The Duke's Pampered Darling is So Scheming

Chapter 96: Chapter 96: What Matters More?

Ye Yunfeng frowned at the name. ”What’s he doing here? To see Ye Mingze?”

Ever since he was sent home by the Lord Sacrificial Officer to reflect on his actions, none of the bad influences Ye Mingze used to hang out with had come to visit.

For one, it was embarrassing. For another... the rumors about there being something wrong with Ye Mingze’s head were recently spreading like wildfire.

Many people were saying in private that ever since he ran into a ghost in the middle of the night, his mind hadn’t been quite right. He’d become irritable and crazed.

Otherwise, why would a perfectly fine person do those things at the Imperial College, and why would he have been sent home by the Lord Sacrificial Officer?

Repeat a lie often enough and it becomes the truth. Even if Ye Mingze wasn’t unwell, he was now.

Ye Jingyan paused for a moment. ”I suppose so. But from what I saw, he brought quite a few gifts this time. He seemed very serious about it.”

Ye Yunfeng was unconcerned. ”Gifts? They must be for Ye Mingze!”

He snorted. ”But no matter how nice the gifts are, I’m afraid they won’t cure Ye Mingze’s ’illness’!”

Ye Chutang stood up and pulled a newly made, pale lilac dress for Xiao Wu from the cabinet.

”Xiao Wu, want to wear this today?”

Xiao Wu’s eyes sparkled, and she nodded repeatedly.

’So pretty, so pretty! The ones Big Sis picks for me are always the prettiest!’

Ye Chutang then told her two brothers, ”You two go get ready as well. Today—”

Before she could finish, Shaoyao hurried in from the courtyard and called out, ”Miss Ye, the Master wants to see you in the front hall.”

Ye Chutang looked up. ”Why is Second Uncle looking for me at this hour?”

Shaoyao covered her mouth with her hand and giggled. ”It’s good news, of course. You’ll know when you get there!”

Previously, she had always been critical and scornful toward Ye Chutang and her siblings, never showing them a pleasant expression. But today, she couldn’t hide her smile.

But there was something off about that smile, no matter how you looked at it.

Ye Jingyan suddenly remembered something—’Han Yao seems to be in the front hall right now, doesn’t he?’

His brow slowly furrowed.

After speaking, Shaoyao turned with a twist of her hips, ready to lead the way, but Ye Chutang remained standing where she was, showing no intention of following her.

”How unfortunate. I have something important to attend to right now and can’t spare the time. Please go back and inform Second Uncle. I’ll go see him myself once I’m finished.”

Shaoyao’s expression changed, and she couldn’t help but say sarcastically, ”What important matter could Miss Ye possibly have that’s more important than the Master’s business?”

Ye Chutang’s lips curved into a slight smile. ”Oh, it’s nothing major. I’m just taking Yan, A Feng, and Xiao Wu for a trip to the Xu Residence.”

Shaoyao’s expression stiffened.

’The Xu Residence... Does she mean Left Imperial Censor Xu Fengchi’s residence?’

’Come to think of it, his official rank is indeed higher than Ye Heng’s...’

”This was arranged some time ago. If I cancel at the last minute, I’m afraid it will make people think the Ye Family lacks etiquette,” Ye Chutang said unhurriedly.

Shaoyao’s lips moved, but for a moment, she truly couldn’t think of a rebuttal.

Unable to find a way to counter, she pressed her lips together and hurried away.

Ye Yunfeng glanced at Shaoyao’s resentful back as she left, then turned to look back at his sister.

”Sis, did you know Han Yao was coming today? Is that why you scheduled our visit to Uncle Xu’s for today?”

Ye Chutang shot him a look. ”I’m not that bored.”

’A mere Han Yao wasn’t worth her spending any effort on.’

But Ye Jingyan still felt something was wrong. ”Han Yao is here, so the person he’s here to see should be Ye Mingze, or at the very least, Ye Shixian. Why would it be you, Sis?”

Ye Chutang finished changing Xiao Wu’s clothes, then recombed her hair with a wooden comb and tied it up with a silk ribbon.

As cute as a jade doll, she looked just like a baby from a New Year’s painting.

Ye Chutang clapped her hands in satisfaction.

”There, that’s perfect.”

After three years, her skills in this area had improved by leaps and bounds. She could now guarantee Xiao Wu’s hair wouldn’t come undone and turn into a messy bird’s nest.

She pinched Xiao Wu’s chubby cheek and replied without looking up, ”Whatever he wants to do, just let him. As for whether he can succeed, that’s another matter entirely.”

Xiao Wu threw herself into her arms and nuzzled against her shoulder.

Ye Chutang booped her on the nose.

”Let’s go.”

...

Meanwhile, Shaoyao returned to the front hall.

Ye Heng was taken aback. ”She’s planning to go to the Xu Residence today?”

”Yes.” Shaoyao glanced quickly at Han Yao, who was sitting beside them. ”Miss Ye said this matter was more important.”

A flash of displeasure crossed Han Yao’s eyes.

’He had made a special trip here with gifts, only to not even catch a glimpse of the person he came to see. What was this supposed to mean?’

Ye Shixian observed his expression and smiled to smooth things over. ”My cousin is indeed quite close with Lord Xu’s family. What a coincidence.”

’No matter how displeased he was, he couldn’t say anything. Who was he to offend the Xu family?’

He forced a smile, trying to save face. ”It was my mistake for not considering the possibility; my visit was too sudden. I remember at the last banquet, Lord Xu did mention inviting her to the Xu Residence. I just didn’t expect it would be today.”

He stood up and bowed to Ye Heng. ”Since that is the case, this junior will not disturb you any further.”

Ye Heng frowned.

’He’d actually known that Han Yao was coming today. He had planned to sit down and have a proper discussion about future matters, but who knew that Ye Chutang would—’

’Now that she isn’t here, there’s no point in saying anything more.’

Ye Shixian gave an apologetic smile. ”I’m so sorry to have made Mr. Han come all this way for nothing.”

The memory of that gentle and beautiful face made Han Yao suppress his anger.

”Not at all! My feelings for Miss Ye are sincere, so what’s a few extra trips? If today is inconvenient for her, I’ll simply come back another day!”

An envious look appeared on Ye Shixian’s face, and she sighed softly. ”Mr. Han’s devotion is truly rare. My cousin is so fortunate; so many people treat her with such sincerity.”

Han Yao had already been about to step out the door, but he turned back at her words and asked in astonishment, ”What did you say?”

A glint flashed in Ye Shixian’s eyes as she let out a soft, casual laugh.

”Is it not true? Since her return to the Capital, many people have offered her their help. Whenever I see it, I can’t help but feel envious.”

Han Yao’s brows knitted together tightly.

’Her words sounded...’

Ye Shixian covered her mouth and smiled. ”I heard that even her visit to the Xu Residence today was because that young master of the Xu family invited her several times in a row.”

Han Yao immediately understood. ”Xu Rongqing?”

...

When Ye Chutang and her party arrived at the Xu Residence, a steward was already waiting for them at the gate.

Upon seeing them, an eager smile immediately appeared on the steward’s face.

”Miss Ye, you’re finally here! The master and the young master have been waiting for quite some time!”

Ye Chutang looked up, her gaze sweeping over the lintel above the Xu Residence’s gate.

In her memory, the original owner of this body had only entered this place once after coming to the Capital City.

Moreover, three years had passed, and much had changed. The attitude of these stewards and servants was enough to prove the attitude of the entire Xu Residence.

A familiar voice called out—

”Chutang?”

Everyone turned in unison, surprised to see Xu Rongqing himself coming out to greet them.

A faint smile graced Ye Chutang’s lips.

”Mr. Xu.”