The Duke's Pampered Darling is So Scheming

Chapter 495: Chapter 495: Closeness

Awkward.

Utterly awkward.

’Just how brief and fleeting was that encounter for Xiao Wu to have missed it by simply taking a nap?’

’This is no way to curry favor.’

Ye Chutang didn’t believe for a second that this was the first day Prince Jing knew she was in the Capital City.

He was a Prince, after all. Even if he wasn’t favored, he didn’t lack for servants.

There was no way he had only found out her identity today.

But if he wanted to put on a show, she was happy to play along.

Ye Chutang smiled. ”Seeing as Your Highness is in such a rush, you must have urgent business. We won’t delay you any further.”

As she spoke, she raised a hand, signaling for the carriage driver to continue backing up.

Xiao Chenglin’s lips twitched. In the end, he could only nod. ”Very well. When I have time, I will pay a personal visit to the Ye Mansion.”

With that, the carriage from Prince Jing Mansion continued on its way.

Ye Chutang glanced back. It seemed to be heading in the direction of the Imperial Palace.

Once their surroundings quieted down, Ye Chutang tilted her head and asked, ”Is there trouble in the Palace?”

Shen Yanchuan was once again amazed by her perception. He didn’t hide anything. ”The Second Prince’s case is still under investigation. One of the witnesses might be connected to Prince Jing’s accidental leg injury from back then.”

Ye Chutang understood instantly—Emperor Muwu had grown suspicious.

”In that case, this Second Prince is really having a run of bad luck.”

Trouble kept finding its way to his door. Now, even an old case from many years ago was being pinned on him.

This was a clear attempt to doom him.

Of course, it wasn’t certain that Xiao Chengxuan was actually the one who had crippled Xiao Chenglin’s leg.

But even if Xiao Chengxuan possessed incredible skills, he was doomed this time.

No matter how unfavored Xiao Chenglin was, he was still Emperor Muwu’s flesh and blood. Fratricide and blatant ambition were an Emperor’s greatest taboos.

If all this were confirmed, any affection Emperor Muwu had for this son would likely vanish.

Shen Yanchuan paused. ”You know Xiao Chenglin?”

Ye Chutang nodded. ”Didn’t you just hear us, Princely Heir?”

Shen Yanchuan raised an eyebrow, clearly unsatisfied with her answer.

Ye Chutang sighed inwardly.

She never expected that the injured, runaway boy she had casually saved would turn out to be the current Prince Jing.

Ye Chutang recalled the recent events, and a stronger intuition rose in her heart—this Prince Jing was probably not someone to be trifled with.

”Are you acquainted with Prince Jing, Princely Heir?”

Shen Yanchuan shook his head.

He had spent the previous years at the Northern Border. During the few years he had stayed in the Capital City, he hadn’t had much contact with Xiao Chenglin.

”After his leg was injured, he moved out of the Palace and rarely left his mansion.”

If Chen Songshi and the others hadn’t mentioned it today, Emperor Muwu might have forgotten he even had this son.

Ye Chutang understood.

Shen Yanchuan took a few steps forward, approaching her carriage.

”Things haven’t been very peaceful lately. You should be careful.”

Ye Chutang’s heart stirred. She smiled and looked up to meet his gaze.

”Isn’t this the safest place to be, right under the Emperor’s nose?”

Their eyes met, and a ripple seemed to pass through Shen Yanchuan’s gaze.

After a moment, he gave a slight nod.

”It is.”

...

Xiao Chenglin lowered the carriage curtain, retracting his gaze.

But the scene from just now kept replaying in his mind.

Shen Yanchuan and Ye Chutang had been looking at each other from across the street. Though a considerable distance separated them, they seemed inexplicably close, as if an invisible aura surrounded them, setting them apart from everyone else.

Even though they had only exchanged a few words, the intimacy and trust between them was something no one else could break into.

The smile on Xiao Chenglin’s face gradually faded, his handsome features turning as cold as frost.

”Are Shen Yanchuan and she really that close?”