The Dandy's Duchess

Chapter 116: Painting Skills, Lifelike Brushwork (6)

Rongjing didn't even lift his eyelids, appearing as though he hadn't heard a thing.

"Hey, since you were here in the room, why didn't you get me some water?" Yun Qianyue stomped over, demanding with irritation.

"You got up and drank yourself, didn't you?" Rongjing finally glanced up at her.

"I was calling for a long time—didn't you hear me?" Yun Qianyue stared at him. Though the wine was potent, she had been trained enough to retain a sliver of consciousness. She had sensed someone in the room, but despite her calling, no one had brought her water. Now, realizing it was this black-hearted one, it all made sense.

"I heard you." Rongjing nodded.

"And you still didn't bring me water?" Yun Qianyue grew even angrier.

"I didn't want to." Rongjing's voice was calm as he uttered three simple words.

"You..." Yun Qianyue's anger boiled over. She glared at the man reclining on the chaise, feeling a strong urge to punch his handsome face. But with her throbbing headache, she decided it wasn't worth the hassle. Frustrated, she huffed, "What are you even doing in my room?"

"Nothing." Rongjing replied nonchalantly.

"Get out! I'm going back to sleep. Don't you know that a man isn't allowed to intrude in a lady's private chambers? Have all those gentlemanly manners you learned gone to the dogs?" Without waiting for a response, she stomped back to bed and flopped down, adding as she was dozing off, "And close the door on your way out..."

Before she finished speaking, she was already back asleep.

Rongjing remained seated, glancing briefly at the blanket lying on the floor, but made no move to cover her with it. Closing his eyes, he resumed his rest.

The room fell silent, the smell of alcohol mingling with the faint scent of burned paper and ink.

As dusk fell, Rongjing opened his eyes and, with a gentle flick of his hand, the blanket on the floor floated toward him. Reclining fully onto the chaise, he pulled the blanket over himself and closed his eyes once more.

Before long, Cailian's voice sounded softly from outside. "Young Master Rongjing, has Miss awakened yet?"

"No." Rongjing answered.

"Dinner is ready. Shall I bring a tray inside for you?" Cailian asked.

"No need; I won't be eating tonight. You all can eat and then rest. I'll keep watch over her tonight," Rongjing instructed, his tone mild yet firm.

"But..." Cailian hesitated. "That would be quite inconvenient, especially since there's only one bed..."

"It's fine. I'll be on the chaise. Off you go." Rongjing's voice remained soft but decisive.

Cailian stopped, her hand halfway to the door. She wanted to peek in, but without his invitation, she didn't dare enter. After a moment, hearing no further movement inside, she weighed her options. This was, after all, Young Master Rongjing—the man countless young women would love to catch even a fleeting glance from. For Miss to have his care and attention was a fortune in itself. Sighing, she relaxed and whispered, "If you get hungry, Young Master Rongjing, please call us. If Miss wakes up and is hungry, please do as well."

"Alright," Rongjing replied.

Cailian withdrew, instructing Tingsue and Tingyu to keep silent about Young Master Rongjing staying the night in Miss's room. Both maids nodded fervently. In their opinion, Young Master Rongjing was leagues better than the Crown Prince or any other suitor. It was a universally acknowledged fact.

In the middle of the night, Yun Qianyue stirred awake, chilled. She reached out but failed to find anything to cover herself with. Frowning, she didn't have the energy to get up and simply drifted back to sleep.

An hour later, the cold roused her again. She searched the bed for warmth, then extended her hands downwards, but still found nothing. She wanted to call someone, but glancing around the pitch-black room, she realized Cailian and the others must have gone to sleep. She tugged down the bed drapes and wrapped them around herself, then fell back asleep.

Rongjing opened his eyes, glanced at her bundled-up form on the bed, pulled his own blanket more snugly around himself, and closed his eyes once more.

As dawn broke, Rongjing rose, folding his blanket. He glanced at the bed, where Yun Qianyue was curled up, cocooned in bed drapes. He gave a faint smile, cast a glance at the now-empty chaise, and left the room.

"Good morning, Young Master Rongjing!" Cailian, Tingsue, and Tingyu had already risen and, seeing him step out, quickly bowed. They had barely slept, listening closely all night for any sounds from the main room, though it had remained completely quiet.

"Good morning." Rongjing nodded.

"Is Miss awake?" Cailian noticed the faint creases in his elegant robes, wondering if it had been uncomfortable for him to sleep in his clothes on the chaise all night.

"She's still asleep; let her rest." Rongjing smoothed out the slight wrinkles on his robe and walked toward the western side of the courtyard.

"Yes!" Cailian nodded, thinking that this wine was certainly potent. It would be better to keep Miss away from it in the future.

"Young Master Rongjing is so considerate of Miss. He truly went out of his way for her!" Tingsue observed softly as Rongjing's figure disappeared into the western courtyard.

"Indeed, he seems very concerned about her!" Tingyu added.

"Exactly! But our Miss still seems not to care for him... maybe after a night of his attentiveness, she'll start to see him differently," Cailian chimed in.

"If only Miss could marry Young Master Rongjing," Tingsue sighed.

"Oh yes, it would be wonderful if she could marry him!" Tingyu echoed excitedly.

"Hush, don't say such things out loud. Remember, Miss's position is unique. The daughter of Yun Prince's residence has always been destined for the palace, and Young Master Rongjing, as the Heir of the Rong residence, can only marry under the emperor's decree. Though I agree he's exceptional, we shouldn't bring this up again. If the wrong person hears, it could lead to big trouble," Cailian warned in a lowered voice.

"You're right!" Tingsue and Tingyu turned pale and quickly fell silent.

Cailian sighed, remaining silent as well. Now that Rongjing had come of age and Miss was soon to reach hers, she couldn't help but wonder about the future. The Crown Prince had already taken a side consort, and word had it the emperor's health was worsening. She wished for Miss to marry someone of her choosing, though she doubted the Yun Prince's daughter would have that freedom. At least, she thought with a pang, hopefully, Miss's future would align with her own heart's desire.