Chapter 104 – She Was Just Borrowing Power to Bully Others!

After hearing what Ye Chutang said, Ye Jingchuan immediately looked at her.

Could it be that she noticed something?

“Chu’er, there’s tea in Father’s cup. Help yourself.”

Ye Chutang curved her lips into a smile. “Since Father isn’t willing to help the Heir fight for a proper conversation, then I won’t bother staying.”

Just as she stood up to leave, Ye Jingchuan steeled his heart and drank all the tea in his cup.

His heart was pounding like a drum, and his hand trembled as he held the cup.

But remembering that the Emperor had the antidote, he quickly steadied himself and calmed down.

“Chu’er, I’ve already drunk it. Sit down.”

With that, he took a clean cup and poured Ye Chutang a cup of hot tea.

Again?

Ye Chutang almost rolled her eyes.

After sitting down, she asked, “What does the Heir want to talk about?”

Zhao Qingshu looked at the stunningly beautiful Ye Chutang and asked, “I heard that you were saved by the ‘Ghost Thief’ and spent one or two hours alone with him?”

As soon as she heard this, Ye Chutang knew Zhao Qingshu was trying to smear her reputation.

“The Heir even knows the timing so clearly. What’s your relationship with the ‘Ghost Thief’?”

Zhao Qingshu slammed his hand on the table.

“Miss Ye, don’t speak nonsense! This Heir and the ‘Ghost Thief’ are sworn enemies—how could I possibly know him? I merely deduced the timing based on when you were discovered.”

“Heir, you’re really not that bright, are you?”

Ye Chutang shook her head with disdain. “Everyone knows the time someone is found doesn’t mean it’s the same time they were sent back. And you didn’t know that?”

“Or is it that you’re deliberately trying to slander me, stretching the timeline just to ruin my reputation?”

Zhao Qingshu, having been seen through, dropped all pretense.

“Whether or not the ‘Ghost Thief’ did anything to Miss Ye, the fact is that you two were alone together. And with your looks, any man would be tempted—no one would believe you came back untouched.”

“So what the Heir is saying is that Prince Chen and Young Master Qin also aren’t ‘clean’? After all, they’re considered top-tier men too.”

“The ‘Ghost Thief’ is a man!”

“So what? If Prince An can be a cut-sleeve, why can’t the ‘Ghost Thief’?”

Zhao Qingshu: “…”

“My royal father is not a cut-sleeve!”

Ye Chutang threw his own words right back at him.

“Doesn’t matter. Rumors are flying everywhere—everyone already believes he is.”

“You… You’re unreasonable!”

“Don’t be angry, Heir, I’m not done talking yet.”

Ye Chutang spoke as she pushed her cup of tea toward Zhao Qingshu.

“This is top-quality green tea, good for cooling the fire in your heart.”

She even topped it off with another pour.

“I only believe one thing: if any rumors start spreading about Prince Chen and the ‘Ghost Thief’ having an improper relationship, it must’ve come from you.”

She was just borrowing Prince Chen’s power to bully others!

If anything came up—go bite him!

Zhao Qingshu was so furious he smashed the cup onto the ground, his chest heaving violently.

Ye Jingchuan quickly tried to smooth things over.

“Chu’er, the Heir is here to apologize and settle the matter. Don’t be so unreasonable.”

“Heir, Chu’er grew up in the countryside—she has no filter when she speaks. Please don’t stoop to her level. Let’s focus on the matter at hand.”

Zhao Qingshu took a few deep breaths and calmed down.

“Miss Ye, though what I said wasn’t pleasant, the truth is that the world judges women harshly. You were saved by the ‘Ghost Thief’, and rumors are bound to spread.”

Ye Chutang raised an eyebrow, her eyes full of mockery.

“The Heir has a way to fix those rumors?”

Zhao Qingshu shook his head. “No. That’s why it’ll be difficult for you to marry in the future.”

No prestigious family would accept a daughter-in-law with a tainted reputation, or they’d be the laughingstock of the entire capital.

Ye Chutang immediately understood the hidden meaning behind his words.

“You want to marry me?”

“You were harmed while at Prince An’s manor. Your ruined reputation is the manor’s failure. This Heir is willing to marry you as my consort to silence the rumors.”

Of course, Zhao Qingshu had no intention of marrying Ye Chutang.

This woman had already been promised by the Emperor to Prince Chen—he didn’t dare compete.

He said this just to calm her down, to stop her from complaining to the Emperor, and to try to get closer to her so he’d have another chance to strike.

Ye Jingchuan quickly played along.

“For the Heir to take responsibility—it’s Chu’er’s great fortune! This marriage—”

Ye Chutang knew they were putting on a show and cut in, “I agree, but on two conditions.”

Zhao Qingshu wasn’t surprised.

He figured she was old enough, raised in the countryside, and had no chance of marrying into a more prestigious family. Naturally, she’d be overjoyed to accept.

Feeling triumphant, he said, “Please, speak.”

“First, publicly announce it at once. Second, the wedding must take place within three days.”

Ye Chutang knew full well that Zhao Qingshu couldn’t do either.

“Miss Ye, marriage is not something to be rushed.”

“Then forget it. I have my mother’s dowry to support me. I’m not desperate enough to marry into a penniless Prince An’s manor.”

Ye Jingchuan grabbed her arm and tried to persuade her. “Chu’er…”

“Father, is your neck still hurting?”

The moment she dropped the threat, Ye Jingchuan released her in fright.

After she left, Zhao Qingshu immediately turned on him.

“Minister Ye, what a fine daughter you’ve raised!”

“Heir, we’re in the same boat now. Pointing fingers is useless. Let’s focus on how to handle what’s next.”

While they were plotting, Ye Chutang returned to Ningchu Courtyard.

She’d said so much earlier that her mouth was dry—she downed three cups of water before feeling better.

That scumbag father’s money really was easy to earn!

After drinking, she returned to her room and used her left hand to write a note.

The handwriting was crooked and ugly—just like the message carved onto Prince An’s body. Truly an eyesore.

She waited for the ink to dry, then folded the note carefully.

“Dan’er, I’ve got something to take care of. Don’t wait for me at dinner—eat without me.”

With that, Ye Chutang tapped her toes and leapt to the roof, vaulting over the wall of the Minister’s residence and heading straight for Prince Chen’s manor.