The Dandy's Duchess

Chapter 71: Wealthy People (1)

"Uh... true enough." Yun Qianyue fell silent, then asked with interest, "So, what do you do to have made so much money?"

"You seem to be asking about my private affairs," Rong Jing reminded Yun Qianyue.

Yun Qianyue pouted. So this is what it means to be wealthy—they hide all their money-making tricks. No wonder Rong Jing was so ruthless; he'd likely honed his heartlessness through amassing wealth. She closed her mouth, but after a moment, her curiosity got the better of her again, and she asked, "Who wants to know about your private affairs? I just want to know who is the richest in all of the Heavenly Saint Dynasty—or rather, this entire continent."

"Me," Rong Jing answered without hesitation.

"Fifty thousand taels of gold and you're calling yourself the richest? The top tycoon?" Yun Qianyue widened her eyes at him, seeing his self-assured look. And that's supposed to be wealth? The world's richest person is worth over sixty billion dollars, and anyone on that list has at least a few billion. She sneered. "This continent is pretty poor, huh!"

"The Yun Prince's residence doesn't even come close to ten thousand taels of gold," Rong Jing reminded her.

So, her family was even worse off. Yun Qianyue felt a bit indignant. "I'll definitely be richer than you in the future."

"Mm, I hope so," Rong Jing replied.

Yun Qianyue rolled her eyes. What does he mean, "hope"? She would be wealthy for sure. All she had to do was survey a gem mine and start profiting from it. Though, she wasn't sure if there were any gems in this world. The thought made her frown, and she quickly reconsidered. She'd worked herself to the bone in her past life, so why was she looking for trouble in this one? Mining would be exhausting and far from the life of leisure she wanted. With that thought, her interest faded. She urged, "Are you finished yet?"

"Almost." Rong Jing took the jade hairpin from her hand and carefully inserted it into her hair as he completed her hairstyle.

"Master, the Crown Prince has gotten out of his carriage and is coming this way!" At this moment, Xian Ge alerted them from outside. Hearing the conversation inside the carriage, his normally impassive face couldn't help but twitch. He couldn't understand it; what made this Miss Qianyue special enough for the Shizi to personally style her hair? For years, the Shizi had kept a strict distance from everyone, not even letting the Old Prince get within three steps, let alone any women. And this woman, who had none of the grace or conduct expected of her gender, made it all the more incomprehensible.

"Got it," Rong Jing replied calmly.

Yun Qianyue frowned. This man was truly exasperating, yet he kept appearing before her.

"Why hasn't Shizi Rong gotten out of the carriage? Is Miss Yue awake yet?" Ye Tianqing approached, reaching out to lift the curtain.

Xian Ge immediately moved to stop him, his expression impassive. "Please wait a moment, Your Highness. The Shizi had just fallen asleep, and I had only just woken him up. He is currently arranging his attire."

"Oh?" Ye Tianqing raised a brow, his phoenix-like eyes suspicious, but he didn't withdraw his hand. "The Shizi actually fell asleep? Impossible. The mountain path is so bumpy—how could he possibly sleep?"

"Your Highness knows that my master has always had a frail constitution. Naturally, he's susceptible to the jostling of mountain roads. A brief rest is normal." Xian Ge stood his ground. Though Miss Qianyue had no formal betrothal to the Crown Prince, the Yun Prince's residence had an existing marriage pact with the royal family. As the only legitimate daughter of the Yun Prince's residence, she had borne the duty of entering the palace since birth. Without the Emperor's explicit disapproval, she remained the foremost candidate. How could the Crown Prince be allowed to see the Shizi styling Miss Qianyue's hair?

"I'm a man, and the Shizi isn't a woman. What does it matter if he's a little disheveled? Or is he afraid of me seeing him like this?" Ye Tianqing failed to lift the curtain, and as he tried again, he felt resistance despite applying his inner strength. His expression darkened. He knew this guard by Rong Jing's side had exceptional martial skills but hadn't expected them to be this formidable.

"My master isn't worried, but Miss Qianyue is a lady," Xian Ge reminded Ye Tianqing.

"She will enter this prince's Eastern Palace in the future. Why would she fear me seeing her? Is she also improperly dressed in front of your Shizi? Step aside!" Ye Tianqing's gaze fixed on the tightly closed curtain. He was determined to see what Yun Qianyue and Rong Jing were doing—alone together in a carriage. Did she not care about her reputation? Even Qing Wan, who had deep affection for Yun Muhan, had sat in a separate carriage. Even if she didn't care, how could Rong Jing ignore propriety, and how could the Old Yun Prince overlook it? Did they forget she was to enter the palace someday? Anger bubbled within him.

Xian Ge remained silent, yet he did not yield, firmly blocking Ye Tianqing from lifting the curtain.

Ye Tianqing glared at Xian Ge. "You may be the Shizi's personal guard, but that does not give you the authority to obstruct me!"

"Xian Ge, step aside," Rong Jing's gentle voice sounded from inside the carriage.

Upon hearing Rong Jing's command, Xian Ge slowly retracted his hand and stood aside.

Ye Tianqing quickly reached to lift the curtain, but before he could, a delicate hand reached out and drew it aside from the inside. Yun Qianyue's exquisite face appeared before him, her hair still styled elegantly. Although this hairstyle was not as intricate as the Peacock Heart Knot that Cailian had done earlier, she was still stunning, albeit with a subtle loss of the breathtaking brilliance.

Ye Tianqing seemed momentarily entranced, staring at Yun Qianyue.

Her bright eyes and elegant features held an unearthly beauty. Clad in purple silk, she appeared noble and refined, yet her slender frame, pale neck, and snow-like wrists lent her a gentleness that flowed like water. It was as if waves from a vast ocean were crashing against his heart, momentarily taking his breath away.

Yun Qianyue looked at Ye Tianqing with a cold, indifferent expression. "Your Highness seems to have misspoken. It is the daughters of the Yun Prince's residence who enter the palace, not your Eastern Palace. If I'm not mistaken, you are not yet the Emperor, correct?"

Ye Tianqing snapped out of his daze, his hand freezing mid-air. Staring at Yun Qianyue, his gaze turned unfamiliar as if seeing her for the first time. As her words sank in, his expression stiffened.

"Moreover, the Yun Prince's residence has more than just one daughter. I once swore never to enter the palace, and that remains true." Yun Qianyue noted his stiff expression and continued, "One more thing, Your Highness. I have only one brother, Yun Muhan. I don't recall ever acknowledging you as a brother. We are merely acquaintances. I certainly cannot afford such a high-ranking brother. I suggest Your Highness watch your words."