The Duke's Pampered Darling is So Scheming

Chapter 578: Chapter 578: Raging Fire, Boiling Oil

”Th-this...”

Xie Anbai whirled around in shock, his bloodstained palm trembling slightly.

Ye Chutang’s brow furrowed slightly.

’How could this be?’

Xie Anjun also saw the scene and immediately rushed over, furious. ”What on earth are you doing?! Father is already gone! Are you going to deny him peace even on his final journey?!”

Reaching the bedside, perhaps wary of Shen Yanchuan, Xie Anjun stopped just short. He took a deep breath, suppressing his rage, and asked in a low voice, ”Second Miss Ye insisted on taking a look. Now—have you found any problems!?”

Xie Anbai opened his mouth, his mind a complete blank. He only snapped back to his senses belatedly upon hearing the question, waiting for Ye Chutang’s answer.

After a moment of silence, Ye Chutang said:

”The Marquis likely died of a sudden heart attack.”

”A heart attack?”

Shen Yanchuan’s sharp eyes narrowed.

The report he had received previously clearly stated that Xie Pei was suffering from a stomach ailment. How could he have died from a heart attack now?

Ye Chutang nodded.

”The Marquis’s neck and face are blue, there are nail marks in his palms from clenching his fists, and his mouth is filled with blood. He clearly experienced immense pain before his death. Second Master, could you check if there is anything unusual around the Marquis’s heart?”

Xie Anbai said nothing, but did as she asked and unfastened Xie Pei’s inner tunic. Sure enough, he saw a purplish-blue discoloration spreading upward from his heart.

”...How could this be?”

Xie Anbai was in disbelief.

He had considered many possibilities, but he had never guessed this would be the truth.

”Father has never, ever had any heart problems—”

”Sudden death is often unpredictable.”

Ye Chutang paused.

”Second Master, my condolences.”

A feeling of emptiness instantly washed over Xie Anbai.

At the same time, he understood what Ye Chutang meant—his father had truly died from a sudden, unexpected incident!

Xie Anjun’s expression was grim. ”Since you’re done looking, can we finally get on with the arrangements?”

The words made Xie Anbai extremely uncomfortable.

But he didn’t want to make an ugly scene in front of his father, so he forced himself to endure it and turned to redress Xie Pei.

His movements were gentle, as if afraid of disturbing someone.

After carefully wiping the blood from Xie Pei’s face, he took a step back, knelt on both knees, and kowtowed three times with deep reverence.

Ye Chutang and Shen Yanchuan exchanged a glance and silently exited the room.

After a brief pause, Xie Anjun followed them out.

This was now a private matter for the Xie Family.

After a lifetime as father and sons, they deserved some time and space to say goodbye.

When she stepped outside, Ye Chutang saw Xiao Jiayi again.

This Eldest Princess, once doted upon, the Young Madam of the Duke Zhongyong Mansion, was now gaunt and haggard. The triumphant glint in her eyes was long gone.

The two women locked eyes.

Xiao Jiayi was the first to look away, her gaze indifferent.

Ye Chutang suddenly said, ”I hear Jiang Cairen is not well. Shouldn’t you go see her, Princess?”

A flash of resentment flickered in Xiao Jiayi’s eyes.

’How dare she bring that up!’

’How dare she!’

’Isn’t my current predicament all her fault—all Ye Chutang’s doing!?’

’And now she has the gall to play the good guy!’

Xiao Jiayi let out a cold laugh:

”This doesn’t seem to be any of Second Miss Ye’s business, does it? If you have time to worry about others, you’d be better off worrying about yourself. A blazing fire, a vibrant brocade... who’s to say that my mother’s fate today won’t be someone else’s tomorrow?”

Ye Chutang smiled faintly, as if she hadn’t detected the sarcasm in her words.

”You’re right, Princess. With the Third Princess looking after your mother, there’s naturally no need for an outsider like me to inquire.”

Xiao Jiayi’s expression changed drastically!