The Duke's Pampered Darling is So Scheming

Chapter 690: Chapter 691: Passing the Buck

The courtyard was deathly still, the air seemingly frozen.

It was supposed to be early spring, but an invisible chill now seemed to fill the air.

The aide immediately dropped to one knee. ”I have overstepped, Your Highness! Please punish me!”

Xiao Chenglin closed his eyes, his breathing nearly inaudible.

After a moment, he said, ”There will not be a next time.”

The aide immediately and respectfully agreed. As he rose, a cold wind swept past, and he realized he had broken out in a cold sweat.

He cursed himself inwardly. ’His Highness has always detested those who don’t know their place. When Fan Chengzhuo came, His Highness avoided him. The message couldn’t have been clearer, yet I actually tried to persuade him... How foolish... ’

”Thank you for your forgiveness, Your Highness!”

Xiao Chenglin glanced at him, his eyes narrowing slightly. ”You haven’t been in the Capital City for just a day or two. Can you really not see the current situation?”

The aide kept his head down, his body tense, not daring to speak.

A soft, cold snort escaped Xiao Chenglin’s nose.

”Tuoba Yu is imprisoned, and the people from Nanhu will arrive in the Capital City any day now. And right at this moment, Zheng Baosu gets arrested too... Have you considered how many eyes will be on anyone who sticks their neck out?”

At these words, the aide was struck by a sudden realization.

”Your Highness means to say... all of this is part of someone’s scheme!?” 𝑓𝑟ℯℴ𝓂

’But what kind of heaven-defying power would it take to stir up such a storm!’

Xiao Chenglin’s eyes were deep and unreadable.

”For now, we just wait and see.”

But the aide was still worried. ”But... even a cornered rabbit will bite. What if Fan Chengzhuo, for Zheng Baosu’s sake, says something he shouldn’t? Then—”

”He wouldn’t dare,” Xiao Chenglin cut him off. ”He knows what’s at stake.”

The aide opened his mouth, but ultimately swallowed the rest of his words.

”...As you command, Your Highness.”

...

「Duke Zhongyong Mansion.」

Fan Chengzhuo had just arrived at the Xie Family’s gate when he ran right into Xie Anjun, who was on his way out.

The moment Xie Anjun heard that Zheng Baosu had been escorted back to the Capital City, he had been too agitated to sit still. He was just about to head out to find Fan Chengzhuo and discuss their next move, not expecting Fan Chengzhuo to be even faster.

”You—”

Xie Anjun had just started to speak when he remembered they were outside. He glanced around, clenched his jaw, and boarded Fan Chengzhuo’s carriage.

It was only then that he saw Fan Chengzhuo’s terribly pale face, and the specks of blood staining the corner of his mouth and his sleeve.

Xie Anjun jumped in alarm. ”Wh-what happened to you!?”

He knew Fan Chengzhuo had been in poor health recently and sick for some time, but he had always assumed it was just from worrying too much about Zheng Baosu’s situation, so he hadn’t thought much of it.

Seeing him now, he realized the situation was far more serious than he had imagined. Fan Chengzhuo looked as if he were on his last legs.

Fan Chengzhuo had no time to explain. His entire focus was now on Zheng Baosu.

”What about the men you sent out?” Fan Chengzhuo gritted his teeth. ”Not only did they fail to stop the Imperial Army, but they didn’t even send back a message in advance! We’re completely on the back foot now, what are we supposed to do!”

Xie Anjun hadn’t expected to be berated by Fan Chengzhuo the moment he saw him. After a brief moment of shock, he grew furious as well.

”Are you blaming me!? Those were the most trustworthy and capable men I could find! Now they’ve vanished without a trace, who knows what kind of accident they’ve run into! I haven’t even started panicking, and you’re already yelling at me!?”