The Dandy's Duchess

Chapter 62: Going Out to Burn Incense (1)

Cailian and the others were busy until late into the night, and only then did Quiet Moon Pavilion finally settle into silence.

Early the next morning, Cailian came to wake Yun Qianyue before dawn.

Yun Qianyue was in the middle of a deep sleep and waved her off. "It's still early! Let me sleep a bit longer."

"Miss, you can't sleep any longer! It's already dawn, and you need time to get ready. So many ladies will be going to Xiangquan Mountain today, and you can't let yourself be outshined by them. Besides, Xiangquan Mountain is at least twenty miles from here, so I bet Prince Jing will arrive early to escort you. It wouldn't be proper to keep him waiting, would it?" Cailian tried pulling Yun Qianyue up, something she never would have dared to do before. These days, though her mistress could be temperamental, she no longer worried about harsh punishment.

"Let him wait if he wants! Go away; I'm sleeping a bit longer." Yun Qianyue swatted Cailian's hand away.

"Miss, you can't make Prince Jing wait, that won't do at all! Please get up!" Cailian tried pulling her up again.

"If he doesn't want to wait, he can leave first; I'll go on my own." Yun Qianyue pulled the blanket up and covered her head. She hadn't had a good night's sleep since Yun Muhan had been subjecting her to endless torment over reading. Now that she could skip her studies, she planned to get a full night's rest.

Seeing Yun Qianyue wrapped up like a big dumpling, Cailian sighed helplessly and pleaded, "Miss, how could you pass up on Prince Jing's kindness? Do you know how many young ladies in the capital would envy you for him escorting you? Why can't you appreciate such fortune?"

"If you don't shut up, I'll throw you out!" Yun Qianyue warned, annoyed by the noise.

Cailian immediately fell silent, only daring to look at her mistress, who was fully hidden under the covers. From what she'd observed recently, though her mistress was usually easygoing, she would absolutely follow through on her threats if pushed. Feeling defeated, she let go of the new dress in her hands and turned to leave.

As Cailian reached the doorway, the head steward Yun Meng hurried into the courtyard.

"Steward, has Prince Jing arrived?" Cailian asked eagerly.

"Not yet. The Old Prince sent me to remind the young miss to get up. He said if she dares to make Prince Jing wait, he'll have her hide. He even said she could try if she doesn't believe him," Yun Meng said, stopping to address Cailian. "Miss isn't up yet, is she? Go tell her what the Old Prince said. She'll get up, for sure. Princess Qingwan has also sent word for the Prince to fetch her from the palace. Prince Jing is already preparing, so I need to assist him. Hurry and get the young miss up."

After saying that, Yun Meng turned and hurried away.

Cailian turned back inside to find Yun Qianyue sitting up in bed, looking very disgruntled. She walked over with a bright smile. "Miss, you heard the steward, didn't you? Best to get up now."

"Hmph!" Yun Qianyue snorted. That old man!

Cailian, delighted, took out the new dress and held it up, instantly illuminating the dim room with its exquisite luster and the pleasant tinkling of its pearl decorations. As she helped Yun Qianyue into it, Cailian said excitedly, "This is the only Seven-layered Silken Purple Gossamer Robe from Celestial Garments this year. Steward Yun says it was reserved early by our prince especially for you. Even Princess Qingwan couldn't get her hands on it! Apparently, she asked the prince for it, but he firmly refused, saying he got it as a reward for all your hard work. She couldn't argue further, though she was likely unhappy about it."

Yun Qianyue glanced at the garment draped over her. The soft silk felt cool and smooth on her skin, with a simple yet elegant design that was richly layered yet unpretentious. The right side was adorned with a silk butterfly knot she particularly liked. This robe likely cost Yun Muhan quite a bit.

"Miss, the prince is quite fond of you, isn't he?" Cailian remarked with a smile.

Yun Qianyue sneered; Yun Muhan was mistaken if he thought a mere dress would make her forget his torments.

"I heard yesterday that the prince is also going to Lingtai Temple. I wondered why the Old Prince didn't just ask him to take you, instead of calling on Prince Jing. Now I understand—the prince has to go to the palace to fetch the princess," Cailian said as she fastened the delicate silk belt around Yun Qianyue's waist.

Yun Qianyue's eyes lit up with curiosity. "So, my brother's betrothed is Princess Qingwan?"

"Miss, you really don't seem to care about anyone except the Crown Prince," Cailian sighed, then quickly covered her mouth, realizing she had mentioned the Crown Prince. To her relief, Yun Qianyue remained impassive, showing no trace of the feelings she once had. Breathing easier, Cailian continued, "Though there's no official engagement, everyone in the Heavenly Saint knows the princess has long admired our prince. She's a year older than you and already of marriageable age, and so is the prince. It's only the emperor who hasn't voiced his opinion yet. But why else would she insist on having him take her to Lingtai Temple instead of going with the Crown Prince? I'd say an imperial decree for their marriage is all but certain. Just a matter of time."

"Oh, so he's on the path to becoming a royal consort!" Yun Qianyue remarked, finally understanding. So Qingwan Princess would be her future sister-in-law. No wonder Yun Muhan had acted so disgruntled before. With a huff, she scoffed, "Pretending to be all righteous while seducing a princess behind the scenes."

"Miss, shh..." Cailian quickly covered Yun Qianyue's mouth, looking around nervously before sighing in relief when she saw no one else nearby. Leaning close, she whispered, "Miss, please don't let the prince hear you say that. He'd be angry for sure! Honestly, I think it's the princess pursuing the prince, not the other way around. The prince is going to the palace to fetch her only because the emperor or empress likely ordered it. He'd never go on his own."