The Duke's Pampered Darling is So Scheming

Chapter 537: Chapter 537: One Cup Down

Shen Yanchuan gave a slight nod.

”I’m late.”

He still carried the chill of the north wind, and the moment he stepped through the door, he easily disturbed the room’s cozy warmth.

Ye Chutang shook her head and smiled. ”It’s never too late for you to come.”

As she spoke, her gaze swept over Shen Yanchuan, a hint of curiosity in her eyes. ”Have you just returned?”

He looked travel-worn.

Shen Yanchuan nodded. ”I only learned you were looking for me when I reached my estate, so I came straight here.”

Ye Chutang froze for a moment.

’So... Shen Yanchuan had just reached his estate and might not have even stepped through the main gate before turning around to come here?’

So much had happened today. The palace and the imperial court were rife with undercurrents. At such a critical time, any matter that required Shen Yanchuan to handle it personally must have been incredibly important.

Ye Chutang didn’t press for details and immediately invited Shen Yanchuan to take a seat.

”Princely Heir, please sit.”

Shen Yanchuan raised his hands to unfasten his cloak, then passed over the black wooden box he had been holding.

A flash of surprise crossed Ye Chutang’s eyes. ”This is...”

”A gift for you,” Shen Yanchuan said.

From the moment he entered, Ye Chutang had noticed he was carrying something, but she never expected it to be a gift for her.

’At a time this tense, he actually went out of his way to prepare a gift?’

Ye Chutang stepped forward and took it with both hands.

”Then, thank you, Princely Hei—huh?”

The instant her fingertips touched the wooden box, an indescribable, extreme coldness emanated from it, as if it were made of ice and snow.

She subconsciously raised her eyes to look at Shen Yanchuan.

Even if he had just come from outside, the box seemed far too cold.

”Princely Heir, this...”

Shen Yanchuan’s gaze swept over the faces of Ye Jingyan and Xiao Wu behind her before he gently pressed down on the wooden box.

”Tomorrow is your birthday. It is but a humble gift; do not refuse it.”

Ye Chutang understood almost instantly.

—Shen Yanchuan didn’t want Yan or Xiao Wu to know what was inside.

Ye Chutang paused, then obligingly took the wooden box and curtsied.

”Thank you, Princely Heir.”

Then, she casually placed the wooden box to one side.

As expected, Yan and Xiao Wu didn’t notice anything unusual.

It wasn’t the first time Shen Yanchuan had given her a gift, and his presents were always quite valuable. This polite back-and-forth between them was nothing out of the ordinary.

With everyone present, the meal could finally begin.

Shen Yanchuan’s eyes swept over the overly grand spread of dishes, and he raised an eyebrow slightly.

’This dinner tonight...’

”Regarding the recent assassination attempt, I owe you my thanks for your help, Princely Heir.” Ye Chutang didn’t waste time with pleasantries and got straight to the point. ”Chutang is deeply grateful.”

Shen Yanchuan smiled. ”It was what I should do.”

Ye Chutang’s status was now special. Her safety concerned His Majesty, so naturally, she had to be well protected.

Ye Jingyan suddenly stood up, raised his cup, and said seriously,

”Princely Heir, you saved my sister’s life, which is a profound kindness to the entire Ye Family! I, on behalf of A Feng and Xiao Wu, thank you!”

Putting everything else aside, if Shen Yanchuan hadn’t sent people to protect her in secret this time, his sister could have truly been in danger.

No one knew the sheer panic and bone-deep chill that had seized him the moment he heard at the Imperial College that his sister had been attacked.

Even though he knew his sister was always a master strategist, even though he knew she wasn’t so easily bullied, even though he knew...

But how could he possibly not worry?

They had already lost their father, mother, and eldest brother. They absolutely could not lose their sister too.

Xiao Wu, in her youthful innocence, saw her third brother’s actions and immediately copied him, lifting the cup in front of her with her two small, chubby hands.

—Even though her cup was filled with water, according to her fourth brother, substituting tea for wine was also fine!

After speaking, Ye Jingyan downed the wine in his cup in one go.

Shen Yanchuan watched him, then a faint smile touched his thin lips. He also raised his hand, filled a cup, and toasted him from afar.

Xiao Wu tilted her head back and drank up.

Ye Chutang looked at Ye Jingyan, wanting to say something but stopping herself. ”Hey—”

’That cup was supposed to be my toast to give. This kid—’

She looked back at Shen Yanchuan and saw that he had also drained his cup.

The crisp fragrance of the wine filled the room, kindling a sense of warmth.

Shen Yanchuan looked at her and raised an eyebrow slightly.

”What, weren’t you going to thank me? Can’t even handle a single cup of wine?”

That moment just now had been a silent clash between men.

Ye Jingyan had always been very wary of him, but today’s toast was a sign of his approval.

Ye Chutang hesitated for a moment.

”That’s not it, it’s just...”

THUD!

Ye Jingyan slumped onto the table. His originally fair and handsome face was flushed crimson, and his eyes had gone a bit hazy.

Ye Chutang sighed and threw up her hands in resignation.

”I didn’t get a chance to say it. He’s a one-cup lightweight.”

Shen Yanchuan: ”...”

Xiao Wu was clearly used to this. She deftly tugged on Ye Jingyan’s sleeve, helping him lie slumped in a more comfortable position.

Shen Yanchuan: ”...”

Ye Chutang glanced at the barely-touched food on the table and thought it was a pity.

’This kid is really too honest for his own good. Why drink without eating anything first?’

Ye Chutang shook her head. ”Someone, help the Third Young Master back to his room to rest.”

The servants quickly came and led Ye Jingyan away.

Shen Yanchuan paused. ”I wouldn’t have guessed.”

Ye Jingyan seemed refined and gentle, but in reality, he was very opinionated and methodical. Shen Yanchuan never would have thought that the kid would knock himself out with a single cup of wine right after they met.

From his resolute posture just now, you’d have thought he could drink a thousand cups without getting drunk.

Ye Chutang thought for a moment, then smiled as well. ”Perhaps it’s because he received a letter from A Feng today. He was especially happy and didn’t think too much of it.”

Since returning to the capital, they had faced one accident after another and been surrounded by danger. Though Yan never said anything, he must have been under immense pressure.

A Feng has a wild and untamable nature, and Xiao Wu is still young. In this family, besides Ye Chutang, it was Yan who shouldered all the responsibility.

He’s been a serious and thoughtful child since he was young. It’s rare for him to be so genuinely happy and relaxed, which is why he acted this way today.

Shen Yanchuan quickly understood her meaning and nodded. ”In that case, it seems A Feng is adjusting well in Xia City.”

Ye Chutang glanced at him, a single thought in her mind—this man was indeed exceptionally perceptive.

She had only said one sentence, yet he was able to deduce all that from it.

But it wasn’t something she needed to hide.

Ye Chutang tilted her head, a slight smile on her lips. ”Mm, that place really is a good fit for him.”

Forcing him to study at the Imperial College was pointless. It was better to let him go and let him soar.

Xiao Wu sat to the side, completely engrossed in her meal.

—Third Brother didn’t get to eat much, so I have to eat more for him! I absolutely can’t let it go to waste!

”Eat slowly, no one’s going to steal it from you.”

Ye Chutang refilled Xiao Wu’s water, telling her not to choke.

With her cheeks puffed out, Xiao Wu looked up and gave her a sweet smile.

Ye Chutang knew the girl could handle herself, so she didn’t fuss over her anymore and looked back at Shen Yanchuan.

She paused briefly, choosing her words carefully before she spoke.

”Princely Heir, isn’t there anything you want to ask me?”

So much had happened in the palace today, yet he hadn’t asked a single thing?