The Duke's Pampered Darling is So Scheming

Chapter 132: Chapter 132: A Fire

A map of the entire Capital City flashed in Ye Chutang’s mind, and she quickly pinpointed the mountain’s location.

”The South Suburb of the Capital?”

”That’s right!” Princess Qingyang, completely oblivious to how Ye Chutang could know the exact location of Wulan Mountain after only a few months in the capital without ever really going out, continued to coax her. ”The mountain range there is continuous and the scenery is beautiful, with Wulan Mountain being especially unique. This kind of weather is perfect for escaping the summer heat in the mountains!”

Ye Chutang lifted her gaze slightly and studied her for a few moments, but she didn’t answer right away.

”Princess, you don’t seem to be in a good mood today. Is something troubling you?”

The smile on Princess Qingyang’s lips froze before she quickly recovered. ”What could possibly be troubling me? I just find the Capital City so dull. I want to find a place to relax and have some fun.”

In truth, Ye Chutang had already guessed the answer.

”Did you have another falling out with Murong Ye?”

The expression Princess Qingyang had struggled to maintain finally crumbled. The corners of her mouth drooped and her energy deflated in an instant, but she remained stubborn.

”Him? We haven’t even seen each other lately, so how could we have a falling out? He’s too busy waiting on Ye Shixian’s family hand and foot!”

Anyone could hear the dissatisfaction and bitterness in her tone.

News of Ye Heng’s family moving overnight had already spread like wildfire. After Murong Ye heard about it, he had been helping them nonstop.

Rumor had it that someone had even seen him go to Fengling Lane.

How could Princess Qingyang not mind?

Ye Heng had offended the Eldest Princess and caused a huge scandal. Any normal person would be avoiding him like the plague, but Murong Ye just had to get involved.

He was Murong Yang’s son, after all. No matter how much everyone looked down on Ye Heng’s family, they still had to give him some face.

Princess Qingyang seethed with anger whenever the topic came up.

”Tell me, what is wrong with him? Ye Heng knew exactly what kind of degenerate Han Yao was, yet he insisted on betrothing you to him. He clearly had no good intentions! What kind of daughter could a father like that raise? I really don’t know what he sees in Ye Shixian! He must be completely blinded!”

She was so frustrated she wanted to run to the Murong Family estate, curse Murong Ye out to his face, and tell him to wake up. But she felt doing so would be beneath her. After agonizing over it, she decided it was better to follow the principle of ’out of sight, out of mind’.

Ye Chutang listened quietly. Only after Princess Qingyang had poured out all her frustrations did she raise a hand to refill their tea.

”Love has always been a matter of the heart, not of logic.”

Princess Qingyang waved her hand dismissively. ”Enough, let’s not talk about them!”

Her eyes darted around before she leaned closer to Ye Chutang, a gossipy glint in her eyes. ”Speaking of which, is there anyone you like?”

Ye Chutang shook her head.

Princess Qingyang didn’t believe her. ”Really? Never? Even a little crush counts!”

The light fragrance of tea filled the air. Ye Chutang brushed aside the floating leaves and said with a faint smile, ”I never had time to think about such things in the past.”

Princess Qingyang considered this and had to agree. Ye Chutang had raised her younger siblings all on her own, a difficult task that would have left no time for such things.

But...

”The past is the past, and now is now!” Princess Qingyang winked at her. ”Things with Han Yao are definitely impossible now. There are so many fine young men in the Capital City; you should take your time and choose carefully. If you find someone you like, you can ask the Eldest Princess to arrange the marriage. Wouldn’t that be a happy ending for everyone?”

Ye Chutang gave a slight smile.

”You’re right, Princess. The past few years were indeed quite busy. Because of that, now that I have a rare moment of peace, I have no other plans.”

”Huh?”

Princess Qingyang wanted to try and persuade her, but she also felt that what Ye Chutang said made a lot of sense, so she decided against it.

It was unclear whether she was comforting Ye Chutang or trying to convince herself.

”You’re right! This world is full of so many new and interesting things! Who says we have to focus all our energy on men!”

Ye Chutang nodded in strong agreement, then immediately asked:

”By the way, Princess, what days did you say the Princely Heir goes to Wulan Mountain?”

Princess Qingyang: ”...???”

...

「Fengling Lane.」

When Ye Heng’s family left this place three years ago, they never thought they would come back.

After a full day and night of clamor, the residence had finally quieted down.

Mrs. Gao had been so emotional that she fainted upon entering the house. Ye Mingze complained about everything and refused to stay, smashing everything in one of the rooms.

Ye Shixian sat in the courtyard, waiting until the servants had cleaned the house inside and out several times before finally dragging her exhausted body inside.

As a result, when she saw Murong Ye again, she looked completely haggard.

”Xian’er, have you not been sleeping well these past two days?”

Murong Ye looked at her, his heart aching.

Ye Shixian hadn’t wanted to see him, but she also knew that at a time like this, only Murong Ye could help.

Her eyes reddened as she shook her head, tears welling up.

”I’m fine. It’s mainly my father and mother... The blow this time was too great for them. They always treated my cousin like their own daughter. We never imagined things would end up like this.”

Murong Ye’s brows furrowed, and a flash of disgust crossed his face.

”I heard everything. She really went too far this time! Who could have predicted what happened with Han Yao? Besides, it was just some lowly courtesan from a brothel. She could have been dismissed easily. Instead, your cousin ran straight to the Eldest Princess to complain and used the opportunity to get your family kicked out. It’s outrageous!”

Ye Shixian lowered her head and wept.

”My cousin has had misunderstandings about us before. I was hoping to find a chance to clear the air, but who knew—”

Murong Ye glanced around at the clearly dilapidated courtyard, his heart aching even more. ”Xian’er, you’ve been wronged. But don’t worry, this situation will turn around soon.”

Ye Shixian shook her head with a bitter smile. ”The Eldest Princess was the one who got angry this time. With her backing your cousin, who would dare to challenge her? Forget it. You shouldn’t get involved either. We used to live here anyway. As long as the Eldest Princess doesn’t take her anger out on Father again, it’s fine...”

But Murong Ye said, ”No. His Majesty already knows that Zhao Hanguang was secretly behind the accident at the polo match. In his fury, he immediately stripped him of his position as Minister of the Ministry of Rites. Once this case is settled, Han Tong is the most likely candidate to replace him. Although Han Yao was involved in a scandal, it’s nothing compared to this. When the Han Family’s power rises, with a little of their help, all your family’s current troubles can be solved.”

Ye Shixian truly didn’t know about this. A glimmer of hope appeared in her eyes. ”Really?”

...

Night fell. The darkness was thick, with neither stars nor moon in sight.

Inside the room, a candle flame burned quietly.

Ye Yunfeng flipped through the book in his hands and looked up. ”Big Sis, do you want to read this one?”

Ye Chutang nodded.

The sound of soft, rhythmic breathing came from behind the screen.

She glanced back as Ye Jingyan walked out. ”Big Sis, Xiao Wu is asleep.”

Ye Chutang nodded. ”Keep an eye on him.”

Ye Jingyan acknowledged her.

Then, Ye Chutang blew out the flickering candle flame.

WHOOSH—

...

An hour later, fierce flames shot into the sky!

Pandemonium broke out in Liuwan Lane, filled with endless screams and shouts.

”Fire! Somebody, help!”