Chapter 106 – Giving Testimonies with Prince Chen

Qi Yanzhou met Ye Chutang’s serious gaze and gave a small chuckle.

“Because the people are innocent.”

And besides, he had no intention of claiming the throne.

Ye Chutang disagreed with Qi Yanzhou’s narrow-minded perspective.

“But sometimes things must break before they can be rebuilt. It’s better for the people to suffer for a while than to suffer their entire lives.”

Qi Yanzhou, of course, understood this principle—but it didn’t apply to Beichen right now.

“Miss Ye, if Beichen falls into civil strife, foreign enemies will seize the opportunity to invade. What awaits the people then is a destroyed nation and broken homes.”

When she heard this, Ye Chutang instantly understood Qi Yanzhou’s so-called “foolish loyalty.”

“A thousand-mile dam can collapse from an ant hole. You could work in secret, Your Highness. One day, you may overturn this kingdom without shedding a drop of blood.”

Qi Yanzhou lowered his eyes, hiding the dark glint within them.

“Let’s talk about it once I manage to stay alive.”

At the mention of this, Ye Chutang said, “Why did Your Highness’s fire poison suddenly flare up?”

She was confident in the medicine she had refined.

If she said Qi Yanzhou would be fine for a month, then he would be fine for a month.

Ever since arriving at Prince An’s residence, Qi Yanzhou had been especially cautious. He hadn’t eaten anything and had avoided close contact with others.

The only person he had interacted with up close was Prince An.

“After you went to the guest courtyard, Prince An deliberately invited me to drink with him. He had a faint, strange fragrance on him.”

The scent was very light, and Qi Yanzhou had done his best to hold his breath.

But Prince An had stayed with him for too long, and he still ended up inhaling a few breaths.

Ye Chutang said, “That must have been the catalyst that triggered the fire poison.”

Her tone grew heavier.

“Your Highness, your fire poison has flared up again. That leaves even less time for the Miaojiang witch doctor—at most, five months.”

Each flare-up weakened his body further.

If it happened again, the time would shorten even more.

Although Qi Yanzhou had long come to terms with the idea of death, he still wanted to live.

“All right. I understand.”

Ye Chutang had said all she needed to. She stood, ready to leave.

“Your Highness, on the night of Ye Anling’s wedding, I’ll come to detoxify you.”

“Good. I’ll be awaiting you at any time, Miss Ye.”

Qi Yanzhou glanced out the window. It was already getting dark.

“Nang Xiao, escort Miss Ye.”

Nang Xiao immediately stepped out from behind the screen.

“Your Highness, the Dowager Consort has prepared dinner for Miss Ye.”

Qi Yanzhou’s expression grew awkward, and he quickly corrected himself, “Escort Miss Ye to the main hall.”

Just as he finished speaking, the Dowager Consort’s voice called out.

“Hurry up, it’s getting late! Miss Ye must be hungry.”

The maids filed into the main hall, carrying trays.

Soon, the round table was filled with an array of fragrant, flavorful dishes.

The Dowager Consort entered the bedchamber.

Seeing that her son was awake, she couldn’t contain her joy.

“I told you Miss Ye’s medical skills were exceptional—she was sure to bring you back.”

Then she asked Qi Yanzhou, “Can you get out of bed? If so, accompany Miss Ye for a meal.”

Though his internal injuries were a bit severe, they didn’t hinder his daily life.

“I can.”

He got out of bed, put on his robe.

“Miss Ye, please.”

Ye Chutang was just about to refuse, but the warm-hearted Dowager Consort took her by the hand and led her to the table.

“It’s just simple fare—I hope you won’t mind.”

“It’s more than enough. It looks delicious.”

The Dowager Consort knew she was just being polite.

She smiled and said, “If you enjoy it, come often—no need to be a stranger.”

With that, she left with the maids.

Qi Yanzhou, concerned Ye Chutang might feel uncomfortable, sat two seats away from her.

“Please, Miss Ye, help yourself.”

Since she had stayed, Ye Chutang wasn’t going to be overly polite.

“All right, let’s eat.”

She didn’t hold back—ate what she liked until she was full and satisfied.

Qi Yanzhou, still feeling unwell, didn’t have much of an appetite, but seeing her eat with such relish—even finishing a bowl of rice—eased his mood.

Ye Chutang stood up. “Thank you for the meal, Your Highness. I’ll take my leave—no need to see me out.”

Still, Qi Yanzhou walked her to the courtyard gate.

He said, “Miss Ye, the fact that ‘Ghost Thief’ saved us will surely arouse His Majesty’s suspicion. But don’t worry—I’ll handle it.”

Ye Chutang looked back at him with a smile. “I’m not worried. I still have to submit a complaint against Prince An’s residence to the imperial court.”

Then the two of them aligned their testimonies.

“Don’t mix up the details, Your Highness.”

“Don’t worry. Safe travels, Miss Ye.”

After leaving Prince Chen’s residence, Ye Chutang bought some pastries and headed to the Grand Tutor’s estate.

She had treated Grand Tutor Qin before, so the gatekeeper recognized her.

“Miss Ye, please come in.”

Once inside, she said, “I’m here to see Young Master Qin.”

The gatekeeper led her to the main hall and had a maid serve her the finest tea.

“Please wait a moment, Miss Ye. I’ll go inform them right away.”

Soon, Qin Zheng arrived in person.

He walked quickly to Ye Chutang and gave her a bow.

“Miss Ye, you saved my father before, and today you saved Yun’er again. Please accept my deepest thanks.”

Ye Chutang immediately stepped aside. “It was just a small favor—not worth a bow from the Prime Minister.”

Looking at the graceful and sensible Ye Chutang, Qin Zheng deeply regretted that his son had failed to win her heart.

“Miss Ye, this way, please.”

“Thank you, Prime Minister.”

Qin Muyun had already heard that Ye Chutang had come to see him. Despite his injuries, he forced himself to sit up.

Though he winced from the pain, he still asked his personal attendant:

“How do I look? Should I tidy myself up a bit?”

“You look perfect like this, Young Master—weak and pitiful. Miss Ye will surely feel sorry for you.”

Qin Muyun: “…”

Nonsense!

Miss Ye would probably just think he was too weak!

Just as he was about to have the servant help him fix his appearance, Qin Zheng arrived with Ye Chutang.

“Miss Ye, you can chat with Yun’er. I’ll wait in the main hall—we have something to discuss later.”

Ye Chutang couldn’t guess what Qin Zheng wanted to talk to her about, but she nodded.

“All right, see you in a bit.”

Qin Zheng looked at his son, pale as a sheet. “Yun’er, be sure to thank Miss Ye properly.”

“Yes, Father, I understand.”

As he left, Qin Zheng took the servant with him.

Ye Chutang was a bit speechless.

Weren’t ancient people super strict about the separation of men and women? Why was she, an unmarried woman, being left alone with an unmarried man?

She’d already rejected Qin Muyun—what was Prime Minister Qin doing?

Qin Muyun sensed her discomfort and told his servant to stay.

“Guan Yan, serve Miss Ye some tea.”

The servant understood that his young master was asking him to remain and quickly replied, “Yes, Young Master.”

Ye Chutang placed the pastries on the small table beside the bed.

“How are you feeling, Young Master Qin?”

Instead of answering, Qin Muyun asked, “Are you hurt, Miss Ye? I’m truly sorry—I ended up dragging you down.”

He had gone to help, but instead became the one who needed saving.

“I’m fine.”

After replying, Ye Chutang checked his pulse.

Once she confirmed he was not in danger, she asked, “Is your servant trustworthy?”

Guan Yan heard this and tactfully stepped out of the room.

It wasn’t that Qin Muyun didn’t trust him—he just needed someone to keep watch outside in case of eavesdroppers.

Qin Muyun said, “Guan Yan is trustworthy. Please, go ahead, Miss Ye.”

Ye Chutang then repeated every word of the testimony she and Qi Yanzhou had agreed on.

“If someone from the Court of Judicial Review comes to question you, just say this.”

Since she clearly didn’t want to talk about “Ghost Thief,” Qin Muyun didn’t press the issue.

“Don’t worry, Miss Ye. I’ll repeat it word for word.”

“You should rest now, Young Master Qin. I’ll be going.”

“Wait.”

Qin Muyun called his servant back in.

“Guan Yan, take out all the silver drafts from the chest and give them to Miss Ye.”

Before the servant could respond, Ye Chutang declined.

“No need to be so formal. I know you went to the guest courtyard because you were worried about me. It’s not your fault your martial arts weren’t strong enough.”

Qin Muyun looked a bit awkward. “But you still saved me—that’s a fact. Please, accept it.”

Since he insisted, Ye Chutang didn’t turn him down.

“All right. Then the disaster victims in Jiangnan will surely be grateful for your generosity, Young Master Qin.”

She only liked to take money from the wicked. As for good people’s silver—it would be used for good deeds and accumulating virtue.