Chapter 50 – What Schemes Is She Plotting Again

Ye Jingchuan frowned, clearly getting a headache as he listened to De Gonggong’s relaxed tone.

He really didn’t have the power to control Ye Chutang anymore—not to mention, he still had the Duanchang Powder lingering in his system.

“Chu’er knows martial arts and poisons. Please, Gonggong, give me some guidance.”

De Gonggong lazily flipped through a book on the table, looking utterly unconcerned.

“No matter how good her martial arts are, she can’t be better than His Majesty’s shadow guards. And no matter how skilled she is with poison, she can’t compare to the imperial secret medicine. It all depends on whether Lord Ye is willing to give up his legitimate eldest daughter.”

After all, marrying Prince Chen meant only one thing—death!

Of course Ye Jingchuan was willing to sacrifice Ye Chutang. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have brought her back just to take someone else’s place in marriage.

But before agreeing, he had to know what he stood to gain.

“If I manage to make this marriage happen…”

De Gonggong smiled and spat out two words: “Marquis title.”

Ye Jingchuan was so excited that his hands trembled.

“Your humble servant will not disappoint His Majesty!”

He had thought, at most, the Emperor might grant him a first-rank official title. He hadn’t expected a direct path to nobility.

Once they had a noble title, the Ye family would truly become the new elite of the capital!

De Gonggong closed the book and dabbed the corner of his mouth with a handkerchief.

“Lord Ye is mistaken. This isn’t His Majesty’s order—it’s your own ambition.”

If the plan to destroy Prince Chen’s residence succeeded, everyone would be pleased.

But if it failed, His Majesty absolutely would not bear the stigma of plotting against Prince Chen.

Ye Jingchuan was fully aware of what refusing meant—losing imperial favor.

He had no choice at all.

Great wealth comes only through great risk!

He agreed without hesitation. “Please inform His Majesty that I will do my utmost!”

De Gonggong nodded with satisfaction.

“Five days from now is Consort An’s birthday. The shadow guards will bring the secret medicine to An Prince’s residence to assist you.”

“Lord Ye must not only control Ye Chutang but also try his best to ensure she marries Prince Chen successfully.”

“The path has already been laid for you, Lord Ye. Don’t let His Majesty down.”

Seeing that everything was already in place, Ye Jingchuan finally relaxed.

“Rest assured, Gonggong. I will carry out the task.”

With the Emperor and Prince An backing him, what was there to worry about?

After discussing official matters, De Gonggong brought up the betrothal gifts.

“Lord Ye, my Xishou Palace was recently robbed. At the moment, I only have the thousand taels of silver the Emperor just gifted me. I can’t give Ling’er much for the dowry.”

Though a little displeased, Ye Jingchuan couldn’t deny the truth of his words and didn’t make a fuss.

“It’s Ling’er’s blessing to marry Gonggong. The betrothal gifts are just a formality—what matters is the thought, not the value.”

“Let Ling’er know not to worry. Once my belongings are recovered, I’ll make it up to her—double.”

With that, De Gonggong rose to leave.

Ye Jingchuan personally escorted him to the carriage, then returned to the front hall.

Everyone in the Ye family was waiting for him.

He took his seat beside the Old Madam and looked at Ye Chutang.

“Chu’er, your mother once said on her deathbed that her dowry would be divided equally among all the children. Ling’er is about to get married, so I’ve decided to give her a fourth of the dowry. You don’t object, do you?”

Ye Chutang looked at Ye Jingchuan, shameless as ever, and curved her lips into a mocking smile.

“Kong Ru killed my mother, and now you want me to hand over her dowry to the daughter of her killer? Don’t you think that’s going a bit far?”

“Chu’er, that matter hasn’t been fully investigated yet. Don’t jump to conclusions. And besides, dividing the dowry was your mother’s last wish.”

“Using her will as blackmail? Fine, I’ll give it—but I will decide what part of the dowry Ye Anling gets!”

Ye Jingchuan was caught off guard by Ye Chutang’s unusually cooperative tone.

He couldn’t shake the feeling she was scheming something again.

“You’re really willing to divide the dowry?”

Ye Chutang rolled her eyes. “Of course not! But since you’re dragging her will into this, what else can I say?”

She agreed for two reasons: First, to find out where the dowry was hidden. Second, to pull out the will on the wedding day, and in front of everyone, take back the dowry in full, shaming Ye Anling!

Looking at Ye Chutang, who was clearly holding in a storm of resentment, Ye Jingchuan quickly tried to soothe her.

“Don’t worry, Chu’er. The portion of the dowry meant for you will definitely be bigger and better.”

Hmph!

Once he got this little wretch under control, she wouldn’t get a single copper coin!

“I just hope the two of you live long enough to see me married.”

Ye Chutang sneered and turned to leave.

Old Madam Ye bellowed, “You unfilial girl, how dare you curse your own father! You’ll be struck down by the heavens!”

Ye Chutang turned back to face the old woman, her eyes icy cold.

“Grandmother, you’ve been shameless and heartless for decades, and heaven hasn’t punished you. Why should I be scared?”

Old Madam Ye pointed a trembling finger at her.

“You wicked child! What nonsense are you spewing?!”

“Nonsense? Didn’t you take my mother’s money while mocking her for being a merchant’s daughter, all while making her life a living hell?”

As she spoke, Ye Chutang tapped her temple with her finger.

“What’s the saying again? Right—‘Eat with the bowl, then curse the cook.’”

Old Madam Ye was so furious she was gasping for breath and couldn’t speak clearly.

“You… you…”

Ye Jingchuan rushed forward to pat her back and calm her, lowering his voice.

“Mother, don’t let that girl’s vile tongue get to you.”

Just five more days—only five more days!

Old Madam Ye snorted coldly. “If she insults her elders again, send her to the authorities!”

Surely someone out there could deal with this ungrateful brat!

Ye Chutang tapped her ear.

“Grandmother, I heard that loud and clear. If you want peace in the Ye household, then behave. Otherwise, don’t blame me if a little poison ends up in your tonic soup.”

With that threat, she ignored the livid Old Madam and walked out of the hall.

“Pah! Just like her mother…”

Old Madam Ye had just started to rant when Ye Jingchuan quickly cut her off.

“Mother, please say no more. That girl might actually do it!”

The old woman, frightened, immediately fell silent.

“Gui Momo, escort the Old Madam back to her courtyard to rest.”

“Yes, Master.”

After she left, Ye Jingchuan’s expression turned grim at the thought of the poison still in his body.

He asked Housekeeper Chen, “Still haven’t found Divine Doctor Xue?”

“Master, Doctor Xue went deep into the mountains to collect herbs. No one knows when he’ll return to the capital.”

When Kong Ru heard this, she went pale. Her poison was set to activate the day after tomorrow.

“What are we going to do?”

Aside from Housekeeper Chen, only Ye Anling knew about the poisoning.

She quickly spoke up, “Father, De Gonggong shouldn’t have gone far. Let me catch up to him and ask him to send an imperial physician to check on you and Mother.”

Ye Jingchuan was comforted by her thoughtfulness and nodded.

“Ling’er, you truly are a filial child. On your wedding day, I’ll make sure to give you a little extra for your dowry.”

“Thank you, Father. I’ll go find De Gonggong right away.”

After she left, Concubine Jiang thought something felt off about the conversation.

She asked with concern, “Master, why are you looking for Doctor Xue and the imperial physician? Are you feeling unwell?”

Ye Jingchuan didn’t want the poisoning to be exposed—it would only cause trouble.

“No, probably just tired lately. I haven’t been sleeping well.”

Concubine Jiang could tell he was brushing her off but decided to bring up what she cared about instead.

“Master, Siyin will also be getting married by the end of the year. Should we take this chance to divide up the dowries for the children?”