slightest change in her behavior, and that could spell disaster. She had to eliminate any chance of her true identity being discovered. If this girl were to vanish, it would certainly remove a risk.

Her gaze swept over the girl's frail, trembling figure as she knelt there, fearful and subdued. She turned away disinterestedly. "She's still useful. I'll keep her for now."

The girl raised her head in surprise, her dull eyes flickering with a hint of relief and disbelief.

The prince shot her a questioning look. "She's only a servant. If you want good help, I can bring you ten others from my estate. They'll follow orders to the letter, and they'll know better than to wag their tongues. It's better to avoid loose talk—it can lead to disaster."