The birthday banquet hosted by Princess An was a grand affair, with so many male guests that only the outer courtyard could accommodate them all.
The scorching sun hung overhead, and the air was thick with heat.
The courtyard was filled with large oil-paper umbrellas for shade, beneath which two adjacent dining tables were set. Ice basins placed beside the tables emitted wisps of cold air, instantly alleviating the summer swelter.
The guests took their seats according to their official ranks.
The eastern side of the outer courtyard bordered the flower hall, where the female guests—only half as numerous as the male guests—were seated for the feast.
A folding screen stood at the entrance connecting the flower hall to the outer courtyard, separating the men and women.
Ye Chutang entered the flower hall first and chose a secluded corner seat.
Princess An noticed but said nothing.
Once all the guests were seated, maidservants filed in, serving dishes, pastries, and tea.
After the meal was served, Princess An went to the men’s side to join Prince An in thanking the guests for attending.
The exchange of pleasantries lasted nearly the time it takes for an incense stick to burn.
Prince An raised his cup. "Earlier, our hospitality was lacking and dampened your spirits. I shall punish myself with three cups."
Once he finished, Princess An smiled and said, "I have little tolerance for wine, but I shall join you all for one cup."
The male guests immediately raised their glasses.
"May Princess An enjoy boundless fortune and longevity!"
After drinking, she displayed her empty cup.
"May you all drink freely, enjoy yourselves, and revel in the music and dance."
Musicians and dancers gathered at the main hall’s entrance, beginning their performance as the midday banquet officially commenced.
Princess An returned to the flower hall to attend to the female guests.
"Ladies, today’s wine is a mild peach blossom brew—safe to indulge in. I toast you all with this cup."
All the women raised their glasses and drank with her.
Having learned that Ye Jingchuan possessed a colorless, odorless poison, Ye Chutang had no intention of touching any food or drink in Prince An’s residence.
When drinking, she concealed her movements with her sleeve and poured the wine into the trash bin of her spatial storage.
Princess An noticed and signaled to a maidservant standing nearby.
The maid understood and immediately moved to refill Ye Chutang’s cup.
Sensing the maid’s intent, Ye Chutang dodged.
The peach-scented wine spilled onto the floor, splashing droplets onto her embroidered shoes.
The maid, realizing her mistake, dropped to her knees.
"This lowly one deserves death! Please forgive me, Lady Ye!"
Ye Chutang knew the maid had acted deliberately and smirked mockingly.
"If you can’t even pour wine properly, do you even need your hands?"
Princess An quickly signaled to her personal attendant, an elderly matron.
The matron stepped forward and kicked the trembling maid to the ground.
"Daring to offend a noble guest? The prince’s household has no use for you. Guards—take her away, break her hands, and cast her out!"
The maid kowtowed desperately to Ye Chutang.
"Lady Ye, I beg for your mercy! Without my hands, I cannot survive!"
Ye Chutang watched coldly, unmoved.
As the guards prepared to drag the maid away, someone spoke up in her defense.
"Lady Ye, the maid merely spilled some wine. Isn’t this punishment too severe?"
Others quickly agreed.
"Yes, a slap or a beating would suffice. Breaking her hands is excessive."
"Lady Ye, say something—this is a human life!"
Ye Chutang spoke, but not to plead for the maid.
With a smile, she said, "If you think Princess An is too harsh and disregards servants’ lives, why not address her directly? What’s the point of pushing me to speak?"
If they wanted to posture morally and dictate to her, she’d throw the blame right back at them!
The women who had spoken up paled.
"Princess An, we didn’t mean it that way!"
Ye Chutang pressed further.
"Were your words not instructing Princess An on how to manage her household? Or do you believe my authority surpasses hers—that I can decide life and death in Prince An’s residence?"
"Lady Ye misunderstands! That’s not what we meant either."
"Then what did you mean? Enlighten us."
The three women fell silent, regretting their interference.
What did a maid’s fate matter to them?
They shouldn’t have meddled and ended up offending both sides!
Princess An hadn’t expected Ye Chutang’s sharp tongue to turn the situation around so swiftly.
Seeing the three ladies humiliated, she smoothed things over.
"If Lady Ye is willing to forgive the maid, I naturally won’t punish her severely."
Ye Chutang called to the guards, "Release her."
The guards obeyed and withdrew.
The maid crawled to Ye Chutang, kowtowing.
"Lady Ye’s compassion is boundless. This lowly one is eternally grateful."
"Get up. Serve properly—no more mistakes, or I can’t protect you."
"Yes!"
The maid rose, straightened her appearance, and carefully poured wine for Ye Chutang.
Princess An summoned musicians, and the banquet resumed.
As music filled the hall, the atmosphere grew lively again.
The maid dared not act out further, attending to Ye Chutang with utmost care.
Though Ye Chutang appeared to eat heartily, none of the food or wine actually touched her lips—all went into her spatial storage.
Midway through the banquet, Princess An noticed Ye Chutang’s feigned tipsiness and knew she couldn’t delay further.
Otherwise, she’d fail the emperor’s mission.
She signaled the maid again.
While Ye Chutang rubbed her temples, the maid subtly nudged a bowl of bird’s nest and eight-treasure soup toward the table’s edge.
Ye Chutang, fully alert, noticed the ploy.
As she lowered her hand, she deliberately knocked over the bowl, staining her skirt.
The maid dropped to her knees. "Spare me, Lady Ye!"
Ye Chutang waved dismissively. "My own carelessness. Not your fault."
She knew the emperor’s scheme would proceed regardless.
Better to face it head-on than be caught defenseless!
Princess An, relieved her plan had finally succeeded, exhaled sharply.
"Escort Lady Ye to a guest chamber to change."
Ye Chutang stood. "My apologies for the trouble."
She followed the maid toward the guest quarters, passing through the outer courtyard.
Ye Jingchuan spotted her and knew Prince An’s scheme was halfway to success.
He raised his cup toward Qi Yanzhou, seated across from him.
"Prince Chen, I toast you."
He wondered silently: When will Prince An’s plan reach its conclusion?
Qi Yanzhou also noticed Ye Chutang being led away.
His grip on his wine cup tightened, his eyes lowering to conceal his concern.
"Let us drink together, Lord Ye."
Using his left hand as cover, he evaporated the wine with inner energy.
A servant stepped forward to refill his cup.
As Qi Yanzhou debated whether to feign clumsiness and spill wine on himself, Prince An staggered over, cup in hand.
