The Duke's Pampered Darling is So Scheming

Chapter 86: Chapter 86: Reinvestigate

Ye Chutang gently shook her head, her tone gentle. ”Second Uncle is set on helping me, insisting he’ll personally pick someone, but... nothing has been decided yet.”

The Eldest Princess scoffed. ”So he is quite devoted to you, then.”

Ye Heng has a daughter, one whose beauty is famed throughout the Capital City. When people mention the Ye Family, they know of the family’s exquisitely beautiful young lady.

It was obvious the Ye Family had put considerable effort into crafting that reputation.

Ye Heng’s rank used to be low. Now that he’s finally been promoted to Junior Minister of the Ministry of Justice, he’s striving to send his daughter to the Chao Hua Banquet. His intentions are crystal clear to anyone with eyes.

He’s simply trying to marry his daughter into a powerful family to secure a lifetime of wealth and glory.

’His own daughter’s future isn’t even settled, so how could he possibly be thinking about Ye Chutang?’

’If he had a shred of genuine affection for his niece, he wouldn’t be squatting in his own brother’s estate, making it seem as if Ye Chutang and her siblings were the ones living on his charity!’

Princess Qingyang sneered. ”He’s going to choose for you? What kind of good match could he possibly find?”

Given her status, she was indeed entitled to look down on Ye Heng.

Ye Chutang seemed unbothered. ”My father and brother are gone, and I’ve been away for the last three years, so it’s natural that arranging a marriage would be difficult. Second Uncle is showing his concern, and it wouldn’t be right to spurn it.”

Princess Qingyang couldn’t stand to listen any longer. ”Are you kidding me? You! Worried about finding a good family?”

”Your looks and bearing alone put countless noble ladies in the Capital City to shame, to say nothing of your incredible medical skills!”

Ye Chutang shook her head. ”I’m not worried about that. I’m worried about Yan, A Feng, and Xiao Wu. They’re still just children.”

The Eldest Princess looked at Ye Chutang. She was clearly just a seventeen-year-old girl, yet she possessed a poise and reserve—a calm composure—far beyond her years.

’One could only wonder what hardships she had endured to forge such a disposition.’

She patted Ye Chutang’s hand, her features softening into a smile. ”Marriage is one of life’s great events; it can’t be rushed. You’ve only just returned to the Capital City, so why not spend some time exploring and enjoying yourself? Rest assured, with my support, I will personally see to it that you find an excellent match.”

These words carried immense weight.

The Eldest Princess’s status was venerated. If she were willing to arrange a marriage for Ye Chutang, countless prominent families would be lining up for the opportunity.

A rising tide lifts all boats. With the Eldest Princess backing her, Ye Chutang would naturally have far more confidence.

No matter who Ye Heng picked, could his choice ever surpass one made by the Eldest Princess?

Ye Chutang blinked slowly, the corners of her lips curving up as she curtsied. Her long lashes cast faint shadows beneath her eyes.

”Thank you, Eldest Princess.”

The Eldest Princess smiled. ”You saved my life; there’s no need for such formalities with me. On that note, there happens to be a polo match at the palace next month. How about you come and join the fun?”

...

「Ministry of Justice.」

Ye Heng sat behind his desk, an open case file at his side.

Cases had been piling up recently, and as a newly appointed official, he was desperate to show results, so he’d been throwing himself into his work.

But as he read, his eyelids grew heavy, and his consciousness began to drift.

The words before him seemed to swim and blur.

”Lord Ye? Lord Ye?”

Someone nearby had to call his name several times before Ye Heng’s head suddenly snapped down, and he nearly tumbled from his chair.

He frantically grabbed the armrests, shook his head, and looked up.

When he saw who had arrived, he jolted and scrambled to his feet.

”Lord Su, what brings you here?”

The visitor was none other than the Minister of the Ministry of Justice, Su Wei.

Su Wei studied him for a moment, his brow furrowing slightly. ”Lord Ye, have you not been sleeping well lately?”

This wasn’t the first time Ye Heng had fallen asleep while reviewing case files.

Su Wei had overlooked it the first two times, but it was happening far too often now, and he was growing quite displeased.

Ye Heng, of course, understood his meaning and looked ashamed. ”My apologies, Lord Su. I—I just suddenly felt a little tired, and... Rest assured, I will finish reviewing this file as soon as possible!”

But Su Wei said, ”Don’t bother. Someone else can handle these. Go home early today and get some proper rest.”

Ye Heng’s heart sank, but in the end, he could only say, ”...Yes.”

As he walked out, many of his colleagues stared after him with varied expressions, making Ye Heng feel like he had needles on his back.

He could faintly hear their hushed gossip.

”He left early again today?”

”It was on Lord Su’s orders. Who can stand someone sitting around sleeping instead of working?”

”He never used to be like this. I really don’t know what’s gotten into him...”

”Haven’t you heard? A lot of strange things have been happening with the Ye Family lately!”

Ye Heng quickened his pace, his expression grim as he made a swift exit.

’There hasn’t been a single piece of good news lately!’

Mrs. Gao had fallen ill, and the red rash on her face and body refused to fade. He felt a sense of dread just by looking at her.

Ye Shixian had attended the Chao Hua Banquet, where he’d hoped she would dazzle the crowd and outshine all the other beauties. Instead, she had fallen into a lake and brought shame upon them.

But what vexed him most was Ye Mingze.

To think he was personally called out by the Sacrificial Officer and sent home... Ye Heng had become a total laughingstock these past few days!

Of all the students at the Imperial College, it had to be *his* son, Ye Heng’s son, who caused such a monumental disaster!

Worse still, because of this incident, the rumors about Ye Mingze having some sort of ’illness’ were spiraling out of control.

’And then there was himself! He didn’t know what was going on lately, but he was always sleepy, found it difficult to concentrate at the office, and his productivity had plummeted.’

’If this keeps up...’

Ye Heng shuddered.

’Could it be... Is there really something wrong with the estate?’

”Lord Ye!”

Suddenly, a familiar voice shattered Ye Heng’s train of thought. He turned to look.

”Lord Han? What are you doing here?”

Han Tong chuckled. ”Well, the polo match is just around the corner, and preparations for the palace banquet are hectic.”

Ye Heng nodded in understanding. ”I see.”

The current Holy Emperor conquered the realm on horseback, so every year at this time, a polo match would be held at the palace. The various Princes and many scions of noble families would all take the field to compete.

It was a grand and lively affair.

Ye Heng said, ”No wonder I’ve barely seen you. You must be run off your feet.”

Han Tong let out a hearty laugh. ”But I’ve been meaning to see you!”

”Oh?” Ye Heng found this strange. ”You... needed to see me about something?”

Han Tong glanced around, then lowered his voice and said with a grin, ”Alas, it’s all because of that son of mine! He’s taken a fancy to a young lady recently and has been pestering me endlessly about it!”

”Oh?”

Han Yao and Ye Mingze often spent their days together, so Ye Heng knew perfectly well that Han Yao was a notorious womanizer who despised the very idea of marriage and children. Why the sudden change of heart?

Han Tong chuckled at him.

”Well, as a matter of fact, you know the young lady, Lord Ye—it’s your very own niece, Ye Chutang!”

...

「Dingbei Marquis Mansion.」

The night was deep, the moon high among the willow branches.

Flickering candlelight outlined a cold, aloof figure.

Lian Zhou bowed his head. ”Princely Heir, the three case files concerning General Huo’s case are all here.”

Shen Yanchuan looked up, his gaze sweeping coolly over the three case files—documents that were supposed to be sealed within the Ministry of Justice.

Lian Zhou hesitated for a long moment before he couldn’t stop himself from asking,

”This case was tried by the three high courts, and a clear verdict was reached before it was closed. Sir... are you truly going to reopen the investigation?”