The Duke's Pampered Darling is So Scheming

Chapter 85: Chapter 85: Which Family’s Young Master?

Murong Ye froze for a moment.

’This woman... is different from what I expected.’

He had long heard about the recent events at the Ye Family residence and was extremely displeased with Ye Chutang and her siblings.

He had previously sent a messenger with a letter to Ye Shixian, asking her to go on a lake excursion, but she had refused him.

The Ye Shixian he remembered was gentle and demure, someone who would almost always do as he wished.

Yet, ever since Ye Chutang and her siblings returned to the Capital City, the Ye Family had been plagued by constant turmoil. It had even gotten in the way of his relationship with Ye Shixian.

How could he not be annoyed?

He had always assumed that a woman like Ye Chutang, who had spent three years in exile raising her younger siblings alone, would be no different from a coarse country bumpkin. But to his surprise...

Ye Chutang gave a slight nod. ”Mr. Murong.”

’So this is Murong Yang’s son?’

Murong Ye snapped back to his senses. His lips moved, but for a moment, he didn’t know what to say.

Seeing this, Ye Shixian secretly frowned, her hand tightening silently around her handkerchief.

A grateful smile bloomed on her lips. ”I must thank you, Assistant Liu and Mr. Murong, for taking the trouble to bring my brother back. I’m so very grateful.”

When Murong Ye saw her smile, his heart instantly melted.

”Don’t thank me. It was nothing!”

Ye Shixian tilted her head slightly. ”Shaoyao, escort the Second Young Master back to his room to rest.”

”Yes.”

Shaoyao immediately stepped forward. Not wanting to lose face at his own front door, Ye Mingze turned and walked inside with a cold expression.

As he passed Ye Chutang, he paused, his jaw clenched tight.

”Just you wait! This time, I—”

”Mingze!”

Ye Shixian suddenly raised her voice, shooting him a warning glance.

Ye Mingze took a deep breath and stormed off in a huff.

Ye Shixian wore an apologetic expression. ”Mingze hasn’t fully recovered yet, so it’s understandable that he’s irritable. I hope you can forgive him.”

Liu Hexuan shook his head. ”It’s no trouble. The Lord Sacrificial Officer sent him home out of consideration for his health. While studies are important, his health comes first. It won’t be too late for him to return to the Imperial College once he’s fully recovered.”

Ye Shixian’s heart dropped.

’From the sound of it, the Imperial College isn’t in any hurry for Mingze to return?’

’This...’

She forced a smile. ”I understand. Thank you, Assistant Liu.”

Murong Ye wanted to talk with her more. ”Shixian, I—”

”The physician we called for Mingze will be here soon, so I won’t see you two out,” Ye Shixian interrupted.

Her intention to send them away was all too clear, so Murong Ye could only swallow the rest of his words.

”...Alright. If you need my help with anything later, just ask!”

Only after watching them leave did Ye Shixian turn back toward the residence. The moment she looked up, her gaze met Ye Chutang’s.

Ye Chutang smiled faintly. ”You and Mr. Murong seem to be quite close.”

Ye Shixian immediately denied it. ”Not at all. He’s just a righteous person by nature. Since he and Mingze both study at the Imperial College, he simply helped bring him home. What other relationship could I possibly have with him?”

Ye Chutang blinked. ”Why are you so nervous? That’s all I meant.”

Ye Shixian was in a terrible mood and had no desire to play games with her. Using the excuse of checking on Ye Mingze, she quickly walked away with a cold expression.

Ye Chutang glanced at the carriage disappearing around the corner. Her red lips curved slightly, and a hint of mockery flashed in her eyes.

”Righteous?”

’I’m afraid it’s like father, like son.’

...

”It must have been those two! They framed me!”

Ye Mingze was fuming.

”Who else would try to harm me like this!”

Ye Shixian glanced outside and frowned. ”Keep your voice down!”

”What?! They can do it, but I can’t even talk about it!?” Ye Mingze was a powder keg, ready to ignite at any moment. ”I was back for less than a day before being kicked out! If outsiders find out, what will they think of me!?”

Ye Shixian was also extremely annoyed. ”What’s the use of shouting at me about it? You claim Ye Jingyan and Ye Yunfeng harmed you, but do you have any proof?”

Ye Mingze was at a loss for words.

’If I had proof, I wouldn’t have been kicked out!’

”Father doesn’t know yet. When he gets back, you’re bound to get another lecture!” Ye Shixian couldn’t hold it in any longer, complaining with a frown, ”How could you be so careless!”

Ye Mingze’s eyes widened. ”Sis? Can you get it straight? They’re the ones who plotted against me! I’m the victim here! And you’re scolding me!?”

”Does that matter?” Ye Shixian retorted. ”What matters is that our family has been facing one mishap after another. Now you’ve caused this situation. Don’t tell me you actually want to confirm the rumors about us being haunted?”

This kind of thing only gets more bizarre the more it spreads. It might start as nothing, but when enough people talk, nothing becomes something!

What will become of the Ye Family’s reputation then?

Ye Mingze was seething with frustration. ”So we’re just supposed to let them get away with it?! I was against letting them stay from the very beginning! And now? It’s just one damn thing after another!”

As if Ye Shixian wasn’t just as frustrated.

She said coldly, ”What else can we do? Kick them out and let Father bear the infamy?”

Ye Mingze frowned. ”There has to be a way to make them leave... That’s it!”

He suddenly remembered something, his eyes lighting up. ”We just need to marry Ye Chutang off, right?”

’Once she’s dealt with, Ye Jingyan and Ye Yunfeng are just two half-grown boys who live at the Imperial College most of the time. Then wouldn’t it be—’

Ye Shixian sneered. ”Easier said than done.”

But Ye Mingze leaned in, a triumphant smile on his face.

”Of course it’s simple! As long as someone comes to the door with a marriage proposal, the matter will be put on the agenda. It would all happen naturally, wouldn’t it?”

...

「Long Princess Mansion.」

Ye Chutang was administering acupuncture to the Eldest Princess as usual.

After several days of massages and conditioning, the Eldest Princess was recovering quickly. She could now speak in complete sentences, and her limbs were much more agile. With Zhuxin’s support, she could even walk a few steps back and forth.

”In another ten days, Your Highness’s body should be mostly healed. After that, I’ll prescribe a month’s worth of medicine. Combined with the massages from Zhuxin and the others, you’ll be well in no time.”

Ye Chutang said.

Princess Qingyang reacted. ”So, you’re saying you’ll stop coming after ten more days?”

Ye Chutang smiled, pressing her lips together. ”I’ll just need to conduct periodic check-ups.”

Princess Qingyang’s face showed a trace of admiration. ”No wonder you were even able to heal my brother’s injuries. Your medical skills are truly impeccable! Hey, why don’t you open another medical hall?”

Ye Chutang was a little surprised. ”Your Highness means—”

”With such incredible medical skills, wouldn’t it be a pity not to use them to treat the sick and save lives?” Princess Qingyang’s interest was piqued. ”Besides, you’ve just returned to the Capital City and need money for everything. Opening a medical hall would kill several birds with one stone, wouldn’t it?”

Ye Chutang lowered her gaze, paused, and then smiled faintly. ”Thank you for your kind intentions, Your Highness, but this might not be so easy to do.”

Princess Qingyang asked, puzzled, ”Why? If you’re short on money or need a location, I’ll find them for you!”

Ye Chutang shook her head gently. ”Before, I had no choice, as I had to support Yan, A Feng, and Xiao Wu. But now that we’re back in the Capital City, my Second Uncle holds an official post and intends to find a good match for me. If I continue to practice medicine publicly, I’m afraid... it wouldn’t be appropriate.”

Princess Qingyang’s eyes widened. Before she could speak, the Eldest Princess, lying beside her, was the first to ask:

”Oh? And which family’s young master has he chosen for you?”