The Dandy's Duchess

Chapter 191: Hidden Guards (2)

Yun Qianyue had no idea about the unsavory thoughts of those two men as she continued walking. Soon, she reached the entrance of the Rong Manor and indeed saw the conspicuous carriage waiting for her with Yun Meng at the reins.

"Thank you for seeing me out. You can head back now," Yun Qianyue waved at Qingshang.

"Safe travels, Miss Qianyue," Qingshang replied, stopping in her tracks.

Yun Meng lifted the carriage curtain, looking at Yun Qianyue with a concerned expression, "Miss Qianyue, you've lost weight! Let's head back quickly; the palace's Eunuch Lu is waiting at the mansion to deliver a message from His Majesty. He insisted on meeting you in person."

Yun Qianyue nodded and got into the carriage.

Yun Meng snapped the reins, and the carriage rolled away from the Rong Manor.

Qingshang watched them leave, feeling a pang of guilt over Yun Meng's comment about Yun Qianyue's weight. Yun Qianyue had always been slim, but she had seemed healthier before coming to the Rong Manor. These past days, lack of proper food, rest, and constant study had taken a toll, making her even thinner. Qingshang had planned to nourish her after she finished her studies, but hadn't expected her departure so soon. Sighing, Qingshang turned to walk back inside.

After a few steps, she noticed two women hurrying over, accompanied by their maids. They were none other than the wives of the Second Young Master, Rong Yi, and the Third Young Master, Rong Zhe. Qingshang frowned, ignoring them and heading back inside. Since she had served directly under Rong Jing in the Purple Bamboo Pavilion from a young age, she had no obligation to show respect to these women.

"Qingshang, where is that Yun family's Miss Qianyue?" Rong Yi's wife demanded.

"Replying to Second Young Madam, Miss Qianyue just left," Qingshang responded with proper etiquette, despite her inward disdain.

"What? She left so quickly?" Rong Zhe's wife's voice was sharp with frustration.

"Did she do something shameful and run off to avoid us seeking justice?" Rong Yi's wife looked irritated. Over the past days, she had endured enough of Rong Yi's obsession, and now held a bellyful of resentment toward Yun Qianyue.

"Hmph, I'd say so. Now that she knows fear, maybe she'll stop seducing other people's husbands!" Rong Zhe's wife huffed. She, too, had suffered from her husband's infatuation; he had ignored her entirely, keeping vigil by the Purple Bamboo Grove day and night. With little recourse against her own husband, she had come to confront Yun Qianyue and intended to give her a stern warning.

Initially, Qingshang had no intention of replying, but their filthy accusations against Yun Qianyue infuriated her. She replied coolly, "Both of you seem mistaken. Miss Qianyue has been in my Young Master's study ever since she arrived, and has never attempted to seduce anyone. Moreover, it was the emperor's eunuch, Lu, who personally arrived at Prince Yun's Mansion with a message for Miss Qianyue, prompting her to leave quickly. There was no fleeing out of fear involved."

The two wives paused, surprised by Qingshang's defense of Yun Qianyue.

Qingshang added, her tone subtly warning, "I suggest you choose your words carefully. If my Young Master were to overhear this, I can't say for sure whether he would be pleased, as he has shown zero tolerance for anyone speaking ill of Miss Qianyue these past days."

With that, Qingshang walked away, ignoring the women.

The two wives were left speechless, their heavily made-up faces turning pale. They exchanged glances before silently returning to their courtyards. They knew that while the Old Lord was the official head of the Rong Manor, it was actually the bedridden Jing Shizi who held true authority. Despite having been married into the Rong family for two or three years, neither wife had ever seen Jing Shizi in person, yet the entire Rong Manor revered him. No one, from servants to family members, dared to speak a word against him. Realizing the Shizi's fondness for Yun Qianyue, they decided it was better to keep silent. Though they were still upset, knowing that Yun Qianyue had Jing Shizi's protection put their minds somewhat at ease, as it meant their husbands' infatuation would remain unfulfilled.

Meanwhile, inside the carriage, Yun Qianyue was unaware of the small altercation that had taken place after her departure, much less that she had unwittingly "enticed" anyone. She was only wondering why the emperor's chief eunuch wanted to see her.

The carriage moved swiftly back to the Yun Mansion. Just as it came to a stop, she heard the duck-like voice of Eunuch Lu, "Ah! Miss Qianyue has finally returned! I've been waiting so long!"

Yun Qianyue lifted the curtain and smiled brightly at Eunuch Lu. "I didn't know you'd be visiting, Eunuch Lu! If I had known, I would have returned sooner, bathed, and dressed to welcome you properly."

Eunuch Lu was briefly stunned before breaking into a wide grin. "Oh, Miss Qianyue, you're getting sweeter by the day! You've put a spring in this old servant's step with those words."

Yun Qianyue held back a shudder, keeping her cheerful expression as she asked, "May I ask what brings you here, Eunuch Lu?"

"Oh, it's not I who sought you, Miss Qianyue. His Majesty sent me to deliver a message," Eunuch Lu replied, still smiling. "Tomorrow, there will be a grand martial arts competition in the arena. His Majesty knows you enjoy martial arts, so he's granted you special permission to attend."

"His Majesty is allowing me to attend the martial arts competition?" Yun Qianyue repeated, surprised.

"Yes, Miss Qianyue! This event is usually reserved strictly for men—no women are allowed, not even the Empress or the princesses. But His Majesty has made an exception for you, and instructed me to inform you personally. It's an extraordinary honor," Eunuch Lu said with a grin.

Yun Qianyue speculated about the emperor's intentions, but kept her face bright, responding enthusiastically, "That's wonderful! The emperor is truly too kind to me. I've always wanted to witness the martial skills of our Heavenly Saint's men. Now that I have the opportunity, I'm thrilled. I'll definitely attend tomorrow!"

"I knew Miss Qianyue would be pleased," Eunuch Lu said, bowing cheerfully. "Now, I'll return to the palace and inform His Majesty of your reply."

"Thank you!" Yun Qianyue nodded with a smile.

Yun Meng handed a silver ingot to Eunuch Lu, showing him out with great respect. "Eunuch Lu, thank you for your efforts. Take care on your way back—the road is dark and slippery."