The Duke's Pampered Darling is So Scheming

Chapter 111: Chapter 111: Arranging a Marriage

Emperor Muwu froze for a moment upon hearing the name, his brow furrowing slightly.

”Ye Zheng’s daughter?”

Ye Chutang and her siblings had been back in the Capital City for some time. Many knew who they were, but no one dared mention them before Emperor Muwu.

For one, Emperor Muwu was preoccupied with matters of state. For another, Ye Zheng had been exiled for incurring the Emperor’s wrath and had died in an ”accident” on the road. No one knew if Emperor Muwu still held a grudge over the affair.

Thus, no one had spoken to him about the details of Ye Chutang and her siblings’ circumstances.

The Eldest Princess had deliberately avoided mentioning Ye Chutang’s identity, intending to wait for an opportune moment like today to bring it up with Emperor Muwu.

”Yes. It’s been three years, and the children have grown so much,” the Eldest Princess said with a smile. ”Especially Chutang. If she hadn’t acted so promptly that day, I fear I might never have woken up.”

Emperor Muwu’s expression softened. ”Sister, fortune favors the virtuous. You were always destined to be safe.”

He glanced at Ye Chutang again and mused for a long while before speaking. ”I never expected Ye Zheng to have left behind such an outstanding line of descendants. A silver lining in a dark cloud, I suppose.”

Hearing this, the Eldest Princess could finally breathe a sigh of relief.

’This meant the incident with Ye Zheng was in the past. It would no longer affect Ye Chutang and her siblings.’

Emperor Muwu continued, ”Ye Chutang is to be rewarded for her meritorious service in treating the Eldest Princess, and Ye Yunfeng for his exceptional courage.”

Ye Chutang and Ye Yunfeng kowtowed in unison, expressing their gratitude for the profound imperial grace.

...

”His Majesty actually rewarded them!?”

Ye Mingze was in utter disbelief.

”Does His Majesty truly not intend to pursue what happened all those years ago?”

Ye Shixian shot him a look, her brow furrowed. ”Death extinguishes all grievances. Besides, the Eldest Princess spoke up for them personally. It’s obvious she’s backing them. Can’t you see that?”

Ye Mingze had no retort, but he remained resentful.

”So what? The Eldest Princess might help them once, but can she protect them forever?”

’In his eyes, the Eldest Princess was only doing this because Ye Chutang had saved her once.’

’But what of the Eldest Princess’s status? Countless people had saved her, some even dying for her. What was so special about a single Ye Chutang?’

’By speaking up for her before His Majesty today, the Eldest Princess had already repaid that debt.’

Ye Shixian, however, said nothing, merely glancing in their direction once more.

Ye Chutang had returned to her seat, while Ye Yunfeng was back on the field, preparing to continue the polo match.

The skill he had just displayed had impressed many. People were now eagerly discussing a potential showdown between him and Murong Ye, with most speculating that his odds of winning were higher.

Ye Shixian’s lips thinned.

’That brother and sister pair really stole the show today!’

Unwilling to watch any longer, she averted her gaze.

The next moment, however, she heard the Eldest Princess laugh.

Ye Shixian turned her head and saw that Xiao Wu had done something to make the Eldest Princess laugh uncontrollably. The look the princess gave the little girl was full of kindness and adoration.

For some reason, Ye Shixian’s heart sank.

...

From the moment the Eldest Princess first saw Xiao Wu, she had found the little one absolutely adorable. After spending more time with her, she found the child to be obedient and sensible, and grew incredibly fond of her.

”Just look at her! Such a well-behaved child! And what a beautiful smile!”

The Eldest Princess shook her head, recalling the past.

”So much better than Yanchuan was as a child!”

Xiao Wu’s large, grape-like black eyes widened with curiosity.

Ye Chutang, on the other hand, lifted her gaze to the man sitting opposite them.

Shen Yanchuan was sipping his tea. The bone china cup only served to accentuate his long, fair fingers. His eyes were downcast, his expression unreadable.

A slight smile touched Ye Chutang’s lips. ”You flatter her, Your Highness. How could Xiao Wu possibly compare to the Princely Heir?”

”You have no idea what he used to be like!” The Eldest Princess could go on about this topic for three days and three nights without repeating herself, her expression one of utter disdain. ”He’s been impossibly lazy since he was a boy. He’d go to the study, read for a single hour, and then sleep for the rest of the day! Or he’d go to the training grounds, show no interest whatsoever, and after a couple of laps while others practiced with their swords and spears, he’d go off to rest.”

Ye Chutang: ...

Princess Qingyang perked up. ”Exactly! In that respect, I was much better than my brother!”

The Eldest Princess glanced at her. ”You were lively, all right. You’d get into twenty fights a month.”

Princess Qingyang: ...

She cleared her throat and mumbled, ”It wasn’t that many...”

Ye Chutang suddenly understood why the Eldest Princess was so fond of Xiao Wu.

A faint smile touched her lips as she said, ”Xiao Wu is a good girl. She’s never given me a moment’s worry.”

Hearing her big sister praise her, Xiao Wu’s face lit up with a brilliant smile. She hugged Ye Chutang’s arm and nuzzled against it affectionately.

Emperor Muwu watched them for a few more moments, then suddenly asked:

”You raised your three younger siblings all by yourself?”

’If I recall correctly, she was only fourteen three years ago.’

Ye Chutang lowered her head and answered softly in the affirmative.

Princess Qingyang couldn’t help but chime in with praise, ”Your Majesty, you think she’s amazing too, don’t you? Not only is she a brilliant physician, but she also raised her younger siblings all by herself and taught them so well!”

A rare smile touched Emperor Muwu’s lips. ”How rare. I never thought I’d see the day Qinyang praised someone so highly.”

Princess Qingyang was known for being spoiled and headstrong, never submitting to anyone. To hear such words from her was truly a rare occurrence.

”I’m just speaking the truth!” Princess Qingyang had seen with her own eyes how Ye Chutang had pulled the Eldest Princess back from the brink of death. Now, seeing how outstanding her brother was as well, she was thoroughly convinced and full of admiration.

’Which of the noble young ladies in the Capital City could possibly compare to her?’

Emperor Muwu nodded thoughtfully. ”Indeed.”

The Eldest Princess sighed softly. ”The poor children, with no mother or father... No matter how brilliant they are, they are bound to face many hardships. Especially Chutang. She is already seventeen, well past the age for her marriage to be arranged.”

Shen Yanchuan’s hand paused as he set down his teacup, and he lightly caressed its surface with his fingertip.

Emperor Muwu had already guessed the Eldest Princess’s intention. ”Sister, you mean to say...”

A slow smile spread across the Eldest Princess’s face as she spoke her mind. ”I was thinking I would personally find a suitable husband for her and arrange a good match.”

...

On the field, the match was fierce. Young men galloped on horseback, swinging their mallets and striking the ball.

Yet, the moment the Eldest Princess spoke, she immediately captured everyone’s attention. A wave of shock passed through the crowd as all eyes turned to her.

’What did she mean?’

’The Eldest Princess was going to personally arrange a marriage for Ye Chutang!?’

Ye Shixian tore the handkerchief in her hands, nearly losing control of her expression.

Ye Mingze nearly shot to his feet. ”How can she—”

Ye Heng shot him a warning glare, but inwardly, his own heart was in turmoil.

’Ye Chutang’s visits to the Long Princess Mansion had been frequent lately, but... what sort of spell had she cast on the Eldest Princess to make her personally arrange a marriage for her!?’

Panic flared in Ye Heng’s heart.

Just then, the Eldest Princess happened to look his way. ”Lord Ye, what are your thoughts?”

Ye Heng’s lips trembled as he forced a smile.

”Your Highness, this humble subject is endlessly grateful for your kind intentions. But... to be perfectly honest, there has already been some progress regarding Chutang’s marriage.”

Shen Yanchuan’s eyelashes lifted slightly. He looked toward Ye Heng, his dark eyes filled with a cold, detached indifference.