The Duke's Pampered Darling is So Scheming

Chapter 608: Chapter 608: No Worries

A smile touched Shen Yanchuan’s lips.

Hearing what she had just said made it all worthwhile.

Seeing that Ye Chutang was still concerned about the matter in Qingzhou, he nodded lightly. ”Five days at the earliest, seven at the latest.”

Qingzhou wasn’t too far from the Capital City. Besides, he’s being summoned back to the capital in Jiang Zhao Yuan’s name, so he won’t dare to make a scene and will travel discreetly.

”Gao Yi is a powerful martial artist and will surely be part of the escort coming back. Perhaps... he also wants to use this opportunity to scout out the situation in the Capital City.”

Ye Chutang fully agreed. ”That’s right. The Qingzhou grain merchant hasn’t been seen since last year’s harvest. Gao Yi must know something happened to his superiors, but he was constrained by his position and couldn’t leave Qingzhou on his own. Now that he has such a golden opportunity to come to the Capital City in person, he will never pass it up.”

She paused for a moment, her eyes slowly narrowing.

”I just wonder... who is it that he wants to see?”

’I already have a guess, but I still need evidence to prove it.’

The truth, whatever it may be, would be revealed in due time!

...

Xiao Wu slept very soundly, all the way until the sun was high in the sky.

Waking up in a daze, she subconsciously reached for the person beside her, but the space under the covers was empty.

’Huh? Where’s Big Sis?’

Xiao Wu scrambled out of bed, rubbed her eyes, and looked around, only to see Ye Chutang sitting by the window, reading a book.

She rested her cheek on one hand, her profile serene. Framed by the scenery outside the window, she looked like a figure in an ink wash painting.

Hearing the movement, she turned her head. ”You’re awake?”

Xiao Wu was about to nod when a ”GRRRRUMBLE—” sounded from her stomach first.

Her little face immediately turned red with embarrassment.

Ye Chutang smiled and waved her over. ”Come have something to eat and fill your belly.”

Only then did Xiao Wu notice the pastries and dried meat on the small table. Her eyes lit up, and she scrambled over.

Her shoes were on crooked, barely clinging to her feet.

Ye Chutang couldn’t help but laugh. ”No one’s going to fight you for it.”

Xiao Wu looked up at her, a brilliant smile on her small face.

’Maybe because it’s a holiday, Big Sis is being unusually indulgent. I have to cherish this!’

However, just as she picked up a piece of dried meat, she heard a sound from outside.

She looked out curiously.

Ye Chutang, however, had already stood up and raised an eyebrow. ”That was quick.”

She pushed open the window, and the next moment, Xiao Wu saw a black eagle swoop down and land gracefully on the windowsill.

Then, with a tilt of its head, before Xiao Wu could even see it move, the dried meat in her hand was already in its beak.

Xiao Wu: ”...”

She stared with wide, aggrieved eyes at Ye Chutang.

’Didn’t Big Sis say no one would fight me for it?’

Ye Chutang: ”...A bird of prey doesn’t count as a person.”

Xiao Wu: ”???”

Ye Chutang handed her a piece of cloud-flake cake. ”It’s been flying for several days. Don’t hold it against it.”

Xiao Wu puffed out her cheeks, waving her hand magnanimously as she ate.

’Oh, fine! Since it’s helping Big Sis, I won’t be petty!’

A copper ring was tied to the black eagle’s leg. Ye Chutang untied it, and with a gentle flick, a small slip of paper fell out from inside.

She unfolded the paper and read it word by word, her expression turning serious.

A moment later, she folded the note and went to the door.

”Someone, go invite Princess Qingyang to the mansion. Tell her... Yunlai Tavern has a newly brewed Ice Plum Drink, and I’d like her to come and have a taste.”

...

Princess Qingyang arrived quickly.

She came on horseback. Upon arriving at the Ye Mansion’s entrance, she dismounted with a nimble flip, casually tossed the reins to a waiting servant, tucked her newly acquired riding crop into her belt, and strode inside.

”Chutang! I’m here!”

She had always been a whirlwind of energy. That, combined with her genuine friendship with Ye Chutang, meant her visit didn’t attract any particular attention.

Ye Chutang came out to greet her with a smile. A pot of wine was conspicuously placed on a nearby table.

She uncorked the pot and poured a cup.

A subtle fragrance of plum mingled with the clear, crisp aroma of the wine, refreshing the senses.

A look of astonishment appeared on Princess Qingyang’s face. She glanced around before stepping forward to ask in a low voice, ”You really have wine?”

The moment Ye Chutang’s message was delivered, she guessed it was a reply from Long City and had rushed over without stopping.

She had assumed the so-called wine tasting was just an excuse, but she hadn’t expected Ye Chutang to actually have a pot ready.

”I invited you for a wine tasting. Wouldn’t it be strange if you left without the slightest scent of wine on you?”

A corner of Ye Chutang’s mouth curved up.

”This is indeed a new vintage for this year. The tavern hasn’t officially released it yet. How about a taste? If you like it, I’ll have some sent to your residence later.”

Princess Qingyang paused for a second, then quickly caught on and nodded repeatedly.

”Yes, yes! You’re right. Who knows how many eyes are watching me right now, both openly and in secret. If we’re putting on an act, we have to make it convincing!”

She raised the cup to her lips, couldn’t help but take a deep breath, and exclaimed, ”This wine of yours is truly one of a kind... I don’t know how you come up with so many new ideas. If you put this on the market, business at your Yunlai Tavern will probably reach a whole new level!”

Ye Chutang smiled. ”It’s just a little something I whipped up to earn some broken silver.”

Princess Qingyang: ”...You’d better not let anyone else hear you say that, or I’m afraid they’ll die of jealousy.”

With that, she drained the cup in one gulp.

Ye Chutang knew she could hold her liquor, so she didn’t stop her.

Princess Qingyang gave a thumbs-up, her most direct form of approval. ”Good wine!”

As she savored the aftertaste, she couldn’t help but add, ”Speaking of which, your way of doing things is getting more and more like my brother’s. So meticulous and thorough it’s almost extreme...”

Ye Chutang smiled. ”In the Capital City, it’s never wrong to be extra careful.”

She didn’t mention to Princess Qingyang what had happened after she and Shen Yanchuan had gone to the palace.

About Shen Yanchuan’s excuse, about Emperor Muwu’s probing...

Princess Qingyang was a straightforward person by nature, and right now her mind was completely preoccupied with worrying about King Yan Nan. Why burden her with these trivial matters and make her worry even more?

’Besides, it’s all been resolved anyway.’

Hearing Ye Chutang’s words, Princess Qingyang’s face showed her agreement. ”You’re right about that!”

In the past, she wouldn’t have been afraid of anything, but things were different now.

Ever since her father, the king, had run into trouble, the capital had remained completely silent. She knew then that beneath the seemingly calm surface, a tempest might already be raging.

Her personality had also, without her realizing it, grown much more cautious and mature.

Ye Chutang poured another cup.

Princess Qingyang was about to take it, but Chutang stopped her.

”This wine is quite strong. Drink it slowly. On that note, I have some good news you might want to hear first.”

Princess Qingyang immediately sat up straight and asked eagerly,

”Is it news about my father!?”

Ye Chutang nodded lightly.

From under her own untouched wine cup, she retrieved a slip of paper and gently pushed it over.

Princess Qingyang hurriedly unfolded the note.

Ye Chutang said softly, ”According to my friend, King Yan Nan is indeed being held in Long City, but his life is not in danger for now. You can rest easy for the moment.”