"Dog Emperor, bring on your dirty tricks—I'm ready anytime!"
The words echoed through every palace hall in the imperial court.
The shouting lasted for the time it takes an incense stick to burn.
The voice appeared out of nowhere and vanished just as mysteriously.
The imperial guards and palace soldiers scrambled in chaos, yet not a trace of the "Phantom Thief" could be found.
As panic spread through the palace, a remark began circulating:
"Turns out the 'Phantom Thief's' voice is even more formidable than his stealing—shouting for so long and still booming like a bell!"
Ye Chutang, of course, was unaware of this comment.
After maneuvering her amplifier through every palace hall, she retrieved it and finally relaxed, leaning against a tree trunk to rest.
Before she knew it, she had dozed off.
Song Jingning sat in a pavilion, admiring the unique scenery of Plum Mountain, his gaze occasionally drifting toward Ye Chutang.
Seeing her asleep, an unconscious smile tugged at his lips.
"She really is unlike any other woman."
Serene as a maiden, lively as a hare.
Bold and unrestrained, yet graceful in every gesture.
Strangely, the dull ache in his chest began to ease.
Just then, Su Nian arrived.
Spotting Ye Chutang napping beneath a peach tree, her expression turned peculiar.
With so many men coming and going, wasn’t it improper to sleep here?
She moved to wake Ye Chutang, but Song Jingning stopped her.
"Miss Ye seems unwell. Let her rest awhile."
The words stung Su Nian’s heart.
So the aloof and untouchable "Moonlight Prince" wasn’t incapable of tenderness—he simply reserved it for those he cared about.
She entered the octagonal pavilion and sat across from Song Jingning.
Noticing her hesitation, he asked, "Did you need something, Miss Su?"
Su Nian pressed her lips together before finally speaking. "Only a woman like Miss Ye—skilled in both arts and combat—could ever be worthy of Beichen Kingdom’s foremost gentleman."
Song Jingning’s gentle demeanor instantly frosted over.
"Miss Su, refrain from such remarks. They harm a lady’s reputation and meddle in private affairs."
Even if he and Ye Chutang were involved, those words demeaned her.
And they weren’t.
Su Nian flushed with shame, wishing she could vanish.
"I—I’m sorry!"
She’d thought Song Jingning favored Ye Chutang and had meant to please him.
Only now did she realize how insulting her words were—and how unbecoming of a refined lady to gossip.
Given his friendship with Su Yu, Song Jingning softened at her remorse.
"I trust you meant no harm."
With that, he rose and strolled through the estate, though his attention never left Ye Chutang.
Plum Mountain’s hunting grounds attracted all sorts—some might harbor ill intentions toward her.
After half an hour, concerned she hadn’t stirred, he approached.
But two middle-aged men reached the peach grove first.
"Such a pretty girl lying motionless—could she be dead?"
"Look at her rosy cheeks. She’s faking it to lure men in!"
"Figures. The prettier they are, the more shameless."
"No decent girl sleeps outdoors in broad daylight."
Ye Chutang had woken the moment they spoke.
She prepared to strike, but Song Jingning’s voice intervened.
"What are you doing? Miss Ye, wake up."
The men dismissed his scholarly appearance.
"Kid, scram unless you want a beating!"
One crouched to touch Ye Chutang’s face—
Her eyes flew open.
As the man recoiled, Song Jingning kicked him.
He should’ve toppled sideways, but his foot slipped, sending him face-first into—
Not just a mouthful of dirt, but something foul.
Ye Chutang beamed at the man gagging on feces. "How’s the dog crap taste?"
If his mouth spewed filth, let it savor the real thing.
The man retched violently.
His companion bolted—until two pebbles struck his knees.
"Thud!"
He kneeled, then pitched forward—
Onto a jagged rock.
His crotch met stone; his face met fresh dung.
"ARGH! BLECH—!"
Song Jingning muttered, "Serves you right."
The estate kept hunting dogs, often walked here.
Dung wasn’t unusual—he thought nothing of it.
In truth, Ye Chutang had moved both the feces and the rock.
After dealing with the creeps, she used her powers to cleanse and store a poisoned tribute chest in her spatial inventory.
Standing, she pinched her nose.
"Thank you, Young Master Song. It’s late—we should prepare to return to the capital."
He glanced at the setting sun. "Agreed."
Ye Chutang lagged a step behind.
Exiting the grove, she "accidentally" kicked a stone backward—
Straight into the first man’s groin.
His howls echoed as he clutched himself.
Song Jingning frowned at the coincidence—both men crippled and eating dung?
Ye Chutang caught his look and whispered, "My doing."
With a wink, she added, "Fair’s fair."
Song Jingning chuckled. "Well done."
Back at the hall, Su Yu and four others lounged over tea.
"Time to head back?" Su Yu asked.
Nodding, Song Jingning had their game fetched.
Ye Chutang handed him a bear paw.
"For inviting me hunting. No refusals."
Relenting, he accepted.
Su Yu’s group traded her bear and venison for their pheasants and rabbits.
Song Jingning shared his boar, giving her the largest portion.
Eyeing three live deer by the stables, he asked, "Will you transport yours or have the estate deliver it?"
"One deer’s manageable—I’ll just ride slower."
He opted to do the same with his two.
Their return journey, laden with spoils, slowed them enough to reach the capital at dusk.
The crowded streets made riding impractical.
After parting ways with Song Jingning and the others, Ye Chutang avoided the crowded main streets and rode her horse back to the Minister's Mansion through a maze of winding alleys.
Upon her return, she noticed the spies Qi Yanzhou had sent to watch her were gone.
While she had been in Meishan, the "Ghost Thief" had struck the imperial palace.
This finally convinced Qi Yanzhou that she wasn’t the "Ghost Thief"—her spent virtue points hadn’t gone to waste!
The stableman was astonished when Ye Chutang returned with a live deer in tow.
She summoned the servants.
"Take these game meats to Ningchu Courtyard and inform them that I’ll prepare dinner myself once I return."
With that, she led the limping deer and headed straight for Prince Chen's Mansion.
