Ye Chutang, with her keen hearing, caught Jinzhi's murmuring.
She swiftly turned and burst through the window, intercepting Jinzhi just as she was about to crash into the wall.
Jinzhi had resolved to die, and after being saved, she seemed dazed.
It took her a while to regain her senses before she looked at Ye Chutang's stern face.
"Young Mistress, you shouldn’t have saved this servant."
She had long wished for death, clinging to life only to fulfill her late mistress's final wish.
Now that the task was done, she ought to join her mistress in the afterlife.
Ye Chutang gripped Jinzhi’s arms firmly, her gaze serious.
"Aunt Jin, death is easy, but my mother would surely want you to live—to take care of me in her stead."
Jinzhi couldn’t meet Ye Chutang’s eyes, her voice choked with sobs.
"This servant is tainted, unworthy."
Ye Chutang pulled Jinzhi into an embrace, gently stroking her back.
"Aunt Jin, it wasn’t your fault. You’ve done more than enough."
"Stay alive. I need you."
I need you!
At these words, Jinzhi trembled, her eyes brimming with tears.
"If the Young Mistress needs me, this servant would gladly die a thousand deaths!"
Seeing that Jinzhi now had a reason to live, Ye Chutang released her.
"Good. No more foolishness, or even if you go to the underworld, my mother won’t see you."
"This servant will obey the Young Mistress."
Then, noticing the stains on Ye Chutang’s clothes, Jinzhi looked guilty.
"Young Mistress will have to wash these again when you return."
"It’s nothing. Rest early, Aunt Jin. I’ll take my leave."
The next day, at dawn.
The horizon glowed with the first light, and the Minister's Mansion seemed veiled in a thin mist.
Servants were already bustling about, cleaning every inch of the estate.
The kitchen was in full swing, preparing food for the banquet.
Chun Tao arrived punctually at Ningchu Courtyard.
Hearing that Ye Chutang hadn’t risen yet, her face darkened.
"It’s late. If the Eldest Miss doesn’t wake soon, she may not have time to dress properly."
Dan'er smiled. "The Eldest Miss is naturally beautiful. Even without adornment, she’d outshine everyone."
Chun Tao couldn’t argue.
Remembering her mistress’s orders, she pulled Dan'er aside and pressed a packet into her hand.
"Watch for my signal. Find a chance to give this to the Eldest Miss."
Dan'er had guessed Kong Ru wouldn’t give up easily.
But she hadn’t expected her to disregard Young Master Ye Anjun’s safety and still target Ye Chutang.
"You know the Eldest Miss understands medicine and poisons. Asking me to do this is throwing me into the fire!"
"The Mistress promised that if you succeed, she’ll have the Eldest Young Master take you as a concubine—make you a mistress."
Dan'er cared little for Kong Ru’s empty promises, but she hid it well.
"Understood. I’ll do my best."
Chun Tao scoffed at Dan'er’s naivety and shoved her.
"Hurry and wake the Eldest Miss."
Dan'er ignored her.
Only after preparing everything Ye Chutang needed did she approach.
"Eldest Miss, it’s past dawn. Time to rise."
Ye Chutang had bathed again after returning from Qingsong Courtyard the night before and hadn’t slept until the small hours.
Now, she was too exhausted to move.
But today wasn’t a day for lazing—she had to face everyone at her best.
"Dan'er, fetch me a basin of cold water."
The icy water jolted her awake.
Dan'er placed the packet before Ye Chutang.
"Eldest Miss, Chun Tao gave me this. Told me to give it to you when she signaled."
Ye Chutang unfolded the paper and sniffed the white powder.
"Aphrodisiac."
She rewrapped it and handed it back.
"Do as she says. I have my own plans."
"Yes, Eldest Miss."
Dan'er tucked the packet into her sleeve and called Chun Tao in to help Ye Chutang dress.
An hour later.
Sunlight streamed through the window, casting golden patterns on the floor.
Ye Chutang barely recognized herself in the mirror.
Arched brows, phoenix eyes, a delicate nose, and lips like vermilion—her beauty was breathtaking, poised yet alluring.
She took a brow pencil and sharpened the arch, adding a touch of fierceness.
Her crimson layered gown billowed like a fairy’s robes.
The gold and silver embroidered crabapple blossoms seemed alive, their fragrance lingering.
No effort had been spared on this attire.
Dan'er stared, entranced.
"The Eldest Miss is a goddess among mortals, unmatched."
Chun Tao agreed wholeheartedly. "After today, suitors will line up for the Eldest Miss."
Ye Chutang responded indifferently. "Is it time for breakfast?"
"Eldest Miss, for the sake of your figure, it’s best to skip it."
"Chun Tao, do you want me to faint at the homecoming banquet?"
"This servant wouldn’t dare! I’ll fetch your meal at once."
After breakfast, Ye Chutang headed to the front courtyard.
Along the way, she overheard servants gossiping—the estate physician had fled last night.
This didn’t surprise her.
Kong Ru was the true culprit behind Ye Anjun’s illness. Letting the physician escape kept her from being implicated.
Thinking of what Kong Ru had done to her birth mother, Ye Chutang’s eyes turned cold.
Had she known earlier, she’d have kept the physician under control.
But it didn’t matter.
The physician wouldn’t leave the capital without sufficient reward. She still had time to expose Kong Ru’s hypocrisy.
In the front courtyard, all the Ye family except Ye Anjun had gathered.
When Ye Chutang appeared, everyone’s eyes lit up with awe.
Ye Jingchuan studied Ye Chutang, finding her even more stunning than Tang Wanning had been. Had it not been for Chief De, he’d have offered her to the Second Prince.
What a waste.
Ye Anling smirked at Ye Chutang’s radiance.
The more dazzling you are today, the less Chief De will let you go.
Ye Anzhi couldn’t tear his eyes away, his desire for her burning fiercer than ever.
Ye Chutang noted their expressions. "Father, when will the guests arrive? What should I do?"
"Around mid-morning. The front courtyard hosts the men; the rear garden, the women. First, accompany your stepmother in receiving the ladies. Before the banquet, I’ll introduce you to the male guests."
"Yes, Father."
It was now past mid-morning. Kong Ru led Ye Chutang and Ye Anling to the rear garden to familiarize them with the layout, ensuring no mishaps during the banquet.
The concubines and the illegitimate daughter, Ye Siyin, lingered in a corner.
At such grand events, only the main wives and legitimate daughters mingled.
Right on time, guests began arriving.
The rear garden was close enough to the front courtyard for Ye Chutang to hear Steward Chen announce, "Vice Minister of Revenue, Lord Cao, has arrived!"
Ye Chutang’s mood brightened.
Each guest meant another gift.
Delightful.
Kong Ru instructed, "Chu’er, come with me to greet the ladies at the garden entrance. Ling’er, you’ll entertain inside."
Ye Anling should have been greeting guests too, but the bandage hidden under her hair made exertion unwise.
Ye Chutang glided gracefully to the garden’s entrance, every inch the noble lady.
Lady Cao arrived with her daughter-in-law. Seeing Ye Chutang’s legendary beauty firsthand, she was spellbound.
Kong Ru introduced them to each other.
Since Lord Cao was Ye Jingchuan’s subordinate, Ye Chutang only needed to nod in greeting.
"My respects to Lady Cao."
Lady Cao had assumed Ye Chutang would be a rustic village woman unfamiliar with social etiquette, but to her surprise, the young woman carried herself with such grace.
"Miss Ye, the pleasure is mine."
As more officials arrived in quick succession, Ye Chutang greeted them until her throat grew dry, yet she maintained her smile and composure flawlessly, leaving no room for criticism.
Her demeanor earned the admiration of all the assembled families.
Standing at the entrance of the rear garden, her presence also caught the attention of the male guests in the front courtyard.
Many men were captivated by her beauty, stealing glances—some boldly, others more discreetly.
Just then, Steward Chen announced, "Prince Chen has arrived!"
