The Dandy's Duchess

Chapter 57: Driving the Heir Away (2)

Yun Qianyue was still laughing uncontrollably. The more she thought about it, the funnier it became, her eyes nearly squinting shut with mirth. She finally managed to stop, though her brows and eyes still sparkled with laughter. She waved at the four attendants, saying, "No worries! Brother went to find a future sister-in-law to take over managing the household for me. Just leave him be." Stretching lazily, she added in a relaxed tone, "Finally, no more lessons! This is great!"

"Who said you're done learning? Continue!" A familiar voice, as cold as ice, echoed from the doorway.

Yun Qianyue froze mid-stretch and whipped around, only to see Yun Muhan standing at the door with a dark expression, his frosty gaze fixed on her. A chill seemed to settle over her, as though a dark cloud hovered above.

His unexpected return truly took Yun Qianyue by surprise. Seeing his dark expression, she shivered slightly and quickly dropped her raised hand, giving him a sheepish smile. "Brother, didn't you just leave? Why are you back?"

Yun Muhan continued to stare at her without breaking his gaze.

Yun Qianyue's forced smile faltered, and she pressed her lips together as she looked back at him.

After a moment, Yun Muhan said, "If you really don't want me teaching you how to manage the household, that can be arranged."

"Really?" Yun Qianyue brightened.

"However, I'll ask the heir from the Rong Prince's residence to come and teach you. I imagine if he were the one teaching, you'd be more than willing to learn. You'd likely even pick it up quickly," Yun Muhan continued with a twist in his tone.

Yun Qianyue's mouth twitched—Rong Jing teaching her? That man looked refined but had a sharp mind. That definitely wouldn't work. She immediately shook her head, sidling up to Yun Muhan with a grin and reaching out to take his arm. "Who said I didn't want to learn from you, Brother? I'm eager to learn! Please come in, and let's get back to it."

"You said it. If you don't focus, I won't let it slide this time," Yun Muhan said, dodging her hand as he walked back inside.

Yun Qianyue rubbed her nose. What bad luck she had to end up in this predicament.

Cailian, Madam Zhao, Tingyu, and Tingshi exchanged looks, covering their mouths to stifle their laughter as they quietly slipped out.

Yun Qianyue dragged herself over to the table and slumped into a chair, staring at the characters on the page. She sighed, "Fine, let's continue! This time, I'll pay attention."

"Good!" Yun Muhan let out a huff, lifting his robes as he sat down. He resumed pointing at the words on the paper, his voice level as he continued, "Chao Yan and Chao Meng, First-class maids who serve Fifth Aunt, handling all her personal needs. Granny Qian, her nursemaid. Qiuyue, a Second-class maid managing Fifth Aunt's courtyard affairs. Fangsi, a Third-class maid responsible for washing..."

Yun Qianyue nodded along. It seemed that both Third Aunt and Fifth Aunt held substantial status in the Yun Prince's residence, comparable to Concubine Feng before her demotion to a servant. Each had nearly twenty to thirty attendants in their respective courtyards. Now that Concubine Feng had fallen from favor, these two were the most powerful.

"Cailian, your personal maid. Madam Zhao, previously in charge of the kitchen for Qianyue Pavilion. Tingshi and Tingyu, formerly responsible for cleaning the pavilion's courtyard, now both promoted to serve at your side." Yun Muhan glanced at Yun Qianyue as he continued reading names, noting her earnest focus, then returned to reading, "Yan Die, personal maid of Elder Cousin Yun Xianghe; Granny Jiang, her nursemaid. Bai Lu, personal maid of Second Cousin Yun Xiangxia; Granny He, her nursemaid..."

Yun Muhan's voice was calm, each syllable clear and distinct. At first, Yun Qianyue sat up straight, but gradually, she slumped over the table as though she had no bones left, simply following his finger with her gaze. Her thoughts wandered, noticing how his fingers were annoyingly well-kept for a man.

"Finished. I've read them all to you. Have you memorized them?" Yun Muhan withdrew his hand and looked at her.

"No, there were too many. How could I remember it all?" She didn't even lift her head as she shook it.

Unfazed, Yun Muhan responded, "Then we'll start over."

"Fine," Yun Qianyue agreed.

Half an hour later, Yun Muhan looked up and asked, "Remembered this time?"

"No!" She shook her head again.

"Then... once more from the beginning," he said, pointing to the start again.

After another half-hour, Yun Muhan observed Yun Qianyue's downcast face as she stared at the words with a look of utter despair. Sighing, he rubbed his temple and asked, "Still not memorized?"

"Right." She nodded listlessly.

Yun Muhan furrowed his brow and sighed, "Perhaps I've rushed you. Let's go over it one character at a time."

"All right!" Yun Qianyue agreed.

Yun Muhan stood up, took a fresh piece of paper, and wrote the character for "Yun" on it before handing the brush to Yun Qianyue. "Try writing this character."

Taking the brush, Yun Qianyue clutched it tightly, as though it might slip away.

Seeing this, Yun Muhan shook his head, advising, "There's no need to hold it so tight; it won't fall."

"Oh." Yun Qianyue nodded obediently, but stared at the paper for a long moment without writing.

"Go on," he encouraged, clearly slightly weary.

"Right!" She clenched her jaw, recalling the awkward characters she had written in her past life. Though she prided herself on a good memory, the techniques from over twenty years ago had mostly faded. Her thoughts were filled only with how characters should look when written well. Finally, she exhaled, dispirited.

"Relax and write—if you make a mistake, it's fine," Yun Muhan's voice softened.

"You mean it? You really won't mind if I mess up?" She tilted her head, studying Yun Muhan, finding him far less cold and distant than he had first appeared in the palace.

"Yes, don't worry about it." Yun Muhan looked away, already bracing himself for a few messy strokes.

Yun Qianyue lowered her head, lips curling slightly, and lifted the brush to carefully trace the character Yun Muhan had written. After nearly half a stick of incense had burned, she finally completed the character. Even she found it barely legible, but, trying to hide her disappointment, she called out, "Brother, I finished! Did I get it right?"