The Duke's Pampered Darling is So Scheming-Chapter 88: Chance Encounter

"As the son of the Capital Commander, he has the best of everything—food, clothes, and daily necessities. His bow and arrow would naturally be no exception."

Ye Chutang wasn’t surprised. She simply raised an eyebrow.

"Did Murong Ye cause trouble for you at the Imperial College?"

Ye Yunfeng scratched his head in frustration.

’I knew I shouldn’t have told my sister so much! She’s so clever, she figured out most of it after just a few words!’

Ye Jingyan had no intention of hiding anything. He nodded and briefly recounted what had happened.

"...In short, he’s very hostile toward A Feng and me."

Ye Chutang didn’t seem to care. "Our presence has upset the girl he fancies, so of course he wants to teach us a lesson."

’But it won’t be that easy for him to play the hero.’

"Did he challenge A Feng personally?"

Ye Yunfeng scoffed. "You call that a challenge? The guy looks big, but he’s all talk!"

If he weren’t afraid people would think he was a coward, he really wouldn’t have any interest in competing with Murong Ye over this.

—Their one previous clash already revealed a great deal.

"I’ll take care of the bow and arrow. You don’t need to worry," Ye Chutang said.

Ye Yunfeng was a little surprised. "Sister, didn’t you always say we should be modest and not compete over every little thing?"

He had been competitive and eager to win since he was a child, and his sister had lectured him about it many times.

But from the sound of it, did his sister actually want him to beat Murong Ye this time?

Ye Chutang smiled faintly.

"I did say that, but I also said that when you’re out in the world, you have to earn your own respect."

...

Ye Chutang held Xiao Wu’s hand, strolling leisurely down the street.

Xiao Wu’s big, round, dark eyes were wide with curiosity and excitement.

The Capital City was truly huge. They had been back in the Capital City for almost a month, and every time he went out with his sister, they seemed to take a different route.

Everywhere he looked was new and bustling with excitement!

Finally, Ye Chutang stopped in front of a weapons shop.

She led Xiao Wu inside. Just as they stepped over the threshold, she heard a shop assistant shout, "Miss, are you sure you’re in the right place?"

Ye Chutang smiled. "Do you sell bows and arrows here?"

The assistant grabbed the square towel around his neck and wiped his face. "We do!"

But the young lady before him... she didn’t look like someone who would be their customer!

Ye Chutang’s gaze swept over the cabinets behind him, which displayed all sorts of weapons.

"In that case, please bring out your best bow and arrow."

Hearing her calm and composed tone, the assistant immediately knew she was a serious buyer. An eager smile instantly appeared on his face.

"Right away! Please wait a moment, I’ll be right back!"

...

Hearing that familiar voice, Xu Rongqing turned around instinctively.

A slender, graceful figure came into view, with Little Point beside her.

He was at once surprised and delighted.

"Chutang?" 𝐟𝐫𝕖𝗲𝘄𝚎𝗯𝕟𝐨𝕧𝐞𝚕.𝕔𝕠𝐦

Ye Chutang turned at the sound of his voice, a hint of surprise on her face. "Mr. Xu?"

Xu Rongqing quickly walked forward, stopping respectfully about three paces in front of Ye Chutang.

Now that he was closer, her gentle and beautiful face became clearer. He could even see her thick, curled eyelashes and the specks of light glittering in her pure, clear eyes.

Just one glance was enough to make one’s heart beat faster without even realizing it.

Xu Rongqing tried his best to ignore his pounding heart. He glanced at her and Xiao Wu, then at the shop, and asked in surprise, "Chutang, you came here to—"

Ye Chutang smiled. "I had nothing better to do, so I’m just showing Xiao Wu around."

"Looking around... here?" Xu Rongqing was a little stunned.

’Don’t most girls her age prefer to browse shops for rouge, powder, or jewelry?’

’Why is she...’

But Xu Rongqing was gentle and reserved by nature. Although he found it strange, he didn’t make any rash judgments. He just gave a good-natured smile and asked, "Well, have you found anything you like?"

Ye Chutang shook her head. "Not yet."

Just as she spoke, the assistant came out carrying several boxes.

"Miss! Our store’s best sets are all in here. Would you like to take a look?"

Xu Rongqing was even more surprised. "You’re buying this?"

Ye Chutang gave a slight nod. "Yes. Yan and A Feng just started at the Imperial College, and they need to get a lot of things."

Xu Rongqing understood instantly. "They have their monthly exams coming up?"

This is equipment for the two Imperial Archery courses.

He used to be a student at the Imperial College, so it was normal for him to guess this. Ye Chutang didn’t mention the challenge between Murong Ye and A Feng, simply nodding with a smile. "Yes."

Xu Rongqing’s expression grew much more serious. "If that’s the case, then you must choose very carefully. The Imperial College teaches the Six Arts and has monthly assessments. The competition is incredibly fierce. It would be best if they could rank among the top."

Hearing this, Ye Chutang’s interest was piqued.

"Is that so?"

Xu Rongqing knew she was concerned about Ye Jingyan and Ye Yunfeng, so he elaborated. "That’s right. Although the Imperial College’s main focus is on literary studies, the current emperor places great importance on the martial curriculum. So, if they can achieve good grades in the two Imperial Archery courses, they will also be highly regarded and given important positions."

"Moreover, the current Lord Master of the Imperial College is Feng Zhang."

Feng Zhang’s identity is significant; he is second only to the Lord Sacrificial Officer. From this, it’s not hard to see that the Imperial College also cares a great deal about martial skills.

Ye Chutang came to a realization. "I see. Thank you so much for the explanation."

Xu Rongqing felt a little embarrassed. "It’s nothing. Even if I hadn’t said anything, Yan and A Feng would have told you about it later."

Ye Chutang thought of the cavalier, roguish look on Ye Yunfeng’s face when he’d mentioned it, and her head began to throb.

’Yan isn’t very interested in these things. As for A Feng—he wouldn’t take any of this to heart, let alone explain it in such detail!’

"It’s embarrassing to say, but since you’ve returned to the Capital City, I haven’t been of any help at all..."

Xu Rongqing genuinely felt apologetic.

With her father and older brother both gone, Ye Chutang had returned to the Capital City alone with her younger siblings, facing who knows how many difficulties.

But he found that he was of no use at all. Every time he intended to help, he would discover the trouble had already been resolved.

It was the same this time with Yan and A Feng going to the Imperial College.

Ye Chutang looked at the boxes. Remembering something, the corners of her eyes curved into a slight smile.

"What a coincidence, there’s actually a favor I need to ask you right now. I remember you used to go hunting with my older brother. Yan and A Feng were young then, but they tagged along. What do you think? Would they like any of these?"

Xu Rongqing was momentarily dazed by the gentle smile on the young woman’s lips.

After three years apart, she was indeed very different from before.

Calm, composed, poised, and serene, yet it also felt as if she were behind an invisible veil, making her difficult to read.

Only in this moment, as she smiled, a trace of warmth coloring her eyes, did she look just like the shy, quiet girl from the past who always used to follow behind Xiting.

...

Just then, a horse-drawn carriage passed by on the street.

A hand as fine as jade, emerging from a long sleeve, gently lifted the curtain, revealing half of a handsome, refined face.

Shen Yanchuan watched the two figures standing together, a slight arch to his brow.

"It seems she’s found something to her liking. How pleased she looks."