The Duke's Pampered Darling is So Scheming

Chapter 356: Chapter 356: Stigma

That single kneel struck right at Murong Ye’s heart.

He was startled and hurried forward to help Ye Shixian up, feeling both angry and pained.

”What do you think you’re doing!”

Though he was angry, Ye Shixian was still the woman he held in his heart.

”I was just... I was just overcome with anger. So much has happened recently, and my father has been scolding me endlessly. That’s why I lost my head and said those awful things. You... you mustn’t take it to heart. How could I possibly send you to the Shuntian Prefecture?”

But Ye Shixian refused to stand. ”Ever since my father’s accident, I’ve brought you nothing but trouble. And now even my mother has passed away so tragically. Perhaps I’m just a curse, destined only to drag you down, Mr. Murong...”

”What are you talking about?”

Murong Ye still had feelings for her, after all. Seeing this and hearing her words, the resentment that had built up in him dissipated by more than half.

He wrapped an arm around Ye Shixian’s shoulders and sighed.

”It’s my fault, too. I should have been more courteous that day. If I had known her condition was so severe, I would have assigned more people to watch over her day and night from outside her room.”

As if she could finally no longer bear it, Ye Shixian collapsed into his arms and began to cry.

The front of Murong Ye’s robes was quickly soaked through, and her tears softened his heart along with it.

”There, there, don’t cry. She’s gone now, and there’s no point in dwelling on the past. The most important thing right now is to arrange the funeral for your mother.”

At this, he hesitated for a moment.

”The case should be closed in a few days, right?”

Ye Shixian knew what he was asking. Although rumors that Ye Chutang had driven her own aunt to her death were rampant, they weren’t the only ones circulating.

A small minority claimed that Mrs. Gao hadn’t hanged herself but was strangled to death—that she had struggled but ultimately failed to break free before she stopped breathing.

She nodded lightly, sobbing. ”Lord Zhang said that if no other evidence is found, the matter will be settled. My mother’s mood had improved in the days leading up to it, so I thought she had come to terms with things and let my guard down a little. I never thought it would lead to such a tragedy—”

Murong Ye breathed a silent sigh of relief.

’So, from the sound of it, Mrs. Gao really did die by suicide.’

Although getting the case closed would be a bit of a hassle, it was normal for no one to have noticed a death that occurred in the dead of night.

This whole storm would blow over after a while.

Murong Ye didn’t stay long. His father was extremely displeased with his entanglement with Ye Shixian, so it was best for him to lie low.

As Ye Shixian saw Murong Ye out, Shaoyao, who was standing guard outside, jumped in fright when the door opened and quickly bowed.

Murong Ye frowned. ”What were you spacing out for?”

Shaoyao hurriedly admitted her fault. ”I was wrong, please forgive me, Mr. Murong!”

Murong Ye turned back to Ye Shixian. ”This maid used to seem quite clever. Why is she so slow now? Can you trust someone like this to take good care of you?”

Shaoyao’s face paled.

Ye Shixian glanced at her and said softly, ”She was probably just frightened by what happened before.”

Murong Ye shook his head. ”I’ll pick out a few good ones later and bring them over. You can choose one you like. I’ll feel more at ease knowing you have someone else to look after you.”

Hearing this, Shaoyao panicked. ”My loyalty to the Young Miss is absolute! I promise I will be more diligent in the future! Please, Mr. Murong, give me another chance!”

The smile on Ye Shixian’s lips froze slightly.

’Others might think this is a sign of his affection and concern, but I know what it really is. He wants to plant another spy by my side to watch my every move!’

But Ye Shixian couldn’t refuse.

She nodded. ”Thank you.”

Murong Ye gave a satisfied smile and gently touched the white jade hairpin at her temple.

”You look best wearing the Red Agate Hairpin. You should change into it next time.”

Ye Shixian forced a smile. ”...Alright.”

Murong Ye finally left. Ye Shixian stood rooted to the spot, feeling as if all her strength had been drained away.

Shaoyao shuffled forward on her knees. ”Young Miss, I beg you—”

”I want a hot bath,” Ye Shixian said, her face devoid of expression.

Shaoyao bit her lip. ”...Yes, I’ll go prepare it right away.”

Ye Shixian turned and went back into her room, so she didn’t notice the flash of resentment and resolve in Shaoyao’s eyes after the door was closed.

...

It was noon, and the streets were bustling with crowds and lively activity.

A carriage entered slowly through the city gates, flanked on either side by mounted guards.

Many who saw the carriage looked on with a mixture of reverence and admiration.

—It was the carriage of the Dingbei Marquis Mansion!

And the one sitting inside, one didn’t even need to guess, was the Heir of Duke Dingbei!

Shen Yanchuan leaned against the inner wall of the carriage, his eyes lightly closed.

The clamor from outside reached his ears. Lian Zhou clicked his tongue and couldn’t help but remark, ”The Capital City really is lively!”

They had been traveling for some time, venturing into increasingly remote and desolate lands.

Especially after witnessing the starving and freezing refugees in Changzhou, the prosperity of the Capital City seemed all the more striking.

The contrast was like heaven and earth.

If they hadn’t seen it with their own eyes, many of the people here would likely go their whole lives without knowing that there were those in the world so poor and miserable they could hardly afford a single full meal.

Thinking of this, Lian Zhou felt a sourness in his heart.

He urged his horse forward and asked in a low voice, ”Master, should we head directly to the palace?”

Shen Yanchuan grunted in affirmation.

They had returned to the capital for two reasons: first, to report to His Majesty as commanded, and second, to present a memorial on the disasters in several regions of Changzhou.

Neither matter could be delayed.

However, as the carriage continued forward, jarring voices began to drift in.

”Tell me, how can someone in this world be so cruel? To not even spare her own aunt, driving the woman to her death!”

”I know, right! What a sin! Isn’t she afraid a vengeful ghost will come for her in the middle of the night to claim the debt?”

”Hmph, she’s a powerful one. Why would she be afraid?”

”I’d say she’s quite pleased with herself now. With that family dead or driven mad, she’s finally gotten her wish!”

”What goes around comes around. I’d like to see which family would dare associate with such a vicious woman in the future! Even if she has a backer, people can still avoid her, can’t they? She’ll get her comeuppance sooner or later!”

Shen Yanchuan’s eyes snapped open.

He reached out, lifted the curtain, and saw several street vendors gossiping animatedly.

At the same time, the words of one of them carried over more clearly—

”Her reputation is ruined! From now on in this Capital City, never mind her—I’m afraid even her two younger brothers will be criticized by everyone!”

A chill rose in Shen Yanchuan’s eyes.

”Lian Zhou.”

”At your command!”

Lian Zhou had, of course, also heard what those people were saying. His mind was a tangled mess, but hearing his master’s voice, he responded at once.

When he looked up and saw the expression on his master’s face, his heart skipped a beat.

Shen Yanchuan said in a cold voice, ”Go and find out what has happened in the Capital City while I’ve been away.”

”Yes, sir!”

Not daring to delay, Lian Zhou immediately spurred his horse and rode off.