The Duke's Pampered Darling is So Scheming-Chapter 26: Orphan

Liu Yiyi was startled. She knew how serious his words were and quickly said, "I had no such intention!"

Yang Zhen took a deep breath, but his voice still carried unrestrained anger. "I’ve been the County Magistrate of Jiangling for too many years. Now, I finally have a chance for promotion. As long as I perform well enough, the next step is within reach! I was originally planning to settle this matter as quickly as possible, but you! It’s as if you were afraid of not making a big enough scene!"

Hearing him say this, Liu Yiyi’s heart began to pound with panic.

"Th-this... I really didn’t know! I only wanted to teach her a little lesson. Who knew she... she would be so resourceful!"

Yang Zhen’s brows knitted even tighter.

Liu Yiyi’s words made it clear that she already knew what had happened. She hadn’t left the mansion today, yet she was well aware of the situation outside.

Admittedly, this was also because he had been too indulgent with her in the past. If he hadn’t doted on her so much, the servants wouldn’t have obeyed her every command and sought to curry her favor. This had emboldened her to do whatever she pleased, growing more audacious over time.

’If I’d known it would come to this,’ Yang Zhen thought with a pang of regret, ’I never should have agreed to let her meddle in the feud between the Cao Family and the Ye Family!’

"Did you really think a woman who can run a clinic all by herself in Jiangling is some simpleton?" Yang Zhen recalled seeing the woman during the day and couldn’t help but snort. "Cao Deping wants to take her down? He really overestimates himself!"

Liu Yiyi did not like the sound of that.

Cao Deping was her cousin. He had always taken great care of her, and they were as close as real siblings.

Ever since she had come to the County Magistrate Mansion, her cousin had deliberately reduced contact with her to prevent gossip that she was using the magistrate’s power to enrich her own family.

This was the first time he had ever asked for her help, so she had agreed without a second thought.

But in the end, not only had her target not been taken down, but she was the one getting a lecture.

And now, hearing the undisguised contempt in Yang Zhen’s voice for her cousin, the discomfort in her heart grew stronger.

Yang Zhen had always looked down on merchants like Cao Deping, who reeked of money. He was afraid that associating too closely with them would tarnish his reputation. Now, she had only asked for one small favor, and he was acting this disgusted.

’To put it bluntly,’ she thought, ’he’s never held my family in any regard.’

Moreover, from the way he spoke, it sounded as if he thought Ye Chutang was quite formidable.

The hand hidden in Liu Yiyi’s sleeve clenched unconsciously.

That Ye Chutang... she had caught a glimpse of her from a distance today. Even from afar, it was enough for her to see that refined, beautiful face.

Although Yang Zhen had always doted on her, she was long past her sweet sixteen. With only a daughter to her name, she had waited for so many years, but Yang Zhen had never made her his official wife.

She couldn’t help but worry.

Yang Zhen rarely praised anyone. For him to hold Ye Chutang in such high regard now—how could Liu Yiyi not be upset?

"So, are you saying we should just let this matter go?" Liu Yiyi asked, unable to accept it. "Don’t you forget, she was the one who instigated Mrs. Zhou to publicly frame Cheng Wen! If she hadn’t deliberately caused trouble, none of this other mess would have happened!"

Yang Zhen scoffed. "Mrs. Zhou’s words weren’t entirely baseless. Although there’s no concrete evidence, many of her claims actually match up with Cao Chengwen’s situation—"

"But there’s no proof! It’s all just her side of the story. How can you believe it?"

Liu Yiyi turned away, pulling out a handkerchief to dab at the corner of her eye. Her voice was thick with unshed tears. "It seems you’d rather believe an outsider than believe me!"

Though no longer a young girl, she had been pampered for years and possessed a mature charm. Coupled with her little schemes and manipulations, she had enjoyed Yang Zhen’s favor all this time.

Whenever she wanted something, all she had to do was act submissively and a little coquettish, and Yang Zhen would give her whatever she desired.

But this time, contrary to her expectations, Yang Zhen’s attitude was unyielding.

He said coldly, "In any case, this matter ends here! I will deal with those two. You will stay obediently in the mansion. Furthermore, you are forbidden from having any further contact with Cao Deping!"

Liu Yiyi’s beautiful eyes widened. "What?"

As if not seeing her tear-filled eyes, Yang Zhen said, "You’d better reflect on your actions!"

With that, he turned and swept his sleeve, storming away.

Only after his figure had completely vanished did Liu Yiyi snap back to reality. ’This is the first time he’s ever seen me cry and remained unmoved.’

The flash of disgust in his eyes just before he left was like a dagger twisting in her heart.

Liu Yiyi’s legs gave out, and she collapsed weakly onto a chair, her mind in a daze.

’How could this be happening?’

’He’s always doted on me the most. Even though I made a small mistake this time, I already backed down! Why is he still reacting so strongly?!’

...

Ye’s Clinic reopened, but far fewer people came seeking treatment.

The place was deserted.

Aunt Yang came over for a visit. Seeing the empty clinic, she felt a pang of unease.

"Doctor Ye, don’t you worry. It must be because of all the trouble at the clinic recently. Everyone’s just a bit hesitant and afraid to come over. It’ll be fine after a while. Your skills are so good, everyone will definitely come back to see you!"

Ye Chutang’s lips curved into a slight smile. "I’ll take that as a good omen, then."

In truth, those were just words of comfort. Although the clinic’s name had been cleared, the apothecaries still refused to sell her medicinal herbs. And after everything that had happened, who couldn’t see that Ye’s Clinic was being targeted?

Not just anyone could afford to offend the Cao Family.

If they couldn’t successfully frame the Ye Family, then cutting off their source of income and making it impossible for them to continue living in Jiangling would be just as effective at forcing them out.

Aunt Yang glanced around before whispering, "But, Doctor Ye, they say you can’t fight city hall. Why don’t... why don’t you just bow your head to the Cao Family?" 𝒇𝙧𝙚𝓮𝔀𝓮𝒃𝙣𝓸𝒗𝒆𝒍.𝙘𝒐𝒎

She sighed. "Xiao Yun went to the government office, but what good did that do? Who’s going to believe one person’s testimony? I heard Liu Si has already confessed. He’s to be publicly beheaded in three days."

Ye Chutang stopped writing.

So Liu Si couldn’t escape this fate after all. He was, after all, the one who had secretly put the river shrimp in Cao Chengwu’s midnight snack.

As for the true mastermind, they remained at large, beyond the reach of the law.

Mrs. Zhou had risked everything to go to the government office and accuse Cao Chengwen, but it had changed nothing.

"She came and took the child this morning. You should have seen her. She’s lost so much weight and was in a complete daze. I asked her for a long time, but all she did was cry and tell me that Liu Si has been sentenced. The child has no father now, so he can’t be without a mother too—"

Aunt Yang sighed heavily. "Ai, that poor child has such a bitter fate! He’s still so young. What will happen if he really becomes an orphan?"

Hearing this, Ye Chutang suddenly sensed something. She looked up and saw Xiao Wu standing in the doorway.

Aunt Yang immediately fell silent, her expression awkward.

—How could she have forgotten? The Ye siblings right in front of her had lost their parents at a young age!

’Weren’t her words just rubbing salt in their wounds?’