The Duke's Pampered Darling is So Scheming

Su Wei raised an eyebrow. "You know who I am?"

A faint smile touched Ye Chutang’s lips. "I saw you once from a distance, at the polo match."

At the time, Su Wei had been ordered to investigate the accident at the polo match, and he had left a deep impression on Ye Chutang.

"I see." Su Wei nodded in understanding, a hint of admiration in his eyes. "I’ve long heard that the Second Miss Ye is exceptionally intelligent. You truly live up to your reputation."

Ye Chutang was a little surprised.

According to the rumors, Su Wei was a stubborn, upright, and unsmiling man. Even his own subordinates held him in high esteem and didn’t dare act casually in his presence.

But meeting him today, his attitude was surprisingly gentle.

Ye Chutang curtsied. "You flatter me, Lord Su."

Su Wei clasped his hands behind his back. "It’s no flattery. You have a good memory, just like your father."

’Her father?’

Ye Chutang froze for a moment.

She had some impression, however vague, of many of Ye Zheng’s friends from when he was alive, but as for Su Wei... it seemed there had been no interaction between them.

’Why would he suddenly bring him up?’

"However, you’re quicker on your feet and more clever than your father." Su Wei gestured toward her. "Not bad."

’He’s genuinely praising me.’

A thousand thoughts flashed through Ye Chutang’s mind. She had a vague idea now why Ye Heng was ostracized at the Ministry of Justice and had ended up in such a state.

When Su Wei mentioned her father, his expression was upright and his tone was very respectful.

Even if the two hadn’t been the closest of friends, Su Wei’s attitude... was telling enough.

"Right, didn’t they say you took a sword for the Heir of Duke Dingbei to save him, and then fell off a cliff?" Su Wei sized up Ye Chutang for a long moment. "Why are you out and about already? Have you fully recovered?"

...

She corrected him, "Actually, it wasn’t a sword... Thank you for your concern, Lord Su. My body has mostly recovered."

Even Su Wei had heard about it. One could only imagine that the entire Capital City knew by now.

Word spreads fast. I can’t imagine what the story has become by now.

Ye Chutang felt a headache coming on and decided not to dwell on it.

Only then did Su Wei nod, relieved.

His gaze grew distant as if lost in memory. "Though Ye Zheng and I didn’t interact much, I deeply admired his character and principles. Back then, I wanted to go with him to plead with His Majesty, but he talked me out of it."

Ye Chutang truly hadn’t expected that there was such a story in their past.

When Huo Yucheng’s incident occurred, of all the civil and military officials in the court, only Ye Zheng had risked death to speak up, kneeling for a long time outside the palace gates to plead on his behalf.

To think that Su Wei had also—

At the time, Su Wei had too much to lose. Ye Zheng knew the endeavor was risky and repeatedly urged him against it, so Su Wei eventually relented.

After Ye Zheng was demoted, he had intended to find a suitable time to plead his case before His Majesty, but before he had the chance, tragedy struck Ye Zheng.

Su Wei was filled with regret, a feeling that lasted until Ye Chutang’s return.

Ye Chutang understood now. Her expression grew solemn, and she said seriously, "Your intentions mean a great deal. Thank you, Lord Su."

Su Wei waved his hand dismissively.

What he had done was a small matter, and he had no intention of making Ye Chutang and her siblings feel indebted to him for it.

"If you ever need help in the future, don’t hesitate to ask."

Ye Chutang knew exactly how much weight those words carried, and she knew even more clearly that this meant she had gained a powerful ally.

She lowered her head slightly, about to express her thanks, when a panicked and helpless voice cried out urgently.

"Doctor Ye! Doctor Ye!"

Ye Chutang turned her head to see a young maid, about thirteen or fourteen, running toward them at top speed.

The young maid was gasping for air. Seeing Ye Chutang was like seeing a savior, and she pleaded tearfully, "Doctor Ye! I beg you, please come save my young miss!"

Ye Chutang’s brow furrowed slightly. "What happened?"

The young maid cried, "It’s—it’s Lord Ye Heng! After he heard that Lord Han was sentenced to execution, he brought his men straight to the Han Family residence and ran right into Mr. Han! They had a terrible argument! Then, somehow, Mr. Han fainted, and our young miss, trying to save him, ran onto Lord Ye Heng’s sword! Right now—right now—"

Ye Yunfeng was the first to react. "What did you say? Han Tong is in trouble, so what is he doing going after Han Yao!?"

How would the young maid know? She just kept crying and shaking her head.

Ye Jingyan thought for a moment, then turned to Ye Chutang. "Sister, Second Uncle probably doesn’t want to see us right now. This is..."

Ye Chutang cut him off. "Saving a life is more important."

She immediately looked at the young maid. "Stop crying and take me there."

The young maid hastily wiped away her tears and quickly turned to lead the way toward the Han Family’s residence.

Ye Chutang took two steps forward, then suddenly frowned and pressed a hand to her left shoulder.

Ye Jingyan’s brow tightened. "Sister, your wound..."

"Take my carriage," Su Wei said.

...

The carriage galloped all the way and finally stopped outside the main gates of the Han Family residence.

Seeing the men guarding the entrance, Ye Yunfeng sneered. "How interesting. The Ye Family’s servants are guarding the Han Family’s gate. Anyone who didn’t know better would think this was Ye Heng’s territory!"

When those men saw a carriage pull up, they immediately shouted, "Who goes there!?"

Ye Yunfeng jumped down from the carriage. "What, it’s only been a few days. You don’t recognize me anymore?"

Only then did they see clearly that it was Ye Yunfeng, and they couldn’t help but look at each other in dismay.

One of them boldly said, "This isn’t Liuwan Lane. You can’t just do whatever you want here! I advise you to leave now, or else—"

Before he could finish, a deep and solemn male voice interjected.

"I was unaware that the Han Family residence had become a place where Ye Heng calls the shots."

A sharp-eyed guard recognized Su Wei at a glance, and his face instantly turned pale.

"L-Lord Su!? What are you doing here!?"

Su Wei said coldly, "If I hadn’t come, who knows how many people would have ended up dead here?"

His words left them no room to save face. The guards all looked awkward, unsure how to respond.

However, Su Wei paid them no mind and simply turned his head slightly.

"Second Miss Ye, if you please."

The next moment, the carriage curtain was lifted, revealing a gentle and beautiful face.

It was Ye Chutang!

The young maid was already rushing inside.

"Our young miss is inside! Doctor Ye, please hurry and take a look!"