The Duke's Pampered Darling is So Scheming

Chapter 579: Chapter 579: The Ruler Demands Death

Although she hadn’t been to the palace recently, she had heard all about what had happened there.

Xiao Lansi had been imprisoned, and all the charges against her were related to Xiao Chengxuan and Jiang Qingmei.

Ye Chutang’s words were like a knife, stabbing straight into Xiao Jiayi’s heart.

’She had hoped that with Xiao Lansi looking out for them in the palace, her mother and brother’s situation wouldn’t become too dire. But who could have known that the mastermind behind it all was the one person they had never suspected!’

The very mention of it filled Xiao Jiayi with immense hatred!

Xiao Jiayi took a deep breath, forcing herself to remain calm as she turned her head, refusing to look at Ye Chutang.

However, Ye Chutang seemed to have no intention of ending the unpleasant conversation. She glanced toward the room and spoke with feigned nonchalance.

”And as for you, Princess... forced to see a husband you loathe every day. Life in this Marquis Mansion must be... rather difficult, wouldn’t you say?”

Xiao Jiayi was so furious she almost laughed.

She glared at Ye Chutang with mocking, venomous eyes, her pent-up emotions finally surfacing. Lowering her voice, she bit out each word:

”No matter what, I am the Marchioness of this estate. The affairs of this household are not for an outsider to meddle in. So how could my life possibly be difficult?”

Ye Chutang blinked once, and a sudden smile touched her lips.

Xiao Jiayi was stunned by this reaction. Completely unable to guess what Ye Chutang was thinking, she scowled and demanded, ”What are you smiling at? Was I wrong?!”

Ye Chutang chuckled and nodded. ”Yes, of course you’re right.”

Xie Pei was dead and Xie Anjun had inherited the title. For every day Xiao Jiayi did not divorce him, she would remain the Marchioness.

And yet, Ye Chutang’s agreement did nothing to ease Xiao Jiayi’s unease.

She couldn’t shake the feeling that something was wrong, though she couldn’t quite put her finger on it.

Just then, Shen Yanchuan also emerged from the room.

At the sound of footsteps, Xiao Jiayi quickly schooled her features, her expression turning back to one of cold indifference as she looked away.

It was as if their entire exchange had never happened.

Shen Yanchuan’s gaze swept past Xiao Jiayi without a moment’s pause.

He came to stand before Ye Chutang and said,

”My business here is done. Now that I’ve paid my last respects to Marquis Zhongyong, I will return to the palace to report.”

It took Ye Chutang a moment to react. ’Is Shen Yanchuan... telling me his plans?’

But the matter was of great importance, so it was only proper.

After all, he had come from the palace.

Ye Chutang nodded slightly. ”Take care, Princely Heir.”

Shen Yanchuan glanced back over his shoulder.

”The Marquis Mansion will likely be busy tonight. It’s late. You should go home and rest.”

Ye Chutang immediately understood his meaning—it would be best for her to stay out of the Xie Family’s messy affairs.

After a moment’s thought, she nodded.

”That was my plan as well.”

Shen Yanchuan said, ”I’ll see you out.”

Chutang: ”...?”

’Didn’t she get to the Marquis Zhongyong Mansion first? Why did it sound like Shen Yanchuan was playing the host?’

’Not that she minded, but could he not see how rigid Xiao Jiayi’s expression had become?’

’Then again, Chutang didn’t want to look either.’

So she decided to graciously accept.

”Then I thank you, Princely Heir.”

...

As they walked out of the Xie Family’s main gate, a cold wind swept over them, instantly scattering the heavy, oppressive atmosphere.

Ye Chutang let out a soft breath.

Shen Yanchuan suddenly said,

”You shouldn’t have come tonight.”

Ye Chutang stopped and turned her head to look at him.

Meeting his deep, dark eyes, the suspicion in her heart finally solidified.

She asked in a low voice—

”So, everything that happened tonight... was it all His Majesty’s will?”