The Dandy's Duchess

Chapter 95: What You Want, I'll Give to You (1)

"The most famous thing about the southern slopes of Xiangquan Mountain isn't the magnolia tree, but the Magnolia Wine brewed from it. Ten years ago, I crossed paths with Master Lingyin, and after a game of Go, we made a jar of this wine together. We agreed to share it when fate brought us together again. Little did we know that jar would sit buried for ten years. A wine buried for a decade might not be rare, but our brewing method was unique. Together, we used our combined inner strength to distill the essence of the magnolia, along with more than a dozen rare medicinal herbs. This jar is one of a kind in history. It's priceless, something even the Emperor likely hasn't tasted. Are you sure you won't join us tomorrow?" Rongjing's voice followed Yun Qianyue's footsteps in a leisurely tone.

"I'll go! Who said I wouldn't? Just wait for me tomorrow!" Yun Qianyue shamelessly reversed her earlier decision.

"Good!" Rongjing agreed readily.

Yun Qianyue didn't look back or say anything further, stepping out of the western courtyard.

Shortly after she left, Xian Ge glided into the room and, with disapproval, said to Rongjing, "Young Master, why did you give Miss Qianyue your jade pendant? That pendant is your only token of identity. And, it's even..."

"Xian Ge!" Rongjing interrupted him mildly.

Xian Ge fell silent immediately.

Rongjing looked out the window. Yun Qianyue was already out of sight, and a sliver of moonlight streamed through, forming a circle at his feet. He stared at the light for a long time, then murmured, "It's been ten years since my father and mother passed."

"...Yes," Xian Ge responded, bowing his head.

Rongjing fell silent again, and Xian Ge didn't speak further. The room was quiet, filled with a faint, dark atmosphere.

After a while, Rongjing rubbed his brow with his middle finger, then lowered his hand, shaking his head with a soft chuckle. "It's been years since anyone dared touch my things, hasn't it? Heh..."

Xian Ge looked at him, full of unspoken words. The young master was so esteemed that many noble young ladies in the capital could only admire him from afar. No one dared come within three steps of him, much less touch his belongings. He seemed as though he lived among the clouds, untouchable. Only this Miss Qianyue had the audacity to behave so recklessly with him.

"A jade pendant is just a trinket, after all. Since she wants it, let her have it!" Rongjing glanced at his now-empty waist. That jade pendant was the only thing he wore; he was certain that if he'd had anything else on him today, she would have taken that as well. He smiled wryly and, shifting topics, asked, "Has Ye Qingran left?"

"Reporting to you, Young Master, as soon as the Little Prince received the Emperor's summons, he left immediately. Given the urgency, he didn't dare delay, as any issues at the military camp would be serious. He couldn't even bid farewell to Miss Qianyue personally and instead sent his page to inform Miss Qianyue's maid, Cailian. Miss Qianyue was in your room at the time, so Cailian received the message. By now, Miss Qianyue has likely heard."

Xian Ge then added, "Young Master, did you really take action at the military camp just to send the Little Prince away for Miss Qianyue?"

"What? You also think I arranged to have Ye Qingran sent away?" Rongjing raised an eyebrow.

"Wasn't it you?" Xian Ge was surprised.

"No," Rongjing shook his head. "I only sent a letter to Grandpa Yun. Even if he hadn't been transferred, Ye Qingran wouldn't have dared come to see her again. The matter at the military camp just happened to coincide with my letter."

"That's quite the coincidence. I'm sure Miss Qianyue thinks it was you as well." Xian Ge thought back to how the young master had him deliver the letter from Old Prince Yun to the Little Prince. Ye Qingran had been furious, calling the young master treacherous, though he could only curse—Old Prince Yun's warning left him no choice. Xian Ge found it excessive that the young master would meddle in the military camp to achieve the same outcome.

"Do you think such coincidences exist in this world?" Rongjing looked at Xian Ge.

Xian Ge was startled. Being by Rongjing's side since childhood, he immediately understood. "Then, someone else made this move to bring back the Little Prince?"

"Yes, someone else wants Ye Qingran gone even more than I do, to keep her from running wild," Rongjing replied, smiling faintly. Rising, he clasped his hands behind his back and looked out at the starry night, the full moon casting a chill over his voice. "One treated as dust suddenly becomes a bright moon—how can Ye Tianqing remain indifferent?"

"So, it was the Crown Prince's doing at the military camp!" Xian Ge finally understood. Over the past few days, he'd noticed the Crown Prince's attitude toward Miss Qianyue shift, his gaze no longer full of disgust but trailing her instead. However, Miss Qianyue seemed to feel the opposite, avoiding the Crown Prince whenever she saw him. But to Xian Ge, Miss Qianyue seemed more like dust than a bright moon—where was the radiance in her?

"Yes, she's getting more unruly. But why do you think Ye Tianqing's attitude toward her has changed so suddenly?" Rongjing asked, smiling.

"Isn't it because you and the Little Prince stood up for Miss Qianyue in the palace? Otherwise, the Crown Prince would have had her locked up in the Ministry of Justice that day," Xian Ge replied without hesitation.

"But have you considered how many women would remain unfazed when facing a hundred of Ye Tianqing's secret guards ready to strike? Or how many could stay calm when Ye Qingran unleashed his deadly snakes? How many would have the courage to volunteer for prison when conflict seemed inevitable? And who else would understand so quickly that if Ye Tianqing and Ye Qingran fought, she'd bear not only the blame for arson but for inciting royal family discord?" Rongjing's series of questions left Xian Ge speechless.

Indeed, Xian Ge had been hiding in the shadows that day and saw how Miss Qianyue remained indifferent amidst the violence, her composure unshaken. He admired her resilience, though he had always assumed it was her confidence in Old Prince Yun's favor that made her so fearless. Now, hearing Rongjing's words, he realized Miss Qianyue had been far more level-headed than he'd given her credit for.