The mention of "plague" sent a wave of panic through the gathered officials.
"I heard the rain in Jiangnan hasn’t stopped yet. If a plague breaks out now, it’s bound to spread."
"Exactly. With the rain continuing, it’ll be difficult for the authorities to quarantine the sick."
"Fortunately, His Majesty had the foresight to send not just food and silver but also medicinal supplies."
"Doesn’t Ye Chutang have a remedy for preventing and treating plagues? It must be sent to Jiangnan immediately!"
The Emperor listened to the officials’ discussions, his cold gaze settling on Qi Yanzhou.
"Prince Chen, you are truly remarkable. I hadn’t even received the news, yet you already know."
Qi Yanzhou met the Emperor’s displeased stare and explained, "When I learned of the floods in Jiangnan, I wrote to a friend. I received his reply just before court and thus learned of the plague."
He then produced a prepared note.
"Your Majesty, the plague is no trivial matter. I feared its spread would bring suffering to more citizens, so I had no choice but to speak up."
To the Emperor, these words sounded like a rebuke—accusing him of doubting loyal ministers while neglecting the people’s welfare. Suppressing his irritation, he turned to the Minister of War.
"Dispatch an urgent courier to deliver the remedy to Jiangnan. Instruct those delivering disaster relief funds to purchase plague prevention and treatment medicines along the way and rush them to Jiangnan. Also, order all prefectures to enforce strict quarantine measures."
Next, he addressed the Commander of the Capital Garrison.
"From now on, scrutinize all outsiders entering or leaving the capital. Anyone showing symptoms resembling the plague must be quarantined immediately and examined by a physician."
Though refugees from Jiangnan wouldn’t reach the capital so quickly, precautions were necessary.
Once arrangements were made, the Emperor dismissed the court.
As Qi Yanzhou exited the throne hall, he was stopped by Shuangxi, the personal attendant of Eunuch De.
"Your Highness, His Majesty requests your presence."
Qi Yanzhou guessed the Emperor wished to discuss the plan to capture the "Phantom Thief."
Upon arriving at the Hall of Diligent Governance, his assumption proved correct.
"Prince Chen, the plan to lure the Phantom Thief was delayed due to your injury. Shouldn’t it proceed today?"
"Your Majesty must have heard about Minister Kong’s home being robbed. The Phantom Thief’s abilities are beyond human reckoning. Do you still wish to attempt his capture?"
The Emperor knew the Phantom Thief would be difficult to apprehend, but he refused to give up without trying.
"Prince Chen, proceed with the arrangements."
The imperial seal had been stolen. If it wasn’t recovered, disaster would surely follow.
"As you command."
An hour later, news of the Southern Border’s tribute to the Emperor spread throughout the capital.
Nine crates of exquisite tribute were transported into the palace.
The tribute was genuine—a gift from the Southern Border’s governor after its pacification, expressing gratitude to the Emperor.
The goods had arrived days earlier, but their presentation had been postponed for the trap.
After setting the "bait," Qi Yanzhou also spread taunting words about the Phantom Thief.
"Rumor has it these tributes are once-in-a-century treasures. I wonder if the Phantom Thief would dare steal them?"
As such provocations circulated the palace, Qi Yanzhou returned to report.
"Your Majesty, given the Phantom Thief’s habits, if he takes interest in the tribute, he will surely attempt to steal it from the palace."
Hearing this, the Emperor ordered the Imperial Guards Commander to inspect the traps.
They had only one chance—it had to be flawless.
Meanwhile, Ye Chutang had just finished hunting and was comparing results with Song Jingning and others at a mountain villa in Meishan.
Song Jingning and Ye Chutang were evenly matched.
Neither had hunted small game like hares—instead, they’d taken down deer, wild boars, and even a bear.
Three of the deer were still alive.
The other five in their group were stunned, especially Su Nian, who had returned empty-handed and covered in scratches.
The two rabbits she’d brought back were gifts from Su Yu.
"Miss Ye, you’re incredible—you actually hunted a bear!"
Such a fierce beast would have sent Su Nian fleeing in terror.
Ye Chutang smiled modestly. "Growing up in the countryside gave me some advantage in hunting."
She tossed Su Nian a small white porcelain jar.
"This ointment works wonders for wounds. Give it a try."
Su Nian caught it reflexively, ashamed of her earlier hostility.
"Thank you, Miss Ye."
Su Yu eyed the massive black bear hungrily.
"Miss Ye, transporting such a large bear back to the city would be troublesome. Would you sell the meat and paws?"
"No."
His face fell—until her next words brightened it again.
"But we can eat or share it. I’ll keep two paws and ten pounds of meat."
Song Jingning was surprised by Ye Chutang’s generosity toward near-strangers.
"Miss Ye, bears are rare and dangerous prey. A taste is more than enough for us."
Su Yu and the others nodded eagerly. "Yes, we’re happy just to sample it!"
Ye Chutang didn’t insist. "Very well, it’s up to you."
She then asked, "Given the heat, the meat won’t keep long. Should we return to the capital after lunch?"
Song Jingning squinted at the blazing sun.
"It’s too hot now. Let’s leave at dusk."
Su Yu added, "Don’t worry, Miss Ye. The villa has an icehouse to store the meat. They can also prepare it for you if needed."
Reassured, Ye Chutang agreed.
She had no desire to travel under the midday sun either.
After deciding which game to eat for lunch, they left the rest to the villa staff—some stored in the icehouse, some butchered.
Naturally, cooking, storage, and preparation all came at a price.
Ye Chutang had bagged two deer and the bear. One deer, injured in the leg, she planned to take back for Qi Yanzhou—fulfilling her promise to Ye Jingchuan.
The other, wounded in the abdomen, wouldn’t survive long. She had it butchered, sharing half with those who’d failed to hunt deer and keeping the rest.
The bear meat, reserved for their meal, was also prepared. She contributed one paw for braising.
While the villa chefs cooked, the group relaxed in the dining hall.
The summer heat meant few visitors to Meishan, leaving the hall quiet.
Half an hour later, lunch was served.
Tang Xiuwen raised a suggestion. "Fine dishes deserve fine wine. Shall we indulge a little?"
Su Yu agreed. "A pleasant drink before resting will make the journey easier."
He turned to Ye Chutang.
"Miss Ye, the villa’s Hundred Flowers Brew is exceptional—fragrant, smooth, and mild. You should try it."
Su Nian, having tasted it before, nodded vigorously.
"It’s truly delightful. The floral notes complement the wine perfectly, and it won’t leave you drunk."
Though Ye Chutang disliked overindulging, she didn’t mind a sip.
"Then let’s give it a try."
The villa’s game paired exquisitely with its homemade wine.
As they feasted, the group played drinking games.
Song Jingning found himself newly impressed by Ye Chutang’s wit and talent.
"May I ask who your teacher was, Miss Ye?"
Having grown up in Huating Academy with countless tutors, his own education was extensive.
Yet Ye Chutang, raised in rural seclusion, had supposedly never had formal schooling.
She answered casually, "Just fortunate encounters with good mentors."
Sensing her reluctance to elaborate, Song Jingning tactfully changed the subject.
By meal’s end, all had enjoyed themselves thoroughly.
After the event concluded, Song Jingning arranged for several guest rooms so everyone could rest.
While paying at the front desk, another group arrived at the mountain villa.
They were acquainted with Song Jingning and his companions, exchanging warm greetings.
Ye Chutang, unfamiliar with them and feeling somewhat drowsy, excused herself to retire to her room early.
Su Nian and Tang Zhirong followed her upstairs.
Just as Ye Chutang was about to close her door, she overheard someone discussing the epidemic in Jiangnan and the tribute from the southern border.
Qi Yanzhou had previously shared his plan to lure and capture the "Phantom Thief" with her.
She knew the southern tribute was the bait.
After shutting the door, she lay on the bed, a faint smile curling her lips.
She had already planned to steal from the palace again today to prove she wasn’t the "Phantom Thief."
Qi Yanzhou’s opportunity had arrived at the perfect moment.
Ye Chutang had woken early that day and was now feeling sleepy, deciding to rest a while before acting.
Her nap lasted two hours.
Upon waking, she slipped out without alerting her companions, strolling around the villa after descending the stairs.
She settled beneath a lush peach tree, leaning against its trunk.
The peaches were beginning to ripen, their pink tips peeking out adorably.
The spot was frequented by passersby, ensuring her presence would be noticed.
Ye Chutang’s hands rested on the ground, unseen earth-based energy seeping from her fingertips and racing toward the capital.
The distance from Plum Mountain to the capital was vast, rapidly depleting her spiritual energy.
It also strained her focus, as losing control would weaken her manipulation.
By the time her energy reached the palace, Ye Chutang’s face had turned pale.
Qi Yanzhou had told her the southern tribute would be stored in the underground vault previously robbed by the "Phantom Thief."
The hole she had dug last time had since been sealed with molten iron.
This time, instead of digging, she used her power to relocate the entire vault.
She then filled the cavity beneath with earth.
The door connecting the vault to the secret chamber was left open.
So the moment the chamber vanished, the guards noticed.
“C-Commander… the ‘Phantom Thief’… is here!”
“The Emperor’s private vault is gone!”
Hearing this, the guard commander rushed to inspect.
The group gaped at the doorway, now blocked by solid earth where the underground passage should have been.
The commander bellowed, “Why are you standing around? Start digging!”
They needed to determine whether the vault had disappeared or was merely buried.
As the guards shoveled frantically but made no progress, Ye Chutang moved the vault beneath a neighboring palace.
The vault was rigged with traps and poison at every step.
Anyone attempting to steal the tribute would never emerge unscathed.
But for Ye Chutang, with her abilities, it was no challenge.
She manipulated the earth to extract nine chests from the vault’s entrance.
Then she returned the now-empty vault to its original location.
Clang!
A shovel struck metal, screeching sharply.
The hardened earth resisted even the guards’ martial strength, yielding only dust.
Then, abruptly, the doorway reappeared.
“It’s… the vault is back!”
“Are the tribute chests still inside?”
“Neutralize the poison first, then check.”
The Emperor, fearing the "Phantom Thief" might target him, had taken refuge in the Hall of Diligence rather than his chambers.
No sooner had he learned of the vault’s disappearance than news arrived of its return.
“Is the tribute intact? Did the ‘Phantom Thief’ fall into the traps?”
The latter question also concerned Qi Yanzhou.
Discreetly, he watched the palace guard delivering the report, awaiting the answer.
“Your Majesty, the chamber is still poisoned. We are neutralizing it now. Updates will follow shortly.”
After the time it took to burn an incense stick, news arrived.
Some traps in the chamber had been disabled. The nine tribute chests were gone.
Though the Emperor had expected this, it still pained him deeply.
Qi Yanzhou, however, exhaled in relief.
By then, Ye Chutang had already transported the nine chests beneath the peach tree where she sat at Plum Mountain Villa.
The chests were internally rigged, their exteriors and contents laced with poison.
Too exhausted to cleanse them now, Ye Chutang slumped against the trunk, breathing heavily.
Her pallor made her look deathly ill.
Meanwhile, Song Jingning, asleep in his room, suddenly felt a suffocating tightness in his chest, jolting him awake.
Clutching his chest, he muttered, “Could I really have some undiagnosed illness?”
Not long ago, he had experienced the same sensation—sharp pain, breathlessness, paralysis—before passing out.
After waking, he’d consulted physicians, but none found anything amiss.
Today’s episode was milder but still unsettling.
Remembering Ye Chutang’s medical skill, he decided to seek her advice.
But knocking on her door yielded no response.
A villa attendant informed him, “Master Song, the young lady from this room is in the peach grove.”
Familiar with the villa’s layout from past hunts, Song Jingning hurried downstairs toward the grove.
Though called a grove, it held only six peach trees—yet their lush foliage made it seem expansive.
Song Jingning spotted Ye Chutang seated against a trunk immediately.
As he drew closer, her ashen complexion alarmed him, quickening his steps.
“Miss Ye, are you unwell? What’s wrong?”
Knowing she was merely fatigued, Ye Chutang shook her head weakly. “I’m fine. Just need rest.”
“You look terrible. The villa has a physician—let me fetch them.”
“No need. I’m a healer myself. I know my condition.”
Seeing her resolve, Song Jingning relented.
“Then let me call someone to escort you back.”
Propriety forbade him from assisting her directly.
Ye Chutang declined again. “Really, I just need to stay here a while. Did you need something?”
Her plan wasn’t complete yet—she couldn’t leave the earth’s connection.
Noticing her state, Song Jingning shelved his request.
“No, I just came to check on you.”
Mindful of propriety, he gestured to a nearby pavilion.
“Miss Ye, I’ll wait there. Call if you need anything.”
“Alright.”
After Song Jingning left, Ye Chutang rested another quarter-hour, regaining some strength and color.
Checking her spiritual energy reserves, she winced—nearly 20,000 units depleted.
Steeling herself, she sent a pre-recorded voice amplifier through the earth to the Emperor’s palace, concealing it in shrubbery.
Adjusting the volume via earth manipulation, she triggered it.
A gruff male voice boomed:
“Listen well, Emperor—your tricks won’t work on me! Try whatever you like; I’ll be waiting!”
