The Dandy's Duchess

Chapter 15: Should We Really Go to the Prison?

Just as he finished speaking, Ye Qingran's eyes suddenly brightened. "If you think it's boring staying in jail alone, I can keep you company. We can be cellmates! Oh, do you know how to play dice or majiang? Or maybe cricket fights or building fortresses?"

"Ye Qingran!" The Crown Prince's voice cut in, cold and angry.

"Let's go! We'll head to the prison together. The more I think about it, the more fun it sounds. Don't worry, with me there, you won't be bored at all. You won't even think about home," Ye Qingran ignored Ye Tianqing, walking over in big strides toward Li Yun, pushing aside the Crown Prince's guards. Grabbing Li Yun by the arm, he added casually, "No need to send us off, Crown Prince. I know the way to the prison well. It's been seven years, I wonder if the prison warden is still the same? Maybe we can even share a drink..."

Li Yun held back her laughter, thinking to herself how Ye Qingran really was a troublemaker who feared no one!

The Crown Prince's guards stood by, awaiting further instructions.

Ye Tianqing could no longer sit still. He stood abruptly and shouted at Ye Qingran, "Ye Qingran, enough! Don't think you can continue this insolence just because I've tolerated your behavior in the past. Do you really want to test my patience?"

Ye Qingran paused mid-step. His eyes flashed with a hint of sharpness before quickly resuming his playful demeanor. He turned slowly and replied with a smile, "How could I not take you seriously, Crown Prince? I know well that you're wearing the Crown Prince's ceremonial robe today. That bright yellow really stands out! Besides the emperor, you're the only one who can wear it. Even if I had ten times the guts, I wouldn't dare pretend not to recognize you."

Ye Tianqing's anger remained, his eyes locked on Ye Qingran. After a long pause, he slowly walked toward Ye Qingran and Li Yun, his every step exuding an ominous sense of danger.

Li Yun averted her gaze, choosing to admire the scenery instead. She had no interest in looking at Ye Tianqing.

Ye Qingran noticed Ye Tianqing's approach but kept his playful expression. His sleeve-covered hand, which had been holding Li Yun's, briefly tensed before relaxing.

When Ye Tianqing finally stood before them, he stared at Ye Qingran, his voice low and probing, "I'm truly curious. What is it about 'Sister Yue' that has managed to captivate our kingdom's notorious troublemaker, Prince Ran, to the point of standing by her so unwaveringly?"

"Standing by her? What nonsense! I haven't even really tried yet. If I had, she'd already be comfortably sleeping in her own bed at Yun Manor," Ye Qingran replied, rolling his eyes dramatically.

"Then why don't you go ahead and try?" Ye Tianqing's eyes narrowed dangerously.

Ye Qingran, also narrowing his eyes, seemed to be provoked by Ye Tianqing's persistent threats. He replied slowly, "Since Crown Prince Brother is so insistent, why not? But if all your guards end up being defeated, don't go running to the emperor, crying that I bullied you."

The tension between the two men grew thicker as Ye Tianqing glared at Ye Qingran in silence.

Just as Ye Qingran seemed ready to act, Li Yun suddenly pulled her hand free from his grasp. Her voice was cold and resolute. "Enough. It's just a prison, right? I'll go."

There was no way a mere ancient prison could hold her!

Both Ye Qingran and Ye Tianqing looked at her in surprise.

Li Yun, without paying them any more attention, started walking toward the guards. She was no fool. By now, she had gathered enough information to understand the situation. If Ye Qingran and Ye Tianqing's conflict escalated because of her, this small incident would blow up into a much larger issue. If she tried to escape the prison later, she might face endless pursuit. That wasn't a risk worth taking.

Ye Tianqing, still poised to fight, gestured to his guards. "Escort Yun Qianyue to the prison. Don't let her escape."

Ye Qingran, far from angry, chuckled to himself. This girl was getting more interesting by the minute.

With their orders, the Crown Prince's guards moved swiftly to detain Li Yun.

The Empress, who had been watching in silence, seemed to sigh softly, her expression tinged with a sadness and concern that dimmed her usually regal composure.

The noble ladies who had earlier turned pale with fear now watched the scene unfold with renewed excitement. Even Prince Ran can't save Yun Qianyue this time, they thought, gloating inwardly. Once she enters that prison, she'll never come out alive.

The Fourth Prince observed the tension with a calculating expression, his thoughts clearly racing.

The garden fell silent once more, only the sound of Li Yun's footsteps echoed as she was led away.

Just then, an elderly eunuch rushed in from the distance. Though he appeared slow, he quickly made his way over, arriving just in time to block the guards from leading Li Yun away. The man, around fifty years old but well-preserved, was dressed in the robes of a high-ranking eunuch, holding a dust whisk in one hand.

Ye Tianqing frowned as the eunuch arrived.

Ye Qingran broke into a grin. "Eunuch Lu! Long time no see, did you miss me?"

"Oh, Prince Ran, how could I not miss you? During the seven years you've been away, I've thought about you day and night, just waiting for your return!" The eunuch, beaming, bowed respectfully to the Empress, the Crown Prince, Ye Qingran, and the Fourth Prince.

"What brings you here instead of attending to the emperor?" Ye Tianqing asked, his tone more measured.

"Your Highness, this matter required my personal attention. No one else would dare handle this task. Otherwise, I'd never hear the end of it from Prince Jing," Eunuch Lu replied, glancing at Li Yun before continuing, "Prince Jing asked me to inform Miss Yun that he knows she's attending the poetry gathering. He's currently playing chess with the emperor, but the game is almost over. He requested that Miss Yun wait for him at the palace gate so they can visit Yun Manor together to see her grandfather."