The Duke's Pampered Darling is So Scheming-Chapter 114: No Need to Trouble the Princely Heir
Ye Chutang’s lashes trembled. "What do you mean by this, Princely Heir?"
Shen Yanchuan said, "Three years ago, Huo Yucheng made a reckless advance, leading to the annihilation of tens of thousands of soldiers at Tongtian Pass. The ground was littered with bones, and rivers of blood flowed. His Majesty was enraged, and the entire Huo Family, over a hundred members, was executed. A panic swept through the court as officials scrambled to sever ties with the Huo Family. Only one man, the Minister of the Ministry of Justice at the time, Lord Ye, knelt outside the palace gates to plead for General Huo. This led to his own demotion to Wuzhou, and he ultimately died in an accident during his journey north."
As he spoke, he calmly observed the expression of the young woman across from him.
Ye Chutang’s expression was placid, her eyes betraying no emotion, making it impossible to guess her thoughts.
"This volume is the case file for General Huo’s case," Shen Yanchuan said. "I thought Miss Ye might be interested."
His form of address for Ye Chutang had changed from Doctor Ye to Miss Ye.
’This case file concerns the truth of what happened back then. It very likely holds the answer to Ye Zheng’s death. As his daughter, Ye Chutang couldn’t possibly remain unmoved.’
Ye Chutang said nothing.
Xiao Wu also sensed the tense atmosphere in the carriage. She tilted her head, looking from one to the other, her small hand resting on the second drawer, hesitating.
But the silence didn’t last long. Ye Chutang quickly made her decision.
"You’ve offered me such a generous gift, Princely Heir. What do you want in return?"
Shen Yanchuan’s thin lips curved.
He had to admit, Ye Chutang was incredibly perceptive.
’Making a deal with an intelligent person certainly saves a lot of trouble.’
Shen Yanchuan’s deep gaze rested on her gentle, lovely face. "A fair trade is all about balance. I don’t ask for much. I only require Miss Ye to tell me everything that happened when the incident occurred."
Ye Chutang’s eyes narrowed, and she was instantly on guard. "What?"
"The people involved are the ones who know the truth best. Though three years have passed, Miss Ye is exceptionally intelligent. You should still remember the situation clearly." Shen Yanchuan seemed oblivious to the subtle shift in her tone as he met her gaze directly. "Three years ago, that group you encountered—they weren’t ordinary bandits, were they?"
The very air seemed to stagnate, making each breath feel perilous.
’The moment I saw that case file, I knew Shen Yanchuan was after something,’ Ye Chutang thought. ’But I never expected he would ask about this.’
"That was a long time ago. The situation was chaotic, and my only concern was getting Yan, A Feng, and Xiao Wu away to safety. As for the identities and origins of those men, I’m not very clear on that myself," Ye Chutang said lightly.
"Oh?"
Shen Yanchuan raised an eyebrow.
"You truly don’t remember anything at all, Miss Ye?"
’Shen Yanchuan won’t believe a word of this,’ Ye Chutang knew.
’But his intention is perfectly clear—he wants to trade that case file for the truth.’
’If it were any other condition, I could refuse without hesitation. But the Ministry of Justice’s case files are under strict lock and key. To get my hands on it by myself would take an untold amount of effort.’
’He had made an offer she couldn’t refuse.’
After a moment of contemplation, Ye Chutang lifted her gaze to meet Shen Yanchuan’s directly. "These matters seem to have nothing to do with you, Princely Heir. Forgive my ignorance, but I truly don’t understand why you wish to wade into these muddy waters."
Shen Yanchuan seemed to chuckle softly.
He leaned back, his tone cool and nonchalant.
"What if I’ve been in these muddy waters all along?"
...
Xiao Wu picked up a longevity lock inlaid with multicolored gems and filigreed with gold wire. A small bell of pure gold dangled from it, making a JINGLING sound.
She carefully put it away, placing it neatly in the wooden box beside her.
The box was already filled with many gold and jade items. Any one of them would have been considered a rare treasure, but now they were all crammed together for lack of space.
She moved with great care, partly because the gifts were so valuable, and partly because she was afraid of disturbing her sister.
Xiao Wu gently closed the lid and turned to see her sister still reading the file.
Xiao Wu scratched her head, then rested her chin in her hands on the small table, remaining perfectly quiet.
’My sister usually reads so fast,’ she thought. ’It’s rare for a book to hold her attention for this long!’
The carriage rolled on slowly, the sounds of street vendors and city bustle occasionally drifting in from outside.
Yet Ye Chutang seemed completely absorbed, remaining in the same position as she turned page after page.
Her head was slightly bowed, her thick, curled lashes casting faint shadows on her cheeks. Her skin was pale and translucent, and a stray wisp of hair swayed gently at her temple. She looked like a meticulously rendered court lady from a traditional painting, yet one that was brimming with a vibrant, palpable life.
Shen Yanchuan tilted his head slightly, looking away.
...
Ye Shixian’s carriage was the first to arrive back at the Ye Mansion, pulling to a stop before the main gate.
Ye Mingze alighted from the carriage first. When he turned back, he saw Ye Shixian still standing there, peering down the road behind them as if waiting for something.
"Sister, what are you looking at?" Ye Mingze asked, puzzled.
Ye Heng also looked over.
Ye Shixian clutched her handkerchief and forced a smile. "Oh, it’s nothing. I just noticed our cousin and the others aren’t back yet, so I thought I’d wait for them."
"What are you waiting for them for!" Ye Mingze said with a look of disgust.
Ye Yunfeng had stolen the show today, and to top it off, the Eldest Princess had openly backed Ye Chutang. Ye Mingze was so furious he wished he could sever all ties with those siblings and never interact with them again.
He glanced in the same direction and snorted. "With that wreck of a carriage they have, of course they’re going to be slower than us. It’s only normal."
Of course, Ye Shixian wasn’t concerned about the brothers, but about Ye Chutang, who was riding in the same carriage as Shen Yanchuan.
Finally, a carriage appeared around the corner. It was the one from the Dingbei Marquis Mansion.
Ye Shixian let out a small sigh of relief.
...
Ye Chutang reached the last page, closed the file, and handed it back.
"Thank you, Princely Heir."
Shen Yanchuan said, "You can take the file with you."
Ye Chutang glanced at him. ’This Young Master Heir is certainly capable,’ she thought. ’Not only can he procure a case file from the Ministry of Justice, but he can also give it away so casually.’
’It seems he’s not at all afraid of being investigated.’
’But while he was willing to give it, she couldn’t accept.’
"That won’t be necessary." Ye Chutang offered a faint smile.
’Taking such a hot potato back with me would only cause more trouble.’
Shen Yanchuan understood and chuckled.
"Miss Ye has a photographic memory. Impressive."
He took the case file and put it back in the drawer.
The carriage stopped. Shen Yanchuan glanced outside and saw Ye Heng and the others waiting by the gate.
He turned back to Ye Chutang and paused for a moment.
"Regarding the Han Family, if you need help, Miss Ye, don’t hesitate to ask."
Ye Chutang, who was about to alight with Xiao Wu in her arms, turned back in surprise.
’The Han Family?’
’Is he talking about Han Yao?’
"Thank you, Princely Heir, but there’s no need to trouble you with such a trivial matter." A faint smile played on Ye Chutang’s lips. "Someone is already helping me."
Shen Yanchuan’s eyelid twitched.
His long fingers tapped unconsciously on the small table. He paused for a moment before asking, as if casually:
"Xu Rongqing?"
