The Duke's Pampered Darling is So Scheming

Chapter 129: Chapter 129: Birthday Gift

Xu Rongqing studied her. Seeing that she looked as composed as ever, a faint smile on her lips, he finally breathed a sigh of relief.

He took the umbrella and said, a little sheepishly, ”You’re too kind, Chutang. I didn’t really do anything to help.”

He had come worried sick that Ye Chutang was being bullied, only to find she had been calm and composed throughout the whole affair. She was perfectly capable of handling things properly without his help.

But Ye Chutang just smiled and shook her head. ”Under these circumstances, Mr. Xu, the very fact that you were willing to rush over is a precious gesture in itself.”

The Ye Family was in chaos, and no one wanted to wade into those troubled waters. Yet, Xu Rongqing had come.

Anyone with eyes could see that this also represented Xu Fengchi’s stance.

After today, the Xu family had openly broken with Ye Heng to stand with Ye Chutang.

Ye Chutang knew just how precious this show of loyalty was.

Xu Rongqing saw the tension leave her face, confirming that these events hadn’t truly soured her mood. Only then did he relax as well and break into a smile.

”If Yan and A Feng knew about this, they would be overjoyed.”

Ye Chutang chuckled and nodded. ”I’m heading to the Imperial College in a little while.”

Xu Rongqing glanced at the servants bustling about the courtyard.

They were all from the Long Princess Mansion, so their competence went without saying. It truly spared Ye Chutang a great deal of trouble.

His hand tightened on the umbrella’s handle. Finally, he said, ”Since things here are resolved, I’ll be heading back now. If you need any help in the future, Chutang, please don’t hesitate to ask.”

It had to be said that Xu Rongqing was a man with a remarkable sense of propriety.

The smile on Ye Chutang’s lips deepened as she gave a slight curtsy.

Only then did Xu Rongqing swing himself onto his horse. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw the carriage from the Dingbei Marquis Mansion. He paused for a moment but ultimately said nothing more.

Ultimately, today’s events were a success because the Eldest Princess was backing Ye Chutang. Shen Yanchuan’s presence was the best proof of that.

This would also discourage anyone with ill intentions and make them think twice before offending Ye Chutang in the future.

”Yah!”

Xu Rongqing spurred his horse and rode away, his figure quickly disappearing at the end of the alley.

The crowd of onlookers reluctantly dispersed. The commotion at the Ye Family home would likely provide enough gossip to last them a month.

Ye Chutang walked up to the carriage, retrieved a small green jade bottle from her sleeve, and offered it to Lian Zhou.

”My thanks to the Princely Heir for today’s assistance. The weather has been hot recently, so I prepared this mint ointment myself. A quick sniff when you’re feeling tired can help clear your head. It’s nothing valuable, just a small token of my gratitude for the Princely Heir.”

Lian Zhou’s face lit up. He hadn’t expected an extra bonus from this trip and immediately reached out with both hands to accept it.

”Oh, you’re too kind, how can I—”

Before he could finish, an elegant, slender hand swept the curtain aside.

Shen Yanchuan gazed out quietly.

As if sensing something, Lian Zhou immediately pulled back his hands, turned, and announced excitedly, ”My Lord, it’s a gift for you from Doctor Ye!”

Shen Yanchuan: ”...”

’Could you be any louder?’

He looked at Ye Chutang, the corners of his lips curving into a slight smile. ”Something personally prepared by Doctor Ye is priceless indeed.”

’And that’s the honest truth,’ he thought, ’considering the consultation fees I’ve paid her were far more than this.’

As if not detecting his teasing tone at all, Ye Chutang took a step forward and handed the bottle directly to him.

”As long as the Princely Heir doesn’t find it beneath him.”

Shen Yanchuan accepted the bottle, his cool fingertips brushing against hers accidentally as he did.

Ye Chutang took a step back, curling her fingers slightly in a moment of unease. She then added a gentle reminder, ”The summer heat has been intense lately. Since the Princely Heir has only just recovered, you should rest more and be sure to stay out of the heat.”

A flicker of emotion crossed Shen Yanchuan’s eyes. He looked at Ye Chutang again, but the young woman’s expression was serene, as if it had just been a casual remark.

He put the bottle away, a faint hint of amusement in his voice.

”I must naturally follow Doctor Ye’s orders.”

...

When Ye Chutang arrived at the Imperial College with Xiao Wu, Ye Jingyan and Ye Yunfeng were already waiting for them at the entrance.

”Big Sis!”

Ye Yunfeng waved as soon as he saw them.

Ye Chutang glanced at her two brothers. ”Have you been waiting long?”

Ye Jingyan shook his head. ”No, A Feng and I just got leave from the Assistant Teacher.”

”That’s right! Third Brother and I followed your instructions exactly, Big Sis! We waited until all our afternoon classes were finished before asking for leave to go home!” Ye Yunfeng said excitedly. ”Didn’t you say we were going to throw a proper celebration for Third Brother’s fourteenth birthday today?”

Ye Chutang broke into a knowing smile. ’As if I couldn’t guess what you were really thinking.’

”You’ve only been back at the Imperial College for a few days and you’re already looking for an excuse to get out and play. You really haven’t changed a bit.”

Ye Yunfeng gave a cheeky grin and didn’t deny it, saying in an appeasing tone, ”The texts they’ve been covering in class these last few days are all things you already taught us, Big Sis. It’s boring! It’s much better to be out here getting some fresh air!”

Ye Chutang gave him a surprised look. ”You can actually remember which ones we’ve studied before?”

Ye Yunfeng cleared his throat loudly and admitted guiltily, ”Third Brother told me.”

’Of course.’

Ye Chutang had never expected him to be a diligent student anyway. She gestured for the two of them to get into the carriage.

”Since today is a happy occasion, I’ll make an exception just this once.”

Ye Yunfeng couldn’t help but ask, ”A happy occasion? Besides Third Brother’s birthday, don’t tell me there’s more good news?”

Ye Jingyan also looked at her questioningly.

’Big Sis was always very strict about their studies. Under normal circumstances, she would never let them take leave from school just to go home.’

’Unless something truly significant had happened...’

Ye Chutang’s lips curved into a smile. Her gaze shifted to Ye Jingyan as she said softly,

”It actually has to do with you, Yan. You’ll find out when we get home.”

Ye Jingyan froze.

Ye Yunfeng was bursting with curiosity, practically scratching at the walls. He wished he could grab the whip and make the horses fly home that very instant.

The carriage sped along.

However, when they were halfway there, Ye Chutang told Ye Yunfeng to stop the carriage.

Ye Yunfeng scratched his head as he watched Ye Chutang alight from the carriage and walk into a bookshop.

”Third Brother, is Big Sis buying you books again?”

’We have enough books at home, and the library at the Imperial College is as vast as an ocean. Why would Big Sis suddenly—’

Ye Jingyan looked thoughtful.

Ye Chutang came out a moment later, and sure enough, she was holding a few books.

Ye Jingyan reached out to take them. His gaze swept over the titles, and he realized that these books...

”Big Sis, why did you suddenly decide to buy these?”

Some of them he had already read, and while others were new to him, the selection of genres was quite eclectic.

’Big Sis never used to choose books like this.’

Ye Chutang casually picked up one of them.

”The *Spring Sun Mountain Record*?” Ye Jingyan asked, surprised. ”Have you suddenly taken a liking to this kind of book, Big Sis?”

Ye Chutang hefted it lightly, a single eyebrow raised.

”I just find it rather interesting.”

’The same book, but with a different thickness and a different weight.’

’Ye Heng’s copy must be far more interesting.’

...

Finally, as they arrived back at the familiar front gate, Ye Yunfeng was the first to notice that something was off.

”Huh? Where are the gatekeepers?”

”Why is it completely empty? And...”

”Why on earth would someone scrub the stone lions by the gate clean?”

Ye Chutang looked at the sparkling new gate, then turned back to them with a gentle smile.

”Yan, this is your fourteenth birthday gift.”

”Welcome home.”