The Dandy's Duchess

Chapter 177: Fleeing Isn't Shameful (4)

"No need; it doesn't matter what she wears—it'll look the same," Rongjing said, still keeping his eyes closed. "Bring it in and head back to the residence," he instructed Xian Ge.

Xian Ge lifted the curtain, tossed the clothing inside, cracked the whip, and the carriage moved forward.

The woman outside watched the carriage leave, thought about Rongjing's words with a smile, and only turned back toward the shop once the carriage disappeared from view.

Yun Qianyue ignored the clothes, glared at Rongjing, and spat, "Nothing good ever comes out of your mouth!"

Rongjing opened his eyes briefly to glance at the outfit on the carriage bench, then closed them again. "Hurry and change."

"Here?" Yun Qianyue asked.

"Or do you not want to change?" Rongjing raised an eyebrow.

"I mean, right here?" Yun Qianyue hesitated, glaring at him and gritting her teeth.

After a brief pause, Rongjing's lashes trembled slightly, but he maintained his calm expression. "Where else? Outside the carriage? It's not like you have much to see; rest assured, I won't bother looking. If anything, it would hurt my eyes."

Yun Qianyue felt her blood boil. She looked down at herself; sure, she hadn't fully grown up yet, but she had curves! Furious, she retorted, "You've got even less! Not a single muscle to be proud of. You're basically a bamboo stick! Are you even fit to criticize?"

"Oh, so you prefer brawnier men?" Rongjing's calm gaze turned to her. "Like the twenty or so thugs Leng Shaozhuo brought along?"

Yun Qianyue almost gagged at the thought. With an exasperated look, she ground her teeth. "No, I do not."

"Then do you mean butcher types?" Rongjing's eyebrow arched again.

Yun Qianyue's mind conjured an image of a large, bare-chested, bearded man with a butcher's cleaver, and she shuddered. "Definitely not."

"So what kind, then?" Rongjing pressed.

"None of your business! Are you planning to build muscles now?" Yun Qianyue sneered. "Don't bother. You're destined to stay like a bamboo stick your whole life."

Rongjing closed his eyes again. Just when Yun Qianyue thought he was finished, he murmured, "I doubt you'll ever grow into anything impressive, either. We're in the same boat."

Yun Qianyue rolled her eyes, ignoring him. She vowed to develop a striking figure one day, just to blind this jerk's snobbish gaze.

"Aren't you changing? Get it on, and toss out that bloody mess you were wearing," Rongjing urged.

Yun Qianyue glared at the outfit, then at Rongjing, and made no move. "I'll stay in this to spite you."

"Are you waiting for me to help you, then?" Rongjing asked, opening his eyes. "I wouldn't mind, but I'll just have to wash my hands after."

Infuriated, Yun Qianyue ripped off her outer robe and threw it at his head. "Go wash your damn hands!"

Rongjing caught the garment with one hand and tossed it out of the carriage. He glanced at her, calm as ever. "Just as I thought—nothing much to see."

Ignoring him, Yun Qianyue took a deep breath and began putting on the new clothes. But the outfit was elaborate, far more intricate than the one she had just discarded, and her fingers fumbled in frustration. Realizing it must be expensive, she took a closer look at the fabric.

"It's woven from heavenly silk, worth a thousand gold. Sure you want to ruin it?" Rongjing remarked.

Yun Qianyue's hands immediately softened.

Rongjing watched her struggle with the intricate clothing for a while before saying, "Come here. I'll help. It's pathetic how you can't even manage a single outfit. You really do need lessons."

Without looking up, Yun Qianyue huffed, "No need!"

"Come here," Rongjing said, extending his hand.

Yun Qianyue dodged, giving him a mocking look. "A proper lady wouldn't dare trouble the esteemed Prince Rong. Your hands are far too precious to be soiled on my behalf."

To her surprise, Rongjing simply chuckled. "Fine, then. Take your time, but I hope you manage to finish before we reach my residence. There are plenty of idle eyes there eager for some entertainment."

Yun Qianyue pretended not to hear. She figured it wasn't like she was actually exposed—this was hardly different from wearing a bikini at the beach. She'd just let his people gawk if they wanted; it was his face they'd be disgracing, not hers.

"Any shame will be yours to bear, not mine," she snapped.

"Hardly," Rongjing replied smoothly. "What does it matter to me?"

"Fine! We have no connection, not even worth half a tael of silver," she said. "So why should I stay here?!" She abruptly tossed aside the half-fastened garment, pushed the curtain aside, and prepared to jump from the carriage.

Rongjing's hand shot out, gripping her arm. "Where do you think you're going?"

Yun Qianyue smiled sweetly, her voice soft as silk. "I've decided I don't need your lessons. I'll ask Ye Tianqing to teach me instead. He's free these days, and at least we have some... past history. He'll be far more welcoming than someone with whom I have no ties at all."

Rongjing's face stiffened.

Not missing the reaction, she continued, "Grandfather said only you or Ye Tianqing could teach me. Since I'm apparently 'a thorn in your side,' I might as well go to Ye Tianqing. Maybe he really does have some renewed interest in me these days. Who knows? We might even rekindle something."