The Dandy's Duchess

Chapter 125: Stirring Up Trouble (1)

"Greetings to His Highness, the Crown Prince," Yun Qing respectfully greeted Ye Tianqing upon his appearance.

Yun Qianyue, however, acted as if she hadn't noticed and didn't turn her head.

"Miss Qin, no need for formalities," Ye Tianqing gestured slightly and looked at Yun Qianyue with a friendly smile, his tone gentler than usual. "Sister Lan, are you here to pray for blessings too? I thought this wasn't really your type of activity."

"Aren't you here as well, Your Highness? Does the Crown Prince actually believe in such things?" Yun Qianyue replied coldly.

Ye Tianqing remained unbothered by her chilly demeanor. Smiling, he explained, "We're heading back to the capital tomorrow, so I came to pray for my mother. By the way, I heard you drank quite a bit yesterday. You don't look worse for wear today, which is good. Alcohol, especially strong liquor, can be harmful; best to avoid it in the future."

"Oh, what a dutiful son," Yun Qianyue remarked, recalling the events at the palace when the Empress and Ye Tianqing had conspired to have her thrown into prison. Her "kind" aunt! She wondered if this Empress could truly be her aunt—what a mockery of the term!

"My mother really does care for you, Sister Lan. That day in the palace, neither she nor I wanted to take such drastic measures. Even if you had been sent to prison, it was only a formality, and I would have come to get you out soon after," Ye Tianqing continued, facing her with an unwaveringly tender expression. "We've known each other since we were young; I'd even say we're childhood friends. How could I ever hurt you? Sister Lan, you have to understand that it's difficult for me, being in this position. Since then, I've regretted not explaining the truth to you earlier—that it was all an act. I never imagined you would feel so betrayed. Please, can we put this behind us?"

Yun Qianyue gazed up at the sky as though she hadn't heard his words.

She could vividly recall that day in the palace. The Empress's hidden guards had nearly turned the imperial gardens into a bloodbath between him and Ye Qingran. Yet here he was, brushing it off as a mere act. If she were the old Yun Qianyue, foolishly enamored with him, perhaps she would have fallen for his lies. But she was no longer the same Yun Qianyue, so why should she be deceived again?

"Sister Lan, I know you're hurt. Would hitting me a few times help you let it go?" Ye Tianqing reached out to take her hand gently.

Yun Qianyue evaded his grasp, taking a step back. "Just stay away from me, and that'll be enough."

Ye Tianqing's expression stiffened, and he looked at her. "Are you truly so heartless toward me?"

"I'm glad you understand. I assure you, it's not an act." Yun Qianyue had no patience to waste words with him. She turned to the distant Cai Lian, Ting Xue, and Ting Yu and asked, "Are you done praying?"

The three maids shook their heads. They hadn't even begun, as they had been interrupted by Miss Qin's arrival, followed quickly by the Crown Prince. How could they have had a chance to pray?

Yun Qianyue wanted to leave immediately, but seeing her three maids' hopeful expressions, she couldn't bring herself to disappoint them. Waving her hand, she said, "Alright, go ahead and pray. Then we can go back to sleep!"

"Yes, Miss!" Cai Lian, Ting Xue, and Ting Yu exchanged a wary glance with Ye Tianqing before bowing their heads and clasping their hands in prayer.

Ye Tianqing kept his gaze on Yun Qianyue, his deep eyes shifting with a subtle, complex light. After a moment, he chuckled and said, "I came to pray for my mother, and I assume you're all here with something on your minds as well. Since we're all here, why don't we pray together? Sincerity brings blessings."

"His Highness is right. Sister Lan, let's pray together," Yun Qing reached out to pull Yun Qianyue's sleeve.

Yun Qianyue waved her hand. "You go ahead and pray. I have nothing I particularly wish for; I'm fine just watching."

"Oh, that won't do! Sister, you should make a wish with me. The Festival of Blessings only comes once every three years, and if you miss it today, you'll have to wait three more years. Since you're here, you shouldn't let the opportunity slip by," Yun Qing softly encouraged her.

"Yes, Sister Lan, join us," Ye Tianqing urged.

"Miss, please join us!" Cai Lian, Ting Xue, and Ting Yu pleaded in unison.

"Miss Yun, you should join in too! Everyone's waiting on you," Yun Qing's two maids quickly added.

Feeling stifled, Yun Qianyue finally gave in with a wave of her hand. "Fine, fine, I'll join!"

"That's more like it," Ye Tianqing said, turning toward the tree with his hands pressed together in prayer.

With a smile, Yun Qing also clasped her hands together and faced the prayer tree.

Yun Qianyue, out of options, reluctantly joined them, pressing her palms together. She thought, What should I wish for? In her past life, she had worked tirelessly; in this life, her goal was to live in peace and leisure. She hoped the heavens would grant her such a wish since this was her first time dabbling in superstitions. Even if her wish wasn't entirely fulfilled, she prayed that she would at least have a lifetime of food, drink, and comfort.

After making her wish, she thought of her current grandfather and wished him long life and good health, hoping he would protect her as best as he could. Then she thought of Rongjing, that rich brat, and wished he would continue to have an abundance of wealth and good things so she could enjoy them with him.

Having finished her three wishes, Yun Qianyue lowered her hands and looked around. Yun Qing was still praying, her eyes closed and lips moving softly. Cai Lian, Ting Xue, Ting Yu, and Yun Qing's maids also whispered fervent prayers. Ye Tianqing had finished at the same time as Yun Qianyue and was now watching her. His gaze, unlike the deep intensity of recent days, was now as gentle as water.

Yun Qianyue quickly averted her gaze, looking away from Ye Tianqing.

"Sister Lan, after making a wish, you need to tie your ribbon to the tree for it to come true," Ye Tianqing reminded her, glancing at the ribbon in her hand. "Would you like me to help you tie it up?"

"No need!" Yun Qianyue replied, glancing at the red ribbon in Ye Tianqing's hand.

"Then I'll go ahead," Ye Tianqing said as he leaped gracefully onto a branch, tying his red ribbon to the tree before landing back on the ground with elegance.

After seeing the skills of both Ye Qingran and Rongjing, Yun Qianyue found Ye Tianqing's lightfoot skills a little lackluster.

"Your turn, Sister Lan! Go ahead," Ye Tianqing urged.

Without a word, Yun Qianyue tapped her foot lightly and felt herself drift gracefully onto the branch like a feather.

"Impressive! It seems your lightfoot skills have truly improved, Sister Lan," Ye Tianqing praised, a flicker of something unidentifiable flashing in his eyes. Though it was nighttime, the brief look was hardly noticeable.