The Duke's Pampered Darling is So Scheming

Chapter 102: Chapter 102: Can’t Afford to Offend

Carriages were not permitted inside the palace. Everyone had to alight at the gate and enter on foot.

”Hya!”

The clatter of hooves approached from behind. Murong Ye rode up on his horse, and a smile touched his lips the moment he spotted Ye Shixian alighting from her carriage.

”Shixian!”

Ye Shixian’s heart skipped a beat.

’If he called her name so familiarly in private, it wouldn’t matter. But they were at the palace gates, and so many people were watching!’

’If I had known, I should have set things straight with him beforehand.’

Suppressing her feelings, Ye Shixian turned and offered a polite, distant curtsy.

”Mr. Murong.”

Murong Ye’s smile faltered.

The last time they met, he had sensed her attitude toward him was much colder. Back then, he had simply assumed she was in a foul mood because Ye Mingze had been sent home. He hadn’t expected her to be so distant this time as well.

Murong Ye swung himself off his horse and took two steps forward, explaining, ”I’ve been busy lately and haven’t had a chance to see you—”

”My older cousin and her brother are here as well. It’s their first time in the palace, and I’m worried they’ll feel out of place. I’ll go join them,” Ye Shixian cut him off. Without a second glance at his expression, she walked back toward the others.

Murong Ye’s mouth fell open. He glanced back and saw Ye Chutang and her party had indeed arrived, and his expression turned cold.

Ye Yunfeng leaped down from his carriage. Sensing Murong Ye’s gaze, he looked over and arched a brow.

”Well now, what a coincidence. Mr. Murong is here too? How are you feeling after a few days of rest? All better?”

A vein throbbed on Murong Ye’s forehead.

Ever since losing to Ye Yunfeng, he had stormed off in a rage and hadn’t set foot in the Imperial College since, sulking at home for days.

Today was the polo match, so he had no choice but to accompany his father. He never expected to run into Ye Yunfeng again!

He said coldly, ”I don’t need your concern.”

Ye Yunfeng crossed his arms, a dashing smile on his face. ”I know that what Mr. Murong does is none of my business. But... you broke my bow, and you promised to pay back double the price...”

Xiao Wu, who had been leaning against Ye Chutang and curiously observing the palace gates, silently shifted his gaze to glance at Murong Ye.

Murong Ye had never been called out for a debt in public, especially not in front of so many dignitaries and aristocrats. The humiliation was immense!

His face livid, he immediately yelled to his attendant, ”Give him the money!”

The commotion drew the attention of many nearby. They stared, stunned by the scene, their gazes on Ye Chutang’s group filled with curiosity and scrutiny.

”Who are they? I don’t think I’ve ever seen them before.”

”You don’t recognize him? Didn’t you hear? During the Imperial College’s monthly exam a few days ago, a new student beat Murong Ye! That’s him!”

”Ye... Ye Yunfeng? That’s his name, right?”

”Even if you don’t know him, you must know the woman with him, right? That’s his older sister, Ye Chutang! Rumor has it she treated the Heir of Duke Dingbei, and not long ago, she saved the Eldest Princess’s life!”

This news had long since spread through private circles. Many had only heard their names and were seeing them for the first time today.

Just then, the clatter of more hooves was heard.

The crowd turned to look, and the chatter died down slightly.

—Princess Qingyang had arrived.

Murong Ye noticed her as well. His brow furrowed instinctively, a flicker of impatience in his eyes.

Everyone in the Capital City knew Princess Qingyang had feelings for him. But he found her arrogant and headstrong and disliked her intensely. She was a far cry from the gentle and sensible Ye Shixian.

Princess Qingyang reined in her horse, slowly coming to a stop. She surveyed the scene before her, her brow creasing.

”What’s going on here?”

Someone scrambled to her side, speaking obsequiously. ”Princess Qingyang, you’ve arrived! Ye Yunfeng is over there, demanding money from Murong Ye! The nerve of him, he has no sense of propriety! Why make a scene over such a trivial matter at the palace gates? It’s just a deliberate attempt to embarrass him, isn’t it?”

Princess Qingyang’s frown deepened.

The man, feeling encouraged, continued, ”The rumors claimed he was a formidable martial artist, but who would have thought he’d stoop to demanding money in public? So crass. I suppose that’s what happens when you’re raised in exile with no proper guidance—”

”It is outrageous,” Princess Qingyang said, her brow furrowed. ”A bet is a bet. To think he’d drag his feet for this long over a mere thousand silver taels?”

The man’s smile froze on his face. ”...W-what?”

’Wasn’t Princess Qingyang supposed to detest Ye Yunfeng? Why was she criticizing Murong Ye instead?’

Princess Qingyang ignored him, dismounting and striding forward.

Sensing her approach, Murong Ye shot a quick glance at Ye Shixian, and his expression grew even colder. ”What are you doing here? This is my affair. It’s none of your business.”

Princess Qingyang’s hands tightened into fists.

’Of course, she knew Murong Ye didn’t like her, but—’

”You’re mistaken. I didn’t come to see you.” Holding back her own frustration, Princess Qingyang turned to Ye Chutang, a smile breaking across her face as she raised her brows. ”Why did you leave so early? I was going to pick you up so we could all come together!”

Murong Ye’s expression suddenly froze.

The onlookers hadn’t expected this turn of events either and stood frozen in astonishment.

Ye Chutang’s eyes curved into a smile. ”My thanks to the Eldest Princess and yourself for the kind offer. However, it would have been a detour to go from the Long Princess Mansion to the Ye Family residence. We didn’t want to trouble you.”

”How could it be a bother?”

After all, Ye Chutang was now an honored guest of the Long Princess Mansion.

Having spent some time with her recently, Princess Qingyang knew that when Ye Chutang said she didn’t mind such things, she genuinely meant it. So, she didn’t press the matter. Instead, she turned to Ye Yunfeng and gave him a thorough, deliberate look-over.

”I never would have guessed. You took first place in both parts of the Imperial Archery monthly exam?”

’She knew full well how skilled Murong Ye was, so she had been quite surprised when she heard what had happened at the Imperial College.’

Ye Yunfeng clasped his fist in a salute, his handsome features alight with a confident energy. ”You flatter me, Commandery Princess. I was merely lucky.”

’Lucky enough to easily defeat Murong Ye?’

Princess Qingyang fought back a smile.

’The brother and sister were really quite similar.’

She glanced at Murong Ye again. Seeing his frigid expression, the smile slowly vanished from her own face.

’For some reason, the Murong Ye before her felt like a stranger.’

’In the past, he had been proud, but he’d also been genuinely outstanding. But now...’

’Did he not even understand a principle as simple as honoring a lost bet?’

She suppressed her thoughts and said to Ye Chutang, ”I have to pay a visit to Consort Rong first, so I won’t go in with you. I’ll see you later at the polo grounds.”

Ye Chutang gave a light smile and a nod. ”Go on ahead, Commandery Princess.”

Princess Qingyang departed swiftly.

Utterly humiliated, Murong Ye gritted his teeth and stalked away.

The crowd gradually began to file inside.

Only then did Ye Chutang lead Yan, A Feng, and Xiao Wu, following Ye Heng toward the palace gates.

Ye Shixian and Ye Mingze walked ahead, with Chutang’s group trailing a few steps behind.

As they walked, Ye Shixian glanced back, her voice low with warning. ”Cousin, once we’re inside the palace, you must be extremely careful. Everyone here today is of high status. We can’t afford to offend any of them...”

Before she could finish, a small boy, about half the height of an adult, suddenly darted out from the side, charging straight for Xiao Wu!

Ye Chutang’s gaze sharpened!