The Duke's Pampered Darling is So Scheming

Chapter 54: Chapter 54: Xiao Wu, Come Here

Lian Zhou quickly glanced up at his master.

’Was this the first time his master had ever been called something like that?’

’That Mrs. Gao really has a sharp tongue. She completely cornered her with a single sentence.’

...

At the banquet, Mrs. Gao’s words made everyone look at Ye Chutang with even more complicated expressions.

The several young noblemen sitting in the back rows felt their initial ardor cool significantly.

Han Yao secretly shook his head. ”What a pity! I was thinking that even though she’s an orphan, she at least has an uncle who’s the Junior Minister of the Ministry of Justice to back her up. With her looks, marrying into a prominent family wasn’t out of the question. But who knew she... Who would want to marry a woman like that?”

The man next to him agreed. ”Isn’t that the truth? There are countless noble ladies in the Capital City. No matter how beautiful she is, she spent the last three years wandering destitute. Who knows what she’s gone through?”

”If you ask me, making her a proper wife is out of the question. But then again, her beauty and aura are a rare sight. Taking her in as a concubine, on the other hand, wouldn’t be a bad idea...”

The men exchanged a look, and suggestive smiles crept onto their faces.

These young masters were sitting far off and speaking in low voices, which was the only reason they dared to be so brazen.

Han Yao was tempted. He patted Ye Mingze and whispered, ”Brother Mingze, what do you think?”

Ye Mingze was supposed to be at the front greeting guests, but for the past few days, Ye Heng had been furious with him for repeatedly staying out all night and was now deliberately giving him the cold shoulder.

Ye Mingze, in a fit of pique, decided to just sit with his friends instead.

Hearing Han Yao’s question, he sneered. ”If you don’t find her beneath you, then be my guest.”

Han Yao’s eyes lit up.

When he first learned that Ye Chutang was Ye Mingze’s cousin, Han Yao had been secretly kicking himself for being so rude to her face. But to his surprise, Ye Mingze had gone straight to Chunfeng Lou that very night and gotten blind drunk.

It was only after asking that he found out Ye Mingze actually despised his cousin.

So naturally, Han Yao and the others let their guard down, even daring to mock her like this right in front of Ye Mingze.

He glanced at Ye Chutang again, his eyes slowly tracing the lines of her gentle, elegant face as a flame of desire ignited in his heart.

...

Of course, Ye Chutang could hear the veiled insults in Mrs. Gao’s words.

For noble ladies like them, reputation was paramount. Any one of them would likely be furious after being spoken to in such a manner.

Mrs. Gao was determined to make things difficult for her.

How could Xu Rongqing fail to notice everyone’s reactions? Seeing Ye Chutang just standing there quietly, he felt a pang in his heart and couldn’t help but say, ”Chutang, it must have been so hard for you these past few years.”

Ye Chutang was slightly taken aback.

’Only she and Xu Fengchi knew they were in contact. For the sake of convenience, even Xu Rongqing had been kept in the dark.’

’The two families had been very close, and their children had grown up together. In her memory, Xu Rongqing was the same age as her brother. Compared to her free-spirited, unruly brother, Xu Rongqing was gentle, kind, and refined.’

’This was, in fact, her first time truly meeting him.’

’His expression was calm, but the flash of heartache in his eyes couldn’t be faked. He genuinely felt for her suffering.’

A faint smile touched Ye Chutang’s lips. ”It was alright. I had Yan, A Feng, and Xiao Wu with me. Any hardship was worth it.”

The hall fell silent.

Everyone had assumed she would be secretive about her miserable past three years to protect her marriage prospects. No one expected her to be so refreshingly candid.

From start to finish, she remained calm, composed, and self-possessed, which in turn made them seem petty and small-minded...

Seeing the mood in the room shift, Mrs. Gao quickly changed the subject. ”Doctor Zhang, why don’t you examine Xiao Wu now?”

Xiao Wu hid behind Ye Chutang, her small lips pursed. Her large, dark eyes, like black grapes, showed a clear wariness of the stranger.

’Big Sis said I’m not sick, so why do I have to see a doctor?’

Ye Chutang patted Xiao Wu’s head reassuringly. ”Second Aunt, Xiao Wu is shy around strangers. Why don’t we just let it be?”

But Mrs. Gao refused. ”It was so difficult to get Doctor Zhang to visit. If we miss this chance, who knows how long we’ll have to wait. Xiao Wu, come on, just let Doctor Zhang take a look. It’ll be over in a moment!”

Naturally, Xiao Wu paid her no mind, clutching the corner of Ye Chutang’s sleeve and refusing to let go.

Mrs. Gao lost her patience and walked over, reaching out to grab the girl. ”You listen to me and come here—”

Just as she was about to touch Xiao Wu, a slender, fair hand suddenly clamped down on her wrist.

Mrs. Gao froze, realizing it was Ye Chutang who had stopped her.

She instinctively tried to pull away but found she couldn’t budge. The hand gripping her, though it looked delicate and weak, held her in an unbreakable grip.

Mrs. Gao grew frantic. ”Chutang, what do you think you’re doing? Xiao Wu is my niece! I’m doing this for her own good!”

Ye Chutang’s lips curved into a smile, but her dark eyes were frigid as she said, word by word, ”Thank you for your kind intentions, Second Aunt. But Xiao Wu does not like it.”

A shiver ran down Mrs. Gao’s spine for no apparent reason.

Ye Chutang released her grip.

Humiliated in front of everyone, Mrs. Gao gritted her teeth. ”She’s just a child, what does she know? If we delay treatment, when she’s older—”

Before she could finish, a servant hurried in and announced, ”Master! The Heir of Duke Dingbei is here!”

The entire hall fell silent as everyone froze in astonishment.

After returning to the Capital City, he had used the excuse of recuperating in his mansion to decline every invitation. Why on earth would he show up at the Ye Mansion today?

Did Ye Heng have that much clout!?

Ye Heng was both shocked and delighted, shooting to his feet. ”Truly? Show him in at once!”

He had sent an invitation to the Dingbei Marquis Mansion, but he never dreamed the distinguished guest would actually appear!

Ye Chutang observed everyone’s reactions and raised a delicate eyebrow.

’She had heard of this Heir of Duke Dingbei. He was supposedly the only son of Duke Dingbei, a man of immense status.’

’He had followed Duke Dingbei north a few years ago and only just returned to the Capital City.’

’Duke Dingbei was a man of great power and influence, so this Young Master Heir was naturally someone countless people wished to curry favor with.’

As these thoughts raced through her mind, a tall, imposing figure came into view.

The instant she got a clear look at his refined, handsome face, Ye Chutang’s eyelid twitched. A single thought surfaced in her mind.

’If I’d known this day would come, I should have stuck a few dozen more needles in him back then.’

Shen Yanchuan inexplicably felt a chill run up his spine.

But the feeling vanished as quickly as it came, for Ye Heng was already striding toward him.

”Princely Heir, your presence graces us! Please forgive my failure to greet you properly!”

Ye Shixian stared at the figure, momentarily lost in a daze, and murmured softly.

”So this is... the Heir of Duke Dingbei?”

’She had heard of him before. Whenever the other young ladies from prominent families mentioned him, their faces would be filled with adoration.’

’She had been dismissive back then, but seeing him now, she finally understood their reaction.’

’The Capital City was full of talented young men, but when it came down to it, the Heir of Duke Dingbei was the undisputed best of them all.’

’A man like flawless jade, noble beyond compare.’

All eyes were fixed on Shen Yanchuan, a thousand different thoughts running through the minds of the onlookers.

In the next moment, however, they saw Shen Yanchuan turn in a certain direction, his lips curving into a smile as he beckoned with his hand.

”Xiao Wu, come here.”

A tiny figure immediately scampered toward him.

Ye Chutang: ”...???”