The man bowed his head even lower. "I do not know. The Heir of Duke Dingbei didn’t open it in public."

In other words, no one but Shen Yanchuan knew what was hidden inside!

Xiao Chengxuan’s fists clenched.

’I should have expected this. Shen Yanchuan has always been cautious. After such a huge incident, how could he possibly let anyone get a peek?!’

He just hadn’t expected the Han Family to have actually dug something up... and it was Han Yao who had revealed it!

’Anyone could tell this must have been Han Tong’s trump card!’

"Where is Shen Yanchuan now?" Xiao Chengxuan asked in a cold voice.

The subordinate hesitated a moment before saying, "Second Miss Ye is still in shock, and her injuries are quite severe, so the Princely Heir personally escorted her back. By now... they should have arrived at the Ye Mansion."

Xiao Chengxuan scoffed. "Ye Chutang again. He really is especially concerned about her!"

Consort Ru had been skeptical, but hearing this, she felt there might be some truth to Xiao Chengxuan’s speculation.

She glanced around before lowering her voice to ask, "Cheng Xuan, could it be true, as you say? Does Shen Yanchuan really have feelings for Ye Chutang?"

Xiao Chengxuan sneered.

That time at Wulan Mountain, he had felt something was off, but with so many people and so much going on, he hadn’t thought much of it.

Now, however, it seemed clear that Shen Yanchuan had personal designs on Ye Chutang!

His expression shifted, and he suddenly asked, "Mother, I recall that you have an extremely precious century-old Ganoderma in your palace?"

Consort Ru instantly guessed his intention. "What, you want to... give it to that Ye Chutang?"

Xiao Chengxuan narrowed his eyes. "She’s just a delicate woman. After today’s accident, she must be terrified. What’s more, this incident has dredged up the matter of her father’s wrongful death. What if the shock causes her to fall ill and she can’t recover?"

Consort Ru’s interest was piqued. She nodded in approval. "You have always been so thorough. First Wulan Mountain, and now Han Yao... it’s one blow after another. The terror must be draining; an ordinary woman would indeed find it hard to bear. She is now an honored guest of both the Long Princess Mansion and the Dingbei Marquis Mansion, so it’s only right that we show her more concern."

...

The carriage traveled smoothly, finally coming to a slow stop in front of the Ye Mansion.

Ye Chutang was about to bid farewell and get off the carriage when she suddenly heard a burst of hurried hoofbeats from behind.

It was followed by a familiar, urgent voice.

"Chutang!"

Ye Chutang froze.

When Shen Yanchuan heard the voice, his gaze instantly cooled. 𝒇𝒓𝙚𝒆𝔀𝓮𝓫𝒏𝓸𝙫𝓮𝓵.𝓬𝙤𝙢

Ye Chutang got out of the carriage and looked back. What met her eyes was a handsome, refined face that could not hide its worry.

She gave a slight nod.

"Mr. Xu."

Xu Rongqing had been on duty at the Hanlin Academy today. When he heard that Ye Chutang had been taken hostage, he dropped everything and rushed to the Han Family’s estate at top speed.

But when he arrived, she was nowhere to be found. After some inquiries, he learned that Ye Chutang had been rescued and was being personally escorted back by the Heir of Duke Dingbei.

He had rushed as fast as he could to finally catch up.

The sight of Ye Chutang finally put his anxious heart at ease. But a second later, he noticed her paper-white complexion and the startling crimson stain on her neck.

His heart clenched. He swung himself off his horse and strode forward, his handsome, scholarly face unable to conceal his fury. "Was it Han Yao who hurt you?!"

Ye Chutang gently touched the wound on her neck and offered a small smile. "It’s just a minor injury. It’ll be fine after a few days of rest. You don’t need to worry, Mr. Xu."

Of course, Xu Rongqing didn’t believe her. He assumed she was just saying that to put him at ease.

"How dare that Han Yao! He’s utterly depraved!" Xu Rongqing had a gentle temperament and was rarely this furious.

’Her health has been poor since she was a child, and she has a quiet, reserved nature. After going through something like this, how terrified must she be?’

Before Ye Chutang had time to respond, a somewhat indifferent male voice came from her side.

"Perhaps we should summon an Imperial Physician?"

Ye Chutang: ?

She turned back, her eyes filled with confusion.

’My injury isn’t even serious. And even if it were, I could easily treat it myself. Why would I need to bother an Imperial Physician?’

Shen Yanchuan met her gaze with his calm, dark eyes, as if he hadn’t understood her at all.

"It would put my mind at ease," he said, his tone perfectly natural.

Ye Chutang: ???

Only then did Xu Rongqing remember Shen Yanchuan was standing beside them. He paused for a moment, then cupped his fist in a salute toward Shen Yanchuan and said gratefully, "I must thank you for your help today, Princely Heir. I don’t know what would have happened otherwise—I, Xu Rongqing, thank you, Princely Heir!"

He had also heard about how Shen Yanchuan had intercepted the prisoner transport carriage mid-journey and forcibly taken Han Tong away to save Ye Chutang.

"You are too kind, Mr. Xu, but such thanks are unnecessary."

The corners of Shen Yanchuan’s lips curled slightly, as if in a smile, yet his eyes held a cool, distant look.

"I was protecting Second Miss Ye. There is no need for Mr. Xu to thank me on her behalf."

Xu Rongqing felt his breath catch in his chest, and a flush immediately crept up his face.

’Come to think of it, I really have no right or standing to thank anyone on Ye Chutang’s behalf... That was rather presumptuous of me.’

He wanted to offer an explanation, but Shen Yanchuan had already looked away, turning his attention back to Ye Chutang. "I’ve already sent a man to the Eldest Princess. I told them not to come and disturb you for the time being. Just rest well at home today. You can leave the rest to me."

Ye Chutang knew he was talking about the farce with the Han father and son, as well as the matter of her father that had been dragged into it.

She had been thinking that today’s events were like a stone cast into a lake, bound to cause massive ripples. She had wanted to return early to calm Xiao Wu and the others and prepare for the ensuing flood of affairs. She never expected Shen Yanchuan to have already arranged everything a step ahead of her.

This was for the best.

Ye Chutang was not one to look a gift horse in the mouth. Since he had offered to help, she had no reason to refuse.

"Thank you, Princely Heir."

She lowered her gaze and thanked him sincerely.

’The Long Princess Mansion isn’t the most important player here. Ultimately, the one in the palace will have the final say on today’s events.’

’With Shen Yanchuan mediating, I’ll indeed be spared a great deal of trouble.’

Shen Yanchuan watched her and knew she had accepted his gesture. A sense of relief washed over him.

Countless officials at court pleaded for his help, and he wouldn’t so much as give them a glance. Yet for this woman before him, he exhausted every scheme and pulled every string, only to have to wait and see if she’d even deign to accept his help.

’So, Shen Yanchuan, it’s come to this.’

He mocked himself inwardly, but his lips curved into another smile.

"No need to thank me. Just put it on your tab. You can always pay me back later."

Ye Chutang: "..."

’I’ve helped him so many times before. Now that it’s finally his turn to help me for once, why is he still keeping such a precise account of favors?’

As if not noticing her questioning gaze, Shen Yanchuan turned to Ye Yunfeng. "Take good care of your sister."

Ye Yunfeng nodded eagerly. "I will!"

Watching him, Ye Chutang really wanted to ask, ’Whose brother are you, anyway?’ but she managed to bite her tongue.

’After today, Ye Yunfeng clearly sees Shen Yanchuan as one of his own, full of admiration and warmth toward him.’

’With his one-track mind, there’s no changing his opinion anytime soon. I’ll just let it be.’

She gently pressed her handkerchief to the wound on her neck, mentally rehearsing how she would explain this to Yan and Xiao Wu. She’d been perfectly fine when she left, but now she was coming back injured. It would be difficult to explain away...

Xu Rongqing subconsciously took a step forward, wanting to ask another concerned question, but then he heard another voice.

"Second Miss Ye has suffered a terrible fright today. She should go back inside and rest. *We* shouldn’t disturb her."

Xu Rongqing stopped in his tracks.

Shen Yanchuan glanced at him coolly, one eyebrow slightly raised. "Does Mr. Xu have something more pressing to discuss?"

Xu Rongqing was torn. ’Of course, nothing is more important than Chutang’s well-being.’

Gazing at her pale, frail face, he hesitated for a moment before finally saying, "Chutang’s recovery is what’s most important. In that case, I... we won’t disturb you any longer."