The Duke's Pampered Darling is So Scheming

Chapter 67: Chapter 67: Paying Respects

My father had angered the Holy Emperor and was demoted to Wuzhou for pleading on behalf of General Huo Yucheng.

Murong Yang had been Huo Yucheng’s right-hand man, following him since the age of fifteen. It could be said that Huo Yucheng himself had brought him up through the ranks.

Yet, in the end, it was he who betrayed him, reporting that Huo Yucheng had fabricated military achievements, embezzled army funds, and through his obstinate and reckless advances, led to eighty thousand soldiers being slaughtered by Xiliang forces at Tongtian Pass.

The Mr. Murong that Shaoyao mentioned must be Murong Yang’s only son—Murong Ye.

Rumor had it that he had long admired Ye Shixian, but as fate would have it, Princess Qingyang was also interested in him, making the relationship between the three of them incredibly delicate.

No wonder Princess Qingyang couldn’t stand the sight of Ye Shixian.

While Huo Yucheng’s entire family had been executed, Murong Yang, in stark contrast, had risen steadily through the ranks. He was now the Capital Commander, a bona fide Second-Grade Official.

If Ye Shixian were to truly marry Murong Ye, she would be marrying up.

’But judging by her reaction, she seems to be trying to keep her distance...’

Ye Shixian composed herself, and once she was certain nothing was amiss, she walked toward the main gate.

A maidservant quickly came over to lead the way.

The Eldest Princess was the current Holy Emperor’s elder sister. She had once fought alongside him to expand the empire’s borders, rendering distinguished service, and thus held an exceptional status.

Her mansion alone took up an entire street.

The main gate was already magnificent, but inside, the pavilions and towers with their carved beams and painted rafters proclaimed royal opulence at every turn.

Even the attire of the servants was comparable to that of the sons and daughters of many wealthy families.

The deeper Ye Shixian walked into the mansion, the more she was stunned by the magnificent scenery. Her speech and demeanor grew increasingly cautious, and she took each step with reserved care.

Shaoyao was gawking in a daze and accidentally stumbled.

Ye Shixian’s brow furrowed, and she scolded in a low voice, ”How could you be so careless?”

Knowing she had misbehaved, Shaoyao’s face flushed crimson. ”Miss... please forgive me—”

Just as Ye Shixian was about to say more, the maidservant leading the way spoke up with a smile, ”Miss Ye, there’s no need to be so harsh. This path is paved with river pebbles, so one must be careful not to trip.”

Ye Shixian quickly swallowed her words and forced a smile. ”Thank you.”

The maidservant was all smiles, her face showing no hint of displeasure or disdain, but inwardly she was shaking her head.

’Far too many people wanted to curry favor with the Eldest Princess. This mansion was always full of distinguished guests coming and going. As the Eldest Princess’s head personal maid, she had seen all sorts of people and found this behavior entirely unremarkable.’

’Ye Shixian had become quite well-known in the capital over the last few years, but who would have thought... Hailing from a minor family, her conduct ultimately lacked true grace.’

’But...’ The maidservant couldn’t help but steal another look at Ye Chutang beside her.

’She had heard this was Ye Shixian’s cousin, the beloved daughter of the former Lord Ye Zheng, who had only just managed to return to the capital after three years away.’

’She had expected her to be timid and awkward, but from the moment she stepped into the mansion, the young woman had been nothing but poised and graceful in her every word and deed.’

’Even Ye Shixian, on her first visit to the Long Princess Mansion, had been a bundle of nerves, terrified of making a mistake and acting incredibly stiff.’

’This one, on the other hand, was completely at ease, calm and composed. She truly carried herself with an excellent bearing.’

The maidservant hadn’t paid Ye Chutang much mind at first, assuming she was just tagging along with Ye Shixian. But now, she saw her in a completely new light.

Because they had been delayed at the gate, the main hall was already mostly full by the time they arrived.

Over twenty young ladies from noble families had been invited today. Most of them were childhood friends and were now sitting together, chatting animatedly.

”The ladies of the Ye Family have arrived.”

The maidservant’s announcement immediately drew everyone’s attention, and all heads turned to look.

Ye Shixian instinctively straightened her spine, striving to maintain a flawless posture.

However, she could still hear snippets of whispered conversation.

”Is that Ye Shixian? The one who was so frightened by Princess Qingyang outside the Princess Mansion that she fell out of her carriage?”

”That’s her, alright!”

”Aren’t they always saying how breathtakingly beautiful she is? Seeing her today, she’s nothing special. But the one beside her... which family is she from?”

Secrets were hard to keep here. News that Princess Qingyang had targeted Ye Shixian and caused her to be humiliated at the mansion gates had already spread like wildfire, becoming a hot topic of discussion.

Now, upon seeing Ye Shixian, most of the guests were simply there to enjoy the spectacle.

Others, however, found their attention drawn to Ye Chutang.

Her gentle and refined beauty was simply impossible to ignore.

”Princess Qingyang said that’s her cousin, Ye Chutang. She’s also the second daughter of that Lord Ye Zheng from back then.”

These young ladies from prestigious families were by no means sheltered and ignorant of the world’s affairs. On the contrary, because their fathers and brothers all held positions at court—most of them high-ranking—they were quite well-informed on such matters.

Ye Shixian pretended not to have heard the chatter and took her seat.

Ye Chutang naturally sat down beside her. Her lashes lifted slightly as she impassively took in everyone’s reactions, and she raised a single eyebrow.

’Ye Shixian had gone all out to make a splash at today’s Chao Hua Banquet, but unfortunately, she’d run headfirst into a brick wall named Princess Qingyang. A truly bad start.’

’Even those who might have considered befriending her before would have to think twice now.’

’After all, no one was willing to offend Princess Qingyang for the sake of a mere Ye Shixian.’

Ye Shixian had clearly realized this as well. Her lips thinned, and she tightened her grip on her handkerchief.

Just then—

”Her Highness, the Eldest Princess, arrives!”

Following the announcement, a woman approaching her sixties entered, dressed in a deep purple court gown.

She leaned on a cane topped with a dragon’s head of purple gold. Her expression was benevolent, and she exuded an air of nobility from head to toe.

Though her hair was streaked with white, she was vigorous and sharp. A trace of her youthful, heroic spirit could still be seen in her eyes, making it obvious she was a woman who had seen battle. She naturally inspired awe and respect.

Everyone rose in unison.

”Greetings, Eldest Princess.”

The Eldest Princess smiled and gestured with her hand. ”There is no need for such ceremony.”

Princess Qingyang hurried forward, stopping before her to offer a curtsy. ”I bring greetings to you from my father and mother, Eldest Princess!”

The Eldest Princess, however, just let out a ”hmpf.” ”Wasn’t it you causing a scene at the gate just now?”

Princess Qingyang blinked, wheedling, ”But that was just an accident—”

The Eldest Princess was very close with King Yan Nan and his wife and had watched Princess Qingyang grow up. She knew the girl’s temperament better than anyone, so after hearing the report from her servants, she already had a good idea of what had transpired.

”Don’t let it happen again.”

With that, the Eldest Princess’s gaze swept over the other young ladies in the room. ”Is Miss Ye alright?”

Ye Shixian immediately took half a step forward and curtsied. ”Thank you for your concern, Your Highness. I am unharmed.”

The Eldest Princess sized her up for a moment.

’She is indeed beautiful, but she’s too timid and can’t handle pressure.’

’Li Yue might be willful and spoiled, but she knows her limits. The horse was still some distance from the carriage, yet Ye Shixian was so frightened she fell right out. This...’

She smoothed her expression and ordered, ”Zhuxin, bring me that pair of Silver Enamel Hollow Bracelets.”