The Duke's Pampered Darling is So Scheming

Chapter 29: Chapter 29: Danger in the Capital, Do Not Return

Ye Chutang shook her head. ”Right now, I’ve only found a small lead. To find the real truth, I have to keep investigating.”

Upon hearing this, Ye Jingyan was a little disappointed. But he also knew that even finding a lead was no small feat. After all, the original mastermind had been extremely cautious. Besides, three years had already passed, so trying to investigate now would be anything but simple.

He seemed to understand something and asked tentatively, ”So... the lead is in the Capital City?”

...

Shen Yanchuan put down his book, casually setting it on the small table beside him.

Lian Zhou asked, full of curiosity, ”Master, is there something wrong with this book?”

Shen Yanchuan shook his head and gave a faint smile. ”It’s just an ordinary book.”

That Doctor Ye was exceptionally guarded around him.

But this was within his expectations. Ye Chutang was no ordinary woman; how could she fail to guess his true purpose in borrowing the book?

He had tested the waters, and she had responded with blatant honesty: ’You will not see a single one of the books you want.’

They both knew exactly what the other was thinking. While it was exceedingly blunt, it did save a lot of trouble.

Unaware of what his master was thinking, Lian Zhou brought up another matter.

”Right, the news that those men failed to assassinate you last time must have reached the Capital City by now. So—are we to continue waiting here?”

Shen Yanchuan had long anticipated this and replied with a faint smile, ”There’s no hurry.”

’The ones who want me dead have failed twice in a row. They should be the ones panicking, shouldn’t they?’

Shen Yanchuan added, ”Besides, isn’t it rather interesting, staying here?”

...

Ye’s Clinic returned to its usual peace and tranquility, as if nothing had happened. The Cao Family, however, was not having such an easy night.

CRASH!

Cao Deping smashed his favorite teacup, his rage uncontrollable. ”Deceitful! That Ye Chutang is utterly deceitful!”

’I thought everything would go according to plan! Who knew it would end up like this!’

’Not only did I fail to ruin Ye’s Clinic, I nearly exposed the Cao Family as well!’

’And worst of all—I even dragged my cousin into this!’

After he learned that Ye Chutang had proven her innocence at the clinic, he knew things were bad. He rushed to find his cousin but was stopped outside the gates of the Prefect Mansion.

It was the first time he’d ever been refused entry, and the servants’ attitudes were tinged with obvious disgust. What more was there to understand?

Cao Deping had no choice but to return in disgrace, seething with a rage he couldn’t vent. He was both furious and panicked.

He was furious that Ye Chutang had managed to escape such a perfect scheme completely unscathed!

He was panicked because this was the first time he had asked his cousin for help, and it had led to such a disaster. He knew without a doubt that the county magistrate must have taken his anger out on her.

’This—’

Anxiously, Cao Deping paced back and forth in the room.

”Father?”

Hearing the commotion, Cao Chengwen rushed over.

He carefully closed the door. Having never seen Cao Deping so agitated, he could only try to console him. ”Father, please calm down. Even though the plan failed, as long as those men don’t sell us out, we’ll be fine!”

Cao Deping seethed. ”Easy for you to say!”

”We only bribed those men for a one-time job. How tight-lipped can they possibly be?”

”If word gets out, we’ll be in huge trouble!”

Growing ever more furious, he pointed at Cao Chengwen and bellowed, ”If it wasn’t for cleaning up your mess, why would we be in so much trouble!”

Cao Chengwen’s eyes darted about, a mix of guilt and indignation on his face.

He couldn’t help but mutter, ”...I did warn you before that Ye Chutang was not to be trifled with, but you didn’t take it seriously at the time...”

’And now he’s blaming me for everything...’

”You!”

Cao Deping’s face turned ashen with rage.

’If he weren’t my only remaining son, I absolutely wouldn’t be bothering with any of this!’

Seeing the situation, Cao Chengwen knew not to provoke him further; after all, he wanted to continue living his comfortable life as the young master of the Cao Family.

He quickly tried to placate him, ”Father, you really don’t need to worry so much. Didn’t you say before that the Lord County Magistrate is up for a promotion? For his own sake, he’ll definitely keep this matter under wraps!”

Cao Deping narrowed his eyes.

There seemed to be some truth to his words. If the Cao Family were to be investigated, it would surely drag his cousin into it as well.

And when that happened, what position would the county magistrate be in?

Never mind anything else, just getting mixed up in this would be enough to ruin his entire official career!

Therefore, no matter what, he would have to bury this matter for good!

With this thought, Cao Deping’s mood finally stabilized somewhat.

He mulled it over for a long time and decided to cut off all contact with his cousin, Liu Yiyi, for the time being.

For now, the best strategy was to wait and see. As long as they kept quiet and waited for the trouble to blow over, everything would go back to how it was.

In Jiangling, their Cao Family was still a formidable power.

Cao Deping took a deep breath, a vicious glint flashing in his eyes.

”Once Liu Si is dead, all of this will finally be over.”

...

The night was deep, a bright moon hanging lopsided in the sky.

Cool moonlight, like flowing water, streamed past the window lattice, illuminating a patch of the floor.

By the light of a candle, Ye Chutang looked at the letter in her hand once more.

The calligraphy was vigorous and forceful, with spirited strokes, revealing the writer’s impassioned state of mind as they wrote these words.

Ye Chutang’s gaze swept over the lines, finally landing on the very end.

”The situation in the capital is currently treacherous and unpredictable. To investigate the deaths of your father and elder brother, the road ahead will be long and hard. But do not worry, I will handle everything. This affair is perilous—do not come!”

There was no closing signature, only the single character: ”Xu.”

Ye Chutang put the letter down.

This letter, delivered with great difficulty from the Capital City, was extremely precious. Its earnest advice was sincere in every word.

She knew that Xu Fengchi genuinely did not want them to return, as it would mean facing too many dangers.

’But...’

’I could never stay out of it.’

They were her father, her mother, her elder brother. She had watched with her own eyes as they were killed right in front of her. The day was bone-chillingly cold, but their blood had been scalding hot.

That day, she had promised her elder brother she would take good care of Xiao Wu and the others.

It was also on that day that she promised herself she would uncover the truth and one day avenge them!

She always kept her promises.

When she had asked Yan those questions today, she hadn’t shown him this letter, because her mind was already made up.

Ye Chutang picked up the letter and held it to the candle flame. The warm, orange flame leaped up, quickly devouring the paper.

A wisp of blue-green smoke drifted silently away.

She then took out the reply she had written during the day and placed it in a waiting envelope.

’The Capital City. I have to go back!’

...

The final verdict in Liu Si’s case was delivered: public beheading in three days.

The news was a devastating blow to Mrs. Zhou, who fell ill and became bedridden.

Aunt Yang went to help care for her for two days and returned sighing heavily.

”A lone woman with a child just a few years old... however will she manage!”

Not long after, Ye Chutang paid her a visit with some silver, intending to help, but Mrs. Zhou refused.

”Doctor Ye, thank you so much, but we won’t be needing this.” She gave a bitter smile. ”We’re planning to leave.”

Ye Chutang’s gaze flickered.

”Leave? Where are you going?”