The Duke's Pampered Darling is So Scheming

Chapter 517: Chapter 517: Already Have the Answer

At these words, everyone immediately turned to look at Ye Chutang.

That’s right!

Just yesterday, Jiang Qingmei had publicly accused Ye Chutang of a misdiagnosis that caused Prince Lie to fall into a coma. Now that he was awake, those words naturally scattered to the winds.

The many suspicions and rumors that had recently swirled around Ye Chutang also shattered in an instant.

Ye Chutang smiled faintly. ”Mr. Wang is correct. It is I who should be thanking Doctor Zhao and His Highness Prince Lie.”

How could Zhao Xuanping accept such thanks?

He shook his head repeatedly. ”My contributions were trivial. His Highness Prince Lie’s recovery and awakening are all thanks to Second Miss Ye.”

In the end, the credit still belonged to Ye Chutang.

Ye Chutang didn’t actually mind, since she was also responsible for Emperor Muwu’s treatment.

His status was something even Xiao Chengqi couldn’t compare to.

However, Xiao Chengqi’s awakening did indeed save her a lot of trouble.

The Eldest Princess was naturally overjoyed as well. She smiled and said, ”During the time Cheng Qi was ill, you all took turns looking after him. You all have merit; there’s no need to distinguish who did more.”

Xiao Chengqi coughed a few times and also said, ”Doctor Zhao, please rise. What Wang Chang did has nothing to do with you. There is no need for you to blame yourself so much.”

Zhao Xuanping kowtowed deeply in gratitude once more before finally rising.

Seeing him start to cough again after sitting up for only a short while, the Eldest Princess’s heart ached for him.

She gently patted Xiao Chengqi’s arm.

”Alright, you’ve only just recovered. You must get more rest. Don’t worry about other matters. I will investigate everything and give you a proper account.”

Everyone understood the hint—it was time to leave.

However—

”Chutang.”

The Eldest Princess turned back.

”Why don’t you check Cheng Qi’s pulse again? You know his condition best.”

...

The Eldest Princess had arrived with a grand entourage, and now she left with one.

The room finally fell quiet.

Xiao Chengqi let out a long sigh and rolled his stiff neck.

”Finally, some peace and quiet... This mansion has never had so many people. I’m really not used to it.”

Ye Chutang glanced up at him.

”Your Highness seems to be in a good mood?”

”To survive a great catastrophe is to be blessed with good fortune to come.” Xiao Chengqi looked away and chuckled. ”Isn’t that reason enough to be happy?”

Ye Chutang smiled as well.

”True enough.”

Xiao Chengqi had been lying down for a long time. Having suddenly woken up, he still felt a bit disoriented.

”I really slept for a long time.” He kneaded his shoulders and neck, which still felt vaguely sore.

Ye Chutang said, ”It wasn’t that long. If His Majesty hadn’t suddenly fallen ill, you’d still be lying there.”

Xiao Chengqi: ”...”

Although he hadn’t left the mansion, he already knew what had happened in the Imperial Palace.

So his feelings were a bit complicated.

According to the original plan, he wasn’t supposed to wake up yet. But after Ye Chutang received the news yesterday and rushed to the palace, she sent someone over with a different prescription.

And so, today, he woke up.

”You really don’t hold back. He is my father, after all.”

’To say such things to my face... she’s got some nerve.’

Ye Chutang just smiled.

”Not at all. You dared to entrust your very life to me. For such bravery, I have the utmost admiration.”

Xiao Chengqi: ”...”

After a moment, he suddenly broke into a smile.

”I finally understand why Shen Yanchuan—”

Ye Chutang’s eyebrows rose slightly.

But Xiao Chengqi refused to continue, waving his hand as he suppressed a laugh. ”Never mind, never mind! Let’s not talk about him for now! How is my father’s health?”

No one knew better than Ye Chutang.

So, Ye Chutang briefly recounted the recent events.

”...In short, if all goes well, he should wake up within three days, so it won’t delay any subsequent matters. However, his heart and lungs are severely damaged. The prognosis is not optimistic.”

The more she spoke, the more solemn Xiao Chengqi’s expression became.

By the end, his brows were tightly furrowed, and he couldn’t help but ask:

”Even you can’t do anything?”

Ye Chutang shook her head.

’The conditions here don’t allow for cardiothoracic surgery. Even I can, at most, help Emperor Muwu alleviate some of his suffering.’

Xiao Chengqi’s expression was complicated.

’If even Ye Chutang was helpless, then...’

”Who was the poisoner?”

Ye Chutang looked at him and asked in return, ”Doesn’t Your Highness want to know who poisoned you?”

Xiao Chengqi subconsciously replied, ”Wang Chang? He’s already—”

Suddenly, he paused, a flash of disbelief in his eyes.

”...Are you saying that the person who attacked me and the person who plotted against my father are one and the same!?”

...

By the time she returned to the Ye Mansion, the sky had grown completely dark.

The north wind howled, and a biting chill filled the air.

The servant standing outside the gate saw Ye Chutang get out of the carriage holding Xiao Wu and immediately ran forward, a mixture of shock and joy on his face.

”Second Miss! You’re finally back!”

When the news of Ye Chutang’s assassination attempt reached them, the entire Ye Mansion had been on edge.

If not for the fact that Ye Chutang had later gone to the Imperial Palace, they would have been unable to stop themselves from going out to search for her long ago.

Ye Chutang acknowledged him and was about to lead Xiao Wu inside when the servant had already turned and run through the gate.

”Third Young Master! Second Miss and Fifth Miss are back!”

’Yan?’

Ye Chutang froze for a moment. She instinctively looked up and saw a tall, slender figure of a young man appear behind the gate.

”Big Sis!”

Ye Jingyan hurried forward, using the faint light from the lanterns under the eaves to carefully inspect Ye Chutang and Xiao Wu. Only when he was sure they were both unharmed did the heart that had been in his throat all day finally settle.

The tip of his nose was red from the cold, and a chill emanated from his body; it was impossible to know how long he had been waiting here.

”Why weren’t you waiting inside? It’s so cold, aren’t you afraid of freezing?”

Ye Jingyan shook his head. ”Big Sis, I’m not cold.”

Ever since he heard the news at the Imperial College that his sister had been attacked, he had rushed back as fast as he could.

Then he had simply stood in the courtyard all day, waiting.

’He just wanted to be the first to know, the first to see her, the moment she returned.’

Ye Chutang subconsciously raised a hand to pat his shoulder, only to realize he seemed to have grown a bit taller again.

She brushed his shoulder instead, her lips curving into a smile.

”I’m fine, and Xiao Wu is fine. Don’t worry.”

Ye Jingyan’s lips pressed into a tight line, something swelling in his chest.

He didn’t know how to describe what he had felt all day.

Even though he knew his sister was incredibly capable, even though he knew she had gone to the palace and must therefore be uninjured, even though...

...how could he possibly not have worried?

’This was his big sister.’

’And Xiao Wu—’

Ye Jingyan bent down and gathered Xiao Wu into his arms.

A small, soft bundle nestled into the crook of his arm. Xiao Wu seemed a little sleepy and rested obediently against his chest.

Ye Jingyan’s heart finally felt at ease.

”As long as you’re alright. I—”

Ye Chutang patted him. ”Let’s talk inside.”

...

Ye Chutang sat down and took a sip of hot tea. As the chill seeped out of her bones, she let out a soft sigh.

”A lot happened today. You must have been scared, huh?”

Ye Jingyan wanted to shake his head, but he nodded anyway.

Ye Chutang gave him a reassuring look.

”It’s okay. Everything’s been handled. The Shuntian Prefecture will have the results of their investigation soon.”

Ye Jingyan paused, then couldn’t help but ask:

”Big Sis... do you already have an answer?”