The Duke's Pampered Darling is So Scheming

Chapter 538: Chapter 538: You’ll Know at a Glance

Shen Yanchuan retorted, ”Ask about what?”

He poured himself another cup of wine. His well-defined fingers gently caressed the cup as he said unhurriedly, ”If something major had happened, the entire Capital City would know by tomorrow.”

It was true he hadn’t been in the palace today, so he hadn’t personally witnessed the unusually intense confrontation and interrogation in the side hall of Qiyuan Hall.

But what of it?

He was the one who investigated the case and had his people deliver the testimony. How could he not have anticipated what the scene would be like?

Whether he saw it or not, the result would be the same.

As for the outcome... that was a matter for His Majesty to decide.

Ye Chutang thought for a moment and realized he was right.

Though he hadn’t been there in person, he likely had a firm grasp of the entire situation.

However... Shen Yanchuan noticed Ye Chutang’s subtle expression.

She still seemed to have some doubts.

”What are you thinking?” Shen Yanchuan asked.

Ye Chutang paused and glanced outside.

Other than the servants guarding the courtyard and the Black Cavalry Guard hidden in the shadows, there was no one else around.

Ye Chutang looked up to meet Shen Yanchuan’s gaze, her brows furrowing slightly. ”I feel like... something isn’t right.”

Shen Yanchuan’s eyes narrowed. ”What isn’t right? Didn’t today’s case already conclude smoothly?”

”That’s exactly what’s not right,” Ye Chutang said, shaking her head. ”Everything went too smoothly.”

Although that was thanks to Shen Yanchuan’s help, still...

”Xiao Lansi didn’t offer a single rebuttal. She admitted to all the charges.”

Shen Yanchuan said, ”She was the one who did it, and the evidence was irrefutable. No matter how she argued, she couldn’t change the facts, so why waste the effort?”

Ye Chutang looked at him.

Shen Yanchuan raised an eyebrow. ”Why are you looking at me like that?”

Ye Chutang said, ”She’s in love with you. You didn’t know?”

Shen Yanchuan’s expression didn’t change as he said flatly, ”I’ve never had any dealings with her.”

Ye Chutang understood in an instant—’Of course he knew.’

’But he didn’t care.’

He was the Princely Heir of the Dingbei Marquis Mansion and the Eldest Princess’s only grandson—a man of noble birth and profound family standing.

Not to mention his noble, self-possessed air that made him a peerless young master.

It was only natural that Xiao Lansi would fall for him. Across the entire Capital City, countless noble ladies had secretly given him their hearts.

Among them, Xiao Lansi was neither special nor conspicuous.

Ye Chutang asked again, ”Then, Princely Heir, why do you think she targeted me like this? Even using every means possible to try and kill me?”

Shen Yanchuan’s brows furrowed slightly.

The moment their eyes met, something seemed to flash through his mind.

”Are you saying...”

”I don’t believe she resents me solely because of you, Princely Heir.” Ye Chutang’s voice was soft but firm. ”If she wanted to deal with me, there were many ways. Why go to such lengths? Besides, several cases came to light today. Although Zhou Kangxue and Wu the Fourth both pointed to her, there was still no evidence for the matter of the Jade Pendant, yet she tacitly admitted to that as well.”

At that moment, everyone had likely already concluded that Xiao Lansi was behind everything.

She could have still fought to clear her name regarding the Jade Pendant.

After so many years, how could anyone investigate what happened in the past?

As long as she insisted the Jade Pendant had nothing to do with her, she might have been able to distance herself from the Southern Hu Blade Man.

But she didn’t. Aside from her initial panic, Xiao Lansi put up no struggle at all later on and just naturally confessed.

She even asked if she was going to be taken to the Ministry of Justice next.

”Fan Chengzhuo might have a close relationship with her,” Ye Chutang speculated. ”I just don’t know how they got connected.”

Shen Yanchuan’s expression grew serious.

After a moment, he said, ”Xiao Jiayi.”

Ye Chutang was taken aback. ”Princess Huan Ning? How could she—”

Suddenly, she seemed to think of something, and her voice trailed off.

A brief silence fell over the room.

Even Xiao Wu, who had been focused on eating, sensed something was amiss and looked up, glancing curiously between the two of them.

Ye Chutang said slowly, ”How could Princess Huan Ning be connected to such an important court official? I suppose the middleman must be Xie Anjun, right?”

This time, Shen Yanchuan didn’t speak.

That was a tacit agreement.

Ye Chutang let out a slow breath as countless thoughts flashed through her mind.

Fan Chengzhuo was a protégé of Jiang Zhao Yuan. In everyone’s eyes, he was a staunch supporter of the Second Prince.

Because of Princess Huan Ning, the Xie Family should also be considered on the Second Prince’s side.

Although Xie Pei never participated in these struggles, when caught in a whirlpool, how could one remain entirely aloof?

Fan Chengzhuo and Xie Anjun being secretly on good terms wasn’t a major issue in itself. After all, they supported the same person and shared common interests.

But today, Fan Chengzhuo had spoken up several times, trying to protect Xiao Lansi.

That wasn’t right—Xiao Lansi had wanted to kill Xiao Chengxuan!

Regardless of which of her words today were true and which were false, there was one thing Ye Chutang was certain of: Xiao Lansi did indeed harbor a deep resentment for Xiao Chengxuan and Consort Ru.

If that was the case, why would Fan Chengzhuo help her in the side hall today?

Ye Chutang’s delicate brows knitted together.

An absurd guess surfaced in her mind.

She looked at Shen Yanchuan. ”Xie Anjun has done quite a lot for Xiao Chengxuan, hasn’t he?”

Shen Yanchuan was noncommittal.

Ye Chutang knew why he was reluctant to speak too much on the matter: Xie Anjun’s surname was Xie.

And Xie Anbai’s surname was also Xie.

Ye Chutang didn’t press the matter.

Right now, the most important thing wasn’t how deeply the Xie Family was involved, but rather—

”Why would Xiao Lansi and Fan Chengzhuo team up? What good would Xiao Chengxuan’s downfall do them?”

Xiao Lansi’s motive was easier to guess. Judging from her various reactions today, her years being raised by Jiang Qingmei were not pleasant.

But Fan Chengzhuo... what was his reason?

He seemed to have no grudge against the Jiang family, and Xiao Chengxuan had always held him in high regard.

He really had no reason to do this.

Ye Chutang felt as if an invisible hand was manipulating everything from the shadows.

Suddenly, a loud sound came from the side.

”HIC—”

Ye Chutang: ”...”

She silently turned her head. Xiao Wu’s little face was beet red.

’I-I didn’t do it on purpose! I was just focused on eating my fill; who knew I’d accidentally overeat?’

Ye Chutang glanced at her round little belly.

Xiao Wu finally, reluctantly, put down her spoon.

Sigh!

’So much delicious food in the world, but I only have one small stomach. What a pity!’

Ye Chutang said, ”Go play in the inner room for a while, so your food can digest.”

Xiao Wu nodded obediently, bowed a farewell to Shen Yanchuan, and then turned, trotting on her short legs around the screen and into the other room.

The faint sound of what seemed to be game pieces clinking together could be heard.

’She probably went to play a game by herself.’

Ye Chutang relaxed.

Now, only she and Shen Yanchuan were left, sitting opposite each other.

Ye Chutang’s gaze finally fell on the wooden box at his side.

”May I ask the Princely Heir, what exactly is in here?”

Shen Yanchuan leaned back lazily in his chair, watching her with what seemed to be a hint of a smile at the corner of his eyes.

”You’ll know as soon as you look.”