The Dandy's Duchess

Chapter 99: What You Want, I'll Give You (5)

"Of course I don't mind; how could I? Let's go!" Yun Qianyue smiled at Yuning, her grin brighter than before. With such a beauty around, would Rongjing have the time to monitor her? That would be just perfect for her!

"Then let's hurry and find the Young Master Rong! He's probably been waiting for you for quite a while," Yuning said, feeling relieved at Yun Qianyue's lack of concern. After all, she had seen how well Yun Qianyue got along with Ye Qingran, while her demeanor toward Rongjing was one of annoyance.

"Let's go!" Without saying much more, Yun Qianyue strode toward the west courtyard.

Watching Yun Qianyue march forward without a trace of genteel decorum, Yuning couldn't help but smile slightly. She thought about how someone like Young Master Rong would surely look down on a woman so unrefined and unworldly, who seemed only to care for enjoyment and frivolity. This reassured her and made her feel closer to Yun Qianyue. She hurriedly lifted her skirts and rushed to catch up, saying playfully, "Sister Yue, you're walking too fast!"

"Am I?" Yun Qianyue turned back to glance at Yuning, shaking her head seriously. "It's not that I'm walking too fast; it's that you're walking too slowly! Just like that weak beauty, you're always so leisurely, neither hot nor cold. It's rather exasperating to watch."

"Ah, Sister, you have a bias against Young Master Rong. He's a very good person," Yuning shook her head. Then she suddenly realized, "It's because you're comparing him to Ye Qingran, who's so open and carefree, quick to speak. That's why you find Young Master Rong lackluster. But I think Young Master Rong's steadiness surpasses that of Ye Qingran. They're simply different; you likely prefer the kind of man Ye Qingran is, which is why you can't appreciate Young Master Rong."

"So you prefer someone like Rongjing?" Yun Qianyue tilted her head, grinning.

"Ah, what are you talking about, Sister! I just think Young Master Rong is a very good person. Who in the capital doesn't speak highly of him? Please don't joke about that! I'd be so embarrassed," Yuning said, her face flushed.

"Why be shy about it? If you like him, you like him. If you don't, you don't! I like Ye Qingran and don't like Rongjing. What's the big deal?" Yun Qianyue shrugged.

"Sister, you shouldn't say such things so openly. What kind of proper girl openly declares her affection for a man? People will laugh at you!" Yuning exclaimed, still blushing but clearly excited.

"Still, it's understandable for you to not like Rongjing if you're fond of Ye Qingran. After all, he's treated you with special regard among the ladies of the capital," Yuning continued, her tone more serious.

"Yeah, Ye Qingran's great!" Yun Qianyue nodded, never hesitating to praise someone she admired.

Yuning smiled lightly, falling silent.

As they chatted, they arrived at the west courtyard. Yun Qianyue paused at the entrance and shouted, "Rongjing, let's go!"

"Sister, it's impolite to call Young Master Rong like that. We should have someone announce our presence," Yuning immediately suggested.

"Didn't you see that there's not a single person around in his courtyard? Not even an ant? Who's going to announce us?" Yun Qianyue replied, somewhat irritated with Yuning. If she knew that yesterday she had barged in and waited for Rongjing in his room, how would she react? If it weren't for Yuning being beside her, she would have rushed in and dragged him out long ago. The orchid brew she had been waiting ten years for was far too enticing.

Yuning fell silent.

After a while of waiting with no sign of anyone coming out from the house, Yuning asked Yun Qianyue, "Sister, do you think Young Master Rong isn't here at all?"

"Rongjing! Are you dead or what? If you're here, say something!" Yun Qianyue grew impatient and yelled.

"Sister, how can you yell at Young Master Rong?" Yuning exclaimed, rushing to cover Yun Qianyue's mouth.

"Uh..." Yun Qianyue had forgotten there was a lady enamored with Rongjing beside her! Chuckling, she pushed Yuning's hand away and winked at her, then turned her gaze toward the main house, saying, "Look, he's coming out!"

Yuning let go, and as she followed Yun Qianyue's line of sight, she saw Rongjing stepping out of the house. He was dressed in a finely tailored moon-white brocade robe, his figure slender and upright, moving gracefully like an elegant orchid. His noble and refined demeanor was breathtaking, as though he had stepped out of a poem.

Yun Qianyue rolled her eyes and muttered under her breath, "What a rotten peach blossom!"

Her voice was too soft; naturally, Yuning, who was transfixed by Rongjing, didn't hear. Suddenly, Rongjing paused, glancing at Yun Qianyue. He narrowed his eyes slightly, but it was only for an instant before he returned to his calm demeanor and walked toward them.

Yun Qianyue thought to herself how sharp his hearing was! But she didn't say anything wrong; he was indeed a rotten peach blossom.

"Yuning pays her respects to Young Master Rong!" Yuning snapped back to reality just as Rongjing approached, her face flushed as she bowed to him with the graceful demeanor expected of a proper young lady.

"Mm, let's go." Rongjing glanced at Yuning before stepping forward. As he walked past Yun Qianyue, he took a moment to gaze deeply at her, speaking gently, "Although it's already late May, and the peach blossoms elsewhere have all fallen, the peach trees here at Xiangquan Mountain, Lingtai Temple, are still in full bloom. Since you want to see them, we can take a look later."

Before Yun Qianyue could respond, Yuning had already straightened up and smiled sweetly, "Oh, Sister, so you actually wanted to see peach blossoms, not the magnolia! Young Master Rong, you're right; the temperature here at Xiangquan Mountain is lower due to its elevation, so while the peach blossoms have faded elsewhere, they're still blooming beautifully here! We still have time to see them!"

Yun Qianyue twitched her lips, speechless, and glanced skyward, nodding, "Okay!"

"Then let's hurry!" Yuning intimately took Yun Qianyue's hand, eagerly following Rongjing.

Yun Qianyue cast a sidelong glance at Yuning's blushing face, feeling disdain for the leisurely walking Rongjing ahead. This guy could keep pretending! Only she could see through his facade and not be deceived. How incredibly wise and strong she was! Only Ye Qingran truly understood her.