The emperor briefly informed the officials of the punishment for the Qi family.
"I believe the Prince of Chen's residence harbors no intent of rebellion. However, the discovery of weapons is a fact, and I cannot disregard the laws of the state as if nothing happened. If, within three days, evidence proving the Prince of Chen's residence was framed cannot be found, the Qi family will be exiled to Tianshan County in the northwest, forbidden from ever returning to the capital."
After speaking, he instructed Eunuch De.
"Confiscate their property, but there is no need to search the persons of the Qi family members. This is the last dignity I grant the Qi family."
Eunuch De did not know what Ye Chutang had said to the emperor to cause such a significant shift in his attitude.
Naturally, he would not defy the emperor in front of everyone and immediately complied.
"As you command, Your Majesty!"
The emperor then looked at the Imperial Guards commander. "For now, do not touch the gold and silver items in the courtyards. Await the imperial decree three days from now."
"Understood, Your Majesty."
"Guard the Qi family well. If anything goes amiss, it will be your head!"
The Imperial Guards commander immediately knelt on one knee. "This subject will not disappoint Your Majesty!"
"As for the servants of the Prince of Chen's residence, release those found to have no issues after investigation."
Having said this, the emperor left the Prince of Chen's residence, surrounded by the Imperial Guards.
The officials and their families who had come to attend the wedding banquet followed suit and departed.
Ye Chutang walked into the main hall, approached Qi Yanzhou, and winked at him, signaling that the plan was proceeding smoothly.
Looking at the several tables of food in the main hall, she said, "Don't be so downcast. Hurry up and eat. After the exile, it will be hard to come by such delicacies."
The Old Prince and Concubine Chen were the first to sit down at the nearest seats.
"Everyone, sit and eat. You need your strength to think of ways to clear the Prince of Chen's residence of this false accusation."
Having been busy since morning, they were truly hungry.
Concubine Su kicked a stool in annoyance.
"I'm too angry to be hungry! How could I possibly eat!"
As she said this, she looked at Qi Yanzhou with great dissatisfaction, angry that he had volunteered for exile.
It was only three thousand weapons! At most, the emperor would have placed the Qi family under house arrest. Staying in the capital would have been far better than being exiled to a wasteland!
The Old Prince slammed his hand on the table. "Be quiet! Eat if you want, or don't!"
Concubine Su dared not cause more trouble and reluctantly sat down, but had no appetite to pick up her chopsticks.
Her daughter, Qi Jingyao, sat down beside her and tugged at her sleeve.
"Mother, there are still three days. Don't be so anxious."
Concubine Su understood clearly that the emperor would not spare the Qi family. Even if evidence of the frame-up was found, he would not reveal it. Exile was a foregone conclusion.
But she could not voice this, so she merely nodded unhappily.
Concubine Xu and her son, Qi He'an, took their seats.
Concubine Gao and her son, Qi Yun'an, also sat down.
Qi Yanzhou looked at Ye Chutang, his sharp eyes icy cold.
"What did you say to the Emperor? Did you have a hand in bringing this calamity upon the Qi family?"
He said this deliberately for the Imperial Guards stationed outside the door to hear.
Ye Chutang snorted angrily.
"If it were me, I would have planted letters of you colluding with the enemy, not ones of Ye Jingchuan conspiring with a prince. The cloth on the voodoo doll wouldn't have been from a dragon robe, but ordinary fabric, leaving you with no way to defend yourself."
Seeing the tension between them, Concubine Chen hurriedly tried to mediate.
"Zhou'er, Tang'er is willing to share hardship with you. You shouldn't suspect her."
After speaking, she stood up and led Ye Chutang to sit beside her.
"Tang'er, don't blame Zhou'er. With the Qi family facing such disaster on your wedding day, it's natural for him to have doubts."
"Mother Consort..."
Concubine Chen, Chu Yuzhu, immediately corrected Ye Chutang's form of address.
"Tang'er, the Qi family has been stripped of its nobility and is now commoners. From now on, address us as an ordinary family would."
"Alright, Mother. Thank you for believing in me. I can understand A'Zhou's suspicion. After all, the thorough investigation of the Prince of Chen's residence started because two maids from the Minister's residence, sent as part of my dowry, insisted there were letters of collusion with the enemy. Today's events are certainly related to Ye Jingchuan, but he is merely a pawn."
Chu Yuzhu nodded in agreement.
She was about to speak when Concubine Su snorted with displeasure. "You are Ye Jingchuan's daughter. I don't believe you knew nothing!"
Ye Chutang produced the severance document.
"There is no father-daughter affection between Ye Jingchuan and me. Had I known of his plans, I would have ensured they never saw the light of day."
"You..."
Chu Yuzhu reprimanded the troublemaking Concubine Su with displeasure. "Enough. I believe Tang'er."
Then, she looked at Qi Yanzhou.
"Zhou'er, eat."
Although the food had gone cold, it was still exquisite and delicious.
The ten members of the Qi family ate in silence.
Ye Chutang had eaten earlier in the bridal chamber and wasn't hungry at all, only moving her chopsticks symbolically.
She had gotten up very early and was now extremely sleepy.
Noticing this, Qi Yanzhou called over an Imperial Guard.
"Could you trouble someone to fetch a few quilts from the bridal chamber and take them to the east side hall?"
The emperor had restricted the Qi family's movement to the front courtyard.
There were left and right side halls, and the main hall.
The main hall was used for receiving guests and was filled with tables, chairs, and food, unsuitable for sleeping.
Only the two side halls could be used for accommodation. Qi Yanzhou planned to separate men and women for convenience.
As the Qi family had not yet been formally convicted, it was acceptable to ask the Imperial Guards for small favors.
The Imperial Guard did not immediately agree to Qi Yanzhou's request and went to ask Eunuch De.
Eunuch De glanced into the main hall and said, "Regarding clothing, food, shelter, and travel, try to accommodate them as much as possible."
Since the emperor wanted to put on a show, they should do it thoroughly!
Soon, the Imperial Guards brought all the quilts from the bridal chamber to the east side hall.
The side hall was used for receiving guests and was divided into an outer chamber and an inner chamber.
The outer chamber was for tea and conversation, the inner chamber for resting, containing a daybed.
Qi Yanzhou made the daybed, brought in several ice basins, and let Ye Chutang rest.
Ye Chutang was so tired that she fell asleep immediately.
Qi Yanzhou closed the side hall door and returned to the main hall to discuss the next steps with the Qi family.
The entire capital was abuzz with news of the Prince of Chen's residence secretly hoarding weapons and being stripped of its nobility.
Qi Yanzhou enjoyed high prestige among the common people, and no one believed he would rebel.
Everyone whispered that it was the emperor, unable to tolerate Qi Yanzhou's achievements overshadowing his own, who had deliberately framed the Prince of Chen's residence.
Just as public resentment towards the emperor peaked, word spread that it was the "Ghost Thief" who had done the framing.
The emperor even issued a proclamation, widely seeking clues to clear the Prince of Chen's residence of suspicion.
In this way, he salvaged his own reputation.
Meanwhile, at the Song residence.
Upon hearing the news, Song family head, Song Mingyu, immediately went to Huating Academy to find Song Zhiyan.
"Zhiyan, what is your view on the matter of the Prince of Chen's residence?"
Song Zhiyan had already learned the details and outcome of the incident at the Prince of Chen's residence.
He knew today's scheme was jointly laid by Qi Yanzhou and Ye Chutang, with the emperor as a pawn.
"Father, the Prince of Chen..."
Remembering the Qi family's loss of nobility, he corrected himself, "...Qi Yanzhou is exceedingly clever. The Emperor could not outmaneuver him."
Song Mingyu understood immediately. "A scheme within a scheme."
Then, he frowned deeply.
"Why would the Prince of Chen make this move? Staying in the capital, where the emperor wouldn't dare act lightly, would have given him more time to plan."
Song Zhiyan could understand Qi Yanzhou's reasoning.
"Father, one can be a thief for a thousand days, but one cannot guard against a thief for a thousand days. The Emperor's desire to destroy the Qi family can no longer be hidden. Staying in the capital is not safe."
Moreover, many things could only be carried out freely after leaving the capital.
Song Mingyu sighed softly. "Even so, exile should not have been the choice."
"Prince Chen must have his reasons for this choice. Tianshan County is a prosperous area in the northwest; they won't suffer too much."
Speaking of this, Song Zhiyan greatly admired Ye Chutang's skill in maneuvering.
To preserve the Qi family's dignity and secure Tianshan County as the place of exile while the Qi family was at a disadvantage was truly remarkable.
"That is, if the Qi family members even have the lives to reach Tianshan County."
Song Mingyu wasn't being pessimistic; exile was no safer than staying in the capital.
"If Qi Yanzhou could return from the southern border, he can reach Tianshan County safely."
After saying this, Song Zhiyan frowned slightly, his sword-like brows knitting together. "My only concern now is whether Qi Yanzhou lacks the ambition to claim the throne."
Looking across the entire Beichen Kingdom, only Qi Yanzhou had the capability to overthrow the tyrannical rule and become a wise emperor.
Song Mingyu picked up the teacup from the table and took a sip.
"Qi Yanzhou cares for the common people. When circumstances force his hand, he will surely step forward."
As soon as the words fell, a small figure crashed through the closed door and rushed in.
Liu Junzhi, his eyes red from crying, looked at Song Zhiyan.
"Dean Song, will my elder sister be alright?"
Although he had known for a while that his elder sister would leave, he never imagined it would be through family confiscation and exile.
Song Jingning, who had followed him in, comforted Jun'er.
"Don't worry, your elder sister is so clever; she will surely turn danger into safety."
When he heard about the sudden misfortune at Prince Chen's mansion, he was also startled.
But thinking that both Qi Yanzhou and Ye Chutang were people of courage and strategy, he immediately set his worried heart at ease.
Jun'er blinked his teary eyes. "Elder sister won't go into exile?"
Song Jingning shook his head. "Exile was her own choice."
"Exile is so bitter and exhausting. Why would elder sister choose this path?"
The thought of his elder sister suffering hardship, exhaustion, and potential abuse from the escorting soldiers made his heart ache.
"She must have her own reasons for doing this."
Jun'er pursed his lips and asked cautiously, "I heard you can bid farewell to family outside the Ten-Mile Pavilion. Can I go?"
He still had some silver notes; he wanted to give them all to elder sister!
Song Jingning also wanted to see Ye Chutang one more time.
He was just about to agree when Song Mingyu spoke. "Jingning, you take Jun'er to see them off when the time comes."
Song Jingning was about to agree, but a doubt surfaced in his heart.
"Why me? Wouldn't it be more appropriate for elder brother to go?"
"Your elder brother is feeling unwell. We don't know if he'll recover in three days. You go in his stead."
Song Mingyu had originally planned to tell Song Jingning about his origins after Ye Chutang's wedding.
To let him choose whether to stay with the Song family or return to the Ye family.
But then Ye Chutang got into trouble, and Ye Jingchuan's collusion with a prince was confirmed with solid evidence.
Song Jingning's true identity had to be kept secret for now, otherwise he might be implicated by Ye Jingchuan.
However, he had new plans for this adopted child.
Song Jingning looked at Song Zhiyan, whose complexion didn't look well, and nodded. "Alright, I'll go."
After speaking, he prepared to take Jun'er to the academy.
Song Mingyu stopped him. "Jingning, your father has something to discuss with you."
Jun'er tactfully bowed and left on his own.
Song Jingning looked warily at Song Mingyu. "Father, you're not going to make me go on another matchmaking meeting, are you?"
Not a single day missed, truly his biological father!
Song Mingyu shot Song Jingning a look. "What your father wants to discuss is serious business."
"So, matchmaking isn't serious business?"
"Hmph, no matter what you say, you can't escape the matchmaking."
Song Jingning let out a long sigh. "Fine, fine. A true man keeps his word. One month it is, as agreed."
Then he asked, "Father, what serious matter did you want to discuss with your son?"
"After the one-month period, if you still don't wish to stay in the capital, I won't stop you. But you must listen to me regarding where you go."
"Alright. Where does father want his son to go? To do what?"
"Tianshan County. To establish an academy."
Song Jingning frowned slightly. "Tianshan County is the place of exile the Emperor arranged for the Qi family, isn't it?"
This keeps circling back to Ye Chutang. Suspicious!
"Is it because of Qi Yanzhou, or is it because of Ye Chutang, that you want me to go to Tianshan County?"
Song Mingyu said, "Both."
Song Jingning sat down by the round table and poured himself a cup of tea.
"Father, go on."
"Jingning, when the nation faces peril, our Song family has always chosen a wise ruler to assist in ascending the throne. Qi Yanzhou is the wise ruler the Song family has chosen. You go to Tianshan County to quietly help move things along.
Martial prowess can pacify a nation, literary talent can stabilize it. You go to Tianshan County to establish an academy. Invite Ye Chutang to be a female instructor, or help her open a women's branch academy. Assist her in gaining fame throughout the land and gathering talented individuals."
Song Mingyu understood clearly that with Ye Chutang's intelligence, it wouldn't be long before she discovered Jingning was her twin brother.
Sending Jingning to Tianshan County would also fulfill their sibling bond.
Song Jingning considered that among the five Song brothers, he was the only one unmarried and thus most suitable to go to the northwest, so he agreed.
"Father, no need to wait a month. Your son is willing to set out now."
Song Mingyu smiled and rapped him lightly on the head.
"We agreed on one month of matchmaking. Don't think you can run off, kid."
He didn't truly intend to force Song Jingning into matchmaking; he wanted him to stay at home a bit longer.
Once he left, who knew when they would meet again.
Seeing the reluctance in Song Mingyu's eyes, Song Jingning understood the real intention behind keeping him.
"Father, the Qi family's exile is on foot. It will take at least half a year to reach Tianshan County. Your son would like to stay home a while longer before departing."
"Fine. Let your mother arrange a few more matchmaking meetings for you."
Listening to Song Mingyu's teasing, Song Jingning said with a laugh, "No problem. It's not like looking costs a piece of flesh."
"Enough joking. Hurry and go study the arithmetic Miss Ye left behind."
Prince Chen's Mansion.
When Ye Chutang woke up, the sky had already darkened.
As soon as she sat up, Concubine Su muttered resentfully under her breath, "Jinx!"
Ye Chutang looked mockingly at the seething Concubine Su, walked up to her, and slapped her across the face.
Concubine Su covered her cheek, her eyes wide with disbelief.
"A newlywed who just entered the Qi family dares to raise a hand against an elder!"
With that, she raised her hand to strike Ye Chutang's face.
"Slap!"
After their palms met with a clap, Ye Chutang shook her hand.
"Haven't high-fived in a while. Missed it."
Concubine Su, looking at her own right hand hanging limp, let out a delayed scream of pain.
"Ah! My hand!"
The scream attracted the Qi family members and the imperial guards.
"What's going on out here?"
Ye Chutang grabbed Concubine Su's wrist with one hand and held her hand with the other.
With a "crack," the dislocated hand was set back in place.
She squeezed Concubine Su's wrist with just enough pressure to warn, "Behave. Don't provoke me again, or next time it won't be your hand, but your neck."
Concubine Su, looking into Ye Chutang's murderous eyes and feeling the pain in her wrist, nodded repeatedly in fear.
"U-understood."
Ye Chutang forcefully flung Concubine Su's hand away.
"And furthermore, you're merely a concubine. You have no right to be my elder."
Concubine Su didn't dare utter a single word of rebuttal.
"This lowly one was wrong."
Ye Chutang retracted the mockery from her eyes and looked at the imperial guard who had asked the question earlier.
"A lowly concubine of the Qi family was being unreasonable. My apologies for the unsightly scene, Officer."
The imperial guard naturally wouldn't interfere in the Qi family's domestic affairs, but still reminded her, "Madam Qi, before the imperial decree arrives, don't cause any fatalities."
"This commoner understands. I will not put you in a difficult position, Officer."
The Imperial Guards warned Concubine Su, "Don't cause any more trouble, or you'll regret it!"
After saying this, they left the east side hall.
Old Master Qi looked coldly at Concubine Su. "If you disrespect Tang'er again, I will give you a letter of divorce!"
Concubine Su had wanted to take the divorce letter and leave when the Chen Prince's estate fell into trouble.
But she was the emperor's person.
Unless the emperor himself ordered her to leave the Qi family, she dared not go.
So, she immediately knelt and crawled to Old Master Qi, weeping pitifully, a sight meant to stir sympathy.
"Master, with the Qi family suddenly facing such calamity, your concubine was both angry and heartbroken, which is why I offended the young mistress. I know I was wrong, I beg you, please don't drive me away."
Old Master Qi helped Concubine Su to her feet.
"Knowing your mistake is the first step. Go and apologize to Tang'er."
Concubine Su appeared obedient on the surface but was actually reluctant as she offered her apology.
"Young Mistress, this servant was most disrespectful. I beg your forgiveness."
"Don't make the same mistake a second time. If you do, you'll be the first to die on the road to exile."
Qi Yanzhou seized the opportunity to put on an act, reprimanding Ye Chutang.
"For now, it's not yet your place to make decisions for the Qi family."
Ye Chutang looked at the seriously acting Qi Yanzhou, walked up, linked her arm with his, and smiled brightly.
"Then when will it be my place? On our wedding night? Or when I'm honored as the mother of your heir?"
She scratched his muscular arm, watching the tips of his ears gradually turn red, her smile growing even more radiant.
Teasing such a serious man was far too amusing.
Qi Yanzhou appeared stern, but his slightly lowered eyelids hid the helplessness and affection in his eyes.
"When it's confirmed you harbor no harmful intentions towards the Qi family, then you can take charge!"
Ye Chutang released Qi Yanzhou's arm. "Fine, I'll wait."
After speaking, she patted her flat stomach.
"It's getting late. When is dinner?"
Qi Yanzhou said, "The kitchen is already preparing it. It will be ready soon. Let's go wait in the main hall for a while."
Ye Chutang came out from the side hall.
The courtyard held only the valuables confiscated from the Chen Prince's estate; the tables, chairs, and food were all gone.
The courtyard and rooftops were filled with Imperial Guards.
On one hand, they were watching the Qi family, and on the other, protecting the property.
The main hall had also been restored to its original state.
Qi Yanzhou briefed Ye Chutang on the current situation at the Chen Prince's estate.
Servants not bound by contract to the estate had already packed their belongings and left on their own.
Servants whose contracts were held by the estate had to wait for the Emperor's decree for further arrangements.
The leftover food from the wedding banquet had been eaten by the Imperial Guards.
For the next three days, the servants remaining at the estate would be responsible for meals for both the Qi family and the Imperial Guards.
Not long after, the food was served.
Five dishes and a soup, their presentation unappealing—clearly just a large pot stir-fry.
Apart from Ye Chutang and Qi Yanzhou, the others who had never known hardship looked upon it with disdain.
But Old Master Qi and the Old Lady still picked up their chopsticks.
"Sit down and eat quickly. Ordinary families don't have this many dishes."
The family sat around the table.
The illegitimate son, Qi He'an, was a frail scholar, raised with delicate care since childhood. He picked up his chopsticks only to put them down again.
"Father, these dishes are really quite unappealing..."
Just as he was about to say "to the appetite," Qi Yanzhou shot him a cold glare.
"If the officers can eat it, why can't you?"
This startled Concubine Xu, who quickly shoved the chopsticks back into her son's hand.
"He'er, eat!"
The two concubines and their children, not daring to offend the Imperial Guards, immediately picked up their chopsticks, pretending the food was delicious.
With many people and few dishes, by the end of the meal, there was almost nothing left.
Ye Chutang, being pregnant, had no appetite for the pot-cooked food and only managed a couple of bites.
Qi Yanzhou's heart ached for her. He asked the Imperial Guards,
"His Majesty stated that during the three days of investigating the weapons, the Qi family's food and drink would not be restricted. Does that still hold true?"
The Imperial Guard frowned and nodded. "Naturally it does."
"I'm still hungry. May I go to the kitchen to prepare something to eat?"
"By His Majesty's order, members of the Qi family may not leave the front courtyard."
This answer was within Qi Yanzhou's expectations.
He asked again, "May I spend silver to have food delivered from an outside restaurant?"
The Imperial Guard did not answer immediately but went to ask the captain.
"The captain says it's permissible."
Qi Yanzhou untied the jade pendant from his person, preparing to hand it to the guard, but Ye Chutang stopped him.
She pulled a gold hairpin from her hair and pressed it into Qi Yanzhou's hand.
"The jade pendant is too valuable. This will suffice."
After giving the jade pendant to Ye Chutang, Qi Yanzhou handed the gold hairpin to the Imperial Guard.
"Please trouble the officer to make a trip to the pawnshop and Guangju Restaurant. Have the restaurant deliver two good dishes at noon and evening for three days. Any silver left over is yours, officer."
The gold hairpin was clearly of considerable value; even after deducting the cost of the food, a fair amount would remain.
The Imperial Guard, considering that the emperor had not restricted the Qi family's food, agreed readily.
Qi Yanzhou wrote down a three-day menu and handed it to the Imperial Guard.
The dishes he listed were not only suitable for a pregnant woman but could also help alleviate morning sickness to some extent.
The Imperial Guard took the menu and the gold hairpin and left.
A little less than half an hour later,
a servant from Guangju Restaurant delivered two dishes:
Sour and Spicy Shredded Tripe Soup and Carrot Stewed Beef.
When the lid of the food container was opened, an enticing aroma wafted out.
Concubine Su, who had been full, found her appetite returning at the smell of the food and sat down at the table.
"This food should have been delivered before the meal. And the portions are too small, not enough for the whole family."
Qi Yanzhou looked at the resentful Concubine Su and said, "These dishes were ordered for A'Tang."
After speaking, he placed the food in front of Ye Chutang.
"A'Tang, eat."
Concubine Su was furious. "Second Young Master, what do you mean? Letting the young mistress eat alone?"
Qi Yanzhou said, "A'Tang didn't eat much just now. Besides, this food was bought with her gold hairpin. Of course she can enjoy it alone."
"So, as long as you refuse to eat because the food is bad, you get delicious meals instead. I've learned my lesson!"
Ye Chutang picked up a piece of well-stewed carrot with her chopsticks, tasted it, and found it quite good.
She corrected Concubine Su, "You're mistaken. If you want to eat well, you must be willing to spend money. No one is stopping you from eating alone, but can you afford it?"
Concubine Su had been highly favored before; Old Master Qi had rewarded her with many fine things.
But for the wedding of the legitimate son, there were regulations on the attire of concubines and illegitimate children; it could not be too extravagant.
Therefore, everything Concubine Su wore combined was not worth five hundred taels.
Facing impending exile, she dared not spend it now.
So, she redirected the blame.
"Having good food and not thinking of one's elders is unfilial!"
