The Duke's Pampered Darling is So Scheming

’Did she misunderstand something?’

Ye Chutang chose her words carefully. "Commandery Princess, actually..."

"No! Your injury is too severe. You need to go back at once!" Princess Qingyang cut Ye Chutang off, making a swift decision.

Though proud and willful, she was, after all, the daughter of King Yan Nan. She had faced life and death on the battlefield before.

One look at Ye Chutang’s condition told her the injury was serious and needed immediate treatment.

Princess Qingyang stepped forward to help Ye Chutang up, but Ye Chutang’s left arm was already numb, completely unable to exert any force.

Bracing her right hand against the rock face, Ye Chutang slowly pushed herself to her feet. A fresh wave of pain shot through her left shoulder, and fine beads of sweat quickly broke out on her forehead.

Suddenly, she slipped on a patch of moss. Her strength gave out, and she collapsed.

Princess Qingyang’s heart leaped into her throat. "Chutang—"

A tall, slender figure swept past her. Before Princess Qingyang could even react, Shen Yanchuan was there, sweeping a long arm around Ye Chutang and pulling her into his embrace.

Shen Yanchuan glanced down, his eyes sweeping over Ye Chutang’s limp left arm, and then he scooped her up into his arms.

Finding herself in a warm, sturdy embrace, Ye Chutang froze for a moment before reflexively starting to protest.

"Princely Heir, I can walk on my own..."

"You can pass out now," Shen Yanchuan said in a low voice.

Ye Chutang was speechless.

Shen Yanchuan held her tighter and headed out.

From there, they could clearly hear sounds from outside. It sounded like a lot of people had come along.

Ye Chutang promptly closed her eyes, tilted her head, and buried her face in Shen Yanchuan’s chest.

Shen Yanchuan’s steps faltered for a second, and he glanced back at Princess Qingyang.

Princess Qingyang took the hint, immediately stepping back and turning to yell to those outside.

"Someone! Go fetch an Imperial Physician at once! Miss Ye has passed out!"

...

"What did you say?! They’ve been found?!"

Xiao Chengxuan was stunned.

The guard lowered his head, his voice respectful. "Reporting to Your Highness, the Princely Heir and Miss Ye have both been found. Apparently, they landed in front of a cave, so they didn’t fall to the bottom of the cliff. Princess Qingyang led her people down and found them. They’re on their way up now. However..."

Xiao Chengxuan’s fists clenched, and he gritted his teeth. "However what?"

"However, Miss Ye is seriously injured and her life may be in danger. Princess Qingyang has already sent for an Imperial Physician."

’Ye Chutang? Her life or death is unimportant. What really matters is—’

"What about the Princely Heir? After a fall from that height, is he unharmed?"

"The Princely Heir suffered some superficial wounds, but fortunately, the dense woods on the slope broke his fall. His life is not in danger."

Xiao Chengxuan gazed down below, a cold glint in his eyes.

’He didn’t die even after all that... He really is lucky.’

"Dispatch more men at once to escort the Princely Heir and Second Miss Ye back to Guling Temple!"

The guard answered respectfully, "Yes!"

...

「Long Princess Mansion.」

Xiao Wu scattered a handful of fish food, and a school of plump, colorful carp immediately swarmed from all directions, vying for the pellets and splashing water everywhere.

She dusted off her hands, then rested her chin in them with a sigh.

The Eldest Princess watched her with a smile. "What’s the matter, Xiao Wu? Are you hungry?"

Xiao Wu shook her head and glanced back toward the main gate.

’She missed her big sister.’

The Eldest Princess patted the little girl’s head comfortingly. "Didn’t Chutang say she would be back late? Besides, it rained today, so the mountain roads are difficult to travel. That will slow her down. Don’t you worry, she’s probably on her way back already."

Going up the mountain to offer incense and coming back was a long trip.

But Xiao Wu remained glum.

For some reason, she couldn’t shake a feeling of unease.

Seeing the little girl’s brow furrowed with worry, the Eldest Princess’s heart softened.

Xiao Wu had been with Ye Chutang since she was a small child and was deeply attached to her. But at the same time, she was remarkably sensible. Whenever Ye Chutang had to go out on business and couldn’t look after her, she would behave perfectly, never crying or making a fuss.

A child so sensible was naturally all the more endearing.

The Eldest Princess softened her voice. "Don’t worry, once—"

Before she could finish, a maidservant hurried over and whispered something in Zhuxin’s ear.

Zhuxin’s expression flickered.

The Eldest Princess noticed and turned to ask, "What is it?"

Zhuxin stepped forward, glanced at Xiao Wu, then leaned close to the Eldest Princess’s ear and whispered, "Miss Ye fell from the mountain trying to save the Young Master!"

The Eldest Princess’s expression changed instantly.

She immediately looked at Xiao Wu and saw the Little Milk Group staring blankly at the lake, apparently not having heard. Only then did she breathe a small sigh of relief.

Zhuxin continued, "Please try not to worry. The Princely Heir and the Commandery Princess are both there, and two Imperial Physicians have already been dispatched to Wulan Mountain. It’s just... Miss Ye probably won’t be able to make it back down the mountain today."

The Eldest Princess’s mind raced, and she gave an imperceptible nod.

’Since Yanchuan is there, it should be all right.’

’But Xiao Wu can’t find out about this yet.’

She paused for a moment, then instructed, "Go and fetch Chu Qiyuan."

Zhuxin complied. "Yes."

...

Most of the temple’s worshippers had been sent away in the afternoon, and with security on high alert, Shen Yanchuan encountered almost no one as he carried Ye Chutang back.

Two Imperial Physicians were already waiting.

This was, in fact, thanks to Princess Qingyang.

Upon learning that Shen Yanchuan and Ye Chutang had fallen from the cliff together, she had acted decisively, sending for the Imperial Physicians to ensure they could receive immediate medical attention once found.

Seeing Shen Yanchuan enter carrying a woman, the two Imperial Physicians immediately hurried forward.

"Princely Heir—"

Princess Qingyang said bluntly, "My brother is fine. Save Chutang first!"

The two Imperial Physicians were caught mid-bow, left in an awkward position.

Princess Qingyang beckoned to them. "What are you standing there for? Hurry up!"

’It doesn’t matter if her brother has a few scratches, but what if something happens to Ye Chutang?!’

Shen Yanchuan carefully placed her on the bed, his gaze lingering on her face for a moment.

Although he knew she wasn’t really unconscious, the sight of her tightly closed eyes and pale face still made his heart clench.

Dehydrated after a long afternoon without water and weakened from blood loss, Ye Chutang’s lips were completely colorless. They had even cracked slightly, a tiny line of crimson welling up.

Shen Yanchuan raised a hand, wanting to wipe the blood away for her, but ultimately, he resisted the impulse.

His throat bobbed, and he finally took a step back.

"She was hit in the left shoulder with a dart. She passed out not long after she fell from the mountain. I must ask you both to do everything in your power to save her."

The man’s voice was calm and cold, yet it carried an undeniable authority.

The two Imperial Physicians hastily agreed. "Yes! Yes!"

One of them immediately stepped forward to take Ye Chutang’s pulse while the other turned to Princess Qingyang. "Commandery Princess, please prepare hot water and clean cloths. We may need your assistance shortly."

Princess Qingyang nodded at once.

"Of course!"

She glanced to the side and saw Shen Yanchuan still standing there. She walked over, jerked her chin toward the door, and whispered:

"Brother, Prince Qi is still waiting for you outside."

An icy chill slowly gathered in Shen Yanchuan’s eyes, as if they were forged from frost and snow.

"Mm."