The Duke's Pampered Darling is So Scheming

Chapter 571: Chapter 571: Worldly Sophistication

Ye Chutang gave Xie Anbai detailed instructions, covering every last particular. Xie Anbai committed each one to memory.

”Rest assured, I will personally oversee the brewing of the medicine. Nothing will go wrong.”

The second young master of the Xie Family had always been a carefree rake, but when it truly mattered, he knew exactly how to prioritize.

In this regard, he was far better than his older brother and sister-in-law, whose relationship was on the verge of collapse.

Ye Chutang smiled. ”You are very meticulous, Second Young Master. The Marquis will surely be fine.”

Xie Anbai took a deep breath and gave Ye Chutang a long, deep bow.

”I was truly forward today. Once my father recovers, I will personally visit you to express my gratitude.”

Ye Chutang didn’t mind.

”Your concern for the Marquis is only natural, Second Young Master. There’s no need to mention thanks. You’ve helped me several times before, so this is just me doing what little I can in return.”

Grateful, Xie Anbai personally escorted her to the gate.

Ye Chutang bade him farewell, her gaze sweeping once more toward the inner courtyard.

”The Marquis needs to rest quietly. Try not to let anyone disturb him. Some things are better done yourself rather than entrusting them to others.”

Xie Anbai instantly understood her meaning and nodded seriously. ”Thank you for the advice. I understand.”

In the past, to avoid suspicion and trouble, he had rarely concerned himself with the mansion’s affairs, instead spending his days admiring flowers and walking birds—a man of many leisurely pursuits.

But his father’s illness this time was a rude awakening—the Duke Zhongyong Mansion was merely glorious on the surface; inside, it was already a complete mess!

When Xie Pei was healthy, he could still maintain peace in the mansion. But now that he had suddenly collapsed, the entire household had fallen into disarray in just a single day!

If Xie Anbai hadn’t acted decisively and sent for Ye Chutang, that group of people would probably still be in the room, arguing endlessly!

This realization sent a chill of fear through Xie Anbai.

If things were allowed to continue like this, the future of the Marquis Mansion... would be in peril!

Ye Chutang had said enough and spoke no more. She bowed to Xie Anbai in farewell.

Xie Anbai stood at the gate for a long while. Only after the carriage had disappeared around a street corner did he finally come to his senses, for the first time doubting the choices he had made.

He had no interest in wealth or glory, but if anyone tried to harm those he cared about... he would never tolerate it!

Xie Anbai’s expression hardened.

”Close the gates. From today onward, the Marquis Mansion will not be receiving visitors.”

The servants at the gate exchanged glances, hesitating. ”This... Second Young Master, I’m afraid this isn’t appropriate. Should we perhaps ask the Princely Heir for instructions?”

After all, with Xie Pei unwell, Xie Anjun should be the one in charge of the mansion. It wasn’t Xie Anbai’s turn to give orders.

Hearing this, Xie Anbai raised a brow and smiled, but the smile didn’t reach his eyes.

”What, do I no longer even have the right to speak in my own home?”

”We wouldn’t dare!”

Though the servant said this, his feet seemed rooted to the spot, unwilling to obey.

Xie Anbai’s face turned cold.

”If anyone objects, feel free to go and tell the Princely Heir! I’d like to see if, at a time like this, the Princely Heir would dare to disregard the Marquis’s health!”

This was a very serious accusation.

Not even Xie Anjun would dare bear such a reputation.

The two servants glanced at each other and finally bowed in compliance.

”Yes, sir.”

...

「Ye Mansion.」

The moment Ye Chutang returned, Ye Jingyan and Xiao Wu hurried to greet her.

Ye Jingyan first looked her over. Seeing she was unharmed, he then asked, ”Sister, how are things at the Marquis Mansion?”

Ye Chutang chuckled teasingly. ”I only went out to make a house call. Why so nervous? The Duke Zhongyong Mansion may be a great and noble house, but I am still allowed entry. Yan, there’s no need to worry so much.”

Hearing the lightheartedness in her tone, Ye Jingyan breathed a sigh of relief.

”I just feel that getting involved with the Duke Zhongyong Mansion right now... isn’t a good idea.”

Ye Chutang was walking inside when she heard this. She paused, tilting her head slightly, and asked with great interest, ”And why do you say that?”

’Although the Duke Zhongyong Mansion’s glory isn’t what it once was, they’re still influential figures in the capital. Many people are desperate to curry favor with them, yet Yan seems to think otherwise.’

Ye Jingyan hesitated for a moment before saying in a low voice, ”I heard that at the earlier banquet to welcome the Wazhen Mission, His Majesty asked Marquis Zhongyong to step forward and negotiate with Master Wa?”

Ye Chutang nodded. ”That’s right.”

’Yan was at the Imperial College for his lessons that day and didn’t enter the Imperial Palace with me, but news like this travels fast. A place like the Imperial College is especially sensitive to such information, so it’s normal for him to know.’

Ye Jingyan’s brows furrowed slightly.

”His Majesty seems... to hold some reservations about Marquis Zhongyong. If he didn’t have some grievance, he wouldn’t have done that. I just don’t know what mistake the Marquis made to provoke His Majesty to this extent.”

He shook his head. ”If Marquis Zhongyong hadn’t taken the edge off Master Wa, who knows how His Majesty would have reprimanded him.”

After he finished, a silence fell around them.

Xiao Wu tilted her head up, her dark eyes darting about, not quite understanding what Ye Jingyan was saying.

’But I was there that day!’

’My third brother obviously didn’t go, so how does he seem to know the situation better than I do, and I was actually there?’

When Ye Jingyan finished speaking and received no reply from Ye Chutang, he saw her just looking at him quietly and couldn’t help but feel a little flustered.

”Sister? Why are you looking at me like that?”

Ye Chutang blinked, then slowly broke into a smile.

”It seems you’ve learned quite a few things in your half-year at the Imperial College.”

Ye Jingyan was confused. ”What?”

Ye Chutang smiled. ”You’ve been clever since you were a child, with a photographic memory and a talent for writing beautiful essays. But that alone isn’t enough.”

She gazed in the direction of the Imperial Palace.

From here, one could only faintly see the silhouette of its soaring eaves—solemn, noble, and inscrutable.

”What’s known as worldly wisdom is the ability to be cautious and meticulous, to see into the hearts of people, so you can deduce the most likely course of events.”

Ye Chutang withdrew her gaze and looked at Ye Jingyan with a smile.

”You’ve been at the Imperial College for some time now, broadening your horizons and expanding your perspective. Even without personally attending the palace banquet that day, you were able to deduce all this. That is immense progress.”

Understanding dawned on Ye Jingyan, and his eyes lit up. ”Does that mean you agree with me, Sister?”

Ye Chutang nodded.

In truth, she had felt the same way that day.

It had looked exactly like a test.

”I can’t be sure about the specifics just yet. But what I can tell you is that His Majesty certainly has his reasons for doing this.”

Ye Jingyan’s mind raced.

”Could it be because of the Heir of Duke Zhongyong and Princess Huan Ning?”

Ye Chutang smiled but didn’t answer the question directly.

GRUMBLE—

Ye Chutang looked down, and Xiao Wu instantly covered her stomach in embarrassment.

Ye Chutang asked, ”I was gone for so long. Haven’t you eaten yet?”

Xiao Wu shook her head and tugged on her hand.

’I want to eat with you, Sister!’

Ye Chutang’s eyes curved as she smiled and pinched the little girl’s cheek.

”Alright! Today is the Little New Year, so I’ll let you have an extra piece of sesame candy!”