The Duke's Pampered Darling is So Scheming

Chapter 447: Chapter 447: Summons

The Eldest Princess frowned. ”Given His Majesty’s condition, today’s morning assembly certainly cannot be held. Send word that His Majesty is unwell and the assembly is suspended. Any memorials are to be submitted to the Cabinet.”

Emperor Muwu was a diligent ruler and would never miss the morning assembly unless there were special circumstances.

Eunuch Li quickly answered, ”Yes.”

But he returned only a moment later, looking troubled.

”Princess, Mr. Jiang is here.”

”Jiang Zhao Yuan?”

The Eldest Princess snorted coldly.

”He actually has the nerve to come?!”

If it weren’t for that ’fine’ maternal grandson of his, would His Majesty have been this enraged?

Of course, Eunuch Li knew that because of the recent affair with Xiao Chengxuan, the Eldest Princess couldn’t stand the sight of any of them.

But...

”Princess, the Prime Minister is the head of all officials, after all. His request for an audience is... well...”

Eunuch Li was caught in the crossfire.

He couldn’t afford to offend either the Eldest Princess or Jiang Zhao Yuan!

After a moment’s hesitation, Consort Rong also advised, ”Let’s allow Mr. Jiang in. After all, many court affairs still fall to him to manage.”

The Eldest Princess naturally understood what was most important.

She disliked Jiang Zhao Yuan, but she knew Consort Rong was right.

The court needed someone to take charge.

”Admit him.”

Eunuch Li bowed low. ”Yes!”

Just as he was about to leave, the Eldest Princess called out, ”Wait!”

Eunuch Li looked back, confused.

But an idea had already formed in the Eldest Princess’s mind.

She said, ”Have Mr. Jiang go to the side hall. Also, ensure that the other ministers of the Cabinet join him there.”

Eunuch Li froze. ”This...”

’Jiang Zhao Yuan is the Chief Cabinet Minister and wields immense power. By summoning everyone else, wasn’t the Eldest Princess making a clear move to check his influence?’

’But it wasn’t his place to question it.’

Eunuch Li glanced at the still-unconscious Emperor Muwu and bowed respectfully.

”Yes, this servant will go at once!”

...

Meanwhile, after receiving the summons, Ye Chutang entered the palace with Xiao Wu.

Compared to her first time entering the palace, the atmosphere was much more somber and tense.

It made sense. With the sudden and severe onset of Emperor Muwu’s illness, the palace staff were naturally on edge as they served.

As Ye Chutang walked, she asked, ”When will Chu Hospital Director be back?”

The little eunuch kept his head low. ”This... this servant does not know. From what Doctor Zhou said, a message was sent for him, but there’s no way he can make it back this quickly. That’s why the Princess specifically requested you!”

Ye Chutang nodded, though she wasn’t surprised.

’It seems the Eldest Princess has long been aware that the Imperial Hospital isn’t entirely ’clean’.’

She didn’t ask any further questions.

Just then, footsteps approached from ahead.

Ye Chutang focused her gaze and saw Xiao Lansi approaching with just two palace maids in tow.

She seemed thinner and more haggard than the last time they had met.

’It seemed Xiao Chengxuan’s downfall had affected her as well.’

Xiao Lansi’s face lit up when she saw Ye Chutang. ”Second Miss Ye!”

She hurried forward, her eyes full of unconcealed eagerness, only stopping a few paces from Ye Chutang.

She still seemed very emotional.

”Second Miss Ye, you’re finally here!”

Ye Chutang arched an eyebrow slightly.

’Does this mean... the Princess was waiting here specifically for her?’

”Greetings, Princess Yuhe.”

Ye Chutang greeted her, her expression as serene as ever.

Xiao Wu, who was beside her, obediently did the same.

The wind was bitingly cold. Ye Chutang wore a snow-white fox fur cloak, while Xiao Wu was bundled in a soft pink padded dress.

The pair, one tall and one small, both had features as lovely as a painting. Simply standing there, they looked like a masterfully rendered artwork, so beautiful it was hard to look away.

As Xiao Lansi watched them, her eyelid twitched, and her hand, hidden in her sleeve, clenched unconsciously.

’She considered herself a peerless beauty. Though many had bullied and humiliated her for her humble origins, even they had to admit she was gorgeous. Every time they looked at her, the jealousy in their eyes was plain to see.’

’But facing Ye Chutang, for the first time ever, she felt a sense of inferiority.’

’In terms of features, she didn’t lose out. But the subtle aura about Ye Chutang was something she could never hope to imitate.’

An air of elegance and warmth, of poised nobility, and a gentle, graceful smile.

She was like a haitang blossom blooming quietly on a branch in late spring—silent, yet utterly captivating.

Seeing that she wasn’t speaking, Ye Chutang took the initiative. ”Princess, were you looking for me?”

Her words snapped Xiao Lansi back to her senses.

She finally remembered her purpose for coming, and an awkward, troubled expression crossed her face.

”I... actually... I just heard that my Imperial Father is ill, and I was worried.”

She pressed her lips together.

Ye Chutang understood at once.

’As a princess, she would naturally be expected to go and show her concern at a time like this. However, Xiao Lansi’s current situation was a delicate one.’

’If she were to go, she would likely only irritate Emperor Muwu.’

’That was why she was waiting here for Ye Chutang.’

Ye Chutang smiled faintly. ”His Majesty would surely be gratified by the Princess’s filial devotion, if he knew. However, I have yet to see His Majesty myself and do not know his condition, so I’m afraid I cannot discuss the matter in detail with you.”

Xiao Lansi said quickly, ”Second Miss Ye, please don’t misunderstand. I meant nothing else, I was just thinking... with your superb medical skills, my Imperial Father will surely be fine now that you’re here.”

She seemed to let out a sigh of relief, and a smile touched her lips.

”I’ve been taking the medicine you prescribed for me, and I already feel much better.”

Ye Chutang found it somewhat amusing.

’She had been summoned by the Eldest Princess to treat Emperor Muwu’s illness. For Princess Yuhe to show up here at this moment to say such things seemed utterly meaningless.’

’But in truth, nothing that happened in the palace, no matter how small the corner, ever stayed a secret.’

’At the very least, by saying these words, she was making sure everyone knew of her concern and worry for Emperor Muwu.’

”It was a small matter, Princess. You needn’t mention it.”

Ye Chutang smiled and spoke directly.

”Since Princess Yuhe is so concerned about His Majesty, why don’t you accompany me?”