Qi Yanzhou's grandmother had two sons.
The eldest was Qi Yanzhou's father, who inherited the noble title.
The second son, Qi Yanzhou's uncle, left the capital early, taking his grandmother with him when the family divided.
Now, Prince Chen's Mansion housed only Qi Yanzhou's immediate family.
However, due to the Old Prince's "fondness for women," the household still had quite a few masters.
The Old Prince had one principal wife, one secondary wife, and two concubines.
There were countless maidservants in his chambers, but none bore children, so they didn’t count as mistresses and could be ignored.
Concubine Chen had two sons and a daughter.
The eldest son, Qi Shuyan, passed the imperial exams and became a local official in the harsh northwest, not returning to the capital for many years.
The younger son, Qi Yanzhou, inherited the title and became Prince Chen.
Their daughter married into a family in Liangzhou two years prior.
The secondary wife bore a son named Qi He'an, who was obsessed with poetry and painting and lived in a countryside villa outside the capital.
Previously, in the Old Prince’s courtyard was Concubine Su, who had a young daughter not yet betrothed.
There was also Concubine Gao, who bore a son full of schemes.
These two concubines were gifts from the emperor—spies planted in the mansion.
After hearing this, Ye Chutang remarked, "If the emperor intends to wipe out Prince Chen's Mansion, he wouldn’t set our wedding date too early. He’d need time for your elder brother to return from the northwest."
Qi Yanzhou disagreed.
"No. The royal family has long wanted to destroy the Qi family. If an opportunity arises, the emperor will choose the nearest auspicious date, then secretly order officials in the northwest to arrest and execute my brother on the spot."
"Then you should write to your brother quickly and warn him to be careful."
Qi Yanzhou smiled. "Don’t worry. If my brother were so easy to kill, he’d have died eight hundred times over by now."
Still, he would send the letter—to inform his brother that he was getting married, to the woman he loved.
Ye Chutang thought it made sense.
If the emperor had a chance to eliminate Qi Shuyan while he was isolated, why wait?
He’d have killed him eight hundred times already!
Clearly, the Qi family was anything but ordinary.
Just as she was about to discuss exile, the steward announced it was time for the midday meal in the front courtyard.
Concubine Chen, concerned that Ye Chutang might feel uncomfortable, didn’t invite anyone else.
Though the Old Prince maintained his dignified air, he treated Ye Chutang kindly, revealing his amiable nature.
After the meal, Ye Chutang left Prince Chen's Mansion first.
Qi Yanzhou, heading to the Ministry of Justice, accompanied her out.
"Ah-Tang, you’re pregnant now. Leave the plan to capture 'Night Wraith' to me—just give me the antidote."
Ye Chutang refused. "Your internal injuries haven’t healed. I’m going with you."
When Qi Yanzhou tried to persuade her again, a sharp glare from her silenced him.
"Fine. I’ll come for you tonight. By tomorrow’s court session, the Kong family and the Yongning Earl’s household will meet their end."
They parted at the gate.
Before returning to the Minister's Mansion, Ye Chutang stopped at Apricot Grove Hall.
Shopkeeper Lin was surprised to see her. "Miss Ye, you were here just this morning."
"Shopkeeper Lin, notify all the medical halls. If they want to learn how to prevent smallpox, they should come to Apricot Grove Hall at seven tomorrow morning."
After the imperial marriage decree, she’d be busy with wedding preparations and stockpiling supplies—no time to spare.
Shopkeeper Lin agreed immediately. "Understood. I’ll inform them shortly."
Then he bowed deeply to her.
"Miss Ye, your dedication to the people deserves my utmost respect."
Ye Chutang helped him straighten.
"If you truly wish to thank me, do me a favor."
"Name it, Miss Ye. If it’s within my power, I won’t refuse."
"The northwest is barren and lacks everything, especially medicine. I want to transport a large shipment there. You know many medicinal suppliers—help me contact them. I’ll take all their stock, paying forty percent upfront and the remaining sixty upon delivery."
Shopkeeper Lin recalled a wealthy young master’s servant who had recently bought large quantities of medicine, claiming it was for sale in the harsh frontier.
Why did Miss Ye want the same?
Though he’d promised the servant secrecy, he considered Ye Chutang an exception.
So he told her.
Ye Chutang: "..."
So much for discretion!
Luckily, that "servant" had been her in disguise—otherwise, she’d have been betrayed!
"Shopkeeper Lin, I’m not buying for profit. I want to aid the people freely. The northwest lacks food, clothing, and medicine—too many die without treatment."
And not just civilians—the military suffered too.
Her real goal was winning over the border troops.
Unaware of her motives, Shopkeeper Lin regarded her as a merciful bodhisattva.
"Miss Ye, you’re a living saint. Not only will I help, I’ll cover ten percent of the cost."
Ten percent sounded modest, but with such quantities, it was a staggering sum.
"I’ll also rally other apothecaries to contribute and ease your burden."
Though touched, Ye Chutang couldn’t risk drawing attention.
"Shopkeeper Lin, this must stay secret. If the suspicious emperor catches wind, misunderstandings will follow. I’ll cover all costs—just secure me the lowest prices."
His instincts told him there was more to it, but he asked no further.
"Very well. Where in the northwest should the shipment go?"
Delivery location affected transport fees.
Ye Chutang knew little of Beichen Kingdom’s northwest and had no contacts there. She’d need Qi Yanzhou’s help.
"I’ll tell you tomorrow morning."
With that, she returned to the Minister's Mansion.
Not long after, the Old Prince and Concubine Chen arrived with priceless gifts.
Ye Jingchuan, home at the time, received them with Old Madam Ye.
Learning they came to propose marriage, he was overjoyed and agreed without hesitation.
"For my daughter to wed Prince Chen is a blessing earned over lifetimes! But the emperor must approve. I’ll seek an imperial decree at once!"
After seeing them off, he rushed to the palace on horseback.
When the emperor heard Ye Chutang had succeeded and would marry Qi Yanzhou, he laughed heartily.
"I’ll draft the decree immediately!"
