The Dandy's Duchess

Chapter 40: A Profligate After All (1)

Yun Qianyue was prepared this time and managed to dodge the old prince's reprimand. Pouting in dissatisfaction, she said, "Don't, Grandpa! If you don't take care of me, who will? I'll be bullied to death, especially by..."

"Reporting to the old prince, both the prince and Concubine Feng have arrived!" came the voice of Yuzhu from outside.

Yun Qianyue immediately shut her mouth and looked outside. A middle-aged man strode into the courtyard with a commanding presence. Though he was now in his middle years, his appearance was still handsome, reminiscent of a striking young man. However, her looks clearly took after her mother rather than him. Following closely was Concubine Feng, drenched from head to toe. It was obvious they had come to confront her. Yun Qianyue glanced at the old prince, who gave her a look that seemed to say, "You're on your own," before settling into the main seat, as if waiting for a show to unfold.

Yun Qianyue felt helpless; it seemed the old man had made up his mind not to interfere. Why was she so unlucky? In the past, whenever Yun Qianyue got into trouble, this old prince would always protect her. Why was it that now, as soon as she arrived, she had no one to shield her? Biting her lip, she saw that the prince and Concubine Feng were already at the entrance of the room and quickly grabbed a chair to sit beside the old prince.

The old prince shot her a glance; although his face was expressionless, there was a hint of amusement in his eyes.

"Son greets Father!" The prince walked in, casting a displeased look at Yun Qianyue before bowing to the old prince.

"Hmm!" The old prince grunted, his demeanor nonchalant, making it hard to gauge his emotions.

"Daughter-in-law greets Father!" Concubine Feng also glanced at Yun Qianyue, her eyes filled with venom, but she quickly looked away, lowering her head. She knelt on the ground, instantly soaking the floor with water, and cried softly, "Daughter-in-law begs Father to intervene. Yun Qianyue is disrespectful and actually threw daughter-in-law into the lake. Though I am not her biological mother, I beg Father to punish her. If not, she will become even more unrestrained in the future."

"Qianyue, this is unacceptable! You injured your elder sister yesterday, and today you actually threw your mother into the lake! Are you planning to drive both me and your grandfather out of this Yun residence tomorrow?" The prince's furious voice boomed as he glared at Yun Qianyue.

Yun Qianyue remained seated, unmoved, and retorted, "Is Father here to accuse me? Shouldn't you at least ask for the reason? Why would I harm or throw anyone without cause? Why did I not injure anyone in the house but only my elder sister? Why did I not throw other concubines into the lake but only Concubine Feng?" She raised her eyebrows lightly, her tone indifferent. "I presume Father did not even ask before coming here to accuse me? Your bias is quite apparent."

The prince was taken aback, staring at Yun Qianyue as if he had never heard her speak so clearly and articulately before.

"Besides, my mother has long since passed. Concubine Feng is merely a side consort to you. She is just a stepmother, not my real mother. As far as I know, the hierarchy of noble ladies in the court is quite strict." Yun Qianyue continued, "I am the legitimate daughter; my mother was the princess. If Concubine Feng wishes to be regarded as my mother, she might not have the qualification!"

"You..." Concubine Feng's already tear-streaked face was now even more aggrieved. Seeing that the old prince remained impassive, allowing Yun Qianyue to speak, she turned to the prince, crying, "My lord, look at her! Although I am not her biological mother, I have tried my best to manage the prince's residence since my sister's departure. She... she... I can't live like this anymore!"

Good riddance! Yun Qianyue didn't even spare Concubine Feng a glance. At least act a little better, would you?

"Qianyue, this is too disrespectful! How can you speak about your stepmother like this?" The prince frowned, though his tone lacked the previous fierceness.

"Father, did I say anything wrong?" Yun Qianyue raised her eyebrows in question.

Concubine Feng immediately began crying even harder.

The prince wanted to retort but found himself at a loss for words. It was embarrassing for him to be so ineffectual in front of the old prince. After a long pause, he finally said, "You're correct, but is this how you speak to your father?"

"I initially planned to greet Father properly when he entered, but since you did not wait for me to pay my respects and instead rushed in to accuse me without knowing the facts, how can you blame me for my attitude? My demeanor has always been poor; I'm sure Father knows this. There's nothing I can do about it—it's simply how I was born. If even the emperor does not hold it against me for being rude, then it's hardly worth your ire, is it?" Yun Qianyue couldn't even be bothered to show any expression. Everyone called her a profligate, so she might as well embrace it fully.

"You are truly incorrigible!" The prince glared at Yun Qianyue in exasperation.

Yun Qianyue looked up at the ceiling. Everyone in the Heavenly Saint Dynasty probably knew this already; it was a statement of the obvious!

"Explain why you injured your elder sister yesterday and why you harmed your stepmother today. Be clear about everything. If you are innocent, I won't pursue this matter. If you are guilty, then I must punish you..." The prince began to say "you ungrateful daughter," but upon meeting the old prince's narrowed eyes, he changed his words to, "I must punish this girl today!"

The old prince snorted coldly, and Yun Qianyue couldn't help but chuckle inwardly.

"Your Highness, how can you trust this girl's words? Just based on a few of her statements, are you willing to believe her? After all these years, haven't you seen the truth? She has grown increasingly unruly with your favor; not only did she injure someone on the street, but she also caused hundreds of lives in the fire at Wangchun Tower. Today, she ruined her elder sister's hand, which was once capable of playing beautiful music on the qin, one that you had hired a renowned teacher to instruct her in for ten years. It's said that her hand can no longer play the instrument. Moreover, this morning, I merely wanted to ask her why she injured her elder sister, but she threw me into the lake instead. My lord... you should think about it. For such a reckless and arrogant girl, can her words be trusted?" Concubine Feng raised her head suddenly, her face tear-streaked and filled with accusation as she gazed at the prince, detailing all of Yun Qianyue's transgressions.

The prince's expression darkened further.

Yun Qianyue observed him closely and said, "Whether you believe my words or not, Father must first listen to my side of the story. It's only fair to give someone a chance to explain before passing judgment, right?"

"Then go ahead! I would like to see what you can say!" The prince, feeling his authority being undermined by Yun Qianyue's indifference, grew increasingly furious.

"Your Highness!" Concubine Feng cried out suddenly, her voice filled with despair. "Are you going to believe her nonsense? Do you really want me to endure the pain of being humiliated again? How can I face the world anymore? It would be better if I just died!"