The Duke's Pampered Darling is So Scheming

Chapter 632: Chapter 632: Must Not Be Killed

Ye Chutang paused to think. ”It’s just speculation for now. I can’t be sure.”

’Although she was almost certain Xiao Lansi had faked her death, it was all just conjecture until she saw Xiao Lansi alive and well with her own eyes.’

Princess Qingyang was curious, but seeing that Ye Chutang’s expression indicated she didn’t intend to elaborate, she didn’t press the issue.

”What you’re suggesting isn’t impossible, but that Shui Xingqiu has always remained in Nanhu. I’ve heard the Poisonous Gu Technique requires him to administer it in person, face-to-face.”

Ye Chutang was lost in thought.

’If that’s the case, was the poisonous insect planted in Xiao Lansi’s body long ago?’

’She spent several years in Guanling, which is separated from Nanhu by only a single mountain range. Perhaps... it’s not out of the question that she was in contact with Shui Xingqiu back then.’

’If that could be proven, then...’

”The case of the Southern Hu Blade Man might have had nothing to do with Xiao Chengxuan after all.”

”What!?”

Princess Qingyang shot to her feet, startled. She quickly glanced outside several times, and only after confirming no one else had heard did she finally breathe a sigh of relief.

But a look of alarm still lingered in her eyes.

”For you to say something like that now is just too... too— Xiao Chengxuan has already been exiled!”

Ye Chutang’s gaze was clear as she gave a slight nod. ”I know.”

Xiao Chengxuan’s crimes were numerous, but the one Emperor Muwu could not tolerate was his treasonous ambition!

Among the many previous accusations against Xiao Chengxuan, there was one he denied to his dying breath—colluding with the Southern Hu Blade Man!

On this point, he and Xiao Lansi had publicly turned on each other, trading accusations and making an ugly scene.

However, before anyone could find out who was truly responsible, Xiao Chengxuan was exiled and Xiao Lansi died, leaving the matter impossible to investigate.

The trail went cold, and the investigation couldn’t proceed, turning it into an unsolvable, tangled case.

But if Xiao Lansi truly used the Poisonous Gu Technique to fake her death and escape, then... that would be ironclad proof that she was the one colluding with the Southern Hu Blade Man!

Princess Qingyang held her tongue for as long as she could before finally pleading, ”Chutang, I don’t know who you’re investigating, but this is no small matter. You must be careful! Especially that Shui Xingqiu. He was dangerously cunning even as a child; I can’t imagine how difficult he is to deal with now! You—”

Ye Chutang snapped out of her thoughts and offered the princess a reassuring smile.

”Don’t worry. I know what I’m doing.”

Only then did Princess Qingyang feel at ease.

’Then again, how many people in this world could possibly outsmart Ye Chutang?’

Ye Chutang didn’t dwell on the topic and brought up something else.

”By now, His Majesty’s decree should have reached Long City. They ought to be sending a response soon.”

The anxiety that had just settled in Princess Qingyang’s heart flared up again, and her eyes filled with tension.

”Th-Then what do you think they’ll... how will they respond?”

Ye Chutang considered for a moment, a smile playing on her red lips.

”Don’t worry, King Yan Nan will be fine. They would never dare to kill him.”

...

”Why can’t we just kill him!?”

A man shot to his feet, his expression grim.

”The men from the court are already here with the imperial decree! They’re saying King Yan Nan is to be summoned back to the capital early! If we actually let him go, the moment he steps out of here, he’ll turn right around and lead his army to attack us! When that happens, we’ll be finished!”

Another man sneered.

”Easy for you to say! If we don’t release him, they’ll be waiting impatiently. How are we supposed to handle that? We can’t just find a fake King Yan Nan to take his place, can we?”