"Miss, creating characters is a legacy passed down by scholars for thousands of years. You can't just make new ones at will!" Cai Lian said, half-laughing and half-crying.
"That's not necessarily true. These characters are so complicated, just like these clothes; people won't use them in the future. Eventually, complex things are simplified," Yun Qianyue replied.
"I can't win an argument with you, Miss. But please, sit up straight; I can't style your hair like this," said Cai Lian, already familiar with Yun Qianyue's unique thoughts. She wisely decided to stop talking and focus on her work.
Yun Qianyue sighed, resigned, and straightened herself to let Cai Lian continue.
Half an hour later, Cai Lian set down the comb, satisfied with her work. She knew Yun Qianyue didn't like gold or silver, so she chose jade hairpins and a jade hair ornament for her, along with two hair flowers crafted from white jade. Once everything was ready, Cai Lian looked at Yun Qianyue in the mirror with admiration and said, "Miss, the other day when I dressed you up, you already looked stunning, but today, you're even more dazzling. If you go out like this, you'll make the hearts of men across the land skip a beat."
Yun Qianyue scoffed; what did she care about the hearts of men? She wasn't out to profit from her looks. Still, when she looked in the mirror, she couldn't help but be amazed.
In the mirror, her hair was elegantly done up, jade pins and hair ornaments complementing each other, with tiny white jade flowers adding a touch of brightness. Her purple, seven-layered embroidered gauze dress had a slightly narrow collar, revealing her slender, white neck. Her fair and flawless face was as pure as white jade, her entire appearance refined to perfection.
Was that really her? Yun Qianyue quickly covered the mirror with her hand, then turned to Cai Lian, who was staring in awe. "Take it all down and find a different dress; I'm not wearing this."
How could she show her face like this? She'd be eaten alive! Never mind the wolves.
"But Miss, it looks so beautiful! Why would you want to take it down?" Cai Lian was shocked.
"It's hideous!" Yun Qianyue began to remove the flowers herself.
"Miss, please! It's really beautiful. I worked hard on this, and besides, this dress is a gift from the young prince. If you don't believe me, ask Aunt Zhao or Tingyu and Tingshu; they'll tell you it's perfect. Please, don't take it down," Cai Lian said, rushing to stop her.
"I said it looks terrible, so it has to go! If you don't listen, then you're not coming with me today," Yun Qianyue said firmly.
Cai Lian, feeling aggrieved, reluctantly let go. But she couldn't help but mumble that it was still beautiful.
Yun Qianyue ignored her and began removing the flowers.
"Miss Qianyue, the young prince's carriage has arrived. The Old Royal Duke asks that you head out promptly. There's no need to bid him farewell," called Yu Zhu from outside, hurrying in.
"Miss, there's no time to change now. Otherwise, you'll keep the young prince waiting, and if the Old Royal Duke finds out, he won't let you off easily. Don't forget what the head steward said earlier," Cai Lian said excitedly, quickly grabbing Yun Qianyue's hand again.
Yun Qianyue paused, grinding her teeth in frustration. "I just knew I had some kind of feud with this guy!"
"Miss, the young prince hasn't done anything to wrong you. He even saved you the other day. Why do you dislike him so much?" Cai Lian said, relieved that Yun Qianyue had given up on changing. She called out, "Yu Zhu, Miss is ready to go out now."
"Alright, I'll let the young prince know to wait just a moment longer," said Yu Zhu, turning to leave.
"Let's go, Miss!" Cai Lian said happily, taking Yun Qianyue by the arm and leading her out. As they walked, she called out, "Tingyu, Tingshu, are you ready? Let's go!"
"We're coming!" Tingyu and Tingshu, who were also excited, ran over, their eyes filled with admiration at the sight of Yun Qianyue.
Yun Qianyue glanced at the two girls. Initially, she had planned to take only Cai Lian, but seeing that these two were about the same age and likely eager to join in the fun, she relented. Everyone deserves a little joy, she thought. Meanwhile, Aunt Zhao volunteered to stay behind to watch over Qianyue Pavilion. Yun Qianyue looked at her and instructed, "Aunt Zhao, don't let anyone into Qianyue Pavilion while I'm gone. If someone comes to cause trouble, kick them out with sticks if you have to. If it turns deadly, I'll take the blame. Don't let anyone mistreat you."
Aunt Zhao chuckled and replied, "Please don't worry, Miss, and enjoy your day with the young prince. I'll make sure Qianyue Pavilion is safe. But honestly, no one's likely to bother us. Now that you're the future head of the household, they'll be too busy currying favor."
"True!" Yun Qianyue smiled at her own unnecessary worry and walked out.
Cai Lian, Tingyu, and Tingshu followed happily, and soon, the four of them were out of Qianyue Pavilion.
As they turned past two long corridors to reach the front courtyard, Yun Qianyue immediately noticed that the Yun Prince's residence gates were open. Two familiar, sleek black carriages stood at the entrance, and the same black-clad, stone-faced guard was stationed at the front. There was no sign of Rong Jing, so he was likely waiting inside the carriage. Meng Shu, the head steward of Yun Prince's residence, stood beside the carriage, chatting with someone inside, his face brimming with joy.
Yun Qianyue sneered, thinking how Meng Shu treated Rong Jing like he was some kind of ancestor of theirs!
When Meng Shu noticed Yun Qianyue approaching, he stopped talking, turned around, and seeing her dressed so splendidly, he was momentarily stunned. Then, with a huge smile, he said, "Miss, you're here! The young prince has been waiting a little while. Please, get in the carriage!"
"My horse, bring it here!" Yun Qianyue said to Meng Shu with a polite nod.
"Miss, why ride a horse today? Please, just take the carriage!" Meng Shu shook his head immediately. She looked like a true lady of the house—riding a horse would ruin that image.
"I said, bring my horse!" Yun Qianyue waved her hand, signaling Cai Lian. "Go on, fetch it."
"Miss..." Cai Lian hesitated, but Yun Qianyue's stare made her give in. "Yes, ma'am..."
"Wait!" Just as Cai Lian turned around, the carriage curtain lifted from within, revealing Rong Jing's face, as graceful as a painting. His eyes subtly tightened at the sight of Yun Qianyue before he spoke softly, "The route out of the city is mountain roads. Riding a horse will be impossible. Ride with me in the carriage instead."
YOU ARE READING
The Dandy's Duchess
ChickLit"The Dandy's Duchess" tells the story of the youngest and most talented general of the National Security Bureau, who sacrifices his life for his country and finds his soul transported to another world, where he is reborn as Yun Qianyue, the only leg...
