The Duke's Pampered Darling is So Scheming

Chapter 605: Chapter 605: The Only Wish

Princess Qingyang naturally wrote a wish for King Yan Nan’s well-being, hoping he would safely overcome this crisis.

She wrote quickly and decisively, finishing in no time.

Catching sight of Ye Chutang picking up a brush, her handwriting elegant and neat, Princess Qingyang glanced at her own work. A rare feeling of embarrassment washed over her, and she discreetly rolled up her note to prevent anyone from seeing her flamboyant scrawl.

’Well... my handwriting might not be the best, but the sentiment is sincere enough. This will have to do!’

”Chutang, what did you write?” Princess Qingyang asked casually.

She really couldn’t imagine what kind of wish Ye Chutang would make.

After all, she never seemed to want anything in particular.

Ye Chutang finished the last character.

Princess Qingyang couldn’t help but ask, ”Is it about Xiao Wu?”

It was because Xiao Wu had seen the Kongming Lanterns that Ye Chutang had suggested coming over, so her wish was most likely related to the little girl.

Ye Chutang nodded. ”I suppose so.”

”What do you mean, ’you suppose so’?” Princess Qingyang found that odd. ”Don’t tell me... you made more than one wish?”

Ye Chutang tilted her head, thought for a moment, and shook her head with a smile. ”No, just one.”

It just included quite a few people.

She wished that all the desires of those she cared for would be fulfilled.

Princess Qingyang blinked, vaguely guessing the truth. ”That makes sense. You still have two younger brothers at home...”

Ye Jingyan was one thing, but Ye Yunfeng was stationed far away on the borders of Xia City. He lived on a knife’s edge, constantly ready for battle. How could Ye Chutang not worry about him?

It was only normal for her to write a bit more!

Princess Qingyang went to collect her Kongming Lantern and grabbed one for Xiao Wu while she was at it.

The Kongming Lantern was a little taller than Xiao Wu, which only made the little girl look even more like a tiny, adorable, and innocent bundle.

Xiao Wu spread her arms, struggling to hold the Kongming Lantern carefully, terrified of damaging it in the slightest.

’If it breaks, the wish won’t come true!’

CLICK.

Ye Chutang took out a flint and lit the Kongming Lantern.

The faint, orange-yellow flame flickered and grew in the wind, quickly becoming fierce and hot.

The firelight illuminated Xiao Wu’s face, revealing her heartfelt anticipation.

Smiling, Ye Chutang placed the rolled-up note inside.

Then, the Kongming Lantern began to rise, climbing higher and higher.

Xiao Wu’s eyes widened, her small hands clasped together in suspense. Only when the Kongming Lantern had become a bright star in the night sky did she finally let out an irrepressible bounce.

Not far from it was the lantern Princess Qingyang had released.

Though she had dismissed them as mere trifles to humor people, her upturned face was now filled with a quiet tension and hope.

’When there’s nothing else I can do, all you can do is entrust everything to a devout prayer.’

’As long as... as long as Father returns safely, I’ll do anything without a second thought!’

Princess Qingyang held her breath. After a long moment, she finally relaxed. Watching the Kongming Lantern drift farther and farther away, it felt as if the burdens weighing on her heart had also been carried away by the wind.

”No wonder so many people come to make wishes,” Princess Qingyang murmured softly. ”Even if it’s just to give yourself a glimmer of hope, it’s worth it. Don’t you think?”

As she spoke, she turned to Ye Chutang, only to find her expression calm and her gaze clear.

Princess Qingyang froze.

With her personality, even she couldn’t help but feel emotional in a moment like this. But Ye Chutang... how did she manage to look so serene through it all?

Princess Qingyang couldn’t help but ask, ”Aren’t you going to make a wish for yourself?”

Even if Ye Chutang didn’t say it, she could guess that the note earlier had been filled with wishes for Xiao Wu and the others, but not for herself.

Ye Chutang shook her head. ”The one I just made is enough.”

She had no desires for herself.

Being reborn into a new life was already a huge blessing. She only wanted the best for those people; as for herself, she really had no further thoughts.

Standing shoulder-to-shoulder with her, Princess Qingyang could feel that Ye Chutang was telling the truth—she genuinely didn’t want to ask for anything for herself.

Staring at that elegant and gentle face for a long time, Princess Qingyang couldn’t help but mutter under her breath, ”To think there’s really someone like you in this world, so utterly devoid of desire...”

They were clearly about the same age, yet Princess Qingyang always had the feeling that Ye Chutang was far more mature than her.

No, perhaps ”world-weary” was a more fitting term.

She didn’t know why Ye Chutang gave off such a feeling. It was as if... nothing in this world could truly capture her attention or make her stay.

At this thought, Princess Qingyang suddenly broke into a cold sweat for Shen Yanchuan’s sake, and even felt a rare pang of sympathy.

’Falling in love with such a celestial being, he’s bound to suffer more than most.’

She used to think nothing in this world could ever ensnare her otherworldly cousin, a master strategist who acted only after careful planning, with everything under his control.

The only exception was Ye Chutang—for whom he moved heaven and earth, offering up his whole heart.

Princess Qingyang sighed inwardly. Remembering her own rocky romantic path, she suddenly felt a sense of shared misery.

Just as she was thinking this, she heard Ye Chutang ask, ”I hear the Princely Heir has sent more men to guard the Commandery Princess Mansion these past two days?”

Princess Qingyang started, then nodded instinctively. ”Huh? Oh, yes.”

Ostensibly, it was to keep an eye on her and make her behave for a few days—to stop her from running off whenever she felt like it and causing a huge fuss like she did a couple of days ago. In reality, Shen Yanchuan was taking precautions against spies in the capital colluding with people from Long City to target her.

As King Yan Nan’s only daughter, her every move was now of great consequence.

Countless eyes were watching her in secret.

The measure was for her safety.

Ye Chutang nodded. ”In that case, most of the men at his side must have been dispatched elsewhere.”

Princess Qingyang: ”...???”

’Wait a minute, something about that doesn’t sound right.’

Her eyes slowly widened, and she pointed a trembling finger at Ye Chutang. ”D-don’t tell me you’re worried he’ll be left without guards and fall into danger?!”

Ye Chutang shook her head. ”Not exactly. This is the Capital City, after all. Besides, with his martial arts skills, he’s no pushover. Ordinary people can’t touch him. I just think... there’s probably more trouble on the way.”

She paused and turned to Princess Qingyang. ”As it happens, I’ve just prepared some new medicines for various purposes. You can pick some out later and take a few to him as well.”

If nothing else, they’re more than enough to save a life in a critical moment.

Princess Qingyang: ”...”

’I must have been crazy to think my cousin was just like me! Shared misery? Ha!’

Ye Chutang looked at her, puzzled. ”Princess, what’s wrong?”

Princess Qingyang slowly shook her head, a look of despair on her face.

”It’s nothing. I just feel... I probably shouldn’t have come out with you today...”

’Wasn’t I just a tiny bit superfluous?’