The Duke's Pampered Darling is So Scheming-Chapter 40: Don’t Be Afraid, Come Home with Big Sister
Xie Anbai was a notorious hell-raiser in the Capital City. He never did a lick of proper work, but he was an expert in all forms of merrymaking.
He was well-connected, had a wide network, and his information was always up-to-date.
Since these words came from his mouth, one couldn’t help but give them extra thought.
"You know her?" Shen Yanchuan asked, raising an eyebrow.
Xie Anbai stroked his chin and thought for a long while, but then his brow furrowed and he shook his head. "No. With a face like that, I’d definitely remember if I’d ever seen her."
The first time he’d seen Ye Chutang was at night. It had been dark, and they were some distance apart, so he hadn’t gotten a clear look.
At the time, he’d only thought she was a rare beauty. Looking at her again now, he found the way she stood by the door with a faint smile strangely familiar, as if he’d seen her somewhere before.
But Xie Anbai racked his brain and still couldn’t figure out where this baffling sense of familiarity came from.
"I must have been mistaken!" Xie Anbai finally gave up. "It’s possible I caught a glimpse of her from a distance in the Capital City once. The capital is so big, after all; it’s normal to never see many people a second time. Besides, didn’t you say they came to Jiangling three years ago? They might have already left the Capital City even earlier than that."
Shen Yanchuan’s phoenix-like eyes darkened slightly. "Is that so."
Xie Anbai had spent more time in the Capital City than him and knew it better. If even he was saying this, then it really would be difficult to investigate.
He pondered for a moment before asking, "By the way, I hear things in the capital haven’t been very peaceful lately?"
The question was put delicately.
Xie Anbai snorted. "Not peaceful? It’s absolute chaos! The last Tongzhou river embankment corruption case implicated a huge number of people. A lot of positions have been vacated, especially the opening for Vice Minister of the Ministry of Personnel. Several factions are eyeing it like tigers, fighting tooth and nail!"
If he hadn’t wanted to avoid this mess, he wouldn’t have run off so decisively.
"There’s no conclusion to that matter yet, but another thing is set in stone—Xu Fengchi distinguished himself this time and is about to move up."
Xie Anbai couldn’t help but click his tongue.
"Another promotion, and he’ll be the Left Deputy Imperial Censor, a Standard Third Rank official. Reaching that position at his age isn’t something an ordinary person could do."
Shen Yanchuan picked up a game piece, studied the board for a moment, and slowly placed it down.
This was within his expectations; he wasn’t surprised.
"Indeed." He nodded lightly. "To win that position without a noble family background or external help is truly rare."
Xie Anbai gave him a surprised look. "How rare. You’re actually praising someone? I don’t remember you being very familiar with him. Why have you started caring about these things now?"
Shen Yanchuan’s thin lips lifted into an extremely faint smile.
"Since I’ve decided to go back, I should naturally learn more and be prepared."
...
The verdict in the Cao Family father and son’s case came quickly. Both were sentenced to beheading.
Furthermore, Liu Yiyi had done many unsavory things in Yang Zhen’s name over the past few years. She was stripped of her status, branded as a commoner, and exiled to the Western Border.
Everyone knew what this meant. For a woman of considerable beauty, it was almost impossible to survive.
Yang Zhen was also implicated. He was stripped of his official post and taken into custody for investigation.
In short, everything they had once dreamed of vanished overnight.
For the next several days, these topics were hotly discussed in every street and alley of Jiangling.
On a bright and sunny morning, a carriage departed from outside Ye’s Clinic and left the city through the west gate.
The first to notice something unusual was Aunt Yang.
"Eh? Doctor Ye, where’s that man of yours?"
Aunt Yang couldn’t help but ask, peeking into the courtyard.
Ye Chutang naturally knew who she was talking about. "Mr. Shen has fully recovered from his injuries and has already left."
"Ah? He just left like that?" A hint of regret showed on Aunt Yang’s face.
’Even though that Mr. Shen’s health isn’t great, his face is absolutely flawless. Just having him around to look at every day would have been nice!’
"I was just thinking of trying to set you two up again! I noticed Xiao Wu seems quite fond of him. If you really don’t want to get married, Doctor Ye, having him as a companion wouldn’t be a bad idea!"
Aunt Yang looked wistful. "But why did he leave so soon? What a pity!"
Ye Chutang: "..."
’I can’t believe it. After all this time, Aunt Yang is still thinking about that.’
"Please don’t worry about me. I’ll be leaving with Yan, A Feng, and Xiao Wu tomorrow," Ye Chutang said, bringing over some medicine she had prepared in advance. "These are remedies I brewed from my own special recipes. If you have a headache or a fever, just use them."
Aunt Yang’s eyes widened. She asked in disbelief, "What? You’re leaving too!?"
"Yes." Ye Chutang smiled. "A few days ago, I happened to get in touch with some distant relatives."
Aunt Yang understood instantly. She was both excited and sad, and her eyes couldn’t help but turn red.
Her lips moved a few times as if she had many things to say, but in the end, she just patted Ye Chutang’s hand.
"Good! That’s wonderful! With someone to look after you, you won’t have to work so hard anymore, right?"
She truly felt for Ye Chutang, so even though she was reluctant to see them go, she was mostly happy for them.
"Then-then wait! Let me get you some food and supplies for the road—"
She was just about to get up when Ye Chutang stopped her. "You don’t need to trouble yourself. A Feng and the others have already packed. We’re leaving early tomorrow morning. I just came to say goodbye today."
The corners of Ye Chutang’s lips curved, her eyes sincere. "Thank you so much for looking after me all these years."
Something seemed to surge in Aunt Yang’s chest, but the words wouldn’t come out. Finally, she choked out, "What’s there to thank me for! I’m the one who should be thanking you! This courtyard will still be here. If you’re not happy over there, just bring Xiao Wu and the others back anytime!"
Ye Chutang’s eyes crinkled into a smile.
"Okay."
...
The next day, Ye Chutang rose just as the sky began to show the pale light of dawn.
She scooped a half-asleep Xiao Wu from her blankets. Still muddle-headed with sleep, Xiao Wu wrapped her little arms around Ye Chutang’s neck and nuzzled into her embrace.
The carriage was waiting outside the door. Ye Jingyan stood to the side, while Ye Yunfeng was at the front, ready to drive.
They didn’t bring much with them. On Ye Chutang’s orders, all the hidden books had been burned the day before. They only carried a few changes of clothes and some valuables, traveling light.
Ye Chutang carried Xiao Wu to the carriage, and Ye Jingyan helped lift the curtain.
However, just as Ye Chutang set one foot on the carriage step, Xiao Wu suddenly stirred in her arms. The little girl’s hands involuntarily tightened around Ye Chutang’s neck, and she buried her face in her sister’s embrace, eyes squeezed shut.
Her small body was trembling faintly.
Ye Chutang’s gaze lowered. She held her tighter and gently patted the little girl.
"Don’t be afraid, Xiao Wu."
She said softly,
"We’re going home with Big Sister."
