The Dandy's Duchess

Chapter 185: Dark and Boundless (1)

Yun Qianyue was momentarily stunned, then angrily retorted, "Being naturally gifted doesn't mean you can use me like this! You expect me to finish a thousand books in half a month—do you want me to work myself to death?"

"You only have half a month for me to teach you. After that, there's the Martial Talent Competition, and I'll probably attend. But after the competition, no one knows what will change. You might never get another chance to study in Rongwang's residence," Rongjing said, his tone unusually serious. "I don't want you to leave here the same as when you came in, illiterate and a disgrace. It would be a blow to my reputation too—imagine them saying I can't even teach you. You'd ruin me! So, you'll finish every single book, no matter how tired you get."

Yun Qianyue scoffed, rolling her eyes. "Do you really think people will say something about you?"

"I'm more concerned about disappointing Grandpa Yun," Rongjing said with a sigh. "He has high hopes for you, especially since he entrusted me with teaching you to read and learn. I can't let him down."

"Fine, then! I'll disappoint whoever wants to be disappointed!" Yun Qianyue shot him an irritated look.

Rongjing, with a glint in his eye, pointed to a bookshelf behind her. "Well, you have another option. There are about a hundred books here. If you can memorize all of them in three days, then you won't have to read those other books."

Yun Qianyue turned to look at the bookshelf. She hadn't noticed it closely before, but now she saw that every book on the shelf was the same: "The Woman's Code"—different editions, from thousands of years ago to the most recent revisions. Some from ancient times, some from a hundred years ago, and others from just a few years back...

Her face darkened immediately. "I'm not reading that!"

"Then read the other books," Rongjing suggested coolly.

"Rongjing, are you human? What have I ever done to you? Why do you always have to go against me? Do you think I'm easy to bully? Do you want me to throw you off this balcony?" Yun Qianyue glared at him, her hands clenched into fists, wishing she could punch him.

"Do you think someone who bears a grudge against me could enter the Purple Bamboo Grove, enter my house, and come to my study?" Rongjing raised an eyebrow, a calm smile on his face as he observed her anger. "I'm giving you two choices: memorize all those books in three days, or finish the rest of the books in half a month. Pick one."

"I choose neither!" Yun Qianyue replied firmly.

Rongjing sighed, rubbing his forehead in resignation. "It seems I really can't teach you. In that case, let Ye Tianqing teach you instead!" He then called out, "Bingquan, take everything the Prince Yun's residence sent for Miss Qianyue to the Crown Prince's residence. And be sure to escort Miss Qianyue there personally, delivering her to the Crown Prince."

"Yes, Young Master!" Bingquan's voice came from outside. Rongjing's tone was soft, but his orders were clear.

Rongjing waved his hand dismissively, not bothering to look at Yun Qianyue. "I'm sure you'll be thrilled to go to the Crown Prince's residence. Go on!"

Yun Qianyue stayed where she was, grinding her teeth in frustration.

Rongjing waited for a while, then raised an eyebrow and looked at her. "Don't want to go?"

Yun Qianyue took a deep breath, thinking that Ye Tianqing's face would be even worse than dealing with these books. Reading a thousand books in half a month was a challenge, but her photographic memory meant that she could read fast. She didn't know how he figured it out, but she had no choice but to learn from books since she knew nothing about this world. Since Rongjing had such a large collection, she might as well use it to her advantage, even if it would be exhausting. After all, what choice did she have?

Still feeling displeased, she asked, "How did you know I have a photographic memory?"

Rongjing's eyes glinted as he casually replied, "Do you remember the game of chess at Xiangquan Mountain? If you didn't have a photographic memory, how could you have won, and still had time for a drink afterward?"

So that's where the problem lay! Damn wine... Yun Qianyue muttered under her breath. "Fine, half a month it is! I'll agree. But I can't promise I'll finish all of them—I'll just read as much as I can. At the very least, I'll make sure I don't embarrass you when I leave."

"Good!" Rongjing nodded approvingly, a slight smile playing on his lips. "But if you slack off and intentionally don't finish, I'll know. And if that happens, those twelve golden Buddha statues will be mine. If you care about them, don't be lazy."

Yun Qianyue was taken aback. She didn't expect him to be so straightforward. Rongjing smiled and stood up, turning to leave. "You should start reading now. If you need anything, just ask QingShang or Bingquan."

"Mm." Yun Qianyue grunted in response. So this was what it felt like to be at the mercy of the ruling class!

Rongjing descended the jade staircase slowly, not looking back. Moments later, he exited the study.

Yun Qianyue remained lying on the soft couch, staring at the ceiling. After a while, she sighed in resignation. In her past life, as an orphan, she had to struggle for twenty years in the coldest study, but that was nothing. Now, in this life, she had the body of a young lady but the fate of a maid, forced to study again. Was she the only one with such bad luck? After contemplating for a while, she finally got up and left the study. Those twelve golden Buddha statues had been carefully hidden by her—she wasn't about to let that black-hearted man take them so easily.

When Yun Qianyue entered the room filled with books, Rongjing had already left. She picked up the first book from the first shelf and shook it. It was a history book about the Heavenly Saint Dynasty. Holding it, she called out, "Bring me a soft couch!"

"Yes, Miss Qianyue!" Bingquan answered, his footsteps soon fading.

Yun Qianyue opened the first page and began reading.

Before long, Bingquan returned with a soft couch, placing it by the window. He glanced at Yun Qianyue and was momentarily stunned to see her holding the book upside down, reading it. He quietly retreated, leaving her to her own devices.

Yun Qianyue flipped through the pages. But before she could read the next page, the content already appeared in her mind, perfectly matching what was on the next page. She quickly turned to the following pages, and again, everything appeared exactly as she expected. She closed the book, her mind absorbing every word, as though the entire book had already formed in her memory.