Ye Jingchuan suddenly remembered something and called out to Ye Chutang.
"Chu'er, wait a moment."
Ye Chutang stopped in her tracks and turned around. "What is it?"
"Your reputation has spread far and wide now. Many colleagues wish to arrange a marriage alliance with the Minister's Mansion. What do you think?"
"I’d like to gather all the men who want to marry me into the Minister's Mansion and keep them as my consorts."
Ye Jingchuan: "..."
"Speak properly!"
Ye Chutang forced a fake smile.
"You started the nonsense first. Consider this a friendly warning—don’t play matchmaker. The consequences will be severe."
Ye Jingchuan panicked at her words and quickly reassured her.
"Don’t worry. I promised you I wouldn’t interfere in your marriage."
Ye Chutang recalled the gossip she’d overheard at the royal hot spring villa and grinned from ear to ear.
"I trust Father wouldn’t do something so self-destructive."
With that, she turned and left.
Glazed Courtyard
Kong Ru was still in agony, her voice so hoarse she couldn’t make a sound.
When the maids saw Ye Chutang enter, they didn’t dare stop her and quietly retreated.
Ye Chutang walked to the disheveled canopy bed.
In less than two days, Kong Ru had wasted away, looking a decade older.
She clutched her stomach, curled into a ball, her face twisted in pain.
"Enjoying the taste of living death?"
At the sound of Ye Chutang’s voice, Kong Ru’s unfocused eyes sharpened.
The pain had left her unable to eat for two days. Weak and exhausted, she could barely turn her neck.
Watching her move as if in slow motion, Ye Chutang roughly yanked her head around.
"Does it hurt? Don’t worry—it’ll get worse."
Kong Ru hated Ye Chutang to the core, but she didn’t dare show it, her eyes pleading instead.
"Chu… Chu'er, I was wrong… please…"
Ye Chutang abruptly gripped her throat, cutting off her plea.
"Relax, you won’t die yet. Where are the servants’ contracts?"
Kong Ru felt the terror of suffocation again.
Her ashen face turned ghostly pale, her stiff body trembling violently.
With great effort, she gasped out, "Bottom… of the wardrobe."
Ye Chutang released her and retrieved a locked wooden box from the wardrobe.
Without asking for the key, she smashed the lock open.
Inside were not only the servants’ contracts but also deeds for land, shops, and properties.
She ignored the rest, taking only Xiu'er and Xinghua’s contracts before shoving the box back.
Before leaving, Ye Chutang inserted a few needles into Kong Ru and forced a pill down her throat.
"By day, you’ll seem normal. But at night, the pain will double."
If Kong Ru endured this torment indefinitely, she’d be dead within two days.
And Ye Chutang wouldn’t let her die so easily.
The pain vanished instantly, as if Kong Ru had been reborn.
She didn’t care about the night—any respite was enough.
Otherwise, she couldn’t contact her father to strike back.
To Ye Chutang, Kong Ru was already a corpse. Her hidden hatred meant nothing.
Ningchu Courtyard
Ye Chutang handed three contracts to Hongxiu.
"The estate is large enough for farming and livestock. The nearby town has embroidery work—you can support yourselves. If you need help, find Aunt Wang in the village."
Hongxiu didn’t take the contracts. Instead, she knelt and kowtowed three times.
"My lady, your mercy has saved me. I’ll remember it all my life. If you ever need me, I’ll answer without hesitation."
Her life belonged to Ye Chutang forever.
Ye Chutang took back the contracts.
"Fine. Go—the carriage is waiting outside."
"I’ll pray for you daily, my lady. May you always be safe and blessed."
With that, Hongxiu rose and left.
Poetry Pavilion
After Hongxiu’s departure, Ye Chutang headed to the Poetry Pavilion.
At the entrance, she ran into Qin Muyun.
"Miss Ye, may I speak with you?"
His father had returned from court and mentioned discreetly proposing a marriage alliance to Minister Ye.
Qin Muyun had been furious and anxious.
But his father added, "Muyun, Minister Ye said he won’t interfere in his daughter’s marriage. Prince Chen also told me—if you truly admire Miss Ye, pursue her boldly. Don’t live with regrets."
So he’d come to the Poetry Pavilion to wait for her.
Ye Chutang studied Qin Muyun’s flushed cheeks and averted gaze, instantly understanding.
She tilted her chin toward the pavilion. "Want to talk? Come inside first."
Without waiting, she glanced at the riddle posted outside and answered it.
Qin Muyun followed suit.
The Qin family bred scholars—none of its descendants lacked literary talent.
As the eldest grandson, tutored by his grandfather, the Grand Tutor, passing imperial exams had been effortless.
But his public persona was that of a wastrel, so no one knew his true intellect.
The attendant handed Qin Muyun’s answer to the examiner.
Soon, he received approval and smiled. "Young Master Qin, please enter."
Qin Muyun nodded and stepped inside.
There, he saw Ye Chutang surrounded by men seeking her advice.
The peerless beauty stood poised and confident, radiating a charm that captivated him.
He didn’t interrupt, waiting quietly and stealing glances.
The more he looked, the more unworthy he felt.
After a few exchanges, Ye Chutang said, "Gentlemen, let’s continue later. I promised Young Master Qin first."
She turned to him. "A private room?"
Compared to her composure, Qin Muyun fidgeted nervously.
"Of course. As you wish, Miss Ye."
Though they took a private room, Ye Chutang left the door open to avoid gossip.
In a near-whisper, she cut straight to the point.
"Young Master Qin, do you like me?"
Qin Muyun, pouring tea, nearly dropped the pot.
His face burned crimson as he steadied his trembling right hand with his left, finishing the pour.
Setting the pot down, he sat rigidly, too tense to know where to place his limbs.
"M-Miss Ye… you noticed?"
