The Duke's Pampered Darling is So Scheming

Chapter 80: Chapter 80: Didn’t Check the Almanac

Princess Qinyang jumped and whipped her head around. ”You don’t make a sound when you walk!”

A half-smile played on Shen Yanchuan’s lips. ”Did I interrupt you talking bad about me behind my back?”

Princess Qinyang choked on her words and muttered under her breath, ”...I only said a couple of things. Must you be so sensitive? I used to say things to your face and you never reacted like this...”

Her personality was fiery and willful, and she wasn’t afraid to confront even a Prince or Princess. But for some reason, when it came to Shen Yanchuan, she always felt a little intimidated.

The world said the Heir of Duke Dingbei was cold and refined, but she always felt an invisible, inexplicably powerful aura around him.

Besides, she was truly in the wrong this time, which left her with no room to argue.

Ye Chutang curtsied. ”Greetings, Princely Heir.”

Shen Yanchuan’s gaze lingered on her face for a moment, his mind recalling what Lian Zhou had told him that morning.

’...Not only is Doctor Ye formidable, but her two younger brothers aren’t to be trifled with either. They actually got into the Imperial College without any help from Ye Heng! I heard Ye Mingze was shouting at the gate, insisting the recommendation letter was a fake, and it just so happened that the Lord Sacrificial Officer overheard him! His schoolwork is usually poor, so the Assistant Teachers at the Imperial College already dislike him. After this, it’ll probably get even worse...’

Shen Yanchuan raised an eyebrow.

’I should have realized sooner.’ Ye Chutang had managed to flee south with her younger siblings, support her family all by herself as a woman in these times, and even raise Xiao Wu to be so chubby and healthy. Her abilities were truly extraordinary.

’I underestimated her.’

”Thank you for your hard work, Doctor Ye.”

A slight smile touched Ye Chutang’s lips. ”It’s my duty. There’s no need to be so formal, Princely Heir.”

Since she had accepted the consultation fee, she would do what was required. She had always been straightforward like that.

Just then, the door to the adjacent room was pushed open, and a tiny figure came pattering out, throwing herself directly into Ye Chutang’s arms.

Two maids followed behind, hurriedly curtsying when they saw Shen Yanchuan. ”Greetings, Princely Heir!”

Ye Chutang bent down to scoop Xiao Wu up, her eyes crinkling. ”Did you have fun playing here?”

Xiao Wu nodded obediently, then buried her face in Ye Chutang’s neck and nuzzled against her.

Ye Chutang ruffled her hair.

With Yan and A Feng away at the Imperial College, she couldn’t possibly leave Xiao Wu home alone, so she had brought her along.

The two maids said with a smile, ”Miss Ye Wu is so well-behaved! She didn’t cry or make a fuss, and she’s incredibly smart. She solved the nine-linked rings puzzle in no time!”

Xiao Wu had always been sensible. Knowing her sister was busy in the inner room, she had been on her best behavior.

Ye Chutang booped Xiao Wu’s nose.

”Well then, shall we go home with Big Sister?”

Xiao Wu nodded.

Ye Chutang had only taken a few steps with her in her arms when she suddenly felt that something was odd about Xiao Wu.

She looked and saw the little girl perched on her shoulder, staring behind her with wide, dark, round eyes—

Ye Chutang: ’...???’

’Why are you looking at him?’

Xiao Wu seemed a little lost herself, turning her head to look expectantly at her sister.

’Young Master was the one who took Big Sister home yesterday. Isn’t he taking us today?’

Shen Yanchuan also noticed Xiao Wu looking at him. He arched a sculpted brow. ”What is it?”

Ye Chutang was silent for a long moment.

”It’s nothing. I think Xiao Wu is getting sleepy.”

Xiao Wu blinked, looked at Ye Chutang, then at Shen Yanchuan. Finally, she rubbed her eyes in confusion, covered her mouth with a tiny hand to yawn, and tilted her head.

She was asleep.

’Hmm... I don’t know why Big Sister doesn’t want Young Master to take us home, but if Big Sister says I’m sleepy, then I must be sleepy!’

Ye Chutang gave Shen Yanchuan a polite smile. ”Xiao Wu has fallen asleep. I’ll take her home now. There’s no need for you to see us out, Princely Heir, Commandery Princess.”

Shen Yanchuan: ”...”

Only after that slender, graceful figure had disappeared did Princess Qinyang slowly turn her head and look him up and down.

Shen Yanchuan said, ”If you have something to say, just say it.”

The grin on Princess Qinyang’s face was irrepressible. ”Brother, what on earth did you do to make yourself so disliked?”

’With a face like that, he’s probably never been treated so coldly by a woman before, has he?’

’No, it’s more than coldness. It’s like she can’t get away from him fast enough!’

Shen Yanchuan said coolly, ”I heard you haven’t been looking for Murong Ye these past few days. No wonder you have so much time to meddle in other people’s affairs.”

Princess Qinyang’s temper flared, and her pretty face flushed with a myriad of colors.

She turned and stormed off in a huff.

”You just wait! Sooner or later, someone will put you in your place!”

...

”Please stop for a moment.”

Ye Chutang called for the carriage to halt, her voice gentle.

”I just remembered there are a few things I need to buy, so I’ll get off here.”

The servant quickly said, ”Then I shall wait for you here.”

Ye Chutang smiled and shook her head. ”No need. We’re not far from the Ye Mansion, so I won’t trouble you.”

Seeing her insistence, the servant didn’t try to persuade her further.

”Yes, milady. I will come to pick you up again tomorrow.”

Ye Chutang was now an honored guest of the Long Princess Mansion; no one in the entire household could afford to offend her, and that included him.

Ye Chutang thanked him again and got out of the carriage, holding Xiao Wu.

Xiao Wu opened one eye.

Ye Chutang asked, ”We’re going to buy a shop. Want to come?”

Xiao Wu’s eyes flew wide open, sparkling brightly.

’Yes, yes, I want to go!’

Ye Chutang carried her as she walked onward.

After crossing one street and turning two corners, they arrived in front of Lan Yue Building.

Xiao Wu couldn’t help but turn her head to peek inside.

Ye Chutang naturally knew what she was thinking and said with a smile, ”We’ll come back to eat later.”

Xiao Wu grinned, but then she seemed to remember something, and a hint of regret appeared on her little face.

’Third Brother and Fourth Brother have gone to the Imperial College. They won’t be back for a few days!’

Ye Chutang walked a little further, stopping in front of the fabric shop diagonally across from Lan Yue Building.

This was the shop Xiao Wu had chosen by drawing lots before.

She took Xiao Wu’s hand and walked inside.

...

Just as Han Yao arrived in front of Lan Yue Building, he spotted a familiar figure.

He froze.

’Isn’t that Ye Chutang?’

The one next to her was her youngest sister.

Before he could get a clear look, they had already entered the fabric shop.

”Young Master, what are you looking at?” his accompanying servant asked curiously.

A glint appeared in Han Yao’s eyes, and a knowing smile spread across his lips.

”Looking at a beauty, of course.”

The servant was a little confused but didn’t ask any more questions.

His young master had a flirtatious nature, so it was perfectly normal for him to say such things.

Han Yao thought for a moment, then started to follow them.

The servant was taken aback. ”Huh? Young Master, don’t you have an appointment at Lan Yue Building—”

’The time for your appointment is almost here!’

Han Yao waved his fan nonchalantly.

”It’ll only take a moment. It’s fine!”

With that, he quickened his pace and followed them into the fabric shop.

...

The shopkeeper of the fabric shop was busy when he looked up and saw Ye Chutang. He immediately recognized her as the young lady who had come to inquire about the shop’s price before.

He put down what he was holding and approached with a smile. ”Miss, you’ve come again?”

Although the young woman wasn’t old and her clothes and jewelry were very simple, her looks and bearing were both top-class. She didn’t seem like a girl from an ordinary family.

As a shopkeeper doing business in the Capital City, he naturally knew that the city was full of hidden talents and powerful people, so he didn’t dare show the slightest neglect.

Ye Chutang gave a polite nod.

”I’ve come about what I discussed with you last time—”

Before she could finish, she was interrupted.

”Miss Ye?”

Hearing that flamboyant voice, a hint of impatience crossed Ye Chutang’s brow.

She turned to look, and sure enough, it was Han Yao.

He cupped his fists in a greeting, his gaze glued to Ye Chutang’s face, the eagerness in his eyes unconcealed.

”What a coincidence to run into you here again.”

Ye Chutang replied, ”Very coincidental. I must have forgotten to check the almanac before leaving home today.”