The Duke's Pampered Darling is So Scheming

Chapter 300: Chapter 300: She Doesn’t Need Others to Worry

”Princely Heir, you’re here?”

Lan Yi had sharp eyes. Spotting the figure in snow-white brocade outside the Moon Gate, she cried out in delight.

The Eldest Princess looked up and smiled. ”Never mind that you’re late, Yanchuan. Why aren’t you coming in?”

Shen Yanchuan raised an eyebrow and stepped inside, his gaze lingering for a moment on the pot of wine beside Princess Qinyang.

Princess Qinyang sized him up and asked curiously, ”Brother, you don’t seem very happy. Who annoyed you?”

Following behind, Lian Zhou glanced at her, then silently lowered his eyes.

’It really had to be her. Those with better judgment weren’t as high-born as she was, and those of higher birth weren’t as bold. When it came to the art of offending people, Her Highness the Commandery Princess truly reigned supreme in the Capital City.’

Shen Yanchuan said flatly, ”No one. It’s just that I’ve been busy with various matters lately. Seeing you here eating and drinking at your leisure, so carefree and content, I feel a bit envious, that’s all.”

Princess Qinyang burst out laughing. ”Brother, what are you joking about! It’s not like you’ve only been busy for a day or two. Besides, if you didn’t want to do something, you could’ve just refused and given it to someone else! As for eating and drinking, that’s even less of an issue. I only just snuck a taste of Chrysanthemum Drink. What’s there for you to be envious of?”

As she spoke, she leaned forward, her eyes shining.

”I’m sure they send all the good wine to you. Is there any Snow Drink left? Bring a pot over and share it with me, won’t you?”

Shen Yanchuan glanced at her, his expression impassive.

Princess Qinyang didn’t understand why, but she suddenly felt a chill in the courtyard.

She hugged her arms, assuming Shen Yanchuan was just being stingy, and tried to persuade him again. ”Oh, come on, half a pot is fine too! The Eldest Princess can’t drink, but we can still share a cup, can’t we?”

Lian Zhou took a deep breath and closed his eyes in despair.

’The master was already in a bad mood today, and now Princess Qinyang is just adding fuel to the fire. Is she afraid she won’t die fast enough?!’

Shen Yanchuan sat down beside them, his chin slightly raised, and spoke in a calm voice, ”I’m not drinking today.”

Princess Qinyang froze.

’Not drinking on the Double Ninth Festival? What’s the point?’

The Eldest Princess shot him a glance.

’She knew her grandson’s temperament best. From the look of him, he was clearly upset about something.’

’But in this Capital City, who had the ability to make him swallow his anger like this?’

’The answer was on the tip of her tongue, but... hasn’t that person been outside the city recently? The two of them probably haven’t even seen each other. So what could he possibly be angry about?’

The Eldest Princess felt a burning curiosity, like a cat scratching at her heart, and cleared her throat.

”Do you have something to do later?”

Shen Yanchuan nodded slightly.

”Tomorrow morning, I’m going to Changzhou.”

”Changzhou? What are you going there for?” Princess Qinyang asked, puzzled.

The Eldest Princess, however, seemed to have thought of something and frowned slightly.

”Changzhou... Isn’t that Huo Yucheng’s hometown?”

Hearing the name, Princess Qinyang took a moment to react, then quickly understood.

”Brother, are you going there to investigate General Huo’s case?”

Some time ago, Han Tong’s death had dredged up Huo Yucheng’s old case. His Majesty suspected there was more to the story back then and specifically ordered a reinvestigation.

Over this, he had even given the Second Prince, Xiao Chengxuan, who was in charge of the case back then, a furious dressing-down.

Now, Shen Yanchuan’s sudden trip to Changzhou couldn’t help but make one draw a connection.

As expected, Shen Yanchuan nodded.

The Eldest Princess’s frown deepened.

”But... the entire Huo Family was executed three years ago. What more could be found by going to Changzhou now?”

Besides the Huo Family’s ancestral tombs, there was likely nothing else left there.

Shen Yanchuan reminded her, ”You forget, Xu Jie and General Huo were from the same hometown.”

It was Xu Jie who initially reported Huo Yucheng for embezzling military funds, which led to the entire series of subsequent events.

Because they were from the same hometown, they shared a closer bond than others. It’s just that no one could have imagined so much would happen later.

Not long after Huo Yucheng’s death, Xu Jie was transferred out of the Capital City and appointed as the Suinan Governor.

The real target of this trip to Changzhou was Xu Jie.

The Eldest Princess came to a realization. ”I see. No wonder you’ve been so busy lately. Cheng Qi returned to the capital, and you haven’t even had a chance to see him.”

The Third Prince, Xiao Chengqi, who holds the title of Prince Lie, had just returned to the capital a few days ago.

Shen Yanchuan smiled. ”Prince Lie has been away for a long time. Consort Rong has been sick with worry, so it’s only right that he spends more time with her in the palace.”

Princess Qinyang nodded in agreement. ”Isn’t that the truth? I heard that when the Third Prince returned in triumph, Consort Rong was overjoyed. Her spirits are much better than before.”

Thinking of Consort Rong’s deteriorating health, the Eldest Princess let out a long sigh.

”Cheng Qi has been sensible and obedient since he was a child. After he grew older, he even took the initiative to volunteer for military service and has earned many achievements. He’s made a name for himself.”

To have such a son is truly a blessing.

But because of this, he inevitably became a thorn in the side of Consort Ru and the Second Prince.

Princess Qinyang suddenly laughed.

”The Second Prince must have heard the news of his return by now, right? I bet he’d love to meet his outstanding little brother, but unfortunately for him, he’s still not allowed to leave his mansion.”

Ever since being reprimanded by His Majesty that day, Xiao Chengxuan had been confined to his residence to reflect on his mistakes and hadn’t been out since.

Prince Lie returned with honors and received many rewards, so who knows how furious the Second Prince must be in his mansion right now.

Shen Yanchuan, however, didn’t actually care about this matter.

The two princes had been fighting for a long time, but in truth, the Second Prince had always held the upper hand.

After all, when two people were of equal ability, the one with the stronger family background had a better chance of winning.

But it seemed His Majesty had grown tired of this situation. He used this opportunity to deliver a sharp blow to the Second Prince’s faction while promoting the Third Prince to create a counterbalance.

The art of an emperor lies in balance. Although His Majesty was past his prime, he was by no means senile.

He couldn’t be bothered to get involved, so he had simply requested to leave the capital and temporarily distance himself from these disputes.

The Eldest Princess saw his lazy, indifferent expression and knew he had no interest in these matters, so she didn’t continue the conversation and changed the subject.

”Changzhou is in the west and Qingzhou is in the south. A pity. If they were closer, you could have looked out for Chutang a little.”

Their journey back to Qingzhou, while not extremely long, wouldn’t be easy.

If they ran into any trouble on the road, they would surely be delayed.

Shen Yanchuan’s eyelids lowered slightly. A moment later, his thin lips parted.

”She’s always been capable. She can handle anything.”

...

After finishing his meal with the Eldest Princess, Shen Yanchuan didn’t linger and rose to leave.

Leaving the Long Princess Mansion, the carriage made its way slowly toward the Dingbei Marquis Mansion.

Shen Yanchuan raised a hand to lift the curtain and glanced outside.

Lian Zhou immediately came forward. ”Master?”

Shen Yanchuan asked, ”What time is it?”

Without needing to be told, Lian Zhou understood what his master was asking and quickly replied, ”Master, it’s 3:15 PM. Second Miss Ye and her party should be preparing to set off by now.”

Shen Yanchuan pondered for a moment, then said, ”Send another team of men to follow them.”

Lian Zhou choked, almost losing his composure.

’Back at the Long Princess Mansion, who was it that said Second Miss Ye was so capable she didn’t need anyone to worry about her?’