The Duke's Pampered Darling is So Scheming

Chapter 141: Chapter 141: Must Help

He then looked at Ye Chutang. ”By the way, Elder Sister, I’ve requested leave for tomorrow. I plan to make a trip to Fengling Lane.”

”What?” Ye Yunfeng was shocked. ”Third Brother, you’re going over there? Why didn’t you tell me?”

Ye Jingyan placated him. ”I’ve already requested your leave for you too.”

Ye Yunfeng: ”...Oh.”

’That’s more like it.’

However—

”That place is burned to a crisp. What’s the point of going?” Ye Yunfeng shrugged, a look of disgust on his face.

Ye Jingyan looked at Ye Chutang. ”To get Elder Sister’s dowry back, of course.”

Ye Yunfeng froze. ”Huh?”

Ye Jingyan said, ”Besides this residence, the deeds to the dozen or so shops and one hundred mu of farmland under our parents’ names are also still in his hands. He personally promised back then that all of this was to be Elder Sister’s dowry. Now that they’ve moved out and I’ve had my fourteenth birthday, it’s certainly not his place to manage Elder Sister’s affairs anymore.”

Ye Yunfeng immediately understood and clapped his hands together.

”That’s right! Elder Sister has us! What right does he have to boss her around and criticize everything!”

Countless images flashed through Ye Jingyan’s mind.

’Three years ago, when Elder Sister fled south with them, he had secretly sworn that he would never let her suffer such hardship again.’

’She protected them for three years. Now, it was their turn to protect her.’

In a low voice, he promised, word by word, ”Don’t worry, Elder Sister. What’s yours, I will get it all back for you.”

A flicker of emotion crossed Ye Chutang’s eyes, and a faint dimple appeared at the corner of her lips.

”Yan’s word has always been as good as gold. I believe you.”

...

The night was deep, moonless and starless.

A heavy atmosphere filled the Han Family estate. Everyone was treading carefully, terrified.

Su Pei’er drank a bowl of bitter fetus-preserving medicine. A young maidservant quickly handed her a candied fruit, muttering under her breath, ”It’s a good thing Doctor Ye gave us enough medicine to last several days. Otherwise, it’d be a real hassle trying to get more now.”

Ever since Han Tong’s arrest a few days ago, the entire Han Family had been under a form of house arrest. Men from the Ministry of Justice were secretly watching them, making it difficult to even enter or leave the mansion freely.

After the bitterness in her mouth had faded a little, Su Pei’er finally asked, ”Where is Mr. Han?”

The young maidservant complained, her face full of dissatisfaction, ”Where else? He’s locked himself in the study and won’t come out for anyone. The butler sent a meal over and got a fierce scolding for his troubles.”

In everyone’s eyes, Han Yao’s current state was no different from madness.

He was just a dandy, with no skills other than eating, drinking, and making merry.

Now that Han Tong was in trouble, he was like a chicken with its head cut off—panicked, anxious, and completely at a loss.

”Some of the servants in the mansion have been secretly running away these past few days, and he can’t even be bothered to stop them.” The young maidservant’s face clouded with worry as she spoke. She glanced around before carefully lowering her voice. ”They’re all saying Lord Han has committed a capital offense this time! I’m afraid the entire Han Family will be dragged down with him... Mistress, why is your fate so bitter!”

She had originally thought that even though Han Yao was unreliable, he was at least the son of an official. The Han Family was large and prosperous, so as long as her mistress successfully gave birth, her future would be secure.

But who could have imagined that such a disaster would strike just a few days after their arrival!

’One wrong move, and my head could roll along with theirs!’

Su Pei’er’s expression, however, remained unchanged. She simply said, ”Take this medicine bowl away. Then, have the kitchen heat up dinner. I’m going to the study to see Mr. Han.”

The young maidservant’s eyes widened. ”You’re going over there this late? H-How can you? What if he loses his temper again, or even gets violent—”

Su Pei’er gave a faint smile. ”I have my own plans.”

The young maidservant felt aggrieved on her mistress’s behalf but could only do as she was told.

”Yes.”

...

Arriving at the study door, Su Pei’er knocked.

”Mr. Han. You haven’t had dinner. You should eat something, at least.”

BANG!

Something was thrown violently against the door.

”Get out!”

The young maidservant flinched.

But Su Pei’er wasn’t scared off. After a pause, she coaxed gently, ”Mr. Han, I know you’ve been in a foul mood these past few days, but you must eat. Otherwise, how will you have the energy to save Lord Han?”

The room was silent for a long moment before Han Yao finally came to open the door.

Having not shown his face for several days, he was unshaven with sunken eyes, a world away from his former suave and proud appearance.

He stared intently at Su Pei’er, his voice hoarse. ”...You have a way?”

Su Pei’er took the tray from the young maidservant, told her to leave, and stepped into the room herself.

The young maidservant watched the closed door worriedly, silently praying that Han Yao wouldn’t have another fit.

Su Pei’er set out the bowl and chopsticks before turning back to Han Yao and persuading him softly:

”How would Pei’er know about such things? I was just thinking that Lord Han is a man of upstanding character; he would never do something like this. There must be a misunderstanding. If someone could just step forward now to plead on his behalf and buy some more time for the Ministry of Justice to investigate the truth and clear Lord Han’s name, that would be for the best.”

Han Yao’s mind had been complete mush, but hearing Su Pei’er’s words, he finally found a thread of logic to grasp.

’That’s right! Hiding in here and never going out is no solution. If I could find someone to help, there might still be some hope!’

”But in this situation, who would be willing to stick their neck out for Father!?” Han Yao was extremely agitated.

This matter involves the Eldest Princess!

His Majesty is furious and has ordered a thorough investigation. Who would be foolish enough to go looking for trouble at a time like this?

Su Pei’er placed some food in his bowl and asked tentatively, ”I remember Lord Han and Lord Ye have always been on good terms. Perhaps—”

”Don’t mention him!”

Han Yao’s brow furrowed tightly.

”It’ll be a blessing if he doesn’t kick us while we’re down! How could he possibly help!”

’The two families had indeed been on good terms, but because of the scandal I caused this time, Ye Heng was severely reprimanded by the Eldest Princess. Our whole family was even kicked out of the Ye Mansion... Ye Heng probably already resents us deeply. Why would he help?’

Thinking of this, Han Yao’s gaze toward Su Pei’er also became tinged with resentment.

Su Pei’er bit her lip gently, her eyes reddening. She lowered her head and said in a soft voice, ”...Pei’er doesn’t understand these things. I only want to ease Mr. Han’s worries. Although there were some unpleasantries before, the two lords are, after all, close friends of many years. At such a critical moment, would he truly not consider their past friendship at all?”

”What do you kn—”

Han Yao opened his mouth to curse but suddenly stopped.

He clenched his fists, his expression shifting rapidly as some idea came to him.

Su Pei’er, holding her waist, was about to kneel, her voice choked with tears. ”It’s all Pei’er’s fault! I hope Mr. Han won’t...”

”That’s it! Why didn’t I think of it!” Han Yao slapped his hand down hard, his expression suddenly excited. ”Of course he has to help!”

As if grasping at the last straw, Han Yao immediately helped her up, praising her repeatedly, ”You’re right! This method—it’ll work!”

Su Pei’er looked up blankly, tears still clinging to the corners of her eyes, seemingly not understanding why his mood had changed so quickly.

”Mr. Han?”

It was as if Han Yao had made some great resolution.

”First thing tomorrow morning, I’m going to the Ye Family!”

’Ye Heng has to help. He has no choice!’