After being harshly disciplined by Ye Chutang several times, Shuang'er still harbored ulterior motives but had become obedient.
While mingling with Ye Anzhi, she would gather all sorts of information and keep a close eye on the happenings in the Glazed Courtyard.
"The mistress suffers unbearable pain every night and now looks ghastly."
Ye Chutang sneered at Shuang'er. "Useless information won't earn you the antidote."
Shuang'er added, "After Prince An's Son visited yesterday, the mistress also met with the Kong family. As for what they discussed, this servant couldn't find out."
Ye Chutang handed Shuang'er a pill to suppress the effects of the Gut-Wrenching Poison.
"Don’t try to be clever in the future. I have little patience for you."
"This servant was wrong. It won’t happen again."
With that, Shuang'er happily took the antidote and left.
Ye Chutang had risen early that day and spent the morning occupied, leaving her exhausted. She returned to her room to rest.
She slept until dusk.
Waking up, she felt slightly dazed.
"Two hours! I really can sleep."
Muttering to herself, she brushed it off and went out to the courtyard.
Dan'er was preparing dinner.
Seeing Ye Chutang emerge, she quickly picked up a wooden box from the stone table.
"Miss, this was sent by Prince An's residence."
Ye Chutang lifted the lid and glanced inside.
A deed for a shop, a deed for farmland, and a hundred taels of gold.
"Prince An works fast. Take it to my room."
"Yes, Miss."
After placing the box away, Dan'er joined Le'er to prepare dinner.
Ye Chutang practiced martial arts while Jinzhi and Jun'er practiced horse stances nearby.
After the meal, Dan'er cleared the dishes while Le'er brewed medicine and sewed clothes for Jun'er.
Ye Chutang went to the backyard to rinse her mouth.
Upon returning, she noticed Le'er embroidering the characters "Peace and Joy" in golden thread on the front of the garment.
She asked, "Is Jun'er's birthday coming up?"
Le'er was surprised by Ye Chutang's sharp observation and nodded.
"Miss, the young master's birthday is the day after tomorrow."
"I see."
With that, Ye Chutang took Jun'er for a stroll in the back garden to aid digestion.
She asked, "Jun'er, your birthday is soon. Is there anything you want or wish to eat?"
Jun'er held Ye Chutang's hand, looked up, and asked cautiously, "Elder Sister, may I leave the mansion?"
Since birth, due to his frail health, he had never stepped outside.
Occasionally hearing servants talk about the bustling streets and scenic beauty beyond the walls filled him with longing.
Ye Chutang gently touched Jun'er's thin face and smiled. "Of course you may."
Jun'er beamed, his joy unmistakable.
"Thank you, Elder Sister. When is your birthday?"
"The eleventh month. Still a while away."
Jun'er thought the timing was perfect—it gave him enough time to prepare a gift.
After their walk, the two headed back to Ningchu Courtyard.
Concubine Liu approached them.
"Greetings, Miss and Young Master."
Ye Chutang, having no ties with her, gave a cold nod.
"Is there something you need, Concubine Liu?"
Concubine Liu took a food box from her maid and offered it to Ye Chutang.
"I made some lotus leaf pastries—refreshing and perfect for summer. Please try them, Miss and Young Master."
Ye Chutang didn’t take it and asked bluntly, "What is your intention, Concubine Liu?"
Concubine Liu glanced at Jun'er and smiled gently.
"I have no ulterior motives. I simply find Jun'er pitiable and wish to be kind to him."
"Jun'er was even more pitiable before. Why didn’t you show him kindness then?"
"Back then, the madam took care of Jun'er—how could it have been my turn? The eldest young lady will marry someday, but I will never leave the Minister's Mansion, nor will I ever have children of my own."
Ye Chutang understood: Concubine Liu wanted to secure Jun'er's care for her later years in exchange for her current kindness.
It sounded like a fair exchange, but Jun'er was the legitimate heir—he could never be entrusted to a concubine of dancer origins.
It wasn’t that she looked down on Concubine Liu, but the rigid hierarchy of ancient times made it impossible.
"Concubine Liu, my father will soon take a second wife. You needn’t worry about Jun'er lacking care."
With that, she took Jun'er by the hand and left.
Concubine Liu watched their retreating figures and called out in desperation:
"Young Lady, you misunderstand me! I know I have no right to raise the young master—I only wish to be closer to him. Wouldn’t it be better if he had one more person who cares for him?"
Seeing they didn’t stop, she grew frantic and blurted:
"Young Lady, shouldn’t it be Jun'er’s choice whether to accept my kindness?"
Ye Chutang found this amusing and paused.
"Concubine Liu, let me give you some advice: when status is unequal, sincerity is the only way to earn anything in return."
Then she looked down at Jun'er.
"A concubine’s kindness to the heir is her duty. Even if you accept it, you owe her nothing."
Though only five, Jun'er saw things clearly.
"Elder Sister, don’t worry. I understand."
He turned and walked back to Concubine Liu, taking the food box from her.
"Auntie, I’d like more plum blossom jelly cakes and almond milk soup tomorrow. Send them to Ningchu Courtyard."
There was no need to be polite with those who harbored ill intentions!
Of course, if Concubine Liu served his elder sister faithfully for years to come, he could ensure her a comfortable old age.
Jun'er carried the box back to Ye Chutang and handed it to her eagerly.
"Elder Sister, Concubine Liu isn’t just a good dancer—her cooking is excellent too."
Ye Chutang accepted the box and glanced at Concubine Liu’s stiff expression.
"From now on, all pastries and desserts will be your responsibility."
Then she led Jun'er back to Ningchu Courtyard.
Concubine Liu, treated like a servant, nearly tore her handkerchief in fury.
Her maid consoled her: "Don’t mind the young lady’s words. She won’t stay in the Minister’s Mansion forever—she’ll marry soon. Just endure it for now."
"True. Let her be arrogant a little longer. Let’s go."
Back in Ningchu Courtyard, Ye Chutang and Jun'er shared the lotus leaf pastries with everyone.
The treats were crisp, fragrant, and delicious.
After eating, Jun'er took his medicine, and Ye Chutang administered acupuncture.
As his condition improved, the needles went deeper, intensifying the pain.
Sweat beaded on his forehead, his fists clenched his robes, but he didn’t make a sound.
Ye Chutang wiped his brow. "Just a few more days. It won’t be this hard soon."
Jun'er forced a weak smile, releasing his bitten lip.
"I can bear it."
No matter how bitter, he’d endure it if it meant getting better.
Once the treatment ended, Ye Chutang bathed and retired to her chambers.
Late that night, she rose and stored all valuables in her spatial pocket before slipping into the storage room.
She also took the dowry she’d previously claimed from Kong Ru.
Then she visited the home of Chen He, the man who’d accused her of "a thief crying ‘stop thief’" in court.
Earlier, at the poetry house, she’d learned Chen He was no saint.
So she emptied his estate without a shred of guilt.
After ransacking the Chen residence, she made a quick stop to collect her order from the carpenter's shop.
The shop wasn't far from the Chen estate, and Ye Chutang saw no reason to waste her virtue points on teleportation. Instead, she leaped over the courtyard wall.
But the moment her feet touched the ground, the cold edge of a sword pressed against her throat.
