Chapter 68: Shen Yanchuan, where are your manners? (Second Update)

Ye Shixian was both surprised and delighted: "My thanks to the Grand Princess."

Although she had suffered some grievances previously, she was a person of low status and little influence, so she originally had no choice but to endure it.

She hadn't expected the Grand Princess to take the initiative to send a gift as consolation.

With this, the other noble ladies could no longer use this matter to mock her.

Ye Chutang, however, was thinking of something else: the Grand Princess was indeed extremely kind to Princess Qinyang.

This gesture was not meant to make amends for Ye Shixian, but rather to smooth things over for Princess Qinyang.

The Grand Princess's husband had died early, leaving behind only one daughter.

Speaking of which, her daughter had later married the Marquis of Dingbei, but unfortunately, she had fallen ill at a young age and passed away.

In other words, this Grand Princess was actually Shen Yanchuan's biological maternal grandmother.

After losing her daughter, the Grand Princess had been despondent for a long time. The Prince of Yannan then sent Princess Qinyang over, and she was raised at the Grand Princess's side for three years.

The Grand Princess treated Princess Qinyang almost like her own granddaughter.

It was no wonder Princess Qinyang was so bold.

Suddenly, Ye Chutang felt a gaze fall upon her.

The Grand Princess smiled and said, "Are you Ye Chutang?"

As soon as the words fell, everyone froze for a moment.

Ye Shixian also couldn't help but turn around in astonishment.

When the Grand Princess had asked her earlier, she had only referred to her as Miss Ye, but when it came to Ye Chutang, she knew her name clearly.

This—

Ye Chutang bowed in greeting: "Your Highness, I am Ye Chutang."

In the blink of an eye, she had already guessed why the Grand Princess knew her.

Sure enough, a moment later, she heard the Grand Princess laugh and say, "Though young, you possess excellent medical skills; it is truly rare."

Ye Chutang lowered her eyelashes slightly and replied softly, "The Heir Apparent is blessed with great fortune; Chutang dares not claim credit."

The smile on the Grand Princess's face deepened.

Originally, she had a good impression of Ye Chutang because she had saved her grandson, but seeing her in person now, she felt even more that this young girl possessed a gentle and elegant countenance and a calm, composed temperament. Most importantly, she remained poised and spoke appropriately from beginning to end, which naturally made the Grand Princess like her even more.

She had originally intended to bestow more rewards, but then she remembered that Shen Yanchuan had made a special trip to the Ye residence a few days ago, so she abandoned the thought.

—If she gave everything, what would her grandson have left to give?

The Grand Princess smiled as she took her seat, and only then did the others sit down.

However, their attention was now entirely focused on Ye Chutang.

Since returning to the capital, the Heir Apparent of Dingbei had been keeping himself behind closed doors to recover from his illness, only making an exception to visit the Ye residence a few days ago. It was later heard that he had gone specifically to deliver a gift of thanks because Ye Chutang had saved him.

Many people had been skeptical of this claim, but seeing the Grand Princess's attitude now, what was left to doubt?

Ye Shixian silently clenched her hands within her sleeves. Looking at the rewarded bracelet again, she felt no joy, only a sense of stifling injustice.

She had decided to bring Ye Chutang here hoping to use this opportunity to make her look foolish, but she hadn't expected Princess Qinyang to intervene first, followed by the Grand Princess treating her with such special regard.

The one being humiliated was her, yet the one gaining the reputation was Ye Chutang!

Ye Shixian felt immense regret in her heart—how could she have forgotten that Ye Chutang had this connection to Shen Yanchuan!

During the meal, Ye Shixian ate absentmindedly, only taking a few bites before stopping.

Fortunately, because the Grand Princess had intervened, everyone's attitude toward her had improved significantly, and people gradually began to approach her for conversation.

But she soon discovered that most of these people were actually coming for Ye Chutang.

"I heard that the Second Miss Ye was away for three years and made a living by running a medical clinic; she is truly impressive."

"The Heir Apparent has been recuperating at his manor since returning to the capital. Second Miss Ye, was his injury quite serious?"

"Second Miss Ye, around when will the Heir Apparent be fully recovered?"

Unknowingly surrounded by the ladies, Ye Chutang: "...???"

No, don't be too ridiculous.

Although Shen Yanchuan did indeed possess a face that could topple nations, if they were so concerned, why not ask him directly instead of asking her, an outsider?

She wasn't even close to Shen Yanchuan.

But she couldn't say that out loud; after all, the Grand Princess had just praised her. To immediately "kill the donkey once the grindstone is no longer needed"—or rather, to "burn the bridge after crossing it"—would not be good.

Ye Chutang maintained a polite and courteous demeanor, claiming ignorance of everything: "Actually, I only prescribed a few medicinal formulas for the Heir Apparent; I didn't do much else. Furthermore, we only met once at the Ye residence after his return to the capital. I am not very clear on his condition."

The ladies were filled with regret.

They had hoped to squeeze some useful information out of Ye Chutang, but in the end, they learned nothing.

The Grand Princess naturally noticed the situation here and found it somewhat novel.

If it were anyone else, they would likely be eager to flaunt their relationship with Shen Yanchuan to everyone, yet this girl seemed to be avoiding it at all costs.

What kind of annoying thing had her grandson done to provoke such a reaction?

No wonder he had rushed to the Ye residence to deliver gifts...

The Grand Princess laughed loudly at her grandson in her heart before inviting everyone to the back garden to admire the lotuses.

As soon as she left, the crowd naturally hurried to follow.

Ye Chutang walked out a few steps, finally able to breathe some fresh air.

It was too crowded, truly.

Getting involved with that man really brought nothing but trouble.

Ye Shixian followed behind, her lips pressed tightly together.

Ye Chutang turned back and asked, "Shixian, you don't look well. Are you feeling unwell?"

It was more than just feeling unwell; her heart was even more uncomfortable!

Ye Shixian's heart was full of resentment.

All the spotlight had been snatched away by Ye Chutang alone!

She took a deep breath and forced her expression to adjust: "No, I just feel that the weather is a bit hot."

Ye Chutang tilted her chin: "I saw some ice blocks in the pavilion ahead; it will be much cooler there."

The Grand Princess held a noble status, and her food, clothing, and amenities were all of the highest quality. Even this octagonal pavilion for admiring lotuses and fish had been specially provided with two buckets of ice.

A breeze blew across the lake, bringing a hint of moisture, and as it brushed against the ice, it created a refreshing coolness that reached the heart.

Lotus leaves lined the lake, lush and green, with several lotus flowers standing tall and elegant. Some pinkish-white buds had yet to bloom, while others were in full blossom.

A dozen or so brightly colored, plump carp swam back and forth in the water.

Ye Chutang took a glance.

—These fish have a good diet; they are raised so plumply, they are almost the same as Xiao Wu.

Mm, I'll give Xiao Wu an extra meal when I get back.

In the few steps she took slowly, Ye Shixian caught up. Perhaps wanting to get to the pavilion to cool down, she walked somewhat quickly and directly bypassed Ye Chutang.

After walking a short distance, she touched her wrist: "Oh no, it seems my red jade bead string has fallen off!"

Shaoyao immediately said, "Where did you drop it? I will go look for it!"

Ye Shixian frowned slightly and looked back, appearing very anxious.

"That was a gift from Mother; if it's lost—"

Hearing the commotion, Ye Chutang withdrew her gaze and looked sideways.

Ye Shixian said urgently, "Cousin, have you seen my red jade bead string? I wonder if it fell somewhere nearby just now."

Ye Chutang took half a step back and lowered her eyes to look around.

Ye Shixian suddenly reached out to grab her: "Cousin, watch out!"

Her hand touched Ye Chutang, and in an instant, the grab turned into a push!