Dan'er had already set up the barbecue grill earlier, lighting the charcoal specially meant for grilling.
The fire was blazing just right, perfect for roasting meat.
While Ye Chutang tended to the barbecue, Dan'er and Le'er took the opportunity to slice the meat into strips.
Jun'er eyed the skewered vegetables and mushrooms with eager anticipation.
"Eldest Sister, how do we grill these vegetables?"
It was his first time learning that vegetables could be barbecued too.
Ye Chutang couldn't find anything to prop up the grill rack.
They would have to wait until the meat was done and the charcoal fire died down before roasting the greens.
"Jun'er, no need to rush. Let’s focus on the meat first."
The ancient-style grill was designed mainly for meat.
They could either hang the meat on iron hooks or skewer it between two iron rods to roast it flat.
Due to limited space, Ye Chutang grilled the venison ribs flat while hanging the bear and wild boar meat vertically.
As she grilled, she basted the meat with oil and seasoning.
After about the time it takes to burn two incense sticks, the rich aroma of roasted meat filled the entire Ningchu Courtyard.
Seeing Jun'er lick his lips hungrily, Ye Chutang sliced off some of the crispy outer layer for him.
Golden and crispy on the outside, tender and juicy inside—especially with the dipping sauce, it looked utterly irresistible.
Jun'er offered the first bite to Ye Chutang before devouring the rest with gusto.
"Jun'er, your health isn’t the best. Eat slowly and don’t overindulge."
"Jun'er understands."
Before long, the meat was fully cooked.
Ye Chutang called Dan'er and Le'er out to enjoy the roasted meat and venison ribs.
She and Jun'er continued grilling the vegetables.
Dan'er said, "Miss, let me take over. You should eat something first."
"No need. I had plenty of meat at noon and don’t have much appetite now. I’ll just have some grilled vegetables later."
The tantalizing scent of barbecue drifted beyond Ningchu Courtyard, first reaching Ye Anling’s residence.
To maintain her figure and look her best in her wedding dress, she had been eating very little lately.
The aroma made her mouth water uncontrollably.
She ordered her maid, "Go find out where that smell is coming from and bring me something to eat."
"As you wish, Miss."
The maid returned shortly.
"Second Miss, it’s from Ningchu Courtyard. Eldest Miss said if you want some, you’ll have to pay a thousand taels for it."
Ye Anling’s eyes widened in shock. "Has she gone mad for money?"
"The Eldest Miss also said that if Second Miss can’t afford it, she’s free to go without."
Ye Anling knew this was a taunt.
She was well aware that if she paid, she’d not only be a fool but also a laughingstock in Ye Chutang’s eyes.
But the smell was too irresistible—if she didn’t get a taste, she’d be restless all night.
Reluctantly, she handed a thousand-tael banknote to the maid.
"Hurry up and buy some."
When the maid arrived at Ningchu Courtyard with the money, she noticed servants from Old Madam Ye’s and Ye Jingchuan’s courtyards were also there to purchase barbecue.
Ye Chutang collected three thousand taels in total, handing out three platters of grilled meat and vegetables, complete with dipping sauce.
"If they want more, as long as they’re willing to pay, they can eat their fill!"
By the end of the night, she had earned five thousand taels.
Ye Anling and Ye Jingchuan shared two platters, while Old Madam Ye had one.
The leftovers were packed into food containers by Ye Chutang.
Before heading to the Dali Temple, she changed the dressing on Jun'er’s neck and gave him an acupuncture treatment.
"Jun'er, rest well to recover faster."
After the reminder, she went to the kitchen, where Dan'er was still slicing meat.
"I’ll be back late tonight. Don’t wait for me. Just keep the sliced meat fresh on the ice basin."
Dan'er nodded, then packed the pheasant and rabbit from the ice basin into a sack and handed it to Ye Chutang.
"Take care, Miss."
Ye Chutang left the house carrying the food containers and shouldering the sack.
After walking for a short while, she found a secluded corner and tossed the burlap sack into her spatial storage.
When she arrived at the Dali Temple, it wasn’t yet the agreed-upon time.
The guard stationed at the entrance recognized Ye Chutang and immediately gestured for her to enter.
"Miss Ye, please come in. The Assistant Minister is already waiting for you in the prison."
Knowing there wouldn’t be many guards on night duty, Ye Chutang handed over a food box directly.
"A small token of appreciation. Share it among yourselves."
The guard didn’t dare accept gifts from Ye Chutang.
"Miss Ye, you should give it to the Assistant Minister yourself. Let me escort you to the prison."
"Thank you."
The Dali Temple’s prison was located in the northern section, divided into an outer gate and an inner gate.
Unless the prisoner was under strict surveillance, family members could pay to visit them through the outer gate.
The inner gate was reserved for officials.
As soon as the outermost prison door opened, the metallic scent of blood assaulted her senses.
The guard glanced at Ye Chutang, noting her composed expression before continuing forward.
After descending a long staircase, they reached the guards’ rest area where officials monitored prisoners.
Beyond that lay the interrogation chamber.
The walls were lined with grimy, sinister-looking torture instruments.
By now, the stench of blood had grown so thick it was nauseating, and the dark floor was stained with years of dried bloodstains.
Normally, Ye Chutang could endure it—having survived the carnage of the apocalypse, this scene was child’s play to her.
But now, she was pregnant, and the nausea was overwhelming.
"Ugh—!"
The moment she retched, Qi Yanzhou hurried over, his steps urgent.
"Miss Ye, are you alright? If the prison environment is too much, you don’t have to force yourself."
Without waiting for a response, he went to the rest area and poured her a cup of cold tea, offering it to her.
Instead of taking it, Ye Chutang shoved the food box into Qi Yanzhou’s hands.
She swiftly took out a silver needle to block her sense of smell, and the queasiness subsided instantly.
"Your Highness, I’m fine now. The food box contains grilled meat—there’s plenty, so let everyone have a taste."
With that, she took the cup and rinsed her mouth with the tea.
Qi Yanzhou had already caught the tantalizing aroma wafting from the food box.
He handed it to the subordinate who had escorted Ye Chutang.
"Since it’s Miss Ye’s kind gesture, go ahead and share it."
Though he wanted to try some himself, he couldn’t bring himself to ask in front of Ye Chutang.
Once the subordinate left with the food box, he turned back to her, concern in his voice.
"Miss Ye, are you really alright?"
"I’m fine. Your Highness, bring the prisoner to the interrogation chamber. I’d like to settle this quickly."
