The Dandy's Duchess

Chapter 178: Fleeing Isn't Shameful (5)

Rongjing's expression suddenly turned icy, frost seeming to spread over his handsome features.

"I'm almost of age," Yun Qianyue continued nonchalantly. "As a young lady, it's improper for me to spend so much time with a noble Heir like you. It could affect my reputation. But if I were with Ye Tianqing, it would be different. After all, we do have a certain history. Even if people gossiped, it wouldn't be news. Besides, with the ancestral marriage agreement between the Yun family and the royal family, I am Yun Prince's legitimate daughter, and he is the Crown Prince. If we were to develop feelings, it would only be a natural progression."

A layer of mist seemed to gather atop the frost on Rongjing's beautiful, sculpted face.

Yun Qianyue turned away, calling out, "Stop the carriage! I want to get off!"

Up front, Xian Ge's brow broke into a cold sweat. Hearing her call, he held his tongue, pretending not to hear.

"Hey, I said stop the carriage. Didn't you hear me?" she repeated.

Xian Ge acted deaf, giving no response.

Seeing that he wouldn't stop, Yun Qianyue prepared to jump out herself, trying to yank her wrist free from Rongjing's grip. But his hold was firm, refusing to let go. She glared at him in frustration. "Let go! I want to get off. Why are you stopping me?"

Rongjing narrowed his eyes, watching her intently. After a pause, he spoke slowly and deliberately, "Are you sure you want to get off? If so, don't regret it later." With that, he released her wrist.

Yun Qianyue rubbed her wrist, scoffing. Ignoring Rongjing, she again lifted the curtain to jump out. She wasn't about to let him intimidate her.

"Xian Ge, redirect to the palace," Rongjing instructed smoothly. "Since the Crown Prince and Miss Yun seem inclined toward marriage, I'll submit a petition to the Emperor to grant their union. It would put an end to this matter once and for all, and it's likely the Emperor would appreciate the honor of seeing a marriage consummated between the families."

Yun Qianyue's movements froze.

"Yes, my lord!" Xian Ge immediately responded, giving the reins a pull to change course.

"Rongjing!" Yun Qianyue glared at him through clenched teeth.

"Hm? Something wrong?" he asked, arching an eyebrow.

Grinding her teeth, Yun Qianyue silently admitted defeat. He was no ordinary opponent; he was a black-hearted strategist through and through. Watching as the carriage turned toward the palace, she reluctantly lowered her foot, letting the curtain fall back down. Taking a slow breath, she muttered, "This dress is overly complicated. I don't know how to put it on. You do it."

Rongjing chuckled softly, his voice warm. "Gladly."

Yun Qianyue sat back and handed him the wrinkled dress.

Rongjing took the dress from her, giving it a glance before calling to Xian Ge, "Return to the residence. There's no need to trouble the Emperor with this matter today."

"Yes, my lord," Xian Ge replied, glancing at them in bewilderment, then turning the carriage back toward the Rong Prince's residence.

Rongjing unhurriedly smoothed out the dress, deftly releasing tangled ribbons, separating layers, and untangling sashes. In a short time, he had the garment in perfect order. Leaning forward, he wrapped the dress around Yun Qianyue and said gently, "Raise your arms."

Yun Qianyue complied, allowing him to slip the dress over her shoulders. He tied the ribbons, fastened the clasps, draped a sash over her arms, and finally pulled out a small wooden comb to tidy her hair.

Yun Qianyue remained motionless, allowing him to arrange her.

After finishing her hair, Rongjing retrieved a hairpin from a compartment in the carriage wall, carefully placing it in her hair. Examining his work, he seemed pleased. "Not bad at all."

Yun Qianyue ignored him, staying silent.

Rongjing wasn't offended, reclining against the carriage wall and closing his eyes again. A closer look would have shown a slight smile on his lips, betraying his good mood.

The two sat in quiet, neither speaking. After a while, the carriage halted at the gates of the Rong Prince's residence, and Xian Ge announced, "My lord, we've arrived."

Rongjing acknowledged him, opened his eyes, and glanced at Yun Qianyue. Leisurely, he lifted the curtain and stepped out.

Yun Qianyue followed suit, leaping lightly from the carriage. As her feet hit the ground, she noticed several people gathered at the entrance. Besides the guards, there was Rong Linglan, accompanied by two well-dressed young ladies, two young men, and an elderly man. She recognized the two young men from Lingtai Temple—likely Rongjing's extended family—and the elderly man as the Rong Prince's chief steward. The gasp she'd heard earlier had come from the two young men, their gazes fixed on her in awe.

Yun Qianyue looked them over before dismissing their stares and turning back to Rongjing with an indifferent expression.

"Brother, why... why is she here?" Rong Linglan asked, staring at Yun Qianyue.

"She's staying at the residence for a few days," Rongjing replied.

When did she agree to stay here? Yun Qianyue turned to Rongjing, about to protest, but he looked back at her with a raised eyebrow. "What's wrong? Do you think you can manage coming here at midnight, only to return at dusk? A daily back-and-forth?"

Yun Qianyue fell silent, knowing she could not.

"So, will you be staying for a few days?" he asked again.

Reluctantly, she gave a small nod.

Satisfied, Rongjing turned to the others, his gaze resting on the two young men. "I received word that Rong Feng will be arriving from Tianxue Mountain in a couple of days for the martial arts competition. Given my health, I'll be busy overseeing Miss Yun's studies at the request of the Old Lord Yun, so I'll leave the hosting to the two of you. Let him stay here in the main residence rather than in the deserted Wenbo Manor."