The Duke's Pampered Darling is So Scheming

Chapter 466: Chapter 466: Unrelated

Xiao Lansi shook her head. ”I don’t know either.”

Regardless of whether there was a problem with the antidote, Prince Lie’s condition worsening was good news for them!

Consort Ru was even a little impatient. ”So how is he now?”

Xiao Lansi shook her head again. ”That... I have no idea. Prince Lie’s Mansion is under heavy guard today. Prying any information out of there would be next to impossible.”

That was true. With something this major, of course Prince Lie would do his best to hide it.

If people found out his injuries had worsened again, his situation would surely become even more dire.

Especially with His Majesty also being ill!

Consort Ru lowered her eyes, countless thoughts racing through her mind.

After a moment, she said, ”Since Prince Lie is unwell, we should naturally urge the Imperial Physicians to treat him properly. Also, let’s send some restorative supplements over—”

”Mother, we mustn’t.”

It was rare for Xiao Lansi to interrupt her. Consort Ru was stunned, but Xiao Lansi’s next words served as a reminder.

Xiao Lansi whispered, ”It would be unwise to alert them.”

Realization dawned on Consort Ru.

’That’s right!’

’If we sent people to Prince Lie’s Mansion now, wouldn’t that be as good as telling everyone that we’ve been secretly monitoring him?’

’The best choice was to do nothing and wait to see what happened!’

Xiao Lansi said, ”Father has already been suspicious of Second Brother. We can’t let them confirm those suspicions now.”

”Right, right!”

As if waking from a dream, Consort Ru broke out in a cold sweat.

’Someone was clearly trying to frame Cheng Xuan for sending the Southern Hu Blade Man to assassinate Prince Lie. At a time like this, they had to be even more careful. Every single move had to be carefully thought out!’

Consort Ru thought for a long while before saying, ”Since Prince Lie’s Mansion has blockaded all news, let them be! In any case, the truth will come out eventually. Once that happens...”

’When that time comes, who would still stand behind a crippled prince?’

Xiao Lansi nodded in agreement. ”I understand. I will be sure to remember your teachings, Mother.”

Consort Ru’s mood had been on a rollercoaster in such a short time. Now that she had calmed down, she felt utterly exhausted.

’She knew very well that right now, there was nothing she could do.’

Consort Ru looked toward the door, biting her lip in frustration.

’Of all things... to let that Ye Chutang find an opening! Letting her steal the entire spotlight!’

’All those people in the Imperial Hospital, and they ended up reduced to being assistants for some little slip of a girl!’

Xiao Lansi paused. ”Mother, do you think... Ye Chutang will definitely be able to cure Father?”

Consort Ru’s brows were tightly knitted. ”It’s not that I trust her, but look at the Eldest Princess’s attitude! She has invited her time and time again, as if there’s no other doctor in the world who can treat illness! And to top it off, it seems she actually has some real skill...”

’If Ye Chutang truly had no ability, she would never have made it this far.’

’No matter how much the Eldest Princess protected her, everyone ultimately knew deep down that Ye Chutang truly possessed this ability.’

A flicker of light passed through Xiao Lansi’s eyes. ”That’s true. Perhaps this time, her medicine will bring about Father’s swift recovery.”

...

Just as Ye Chutang returned to the mansion with Xiao Wu, a servant from the gatehouse hurried forward and handed her a letter.

”Second Miss Ye, Manager Xue came by today. He said there was something about the tavern’s accounts he needed to ask you about. When he saw you weren’t home, he left this letter and went on his way.”

Ye Chutang raised an eyebrow slightly and reached out to take it.

Xue Ran came by to report on his work every so often, so everyone was used to it.

’But he’s a smart man. To send a letter knowing she’s been busy at the palace recently...’

”I see.”

Ye Chutang replied casually, then led Xiao Wu back to her room.

Only after closing the door did Ye Chutang unhurriedly open the letter.

Xiao Wu looked over with eager eyes.

Ye Chutang chuckled and lightly tapped her on her small forehead. ”It’s not what you think.”

Xiao Wu pouted in disappointment and obediently turned away.

’Oh, well!’

’If Big Sis said so, then this letter definitely has nothing to do with silver!’

Only then did Ye Chutang shift her gaze to the letter.

When she saw the characters on it clearly, the corners of her lips lifted in the faintest of smiles.

’This wasn’t Xue Ran’s handwriting.’

’It was Xiao Chengqi’s.’

...

Xiao Wu obediently washed up by herself and snuggled into her blankets, her big, round, jet-black eyes fixed on the slender figure sitting at the table.

Ye Chutang quickly finished reading the letter, placed it by the candle flame, and the crimson fire swiftly devoured it.

Only a single wisp of white smoke remained, curling into the air.

Afterward, Ye Chutang rose to her feet, as calm and composed as if nothing had happened.

Xiao Wu was dumbfounded for a moment. ’She just burned it? Doesn’t Big Sis need to write back?’

But the thought only flashed through her mind for an instant. ’Anyway, Big Sis has her own way of doing things.’

Xiao Wu lifted a corner of the blanket, her chubby little hand patting the soft bedding, and gave Ye Chutang a huge smile.

’Big Sis! The bed is all warm for you!’

...

「Prince Lie’s Mansion.」

Xiao Chengqi spoke in surprise, ”She didn’t say anything at all?”

The guard, dressed in black night clothes, bowed his head and replied, ”Yes. I personally saw Second Miss Ye accept the letter, but there was no activity from her side, even by dawn.”

Xiao Chengqi grew pensive.

’So this means...’

The guard asked, ”Your Highness, do you need me to send another message?”

Xiao Chengqi shook his head. ”There’s no need.”

The guard was taken aback. ”But you even vomited blood—”

Xiao Chengqi waved his hand dismissively. ”I have suffered far more serious injuries than this. What is there to fear?”

”But the lingering poison in your body hasn’t been neutralized—”

He looked up, met Xiao Chengqi’s gaze, and finally swallowed the rest of his words.

Xiao Chengqi tilted his head and glanced at the wound on his shoulder.

After he had vomited blood last night, the wound had split open, and it had taken a great deal of effort to stop the bleeding.

’But...’

’Since that was her intention, he would simply go along with it.’

Xiao Chengqi said, ”Strengthen the defenses. No news from within the mansion is to be leaked. No matter who asks, you are all to remain tight-lipped, understand?”

”Yes!”

Xiao Chengqi narrowed his eyes. ”If I’ve counted the days correctly, Chu Hospital Director should be returning to the capital soon. When he gets back, invite him to the mansion for a visit.”

The guard didn’t ask any more questions and bowed his head in acknowledgment.

He was just about to exit when he was stopped at the door by Xiao Chengqi.

”Oh, right. Has the Heir of Dingbei Marquis Mansion made any moves in the last couple of days?”

The guard thought for a moment. ”It’s said the Princely Heir was originally planning to go to Qingzhou to investigate a case, but he was delayed because of the matter with the Jade Pendant.”

The discovery of Xiao Chengqi’s Jade Pendant on the Southern Hu Blade Man was supposed to be a secret, but everyone who needed to know already knew.

Xiao Chengqi included.

Xiao Chengqi couldn’t help but let out a laugh. ”He really doesn’t want to miss any of the action, does he?”

’Anyone with eyes could see it was a setup. The Southern Hu Blade Man would have to be insane to carry such an incriminating object.’

’These were desperate men who lived on the edge of a blade. How could they make such a foolish mistake?’

Now, everything was pointing to Xiao Chengqi.

The guard hesitated slightly. ”Your Highness, are you saying... the Second Prince has nothing to do with the Southern Hu Blade Man?”