The Dandy's Duchess

Chapter 63: Going Out to Burn Incense (2)

"It's the princess's good fortune to like him, and he doesn't even appreciate it," Yun Qianyue commented.

Cailian felt somewhat speechless at her mistress's words, silently acknowledging that Yun Muhan had indeed angered Yun Qianyue quite a bit over the past half month. She couldn't help but feel a sense of injustice on Yun Muhan's behalf and said, "Miss, have you forgotten? That Qingwan Princess, along with Lady Rong's daughter, Second Miss Rong Lingle, and Xiaoqin Princess's daughter, Little Princess Leng Shuli, all ganged up to bully you. If she really does marry the prince, she'd be living here in the Prince's residence, wouldn't she? That would make her even more overbearing toward you! Besides, so what if she's a princess? Our prince is skilled in both literature and martial arts. Just because she's a princess doesn't mean he has to like her! In my opinion, she's nowhere near as good as you, Miss!"

"Look at you, little girl, suddenly so unmindful of status," Yun Qianyue chuckled, tilting her head to look at Cailian.

Cailian's cheeks flushed, and she lowered her voice. "I just don't like that princess! Anyone who bullies Miss is someone I can't stand. If she really does marry the prince, then how could you, Miss, possibly have a peaceful life here? I'm only speaking the truth."

"Mm, it's true enough. Whether she marries in or not, it's not like I've had much peace lately," Yun Qianyue replied with a smile. She wasn't the original Yun Qianyue anymore; anyone who dared to bully her would face the consequences. Thinking of Concubine Feng and Yun Xianghe, she asked, "And how are Concubine Feng and Yun Xianghe doing?"

"Miss, Concubine Feng is no longer Concubine Feng; the prince has demoted her to a mere concubine. From now on, you'll only need to call her Concubine Feng, at most. As for the eldest miss, she started pestering the prince to free Concubine Feng, but he was so irritated by her that he ordered her to stay in the Xianghe Courtyard and heal her hand. She's not allowed to leave for three months. A few days ago, she cried constantly and broke quite a few things in the courtyard, but it's been quiet lately, so she's probably come to accept the situation."

Yun Qianyue nodded. Knowing Yun Xianghe's temperament, it was doubtful she had truly accepted it, but she couldn't care less. She glanced down at Cailian, who was still busy dressing her, and frowned. "This outfit is far too complicated. Forget it—I'm not wearing it."

"It's not complicated; I'm almost finished!" Cailian said, fastening the final button and sighing in relief. She wiped the sweat from her forehead, stood back, and looked at Yun Qianyue admiringly. "Miss, please look in the mirror! Wearing this outfit, you look like an entirely different person. In my opinion, you're even more beautiful than the Prime Minister's daughter, Miss Yu Ning, who's considered the first beauty of the Heavenly Saint. Those people on the street aren't wrong when they say that, Miss, you are exceptionally beautiful. And that aura of yours—why, even Qingwan Princess's elegance pales in comparison!"

"There's no need for a mirror; it's just clothes on a body," Yun Qianyue remarked. She stood up and smoothed out the complex layers of fabric, finding it cumbersome for walking. She sighed and moved toward the washbasin.

"It's just that you don't care much for looks or dressing up, Miss, but which young lady doesn't want to look her best?" Cailian muttered, pouting as she followed Yun Qianyue to the washbasin, cloth in hand, ready to assist with washing her face. Though she said this, she genuinely added, "But I appreciate that you, Miss, don't mind these things. You're naturally more charming than someone overly concerned with appearances."

"You certainly know how to flatter!" Yun Qianyue couldn't help but laugh. Without a mirror, she could see her beautiful reflection in the clear water of the washbasin. Even though this face was hers now and she'd had it for days, it still felt unfamiliar. Perhaps, deep down, she was still reluctant to forget the self she once was, brimming with spirit. She sighed, scooped up some water, and gently washed her face.

Cailian noticed that her mistress seemed somewhat preoccupied. While she often laughed, her thoughts often seemed to wander. Could it be that Miss Yun was only outwardly claiming to be indifferent toward the Crown Prince, while, deep down, she still cared about him? The more she thought about it, the more it seemed plausible; after all, her mistress had loved the Crown Prince since she was young, convinced that he was her destined one. Even if she forced herself to let go, it wouldn't be easy to forget such a deep attachment overnight. Sighing, Cailian looked away.

"Such a young girl, sighing every day—watch out, or you'll grow old fast," Yun Qianyue teased, straightening up and dodging the cloth in Cailian's hand to dry her own face. She then sat at the dressing table as usual, waiting for Cailian to comb her hair.

"Then I'll grow old alongside you, Miss," Cailian said with a grin, reaching for the comb to smooth out Yun Qianyue's glossy black hair. "Today, I'll style it in a 'Peacock's Heart' chignon."

"No, I don't want to look like a peacock!" Yun Qianyue instantly rejected the idea.

"Oh, no, Miss, it's not to make you look like a peacock. It's a very elegant hairstyle, actually! Hardly any ladies today know how to do it. My grandmother learned it from an old palace maid who once served in the imperial court and passed it down to me. She used to say that this chignon alone could ensure my grandmother would never lack for food or clothes if she wanted to make a name for herself, but my grandmother loved farming too much to pursue fame and fortune, so she only taught it to me. The style has all but disappeared nowadays," Cailian explained, laughing.

"Is it too elaborate?" Yun Qianyue asked, a bit intrigued. She generally appreciated new things.

"It's not elaborate at all! I'll be done quickly," Cailian reassured her.

"Alright then, go ahead, and let me see it. But be quick about it." Yun Qianyue casually picked up the book Yun Muhan had left on the table, noticing it was a compilation of anecdotes and tales from the martial world. She couldn't help but think it was amusing that someone as refined as Yun Muhan had a penchant for chivalric fantasies. She turned a page, curious to see what kind of stories were inside.

As Cailian began gathering Yun Qianyue's hair, she noticed that her mistress was holding Yun Muhan's book upside down yet seemed oblivious to it, completely engrossed in reading. After a while, when she saw that Yun Qianyue still hadn't corrected the book, she couldn't help but whisper, "Miss, your book is upside down."

"Oh, I know." Yun Qianyue nodded without flipping the book.

Cailian hesitated, then asked, "If you know, why don't you turn it right side up?"

"There's no need; I feel more comfortable looking at it this way. I'll never understand why words are written upright when reading them upside down is so much easier. If I had a say in creating a language, I wouldn't do it like this. I'd invent characters that are comfortable to read and easy to write," Yun Qianyue replied with a sigh. For her, it didn't make much difference whether a text was right side up or upside down—she could still read it.