(Note: The previous chapter was extended. If the context doesn’t connect, please refer back.)
Prince An was tempted to drag Princess Anping back and give her a beating.
If it weren’t for this wretched daughter ruining the plan, he wouldn’t be in such a passive position now.
He forced a stiff smile and quickly fabricated an excuse.
"Prince Chen, you exaggerate. Miss Ye’s beauty and talent naturally invite envy. The mastermind behind this may not necessarily be targeting the Prince An residence."
This was his way of signaling to those he had bribed—if caught, this was how they should respond.
Qi Yanzhou smiled faintly. "Since Prince An has no intention of pursuing this further, let us pretend I said nothing."
Then, he turned to Ye Chutang.
"Miss Ye, as the victim, how do you wish to handle this?"
Before Ye Chutang could speak, Ye Jingchuan cut in. "Since Chutang is unharmed, we should let the matter rest."
Ye Chutang’s eyes gleamed with mockery as she looked at Ye Jingchuan.
"Father, I thought you were different from Prince An—that you would stand by your daughter. Yet you choose to shield those who tried to kill me. It makes me wonder if you’re in league with them."
The moment these words were spoken, the crowd’s gazes toward Ye Jingchuan and Prince An shifted with suspicion.
If they weren’t complicit, why refuse to investigate?
Under the weight of those scrutinizing eyes, Ye Jingchuan hurriedly explained.
"Chutang, what I meant was that we should wait until after Princess An’s birthday banquet to look into this."
Qi Yanzhou immediately countered with the authority of the Minister of Justice.
"Minister Ye, you are mistaken. Only by investigating now can we easily uncover the culprit."
Ye Chutang nodded in agreement.
"If we don’t root out the would-be murderer, they will only grow bolder and ruin Princess An’s celebration."
Then, she turned to Prince An.
"Your Highness, don’t you agree?"
Realizing he couldn’t evade the issue, Prince An conceded. "Miss Ye speaks wisely. We must investigate!"
He then asked, "Do you suspect anyone in particular?"
Ye Chutang’s gaze landed on the noblewoman who had tried to trip her.
The woman lowered her head guiltily, her hands clenched tightly beneath her sleeves, heart pounding.
She repeated to herself: Ye Chutang has no proof. As long as I deny it, I’m safe!
Ye Chutang saw right through her and smirked.
She pointed directly at the woman.
"It was her. She tried to trip me into the lotus pond."
The noblewoman—Madam Liu—immediately denied it.
"Miss Ye, you can’t just accuse me because I seem like an easy target!"
"You were standing behind me, and you used your left foot."
Madam Liu knelt before Prince An, feigning indignation.
"Your Highness, I swear I did no such thing!"
Ye Chutang pressed on. "You’re wearing brown pearl-embroidered shoes. One pearl near your ankle fell off and was later replaced—it’s shinier than the others."
Madam Liu paled at this.
"Miss Ye, that only proves you’re observant, not that I tried to harm you!"
Ye Chutang’s voice was steel. "It does."
Princess An, sensing that without direct evidence, Ye Chutang might have to swallow the insult, asked curiously,
"How will Miss Ye prove Madam Liu’s guilt?"
"Madam Liu’s skirt is long enough to cover her feet entirely. Under normal circumstances, no one would see her shoes."
Though Ye Chutang left the implication unspoken, everyone understood.
If Madam Liu’s left shoe matched the description, it confirmed she had deliberately stuck out her foot.
Madam Liu knew she was finished. She collapsed to the ground, face ashen.
"No need to investigate further. I did try to trip Miss Ye, but I only wanted to humiliate her, not kill her!"
Then, as if grasping at straws, she added,
"Are you curious why I did it? Because I’m Xu Kang’s aunt!"
It took Ye Chutang a moment to recall who Xu Kang was—a fool who had tried to abduct her and ended up crippled by her schemes.
But she knew this was just an excuse.
"Who was working with you?"
"No one! When I heard someone shout that you’d fallen in, I was just as surprised."
Ye Chutang strode forward and kicked Madam Liu into the pond.
"Now, we’re even."
With that, she activated her earth-based ability, using mud to crush Madam Liu’s left foot until it shattered.
Madam Liu, unable to swim, flailed wildly as searing pain shot through her foot.
Her screams turned to whimpers before she passed out.
Princess An, noticing Madam Liu sinking rapidly, grew alarmed.
"Someone, save Madam Liu!"
Not wanting a death on his hands, Prince An ordered servants to dive in.
Madam Liu was soon fished out, unconscious, and carried to a guest room for treatment.
Next, Ye Chutang identified the person who had falsely cried out about her falling in.
"Explain yourself. Why did you shout that it was me?"
The woman—Miss Fang—sneered.
"Because I envy you. Ever since you arrived in the capital, no man spares a glance for anyone else.
When I saw Madam Liu’s scheme, I saw my chance.
With your fame and beauty, men would rush to ‘rescue’ you.
Once they touched you, your reputation would be ruined!"
She let out a bitter laugh.
"But luck was on your side. Princess Anping ‘saved’ you, foiling my plan and exposing me. How unjust."
The excuse was flimsy, riddled with holes.
Prince An, desperate to stop Ye Chutang from digging deeper, intervened.
"The matter is settled. Let Miss Ye decide the rest."
He then bowed to the Crown Prince.
"My apologies for disrupting Your Highness’s enjoyment. I’ll make it up with three cups of wine at the main hall."
Princess An ushered the ladies away.
"The best opera troupe awaits at the pavilion. Let us return."
As the crowd dispersed, another splash echoed.
Ye Chutang had thrown Miss Fang into the pond.
Crouching at the edge, she watched the flailing girl with a sweet smile.
"Now, it’s your turn to lose your reputation."
To the servants, she called out,
"Whoever saves her can marry her and leave servitude behind. If no one does, the pond will claim another soul."
Her punishment was poetic justice. No one dared criticize her.
With no choice, Prince An ordered the steward’s son to rescue Miss Fang.
When the girl realized her savior was a lowly servant, she broke down in tears—only to be met with scorn.
Princess An summoned maids. "Take Miss Fang to change her clothes."
And so, the farce born of conspiracy came to an end.
Ye Jingchuan touched the white jade vial hidden in his sleeve and said to Ye Chutang,
"Chutang, come with me."
Whether the poison would work or not, he had to try.
Noticing his gesture, Ye Chutang asked, "Where to?"
"The pavilion. I have something to discuss."
"Fine. Lead the way."
The Prince An estate’s garden was vast, with three pavilions.
Ye Jingchuan took her to the one nearest the hall.
"Bring us tea," he ordered.
Instantly, Ye Chutang understood—the tea was the trap.
