The Dandy's Duchess

Chapter 51: How to Deal with It

Old Prince puffed his beard and glared, throwing his cane away but reluctant to actually hit her, so he could only watch her leave.

Ye Qingran couldn't help but chuckle as Yun Qianyue passed by him. He grabbed her arm and asked, "Hey, are you really that sleepy?"

"Yeah, I haven't slept well in days. I'm so tired!" Yun Qianyue stopped in her tracks.

Ye Qingran looked at her closely and saw her dazed expression, eyes barely open. She really did look exhausted. He quickly released her. "Never mind, since you're so tired, you should go sleep! I'll come find you for horse racing another day."

"Okay!" Yun Qianyue nodded and walked out of the room.

As soon as she stepped outside, Cailian and the people from Qianyue Pavilion immediately followed her, and the group quickly left the old lord's courtyard, not even glancing at those standing or kneeling inside.

Ye Tianqing clenched his fists tightly in his sleeves, knowing he wished he could go up to her and ask if she really intended to be so cold-hearted toward him, to the point of not even looking his way today. Or was it all a tactic to provoke his interest and concern? If that was the case, then Yun Qianyue, you really succeeded. He barely suppressed the churn of emotions inside him, stopping himself from chasing after her.

"Since Sister Yue has gone to sleep, this young lord feels quite tired as well. I think I'll head back to the residence to sleep. The Crown Prince and Lord Yun also seem rather tired, so let's all rest well!" Ye Qingran said, and with that, he sauntered out of the old lord's courtyard.

Old Prince twitched the corners of his mouth. This little devil!

"Father and Mother have been worried about Grandfather's health. Tianqing came to check on him again today. Since Grandfather looks much better now, he should be able to attend court in a few days. Tianqing is quite pleased, and Father and Mother will surely be relieved. I'll take my leave now to report this good news back to the palace." Ye Tianqing also took his leave.

"Okay, this old bone of mine should last another couple of days. Don't worry the Emperor and Empress!" Old Prince waved his hand.

"Uncle, don't be angry or sad. Every household has such matters," Ye Tianqing said to the lord.

"Your Highness, take care. This old man won't see you off." The lord nodded.

Ye Tianqing turned and left the old lord's room.

"Your Highness..." Yun Xianghe, who had been dazed ever since Concubine Feng and she were accused by everyone, finally woke up as Ye Tianqing was about to leave. She immediately called out to him.

Ye Tianqing stopped and looked back at Yun Xianghe. The girl's eyes were brimming with tears as she looked at him. He cast a faint glance and turned to leave, saying nothing. His captain of the guards followed closely behind, and soon they left the old lord's courtyard.

Yun Xianghe suddenly began to cry.

Concubine Feng cast a pained glance at Yun Xianghe, her gaze turning cold as it swept over the women and concubines. She saw no shortage of sneers and glee in their eyes. Lowering her head, she clenched her hands tightly in her sleeves.

"Get out and deal with your woman. Afterward, send the people outside away quickly," Old Prince waved his hand to dismiss the prince.

"Yes, I take my leave!" The prince nodded and stepped out of the room.

Once the door closed, Old Prince yawned. He had gotten up early and had been busy all morning, and he certainly hadn't slept enough. That brat and the little devil were right; he should continue to rest.

In the courtyard, the prince's gaze turned sharp as he looked at Concubine Feng. After a moment, he said in a low voice, "Reduce Concubine Feng to a concubine, revoke her command over the hidden guards and household affairs. From today on, she will be sent to the rear courtyard's ancestral hall for reflection. Without my orders, no one is allowed to visit or release her."

"Your Highness!" Concubine Feng was caught off guard by such a severe punishment. She could accept being confined to the ancestral hall and losing her command over the hidden guards, but she had never expected to be reduced to a concubine. She looked at the prince in disbelief.

"Bring her to the ancestral hall!" The prince did not look at Concubine Feng.

"No, Father, please spare my mother! She..." Yun Xianghe was startled awake and immediately knelt to plead with the prince.

"Xianghe, you've disappointed me too much. Considering your hand is injured, I won't punish you further today. From now on, you need to take care of yourself." The prince glanced at Yun Xianghe, shook her off, and seemed to age considerably. He waved his hand wearily at everyone and said, "You can all disperse!"

With that, he left the courtyard.

Yun Meng waved his hand, and two men stepped forward to pull Concubine Feng toward the ancestral hall. Yun Xianghe collapsed to the ground in tears. The other concubines, seeing a major rival removed, were all self-satisfied as they led their daughters, maidservants, and servants away.

Soon, the old lord's courtyard finally quieted down.

At this point, Yun Qianyue had returned to Qianyue Pavilion. As soon as she entered her room, she dove into bed, preparing for a long sleep. However, Cailian suddenly remembered something and exclaimed, "Miss, did you report to the old lord about the wet nurse?"

Yun Qianyue paused, opened her eyes, and shook her head. "I forgot!"

"What should we do? Are we just going to let the old lord deal with the thief who killed the wet nurse?" Cailian immediately asked.

Yun Qianyue pondered for a moment, then waved her hand, closing her eyes to continue sleeping. "Forget it, just find someone to send the wet nurse's body to her family for burial. After all, she's just a servant. The government won't pursue it. She did many bad deeds, so her death is just a relief. Give her family some money as a token of appreciation for our time together."

"Understood!" Cailian nodded, thinking that the miss was truly kind-hearted, considering how the wet nurse treated her, yet still providing for her family. But she still worried, "But if we don't investigate, what if the thief comes back to harm you?"

"Next time the thief comes, we'll just catch them. Just do it this way! Don't worry, no one can hurt me." Yun Qianyue waved her hand. She was truly not well-rested and commanded, "As long as I don't wake up, don't disturb me for any reason, no matter how serious it is."

"Okay, miss, sleep well! I'll have Tingyu and Tingshui stand guard outside. I'll go take the wet nurse to her family." Cailian said.

"Mm!" Yun Qianyue replied.

Cailian tucked her in, turned to leave, and closed the door behind her. She then whispered to the two younger maids who were of similar age, and they nodded. She led them to carry the wet nurse's body out of Qianyue Pavilion.