Chapter 138: Emptying the Emperor’s Private Treasury

After leaving the Supreme Court, Ye Chutang went underground and sneaked into the emperor’s ice cellar.

The ice blocks in the cellar were less than one-third full, with melted ice water covering the ground.

She retrieved the ice silkworms and then sneaked into the dog emperor’s bedroom.

The guards around the private treasury had increased, but this was no challenge for Ye Chutang.

She used the trick from Kong Fu’s mansion, sinking the entire side hall underground, lifting the tiles, and sprinkling sleeping powder inside.

Then, wearing night vision goggles and protective eyewear, she broke the roof and entered.

In just half the time of an incense stick burning, she had looted the side hall clean.

Afterward, she used red paint to write a message on the wall.

“Dog emperor, I’ll be back next time! Ghost thief ☻”

After finishing, Ye Chutang jumped out of the side hall and lifted it back to its original position.

Then, in the emperor’s fury and incompetence, she slipped away from the palace.

When she reached the Minister’s residence, the place was filled with red silk, and maids and young servants were doing the final cleaning.

Ye Jingchuan was personally overseeing everything to ensure that tomorrow’s wedding banquet would be perfect.

When he saw Ye Chutang, he immediately called her over.

“Chuer, I can tolerate your mischief usually, but tomorrow, you must be well-behaved.”

Ye Chutang stretched out her hand, “When asking someone for help, you must have the attitude of someone asking for help.”

Ye Jingchuan: “…”

“Are you caught in a money trap?”

“Father is unreliable, and I’ve lost my mother. I have to save up my own dowry, what else can I do?”

Ye Jingchuan replied, “When you get married, would I not provide your share?”

Ye Chutang smiled mischievously, showing her teeth but not her eyes.

“Of course, you won’t forget. But that doesn’t stop me from making money. This time, I won’t ask for much—ten thousand taels will be enough.”

Ye Jingchuan snorted, “You really dare to ask, and there’s no money.”

His private treasury had been stolen. Taking out ten thousand taels was like cutting his flesh.

“My mother left so many shops. Do you think there’s no money?”

Ye Chutang patted Ye Jingchuan’s shoulder, her smile full of mischief.

“Which is more important, silver or the wedding banquet? Father, think carefully.”

After saying this, she slipped away to Ningchuyuan.

The dried meat had already been sun-dried, but there wasn’t enough space in the yard, so part of it had been laid out on the roof.

Ye Chutang had told Shan’er and the others not to expose the meat to too much sunlight, so the dried meat was covered with breathable hemp cloth.

The meat had been fried and stir-fried, with half of the moisture already gone, so there was no risk of it spoiling.

At dinner, Ye Jingchuan sent over ten thousand taels in silver notes.

Ye Chutang accepted it with ease.

After dinner, she took Shan’er and Jin Zhi to collect the dried meat.

It had just rained heavily a couple of days ago, and the air was humid at night. The dried meat would absorb moisture, which would affect its taste.

After collecting the meat, Jun’er’s medicine was also ready.

Ye Chutang waited for him to drink the medicine, helped him change the bandage around his neck, and then did acupuncture.

After the acupuncture, she said, “From now on, the acupuncture will be once every three days. You must keep taking your medicine.”

Jun’er nodded obediently, “Thank you, Elder Sister.”

“Rest early. Tomorrow, the mansion will be lively for a long time. You need to attend.”

“Elder Sister, you should rest early too.”

Ye Chutang responded, then went to her bedroom to bathe.

After her bath, she asked Jin Zhi to help her twist her hair.

“Jin Aunty, tomorrow, I’ll publicly ask for an apology for my mother. You don’t need to act crazy anymore.”

Tears immediately welled up in Jin Zhi’s eyes.

“Miss, if you slap the old master’s face in public, you’ll likely get the reputation of being unfilial.”

Ye Chutang held Jin Zhi’s trembling hand and gently patted the back of her hand.

“People can say whatever they want. Let them talk.”

With her current fame, what was there to fear from rumors?

“I’m sorry, Miss.”

“Tomorrow will only bring the satisfaction of avenging a great wrong. How could it be a grievance?”

Ye Chutang finished speaking and explained tomorrow’s plan to Jin Zhi.

The truth had to be revealed, but it couldn’t be done too overtly.

Jin Zhi nodded repeatedly.

“Don’t worry, Miss. I know what to do.”

Ye Chutang took the cloth from Jin Zhi’s hand.

“Rest early tonight, so you’ll have energy for the performance tomorrow.”

“Yes, Miss.”

After Jin Zhi left, Ye Chutang entered her space to dry her hair.

She glanced at the messy pile of things in the empty space, too lazy to tidy them up, and went straight to rest.

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The next day, as the sun rose.

The maid sent over the clothes that Ye Chutang and Ye Anjun would wear today, along with the jewelry they were to wear.

The siblings dressed in festive attire that wouldn’t outshine the occasion.

Once they were ready, breakfast was brought in, much more lavish than usual.

The Ye family didn’t have relatives in the capital, so there was no need to entertain guests too early.

After the sun rose, Ye Chutang asked Shan’er and Le’er to hang the dried meat out to dry.

After all, guests wouldn’t be coming to Ningchuyuan.

When the guests were about to arrive, she took Jun’er to the front yard.

Kong Ru was in a strange condition, neither looking human nor ghostly, so Ye Jingchuan didn’t allow her to attend the wedding banquet.

When someone asked about her, he explained that Kong Ru was seriously ill.

The wedding banquet was being managed by Old Madam Ye, with Aunt Jiang and Ye Siyin assisting.

In fact, the person who should have assisted Old Madam Ye was the legitimate eldest daughter, Ye Chutang, but Ye Jingchuan was worried that she might offend someone, so he let her sit quietly and be a decoration.

Jun’er was taken by Ye Jingchuan to meet people and welcome the guests in the outer courtyard.

Ye Chutang was enjoying herself, sitting in a corner of the garden, eating fruits and snacks while listening to the official families gossip.

Of course, she wasn’t left alone, as women kept coming to talk to her.

Their conversations were all about inquiring into her marriage.

After all, she had talent, a dowry, medical skills, and martial arts—she was an ideal wife candidate!

Ye Chutang really wanted to say: “Your calculating is too obvious!”

She had no interest in supporting poverty.

So, whenever someone asked about her marriage, she gave the same reply.

“If I marry, it must be to someone stronger than me.”

Once she said this, the women all had the same expression, doing the same thing—looking embarrassed and leaving in a hurry.

After all, in the entire capital, it was hard to find many men who were stronger than Ye Chutang.

After they hit a wall, no one bothered Ye Chutang anymore.

At noon, the wedding banquet began on time.

The male guests were arranged in the front hall of the front yard, and the female guests were placed in the back garden.

Ye Jingchuan had really spared no expense this time. The food was top-notch, with excellent color, fragrance, and taste, making everyone’s appetite grow.

Ye Chutang also had quite an appetite, until the steamed bass was brought to the table.

The faint fishy smell entered her nose, making her feel nauseous. She couldn’t hold it in and immediately gagged.