The Dandy's Duchess

Chapter 65: Going Out to Burn Incense (4)

After half a month, Yun Qianyue felt an impulse to peel off that familiar face upon seeing it again. But, unable to bring herself to ruin such a perfect beauty, she merely grimaced and said, "I'm not riding a horse, but I'm also not sharing a carriage with you." She turned to Yun Meng and asked, "Uncle Meng, where is my carriage?"

"Oh, my dear Miss, you've never ridden in a carriage before, only horses. Where would we get one for you? The residence only has two: one for the Lord when he goes to court, which he's using, and the other for the Heir Apparent, which he took to fetch Princess Qingwan from the palace. So, you'll have to ride with Prince Jing." Yun Meng quickly explained.

Yun Qianyue felt frustrated. "So, there really isn't another carriage?"

"Of course not! The servants don't get carriages, and even if they did, it wouldn't be fitting for a lady of your status!" Yun Meng replied, then urged her, "Miss, please get in the carriage quickly; don't keep the Prince waiting."

Yun Qianyue glanced at Rong Jing with a face full of reluctance.

"Heh..." Rong Jing chuckled softly, his voice warm with a hint of amusement, as he raised an eyebrow at her. "It's only been a few days since we last met, yet you're looking at me as though I'm your sworn enemy. As far as I remember, I've done nothing to offend you lately."

"Oh, you've definitely offended me!" Yun Qianyue grumbled, taking a step forward to grab onto the carriage rail and preparing to jump in.

"Miss, be careful not to ruin your dress or mess up your hair," Cai Lian exclaimed in alarm, inwardly despairing at her lady's casualness. Yun Qianyue just wasn't cut out for aristocratic decorum. What kind of noblewoman would leap into a carriage on her own like this? All the young ladies of the capital would be assisted in slowly stepping in.

Yun Qianyue ignored her, turning to Rong Jing and saying, "Move over!"

Rong Jing remained seated, his gaze drifting from her hair to her face and finally to her purple attire. His brows seemed to furrow slightly as he suggested, "Since I've waited here, you should probably change out of that dress and redo your hair."

"Hmm?" Yun Qianyue paused, looking at him. The two were close enough now that she could clearly see Rong Jing's exquisite features, which left her once again awed by their breathtaking symmetry.

"Never mind. Come on in," Rong Jing said, shuffling inward to make room.

"You just told me to change my clothes and hair, and now you're changing your mind?" Yun Qianyue looked at him quizzically. She was hoping to change anyway, but didn't expect him to share her sentiments.

"It wouldn't make a difference; dressed in gold, you'd still lack refinement. It'd just waste time," Rong Jing replied slowly.

"You—" Yun Qianyue glared at him, holding back due to her need to use his carriage, and just shot him a resentful look as she stepped into the carriage, making the floor creak underfoot.

"This carriage is made entirely of agarwood and is worth ten thousand gold taels. If you damage it, I won't let you off on a single coin of the compensation," Rong Jing remarked, still with a gentle tone, as he looked at her feet.

What? More expensive than gold? Yun Qianyue immediately softened her steps, glancing at the carriage floor. Sure enough, it was agarwood. This wood was priceless, yet it was being used for a carriage? Such extravagance! She looked at Rong Jing with disdain, "Too rich for your own good!"

"The Rong Prince's residence has little else but plenty of money. Would you like to count it?" Rong Jing laughed as he looked at her.

"Save it for your funeral," Yun Qianyue replied bluntly, sitting down at a distance from Rong Jing. The carriage was spacious, with enough room for several more people. She turned back to wave at Cai Lian and the others, "Come on in!"

Cai Lian, terrified, instead stepped back and shook her head vigorously. "We'll take the luggage cart at the back, Miss. You and the Prince can ride together!" She then quickly dragged Tingyu and Tingshui away, not daring to set foot in Prince Jing's carriage.

"My maids are more scared of you than of ghosts," Yun Qianyue remarked, turning back to Rong Jing.

"Hmm. Your maids may be scared of me, but practically everyone in the capital, even in the entire Heavenly Saint, sees you like they've seen a ghost. I alone represent thousands of people, so it's safe to say you're scarier than me," Rong Jing replied casually.

Yun Qianyue almost spat blood in response.

What does it mean to have a poisonous tongue? She used to think that Ye Qingran claimed second place in the capital, with no one daring to claim first. But clearly, she was wrong. The true champion of venomous speech was right here in front of her! She glared at Rong Jing, "Are you Prince Jing, the so-called Number One Genius of the Heavenly Saint? That title should be changed to Number One Poison Tongue."

"Hmm. You have a point. The title of 'Number One Genius' was bestowed by the Emperor, though I've been rather uncomfortable with it, feeling it doesn't suit me at all. It's been bothering me for years. Perhaps you could speak to the Emperor and get it changed?" Rong Jing suggested mildly, as if genuinely troubled by the title.

Yun Qianyue was speechless. This was an art form—what kind of person could refine such a perfect level of mockery? Of course he'd been crowned the Number One Genius; who else could match him? After a moment of silence, she muttered, "Forget it. I now think this title suits you perfectly. Let it pass down through the ages so that your descendants can admire it."

Rong Jing looked at her with a deep, unreadable gaze and replied, "Whatever you say. I'll do as you wish."

Why did that sound so suggestive? Yun Qianyue couldn't find words to respond and simply stared at him.

Rong Jing looked away, then addressed Yun Meng, who was watching them in shock. "Uncle Meng, please inform Grandfather Yun that I'll make sure to bring Qianyue back safe and sound."

"Thank you, Your Highness!" Yun Meng finally snapped out of his daze. Had he just imagined it? Was that really Prince Jing, trading banter with his young lady? He rubbed his eyes, but the two were indeed sitting across from each other, with no one else in the carriage. He blinked, accepting that he hadn't imagined it.

"Xian Ge, let's go!" Rong Jing instructed the cold-faced guard in black standing outside the carriage.

"Yes, Your Highness!" The guard took his place on the driver's seat, cracked the whip, and the carriage rolled away from the Yun residence. But he, too, was shocked. Having followed his master since childhood, he had never seen him engage in such a long conversation with anyone, not even the Old Prince. Now, the sight of him bantering with Yun Qianyue left the guard utterly stunned.