The Duke's Pampered Darling is So Scheming

Chapter 494: Chapter 494: Shen Yanchuan’s Gaze

Ye Chutang looked over curiously in the direction of the voice. The curtain of the opposing carriage had been lifted, revealing a handsome and refined face.

He was a young man of about sixteen or seventeen, fair-skinned and slender. He looked as if he hadn’t seen the sun in a long time; his complexion was extremely pale and his thin frame exuded an air of frailty.

However, this did not hide his striking, well-defined features, especially his hazel eyes, which were as clear and hazy as amber.

’That face...’

Ye Chutang narrowed her eyes slightly and spoke with some uncertainty:

”Prince Jing?”

Upon hearing this, the joy on the young man’s face faded, replaced by a visible sense of unease and awkwardness.

”Ms. Aye, are you upset that I didn’t tell you my real identity before? I had my reasons back then. Please don’t be angry with me, alright?”

Ye Chutang: ”...”

’Was she angry?’

’From start to finish, hadn’t she just been confirming his identity?’

However, before she could figure out how to respond, a cool, deep voice suddenly spoke from her side.

”Ms... Aye?”

Shen Yanchuan’s gaze swept over the two of them, a ghost of a smile on his face.

”So, Prince Jing and Chutang have known each other for some time?”

Ye Chutang turned her head. ’Wait, is their relationship already close enough for him to call me by my given name?’

But the moment her eyes met Shen Yanchuan’s, Ye Chutang’s bravado inexplicably faltered.

She cleared her throat. ”...Not really.”

A flicker of disappointment crossed Xiao Chenglin’s face, but it vanished in an instant.

He explained to Shen Yanchuan, ”Princely Heir, please don’t misunderstand. I was merely fortunate enough to be saved by Ms. Aye once, so we have met before.”

Shen Yanchuan tugged on the reins, his thin lips curling slightly.

”Prince Jing, you worry too much. A Healer’s heart is kind; the number of people she has saved is countless. This is perfectly normal, so of course I wouldn’t misunderstand her.”

His words carried a subtle intimacy.

—He knew everyone she was close to. Besides, her first reaction upon seeing Xiao Chenglin hadn’t been the warmth of seeing an acquaintance, but rather a cautious attempt to identify him.

That alone was enough to make things clear.

Xiao Chenglin’s brow twitched, and he broke into a smile as if breathing a sigh of relief.

”That’s good to hear.”

As he spoke, he looked at Ye Chutang again.

”Ms. Aye, please don’t be offended. I didn’t know you had come to the Capital City, and I certainly didn’t know you were *the*—”

Ye Chutang’s name had already spread throughout the Capital City, so even Xiao Chenglin, who spent his years confined to his residence, had heard of her.

But with his trouble walking, he hadn’t even entered the palace for an event like the Mid-Autumn Festival. It seemed perfectly normal that he hadn’t connected the rumors to the Ye Chutang he knew.

Her mind raced, but Ye Chutang quickly concealed the turmoil in her heart and gave a polite, distant nod.

”I was also unaware of Your Highness’s identity, so I suppose that makes us even. If I caused any offense before, I hope Prince Jing will forgive me.”

Xiao Chenglin looked like he wanted to say something but held back, appearing quite hurt.

After a moment, he finally said:

”Ms. Aye, must you be so formal with me?”

For some reason, Ye Chutang suddenly felt a chill run down her spine.

It was clearly a rare sunny day, yet it somehow felt colder than before.

She didn’t answer him, instead gesturing to Xiao Wu at her side. ”Xiao Wu, come and greet Prince Jing.”

A small, round head poked out, its eyes clear and innocent.

Gazing at Xiao Chenglin, she tilted her head as if trying to figure out who he was.

Ye Chutang reminded her, ”We met Prince Jing before, back when we were in Xu City. It’s normal that you don’t remember, though. You were sleeping at the time.”