The Duke's Pampered Darling is So Scheming

Chapter 57: Chapter 57: The Coming Storm

Ye Chutang’s eyebrow lifted slightly. ”Mingze, why would you say such a thing?”

Ye Mingze stared at her indignantly. ”You’re still denying it? If it wasn’t you, then who else could it be!? You’ve clearly hated my mother for a long time, and you seized this opportunity to ruin her face!”

Not a trace of anger showed on Ye Chutang’s face. Instead, she shook her head gently.

”Mingze, I can understand your concern for Second Aunt, but this truly has nothing to do with me. You say I hold a grudge against her, but I’ve only been back in the capital for a few days. What grudge could I possibly have?”

”It’s because you—” Halfway through his sentence, Ye Mingze finally noticed Shen Yanchuan standing to the side, and the rest of his words caught in his throat.

’He had wanted to say that Ye Chutang must have done this to get revenge for Xiao Wu, but in front of an outsider, that was something he could never say!’

He gritted his teeth. ”In any case, the most likely person is you!”

Ye Chutang retorted, ”Oh? Since you’re so certain, then—where’s your proof?”

Ye Mingze was speechless.

’It was just a guess. Where was he supposed to get proof?’

Ye Chutang thought for a moment, then said, ”If you still believe that, then why don’t we report it to the authorities and have them investigate until the truth comes out? The Princely Heir happens to be here to act as a witness. If the investigation proves I really did it, I’ll accept any consequences. But if not...”

As she said this, her expression grew distant, her gaze turning sharp and cold.

”Then I’ll have to trouble you to apologize to me in public and admit that everything you said before was slander.”

As if a basin of cold water had been poured over his head, Ye Mingze shivered and finally came to his senses.

”No!”

’I just saw Mother’s face—covered in a rash, lined with scratches, truly horrifying.’

’If word of this got out, it would be a disaster.’

’After all, my father was just promoted to Junior Minister of the Ministry of Justice...’

”Mingze!”

A sharp shout came from nearby. It was Ye Heng, who had heard the commotion and hurried over.

”What nonsense are you spouting!”

He quickly clasped his fists and bowed to Shen Yanchuan. ”My apologies, Princely Heir. My foolish son is simply overwrought with worry for his mother and spoke impulsively. Please pay him no mind.”

’Regardless of whether Ye Chutang was involved or not, accusing her so vehemently in front of Shen Yanchuan without a shred of proof was a complete disregard for the Princely Heir’s honor!’

’After all, he had just declared in front of so many people that he owed Ye Chutang a favor!’

Shen Yanchuan smiled faintly. ”It’s normal for your esteemed son to be worried. However, when a reputation is at stake, one cannot make baseless accusations. Especially since Lord Ye now holds a high position, it’s all the more important to be prudent in one’s words and actions. Wouldn’t you agree?”

Ye Heng wiped the cold sweat from his forehead and said repeatedly, ”Yes, yes! You are absolutely right!”

Shen Yanchuan brushed his sleeves.

”There’s no need to see me out.”

...

The Ye Mansion was destined for a restless night.

Ye Heng dragged Ye Mingze back to his room by the ear and ordered him not to go out and spout nonsense again.

Meanwhile, Mrs. Gao stayed in her room, smashing every mirror to pieces like a madwoman and crying until her eyes were red and swollen.

Ye Shixian stayed with her for a while before going to the small kitchen to brew her medicine.

Ye Heng’s mind was a mess. Not wanting to deal with any of it, he simply went to his study.

”Investigate! Find out what on earth went wrong!”

Remembering Mrs. Gao’s horrifying appearance, a chill ran down Ye Heng’s spine, and he sent Yu Hong to investigate.

But this was easier said than done.

Because—they didn’t even know what kind of poison had caused Mrs. Gao’s condition!

Doctor Zhang had given an ambiguous answer. Ye Heng wanted to invite another doctor, but he was afraid of the matter becoming public and bringing shame to the Ye Family. After much deliberation, he decided to have Mrs. Gao take the medicine prescribed by Doctor Zhang for the time being.

’He had poured so much time and energy into this banquet, and who knew it would be ruined just like that!’

’He actually suspected Ye Chutang as well, but now that she knew the Heir of Duke Dingbei, he certainly couldn’t treat her as casually as before.’

Finally, he came up with a plan—ask Ye Chutang to examine Mrs. Gao.

’If she really did it, she will surely be unnerved!’

...

Meanwhile, Ye Chutang led Xiao Wu back to their rooms and brought her a plate of pear crisps.

’They had only gotten through half the meal; the child was still hungry.’

”Have some of this to tide you over. I’ll have your fourth brother get you a couple more dishes in a bit.”

Ye Yunfeng acknowledged the order and hurried off.

After returning to the Ye Mansion, they had been preparing their meals separately, except for the very first day.

At first, Mrs. Gao had pretended to be generous, offering to assign them dedicated servants and maids, but Ye Chutang had politely refused, keeping only the cleaning servants and maids-of-all-work.

Mrs. Gao was, of course, happy to be saved the trouble.

Xiao Wu, however, didn’t eat the pear crisps right away. Instead, she took out the purse Shen Yanchuan had given her, excitedly ran to a drawer, emptied out her old purse, and carefully counted and transferred everything neatly into the new one.

Seeing this, Ye Chutang’s gaze shifted. She glanced at the carved nanmu wood box she had casually placed on the table after returning.

’The Heir of Duke Dingbei comes from a profound heritage; even the gift box is so exquisite.’

’This box alone must be incredibly valuable. I wonder what’s inside—’

Ye Chutang walked over. The box wasn’t locked; she opened it with a light flick of her fingertips.

Inside was a scroll.

”Big Sis, what did he give you?” Ye Jingyan came over to look as well.

Ye Chutang took the object out and slowly unrolled it.

”A painting.”

To be precise, it was a landscape painting.

Towering mountains and rushing rivers, a perfect balance of dark and light ink, creating a scene of serene, distant, and vast beauty.

Ye Jingyan saw the signature and exclaimed in surprise, ”This is... an original work by Grand Scholar Chen, Chen Songshi?!”

Chen Songshi is the current Cabinet Scholar, a man of immense learning, especially skilled in painting. His works are nearly impossible to obtain.

This painting is probably worth more than a thousand pieces of gold.

Ye Chutang tilted her head to look at him. ”You like it?”

Ye Jingyan’s gaze lingered on the painting for a moment before he nodded shyly.

’Ordinary people might never even get a chance to see an original Chen Songshi, yet here we are, holding one in our hands!’

’Perhaps only the Heir of Duke Dingbei could afford to give away such a lavish gift so casually.’

Ye Chutang handed the painting to Ye Jingyan. ”If you like it, then take it.”

Ye Jingyan was taken aback. ”But, Big Sis—”

”In any case, this painting can’t be resold. It would just collect dust with me, so you might as well have it.”

Ye Jingyan truly loved the painting, so in the end, he accepted it.

”Thank you, Big Sis.”

Ye Chutang looked Ye Jingyan up and down for a few moments, then suddenly asked, ”Yan, have you gotten taller again?”

’Two months ago, Yan was only a little taller than me, but now I actually have to look up at him.’

Ye Jingyan stretched his arms. ”I think so.”

’These clothes are getting a little small.’

”I’ll buy you and A Feng some new clothes later.” Ye Chutang glanced at the sky outside. Gray-blue clouds were gradually gathering, creating a heavy, humid atmosphere. ”It might rain tonight. Go bring in the things from the courtyard.”