The maid quickly served tea.
"Minister Ye, Miss Ye, please enjoy."
Ye Jingchuan picked up his teacup and blew on it gently.
"My daughter and I have important matters to discuss. Leave us."
"Yes, this maid takes her leave."
After the maid withdrew, he took a sip of the finest Longjing tea harvested before the rains.
Once his throat was soothed, he launched into a scolding directed at Ye Chutang.
He berated her for her willfulness at Prince An's residence, for refusing to yield even when in the right, and for leaving no room for compromise in her actions.
Ye Chutang let his words go in one ear and out the other, wholly absorbed in savoring the tea.
Ye Jingchuan knew she hadn’t taken in a single word, yet he continued to drone on.
Beneath the jade table, his hands moved discreetly. He retrieved a white jade vial and concealed a pinch of powder beneath his fingernail.
When Ye Chutang finished her tea and set the cup down, he saw his chance. Falling silent at once, he lifted the teapot to pour her another cup—and in that moment, slipped the powder into the fresh brew.
Though Ye Chutang appeared lost in thought, her attention never left the teacup.
She noticed how Ye Jingchuan dipped his pinky, laden with white powder, into the scalding tea, enduring the burn without so much as a flicker of discomfort.
Ye Jingchuan curled his scorched finger inward and handed her the cup.
"Chutang, this is Prince An's residence. You must restrain yourself. If you cause trouble, I won’t be able to protect you."
Ye Chutang traced the rim of the cup with her finger, spinning it idly.
"Father, no need to hold back. Even if you stir up trouble, your daughter can clean up the mess."
Ye Jingchuan’s gaze followed her circling finger, growing increasingly agitated as she refused to drink.
"Chutang, don’t think talent in poetry and medicine grants you free rein in the capital!"
Seeing his impatience, Ye Chutang deliberately lifted the cup—but still didn’t drink.
"Indeed, it doesn’t. Why not seize the throne for yourself, Father? Let the Ye family rule the realm?"
A single flippant remark nearly stopped the old man’s heart.
Ye Jingchuan paled, glancing around in terror.
Assured the servants were too far to overhear, he exhaled sharply before slamming a hand onto the jade table.
"Outrageous! Do you want the Ye clan exterminated? Never utter such treason again!"
"Father, you’re pitiful. No wonder you’ve spent your life as another man’s lapdog."
With that, she raised the cup to her lips.
Ye Jingchuan’s heart leaped to his throat, too fixated to chastise her further.
Wretched girl, one sip, and I’ll be made a marquis!
So what if I’m a dog? More kneel before me!
Under his eager stare, Ye Chutang tilted her wrist—letting the rim brush her lips—then set it down.
"It’s gone cold."
Ye Jingchuan: "..."
"In this heat, cool tea is better, no?"
"You prefer it cold? Here, have mine."
She pushed the cup toward him, arching a brow.
"Drink up."
Fury clogged his chest.
"You’ve touched it with your lips. How could I?"
He dumped the lukewarm tea, intending to pour a fresh cup, but Ye Chutang stood abruptly.
"Father, we’re guests here. Lingering in the pavilion is rude. Let’s go."
Without waiting, she strode away.
As she turned, her tongue flicked over the spot where the tainted tea had touched her lip.
Only the tea’s flavor lingered.
Odorless, tasteless?
Quite the special poison. I’ll have to test it on Father later.
Unaware he’d been marked as a test subject, Ye Jingchuan clawed at his hair in frustration.
Did she play me?
"If poison fails, I’ll have to rely on the Emperor’s shadow guards."
Muttering, he retreated through the hall to the front courtyard.
The moment he entered the main hall, Qi Yanzhou singled him out.
"Minister Ye rose from humble roots. Surely you empathize with the people’s suffering and will donate generously."
"..."
Ye Jingchuan, lost, burned with humiliation at having his origins exposed.
Prince An clarified, "The floods in Jiangnan have left many homeless, starving, and ill. Prince Chen and I propose officials contribute funds to aid them—discreetly."
"Discreetly?"
"The credit for relief must go solely to His Majesty."
In short, officials were to pay without recognition.
Predictably, most offered paltry sums to placate Prince An.
Now understanding, Ye Jingchuan balked at donating much.
"Your Highnesses’ compassion is the people’s fortune. This official pledges—"
Before he could name a figure, Qi Yanzhou interjected,
"Prince An and I each gave a hundred thousand taels."
Ye Jingchuan’s eyes bulged. The "hundred taels" on his tongue lodged in his throat.
"I... lack such means."
Qi Yanzhou smiled. "Any amount suffices. Minister Ye may decide."
Other officials shot him pleading looks: Keep it low, or we’ll suffer too.
Glancing at Prince An, Ye Jingchuan hesitated.
Offending Prince Chen might jeopardize his plans.
Prince An subtly raised one finger.
Taking the hint, Ye Jingchuan said, "My daughter’s dowry strains my coffers. A thousand taels is my limit."
A hefty sum—half a year’s salary.
With the precedent set, others reluctantly raised their pledges.
Mission accomplished, Qi Yanzhou relaxed.
"Prince An, have your steward record each donation. Once supplies are bought, we’ll publish the ledger to ensure every coin reaches the victims."
Though vexed by the hassle, Prince An agreed.
As the steward tallied donations, Qi Yanzhou joined Qin Muyun in a secluded corner.
Amid the grumbling officials, their conversation went unnoticed.
Qin Muyun scooted closer, whispering eagerly,
"Those two I picked for Princess Anping—quite the choices, no?"
Indeed, the scoundrels Qin Zhenglin and Song Rong had dared "rescue" and accost the princess—all at his instigation!
Though unaware of details, Qi Yanzhou’s orders were clear: If Prince An’s household stirs trouble today, crush the culprits.
Qi Yanzhou gave a covert thumbs-up.
"Well done. That Plum Blossoms by Huai’an you fancied? It’s yours tomorrow."
Qin Muyun beamed. "A princely gift!"
Then, curiosity piqued, he asked, "What’s Prince An scheming? Why did Princess Anping save Miss Ye?"
Qi Yanzhou lifted his cup, steam veiling his eyes.
After a long pause, he chose honesty.
"Prince An originally intended to orchestrate a scenario where Miss Ye would fall into the water, forcing me—who happened to be by the lotus pond—to rescue her."
Qin Muyun considered herself quite clever, but at this moment, she couldn’t make sense of it at all.
"What do you mean?"
"If I’m not mistaken, this was the Emperor’s idea."
