The Dandy's Duchess

Chapter 21: Yun Prince's Residence

"Ha ha, old man, you're still as good with words as ever! Are you worried I'll steal your precious crystal white jade chess set again? Don't worry; I've got a much better set now, far superior to your treasured piece, so I have no intention of coveting your old trinket anymore," Ye Qingran laughed heartily.

Old Yun Meng's face flushed slightly as he shook his head. "What are you saying, Your Highness? We just received word from the palace that Young Master Jing will be returning with the young lady. I was surprised to see you here instead of him; I certainly didn't mean to not welcome you."

"Oh, him? He's still at the palace playing chess with the Emperor. What kind of airs does he have, making others wait for him? I have nothing to do; I haven't returned to the capital in seven years, and I've heard that the old king is ill, so I came to check in first," Ye Qingran said, dismounting and tossing the reins to a servant. He walked toward the mansion while waving at Li Yun, "Why are you still sitting there? Come on in; Sister Yue, this isn't how you treat guests."

Li Yun couldn't help but chuckle at his antics as she dismounted, and a servant promptly came to take the reins from her.

"Welcome back safely, Miss!" Yun Meng greeted Li Yun with a bow.

Li Yun nodded, unsure of what to say, and followed Ye Qingran inside.

Yun Meng glanced outside again but still didn't see Young Master Jing, so he instructed the guards, "There's no need to close the door. I'll accompany His Highness and the young lady inside. When Young Master Jing arrives, have someone inform me immediately."

"Yes, Chief Steward!" the guards responded in unison.

"Such a difference in treatment! Old Yun, are you looking forward to that weak beauty coming to play chess with you, or are you hoping to marry your daughter off to him? Why else would you treat him like a revered ancestor?" Ye Qingran shot a glance back at Yun Meng.

Li Yun couldn't hold back her laughter. His tongue was so sharp! It was clear that he saw Yun Meng as nothing more than a chess fanatic.

"Your Highness, I mean no offense! Besides, I don't have any daughters who could marry Young Master Jing. Even if I did, how many noble young ladies are hoping to marry him? They wouldn't look my way!" Yun Meng explained, half-amused and half-exasperated. "Although I love to play chess and have been eagerly waiting for a chance to face Young Master Jing, it's only because the old king was excited to hear he would be coming that he instructed me to host him well."

"Humph, Grandpa Yun is so biased! Why doesn't anyone care to welcome me?" Ye Qingran huffed.

"My young lord, that's only because the old king didn't know you'd be coming!" Yun Meng said, feeling exasperated as he tried to keep up with the notorious little demon.

"Well, what are you waiting for? Go report!" Ye Qingran said, striding forward with the ease of someone at home.

"Yes, I'll go right away," Yun Meng replied, quickening his pace to walk in front of Ye Qingran.

Li Yun watched with a sympathetic smile. Poor old man! He seemed like a solid, steady figure, yet just three sentences had him scampering around like a hen.

Just then, the sound of hooves echoed from the end of the street. Before long, a rider approached the gate of Yun Prince's residence, pulling on the reins and calling out urgently, "Your Highness!"

Ye Qingran immediately halted and turned back, while Li Yun looked toward the entrance as well.

Riding a horse was a young attendant, around thirteen or fourteen years old. Upon seeing Ye Qingran turn, he quickly gasped for breath and said, "Your Highness, the old king wants you to return to the palace at once!"

Ye Qingran's expression soured at this, his brows knitting together. "What does that old man want with me?"

The attendant felt embarrassed and hurriedly explained, "The old king heard you returned to the capital and rushed back from Ciyun Temple. He told me to find you quickly and bring you back, but he didn't say why. However, I think it's because he hasn't seen you in seven years and is eager to meet you."

Ye Qingran scoffed, "Wasn't it he who kicked me out when I left?"

The attendant said nothing, thinking it was still his grandfather.

"Just go back and tell him I'll visit Yun Meng first before returning," Ye Qingran waved his hand, turning back toward the interior.

"Your Highness, you should return quickly! The old king will surely be upset if he finds out you prioritized visiting Yun Meng over him. I can't bear to face his anger..." the attendant urged, desperation in his tone.

Ye Qingran paused again, frowning, seemingly torn.

"Your Highness, I think it would be best for you to visit the old king first. After not seeing you for seven years, he is bound to miss you. You can always visit Yun Meng tomorrow," Yun Meng chimed in, having already stopped alongside Ye Qingran.

"Looks like you can't wait for me to leave!" Ye Qingran huffed but turned toward the gate nonetheless. After taking a few steps, he looked back at Li Yun and said, "Sister Yue, I'll come again tomorrow."

"Okay!" Li Yun nodded.

Ye Qingran wasted no more time. Although he claimed he didn't care for the old king, he quickly took a few steps, then leapt into the air, landing gracefully on his horse outside the gate. He squeezed the horse's sides, and it galloped away from Yun Prince's residence toward the Duke's palace.

Li Yun watched him go, contemplating how family ties are hard to sever, no matter the circumstances. As an orphan, she couldn't help but feel envious.

"Miss, let's go! The old king is awake and waiting!" Yun Meng said, turning to Li Yun.

Li Yun nodded and followed him forward. In her moment of excitement over racing with Ye Qingran, she had left her maid, Cai Lian, at the palace entrance and didn't know how she would return. Now that Ye Qingran had left, and Cai Lian wasn't by her side, she suddenly felt a bit lost.

"The old king knows you had noble assistance today, and that you've returned safe and sound, which is why he allowed you to enter the palace. Though you may have been startled, the fire at Wangchun Tower yesterday has passed without a hitch. You needn't worry about the Emperor blaming you," Yun Meng said as they walked.