Kong Ru saw Ye Chutang checking Ye Anjun's pulse and wanted to stop her.
Noticing this, Ye Chutang shifted slightly, blocking Kong Ru with her back.
Frustrated, Kong Ru shot a meaningful glance at the mansion physician.
Just as the physician was about to act, Ye Chutang released Ye Anjun's wrist.
She stood and turned to Kong Ru, her gaze as cold as winter frost.
"You're the one who poisoned Jun'er, making him frail and sickly since childhood, aren't you?"
Who would have thought the scheming tactics from dramas were real!
Her words left the dining hall in stunned silence.
Kong Ru's eyes widened as she stared at Ye Chutang as if seeing a demon.
Ye Anling was the first to react.
She had always known her younger brother was merely a tool for their mother's schemes.
Whenever their father doted on Jun'er, Kong Ru would deliberately make him ill to lure their father to her courtyard.
Ye Anling had benefited from this and was complicit.
Now that the truth was exposed, she hastily denied it.
"Eldest Sister, don’t speak nonsense! Mother nearly died giving birth to Jun'er—how could she ever harm him?"
Her words snapped Kong Ru out of her shock, and tears of grievance welled up instantly.
"My lord, I’ve been wronged! Jun'er is my precious treasure—how could I ever hurt him?"
Ye Jingchuan didn’t believe Ye Chutang’s accusation either.
Whenever Jun'er fell ill, Kong Ru would stay up all night caring for him.
Even though he adored Jun'er, he couldn’t match her devotion.
"Chu'er, what do you mean by Jun'er being poisoned?"
Ye Chutang turned to the mansion physician, who was trying to stay unnoticed.
"Doctor Gao would be the better person to answer that."
Ye Jingchuan agreed. "Doctor Gao, explain this matter of Jun'er being poisoned."
The physician naturally wouldn’t admit that Ye Anjun’s recent episode was due to poisoning.
"My lord, the young master merely has a weak constitution—it’s not poisoning."
Ye Chutang picked up a jade vial from the medicine box.
"Whether it is or not, an outside physician can easily confirm."
Concerned for Ye Anjun’s safety, Ye Jingchuan didn’t hesitate.
"Steward Chen, summon a physician from Huichun Hall immediately."
"Yes, my lord!"
Kong Ru knew that once an outside physician arrived, her crime would be exposed.
She subtly signaled the mansion physician to take the fall.
Realizing his fate was sealed, the physician knew his only hope was to protect Kong Ru.
He knelt before Ye Jingchuan.
"My lord, there’s no need to call a physician. I confess!"
Ye Jingchuan kicked him to the ground, roaring, "Why?! Jun'er is just a child!"
"I have a gambling addiction. Every time the young master fell ill, I received rewards."
"You madman! I’ll kill you!"
Kong Ru quickly restrained the enraged Ye Jingchuan.
"My lord, we don’t yet know what poison he used on Jun'er. Let’s interrogate him thoroughly before deciding his punishment."
"Steward Chen, lock him in the woodshed and extract the truth by any means necessary."
After Steward Chen led the physician away, Ye Jingchuan turned to Ye Chutang.
"Chu'er, can you cure Jun'er?"
"I can, but the poison has damaged his foundation. Recovery will take time."
"Time doesn’t matter—just ensure Jun'er recovers. Whatever silver you need, I’ll provide."
Everyone expected Ye Chutang to demand a fortune.
Instead, she said, "No need. We’re family—no need for formalities. After the homecoming banquet, I’ll begin his treatment."
Then she looked at Kong Ru.
"Madam Ye, those who sow evil reap calamity. You’d do well to remember that."
Before Kong Ru could retort, Ye Chutang left the dining hall and returned to Ningchu Courtyard.
Chun Tao followed closely.
Upon arrival, she handed a tray of clothes and jewelry to Dan'er.
"Miss, I’ll return at dawn to assist with your preparations."
As the guest of honor the next day, Ye Chutang’s grooming would take at least two hours.
"Very well. You may go."
Once Chun Tao left, Dan'er asked, "Miss, what did Chun Tao mean by that?"
"Madam Ye worries I’ll make mistakes tomorrow, so she’s assigned her trusted maid to monitor me."
"Chun Tao is the madam’s confidante. Be cautious around her."
Ye Chutang nodded. "Where’s Shuang'er?"
Dan'er glanced toward the eastern chamber.
"She knelt for three days and is utterly exhausted—she’s sound asleep now."
"Good. After my bath, tell me everything about the Ye household and the noble families you know of."
"At your service, miss."
Dan'er had already prepared hot water.
After adjusting the temperature, she stepped out of the chamber.
Just as Ye Chutang settled into the tub, a commotion erupted outside Ningchu Courtyard.
"I must see the young miss!"
Recognizing the voice of the "Mad Woman," Ye Chutang summoned Dan'er.
Dan'er stood behind the privacy screen, respecting Ye Chutang’s preference for solitude during baths.
"Miss, you called for me?"
"Bring that Mad Woman inside."
She had meant to seek the woman out earlier, but her rigorous etiquette training had delayed it.
"Miss, the lord’s men watch her closely. I couldn’t manage it."
Ye Chutang asked, "Do you know who she is?"
"Rumors say she was once the lord’s concubine but lost her child and went mad."
"That’s the rumor. What do you think?"
Dan'er understood this was a test.
"Miss, the rumors hold some truth, but only half."
"And the other half?"
"She served the late madam. The lord keeps her alive for a reason."
Ye Chutang admired Dan'er’s intelligence and discretion.
The noise outside had ceased—likely the Mad Woman had been taken away.
"What do you think my father wants from her?"
Dan'er pondered before answering.
"Most likely, the late madam’s dowry records."
The late madam was a merchant’s daughter with no political influence—only her immense dowry held value.
To claim it as his own, Ye Jingchuan needed to destroy all records.
That way, no one could verify the dowry’s contents.
Even if Ye Chutang demanded it, he could substitute inferior goods.
Ye Chutang made her decision.
"From now on, you’ll stay by my side. If you ever wish to leave, I won’t stop you."
She needed someone well-versed in this era’s intricacies—her modern perspective often left gaps.
Overjoyed, Dan'er knelt.
"Thank you, miss! I’ll serve you with my life."
"I didn’t take you in to claim your life. Live well—only then can you aid me."
"Yes, miss. I’ll remember your words."
As Ye Chutang applied scented soap, she asked, "Where does the Mad Woman live?"
Dan'er rose. "The Qing Song Courtyard, northwest of the Minister's Mansion."
"Understood. Go wash up. We’ll talk soon—tomorrow will be a battle."
"As you wish, miss."
Soon after, Ye Chutang finished bathing.
Dan'er returned, having freshened up, and tidied the chamber.
She ignored the unused soap and cleansers, storing them away.
The tub had a drainage hole, so she only needed to scrub it clean.
Once everything was in order, she recounted everything she knew to Ye Chutang in full.
The conversation lasted a full hour.
Ye Chutang learned about the true state of the Ye family, the current situation in Beichen Kingdom, and even some private affairs of the court's high-ranking officials.
She yawned and said, "Dan'er, you don’t need to keep watch tonight. Go sleep in the side room."
"Yes, Young Miss."
After Dan'er left, Ye Chutang dozed off lightly.
She awoke in the dead of night, when all was silent except for the chirping of insects.
The lanterns had all been extinguished, leaving the entire Minister's Mansion shrouded in darkness.
Wrapping herself in an outer robe, Ye Chutang got up and made her way to the Green Pine Courtyard—where the Mad Woman lived.
