Ye Jingchuan immediately looked at Ye Chutang upon hearing her words.
Had she noticed something?
"Chu'er, your father already has tea in his cup. Drink yours."
Ye Chutang curled her lips into a smile and said, "Since Father isn’t willing to help the heir secure a proper conversation, then this daughter won’t keep you company."
As she stood to leave, Ye Jingchuan steeled himself and drained his cup.
His heart pounded like a drum, his hand trembling as he held the teacup.
But remembering that the Emperor held the antidote, he quickly steadied himself and regained his composure.
"Chu'er, your father has drunk it. Now sit down."
With that, he took a clean cup and poured her a fresh serving of hot tea.
Again?!
Ye Chutang nearly rolled her eyes.
After sitting back down, she asked, "What does the heir wish to discuss?"
Zhao Qingshu, gazing at the breathtakingly beautiful Ye Chutang, inquired, "I heard that Miss Ye was rescued by the 'Phantom Thief' and spent an hour or two alone with him?"
The moment she heard this, Ye Chutang knew Zhao Qingshu was trying to tarnish her reputation.
"The heir even knows the exact timing? What’s your relationship with the 'Phantom Thief'?"
Zhao Qingshu slammed his palm on the table.
"Miss Ye, don’t spout nonsense! This heir and the 'Phantom Thief' are sworn enemies—how could I possibly know him? I merely deduced the time based on when you were found."
"Heir, you really are too stupid."
Ye Chutang shook her head in disdain. "Anyone with sense knows the time of discovery isn’t the same as the time of return. And you didn’t know that?"
"Or are you deliberately stretching the time to imply something improper happened between me and the 'Phantom Thief,' ruining my reputation?"
With his scheme exposed, Zhao Qingshu dropped the act.
"Whether the 'Phantom Thief' did anything to you or not, the two of you were alone together. And given Miss Ye’s unparalleled beauty—what man wouldn’t be tempted? No one would believe you remained untouched after being taken by him."
"So the heir is implying that Prince Chen and Young Master Qin are also 'unclean'? After all, among men, they’re considered top-tier beauties."
"The 'Phantom Thief' is a man!"
"What of it? If Prince An can be a cut-sleeve, why can’t the 'Phantom Thief'?"
Zhao Qingshu: "..."
"My father is not a cut-sleeve!"
Ye Chutang threw his own words back at him.
"Whether he is or not doesn’t matter. Right now, rumors are flying, and everyone believes Prince An is one."
"You—you’re impossible!"
"Don’t be angry, Heir. I haven’t finished yet."
As she spoke, Ye Chutang pushed her teacup toward Zhao Qingshu.
"This fine green tea helps cool the temper."
Then she added,
"I only believe one thing—if rumors spread about Prince Chen and the 'Phantom Thief' being involved, they’ll definitely trace back to you."
She was borrowing Prince Chen’s authority to intimidate him!
Go ahead, bite her if you dare!
Furious, Zhao Qingshu swept the teacup to the floor, his chest heaving.
Ye Jingchuan hurriedly intervened.
"Chu'er, the heir came to apologize and resolve the matter. Don’t be unreasonable."
"Heir, Chu'er grew up in the countryside and speaks without restraint. Pay her no mind—let’s focus on the matter at hand."
Zhao Qingshu took several deep breaths to calm himself.
"Miss Ye, though my words may sound harsh, the truth is society is unforgiving toward women. The fact remains that you were taken by the 'Phantom Thief,' and damaging rumors will inevitably spread."
Ye Chutang arched a brow, her gaze mocking.
"Does the heir have a solution to stop the rumors?"
Zhao Qingshu shook his head. "No. Which means Miss Ye will face difficulties in finding a suitable marriage."
No respectable family would accept a bride with a tarnished reputation—they’d become the laughingstock of the capital.
Ye Chutang instantly grasped the implication.
"So the heir wants to marry me?"
"Since the incident occurred at Prince An’s residence, it’s our responsibility for the damage to your reputation. This heir is willing to wed Miss Ye as my official consort to silence the gossip."
Of course, Zhao Qingshu had no intention of marrying her.
This woman was the Emperor’s chosen bride for Prince Chen—he wouldn’t dare steal her.
His words were merely to placate her, preventing her from appealing to the Emperor, and to gain her trust so he could strike again.
Ye Jingchuan promptly played along.
"The heir’s sense of responsibility is Chu'er’s good fortune. This marriage—"
Ye Chutang, aware of their act, cut in, "I accept. But on two conditions."
Zhao Qingshu wasn’t surprised.
He assumed Ye Chutang, being older and raised in the countryside, had no chance of marrying above her station. Hearing his offer, she must be overjoyed.
His tension eased, replaced by arrogance.
"Name your terms, Miss Ye."
"First, announce it publicly at once. Second, the wedding must take place within three days."
Ye Chutang knew full well Zhao Qingshu couldn’t fulfill either demand.
"Miss Ye, marriage is a serious matter. Rushing is unwise."
"If you can’t do it, forget it. With my mother’s dowry, I don’t need to marry into the penniless Prince An’s household."
Ye Jingchuan grabbed her arm. "Chu'er—"
"Father, does your neck still hurt?"
The threat made him release her instantly.
After Ye Chutang left, Zhao Qingshu turned on Ye Jingchuan.
"Minister Ye has certainly raised an impressive daughter!"
"Heir, we’re tied together now. Arguing is pointless—we must focus on our next move."
As they schemed, Ye Chutang returned to Ningchu Courtyard.
Having talked too much, she gulped down three cups of water before her thirst eased.
Her scoundrel father’s silver was so easy to earn!
After drinking, she retreated to her chambers and wrote a note with her left hand.
The handwriting was crooked and messy, as ugly as the characters carved into Prince An’s skin.
Once the ink dried, she folded the paper neatly.
"Dan'er, I’m going out. Don’t wait for me for dinner—eat without me."
With that, Ye Chutang leaped onto the roof and vaulted over the Minister’s Mansion wall, heading straight for Prince Chen’s Mansion.
