"Just one cup! Her tolerance is terribly low; even a single cup makes her this drunk," Rongjing replied.
"Absolutely disgraceful! I'll take her back," Yun Muhan said, stepping forward and lifting Yun Qianyue's limp body. She lay nestled in his arms, unconscious as soft as mud. Half of her face, flushed like a red cloud, peeked out dreamily as if dipped in rouge. Ignoring this, Yun Muhan covered her face with his wide sleeve, then turned to Rongjing. "I'll leave the protection of Princess Qingwan and the three young ladies to you, Young Lord Rongjing."
"Certainly!" Rongjing nodded.
Without another word, Yun Muhan lightly tapped his toes on the ground and, carrying Yun Qianyue, flew down the mountain. His lightness skill was graceful, like the wind and clouds, and in an instant, he had disappeared.
"...Muhan..." Princess Qingwan's faint call was lost in the breeze.
"Impressive martial skills from Yun Shizi!" the Crown Prince of Nanliang, Nanling Rui, praised with admiration.
Qin Yuning, Rong Linglan, and Leng Shuli looked slightly stunned. They hadn't expected Yun Muhan to leave so suddenly. The three glanced over at Princess Qingwan, only to see her watching Yun Muhan's departing figure with evident displeasure.
Recovering, Qin Yuning glanced at Rongjing, noting that his white robe had not a single crease, which calmed her subtly. She was slightly embarrassed by her previous overthinking, reassured that Young Lord Rongjing was no man of ill repute. His unique treatment of Yun Qianyue likely had other reasons, not necessarily love or affection. Feeling at ease, she regained her composure.
Meanwhile, Rong Linglan and Leng Shuli found their eyes drawn to Nanling Rui. They couldn't look away from his refined fan-twirling, his strikingly handsome figure, and his suave air. Never before had they known that the Crown Prince of Nanliang could possess such unmatched charm—so distinct from the dignified depth of Ye Tianqing.
"Young Lord Rongjing, why not introduce these young ladies by name?" Nanling Rui casually placed one foot on the stone table, resting his head on one hand, while lazily fanning himself—a display of elegance in every movement.
"Their names aren't appropriate to share in public, but I can briefly introduce their backgrounds." Rongjing gave the four young women a calm look, introducing them one by one: "This is Princess Qingwan, this is Miss Qin of the Prime Minister's Manor, this is the Little County Princess of Prince Xiaoqin's residence, and lastly, my cousin from my uncle's family." With that, he introduced them to Nanling Rui, saying, "This is the Crown Prince of Nanliang."
"A fortunate meeting indeed! Today, not only did I encounter Young Lord Rongjing and Yun Shizi along with Miss Yun, but I also have the honor to meet His Majesty's most cherished princess, Miss Qin, the famed number one beauty and talent in the Heavenly Saint Dynasty, and two other ladies of surpassing beauty from the noblest of families. Nanling Rui is indeed lucky!" Nanling Rui's gaze scanned over each young woman, his laughter warm and lively.
Rong Linglan and Leng Shuli promptly lowered their gazes, faces turning pink, and both curtsied shyly. "Greetings to the Crown Prince of Nanliang!"
"Two such radiant ladies need not perform such formalities!" Nanling Rui chuckled, not moving an inch.
"Greetings to the Crown Prince of Nanliang." Qin Yuning offered a perfect curtsy, her composure unwavering.
"Miss Qin lives up to her renown!" Nanling Rui held her gaze with a knowing smile.
"My father said the Crown Prince of Nanliang might come to Lingtai Temple, and indeed, here you are! Greetings from Qingwan," Princess Qingwan spoke, gracefully offering a half-bow.
"The Heavenly Saint Emperor has many princesses, yet I've heard he favors Princess Qingwan alone. Seeing her today, it's easy to understand why." Nanling Rui closed his fan, setting his foot down as he returned Qingwan's half-bow.
"Tomorrow is the last day of the Blessing Festival. Does the Crown Prince plan to linger in the Heavenly Saint Dynasty for a few more days, or will you be returning immediately?" Princess Qingwan inquired.
"I had the honor of being invited to visit by the Heavenly Saint Emperor; naturally, I would not leave without first paying my respects. I will indeed remain a few days longer," Nanling Rui replied.
Princess Qingwan nodded, saying nothing further.
"Since the Crown Prince will remain in the Heavenly Saint Dynasty for a while, there's no need to rush our conversation. The day is growing late; let's head down the mountain," Rongjing suggested.
"Quite so! They say it's easy to climb up but hard to descend. Princess and young ladies, do watch your steps; the path can be slippery!" Nanling Rui stood and gracefully gestured for Rongjing to lead, saying, "Please, Young Lord Rongjing!"
"After you, Crown Prince," Rongjing replied, lightly flicking his sleeve.
Together, the two men began their descent down the mountain.
Princess Qingwan, Qin Yuning, Rong Linglan, and Leng Shuli shared a look before following suit. However, accustomed to a life of ease, they rarely walked such distances. Soon, murmurs of discomfort and faint expressions of pain could be heard as they struggled.
Unperturbed, Rongjing continued walking.
Nanling Rui looked back and, noticing the women's discomfort, glanced down at their feet. Smiling, he asked, "Are your feet sore? If so, my four attendants are here and would be honored to assist. What do you say?"
"No need! I can walk!" Princess Qingwan refused first.
Qin Yuning cast a subtle look at Rongjing, who continued walking ahead, seemingly oblivious. Determined, she clenched her teeth. "Thank you for the offer, Crown Prince, but I can manage."
Rong Linglan and Leng Shuli initially looked pleased at the offer, but seeing Princess Qingwan and Qin Yuning's refusals reminded them that, as unmarried noblewomen, accepting help from male attendants would be improper. With newfound resolve, they said in sweet voices, "Thank you, Crown Prince, but we can walk ourselves!"
"Then I've overstepped," Nanling Rui replied, turning back to resume the descent.
The group continued in silence, the only sounds being footsteps, some light, some labored.
Half an hour later, they finally reached the foot of the southern mountain.
Princess Qingwan, Qin Yuning, Rong Linglan, and Leng Shuli were visibly exhausted, with pale faces. No longer concerned with propriety, they each sat down on a stone, their hair slightly disheveled, pins askew, and fine beads of sweat on their foreheads—a rather worn-out scene.
"It seems the four young ladies are too tired to go on. What's to be done?" Nanling Rui admired their delicate, exhausted figures and asked Rongjing with a grin.
"Xian Ge, call their personal maids to escort them back," Rongjing instructed calmly.
"Understood!" Xian Ge responded from a concealed position.
"Young Lord Rongjing, even your bodyguard displays such exceptional martial skill. Few in the world could match him. I am impressed!" Nanling Rui cast a quick look in the direction of Xian Ge's voice.
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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...
