Qi Yanzhou heftily lifted the two-point-one radian arc, carefully inspecting the soil beneath.
After a thorough look, nothing seemed out of the ordinary.
The cut circular opening was only large enough for a slender woman to pass through. He had assumed the "Ghost Thief" was a man and hadn’t given it much thought.
He approached the iron wall where words were scrawled. The dye used was unfamiliar to him—foul and pungent.
The handwriting was sloppy, each stroke dripping with mockery.
What exactly did this "Ghost Thief" intend?
Having even stolen the imperial jade seal, could he be aiming to overthrow the realm?
Qi Yanzhou couldn’t make sense of it. With no other choice, he left the underground private treasury and headed to the emperor’s bedchamber.
“Your Majesty, to capture this ‘Ghost Thief,’ I will need Eunuch De’s assistance.”
The emperor, worn down and forced to issue a self-critical edict, looked several years older, utterly exhausted.
He lifted his eyelids weakly. “Granted. How much time do you need?”
“Three days will suffice, but whether the ‘Ghost Thief’ will take the bait, I cannot guarantee.”
“After Princess An’s birthday banquet, I want to see your plan laid out.”
“Your servant obeys.”
***
The next two days passed with Ye Chutang’s life following a strict routine.
She rose early for martial arts practice, spent her mornings at the Poetry Pavilion, and returned to the manor in the afternoons to teach Dan’er and Jinzhi the basics.
Le’er and Jun’er also came along to join the lively atmosphere.
After dinner, she treated Jun’er with acupuncture, then meditated to regulate her breath, bathed, and rested.
During this time, she made a trip to the carpenter’s workshop to collect a batch of finished racks.
Her prescriptions for preventing and curing the plague had already spread throughout the capital.
Since the news came from Xinglintang, the Imperial Medical Hall, it carried great credibility, and the people trusted it wholeheartedly.
The name “Ye Chutang” was not only echoing throughout the capital but slowly spreading beyond its borders.
Once the remedies became public, her fame would soar, and she would be renowned throughout the land.
Late at night.
After everyone had fallen asleep, Ye Chutang made her way to the imperial hot spring villa.
The palace servants who cleaned the place had already left, unaware that the hot spring waters had turned cold.
The mist hovering over the pool was no longer steam but an icy chill.
Earlier, she had tied a transparent thread to the iron cage, allowing her to lift it without entering the water.
The ice leeches inside the small iron cage had grown at least three times their usual size, sleek, black, and plump.
“This amount is enough just to suppress the fire toxin.”
She placed the ice leeches into her spatial storage and returned to Ningchu Courtyard to rest.
As for the cold cicadas, they would need to be kept in the ice cellar for a few more days.
The next day was Princess An’s birthday banquet.
At dawn.
Ye Jingchuan sent over a set of magnificent clothes made from flowing brocade, along with a headpiece bestowed by the emperor.
“Miss, the master has instructed that you attend in full regalia and depart with him at the hour of the snake.”
Ye Chutang, practicing martial arts at the time, replied casually, “Understood. Is Ye Anling going as well?”
“The Second Miss is about to be married and it’s not suitable for her to appear publicly.”
Ye Chutang merely asked in passing and continued her training.
As the golden sunlight of the morning spread across the courtyard and the temperature gradually rose, she paused to rest.
Dan’er and Le’er were preparing breakfast in the kitchen, with hot water already boiled.
Once her blood, heated by vigorous exercise, cooled down, she could take a bath.
Jun’er sat beside the stone table, reciting his morning lessons—ancient poems that Le’er had taught him the night before.
At that moment, Shuang’er, who hadn’t appeared for several days, returned.
Not only was she free of the stench of scrubbing toilets, but she also carried a faint scent of powder and perfume.
Ye Chutang immediately recognized that she had transformed from a girl into a woman.
No need to guess—she must have climbed into Ye Anzhi’s bed.
Although Ye Anzhi had fallen out of favor, he was still the legitimate eldest son. He could certainly command the servants to help Shuang’er clean the toilets.
“So, you slept with that scoundrel Ye Anzhi?”
As soon as Ye Chutang spoke, Shuang’er was frightened into dropping to her knees.
She knew denying was useless; a quick pulse reading would reveal the truth.
So, she shifted all the blame onto Ye Anzhi.
“Miss, please see clearly—Master Ye Anzhi is the one in charge, and this servant is but a servant.”
“So, did Ye Anzhi force you?”
Shuang’er feared Ye Chutang would take it out on Ye Anzhi and, in turn, despise her.
She pressed her lips together. “To be favored by Master Ye Anzhi is this servant’s honor.”
She had endured the days of washing filthy toilets long enough!
Rather than living a life worse than death, she might as well take a gamble and bear Ye Anzhi’s child.
She never expected Ye Chutang to discover it so quickly.
Thinking of Ye Chutang’s threatening words, Shuang’er’s body trembled slightly with fear.
She smashed her head against the ground. “Miss, this servant has not betrayed you. Whatever you command, I will obey without question.”
Ye Chutang looked at the terrified Shuang’er and curled her lips in mockery.
“Has Kong Ru shown any signs recently?”
Shuang’er shook her head. “Madam hasn’t approached this servant lately.”
She was too busy scrubbing endless toilets every day—too exhausted and stinky to keep an eye on anyone.
Ye Chutang lifted Shuang’er’s chin with her toe. “So, it seems you’re no longer of any use to me.”
Shuang’er’s face instantly paled in fear, no longer daring to hide anything from Ye Chutang.
“Last night, Master Ye Anzhi said that Miss will soon be finished. He intends not only to take revenge but also to retrieve your contract of servitude for this servant.”
She wasn’t sure if those words were true or just a man’s trick to coax a woman into bed.
“Finished soon? How exactly will you be finished?”
“This servant doesn’t know. Young Master didn’t say.”
Ye Anzhi was tight-lipped; even in moments of passion, she never managed to pry any details from him.
Ye Chutang withdrew her foot, disdainfully scraping the tip of her shoe against the floor.
“Go now.”
She knew Kong Ru was itching to make her move.
No surprise—it would probably be tomorrow.
In that case, she would create the perfect opportunity for Kong Ru and the Kong family—a trap to catch them red-handed.
Because she had to attend a banquet, Ye Chutang had breakfast first, then went to bathe.
After bathing, Dan’er helped her dress and do her makeup.
The young lady’s hair was styled in a cloud bun, adorned with gem-studded hairpins and dangling ornaments—luxurious yet charming.
Her pale pink silk brocade robe was layered with a sheer white veil, graceful and gentle.
At her waist hung a creamy jade pendant with a tiny golden bell the size of a soybean that jingled softly with every step.
Dan’er sincerely complimented, “Miss, you look stunning.”
“Today’s performance will be just as beautiful.”
Dan’er mistakenly thought the Wang An residence had invited a troupe of actors.
She smiled and said, “Miss, if you like watching plays, you can go to the largest theater in the capital.”
“Alright, then I’ll take you all there sometime.”
Just as Ye Chutang finished speaking, Steward Chen came to urge her.
“Miss, it’s time to attend the banquet.”
“I’m coming right away.”
Ye Chutang stepped out of the main room, her lotus-like steps graceful and measured, the golden bells jingling softly. Her beauty was breathtaking.
Steward Chen was well aware of Ye Jingchuan and the Emperor’s plans.
He thought that even Prince Chen, with all his self-restraint and indifference, wouldn’t be able to resist such a beauty.
When Ye Jingchuan saw Ye Chutang, dressed splendidly inside the carriage, he thought the same.
The residences of high-ranking officials were mostly in the western part of the city.
The Minister's Mansion and the Prince An Residence were only two streets apart.
In less than the time it takes for incense to burn, the carriage stopped at the gates of the Prince An Residence.
Chen Zhong lifted the carriage curtain and announced, “Master, Miss, we’ve arrived.”
Ye Jingchuan was the first to dismount, reaching out his hand to help Ye Chutang down.
But she jumped down on her own, nearly shaking the delicate hairpin from her head.
Seeing this, Ye Jingchuan sighed inwardly.
He lowered his voice to remind her, “Chu’er, you’re a lady from a noble family. You must mind your manners!”
Ye Chutang smiled brightly at Ye Jingchuan.
“Father, I’ll say it again: if people don’t provoke me, I won’t provoke them.”
Ye Jingchuan felt a little guilty under her gaze and quickly turned to pick up the wedding gifts, avoiding her eyes.
“Remember, the Prince An Residence is not a place where you can act recklessly.”
