The Dandy's Duchess

Chapter 119: Who Told You to Steal My Blanket (1)

"I covered you with blankets several times, but you always refused, saying you were hot, so naturally, I took them away," Rongjing said.

Yun Qianyue recalled how she had indeed felt hot at first and then unbearably cold afterward. She pouted, still feeling a bit annoyed. "Anyway, you're responsible for curing my cold!"

"Yes, I'm responsible!" Rongjing nodded. He glanced at her and noticed her little face scrunched up in discomfort. In a warm and gentle tone, he reassured her, "Don't worry. Just take the medicine I prepared, and you'll be fine in a couple of days!"

"This is what you promised! If I don't get better, I'll hold you accountable!" Yun Qianyue replied while sipping her porridge.

"I promise! If you don't get better, then come find me," Rongjing confirmed.

Yun Qianyue fell silent, continuing to sneeze while drinking her porridge.

Rongjing lowered his head to continue eating, a slight smile tugging at the corners of his mouth as he gazed at her with eyes that sparkled like clear springs.

Cailian, despite being told not to follow, was still frightened by the intensity with which Yun Qianyue had rushed out to confront someone. Fearing that her lady might get into a serious altercation with the young master, she hesitated and finally followed them into the west courtyard. Peeking through the open door, she saw her lady and the young master sitting across from each other, having breakfast. Even though there was a curtain separating them, she could sense the atmosphere was friendly. Finally, her worries eased, and she turned to leave, thinking that she had worried unnecessarily. When faced with the young master, how could her lady possibly get into a fight? The young master was gentle by nature, and no matter how angry her lady was, it would surely calm down in his presence.

After finishing three bowls of porridge, Yun Qianyue's stomach felt better, but her nose and head still bothered her. She noticed Rongjing had already put down his chopsticks, so she did the same, leaning back lazily in her chair and continued to pick a fight. "Those two portraits of Ye Qingran were drawn so beautifully. You could have sent them to that girl in the Southern Region. Even if they couldn't reach her due to the distance, you could wait for a chance to meet her and give them to her. Why did you burn them?"

"She can draw them herself!" Rongjing reminded her. "No matter how good someone else's painting is, it can't compare to your own. Do you really think she would want them?"

"That's true!" Yun Qianyue felt a bit dejected and complained, "Why does Ye Qingran have to get involved in a relationship so early? A single painting can cause so much trouble. It's really..."

"What do you mean by 'being in a relationship'?" Rongjing asked.

"It means two people are in love, promising to be together for life, but they haven't reached the stage of marriage yet. Do you understand?" Yun Qianyue explained kindly, feeling incredulous that someone so cultured like him wouldn't understand such a simple concept.

"Yes, I understand!" Rongjing nodded.

"Ugh, it's frustrating..." Yun Qianyue rested her chin on her hands, continuing to complain, "Such a good man, yet he's already taken. He's rejecting all the beautiful women in the world, how unfortunate!"

Rongjing's eyes narrowed as if a whirlpool had formed within them.

Yun Qianyue went on, "If only that portrait were shared with the world, it would definitely create a frenzy among all women. Then Ye Qingran could marry as many as he wanted, without being tied down to just one. Now, he can't even keep a single portrait. It's such a pity for those two paintings and for my feelings too..."

Rongjing's gaze darkened slightly as he warned her, "They say that the woman from the Southern Region is as beautiful as Qin Yuning, the number one beauty from there. She excels in music, chess, calligraphy, painting, poetry, and needlework. She's also skilled in martial arts, making her the ideal choice among countless women in the Southern Region. If Ye Qingran has won her heart, how could he not cherish and protect her? Even the young ladies from the Qin family cannot compare to her; how could the women from ordinary families possibly match her?"

"Ah? That girl is so amazing!" Yun Qianyue exclaimed in surprise.

"Yes!" Rongjing nodded.

"With such a woman around, it would be worth it for Ye Qingran to give up an entire forest for just one tree!" Yun Qianyue praised.

"Exactly! So you don't need to worry about Ye Qingran or dwell on him. You don't possess any talents that could attract him—no music, no painting, no poetry, no embroidery, and your martial arts skills are mediocre at best. The only reason Ye Qingran noticed you is that you both share a penchant for playfulness. Don't misunderstand the situation and end up hurting yourself," Rongjing spoke slowly.

"Yes, you're right!" Yun Qianyue wholeheartedly agreed.

As the whirlpool in Rongjing's eyes faded, he picked up his teacup and took a sip, falling into silence.

Yun Qianyue sneezed again and again, wiping her nose with a handkerchief. After using one handkerchief and finding nothing left in her pockets, she looked up at Rongjing. "Do you have a handkerchief? Can I borrow one?"

"I do!" Rongjing handed her a handkerchief he had tucked away.

Yun Qianyue accepted it and caught a whiff of a fragrance that resembled snow and lotus. Without hesitation, she pressed it to her nose, muttering, "Why does a big man smell so nice?"

"This is the scent of Tianshan Snow Lotus. I took it for my health, so naturally, I exude this fragrance. You also ate a Tianshan Snow Lotus, didn't you notice the scent on you too?" Rongjing said, unbothered that his pristine handkerchief was now being used so casually.

"I noticed! Not just me; even Ye Qingran noticed that day," Yun Qianyue replied.

Rongjing's hand paused mid-sip. "What did Ye Qingran say?"

"What else could he say? He remarked about how I smelled like you, the delicate gentleman. I had no idea you would give me such a precious Tianshan Snow Lotus," Yun Qianyue said, feeling the incessant itch in her nose.

"Well, since you know it's valuable, that's good. I never share my good things with anyone, but I'm generous towards you. So, in the future, if you come across something good, you should share it with me too. It's a matter of mutual respect and basic etiquette," Rongjing replied as he continued to sip his tea.

"Alright! Although I don't have anything good at the moment, I'll definitely think of you first when I do," Yun Qianyue nodded, agreeing. Reflecting on her time here, although this guy had caused her a lot of annoyance, he had also provided her with many benefits. Anger didn't cost anything, but the debt of gratitude for saving her in the palace and for all the food she had consumed was invaluable.

"Just remember!" Rongjing smiled contentedly at her.

"Young Master, the medicine is ready!" At that moment, Xian Ge's voice came from outside.