The Duke's Pampered Darling is So Scheming

Chapter 68: Chapter 68: Shen Yanchuan, Where Are Your Manners?

Ye Shixian was both surprised and delighted. ”Thank you, Eldest Princess.”

Although she had been wronged earlier, she was a person of little importance and could only endure it.

She had never expected the Eldest Princess to take the initiative to offer a gift as a consolation.

This way, the other noble ladies could no longer use the incident to mock her.

Ye Chutang, however, was thinking of something else. ’The Eldest Princess is certainly very fond of Princess Qingyang.’

’This whole display isn’t to make it up to Ye Shixian, but to smooth things over for Princess Qingyang.’

’The Eldest Princess’s husband died young, and she only had one daughter.’

’Her daughter later married Duke Dingbei, but it was a shame she contracted a serious illness and passed away at a young age.’

’In other words, this Eldest Princess is actually Shen Yanchuan’s maternal grandmother.’

’After losing her daughter, the Eldest Princess was despondent for a long time, so King Yan Nan sent Princess Qingyang over to be raised under her care for three years.’

’The Eldest Princess treats Princess Qingyang almost like her own granddaughter.’

’No wonder Princess Qingyang is so bold.’

Suddenly, Ye Chutang felt a gaze land upon her.

The Eldest Princess smiled and said, ”You must be Ye Chutang?”

The moment she spoke, everyone froze for a moment.

Ye Shixian couldn’t help but look back in astonishment.

’Just now, when the Eldest Princess had asked about her, she had only referred to her as ”a Miss Ye,” but when it came to Ye Chutang, she knew her name clear as day.’

’This—’

Ye Chutang nodded and curtsied. ”I am Ye Chutang. Greetings to you, Princess.”

Her mind raced, and in an instant, she had already guessed why the Eldest Princess knew her.

Sure enough, the next moment she heard the Eldest Princess say with a smile, ”To possess such fine medical skills at such a young age is truly rare.”

Ye Chutang lowered her gaze and replied softly, ”The Princely Heir is a man of great fortune. I dare not take credit for his recovery.”

The smile on the Eldest Princess’s face deepened.

She had already formed a good impression of Ye Chutang for saving her grandson, and seeing her now in person, she was even more pleased. The young woman was gentle and beautiful, her bearing graceful and composed. Most importantly, she was neither servile nor overbearing, and she spoke with perfect propriety. The Eldest Princess naturally found herself liking the girl even more.

She had originally intended to bestow another reward upon her, but then she remembered that Shen Yanchuan had already made a special trip to the Ye Mansion a few days prior, so she dismissed the idea.

’After all, if I give all the gifts, what will be left for my grandson to give?’

The Eldest Princess took her seat with a smile, and only then did everyone else sit.

Now, however, all their attention was fixed on Ye Chutang.

Ever since returning to the capital, the Heir of Duke Dingbei had remained in seclusion to recuperate. He only broke this isolation a few days ago to visit the Ye Mansion. It was later said that he had gone to personally deliver a thank-you gift because Ye Chutang had previously saved his life.

Many had been skeptical of this rumor, but seeing the Eldest Princess’s attitude now, how could they not understand the truth of it?

Ye Shixian silently clenched her fists inside her sleeves. When she looked at the bracelet she’d been given, she no longer felt any joy, only a stifling sense of frustration.

She had decided to bring Ye Chutang along to use this opportunity to humiliate her. She never expected Princess Qingyang to interfere, followed by the Eldest Princess showing Ye Chutang such special favor.

She was the one who had been humiliated, while Ye Chutang was the one who had gained all the prestige!

Ye Shixian was filled with endless regret—how could she have forgotten about Ye Chutang’s connection to Shen Yanchuan!

Throughout the meal, Ye Shixian was completely distracted, eating only a few mouthfuls before stopping.

Fortunately, because the Eldest Princess had intervened, everyone’s attitude toward her had noticeably improved, and people gradually started coming over to make conversation.

But she quickly discovered that most of them were actually there for Ye Chutang.

”I heard that for the past three years, Second Miss Ye was away from home, making a living by running a medical clinic. How impressive.”

”The Princely Heir has been recuperating in his mansion ever since he returned to the capital. Second Miss Ye, was he very seriously injured?”

”Second Miss Ye, when do you think the Princely Heir will make a full recovery?”

Ye Chutang, who had been unknowingly surrounded by the group of ladies: ”...???”

’Seriously, this is getting ridiculous.’

’Shen Yanchuan may have a face that could topple kingdoms, but if they’re all so concerned, why don’t they just go ask him? What’s the point of asking an outsider like me?’

’It’s not like I even know Shen Yanchuan that well.’

’But she couldn’t just say that. The Eldest Princess had just praised her, after all. To immediately kill the donkey after it’s done grinding—no, that’s not it, to burn the bridge after crossing it—wouldn’t be a good look.’

So, Ye Chutang adopted a strategy of polite ignorance, answering their questions with a vague response. ”In truth, I only prescribed a few medicines for the Princely Heir; I didn’t do much else. Besides, we’ve only met once at the Ye Mansion since he returned to the capital. I’m not really aware of his current condition.”

The young ladies all looked disappointed.

They had hoped to pry some useful information out of Ye Chutang, but in the end, they learned nothing at all.

The Eldest Princess, of course, noticed what was happening and was rather intrigued.

’Anyone else in her position would probably be dying to flaunt their connection to Shen Yanchuan, yet this girl seems to be avoiding it like the plague.’

’What did my dear grandson do to be so disliked by her?’

’No wonder he was in such a rush to deliver that gift to the Ye Mansion...’

The Eldest Princess heartily mocked her grandson in her mind before inviting everyone to the rear garden to admire the lotuses.

As she departed, everyone else naturally hurried to follow.

Ye Chutang took a few steps away from the crowd, finally able to breathe in some fresh air.

’It was so crowded in there.’

’Nothing good ever comes from being associated with that man.’

Ye Shixian followed behind them, her lips pressed into a thin line.

Ye Chutang glanced back and asked, ”Shixian, you don’t look so good. Are you feeling unwell?”

’Unwell? I feel absolutely terrible!’

Ye Shixian’s heart was filled with resentment.

’Ye Chutang has stolen all the spotlight!’

She took a deep breath, forcing her expression into a semblance of neutrality. ”No, I just feel a bit warm.”

Ye Chutang gestured with her chin. ”I see they’ve placed blocks of ice in the pavilion up ahead. It should be much cooler over there.”

The Eldest Princess’s status was exalted, and everything she used—from her food and clothing to daily sundries—was of the highest quality. Even this octagonal pavilion, intended for admiring the lotuses and watching the fish, had been specially supplied with two large tubs of ice.

A gentle breeze blew across the lake’s surface, carrying a hint of moisture. As it wafted past the ice, it became a deeply refreshing coolness.

The lake was a sea of lush, green lotus pads. A few lotus flowers stood gracefully among them, their stems tall and straight. Some of the pinkish-white buds had yet to open, while others were already in full bloom.

A dozen or so brightly colored, plump-bodied carp swam back and forth in the water.

Ye Chutang glanced at them.

’These fish are certainly well-fed. They’re so plump, almost as round as Xiao Wu.’

’Mm, I’ll give Xiao Wu an extra treat when I get back.’

As Ye Chutang strolled along, Ye Shixian caught up to her. Perhaps eager to cool off in the pavilion, Ye Shixian’s pace was quick, and she walked right past Ye Chutang.

After walking a short distance ahead, she touched her wrist and cried out, ”Oh dear, I think my red jade bead string fell off!”

Shaoyao immediately asked, ”Where did you drop it, miss? I’ll go look for it!”

Ye Shixian frowned slightly and looked back, appearing very anxious.

”My mother gave that to me. If it’s lost—”

Hearing the commotion, Ye Chutang pulled her gaze away from the lake and glanced over.

Ye Shixian said urgently, ”Cousin, did you see my red jade bead string? I wonder if it fell off somewhere around here.”

Ye Chutang took half a step back and lowered her gaze, looking around on the ground.

Ye Shixian suddenly reached out to grab her. ”Cousin, watch out!”

Her hand made contact with Ye Chutang, and in that instant, the grab turned into a shove!