Upon hearing the emperor's intention to arrange a marriage for him, Qi Yanzhou immediately stepped forward between the rows of banquet tables and knelt.
"Your Majesty, I beg you to reconsider this decree. The witch doctor saved my life, and I am eternally grateful. How could I force her into something against her will?"
The emperor narrowed his eyes, his imposing aura bearing down on Qi Yanzhou.
"So, Prince Chen, are you implying that I am the one forcing her?"
"Your Majesty, I meant no offense. I merely worry that the people of the southern border are fiercely independent. If the witch doctor is compelled to come to the capital, we may invite calamity—perhaps even poison or curses."
To the emperor, these words sounded like both a veiled threat and a defense of the witch doctor.
Yet Qi Yanzhou had inadvertently reminded him—allowing such a woman into the capital would be a disaster.
"Prince Chen, you spent two years in the southern border, delaying your marriage and failing to secure an heir for Prince Chen's Mansion. I feel responsible for this. Now that you’ve returned, it’s time to settle this matter."
Qi Yanzhou understood the emperor’s true intent—to place a spy in his bed, someone who could kill him.
"Having just returned to the capital, I am willing to marry, but I am still unfamiliar with the noble ladies here. I would like more time to consider."
The emperor wanted nothing more than to impose a bride on Qi Yanzhou outright, but he couldn’t risk appearing tyrannical.
"Very well. I grant you half a month. If you still have no preference by then, I will choose for you."
"Your servant thanks Your Majesty. Long live the emperor!"
"Rise and return to your seat."
As Qi Yanzhou resumed his place, Eunuch De approached the emperor to request permission to marry Ye Anling.
The emperor had already heard of the previous day’s scandal at the Minister's Mansion.
Glancing at the silent, sullen Crown Prince, he nodded.
"I approve."
"This old servant thanks Your Majesty for your kindness!"
Then, recalling something, the emperor turned back to Qi Yanzhou.
"I heard you requested a calligraphy piece from Minister Ye’s eldest daughter."
Qi Yanzhou replied respectfully, "Indeed. Lady Ye’s literary talent is exceptional, and her brushwork is like soaring clouds and startling dragons. I admired it greatly and asked for a sample."
He then glanced at Eunuch De.
"It seems Eunuch De shares my taste—he also obtained one."
The emperor gave Eunuch De a sidelong look. "They say Lady Ye is peerlessly beautiful, gifted in both intellect and grace. Are you not tempted, Prince Chen?"
Qi Yanzhou recognized the emperor’s ploy—to push him toward Ye Chutang, assuming she was loyal to Ye Jingchuan, the emperor’s trusted minister.
But the emperor didn’t know that Ye Chutang and Ye Jingchuan were not allies.
Truthfully, marrying Ye Chutang would be ideal.
First, she wasn’t the emperor’s pawn.
Second, it would make it easier for her to continue treating his poison.
But she had made it clear she had no intention of wedding him, and he wouldn’t force her.
"I am but a rough soldier, unworthy of Lady Ye."
The emperor assumed Qi Yanzhou was rejecting her because Ye Jingchuan was a favored official and his eldest daughter had grown up in the countryside.
"Prince Chen, you’ve defended our nation with outstanding military achievements. You could wed a princess and still be more than deserving."
(Of course, he would never betroth a princess to Qi Yanzhou—that would give him a royal-blooded heir, legitimizing any future rebellion.)
Unable to openly defy the emperor, Qi Yanzhou used the half-month grace period as an excuse.
The emperor could press no further without contradicting himself, so he shifted the conversation to court affairs.
With Eunuch De controlling the court, ministers only reported good news, flattering the emperor until he was thoroughly pleased—and eager to resume his quest for immortality.
The banquet ended early, as the emperor was weary from his journey back from Qingyun Temple.
Eunuch De escorted him to Qianqing Palace to rest, seizing the chance to request the imperial decree for his marriage.
Meanwhile, officials congratulated Ye Jingchuan—though he knew they were secretly mocking him.
After exchanging a few perfunctory words, he discreetly glanced at the second prince before leaving the palace.
Noticing Ye Jingchuan’s urgency, the second prince soon followed.
They met in a tavern connected to the Minister's Mansion’s secret chamber.
"Minister Ye, what brings you to seek me so suddenly?"
Knowing daytime meetings were risky, Ye Jingchuan cut to the chase.
"The weapons and provisions in the chamber—they’re gone."
The second prince paled. "Gone? What do you mean?"
"Vanished. Just like Ningchu Manor and Xishou Palace—everything disappeared."
"You don’t actually believe those rumors about a ‘ghost thief,’ do you?"
Ye Jingchuan wanted to dismiss it, but—
"The chamber is beneath the library, guarded around the clock. There’s no sign of forced entry, and the tunnel to this tavern can only be opened from inside the chamber."
In other words, no human could’ve stolen everything without a trace.
Since the second prince had spies among both the library guards and the tavern staff, he quickly ruled out Ye Jingchuan stealing from himself. His expression darkened.
"Minister Ye… you didn’t store anything else incriminating in there, did you?"
Ye Jingchuan knew he meant their correspondence.
He would never admit it. "Nothing else."
The second prince leaned forward, eyes locked on Ye Jingchuan’s.
"Losing weapons and provisions is just a financial loss—they weren’t marked. But if those letters fell into the wrong hands and reached the emperor, your entire clan would be exterminated."
A cold sweat drenched Ye Jingchuan’s back, though his face remained calm.
"I understand. I would never keep evidence that could harm us both."
(He had kept the letters to control both the Crown Prince and the second prince—never imagining they’d become a blade hanging over his head.
Now, he could only pray the thief truly was a ghost.)
The second prince leaned back, lifting a cup of steaming tea, his gaze fixed on the rising vapor.
"Forget the stolen goods. Let Prince Chen hunt this ‘ghost thief’ first."
Ye Jingchuan stood. "Understood. I take my leave."
As he turned, the second prince’s mocking voice followed.
"Minister Ye, once you board my ship, there’s no disembarking. Sever all ties with the Crown Prince."
He knew this old fox was playing both sides—but had allowed it because Ye Anling’s marriage to the Crown Prince benefited him.
Ye Jingchuan paused mid-step.
"Your Highness, my loyalty is yours alone!"
The second prince chuckled. "Go. The marriage decree will likely reach the Minister's Mansion soon."
Indeed, shortly after Ye Jingchuan returned, the emperor’s decree arrived.
Eunuch De himself delivered it.
As a eunuch, his wedding would be a subdued affair, scheduled in just ten days.
Kong Ru was temporarily released to oversee preparations before returning to house arrest.
After the Ye family received the decree, Eunuch De addressed Ye Jingchuan.
"Minister Ye, His Majesty has an oral decree."
Ye Jingchuan guessed its contents.
He handed the scroll to his eldest son, Ye Anzhi.
"Anzhi, enshrine this in the ancestral hall."
To the rest of the household, he said, "Stay here. I have matters to discuss shortly."
Then, gesturing to Eunuch De, "Grand Eunuch, please join me in the study."
Once inside, Eunuch De wasted no time.
"Minister Ye, His Majesty wishes for your daughter to marry Prince Chen."
Ye Jingchuan knew the emperor had long sought to eliminate Qi Yanzhou and dismantle Prince Chen's Mansion.
He wanted to assist—but Ye Chutang refused to obey him.
"Grand Eunuch, Chutang is strong-willed. I fear—"
Eunuch De smiled. "Once she’s under control, no amount of willfulness will save her."
