Chapter 119: Prince An’s Title Will Be Lowered by Three Ranks

Ye Chutang saw that Qi Yanzhou had agreed to help send disaster relief silver to Jiangnan, and he even took out 100,000 taels of silver notes.

“Your Highness, this is a small token of my gratitude to the disaster victims. Please send it to Jiangnan in my name for the relief efforts.”

Up until now, she had become rich enough to rival a country, with so much silver that it could never be used up. Converting it into merit points was quite worthwhile.

The more Qi Yanzhou looked at Ye Chutang, the more he liked her.

He forced himself to look away, saying, “The disaster victims in Jiangnan will surely remember Miss Ye’s kind heart.”

After saying that, he began talking about the matter of the assassin’s portrait.

“Huai Xuan and I not only gave the portrait to the Ministry of Justice but also spread the word.”

This was good news, and Ye Chutang’s smile deepened.

“It seems that before long, people will know that the assassination of Prince An was also orchestrated by the Emperor. The Emperor won’t allow his reputation to be damaged and will certainly make Prince An take the fall.”

Qi Yanzhou nodded in agreement.

“Even if Prince An finds someone to take the blame, he won’t be able to keep his title. If nothing unexpected happens, he will be demoted to a count.”

Prince An, the Emperor’s younger brother, would only face a reduction in rank, not actual punishment, to preserve the royal family’s face.

Ye Chutang hadn’t expected that a few portraits could completely ruin Prince An. Being demoted three ranks would already be the best outcome.

She reminded him, “Your Highness, don’t forget to ask Prince An for compensation.”

Once the portrait was out, the compensation could only increase!

Qi Yanzhou looked at Ye Chutang, her eyes bright with enthusiasm, and his pale lips curled into a slight smile.

“Alright, I’ll ask for compensation from Prince An tomorrow during the morning court.”

After saying that, he recalled something.

“Miss Ye, the Emperor once asked me to lure out the ‘Ghost Thief’ and set up a trap.”

If not for his internal injury, he would have gone to the palace and implemented the plan.

Ye Chutang gave him a strange look.

“Why are you telling me this, Your Highness? Do you want me to send a message to the ‘Ghost Thief’?”

Could it be that he was still suspicious of her being the ‘Ghost Thief’ and was testing her?

Qi Yanzhou seemed to guess what she was thinking and immediately explained.

“The ‘Ghost Thief’ saved my life, so I owe him a favor. This message is to repay that favor.”

He then explained the details of the trap in full.

Ye Chutang listened and had to admit that Qi Yanzhou was quite smart, and his plan was very well thought out.

Unfortunately, no matter how perfect the plan was, it was only for ordinary people. It wouldn’t be effective against someone like her, who had space abilities and other powers.

She asked, “If the plan fails, how will you explain it to the foolish Emperor?”

“As long as the ‘Ghost Thief’ appears, my plan will have succeeded. Whether or not we can catch the ‘Ghost Thief’ is the Emperor’s concern.”

The plan would be carried out within the imperial palace, and the people sent to capture the ‘Ghost Thief’ would be the Emperor’s trusted subordinates, all of them experts.

The Imperial Guard, the Inner Palace Guards, the Shadow Guards, and even the Dragon Guard—everyone would be mobilized.

If even with all this, the ‘Ghost Thief’ couldn’t be caught, then the Emperor would have no reason to blame him.

Ye Chutang felt relieved that this wouldn’t implicate Qi Yanzhou.

“Alright, I will pass on your message to the ‘Ghost Thief’, but whether he wants to join in the plan, I can’t guarantee.”

Qi Yanzhou nodded in understanding.

“Miss Ye, although the Emperor is foolish, he still has many capable people. Tell the ‘Ghost Thief’ not to underestimate them.”

After Ye Chutang acknowledged this, she stood up to take her leave.

Upon leaving the Prince’s residence, she stopped by the study and bought a set of fine writing materials as a birthday gift for Jun’er.

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The next day.

Ye Chutang woke up early and lit the calming incense in both the main room and the side room. After that, she went back to her room and entered her space to make a cake for Jun’er.

With low-gluten flour, eggs, pure milk, butter, and fine sugar, along with the oven and a generator, she began.

Since time was limited in the space, she went in and out several times before the cake was ready.

She made a sponge cake. Since there was no cream in ancient times, she didn’t do any frosting to avoid suspicion.

The oven was large, so she not only baked two cakes but also a batch of cookies.

After finishing, she stayed in the kitchen for a while, pretending to work.

She sprinkled flour, threw away eggshells, opened the sugar jar, and heated the pot.

The sounds of clanging continued for more than a quarter of an hour.

Dan’er woke up from the noise.

She looked outside and saw that the sky was already bright. Startled, she immediately got up.

“How did I sleep in?”

Mumbling to herself, she quickly dressed and went to the kitchen.

As soon as she stepped over the threshold, she saw Ye Chutang lifting the lid of the pot, and an enticing aroma wafted toward her.

Dan’er looked at the two golden-yellow round cakes in the pot and asked, “Miss, what are you making?”

Ye Chutang took the two cakes out of the pot and casually pulled a piece off, stuffing it into Dan’er’s mouth.

“Try it, see if it tastes good.”

Dan’er hadn’t washed up yet, so it was a bit difficult for her to eat.

But after finishing, her eyes lit up.

“Miss, what is this? It’s so delicious, fragrant, soft, and sweet!”

Ye Chutang casually made up an explanation.

“This is something I learned from a relative back in the countryside. I thought it tasted good, and since today is Jun’er’s birthday, I made it for him to try.”

“Young Master will definitely like it. I’ll go wake him up right away.”

Ye Chutang stopped her.

“It’s still early. I’ve lit calming incense in your room. Let him sleep a little longer.”

Dan’er suddenly realized. No wonder she had overslept today.

“Miss, these cakes will get cold soon, won’t they?”

“It’s fine. They taste good even when cold.”

“I see. Miss, you should rest for a while. I’ll clean up the kitchen.”

When Ye Chutang returned to her room, Shuang’er opened the courtyard door and quickly walked toward her.

“Miss, I have something important to report.”

PS: Wishing all the lovely ones a happy Mid-Autumn Festival! May you all be beautiful and rich!