Family scandals should never be aired in public, so Ye Jingchuan naturally refused to answer Ye Chutang’s question.
"Chu'er, let’s discuss family matters later. We mustn’t delay any further, or His Majesty will hold us accountable."
With that, he urged the musicians to play and instructed Eunuch De to escort Ye Anling away.
Ye Chutang watched the newlyweds’ retreating figures and revealed the truth.
"My mother’s fall was orchestrated by Kong Ru. My brother’s early death, my mother’s difficult childbirth—all were her doing."
"And my mother didn’t die of illness. She was poisoned by Kong Ru!"
Eunuch De, who had already reached the doorway, halted and turned to warn her, "Miss Ye, don’t make baseless accusations without evidence."
Ye Chutang met his gaze with icy eyes.
"Kong Ru admitted it in front of my father. He can testify!"
All eyes turned to Ye Jingchuan.
Cornered, Ye Jingchuan had no choice but to shift the blame onto Kong Ru.
"Chu'er speaks the truth. I only recently discovered this and placed Kong Ru under house arrest. That’s why she didn’t appear today."
He then cast a pleading look at Ye Chutang, silently urging her to stop.
Exposing Kong Ru could be justified as avenging her mother.
But exposing him, her own father, would be unfilial!
Ye Chutang’s main targets today were Ye Anling and Kong Ru.
With her mission accomplished, she withdrew.
"My apologies for the spectacle, everyone."
She had no intention of sparing Ye Jingchuan—just not yet.
Relieved that Ye Chutang stopped there, Ye Jingchuan exhaled.
At last, this troublesome daughter understood the principle of shared honor.
"Everyone, I apologize for the poor hospitality. It’s getting late—let’s proceed to the palace banquet."
At his words, Eunuch De led Ye Anling away first.
He was seething with rage.
But to dismantle the Prince of Chen’s household, he had to bide his time.
Ye Anling, sensing Eunuch De’s chilling aura, trembled so violently that her legs nearly gave way.
Had it not been for the bridesmaid supporting her, she wouldn’t have been able to walk.
Eunuch De rode ahead on a tall horse, while Ye Anling followed in the bridal sedan.
Behind them should have been a grand procession of dowry, yet not a single chest was in sight.
The wedding party looked pitifully sparse and bizarre.
Curious onlookers whispered among themselves.
"Where’s the dowry? Wasn’t it supposed to be 128 chests?"
"Hush! Matters of the nobility aren’t for us to discuss!"
At the Minister’s Mansion, after the newlyweds departed, the guests took their leave one after another, heading to the palace.
While Ye Jingchuan saw them off, Ye Chutang calmly inventoried her dowry, assisted by Jinzhi.
What wasn’t hers, she left for now. What was hers, she took without hesitation.
Qi Yanzhou approached. "Miss Ye, do you need help?"
Ye Chutang bowed deeply to him.
"Your Highness, thank you."
"It was nothing. No need for formalities."
Ye Chutang’s heart skipped a beat as she observed Qi Yanzhou—clearly injured yet feigning composure.
A frail beauty pretending to be strong was truly captivating.
She averted her gaze slightly. "Your Highness, your injuries are severe. Skip the palace banquet. I’ll treat you later."
Ye Jingchuan, returning from seeing off the guests, eagerly agreed.
"Your Highness, Chu'er is an excellent physician. Stay and let her tend to you. I’ll explain to His Majesty."
A man and woman alone together—what could go wrong?
Qi Yanzhou knew Ye Chutang wasn’t just offering to heal his wounds but also his fire toxin.
He nodded. "Then I’ll trouble you, Miss Ye."
Ye Jingchuan couldn’t hide his delight.
"Chu'er, let the maids handle the dowry. His Highness’s injuries can’t wait. Attend to him at once."
He then instructed Steward Chen to prepare a carriage, taking Jun'er to the palace banquet.
Jinzhi immediately knelt and kowtowed to Qi Yanzhou.
"Thank you for saving my life, Your Highness!"
"Don’t thank me. Thank your young mistress. If not for her, I wouldn’t have intervened. Rise."
Jinzhi instantly sensed Qi Yanzhou’s interest in Ye Chutang.
She stood and said, "Young Mistress, leave the dowry to me. Please tend to His Highness."
Ye Chutang handed the dowry list to Jinzhi.
"Aunt Jin, I’ll send Dan'er to assist you shortly."
Then she turned to Qi Yanzhou. "Your Highness, please accompany me to Ningchu Courtyard."
Jinzhi found it improper but trusted Ye Chutang’s judgment and held her tongue.
"Young Mistress, should the sorted dowry be returned to Ningchu Courtyard?"
"Yes, store it in the woodshed."
"But what if the ‘Ghost Thief’ strikes again?"
Ye Chutang smiled. "If he wants to steal, it won’t matter where we put it."
With that, she and Qi Yanzhou headed to Ningchu Courtyard.
Upon entering, the pungent aroma of dried meat overwhelmed her.
"Ugh—!"
She braced herself against the wall, retching violently.
Qi Yanzhou’s expression darkened with concern.
"Miss Ye, what’s wrong?"
Dan'er and Le'er rushed over, equally worried.
"Young Mistress, are you unwell? Should we call a physician?"
Ye Chutang waved them off. "I’m fine. Just fetch me some cold water."
But the vomiting didn’t stop until her stomach was empty, leaving only bile.
Qi Yanzhou, well-versed in medicine from his own ailments, reached for her pulse—but she evaded him.
Once the nausea subsided, Ye Chutang felt better.
Dan'er handed her a cup of chilled tea.
After rinsing her mouth, she reassured the three.
"Really, it’s nothing. I just had too much chilled fruit at noon—my stomach’s upset."
Qi Yanzhou didn’t press further.
"Miss Ye, if you’re unwell, we can postpone my treatment."
"No, today is fine."
Ye Chutang then instructed Dan'er and Le'er.
"Dan'er, go help Aunt Jin with the dowry. Le'er, fetch some dishes from the kitchen. His Highness will dine here."
"Yes, Young Mistress," they chorused.
As they turned to leave, Qi Yanzhou suddenly barked, "Who’s there? Show yourself!"
Ye Chutang, distracted by her nausea, hadn’t noticed the intruder.
"Your Highness, where are they?"
Before he could answer, Concubine Jiang, her face bruised, entered the courtyard.
"Greetings, Your Highness. I heard of your injuries and came to pay my respects."
Though she knew nothing of medicine, she hoped to curry favor.
Qi Yanzhou’s voice turned frosty. "A mere concubine has no right to visit me."
Concubine Jiang’s smile froze. Under his oppressive aura, she broke into a cold sweat.
Terrified, she dropped to her knees, pressing her forehead to the ground.
"This lowly one overstepped. Forgive me, Your Highness."
"Get out!"
Scrambling up, Concubine Jiang fled—but paused at the gate, unable to resist a parting shot.
"Young Mistress, they say physicians can’t heal themselves. You’ve been vomiting since noon—it looks serious. Best summon a doctor, lest people mistake it for… morning sickness."
During the banquet, she’d already suspected.
Her daughter had watched closely, but Ye Chutang hadn’t vomited again—until now.
Fortune had smiled upon her, revealing Ye Chutang’s weakness once more.
Whether Ye Chutang was truly pregnant or not, Concubine Jiang intended to plant the seed of doubt in Prince Chen's mind, making him question her virtue.
With that, she turned to leave.
Ye Chutang knew Concubine Jiang’s words were deliberate. A cold glint of murderous intent flashed in her beautiful eyes.
"Stop right there!"
"Dan'er, slap her thirty times—make sure she feels every strike!"
Concubine Jiang panicked and tried to flee, but Dan'er seized her by the hair, yanking her back.
Before the first slap landed, Concubine Jiang spat out quickly, "Why is the young mistress so furious? Did I strike a nerve?"
Hearing this, Qi Yanzhou’s gaze dropped to Ye Chutang’s abdomen.
