The Dandy's Duchess

Chapter 22: A Prodigy of Insight (1)

Li Yun paused, surprised as she asked, "Grandfather... how did you know I had someone to help me?"

"Old Lord Yun guessed that since Young Prince Ran and Young Master Jing are both in the palace today, they surely wouldn't stand by and do nothing," Yun Meng replied immediately.

"Grandfather really is insightful," Li Yun said, not denying it. She didn't understand how Old Lord Yun could be so certain that Rong Jing and Ye Qingran would come to her rescue. Was it because of the Yun Prince's residence? Or the current political situation? It certainly wasn't because of her.

Yun Meng nodded, relieved, "Thankfully, it was Young Master Jing who stepped in. Otherwise, with just Young Prince Ran, it would have been difficult to save you. However, now you can see Prince Tai's true intentions." He glanced carefully at Li Yun after he spoke.

"Hmm!" Li Yun nodded, speaking coolly, "I have no further ties to him."

Yun Meng was taken aback, suddenly sighing, a mix of joy and worry in his expression. "It's best that you see things clearly."

Li Yun didn't know how to respond and fell silent.

At that moment, a maidservant approached, dressed in simple attire. Before she could speak, Yun Meng asked, "Yuzhu, why aren't you attending to Old Lord Yun? Did he send you for something?"

"Replying to the Chief Steward, Old Lord Yun just learned that the young lady returned to the residence alone. He sent me to convey his message: How could the young lady leave without waiting for Young Master Jing? He wants you to go back to the palace and fetch Young Master Jing immediately." Yuzhu bowed to Li Yun and answered Yun Meng.

Li Yun was taken aback. Fetch Rong Jing? Although he had rescued her, wasn't that being a bit too formal?

"Since Old Lord Yun has spoken, you should make another trip to the palace," Yun Meng said without hesitation.

Li Yun furrowed her brows. Could she refuse? Then she thought, entering the residence to see Old Lord Yun without knowing anything wouldn't be good either. If he found out his granddaughter had suddenly changed, he might interrogate her severely! With that in mind, she nodded. "Alright, I'll go!"

Even if she didn't fetch Rong Jing, she needed to see Cailian to get some insight and cover her tracks.

Yun Meng nodded, advising, "Young Master Jing is different from others; you must not act disrespectfully toward him."

"Understood," Li Yun replied, turning to leave the residence.

"After this change, it seems you've become more composed, which is a good thing," Yun Meng remarked as he mounted his horse and headed for the palace.

Yuzhu smiled, "I hope Old Lord Yun won't have to worry about Miss Qianyue any longer. He's getting older and can't bear the stress every day."

"How can we not worry? Today's events aren't over yet; I fear this is just the beginning. I hope Young Master Jing returns to the world, and Young Prince Ran's arrival in the capital will lessen the scrutiny on the Yun Prince's residence, allowing Miss Qianyue to be more at ease." Yun Meng's face was clouded with concern.

"Chief Steward, don't be so anxious. Isn't it often said that good people have divine protection? Miss Qianyue is fortunate; heaven won't neglect her," Yuzhu reassured him with a smile.

"True. Old Lord Yun's words are never wrong." Yun Meng's frown lifted, and he smiled back. He waved his hand at Yuzhu. "You should return and report to Old Lord Yun that Miss Qianyue is following his orders to fetch Young Master Jing. I will wait here for them to return."

"Of course!" Yuzhu nodded and headed back.

"By the way, inform the kitchen to prepare a feast. Choose some dishes that Young Master Jing likes. He should have a meal here before returning home." Yun Meng looked at the sky and added another instruction.

"Yes!" Yuzhu called back without turning.

Yun Meng said no more, putting his hands behind his back, and strolled back to the entrance, hoping Miss Qianyue would quickly bring Young Master Jing back and not take too long.

As Li Yun rode along, she pondered just how extraordinary Rong Jing must be, to be able to play chess with the Emperor and to receive such favor from Old Lord Yun, and with a few light words, rescue her from a prison sentence. She hadn't even met him yet, but her curiosity was already piqued.

Lost in thought, she followed the route back to the palace.

After passing through the bustling main street, a luxurious carriage came rushing toward her. The curtain was lifted, revealing an enchanting face that called out to her, "Sister Yue!"

Li Yun had only ever heard "Sister Lan" before; now, she finally heard a different form of address. She pulled the reins and stopped her horse, looking toward the girl leaning out of the carriage. She was momentarily stunned by the stunning beauty of the woman, who exuded a gentle and delicate aura.

"Congratulations, Sister Yue, on avoiding disaster today. I was worried about you earlier, but now I can finally rest easy," the girl said again, her voice soft and melodious.

Li Yun remembered Cailian mentioning the name Yuting earlier; it seemed she was from the Prime Minister's residence. Thanks to her saying that Young Master Jing and Young Prince Ran had entered the palace, those women who had bullied her had finally left. Looking into Yuting's sincere eyes, she felt this girl must have a kind heart. She offered a faint smile. "Thank you for your concern; not ending up in the criminal department is indeed a fortunate matter."

Upon hearing this, Yuting covered her mouth and chuckled lightly. "Sister, you shouldn't say that. With Young Master Jing and Young Prince Ran coming to your rescue, you wouldn't have been sent to the criminal department anyway. I was worried earlier and even went to the palace to seek the Grand Empress Dowager's help. The Empress Dowager said you wouldn't be in trouble, and when I heard that you had someone to help you, I realized I had worried for nothing."

"Thank you for your hard work, Miss," Li Yun said, unsure of how else to respond. She thought to herself, no wonder she hadn't seen this girl among the dozens of women in the Garden of Scenic Views; it turned out she had gone to see the Grand Empress Dowager. But who was the Grand Empress Dowager, and how could she be so sure that Li Yun would be fine?

"Why are we being so polite between sisters?" Yuting playfully chided, smiling. Noticing Li Yun was headed back toward the palace, she asked with curiosity, "Sister Yue, are you going back to the palace again?"

"Um, I'm going to fetch Young Master Jing," Li Yun nodded.

Yuting was taken aback, a flicker of something passing through her beautiful eyes. She then smiled, "I heard Young Master Jing was going to the Yun Prince's residence, and I thought you would be waiting at the palace gates. I didn't expect you to leave the Grand Empress Dowager's palace without seeing you. I assumed with your character, you wouldn't be patient enough to wait and would return home first. So, why are you going back to the palace now?"