The Dandy's Duchess

Chapter 176: Fleeing Isn't Shameful (3)

Inside Rongjing's carriage, Yun Qianyue pondered over today's incident, realizing that Leng Shaozhu would certainly not let the matter rest. She would have to be more careful whenever she went out from now on. If Rongjing hadn't appeared suddenly today, even if the hidden guards from the Yun Prince's residence had come to her and Mo Li's rescue, they both might still have been injured.

After boarding the carriage, Yun Qianyue hadn't heard a word from Rongjing. She lifted her head and asked, "How did you happen to be here?"

"Your grandfather sent word to me last night, saying that you would be heading to my residence today. When you didn't arrive, and I heard that someone had intercepted you and a fight had broken out, I came to watch the commotion. Who knew you'd be so useless and actually need my help," Rongjing said coolly.

"If my martial arts hadn't been lost, and if there hadn't been so many of them, would I have needed your help?" Yun Qianyue snorted.

"You should know better than anyone how deep the grudge between you and Leng Shaozhu runs. He's been waiting for you to step outside your residence for days. Coming out unprepared today—should I praise your courage, or scold you for your foolishness?" Rongjing shot her a sidelong glance.

Yun Qianyue grumbled inwardly. She wasn't the real Yun Qianyue; how would she know about the history between this body and Leng Shaozhu? The words caught in her throat, neither swallowable nor easy to spit out, and she fell silent.

Rongjing looked away from Yun Qianyue and called to the driver, "Change course—head to Xianpin Pavilion."

"Yes, my lord!" Xian Ge responded.

"Hey, aren't we going to your residence? Why are we going to Xianpin Pavilion?" Yun Qianyue asked.

"Your clothes are soaked in blood and filth; they reek to the point of making others nauseous. Naturally, you'll need to change. Or did you plan to enter my residence dressed like that?" Rongjing raised a brow in distaste.

Yun Qianyue lifted her arm and sniffed, finding the smell of blood unpleasant but not as bad as he claimed. She huffed, "You're so finicky."

Rongjing acted as though he hadn't heard her.

Yun Qianyue continued, "I'm only going to your residence because my meddlesome grandfather commanded it—to learn to read and keep accounts under your guidance. Since you already know and have agreed, why don't you just come to the Yun Prince's residence instead? That way, I wouldn't dirty your place."

"I did agree to teach you to read. But I never said it would be at the Yun Prince's residence," Rongjing replied.

"Then where?" Yun Qianyue blinked.

"At my residence, naturally." Rongjing looked at her, noticing her disapproval. He raised his brows slightly and continued, "Surely you don't think I'd get up early every day and rush to the Yun Prince's residence to teach you to read and keep accounts? What incentive have you given me to warrant such trouble? Since you're the one who wants to learn, you'll come to my residence."

Yun Qianyue furrowed her brows but didn't argue. He did have a point.

"At dawn each day, you will report to my residence," Rongjing added nonchalantly.

"That's too early!" Yun Qianyue protested immediately.

"Early?" Rongjing smirked. "In ancient times, scholars were known to rise at the sound of the rooster to practice martial arts. Students across the land rise at dawn to study."

"I'm not a scholar, nor do I have any ambition to make a name for myself. No way—let's start later," Yun Qianyue shook her head.

"It's the rule for learning from me. If you can't agree, then forget it. I'm already bedridden and exhausted; I don't have the energy to take on this responsibility, especially with someone who's constantly causing trouble," Rongjing leaned back against the wall of the carriage, his tone indifferent.

"Rongjing, you don't have to be so harsh!" Yun Qianyue glared at him. If not for her meddlesome grandfather's insistence that only Rongjing or Ye Tianqing could teach her, she wouldn't be so insistent on him.

"It's not harsh, but given your situation, it's necessary," Rongjing replied, then closed his eyes as though fatigued, leaving Yun Qianyue no room to argue. "It's settled. Say one more word, and I'll make it midnight instead."

The words Yun Qianyue was about to say stuck in her throat. She glanced at Rongjing, who was leaning weakly against the wall, looking as if a gust of wind might knock him over. She decided not to argue further; she knew he would go through with it if she kept pushing. Giving in, she reasoned to herself that in her previous world, she had often woken before dawn. She could consider this as returning to old habits. After a moment of silence, she asked, "How long will I have to learn?"

"That depends on your talent. When I'm satisfied, you can stop," Rongjing replied.

"What if you're never satisfied? Do I have to study forever?" Yun Qianyue snorted.

"Even if you wanted to, I don't have the leisure to teach you forever," Rongjing said without opening his eyes. "You should hope Princess Qingwan recovers soon. Once she does, Heir Yun can take over, and you won't need me."

Yun Qianyue fell silent. She hoped that princess would be better by tomorrow. Yun Muhan, though rigid, wasn't entirely ruthless, unlike this heartless man.

Neither of them spoke further, and the carriage grew quiet.

After about the time it takes to drink two cups of tea, the carriage stopped, and Xian Ge's voice came from outside, "My lord, we've arrived at Xianpin Pavilion!"

"Bring the shopkeeper over," Rongjing ordered without moving from his reclined position.

Xian Ge quickly left, and shortly afterward, someone approached in hurried steps. Even before the person arrived, a respectful female voice rang out, mature and graceful, "Linlang greets the Heir. How may I serve you?"

"Take her measurements and bring a suitable outfit," Rongjing instructed.

The woman outside complied, then stepped forward to lift the carriage curtain. Upon seeing Yun Qianyue sitting inside with Rongjing, she seemed momentarily taken aback. Her gaze shifted slightly, noting the narrow space between the two, less than a foot apart. Her eyes flickered briefly, but before Yun Qianyue could get a good look at her, the woman had lowered the curtain, replying, "I'll fetch it at once. Please wait, my lord."

"Good," Rongjing responded.

Yun Qianyue frowned but remained seated. It would be foolish to refuse free clothes.

The woman, Linlang, returned swiftly, carrying a set of clothes. She handed them to Xian Ge and said respectfully to Rongjing, "My lord, see if this outfit is to your liking. If not, I'll bring another."