The Duke's Pampered Darling is So Scheming

Chapter 148: Chapter 148: Probing

In an octagonal pavilion halfway up the mountain.

Xiao Chengxuan turned his head and asked, ”What hour is it?”

The guard accompanying him answered in a low voice, ”Your Highness, it is almost noon.”

Xiao Chengxuan frowned.

The guard looked down the mountain path and said hesitantly, ”Your Highness, do you think... he might not be coming today?”

A cold smile touched Xiao Chengxuan’s lips. ”If he comes, we will have a proper talk. If he doesn’t... then he will have made the decision for me.”

The guard said no more.

Xiao Chengxuan glanced at the sky, a hint of impatience coloring his expression.

In truth, he was tired of waiting. People always waited for him; when had he ever been the one to wait for others?

”Another quarter of an hour—” Before he could finish, Xiao Chengxuan heard the rhythmic sound of footsteps in the distance.

He paused and turned his head. The moment he saw the approaching figure, he quickly adjusted his expression into a smile and laughed. ”Haha, look who’s here!”

Shen Yanchuan was dressed in snow-white brocade robes today, his tall, slender figure exuding a cool and noble air.

Hearing Xiao Chengxuan’s half-joking tone, he smiled faintly and clasped his hands in a salute.

”My apologies, Prince Qi. I am still recovering from a serious illness and lack my former strength, so my ascent was a bit slow.”

”Ah, there’s no need for such pleasantries between us!” Xiao Chengxuan said, his face all smiles, betraying no hint of displeasure. ”Quick, sit!”

Shen Yanchuan took the seat opposite him.

Xiao Chengxuan personally poured him a cup of tea. ”This is a Biluochun I recently acquired. It has a cool, sweet flavor that is both fresh and invigorating. Try it.”

Shen Yanchuan lowered his gaze and saw white steam rising from the silvery-green tea. A rich, clear fragrance wafted out, soothing the soul.

Xiao Chengxuan discreetly sized him up.

”What’s the matter, Princely Heir? Is it not to your liking?”

The next second, Shen Yanchuan smiled faintly. ”If Prince Qi himself praises it so highly, it must be an excellent tea. Of course, I must try it.”

With that, he lifted the white porcelain cup and took a light sip.

A glint flashed in Xiao Chengxuan’s eyes, and he laughed heartily. ”The Princely Heir is just the same as ever! I had originally planned to bring wine today, but since you’ve just recovered, I switched to tea. It’s wonderful if it suits your taste!”

Shen Yanchuan set down the cup, his long, fair fingers tapping it lightly. With a ghost of a smile, he said, ”I have been away from the Capital City for several years. It must have been difficult for Your Highness to remember how I used to be.”

Xiao Chengxuan’s brow twitched. He felt there was a hidden meaning in Shen Yanchuan’s words, but upon closer inspection, he couldn’t discern anything amiss.

He paused, figuring enough time had passed, and waved his hand.

The guard standing behind him bowed his head and withdrew.

Shen Yanchuan understood tacitly and turned his head to instruct, ”Yun Cheng, you may withdraw as well.”

Yun Cheng replied respectfully and also retreated a good distance away.

Only Xiao Chengxuan and Shen Yanchuan remained in the pavilion.

After a brief silence, Xiao Chengxuan was the first to speak. ”By the way, did Princess Qingyang not accompany you today? I recall she was clamoring to come for a visit a few days ago.”

Shen Yanchuan smiled faintly. ”Your Highness is well aware of her lively and restless nature. She’s always loved bustling places. She came here but went straight to Guling Temple, saying she wanted to pray for a good marriage.”

Xiao Chengxuan laughed. ”True! Very true! Not even King Yan Nan can do anything about her. She only ever listens to the Eldest Princess and you!”

Shen Yanchuan raised an eyebrow slightly. ”Your Highness overestimates me. Once her stubborn streak kicks in, not even nine bulls could pull her back, let alone me. As for the Eldest Princess... she is getting on in years, and after her recent serious illness, she has even less energy to worry about Princess Qingyang’s affairs.”

The underlying meaning of his words was clear—his relationship with Princess Qingyang was just so-so, and neither of them was particularly close to the other.

Xiao Chengxuan frowned imperceptibly.

Everyone in the Capital City knew that Princess Qingyang had been raised by the Eldest Princess. It was precisely because of her that King Yan Nan had frequent dealings with both the Long Princess Mansion and the Dingbei Marquis Mansion.

Yet now Shen Yanchuan had completely distanced himself with a single sentence.

Annoyed as he was, Xiao Chengxuan couldn’t let it show on his face. He immediately forced a laugh.

”In any case, you are all certainly closer to her than others, are you not? Unlike me. Every time she sees me, she’s completely indifferent. It’s hard to even get a few words out of her.”

Shen Yanchuan smiled. ”Prince Qi has a grave and majestic air. She is young and playful; perhaps she feels ill at ease.”

Xiao Chengxuan said, as if joking, ”She is the sole daughter of King Yan Nan. It’s hard to say who has the more imposing presence.”

’Although he was a Prince, he was bound by countless rules and regulations, constantly afraid that one misstep would land him in a perilous situation.

In contrast, Princess Qingyang was King Yan Nan’s only child and was deeply doted upon; naturally, she lived a much more carefree and unrestrained life.’

Shen Yanchuan twirled his cup, not replying. It was as if these matters had nothing to do with him, and he had no interest in them.

Xiao Chengxuan asked again, as if casually, ”By the way, I heard she went to visit Consort Rong recently? With the Third Prince out of the Capital City, Consort Rong is bound to be lonely. It’s good that she visits more often.”

Shen Yanchuan raised his eyebrows slightly. ”Oh, is that so?”

Xiao Chengxuan felt a fire of frustration building in his chest.

’This Shen Yanchuan is completely impenetrable! I’ve been probing from all angles, yet in the end, I’ve learned absolutely nothing!

Many ministers at court have already begun to secretly pick sides. King Yan Nan is powerful and influential, a king with a different surname from the imperial family, and has few entanglements with the various factions. To this day, he has not yet declared his stance.

I still want to try and win him over.

Of course, if King Yan Nan has already sided with the Third Prince, then I don’t need to waste any more effort and can simply make other preparations.

I can’t believe I’ve gained nothing after all this probing.

Shen Yanchuan seems cool and refined, but in reality, he’s watertight—incredibly difficult to deal with!’

Xiao Chengxuan’s thoughts raced, and he sighed as if in resignation.

”To be honest, I’ve always envied her. She acts on her whims, free and unrestrained, with no troubles to worry about.”

Shen Yanchuan finally did him the courtesy of taking the bait. ”And what troubles Your Highness?”

Xiao Chengxuan raised his eyes and met his gaze directly.

”Naturally... it’s the matter I previously discussed with the Princely Heir.”

Shen Yanchuan set down his cup.

The swirling steam partially obscured his expression, making him unreadable.

Xiao Chengxuan continued, ”I’m sure the Princely Heir has heard about the recent business with Han Tong. I have no idea where he got the audacity to do such a thing!”

He sighed heavily.

”To think, I was the one who personally recommended him for the position at the Guanglu Temple. Who would have thought that he—”

Shen Yanchuan said, ”Does Your Highness intend to save him?”

Xiao Chengxuan’s expression turned grim.

”Quite the opposite! His crime is unforgivable!”

Shen Yanchuan raised an eyebrow slightly.

...

Yun Cheng stood guard outside the pavilion, neither too close nor too far.

Xiao Chengxuan’s guard was on one side, and Yun Cheng on the other, each keeping to himself.

Suddenly, Yun Cheng seemed to sense something and turned his head to look in a certain direction.

The guard noticed the direction of his gaze and relaxed slightly, though he still asked, ”What is it?”

Yun Cheng shook his head.

”It’s nothing.”