Ye Shixian almost thought her eyes were deceiving her.
’That’s a carriage from the Dingbei Marquis Mansion. What is Ye Chutang doing inside!?’
She forced a smile and walked forward, feigning a sigh of relief. "Cousin! You’re finally back!"
Ye Chutang alighted from the carriage and turned around. Seeing Ye Shixian’s expression, she raised an eyebrow. "I’m only a little late. Why so worried?"
Ye Shixian’s smile stiffened. "I... I was just afraid the people at the Long Princess Mansion would make things difficult for you..."
A faint smile played on Ye Chutang’s lips. "The Eldest Princess has already woken up. Why would anyone in the mansion give trouble?"
"What!?"
Ye Shixian was stunned.
’The Eldest Princess is actually awake!? Doesn’t... doesn’t that an Ye Chutang really saved her life!?’
Ye Chutang nodded. "With Princess Qingyang and the others personally attending to her, there’s no need to worry."
As if Ye Shixian was worried about the Eldest Princess. She was just thinking—’how is Ye Chutang so lucky!?’
She glanced at the carriage behind Ye Chutang out of the corner of her eye, a flash of jealousy in their depths.
But she hid the expression extrely well, and it vanished in an instant.
"That’s good, that’s good..." She nodded, as if letting out a long sigh. "I was just thinking that since you hadn’t returned, I might have to go back to the Long Princess Mansion to check on you and bring you ho..."
Just as she spoke, the sound of footsteps ca from behind her.
"Sis!"
Ye Yunfeng was running in front, holding Xiao Wu, with Ye Jingyan following behind.
Ye Chutang’s gaze went past Ye Shixian to them, and her lips curved into a smile. "Why did you all co running out?"
Ye Yunfeng laughed. "Jingyan said you must be back, Sis, so we all ca out together!"
When he heard a servant announce the arrival of a carriage from the Dingbei Marquis Mansion, Ye Jingyan had imdiately guessed it was Ye Chutang.
The Eldest Princess was the maternal grandmother of the Heir of Duke Dingbei. Since she had suddenly fallen ill, he would certainly have rushed to her side.
So, it was self-evident why that carriage was here now.
Xiao Wu stretched out her little arms from Ye Yunfeng’s embrace.
’Hold , Sis!’
As Ye Chutang reached for her, a scrape on her wrist was revealed.
Xiao Wu’s eyes widened. She shook her head vigorously and, instead of letting her sister hold her, gently took Ye Chutang’s hand in both of her own, her little face filled with concern.
Ye Chutang glanced at it. "It’s just a scratch. Nothing to worry about."
’Back when I was leading Yan, A Feng, and Xiao Wu through the snow, disguised as tattered refugees, fending off pursuers while struggling to survive, the injuries I suffered were far worse than this.’
Xiao Wu’s lip trembled, and her eyes welled with tears.
Ye Yunfeng saw the injury too, and his expression changed. "Sis, what happened to your—"
’What on earth happened at the Long Princess Mansion!?’
Before he could ask for details, the carriage curtain was lifted again.
A stunningly handso face appeared.
"I must thank you for today’s events, Doctor Ye."
As the cool, deep voice faded, a hush fell over the area.
Ye Shixian covered her mouth in shock. "Y-Young Master!? Why are you here!?"
Shen Yanchuan raised an eyebrow. "Doctor Ye rendered a great service by treating the Eldest Princess. It was only right for to escort her ho."
Ye Shixian’s mind went blank.
’I just assud Shen Yanchuan had sent a carriage to bring Ye Chutang back. I never imagined he would accompany her personally!’
’D-doesn’t that an... they were together for the entire journey here?’
Ye Yunfeng hadn’t expected soone else to be in the carriage either. While he was still stunned, Ye Jingyan had already stepped forward and bowed politely.
"Thank you, Young Master."
Shen Yanchuan produced an exquisite, ornate carved wooden box and offered it to her.
"A small token of my gratitude. It’s not much."
Ye Chutang blinked.
’Say what you will, this Young Master Heir certainly knows the proper etiquette.’
’It was a consultation fee offered willingly, so I can accept it with a clear conscience. There’s no reason to refuse.’
She accepted it with both hands. "Thank you, Young Master."
Shen Yanchuan shook his head. "It is I who should be thanking you."
If not for her today, his grandmother’s condition would have been grim.
Ye Chutang turned and handed the box to Xiao Wu.
Xiao Wu looked at the box, two tears clinging precariously to the corners of her eyes, her eyelashes damp.
Ye Chutang said, "Hold this for , Sis. My hand hurts."
Xiao Wu sniffled and quickly hugged the box to her chest.
Ye Chutang then turned back to Shen Yanchuan. "The Eldest Princess will likely require acupuncture for about half a month."
Shen Yanchuan nodded. "Starting tomorrow, a carriage will be sent for you. Thank you for your trouble."
Hearing this, Ye Shixian finally couldn’t resist asking, "Young Master, it’s hot outside. Would you like to co into the mansion for a short while and have so tea?"
Shen Yanchuan smiled, but his tone was languid and aloof. "That won’t be necessary. My sole purpose today was to escort Doctor Ye ho."
The curtain fell.
"Yun Cheng, back to the Marquis Mansion."
Watching the carriage recede into the distance, Ye Shixian realized how presumptuous she had been. Her face flushed, and she was deeply mortified.
Even her father, Ye Heng, had to deliberate at length and extend nurous invitations just to get the Heir of Duke Dingbei to visit their residence.
’What right did I have to say sothing like that to Shen Yanchuan!?’
After all, she wasn’t the one who had treated the Eldest Princess.
Ye Chutang, seemingly oblivious to her cousin’s mortification, gently pinched Xiao Wu’s cheek.
"You’ve been waiting a long ti, haven’t you? Let’s go back inside with Sis."
...
The mont they were back in the room, Ye Yunfeng couldn’t contain his curiosity any longer.
"Sis, what was all that about?"
Ye Chutang sat down, took the cup of tea Ye Jingyan offered, and moistened her throat before briefly recounting the day’s events.
After she finished, Ye Yunfeng couldn’t help but marvel. "So it’s a good thing you were there, Sis!"
Otherwise, given the Eldest Princess’s condition, every mont of delay would have added to the danger!
A faint smile touched Ye Jingyan’s lips, his thoughts unknown.
"I’m afraid soone is regretting bringing you along, Sis."
Ye Yunfeng snorted. "She clearly had malicious intentions from the very beginning. She even tried to slander you, thinking she could ruin your reputation? How stupid!"
’Just like her brother, Ye Mingze. They’re both idiots.’
Ye Jingyan’s smile faded. He mulled it over for a mont before saying, "I’m just afraid this is only the beginning."
’An open attack is easy to dodge, but a hidden arrow is difficult to guard against.’
Ye Chutang set down her teacup, seemingly unconcerned. "This is to be expected. From the mont we stepped foot in the Capital again, we were prepared for this."
She beckoned to Xiao Wu. "Xiao Wu, hurry and open the box. Let’s see if you like what’s inside."
Xiao Wu did as she was told, placing the box on the small table and opening it. She froze.
Gold ingots.
The box was filled to the brim with rows of gleaming gold ingots.
Ye Yunfeng gasped.
"So many?!"
Ye Jingyan murmured, "...The Dingbei Marquis Mansion is certainly wealthy."
Suddenly, Xiao Wu moved two of the gold ingots aside and pulled out a small white jade bottle.
Ye Chutang froze.
It was... a bottle of ointnt for scrapes.
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