The Dandy's Duchess

Chapter 23: A Prodigy of Insight (2)

"It's because Grandfather insisted I go fetch someone! I really have no choice!" Li Yun replied with a pained expression. She thought this Yuting girl was quite clever, trying to extract information with every word she said.

"Oh, I see! Then hurry along! Young Master Jing must be done with his chess game with the Emperor by now. It wouldn't be good to keep him waiting. I won't hold you up any longer. Let's meet again another day," Yuting said, understanding Li Yun's discomfort and urging her to leave.

"Then I'm off. Farewell, Miss." Li Yun nodded, squeezed her legs against the horse's flanks, and galloped toward the palace without delay.

Behind her, Yuting watched Li Yun ride away, her expression thoughtful. After a long moment, she finally lowered the curtain and the carriage continued on its way.

Li Yun felt as if a gaze lingered on her from behind, finding this Yuting girl quite intriguing. She shook her head, trying to clear her mind, and focused on heading toward the palace.

"Yun Qianyue! Stop right there!" Suddenly, a loud voice called out ahead.

Li Yun was startled to see two luxurious carriages approaching. The curtains lifted simultaneously, revealing a girl in a pink dress leaning out from one carriage, and another in green from the other. The girl in pink was the one who had shouted.

Li Yun frowned, thinking her journey to the palace had been full of twists and turns. Nonetheless, she reined in her horse.

"Listen, Yun Qianyue, don't get too smug. Do you think with my brother and Young Prince Ran protecting you, you'll be safe? The Crown Prince will never like you, a gender-neutral freak. Don't delude yourself into thinking my brother and Young Prince Ran genuinely care for you; they're only helping you because of Old Lord Yun and the Yun Prince's residence. Who do you think you are?" The girl in pink was Rong Wangfu's second daughter, Rong Linglan.

Li Yun remained silent, coldly watching Rong Linglan. So, since Rong Jing was her brother, this must be the second daughter of Rong Wangfu that Cailian mentioned.

"Why are you staring at me? Did I say something wrong? Look in the mirror and see what you're worth. Which man would genuinely come to your rescue? You don't deserve it. If not for your lucky birth into the Yun Prince's residence, you'd have died countless times by now," Rong Linglan continued, her tone sharp and disdainful.

Li Yun felt anger bubbling within her but waited politely for her to finish. "Have you said enough?"

Rong Linglan shivered at the coldness in Li Yun's gaze but stood her ground. "What if I have? What if I haven't?"

Li Yun didn't want to waste any more time on this spoiled woman. Ignoring her, she flicked the reins and sped past.

"Damn it, Yun Qianyue, stop!" Rong Linglan glared at Li Yun's retreating figure.

Li Yun pretended not to hear, quickly riding far ahead. Frustrated, she lowered the curtain and snapped at the coachman, "Drive faster! Go back and ask Grandfather why my brother has to rescue that foolish woman!"

The coachman, fearful of delaying, urged the horses into a swift gallop.

Meanwhile, in the carriage of the Prince of Xiaoqin, the occupants also lowered their curtains. Today, the Crown Prince had dealt with Yun Qianyue harshly, showing no mercy, which did not appear to be a pretense. Thinking about the long road ahead, she resolved that Yun Qianyue would never sit as the Crown Princess.

The remainder of the journey was finally peaceful. Even when passing other returning carriages, the passengers merely peeked out and said nothing. Li Yun continued onward and soon arrived at the palace gates.

She found that the earlier magnificent array of carriages had left, leaving only the entirely black carriage quietly waiting. The young guard in black remained expressionless and motionless, just as he had been earlier. It seemed he hadn't even changed his expression during her trip back to the Yun Prince's residence and then back again.

Li Yun couldn't help but admire his stoicism. Was he made of wood?

"Miss? Why have you returned?" Cailian, who had been waiting at the palace gates, approached with a puzzled expression. "Didn't you leave with Young Prince Ran?"

"I did, but Grandfather saw I returned alone without waiting for Young Master Jing and sent me back to fetch him," Li Yun explained, looking at Cailian. "I got so caught up in the excitement of racing with Young Prince Ran that I forgot about you. Why didn't you return to the residence?"

"I stayed because I saw you and Young Prince Ran leave. I was worried that Young Master Jing would come out and not find you, so I waited to return together," Cailian replied promptly.

What a thoughtful girl! Li Yun thought. She had initially been irked by Cailian's earlier bluster, but now she realized that Cailian probably had never faced any hardship. Being bullied like that must have been a new experience for her, causing her distress. If treated well, this girl could become a loyal confidante.

Li Yun nodded, "Thank you for your effort!"

"Miss, you shouldn't say that. It's my duty," Cailian insisted, shaking her head in surprise.

Li Yun considered that the previous owner of this body must not have treated her maid well; otherwise, Cailian wouldn't be so startled by a simple compliment. She looked toward the palace gates and asked, "Has Young Master Jing not come out yet?"

"Not yet, Miss!" Cailian quickly replied.

"Then we'll wait a bit longer!" Li Yun dismounted her horse.

Cailian took the reins, tying the horse to its previous spot, and then stood next to Li Yun, taking half a step back, standing straight with her hands clasped in front of her, displaying proper decorum.

Li Yun glanced at her and smiled, pondering how to discreetly extract information about the Yun Prince's residence without being obvious. It was a tricky endeavor. She certainly couldn't pretend to have amnesia to coax her into talking. While that might be a safer option, it was also risky—one slip-up, and she could be exposed.

After thinking for a while without coming up with a good opening line, she felt somewhat disheartened, thinking that any question might lead to trouble.

Just then, Cailian whispered, "Miss, look! At the palace gates..."

Li Yun looked up in confusion at the palace entrance and saw a figure walking out, accompanied by Gong Lu. Although it was just a glance, she was instantly captivated by the person stepping out.