The Dandy's Duchess

Chapter 44: Come and Watch the Fun

"You little demon king! You've been away for seven years, and you haven't grown at all. You're still as insufferable as ever!" The old prince's voice boomed from inside the room. Though he was scolding, his mood was clearly pleasant.

"Haha, I knew you missed me!" Ye Qingran laughed heartily.

"I miss you? I get a headache just seeing you!" the old prince retorted.

"Grandfather, if you miss me, just admit it. There's no need to be shy! I can openly say that I missed you the moment I returned!" Ye Qingran replied shamelessly.

Li Yun's lips twitched. This person truly had no sense of shame...

"Still as shameless as ever!" the old prince chuckled and scolded.

"Haha, you said the same yesterday!" Ye Qingran laughed loudly, his boisterous laughter making the flowers and plants in the courtyard tremble slightly. The grandfather he referred to was naturally the esteemed old prince.

As they spoke, Ye Tianqing and his concubine had reached the doorway. Yun Meng quickly stepped forward to open the curtain, his tone respectful yet lacking the warmth he had shown to Rongjing and Ye Qingran. "Your Highness, please enter. Your Highness, please."

Ye Tianqing stepped inside, and as soon as he entered, he spotted Yun Qianyue leaning lazily against the old prince's chair. Today, she seemed different from yesterday; she was slumped over like a boneless doll, a faint smile on her lips. Yet, that smile was directed not at him but at Ye Qingran behind him. She hadn't even glanced at him since he entered, her gaze fixed solely on Ye Qingran. His expression darkened immediately.

Since returning from the palace, he could no longer suppress the bubbling frustration within him. Today, upon seeing her, that feeling intensified. Especially as she lounged in such an unladylike manner, she appeared much more beautiful than the dignified ladies around her. He couldn't help but focus his gaze on her, reflecting on why he had never noticed this girl before. No, perhaps it wasn't that he hadn't noticed; since he had memory, Yun Qianyue had always been like a shadow following him. Wherever he went, that shadow was sure to follow. He had only managed to despise and avoid her, never paying attention to her carefully.

Yun Qianyue felt the weight of Ye Tianqing's penetrating gaze. His eyes shifted, complex and inscrutable, causing her to frown slightly.

The old prince snorted in his heart but did not rise. He had long since ceased to show respect to even the emperor, let alone a mere prince.

The prince stood and bowed to Ye Tianqing, "This humble minister greets His Highness! My daughter Xianghe has only suffered minor injuries; it is indeed a fortune for her to have Your Highness and the Concubine come to visit."

"You flatter me, Uncle Wang. I was worried about my cousin, which is why I came today. Besides, I am still most concerned about Grandfather's health. Mother in the palace has been quite worried as well!" Ye Tianqing reluctantly diverted his gaze from Yun Qianyue, reaching out to feign support for the old prince, then addressing him, "Grandfather seems to be in good spirits today."

"Hmph! You should thank your actions yesterday in the palace, which made this old man's anger subside. My health has improved quite a bit!" The old prince huffed, making it sound like a contradiction. He showed no regard for Ye Tianqing.

"Yesterday was merely a minor reprimand for Sister Yue, meant to serve as an example for the other officials. How could I bear to harm Sister Yue? You have misunderstood me, Grandfather!" Ye Tianqing's expression remained unchanged as he quickly explained.

"Whether it's a misunderstanding or not, only you know," the old prince replied, ignoring Ye Tianqing.

Ye Tianqing offered a faint smile, no longer arguing. Instead, he turned to Concubine Feng, who had been overlooked since he entered. At that moment, he nearly failed to recognize her and was taken aback.

"Auntie?" The Crown Prince's Concubine also recognized Concubine Feng, gasping in surprise, covering her mouth with a handkerchief.

"This humble servant greets Your Highness and the Concubine. Xianghe encountered great danger yesterday. I... I truly... have failed in my duties, please forgive me, Your Highness and the Concubine..." Concubine Feng approached and curtsied, seizing the opportunity to shed tears, her voice choked. She had just been fished out of the lake and had come here, soaked and looking utterly disheveled. After crying and causing a scene, she looked more wretched than the once splendid lady she used to be.

"Auntie, your clothes are all wet! How did you end up like this?" The Crown Prince's Concubine asked in concern, stepping forward to help Concubine Feng.

"I... I can't live anymore..." Concubine Feng cried out, taking the opportunity to sob.

"Auntie, please speak clearly! Don't talk about death. I heard about my cousin's incident yesterday. I wanted to come over last night, but the prince said I couldn't help, so I thought it best to come today. What's happened? Who bullied you? Tell the Crown Prince, and he will definitely uphold justice for you!" The Crown Prince's Concubine hurriedly comforted Concubine Feng, while her gaze discreetly shifted toward Yun Qianyue, noting the subtle differences in her demeanor.

Ye Tianqing furrowed his brows but said nothing, turning his attention back to Yun Qianyue.

Concubine Feng's spirits lifted at the words, ready to seize the moment to speak. However, Ye Qingran's voice suddenly interrupted, brimming with delight, "Sister Yue, our race yesterday was too short and not exciting enough. Today's weather is just right; why don't we have another race? The West Mountain racetrack is spacious enough for us to run several more laps."

Before he finished speaking, he had already approached Yun Qianyue, his face filled with excitement. Noticing her faint smile and lack of response, he asked, "What do you think? I know you didn't have enough fun yesterday!"

Concubine Feng had a word caught in her throat, her heart filled with hatred for Ye Qingran.

"I'm afraid that won't be possible today!" Yun Qianyue shook her head.

"Why not? Are you really going to heed the emperor's words and stay at home to attend to Grandfather? I see Grandfather looks quite well today! There's really no need to attend to him. Besides, you're not suited for such care anyway. You're not the type to sit idly at home; why not go out and have some fun?" Ye Qingran seemed ready to pull her along.

Yun Qianyue glanced at Concubine Feng, then swept her gaze across the prince and his concubine, finally settling on the crowd of dark figures outside, seemingly troubled as she shook her head, "I truly want to race, but today may not be feasible. Even if I'm not attending to Grandfather, I can't leave. Someone is accusing me of bullying her and her daughter and insists on seeking an explanation from me." With that, she cast another glance at Concubine Feng and spoke softly.