The Duke's Pampered Darling is So Scheming

Chapter 582: Chapter 582: Plight

Ye Chutang said calmly, ”It’s all just watching performances and making pleasantries—not much fun. And while the delicacies at a palace banquet are a rare treat, New Year’s Eve there is bound to be terribly restrictive. If Xiao Wu were to go, I’m afraid she’d only end up eating cold food. We’re better off staying home and enjoying ourselves.”

Ye Jingyan thought for a moment and nodded in agreement. ”That’s true.”

The last time Xiao Wu went, she didn’t get to eat her fill. When she got back, she pestered him for another bowl of hot noodles.

”The couplet on the left is a little low. Move it up a bit.”

Ye Chutang called out a reminder.

The servant quickly replied with a smile, ”Right away!”

Once the couplets were properly hung, Ye Chutang nodded and praised, ”Yan, with your couplets up, they truly add a touch of splendor to our home.”

Ye Jingyan thought to himself, ’This is only because Sis is too lazy. If she were willing to write them herself, I wouldn’t be here showing off my meager skills before a true master.’

Ye Chutang gave the servants a triple bonus before dismissing them.

For the past few years, celebrating the New Year simply meant she, Yan, A Feng, and Xiao Wu staying up together for the New Year’s vigil.

Now that they were back in the Capital City, the size of their residence and the number of servants they had didn’t matter.

Being together was what mattered.

After standing in the courtyard for just a moment, a thin layer of snow had already settled on Ye Chutang’s shoulders.

Her thoughts seemed to drift to something, and she fell silent for a moment.

Noticing she was lost in thought, Ye Jingyan called out to her, ”Sis? It’s snowing, and the wind is frigid. You should come inside and warm up.”

Ye Chutang snapped back to reality, only then belatedly realizing something: her health seemed to be much better than before.

Standing here amidst the ice and snow, she didn’t even feel the cold too keenly.

She composed herself and turned, a faint smile on her lips. ”It’s rare to have such a quiet moment. Enjoying the snow is nice. Yan, go get the Go board.”

It was rare for her to be in such high spirits, and Ye Jingyan smiled too. ”Alright.”

Ye Chutang led Xiao Wu back into the room, where Ye Jingyan had already set up the Go board by the window.

”After you, Sis.”

Ye Jingyan was genuinely delighted. After all, his sister hadn’t personally played a game of Go in a very long time since their return to the Capital City.

An opportunity like this was truly rare.

Ye Chutang picked up a white stone, lifting her chin with a faint smile.

”Black moves first. You may begin.”

Ye Jingyan nodded and took his seat across from her.

Xiao Wu had already scurried eagerly to the side of the small table, her dark eyes staring intently at the board. Then, she excitedly rummaged through her little purse, pulled out a piece of broken silver, and placed it beside Ye Chutang’s hand.

’Sis! I’m betting on Sis to win!’

Ye Jingyan was rather speechless. ”...If you want to win money, just say so.”

Xiao Wu looked up, a hint of guilt in her eyes.

’W-was it that obvious?’

She thought for a moment, then gritted her teeth and pulled out a stack of silver notes, adding them to her bet.

’Th-that’s all I have!’

Ye Jingyan: ”...”

He silently took a golden lock he had already prepared from his sleeve and placed it beside his hand.

The golden lock was exquisitely crafted and looked immensely valuable.

Xiao Wu’s eyes lit up.

’Third Brother is awesome!’

Ye Chutang gently tapped her on her little nose with a bent finger.

”It’s a good thing your Fourth Brother isn’t here. Otherwise, no matter how big the stakes, it would all end up his.”

A Feng always had countless tricks to coax Xiao Wu into betting with him, and he always managed to clean her out completely.

With A Feng absent this year, Xiao Wu was the one ruling the roost.

Glancing at the golden lock, Ye Chutang suddenly remembered something.

”Come to think of it, the first gift Second Young Master Xie ever gave you was also an exquisitely crafted golden object.”

Hearing Ye Chutang suddenly bring him up, both Ye Jingyan and Xiao Wu froze.

Xiao Wu’s cheerful expression instantly turned desolate, and she lowered her head.

Ye Jingyan placed a stone on the board before speaking, choosing his words with care.

”I heard the Xie Family has been in turmoil these past few days. Second Young Master Xie, in particular, is in a difficult position.”