Ye Chutang hadn’t noticed anyone lurking outside the wall because the person emitted no killing intent.
She panicked for a brief moment but quickly regained her composure.
Even if the intruder truly intended to kill her, she could retreat into her dimensional space before her head hit the ground.
Ye Chutang tilted her head slightly, trying to get a clear look at the person holding the sword.
A familiar voice came from behind her.
“‘Ghost Thief,’ we meet again.”
It was Qi Yanzhou.
He had long suspected that the connection between “Ghost Thief” and Ye Chutang ran deeper than mere collaboration.
The people “Ghost Thief” had stolen from were not only linked to Ye Chutang—the timing also matched perfectly!
Earlier that day, Ye Chutang had told him that “Ghost Thief” would visit Ningchu Manor that night to collect payment.
And today, the official from the Imperial Clan Court had offended her.
Putting the two incidents together, he found himself inexplicably drawn to the Minister’s Mansion.
To his surprise, he had actually managed to intercept “Ghost Thief”!
“Take off your mask and turn around!”
Tonight, Ye Chutang hadn’t disguised herself as a man, but she had wrapped herself tightly in concealing garments.
At Qi Yanzhou’s command, she performed a vanishing act.
Though it was late at night, the bright moonlight provided enough visibility for a trained martial artist.
Qi Yanzhou watched in stunned silence as “Ghost Thief” disappeared before his eyes.
“Impossible!”
He reached out, grasping at empty air—nothing.
It was as if the moment he had pressed his sword against “Ghost Thief’s” neck had been an illusion.
Yet he was certain—just moments ago, “Ghost Thief” had stood right in front of him!
Could “Ghost Thief” truly be a ghost?
Qi Yanzhou searched the area but found no trace.
Suddenly struck by a thought, he ignored his severe internal injuries and pushed his qinggong to its limits, rushing straight to the Minister’s Mansion.
By then, Ye Chutang had already returned to Ningchu Manor and was lying in bed.
Entering and exiting her dimensional space didn’t require the same entry and exit points—as long as she stayed within a ten-meter radius.
After disappearing from Qi Yanzhou’s sight, she reappeared inside the Minister’s Mansion’s courtyard and immediately slipped away.
Back in the post-apocalyptic world, Ye Chutang had often used herself as bait, employing this trick to lure and eliminate zombies and mutated beasts.
Who would have thought she’d end up using it on a war god prince in ancient times?
The fact that Qi Yanzhou had guessed “Ghost Thief” would visit the Minister’s Mansion meant he was certain her connection to “Ghost Thief” was far from ordinary.
He might even suspect she and “Ghost Thief” were one and the same!
Once “Ghost Thief” vanished, Qi Yanzhou would undoubtedly come to Ningchu Manor to verify her whereabouts.
Ye Chutang closed her eyes, sharpening her senses.
The rustling of leaves, the chirping of insects—and the faint sound of footsteps on roof tiles.
Her lips curled into a faint smile.
Just as expected—Qi Yanzhou had come for her.
Knowing Ye Chutang’s martial prowess, Qi Yanzhou avoided the main roof and instead leaped down from the side building’s eaves.
His qinggong was exceptional; his steps made almost no sound as he landed.
The window connecting the inner chamber to the outer courtyard slid open silently.
He crouched low and slipped inside.
Two lanterns hung outside the main chamber, casting a dim glow that barely illuminated the room.
The closer Qi Yanzhou got to the canopy bed, the more his nerves tightened—his breath even halted.
He lifted the bed curtains and saw Ye Chutang sprawled across the bed, deep in sleep.
Her cheeks were flushed a delicate pink, and her slightly parted collar revealed a sliver of snow-white neck.
Seemingly overheated, she had kicked the quilt against the wall, leaving her toes—round and delicate—pressed against the dark fabric.
Qi Yanzhou found nothing amiss about Ye Chutang.
But he himself burned with shame for intruding on a woman’s slumber, his cheeks flushing crimson and his ears turning scarlet.
Just as he released the bed curtains to leave, a golden flash streaked toward him.
Reacting on instinct, he dodged—only to realize Ye Chutang had awoken and hurled a hairpin at him from beneath her pillow.
“Miss Ye, it’s me.”
Not wanting a fight, he quickly identified himself.
Had Qi Yanzhou hesitated even a second longer, the silver needles in Ye Chutang’s hand would have flown.
She pushed aside the bed curtains, eyeing him warily.
“Your Highness, what brings you breaking into my chambers in the dead of night?”
Instead of answering, Qi Yanzhou countered, “How did you know someone had entered?”
He suspected she had been feigning sleep.
Ye Chutang suddenly reached out, pressing a hand against his chest. She arched a brow.
“Your Highness, why is your body so feverish?”
The implication was clear—such an intense heat source standing beside her bed was impossible to ignore.
“Also, the light from outside.”
Her unspoken meaning: his shadow blocking the lantern glow had betrayed his presence.
Qi Yanzhou’s heart pounded wildly at her touch.
Flustered, he took a step back, evading her hand.
“Miss Ye, ‘Ghost Thief’ robbed the Minister’s Mansion tonight.”
Ye Chutang withdrew her hand, wiping it casually against the bed.
“You guessed right. I sent him. Chen He is no saint—stealing from him is hardly a crime.”
There was no point lying to someone as sharp as Qi Yanzhou—he’d see through it instantly.
“Why does ‘Ghost Thief’ obey you? Why steal so much? And is he even human?”
“Those three questions, Your Highness should ask ‘Ghost Thief.’ I can’t answer them.”
She paused, then added, “The only thing I’ll say is this—compared to the scum and parasites of Beichen Kingdom, ‘Ghost Thief’ is a good man.”
“Instead of obsessing over capturing him, why not focus on purging the corrupt officials?”
“It’s late. Your Highness should leave. And don’t come sneaking into my room at night again—it’s improper.”
At her dismissal, Qi Yanzhou blurted out without thinking,
“Have you forgotten, Miss Ye? You were the one who crashed into my arms in the middle of the night, taking advantage of my poisoned state to force yourself on me?”
The moment the words left his mouth, he regretted them.
Ye Chutang froze.
Was that… a hint of resentment in his tone?
It almost sounded like she was the heartless rogue who’d taken his virtue and refused responsibility!
Now that she thought about it, after their night together, she had never asked for his feelings—she’d simply made all the decisions herself.
He had a beloved, and she wanted no part in court intrigues, so she’d repaid their encounter by curing his poison.
Clearing her throat, she glanced at the visibly flustered Qi Yanzhou.
“Your Highness—”
Before she could continue, the chamber door burst open.
Le’er rushed in, oil lamp in hand.
“Miss! Are you alright?”
Having drunk too much water earlier, Le’er had been awake when she heard movement in Ye Chutang’s room.
Fearing something amiss, she barged in without hesitation, calling out loudly.
Qi Yanzhou had intended to leap onto the beams to hide, but his internal injuries flared—a sharp pain blinded him, thwarting his escape.
At the critical moment, Ye Chutang yanked him onto the bed.
