The Dandy's Duchess

Chapter 170: A Stick to Drive Them Out (2)

In the study of the Yun Prince.

The third and fifth concubines had learned that the prince had returned to the residence and hurried over to the study, driven by their interest in the power to manage the household. This time, the two had come to a private agreement; they would no longer compete against each other. Even if they had to share the management, they wanted to have the keys in their hands. If that yellow-haired girl, Yun Qianyue, were to take over, how could they expect to have a good life? They had worked hard to bring down Concubine Feng, and now they certainly couldn't let Yun Qianyue benefit from it.

Despite their soft persuasion and indirect hints about Yun Qianyue being incapable of managing the household, the Yun Prince did not yield an inch, stating firmly that Qianyue was the legitimate daughter of the Yun Prince's residence, and it was only natural for her to manage the household. In an instant, both women felt that their hopes were dashed.

At that moment, Yun Xianghe and her maid arrived, and before they even stepped inside, the sounds of crying could be heard.

The Yun Prince, already annoyed by the two concubines' pestering, shouted towards the door, "Xianghe, didn't you go to your sister's place? Why are you here crying?"

Yun Xianghe walked in, crying pitifully, and said, "Father, I will never go to Qianyue's courtyard again. If I go again, I'm afraid I won't come back alive!"

"What happened? Weren't you just fine?" The Yun Prince frowned as he looked at Yun Xianghe.

"I just went over there. Before I even entered the house, she kicked me out!" As she spoke, Yun Xianghe wiped her eyes with a handkerchief, crying heartbrokenly and revealing her arms, which indeed bore bruises from being hit.

"Did she really hit you?" the Yun Prince asked.

"Father, do you think I would lie to you?" Yun Xianghe lowered her head, tears streaming down her face.

"Qianyue has gone too far!" The Yun Prince expressed his discontent.

"Your Highness, I said it before; how can Qianyue manage the household? A household manager must be clear about rewards and punishments. With Qianyue acting like this, coming back just to hit the eldest daughter, how will things be fair in the future?" The third concubine seized the opportunity and immediately advised the prince.

"Indeed, Your Highness, think about it. Qianyue's temperament has always been willful and unruly. She has not changed in all these years; now she is even more unrestrained. I heard she almost set fire to the mountain temple at Xiangquan Mountain just a day after arriving, and then she got so drunk that she spent a night in a stupor. It was probably because of her mischief that she ended up locked in the underground Buddha hall for three days and nights. Now she has returned just to hit the eldest daughter! This is outrageous! Old Lord dotes on her too much; you cannot indulge her any longer!" The fifth concubine quickly chimed in.

"Exactly, Your Highness! If this continues, you will be harming her. Which daughter behaves like her? She is the most spoiled and unruly girl in the capital!" The third concubine added.

"All the noble daughters in the capital adhere to the rules. Only our Qianyue is so undisciplined," the fifth concubine echoed.

Yun Xianghe remained silent, listening to the two concubines ingratiate themselves with the Yun Prince. As long as they could take care of Yun Qianyue, she wouldn't mind their help in getting back at her mother.

"You all don't need to say anything. I and the old prince will make our own judgments!" The Yun Prince remained silent for a moment before waving his hand at the three. "You all can leave! Xianghe, take care of your injuries in your courtyard. Since your sister doesn't want to see you, you should avoid her in the future. Don't worry; Qianyue is actually quite generous; she just has a bit of temper and is willful. Even if she manages the household, she won't cut your share of the resources."

"Your Highness?" The third and fifth concubines were taken aback, not expecting their arguments to have no effect on the prince.

"Father?" Yun Xianghe stared, wide-eyed, unable to believe that despite her being bullied by Yun Qianyue, her father showed no concern whatsoever. He didn't even hint at punishing Qianyue.

"Everyone leave! Lv Zhi, prepare the writing tools," the Yun Prince said with a stern face.

"Ladies and the eldest daughter, please take your leave! His Highness is going to handle official business now," a woman in green, about thirty years old and carrying an air of scholarly grace, addressed the three with indifference.

Seeing that the prince had made up his mind, the third and fifth concubines had no choice but to leave. Yun Xianghe bit her lip tightly, looking at the prince, who no longer paid her any attention. She suddenly turned around and exited the study.

"What a bunch of troublemakers! The prince is right; I've been muddled for half my life." The Yun Prince sighed, feeling a sense of melancholy and loneliness.

"Even if you've muddled through the first half of your life, there's still the second half, right? Your Highness, don't worry," Lv Zhi smiled gently.

"Ever since Han'er and Qianyue's mother passed away, I have lost interest in everything, spending years in a daze. Luckily, you have kept me company. But I feel I have delayed you by not marrying you off," the Yun Prince looked at Lv Zhi and said slowly.

"With my appearance, being someone's shadow can be considered a blessing," Lv Zhi shook her head and replied lightly. "Your Highness, start handling your business! You have accumulated a lot of work since you visited Lingtai Temple these past two days; today you will probably be busy until late at night."

"Mm!" The Yun Prince nodded.

The study fell silent as the Yun Prince dealt with his affairs while Lv Zhi prepared the writing materials. It was peaceful.

After the third and fifth concubines left the Yun Prince's study, they conspired and walked towards Qianyue's Shallow Moon Pavilion. They had whispered in the prince's ear countless times, yet he remained unmoved. It seemed he was determined to let Yun Qianyue manage the household. Now that Qianyue had returned from the troubles at Lingtai Temple, they had to pay a visit. After all, they were counting on her for future favors in the prince's residence.

Upon arriving at Shallow Moon Pavilion, they found the chief steward, Yun Meng, directing people to move items inside. Boxes and brocade cases of various sizes were being moved in, totaling around dozens of pieces. The two exchanged glances and hurried over to Yun Meng. The third concubine smiled and asked, "Chief Steward, what are you moving in here?"

"Old servant is here to pay respects to the two ladies!" Yun Meng cupped his hands and said. "These are the supplements sent by various residences for Miss Qianyue; old servant is delivering them to her."

"So many?" The third concubine was surprised.

"Is this a lot? This is just a small portion; a large part has already been moved into the residence's storeroom. Moreover, the emperor and empress have each sent quite a few supplements as well, and they are still on their way. I will go receive them shortly," Yun Meng explained.