[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-the-duke-s-pampered-darling-is-so-scheming":3,"chapter-the-duke-s-pampered-darling-is-so-scheming-the-duke-s-pampered-darling-is-so-scheming-chapter-14":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"english","The Duke's Pampered Darling is So Scheming",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},1563236,2027,"Chapter 14: Xiao Wu, Close Your Eyes","the-duke-s-pampered-darling-is-so-scheming-chapter-14",14,"\u003Cp>Sensing that something was off with Ye Chutang, Xiao Wu looked up in confusion and gently tugged her hand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ye Chutang quickly snapped out of it and discreetly scanned her surroundings.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Everything looked normal.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She picked up Xiao Wu and said, \"Do you really like that lantern, Xiao Wu? How about I buy it for you now, okay?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xiao Wu’s eyes widened in delighted surprise. She clapped her hands and planted a kiss on Ye Chutang’s cheek.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>’She thought her big sister was going to make them go back and get Third Brother and Fourth Brother to play before she would buy it for her!’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ye Chutang supported the little girl’s bottom, tightening her arms to hold her closer as she turned back toward the bustling street.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They soon arrived at a lantern stall.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ye Chutang gestured with her chin. \"Which one do you like? Go on, pick one.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Today was the Spring Lantern Festival, and the streets were filled with stalls selling all sorts of beautiful lanterns.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xiao Wu blinked, then pointed to the adjacent stall.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ye Chutang’s gaze followed her finger, and her brow twitched.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was a small, exquisite rabbit lantern. But more importantly, it was the exact same one from her dream!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>’In the dream, Xiao Wu had been holding this exact lantern while running ahead, and then...’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>’Ye Chutang had already scanned the area. Of all the stalls nearby, this was the only one with this design.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>’And of all the lanterns, Xiao Wu had to pick this one!’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>’This meant that the rest of her dream was about to come true!’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ye Chutang asked softly, \"Are you sure you want that one?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xiao Wu nodded joyfully, taking out her small purse and pulling out a piece of broken silver.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>’I’ll buy it with my own money! It’s a gift for Big Sister!’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ye Chutang didn’t stop her. She simply handed the piece of broken silver to the vendor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"We’ll take this one.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The vendor was overjoyed. \"The little lady has excellent taste! This is the most beautiful lantern here, I guarantee it! You won’t find another one like it at the entire Spring Lantern Festival!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ye Chutang took the lantern and gave it to Xiao Wu.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A radiant smile bloomed on the little one’s chubby face. She held up the lantern with her small arms for Ye Chutang to see.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>’Do you like it, Big Sister?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ye Chutang nuzzled her forehead.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I love it. I love anything you give me, Xiao Wu.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A few children ran past, laughing and playing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xiao Wu saw them and wiggled, wanting to run off too. Ye Chutang set her down and took her left hand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It’s crowded, Xiao Wu. Don’t run off, okay?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As Ye Chutang spoke, she led Xiao Wu slowly forward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xiao Wu held her lantern, her eyes wide as she took in the dazzling, bustling market.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After a while, she suddenly remembered something and looked back at Ye Chutang curiously.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>’Where are Third Brother and Fourth Brother? Weren’t we going to get them to come with us?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It’s still early,\" Ye Chutang said. \"We can take our time heading back. We won’t be late.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xiao Wu was finally reassured, her attention quickly captured again by the sights around her. The brilliant lights of the festival reflected in her large eyes, dark as grapes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Xiao Wu didn’t know that Ye Chutang had already changed her mind. ’Trouble is coming. The fewer people involved, the better.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>’If Yan and A Feng were here, I’d be distracted and might not be able to protect everyone. But with only Xiao Wu by my side, I’m confident I can handle whatever happens.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ye Chutang mulled over how to handle the coming situation as she walked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After her rebirth as Ye Chutang, she’d discovered that she occasionally had prophetic dreams.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At first, she hadn’t paid them any mind, but she later discovered that everything in her dreams came true.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>From then on, she knew she had another secret in addition to her rebirth: the ability to see the future.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She didn’t have these dreams often, but they always concerned matters of life and death.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So with every dream, Ye Chutang didn’t dare let her guard down, always preparing for them with caution.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She hadn’t had a dream like this since moving to Jiangling three years ago. A few days ago, she’d only seen a fragment of one, and now it was already coming true!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The dream had only contained a few blurry images. Ye Chutang replayed them in her mind, trying to bring them into sharper focus.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The crowds began to thin. Suddenly, Xiao Wu spotted something lying on the bluestone path ahead, apparently dropped by someone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She let go of Ye Chutang’s hand and scurried over on her short little legs.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ye Chutang raised a hand to lightly touch the wooden hairpin in her hair, her voice soft as she called out, \"Slow down.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xiao Wu glanced back with a smile, but in the next instant, her eyes widened in shock!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Almost at the same time, that bone-chilling presence surged up behind her again!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ye Chutang froze, stopping in the middle of the path. She casually shifted, positioning herself to completely shield Xiao Wu.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then, she slowly turned to look behind her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Been waiting long? Why don’t you come out and say hello?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The words had barely left her lips when several figures emerged silently from both sides of the narrow street, completely blocking the way.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ye Chutang quickly sized them up.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There were three of them, all masked. They were burly and powerfully built, with menacing auras.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You’re a sharp one!\" the man in the middle threatened. \"So, what’ll it be? Are you coming with us willingly, or do we have to get rough?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>’The voice was unfamiliar. I’ve never seen them before, but they’re clearly here for me.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ye Chutang gave a faint smile. \"I don’t particularly like either of those choices. Is there a third option?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The man in the middle scoffed as if he’d heard a joke. \"You don’t know what’s good for you! Since you’re refusing to do this the easy way, don’t blame us for getting rough!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With a raise of his hand, the three men charged at her simultaneously!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They were in a narrow, winding alley, flanked by high walls. With the three men blocking the only exit, there was no escape!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ye Chutang said calmly, \"Xiao Wu, close your eyes.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xiao Wu immediately dropped her lantern, obediently covered her eyes, and turned around.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shen Yanchuan had made a rare trip out today.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lian Zhou followed behind him, still worried. \"Master, you haven’t fully recovered yet. The night air is chilly. Shouldn’t we head back soon?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Your master isn’t made of paper,\" Shen Yanchuan said nonchalantly. \"It’s good to get some fresh air. I heard today was the Spring Lantern Festival in Jiangling. It is indeed lively.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing this, Lian Zhou thought of his master’s previously desolate life, and a pang of sorrow silenced him. He swallowed his protests and continued to follow obediently.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The street was bustling with people, yet Shen Yanchuan drew every eye as he walked among them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It seemed some people were simply born to be admired. He drew all eyes effortlessly, without doing a thing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Many young women blushed as they gazed in his direction.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>’Since when did Jiangling have such a devastatingly handsome young master?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shen Yanchuan seemed completely unaware of this.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He stopped before a stall, raising a long, jade-like finger.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I’ll take that lantern.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Staring at the intricate, hollowed-out lantern, Lian Zhou was stunned. \"Master, since when... since when did you take a liking to this sort of—\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shen Yanchuan raised an eyebrow. \"Aren’t these what children like best?\"\u003C\u002Fp>",1296,"2026-06-06T07:54:32.685Z",1,"novelbin.me","6978f50a7a7d87318491e2c703301c6672413053ebe53d1c5f5c0be780c79f47","the-duke-s-pampered-darling-is-so-scheming-chapter-15","the-duke-s-pampered-darling-is-so-scheming-chapter-13",302,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fthe-duke-s-pampered-darling-is-so-scheming-cover.jpg"]