The two exchanged a glance, silently conveying a message to each other: they had to find a way to capture the Prince's heart. Otherwise, if the Prince truly developed feelings for Yun Qianyue, given his status and hers, the Emperor would certainly allow it. All the hopes they had cherished for so many years would be in vain. Determined, they closely followed Ye Tianqing.
Yun Qianyue gazed at the retreating figures of Ye Qingran and Yun Qianyue, her expression calm and introspective. After a moment, she lowered her head, a subtle smile forming at the corners of her lips, and she leisurely followed Rong Linglan and Leng Shuli.
Ye Tianyu watched the group leave, then looked down at the burning firewood and the scattered incense pouches on the ground. Suddenly, he let out a cold laugh and tossed aside the fish bone in his hand. Instead of following Ye Tianqing's orders to clean up the traces left by Yun Qianyue and Ye Qingran, he turned to head down the mountain, moving in the same direction as Yun Qianyue and Ye Qingran.
After they left, the remaining firewood continued to crackle and burn.
At this moment, Yun Qianyue and Ye Qingran had already reached the foot of the mountain. She glanced back, smirking. Earlier, she had wanted to distance herself from the annoying people and forgot about the risks of using lightness skills. Fortunately, she had overheard the Fourth Prince's words, so she immediately pretended to fall from three zhang high. She knew Ye Qingran would catch her, so she released all her true energy, ensuring it looked perfectly natural.
Ye Qingran also looked back, smiling softly as he gently tapped Yun Qianyue on the head. "Little girl, who said you're dumb? I think you're cleverer than anyone else!"
"I've always been smart! It's you who keeps saying I'm dumb," Yun Qianyue retorted, rolling her eyes at him.
"Yes, I was wrong," Ye Qingran admitted, recalling how amusing it had been just moments ago.
Earlier, he had been startled when he heard Ye Tianyu's remark, worried that the little girl's skills had been exposed. He never expected her to react so cleverly, thus turning her blunder into a big joke on him. Otherwise, with the sharpness of Ye Tianqing and Ye Tianyu, they would have surely investigated further and might have uncovered that this little girl actually possessed extraordinary martial arts but had kept it hidden. She already attracted enough attention; that would only complicate matters! Now those two probably never imagined she was just pretending, and the three foolish girls were likely laughing at her in their hearts!
Yun Qianyue smirked; this kind of pretending was child's play for her.
The two walked back to the courtyard of the rear mountain briskly.
At the entrance of the courtyard, Yun Qianyue yawned and said to Ye Qingran, "Aren't you planning to go to the Da Mo Hall? Go ahead! I'm going back to sleep."
Ye Qingran glanced toward the west wing and frowned, standing still. "How could you be staying in the same courtyard as that delicate beauty? Was it arranged by him again? I really don't understand what Old Master Yun is thinking, entrusting you to that wolf in sheep's clothing."
"Well, who knows what that old man is thinking. But it's peaceful by his side, just right for my sleep," Yun Qianyue replied nonchalantly.
"I live in the Zen courtyard on the east mountain, which is also quiet. Why don't you come stay with me?" Ye Qingran suggested.
"I'm too lazy to move," Yun Qianyue waved her hand. "Just go! I'm dead tired."
"How about I move here instead?" Ye Qingran asked, his brow twisted in a knot.
"There are only two courtyards here; where would you stay? I'm only here for a few days anyway. He can't eat me, but I might as well eat him," Yun Qianyue dismissed him lazily and stepped into the courtyard, waving goodbye to Ye Qingran. "Aren't you going yet? If you delay any longer, they'll probably disperse. Keep an eye on how Rongjing discusses the teachings. It would be best to find a way to make him retreat into monastic life. That way, you'd be a great benefactor to the entire Heavenly Saint Dynasty."
Ye Qingran's previously furrowed brow relaxed, and he eagerly agreed, "Alright, I'll find a way to make him retreat into monastic life for sure. I've wanted him to do that for a long time."
"Good! I wish you luck!" Yun Qianyue waved her hand until she grew tired, then pulled it back.
"Then sleep well! I'll come find you early tonight," Ye Qingran said.
"Don't bother; I'm going to sleep like a log. Come tomorrow," Yun Qianyue replied.
"Alright, then I'll take you out to play tomorrow. We can go see the magnolias on the south mountain," Ye Qingran said, watching as Yun Qianyue stumbled drowsily toward the room. He couldn't understand why this little girl loved to sleep so much. Now was a grand occasion for listening to the Buddha's teachings and prayers, yet to her, it seemed like nothing special. So many people were eager to hear the teachings at Ling Tai Temple, yet here she was, choosing to sleep instead. She was probably the only one like this in the entire temple today.
"Sure, sounds good. We'll go see the magnolias tomorrow," Yun Qianyue answered absentmindedly.
Seeing her agree, Ye Qingran turned and strode toward the Da Mo Hall.
As Yun Qianyue reached the door, she pushed it open. The courtyard was silent, clearly indicating that the three girls had not yet returned. She stepped inside, then suddenly called out, "Mo Li!"
"Miss!" Mo Li's voice answered as he appeared.
Yun Qianyue looked at Mo Li, thinking how diligent he was, always ready to respond! She lazily instructed, "I want to sleep. Even if the Emperor himself comes, don't let him wake me up. Unless I come out myself, otherwise, no one is allowed to disturb me."
"Yes!" Mo Li responded.
Yun Qianyue closed the door contentedly and walked a few steps to the bed, throwing herself onto it. She mumbled, "Eat, sleep, sleep, eat, eat well, play, play well, sleep again... Ah, if it weren't for Yun Muhan forcing me to learn characters and this troublesome identity, life would be perfect..."
Mo Li outside the door twitched his lips in annoyance and retreated out of sight.
Having mumbled enough, Yun Qianyue happily closed her eyes, and it didn't take long for her to fall into a deep sleep.
Not long after, the Fourth Prince strolled into the rear mountain courtyard. He first glanced at the west wing, then looked at the east wing, his deep phoenix eyes revealing an unreadable expression. After a moment, a hint of a smile appeared at the corners of his mouth as he stepped into the courtyard.
"Fourth Prince, please stop!" Mo Li stepped forward, blocking Ye Tianyu's path.
"Hmm?" Ye Tianyu was taken aback. "Who are you?"
"I am Miss Qianyue's personal guard. She has just instructed that she wants to sleep, and no one is allowed to disturb her," Mo Li said expressionlessly.
————
Hello, dear readers! If you're enjoying The Dandy's Duchess, please don't forget to like and recommend it to others! As a new author, your support is invaluable—it's the motivation that drives me to keep creating. Thank you so much!
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...
