The Dandy's Duchess

Chapter 114: Painting Skills, Lifelike Brushwork (4)

After finishing his words, Rongjing turned and continued to walk away from the bed. This time, he successfully reached the soft couch and sat down. Yun Qianyue, as expected, remained perfectly still. Rongjing watched her; her sleeping face looked somewhat aggrieved, with her lips slightly pouted, appearing especially endearing. The corners of his mouth lifted in a subtle smile as he leaned back on the cushions and closed his eyes.

The room remained silent, filled with a light fragrance of wine.

Some time passed before Xian Ge's voice came from outside, tinged with amusement. "My lord, Master Lingyin took your advice and gave that entire jar of orchid wine to Crown Prince Rui. He's utterly drunk, and his attendants had to carry him away. I'd wager it'll take him at least ten days to recover."

"Hmm," Rongjing responded with a faint nod.

"Also, the Fourth Prince is on his way here. It seems he's come to visit Miss Qianyue," Xian Ge added.

"Leave him be," Rongjing instructed.

"Yes, my lord," Xian Ge complied, saying no more before withdrawing.

Sure enough, after a short while, the sound of footsteps was heard, and the Fourth Prince entered the courtyard.

Cailian, Ting Xue, and Ting Yu had been conversing when they heard his approach. Seeing the Fourth Prince arrive, Cailian felt a twinge of fear but promptly stepped forward to block his path, bowing respectfully. "This servant greets His Highness, the Fourth Prince."

"Mm, is your lady back? Has she returned?" the Fourth Prince asked.

"My lady has indeed returned, but after drinking wine with the young lord, she's now completely intoxicated and sound asleep," Cailian replied, keeping a cautious distance, still harboring fear from the last time he threatened her at the palace. "If there is something Your Highness needs to convey, I'd be happy to pass along the message once my lady awakens."

"She's asleep after getting drunk?" Ye Tianyu was surprised.

"Yes," Cailian nodded.

"How did that happen? Didn't she and the young lord go to Mount Nan to see the magnolia blossoms? How did drinking come into it?" Ye Tianyu pressed.

"I'm not quite sure either, but it's said to be a very potent wine. My lady only had a single cup before she was completely incapacitated. Just now, my young lord gave her a tonic to help her sleep it off. She likely won't wake until tomorrow," Cailian replied, not mentioning Rongjing's presence in the room.

"Only a single cup? Then she really can't hold her liquor. I just wanted to have a conversation with her, but this is the second time I've come only to be turned away. Very well, I'll come back tomorrow," Ye Tianyu said, glancing toward the closed curtains. With the strong scent of alcohol in the air, he believed her story and, muttering to himself about the difficulty of seeing her, turned to leave.

Cailian let out a sigh of relief as she watched Ye Tianyu depart and returned to her place.

Shortly after Ye Tianyu left, Crown Prince Ye Tianqing arrived, making his way slowly toward the courtyard.

Cailian wondered if today was a special day, as significant visitors kept arriving one after another. She greeted the Crown Prince with a polite bow, though without the fear she had shown Ye Tianyu. However, due to his former disregard for her mistress, her attitude was less than deferential. "This servant greets His Highness, the Crown Prince."

"Mm." Ye Tianqing nodded, glancing toward the tightly closed doors of the main house. "Is your lady not back yet?"

"My lady returned from Mount Nan," Cailian replied.

"Inform her that I wish to speak with her," Ye Tianqing instructed.

Cailian found it strange. This was the first time in the past six months of serving her lady that the Crown Prince had taken the initiative to seek her out. But with her mistress in a deep, drunken slumber—and Rongjing present in the room—there was no way she could wake her. Moreover, Cailian knew her lady's heart toward the Crown Prince had cooled, especially after the incident with Miss Yuning. Even if her lady were awake, she might refuse to see him. Nodding, Cailian said, "Your Highness, my lady returned from Mount Nan thoroughly intoxicated and is still deeply asleep. I'm afraid it would be impossible for her to receive anyone now. Perhaps Your Highness could return tomorrow?"

"She's in a drunken stupor?" Ye Tianqing finally noticed the thick aroma of wine in the courtyard.

"Yes," Cailian confirmed with a nod.

"Did the young lord give her the wine? What kind was it? How much did she drink?" Ye Tianqing asked.

"All I know is that it was a specially made orchid wine, supposedly very strong. My lady had only a single cup before succumbing to it," Cailian answered dutifully.

"I'll go in to see her." Ye Tianqing nodded, moving past Cailian and heading toward the inner rooms.

Alarmed, Cailian quickly stepped in front of him and said, "Please, Your Highness, hold on. It's only a case of intoxication; she's in no real danger. Besides, my young lord gave her a tonic in the wine to help her sleep. She'll wake by tomorrow. Entering her private quarters would be quite improper."

Ye Tianqing paused, his brow furrowing. "What kind of remedy did Yun give her?"

"That... this servant is unsure of. However, I can assure Your Highness that the tonic was of the highest quality. There's no need to worry," Cailian replied respectfully.

"The smell of wine is quite overpowering here. I'm concerned. Step aside; I'm her cousin, after all. Where's the harm in checking in on her?" Ye Tianqing gestured dismissively as Cailian still attempted to stop him. He frowned and commanded, "Move aside!"

Cailian shuddered and backed away reluctantly. "...Very well."

Just as Ye Tianqing was about to enter, a cool voice intervened. "Please, Crown Prince, halt."

Before Ye Tianqing could take another step, Mo Li appeared, blocking his path. Dressed in black with a stoic expression, his presence seemed to dim even the sunlight, bringing a chill to the air.

"And who might you be?" This was Ye Tianqing's first encounter with Mo Li. Though he had noticed hidden guards stationed around the courtyard, he hadn't detected Mo Li's presence—a sign of Mo Li's considerable skill, likely above his own.

"I am the lady's personal guard," Mo Li replied without a bow, his voice calm and unwavering.

"You're Yun Qianyue's guard?" Ye Tianqing looked surprised, scrutinizing Mo Li. "Why have I never seen you before?"

"My lady hasn't had need of me until recently," Mo Li responded evenly.

"I only wish to see her for a moment. I mean her no harm. Move aside," Ye Tianqing said, nodding slightly. Although the Crown Prince wasn't privy to every intricacy of the martial world, he was aware enough to recognize the distinctive aura associated with the mysterious Mo clan.