The Duke's Pampered Darling is So Scheming

Chapter 563: Chapter 563: Healer

”You may all rise.”

A deep, aged voice rang out in the great hall.

Everyone respectfully complied in unison.

As Ye Chutang rose, she glanced up. Emperor Muwu was wearing his Dragon Robe today and looked much better than when he had been bedridden.

At first glance, although he was thinner and more haggard than before, it did not diminish his imperial authority.

In short, it was more than enough to fool those who didn’t know the truth.

Unlike in the past, however, Emperor Muwu was not accompanied by any of his consorts. Instead, the Eldest Princess followed a step behind him and took a seat in the first position to his left.

—In the past, on occasions like this, it was Consort Ru who performed the duties of the Empress. Now that she had been demoted, she would naturally not appear here.

Everyone had naturally heard about what happened in the palace, and seeing the situation, they all tactfully remained silent.

The Third Prince, Xiao Chengqi, was seated in the first position to the right, clearly the foremost among all the princes.

Beside him was the Fourth Prince, Xiao Chenglin, who had not appeared in public for a long time.

Ye Chutang’s gaze shifted. She scanned the crowd opposite her but didn’t see a familiar figure.

Princess Qingyang lowered her voice. ”My brother went to the city gates to welcome them.”

’So that’s why.’

Ye Chutang understood. ’Thinking about it,’ she mused, ’there really is no one more suitable than Shen Yanchuan.’

Duke Dingbei, Shen Youyan, had guarded the Northern Border for years, and Shen Yanchuan himself had clashed with the Wazhen several times, so he was very familiar with them.

He was, of course, the best choice for the task.

Princess Qingyang asked again, ”Chutang, you know Prince Jing?”

Ye Chutang looked up, her expression unreadable. ”Why do you ask?”

”He’s been staring at you.” Princess Qingyang jutted her chin toward the other side. ”From his expression, it looks like he knows you.”

Princess Qingyang had a sharp eye. Plenty of people present had seen Ye Chutang before, and countless more were staring at her now. With a single glance, Princess Qingyang could get a good sense of what was on their minds.

Only Xiao Chenglin... he seemed to be very familiar with Ye Chutang, and his attitude was unusually friendly.

Yet, from the moment she entered, Ye Chutang hadn’t sent a single glance in his direction, appearing as if she didn’t know him at all.

It was truly strange.

Ye Chutang let out a soft ”oh” and explained succinctly, ”We’ve met. I didn’t know his identity back then and just thought he was the young master of some noble family. I treated him once.”

”So that’s how it is!”

Princess Qingyang was surprised, not having expected such a connection between them.

”Isn’t that a bit too much of a coincidence?”

’Not really,’ Ye Chutang thought. After all, she’d had plenty of patients, and Xiao Chenglin was hardly a special case.

She hadn’t thought much of it initially, but ever since their last chance encounter, his attitude... had been rather peculiar.

Ye Chutang found it tiresome.

’If he had genuinely wanted to thank me, he would have contacted me as soon as I returned to the Capital City. Why would he wait until now?’

Seeing that Ye Chutang didn’t seem to care much, Princess Qingyang got a good sense of her attitude and clicked her tongue.

”Well, he’s different now. He can even sit in that position on an occasion like this. In the past, when would he have ever received such treatment?”

Ye Chutang had heard the rumors. They said Xiao Chenglin’s birth mother was of low status and had passed away early. With no one to rely on, he was basically invisible at court and lived a difficult life.

But things were different now.

Xiao Chengxuan had fallen from grace, and Xiao Chengqi had been in a coma for a long time. If the latter hadn’t woken up, the one sitting in the seat of honor today would have been Xiao Chenglin.

No matter how down-and-out a prince was, he was still a prince.

If the brothers ahead of him were to die or be incapacitated, it would indeed be his turn to rise to prominence.

”Such is fate,” Ye Chutang said with a smile. ”It seems... you don’t like him very much, Your Highness?”

”That’s not it.” Princess Qingyang shook her head. ”We just don’t know each other well. Besides, he and I—we’re not cut from the same cloth.”

Ye Chutang nodded.

It was obvious, really. The two came from entirely different backgrounds and circumstances, and their personal styles were worlds apart. It was only natural they didn’t associate with each other.

Princess Qingyang glanced around and snorted. ”A month ago, who could have possibly imagined things would turn out like this?”

No one’s glory lasts forever.

And no one can say for sure what tomorrow holds.

Suddenly, a commotion arose outside.

”The Crown Prince of Wazhen and his mission, presenting themselves for an audience!”

The lively hall instantly fell silent. All heads turned toward the entrance, curiosity unconcealed.

The first to come into view were two men at the very front.

One was tall and upright, strikingly handsome and elegant—none other than Shen Yanchuan, who was responsible for receiving them.

The other was burly—not tall, but immensely powerful—and exuded a uniquely savage and fierce aura. This was the Crown Prince of Wazhen, Ugle.

Xiao Wu poked his head out, peering at them with curiosity.

’These Wazhen people look just like Big Sis said they would!’

The wildness honed from battles on the grasslands was impossible to conceal. One glance was enough to see how utterly different they were from the pampered nobles of the Capital City.

Xiao Wu only spared them a few glances before quickly looking away, his attention returning to the delicacies on the table before him.

’I’ve seen them now, and they’re not that good-looking. Anyway... they’re a far cry from the Young Master. Nothing special to look at.’

’I’d better figure out which pastries to bring back for Third Brother!’

Shen Yanchuan raised a hand. ”After you.”

Ugle dared not show the slightest complacency toward this rival he had crossed swords with, both openly and covertly, numerous times. He clasped his fist in a salute before striding into the great hall.

Reaching the center of the hall, he came to a stop, placed a hand on his chest, and bowed his head in a salute.

”Hail!”

He began with a long string of the Wazhen language before switching to the official court dialect everyone could understand. Although his pronunciation wasn’t perfect, it was clear he had made a special effort to learn it.

”Ugle greets Your Majesty! Long live Your Majesty!”

The Wazhen warriors following him also bowed their heads in salute.

Emperor Muwu smiled. ”We welcome our guests from afar.”

Ugle thanked him again.

Both sides were well aware of the purpose of the Wazhen Mission’s visit to the Capital City, so on the surface, everyone was perfectly cordial.

After Emperor Muwu granted them seats at the banquet, he exchanged a few pleasantries before inquiring about Mu Mu Zhen’er’s current condition.

”Come to think of it, it has been a long time since We have seen your father, the King. How is he doing?”

At these words, everyone in the hall fell silent and turned to look at Ugle.

Ugle replied, ”By the grace of the heavens, my royal father is well. Thank you for your concern, Your Majesty.”

No one believed him.

If Mu Mu Zhen’er were still as fierce and skilled in battle as he once was, Ugle would never have set foot in the Capital City.

He was here to sue for peace. The very act of ”suing” implied they were facing difficulties.

Emperor Muwu didn’t call his bluff, merely smiling and nodding. ”That is good.”

Ugle, however, suddenly asked, ”I heard that Your Majesty was ill some time ago, yet you look to be in excellent spirits today. I wonder... is the healer who treated Your Majesty present?”