The Dandy's Duchess

Chapter 96: What You Want, I'll Give to You (2)

"She...is quite the mystery," Rongjing concluded.

Xian Ge recalled Yun Qianyue's sarcastic expression when discussing how the monks of Lingtai Temple had taken up arms to save the founding emperor, and he suddenly found Rongjing's assessment reasonable. Yet, he couldn't overlook her unrefined, roguish behavior, utterly lacking the awareness of a lady. Curling his lip, he persisted, "Perhaps you're overestimating her, Your Grace. From what I can see, she only eats and sleeps."

Rongjing glanced at Xian Ge, his tone deepening. "Eating and sleeping well is also a skill. Xian Ge, after following me for so long, are you still this shallow? I've told you more than once to look at people's essence. You're still being far too one-sided."

Feeling a bit wronged, Xian Ge murmured in a low voice, "I have looked closely at Miss Qianyue, but from her very bones, she radiates rudeness and roguishness. And she speaks nonsense! She even asked if there were nuns living here at Lingtai Temple and whether monks and nuns could one day get married. She even predicted that one day monks and nuns could indeed marry. Now tell me—does this sound like something a proper lady would say?"

Rongjing suddenly laughed. "Did she say that?"

"She did!" Xian Ge confirmed with a nod.

"Maybe she's right! There's no certainty in this world. Just because things are the way they are today doesn't mean they won't be completely overturned in the future. For instance, Ye Tianqing never once thought he'd someday set his sights on the one who trailed behind him for years. Likewise, Yun Qianyue probably never thought that someday even a glance at Ye Tianqing would fill her with disgust. And I never imagined my first action upon leaving the estate after ten years would be to spare her from prison under Ye Tianqing's hand. Yet, that's exactly what happened." Rongjing's smile held a trace of sentiment.

"I've always wondered how you knew to save her that day in the Imperial Garden, even though I hadn't informed you about the Crown Prince's move against her," Xian Ge admitted, finally voicing the question that had puzzled him for so long.

"Oh, that day..." Rongjing's gaze softened as he reflected. "When I entered the palace, I passed the Yuanyang Pond and happened to catch an interesting sight. I watched for a bit, and then, when the Fourth Prince dragged her off to the Imperial Garden, I knew she was being used to probe Ye Tianqing. When I thought about it later, I decided to step in to spare her from any real trouble."

"So, you had already encountered Miss Qianyue before the Imperial Garden incident?" Xian Ge asked, surprised.

Rongjing nodded with a smile.

"And the Fourth Prince and Miss Qianyue didn't see you?" Xian Ge asked, realizing his mistake before correcting himself. "Or rather, if Your Grace doesn't wish to be seen, no one would notice. But what was it that you saw that made you so determined to save her? I couldn't understand it at the time. I felt it would be unwise to involve yourself with Miss Qianyue, especially when many officials are scrutinizing both the Yun Prince's residence and her every move. The Emperor has his eye on the Yun family as well; intervening might only draw more attention toward you."

"I saw her looking utterly lost, and there was a little maid constantly kowtowing beside her," Rongjing replied, his smile faint. "Whether I intervene or not, the Emperor has always kept a close watch on the Prince's residence and me. So, to act or not makes little difference. But I don't regret saving her that day."

Xian Ge fell silent, thinking how lucky Yun Qianyue was to be saved by Rongjing simply because she had looked bewildered.

Rongjing's gaze drifted back to the window as he pointed to the night sky. "Come here and look outside. What do you see?"

Xian Ge stepped closer to the window, gazing outside. "A full moon and a sky full of stars."

Rongjing nodded, his voice low. "Perhaps she is not that full moon now, but who's to say she won't be someday? Was the moon always full? First, it hides in darkness, then appears as a crescent, then a half-moon, and only then a full moon—brilliant, lighting up the night. You can't deny a dark moon isn't a moon, nor say a crescent moon isn't a moon. Why would only the full moon be considered the true moon?"

Xian Ge felt a shock, bowing respectfully. "Thank you, Your Grace, for the insight. I was too narrow-minded."

"It's good you understand now," Rongjing nodded, voice barely a murmur. "Someday..."

He left the rest unsaid, yet Xian Ge understood perfectly. His admiration for the potential he saw in Yun Qianyue ignited his own expectations. Believing in Rongjing's insight and unerring judgment, he looked forward to that day when this woman, dismissed by the world as nothing more than dust, would emerge as the full moon—radiant and awe-inspiring. Although, at the moment, he felt it was hard to imagine how this crass and unrefined young lady could reach such heights, the faint possibility excited him.

"Go to sleep. Tomorrow, we head to South Mountain," Rongjing instructed.

"Yes, Your Grace." Xian Ge withdrew.

Rongjing passed by the soft couch, noticing the book Yun Qianyue had left carelessly open. Remembering her fascinated expressions and occasional exclamations as she read, he couldn't help but smile. He walked to his bed, lay down, and waved his hand to extinguish the light.

The western courtyard lay still in the soft night breeze.

The eastern courtyard, however, bustled with excitement.

Having returned with the jade pendant, Yun Qianyue entered the eastern courtyard to be immediately greeted by Cai Lian and the others, their eyes gleaming with curiosity. Cai Lian eagerly asked, "Miss, was the hibiscus fish delicious?"

"It was delicious," Yun Qianyue replied, not slowing her stride as she entered her room.

"I knew it! If the fish made by His Grace wasn't delicious, you would've come back ages ago. You must have had quite a bit, didn't you?" Cai Lian followed Yun Qianyue inside.

"Mhm." Yun Qianyue made a noise of assent, feeling a twinge of irritation at having only eaten half the fish.

"Little Prince Ye's attendant came by earlier, Miss, with news. Apparently, something urgent happened at the military camp, and the Emperor summoned him back immediately. He left the mountain right away and asked to inform you that he won't be able to accompany you to South Mountain to see the magnolias tomorrow," Cai Lian said.