Ye Chutang led a limping deer through the streets, drawing countless curious glances.
Someone who recognized her greeted her and asked, "Miss Ye, where did you get this deer?"
"I went hunting in Meishan today and was lucky enough to catch it."
She deliberately made such a show of it to ensure everyone knew she hadn’t been in the capital that day.
"Who knew Miss Ye was not only talented in literature but also skilled in archery and horsemanship?"
"Miss Ye, where are you taking the deer?"
Ye Chutang smiled. "On the day the An Manor incident happened, Prince Chen saved me. This deer is my token of gratitude."
Before long, news spread that she had sent a deer to Qi Yanzhou.
Qi Yanzhou was at the Dali Temple investigating the case of the Yunyin Lake ambush when he heard the news and immediately returned to his residence.
Just as he arrived at Prince Chen’s manor, Ye Chutang appeared with the deer in tow.
The gatekeeper welcomed Ye Chutang inside and said respectfully, "Miss Ye, your timing is impeccable. His Highness just returned and is expecting you in the rear garden."
Ye Chutang acknowledged this and led the deer to the garden.
Qi Yanzhou sat in a pavilion by the lotus pond, brewing tea.
When he saw Ye Chutang approach, he poured her a cup.
"'Ghost Thief' is formidable. Today, he thoroughly angered His Majesty."
Ye Chutang tied the deer’s rope to a pillar and took a seat across from Qi Yanzhou.
"I heard. If the emperor insists on humiliating himself, no one can stop him."
Then she asked, "Did His Majesty take his anger out on you?"
"My trap worked. Failing to catch 'Ghost Thief' isn’t my fault, so the emperor has no reason to blame me."
After a pause, Qi Yanzhou asked curiously, "Why did Miss Ye suddenly go hunting in Meishan?"
"Last night, I met Fifth Young Master Song and overheard him telling friends about a hunting trip to Meishan. I took an interest and shamelessly invited myself along. Luck was on my side—this deer is for you."
"It seems Miss Ye and Young Master Song got along quite well, to go on an outing together so soon after meeting."
Ye Chutang sensed something odd in his tone—a hint of sourness.
But she quickly dismissed the thought.
Prince Chen was infatuated with the Miao witch doctor. He couldn’t possibly have any interest in her.
Most likely, it was just male pride at work.
After all, they had been intimate before, and by ancient standards, she was considered his woman.
"With kindred spirits, a thousand cups of wine are too few; with those who disagree, half a sentence is too much. It was just fate."
Ye Chutang changed the subject.
"Your Highness, I heard there’s a plague in the south. How bad is it?"
Qi Yanzhou drained his tea, using it to quell his irritation.
"Don’t worry, Miss Ye. Xi Ze has taken medicine and prescriptions there. The outbreak won’t spread widely."
He hadn’t fully disclosed the situation in court to pressure the emperor into speeding up disaster relief efforts.
Ye Chutang sighed in relief. "As long as the plague is under control."
She stood to leave.
Qi Yanzhou quickly stopped her. "My roasted venison is quite good. Would you care to stay and try some?"
"No need. I’ve already eaten lunch. Enjoy your meal, Your Highness."
As she turned to go, Ye Chutang suddenly remembered something.
"Your Highness, last night I eavesdropped at the Kong residence. The Yunyin Lake ambush was orchestrated by the Kong family and An—no, Earl Yongning. They also mentioned an organization called 'Night Wraith.' The Dali Temple could start there."
Qi Yanzhou knew of "Night Wraith."
It was an elusive assassination syndicate. Its leader controlled subordinates with poison to prevent betrayal.
They operated an unmanned shop in the black market, filled with wooden plaques.
Those who wanted to hire "Night Wraith" would leave their request and reward on a blank plaque.
If the organization accepted, they would flip the plaque and arrange a meeting.
After hearing Qi Yanzhou’s explanation, Ye Chutang asked, "So, the Dali Temple and the Capital Prefecture have uncovered nothing?"
"Rest assured, Miss Ye. I will find evidence to make Kong Qingyuan and Zhao Mingxu pay."
Zhao Mingxu was the former Prince An, now Earl Yongning.
Ye Chutang believed in Qi Yanzhou’s capabilities.
But she could lend him a hand.
"Your Highness, would it be possible for me to observe the Dali Temple’s interrogations?"
Getting someone to talk was no challenge for her.
Qi Yanzhou didn’t immediately agree.
"The Dali Temple’s dungeons and methods are enough to give anyone nightmares. Are you sure you want to go?"
Ye Chutang smiled. "Once you see my interrogation skills, you’ll realize the Dali Temple’s methods are nothing."
Then she asked, "Would it matter if one or two people died?"
"Even if they all died, it wouldn’t matter."
"With your permission, I’ll meet you at the Dali Temple at hai hour?"
Qi Yanzhou nodded. "Hai hour it is."
After settling the time, Ye Chutang returned to the Minister's Mansion.
As soon as she entered, Steward Chen approached. "Eldest Miss, the master wishes to see you in his courtyard upon your return."
"Tell him I’ll go after dinner."
Steward Chen knew better than to argue.
"Yes, Eldest Miss."
Ye Chutang went to the Ningchu Courtyard.
Jun'er ran up to her eagerly. "Elder Sister, was hunting fun?"
"Very fun. Once you’re better, I’ll take you."
"Thank you, Elder Sister!"
Dan'er stepped forward. "Eldest Miss, the game the servants brought earlier might spoil. I stored it with ice. Should we prepare it?"
Ye Chutang glanced at the wild game in the ice basin.
"Leave the hare and pheasant. I’ll take them out later to give away."
In truth, "giving them away" was just an excuse—she planned to store them in her spatial pocket.
"Understood. What about the meat? Should we freeze it in the ice cellar?"
"No need. The sun is strong lately—perfect for making jerky. You and Le'er slice the bear, deer, and boar meat into strips. I’ll marinate them."
If they wanted fresh meat later, they could always hunt more in Meishan.
Dan'er nodded. "As you wish. What would you like for dinner, Eldest Miss?"
Ye Chutang grinned. "Barbecue."
She had decided on barbecue before returning to the city, which was why she’d told everyone to wait for her.
"Dan'er, fetch charcoal and barbecue tools from the main kitchen. I’ll prepare the ingredients."
Jun'er piped up, "Elder Sister, I want to help!"
"Of course. Le'er, bring out the vegetables from the kitchen. Let’s see what we can use."
Barbecue shouldn’t be all meat—it needed greens to balance the richness.
Le'er quickly brought out the vegetables collected from the main kitchen that morning.
Since the Ningchu Courtyard had few residents, they hadn’t taken much.
Ye Chutang glanced at them and said, "Le'er, check if the main kitchen has other greens or mushrooms."
"Right away, Eldest Miss."
Ye Chutang had Jun'er and Jinzhi wash the vegetables while she took the boar, bear, and venison ribs into the kitchen.
By the time Dan'er and Le'er returned with the barbecue tools and additional greens, she had already marinated the meat with a special spice blend and prepared several dipping sauces.
Knowing there were no metal skewers or grill grates in ancient times, she retrieved some from her spatial pocket.
Then she taught the others how to skewer the washed vegetables, mushrooms, and marinated meat cubes.
Though the smooth metal skewers and unfamiliar grill grates puzzled them, no one questioned it.
Ye Chutang told them what to do, and they followed her instructions without hesitation, quickly preparing all the ingredients.
