The Imperial Guards, knowing Ye Chutang had an unusual relationship with the emperor, didn't mind the small amount of silver. They took the portrait and poems.
"Rest assured, Madam Qi, I will deliver these to the manager of the Poetry Pavilion."
After the Imperial Guards left, Ye Chutang stretched her wrist out before Qi Yanzhou.
"It's sore. Rub it for me."
Concubine Su, her face still bruised, sneered with thinly veiled sarcasm.
"Wasn't the young mistress raised in the countryside? How did she become so delicate? Such elegant tasks as painting and writing poetry have been turned into hard labor by you."
Ye Chutang looked at Concubine Su, who never learned her lesson, with exasperation.
"My 'hard labor' fetches a high price. How much is your 'elegance' worth?"
As the words fell, an ink-dipped brush flew towards Concubine Su like a sharp sword.
It was too fast for her to react.
Her pretty face was scratched by the brush, the ink staining the small cut.
"Truly delicate, as expected of a once-populous Yangzhou 'shouma'."
Ever since Concubine Su entered Prince Chen's Mansion and gained favor, no one had mentioned her past.
Now, having her past exposed by Ye Chutang in public, she was utterly humiliated.
Ye Chutang looked at Concubine Su, whose face was flushed with shame, and added another blow.
"The road to exile is long. Without silver to rely on, one might die without a proper burial."
This frightened Concubine Su, her face turning pale.
Thinking that all her and her daughter's jewelry combined weren't worth as much as one of Ye Chutang's paintings, she immediately knelt.
"Young Mistress, I have no brains. Please don't hold it against me."
Currently, Ye Chutang was the wealthiest person in the Qi family.
To live comfortably on the exile journey, they had to please her.
While enjoying Qi Yanzhou's massage, Ye Chutang said nonchalantly, "I'm quite a grudge holder. If you want my forgiveness, show some actual effort."
She didn't want to deal with petty scheming every day; using Concubine Su to make an example was perfect.
Suppressing her surging humiliation, Concubine Su crawled on her knees to Ye Chutang.
"Young Mistress, this servant's massage technique is quite good. Would you like to try it?"
Qi Jingyao couldn't bear to watch her mother's servile, fawning demeanor and ran to the side hall.
Ye Chutang nodded. "Then let's try."
Although Concubine Su had a sharp tongue, her massage technique was impeccable.
Soon, Ye Chutang grew drowsy.
Qi Yanzhou, looking at her slender wrist, felt a pang of heartache.
The reason he hadn't stopped Ye Chutang from earning money was so she could control the finances, giving her the authority to command the Qi family.
The journey into exile would be too arduous; whoever had silver ruled!
Not long after, the Imperial Guard who went to the Poetry Pavilion returned, looking excited.
He handed a thick stack of banknotes to Ye Chutang.
"Madam Qi, your calligraphy and paintings have been sold out. The manager of the Poetry Pavilion took no commission. Here are twenty-five thousand taels in banknotes. Please count them."
Not only the guarding Imperial Guards but also the Qi family were stunned, their eyes wide.
Earning twenty-five thousand taels in one hour—no one else in the entire Beichen Kingdom could do that!
Ye Chutang had already anticipated this result and calmly accepted the banknotes.
"Were there any requests for portraits?"
"Yes, but most were for portraits of elders at home. However, Madam Qi cannot leave Prince Chen's Mansion."
After speaking, the Imperial Guard handed Ye Chutang a list of those wanting portraits.
There were over thirty people.
And these were only the ones who got the first-hand news at the Poetry Pavilion.
If the news spread, those wanting portraits would surely be as numerous as carp crossing a river.
Ye Chutang's gaze fell on the list, and she said with a smile, "I cannot leave, but the subjects can come here."
Qi Yanzhou didn't want Ye Chutang to overexert herself. "We have enough silver. Don't do the portraits."
He had already made arrangements for the exile journey; they wouldn't lack for money.
Ye Chutang knew Qi Yanzhou couldn't bear to see her work hard.
She smiled and said, "No one ever thinks they have too much silver. It's just a bit of manual work. No reason not to earn it."
Then, she handed the Imperial Guard a fifty-tael banknote.
"Sorry to trouble you, Officer, to make another trip to the Poetry Pavilion. Have those wanting portraits come to the gate of Prince Chen's Mansion."
An Imperial Guard's monthly salary was only ten taels, so he immediately took the banknote and went to handle the task.
After he left, Qi He'an asked curiously, "Writing poetry is faster and earns more silver. Why does Second Sister-in-law want to paint portraits?"
For a portrait, it would take half an hour to earn one thousand taels.
But writing poetry earned twenty-five thousand taels in half an hour!
Qi Yanzhou answered the question for Ye Chutang. "Scarcity increases value."
Half an hour later.
The Imperial Guard brought many people wanting portraits.
Ye Chutang stood inside the main gate of Prince Chen's Mansion and said, "I can paint one portrait in half an hour. I will paint six per day, fifteen in total. First come, first served by payment. Then, have the subjects come to Prince Chen's Mansion according to the schedule I set."
There were more than fifteen people, but only a few had one thousand taels on hand.
"Madam Qi, please wait! I've already sent someone home to fetch the silver. Please save a spot for me!"
"I look at the money, not the person."
Around noon, Guangjuxuan Restaurant delivered two dishes.
And just then, Ye Chutang's fifteen slots were filled.
She scheduled the portrait sessions according to the order of payment.
"Everyone, if you're late, I won't wait."
After speaking, she put away the banknotes and returned to the main hall for lunch.
After Ye Chutang demonstrated her money-making ability, those hostile to her hid their thoughts.
They also no longer objected to her having the best food.
Ye Chutang didn't hog the food, but she didn't share with everyone either.
The dishes from Guangjuxuan, she only shared with the two Qi elders and Qi Yanzhou.
After lunch, she took a walk under the corridor to aid digestion.
Then, she went to the east side hall for a nap.
When Ye Chutang woke up, she began painting portraits.
In two hours, she completed three.
Those who received the portraits praised the paintings profusely and left satisfied.
Qi Yanzhou, looking at her ink-stained hands, handed her a clean, damp cloth.
"Are you tired?"
Ye Chutang shook her wrist and smiled. "I rested after finishing each one. I'm not tired."
While she wiped her hands, Qi Yanzhou tidied the painting supplies and placed them under the corridor of the main hall.
For the evening meal, there was braised fish pieces.
As soon as the dish was placed on the table, Ye Chutang felt slightly nauseated by the faint fishy smell.
Seeing her pale complexion, Qi Yanzhou quickly helped her up.
"Are you tired? Let me help you to the side hall to rest for a while."
Ye Chutang, barely suppressing the rising sourness in her throat, nodded.
"Alright, I feel a bit dizzy."
Qi Yanzhou picked Ye Chutang up in his arms and said to the two Qi elders, "Father, Mother, please eat first. Don't mind Yanzhou and Atang. Just keep the dishes from Guangjuxuan for us."
After speaking, he carried Ye Chutang to the east side hall.
Concubine Su couldn't resist muttering again.
"To hog the good food, she's even pretending to be sick now."
Slap!
Old Master Qi slammed his chopsticks on the table.
"If eating can't shut your mouth, then don't eat!"
If it weren't for wanting to glean the emperor's movements from Concubine Su, he would have long divorced this troublesome woman.
Seeing how Old Master Qi, who used to dote on her, now found fault with her everywhere, Concubine Su felt wronged, tears welling up.
"Master..."
Just as she was about to act coy, the Old Master scolded, "Get out!"
Concubine Su, having been a Yangzhou 'shouma', was very perceptive.
Seeing the Old Master was truly angry, she dared not say more and immediately left the main hall.
Old Master Qi, fearing she would disturb Ye Chutang's rest, added another command.
"Stand outside and reflect on your behavior!"
After saying this, he looked at Old Madam Qi.
"Tang'er looks very unwell. Go check on her and see if we need to call a physician."
"Yes, husband."
Old Madam Qi hurried to the east side hall.
Hearing footsteps, Ye Chutang pressed on several acupoints, barely suppressing the rising nausea.
"Tang'er, where are you unwell? Should we call a physician?"
Qi Yanzhou, seeing Ye Chutang's complexion had improved somewhat, reminded her, "Mother, few can match A-Tang's medical skills."
Old Madam Qi slapped Qi Yanzhou on the back.
"You foolish child, why don't you know how to cherish your wife? Tang'er is unwell, and you still want her to diagnose herself?"
Ye Chutang forced a faint smile, offering a random excuse.
"Mother, I'm fine. It's probably just because I couldn't sleep well in a new bed at night."
"The Imperial Guards seem quite reasonable. Should we ask them to move the wedding bed to the side hall?"
"There's no need for such trouble. Another couple of nights..."
Old Madam Qi interrupted Ye Chutang, "Tang'er, the journey into exile will surely be uncomfortable. There's no need to suffer when you can have some comfort."
With that, she left the side hall and looked towards the Imperial Guard who had previously taken Ye Chutang's gold hairpin.
"Could you trouble the officers to move the wedding bed from the Tang-Zhou Courtyard to the side hall? Tang'er's health is suffering from sleeping on the floor."
Ye Chutang still wanted to object, but Qi Yanzhou said, "Sleeping on a bed is indeed more comfortable."
"Alright then, there's really no need to force hardship upon ourselves."
The Imperial Guards were already worried something might happen to Ye Chutang. Upon hearing this, they quickly agreed.
Soon, the canopy bed adorned with bright red curtains was carried into the side hall.
Placed in a corner, it didn't take up much space.
Qi Yanzhou made the bed, then picked up Ye Chutang and placed her on the soft mattress.
"You sit here. I'll bring the food."
He gave all the dishes delivered from Guangjuxuan Restaurant to Ye Chutang.
"A-Tang, from now on, just eat the food sent from Guangjuxuan."
Then, he used a spoon to cut a small piece of braised lion's head meatball and fed it to Ye Chutang's lips.
After eating it, Ye Chutang asked, "Aren't you afraid the Imperial Guards will report to the Emperor and raise suspicions, treating me so well?"
Qi Yanzhou scooped another spoonful of the meatball and fed it to Ye Chutang.
He said with a smile, "You now hold forty thousand taels in silver notes. I need to dote on you to have money to spend, to ensure the Qi family travels comfortably to Tianshan County."
In the Emperor's view, he was adaptable; to coax a woman for the sake of the Qi family was something he was capable of doing.
Ye Chutang raised an eyebrow.
"So that's your plan for not stopping me from earning money with poetry."
"You earn the money, I can openly treat you well, and you can take charge in the Qi family. Killing two birds with one stone."
Ye Chutang took another bite of the braised lion's head. "Let's eat together. I can't finish this alone."
Whispering intimately to each other, the two shared the dishes from Guangjuxuan.
After the meal, Ye Chutang strolled in the courtyard to aid digestion.
Qi Yanzhou inquired about the Imperial Guards' progress in investigating the weapons.
Learning there was none, he feigned anxiety and helplessness.
After this performance, he practiced martial arts under the corridor. Ye Chutang, having nothing else to do, joined in, sitting in meditation to circulate her inner energy.
Now that she was pregnant, she couldn't practice martial arts vigorously, but cultivating inner energy was fine.
Over the next two days.
Ye Chutang painted portraits during the day, practiced inner energy in the evening, and emptied her enemies' storehouses late at night.
Busy, fulfilling.
Everyone assumed the "Ghost Thief" would target Prince Chen's Mansion.
However, as the exile edict was about to be issued, not a single item from the valuables placed in the front courtyard had gone missing.
Then someone noticed that the officials whose homes had been emptied all had some degree of enmity with the Qi family.
Thus, at the morning court session on the third day, they impeached Qi Yanzhou.
"Your Majesty, although I have no evidence, all those robbed today have had conflicts with Qi Yanzhou."
"Indeed, Your Majesty. Such coincidence does not exist in this world. The 'Ghost Thief' must be Qi Yanzhou's man."
"The 'Ghost Thief' framing Prince Chen's Mansion is groundless. Qi Yanzhou surely harbors rebellious intentions!"
"Your Majesty, Qi Yanzhou is exploiting the lack of evidence as a loophole. He cannot be trusted!"
Although the Emperor was pleased with the impeachment, judging a case required evidence.
Even fabricated evidence would do.
But these ministers only offered speculation, grating on his nerves.
Qin Zheng, sensing the Emperor's displeasure, interrupted the incessant chatter.
"Gentlemen, please refrain from baseless conjecture. Otherwise, I could also allege you are connected to the 'Ghost Thief,' having your homes robbed deliberately to dispel suspicion."
"Lord Qin, even if you are on good terms with Qi Yanzhou, you cannot slander us with empty words!"
"So Lord Wang also knows the phrase 'empty words.' I thought you were unfamiliar with it!"
"You... you..."
The Emperor, his head aching from the noise, rebuked, "Enough! This is the Hall of Golden Chimes, not a marketplace!"
The buzzing hall immediately fell silent.
The Emperor asked his daily question: "Has the origin of the weapons from Prince Chen's Mansion been traced?"
The Chief of the Dali Temple and the Governor of the Capital Prefecture stepped forward.
"Your subject is incompetent!"
Qin Zheng stepped sideways to the center of the hall and bowed to the Emperor.
"Your subject has found a small lead."
The lead was given to Qin Zheng by Qi Yanzhou's men.
He was supposed to have a low-ranking protégé present it to the Emperor, but he came forward himself.
The Emperor's face visibly darkened.
"The Prime Minister is truly capable. While the Dali Temple and the Capital Prefecture found nothing, you have a lead."
Qin Zheng extended the lead in his hand.
"Your subject was merely fortunate."
Under the Emperor's indication, a eunuch took the lead from Qin Zheng and handed it to Eunuch De.
Eunuch De read it and passed it to the Emperor.
"Your Majesty, it's not much of a lead, merely conjecture."
The lead provided by Qi Yanzhou concerned Ye Chutang's one hundred and twenty-eight dowry chests.
When carried into Prince Chen's Mansion, the dowry chests appeared very heavy, the servants straining under their weight.
Yet, the chests contained only one or two items and were actually very light.
Moreover, one chest was full of dust, matching the dust found on the weapons.
This suggested the weapons were most likely transported into the storeroom via the dowry chests by Ye Jingchuan to frame Qi Yanzhou.
Of course, leads and conjecture could not serve as evidence.
After reading the lead, the Emperor's anxious heart settled, and he looked coldly at Qin Zheng.
"Prime Minister Qin is indeed meticulous. Unfortunately, these leads cannot prove the weapons did not originate from Prince Chen's Mansion."
Qin Zheng said, "Your Majesty is absolutely right. But I believe further investigation will yield results."
"The three-day deadline has arrived. Does the Prime Minister wish for me to break my word?"
Imperial authority pressed down. Qin Zheng immediately knelt.
"Your subject dare not. Your subject merely..."
The Emperor interrupted Qin Zheng displeased.
"Beloved Minister Qin, my word is law. If you can find evidence proving Prince Chen's Mansion was framed before noon today, I will immediately restore the Qi family's noble title!"
Qi Yanzhou's purpose in giving the lead to Qin Zheng was achieved.
He aimed to use the Emperor's sense of urgency to finalize the exile matter quickly.
Qin Zheng prostrated himself. "Your subject obeys the decree."
Rising, he brought up Ye Jingchuan, who was under house arrest at the Minister's Mansion.
Your Majesty, the matter concerning Minister Ye and the two princes has been set aside for three days.
These words thoroughly angered the Emperor.
He slammed his palm on the arm of the dragon throne. "Is the Grand Councillor instructing this emperor on how to act?!"
"I would not dare."
"Imperial Tutor Qin has overstepped his authority. He is ordered to return to the Grand Tutor's Mansion for ten days of reflection and is fined one month's salary."
This outcome was within Qin Zheng's expectations.
"I thank Your Majesty for your great mercy."
He knew that after the emperor eradicated the Qi family, he would turn his attention to those closely associated with them.
Qin Muyun and Qi Yanzhou were sworn brothers, so the Grand Tutor's Mansion would be the first target.
Therefore, he deliberately provoked the emperor, actively accepted punishment to avoid the peak of the emperor's wrath.
After Qin Zheng left the Hall of Golden Chimes, no one else dared to cross the emperor.
The emperor inquired about the floods in the south.
The Office of Transmission hurriedly replied, "Your Majesty, the rain in the south has stopped. Although an epidemic has broken out, food and medicinal supplies were delivered promptly, and the outbreak is now under control."
"Do not let your guard down. All outsiders entering or leaving the capital must be strictly screened."
After speaking, the emperor prepared to conclude the court session.
"Boom! Boom! Boom!"
A heavy, muffled drumbeat sounded.
Someone was beating the "Petition Drum" at the palace gate!
The civil and military officials were extremely curious. Who could it be?
Shortly after, the officer guarding the Petition Drum arrived outside the Hall of Golden Chimes.
Throughout this time, the drumming had not ceased.
Without waiting for the eunuch outside to announce him, the emperor said, "Enter and speak. Why has the drumming not stopped?"
The officer immediately entered the hall and knelt on one knee. "Reporting to Your Majesty, there are over ten people beating the drum, and each has someone they wish to accuse."
Upon hearing this, all the officials were shocked.
The emperor asked, "Who are these people? Do they know the penalty for beating the Petition Drum?"
"They are family members or servants of court officials, accusing other high-ranking ministers."
"Explain clearly."
"Lord Wang's servant accuses Lord Chen of stealing items from his mansion; Lord Chen's servant accuses Lord Fang of stealing items from his mansion; Lord Fang's servant..."
The emperor was getting a headache from the circular accusations and snapped, "Speak plainly!"
"The mansion of Lord Wang, a Reviewer at the Court of Judicial Review, was completely looted. His servant saw Lord Wang's most prized Ru porcelain bowl being used to feed a dog at the gate of Lord Chen's, a Doctor of the Imperial Academy, residence."
The officer clarified the accusations from each servant.
In short, the stolen items from these several officials had brazenly appeared in the mansions of the others.
Logically, such matters should be reported to the Capital Prefecture.
Coming to beat the Petition Drum and bringing it before the Son of Heaven clearly indicated someone was behind it.
Several lords immediately knelt before the emperor.
"Your Majesty, the servants beating the drum were not acting on my orders. They must have been incited by the 'Ghost Thief'!"
As soon as the words fell, another officer guarding the Petition Drum also arrived at the Hall of Golden Chimes.
"Your Majesty, this subordinate has urgent news to report!"
The emperor could tell it wasn't good news and pinched the bridge of his nose in irritation.
"Speak!"
The officer promptly presented a secret letter he had just obtained.
"Reporting to Your Majesty, someone placed a secret letter on the Petition Drum. With the drum's vibrations, the letter fell. It reveals that several lords are plotting rebellion. Please review it, Your Majesty."
The emperor now had a headache whenever he heard the words "plot rebellion."
"Present it."
But upon seeing the contents of the letter, he forcefully threw it onto the floor of the Hall of Golden Chimes.
"The 'Ghost Thief' is truly relentless!"
The secret letter was "written by the Ghost Thief," stating that while stealing from the mansions of these several lords, he had discovered they all had hidden weapons, even explicitly pointing out the locations.
After reading the letter, the lords kowtowed repeatedly to pledge their loyalty.
"Your Majesty, I swear on the lives of my entire family, I absolutely harbor no rebellious intentions and have not hidden any weapons!"
"I am utterly loyal to Your Majesty, never having entertained improper thoughts. I beg Your Majesty to see clearly!"
"This is the 'Ghost Thief' framing us..."
Hearing this, all the officials immediately thought of Qi Yanzhou.
The emperor knew full well that the "Ghost Thief" framing officials was meant to destroy the court and bring about the fall of the Beichen Kingdom.
He had Eunuch De retrieve the secret letter and tore it up publicly.
"Rise, my lords. The 'Ghost Thief's' heart is worthy of execution. This emperor naturally will not fall into his trap. To prevent anyone from making a big issue of this, I will dispatch the Imperial Guards to visit each of your mansions."
If the matter of the weapons was unfounded, all would be well.
If weapons truly existed, they needed to be removed quietly.
Lest someone seize the opportunity to try and clear Prince Chen's Mansion of its accusations!
Lord Wang and the others understood the emperor's intent and immediately kowtowed in gratitude.
"I obey your command!"
The emperor, wanting no further incidents, promptly concluded the morning court.
As the officials left the palace after court, they saw the servants who had beaten the Petition Drum, now beaten until their flesh was torn and they had nearly lost half their lives.
Noon.
The emperor's decree was delivered to Prince Chen's Mansion.
"By the decree of Heaven, the Emperor proclaims: Prince Chen's Mansion has privately stockpiled three thousand weapons. This emperor, mindful of..."
There was much superfluous wording, but the gist was that the Qi family intended to rebel. The emperor, being benevolent and magnanimous, and considering the Qi family's ancestral contributions, would not punish them with the extermination of nine clans as per the law for rebellion.
Now, all assets of Prince Chen's Mansion were to be confiscated, and the Qi family was to be exiled to Tianshan County in the northwest, departing early the next morning.
After reading the decree, Eunuch De said, "Qi Yanzhou, by the Emperor's grace, he specially permits one person from the Qi family to purchase supplies for the journey of exile."
Qi Yanzhou received the decree.
"Long live the Emperor, long live, long live!"
"Although the Qi family requested exile themselves, exile is not a pleasure trip. Mind the propriety, and do not entertain any thoughts of escape!"
"This commoner obeys!"
Eunuch De looked at Ye Chutang and said, "The Emperor wishes to request a piece of calligraphy from Madam Qi."
Ye Chutang curtsied. "Please wait a moment, Eunuch. This humble woman will return shortly."
She wrote a poem laced with subtle satire and handed it to Eunuch De.
As Eunuch De took the poem, he secretly passed a small brocade pouch to Ye Chutang.
Ye Chutang felt it; it was the temporary antidote for the tendon-softening powder.
She hid the pouch in her sleeve and retreated to the flowering tree by the doorway, bowing deeply.
"Respectfully seeing off the Eunuch!"
Eunuch De waved a hand at the Imperial Guards. "Move all these confiscated valuables to the national treasury."
The moment his words fell, the entire courtyard rapidly collapsed into the ground.
All the courtyard's valuables and the guarding Imperial Guards vanished, leaving only a massive, square black hole.
Ye Chutang pretended to be so frightened her legs gave way, falling to the ground.
Her hand touched the soil beneath the tree, transferring a loudspeaker from her space underground.
From the loudspeaker came the words she had pre-recorded.
"A foolish ruler holds the way! The Beichen Kingdom is doomed!"
