Chapter 112: He Became Anxious, He Became Angry

Ye Chutang’s words made sense, but Prince An was unwilling to give in.

“Miss Ye, you should be well aware of the current situation at the Prince An’s residence. Since we are all in the same boat, there is no need to be so particular about compensation. We just need to put on a show for the common people,” he said.

The implication was clear: Ye Chutang had to acknowledge that she had received compensation, yet she had gained nothing.

She curled her pink lips into a smile, her expression mocking.

“As long as Prince An isn’t afraid of me exposing this in front of the people, then don’t give me any compensation at all.”

Seeing that Ye Chutang wouldn’t budge, Prince An considered seeking the Emperor’s intervention.

Before he could speak, Ye Chutang spoke again.

“The Emperor has shown his sincerity by presenting the golden pardon medallion, and now Prince An wants to reap the benefits?”

Prince An wanted to argue that the marriage proposal was the Emperor’s idea, and it had nothing to do with him. He had already suffered the public’s scorn, so why should he be the one to provide compensation?

But he dared not say so.

The Emperor didn’t want to waste his energy on something as trivial as compensation.

“Prince An, giving her the compensation she deserves is also for the sake of the people,” the Emperor said.

Prince An was unwilling but complied with a reluctant nod.

“Yes.”

“I am tired. You may leave,” the Emperor added.

As soon as the words left his mouth, he suddenly remembered something.

“Miss Ye, before tomorrow’s morning court, please compile the disaster relief funds, set aside some for purchasing medicinal herbs and rain gear, and send the remainder to Jiangnan.”

“Your Majesty’s orders, I will obey.”

After leaving the palace, Ye Chutang felt a lot lighter.

“Father, send me to Prince Chen’s residence. Prince Chen saved me yesterday, and I can take this opportunity to repay him and get closer to him.”

Ye Jingchuan had some official matters to attend to and didn’t have time to accompany her. He gave her the carriage instead.

“Chuer, with your talents and beauty, it won’t be hard to win over Prince Chen. Just put in the effort.”

“I will, after all, I want to survive.”

“Alright, go ahead. Prince An, trouble you to escort the official to the Ministry of Revenue.”

Prince An nodded reluctantly.

The two left in the carriage.

Ye Chutang also got into the carriage.

“First to Xinglin Hall, then to Prince Chen’s residence.”

Chen Zhong cracked the whip. “Yes, Miss.”

Not long after leaving the palace, the carriage entered a busy district, the streets bustling with noise.

The common people were discussing the birthday banquet of Prince An’s wife yesterday.

The more Ye Chutang listened, the more amused she became.

“For Prince An to want to kill Miss Ye just to avenge Princess An, that’s too vicious, right?”

“He’s not just aiming at Miss Ye, he also wants to deal with Prince Chen and Young Master Qin!”

“I heard Miss Ye got so angry she went to file a complaint. I wonder how it turned out?”

“The Prince An’s residence must have done a lot of evil deeds for it to be burned to the ground.”

“The ‘Ghost Thief’ must be sent by heaven to restore order, saving the good and punishing the wicked!”

Listening to these discussions, Ye Chutang immediately guessed that Qi Yanzhou was the one behind them.

Not long after, the carriage stopped at Xinglin Hall.

The shopkeeper Lin had already announced the prescriptions for preventing and treating the plague.

Every pharmacy was crowded with people.

Xinglin Hall was the busiest.

When the apprentice saw Ye Chutang, he immediately approached her and led her through the back door into the pharmacy.

“Miss Ye, please wait. I’ll inform the shopkeeper.”

Ye Chutang stopped him. “No need, I’m here to buy medicine.”

She then handed the apprentice a prescription for treating internal injuries that she had already prepared.

“Give me ten sets of the medicine.”

“Alright, please wait a moment.”

In no time, the shopkeeper personally brought ten packs of medicine to the back courtyard where the herbs were drying.

“Miss Ye, the medicines for preventing and treating the plague, we’ve discussed with all the pharmacies to sell at cost price.”

Not only could everyone afford them, but at least most people could.

This way, no one could accuse Ye Chutang of intentionally spreading panic to collaborate with the pharmacies for profit.

Ye Chutang was impressed by Shopkeeper Lin.

“A good doctor should always have a kind heart. Shopkeeper Lin has done well. How much are these medicines?”

Shopkeeper Lin, flattered by the praise, smiled broadly.

“Miss Ye, you’re kind. These medicines aren’t worth much, so I won’t charge you.”

Ye Chutang, knowing the price of the herbs, estimated the cost and handed Shopkeeper Lin ten taels of silver.

“Take it. Business is business.”

The medicine for internal injuries included three expensive herbs.

Seeing that he couldn’t refuse, Shopkeeper Lin reluctantly accepted.

When Ye Chutang left Xinglin Hall, she asked the shopkeeper for a water bucket.

The carriage driver, Chen Zhong, glanced at the bucket in confusion but drove on toward Prince Chen’s residence.

Qi Yanzhou was feeling a bit better today. At that moment, he was strolling in the garden’s corridor.

His steps were leisurely, but his brow furrowed tightly, his eyes filled with clear concern.

Suddenly, the steward hurried over.

“Prince, Miss Ye has arrived. She is in the main hall.”

Hearing this, Qi Yanzhou’s tense brow immediately relaxed, and the worry in his heart dissipated.

“Please ask Miss Ye to come to the study.”

It was rare for anyone to visit him without reason. If Miss Ye was here, it must be something important.

The steward bowed respectfully. “Yes, Prince.”

The study was relatively close to where Qi Yanzhou was. He deliberately slowed his steps to meet Ye Chutang at the study’s door.

Once he confirmed she was unharmed, he finally felt at ease.

“Miss Ye, please.”

He said as he reached for the water bucket in her hand.

Though confused, he didn’t ask any questions.

Ye Chutang avoided his hand. “Your Highness, you have internal injuries, it’s not advisable to lift heavy things.”

The bucket of ordinary water had been replaced with spring water by Ye Chutang.

“A bucket of water is not considered a heavy thing for me.”

After speaking, Qi Yanzhou firmly took the water bucket and pushed open the study door.

Ye Chutang, holding the medicine package, followed him into the study.

She handed the medicine package to Qi Yanzhou.

“Your Highness, this is the medicine for internal injuries. Boiling the water from the bucket with the herbs has miraculous effects. One dose can be boiled twice. Take it morning and evening. After boiling, drink half a bowl of water.”

“Good, thank you, Miss Ye.”

After expressing his gratitude, Qi Yanzhou got down to business.

“Miss Ye, you didn’t come to Prince Chen’s residence just to deliver medicine, did you?”

Ye Chutang nodded and briefly explained what had happened after she entered the palace.

Of course, she left out the help from her space.

When Qi Yanzhou heard that the Emperor had given Ye Chutang poison to break her bones, he froze, his breath catching.

After learning that she hadn’t been affected and had used her advanced medical skills to fool the Emperor, he let out a long sigh of relief.

But upon hearing that the Emperor wanted to make her his concubine, rage surged through him, and he unconsciously clenched his fists.

“Miss Ye, you shouldn’t have met the Emperor alone. It’s too dangerous.”

Ye Chutang smiled indifferently.

“How could I avoid danger if I didn’t enter the tiger’s den? It’s a pity I couldn’t learn the Emperor’s exact plans for dealing with Prince Chen’s residence.”

“Miss Ye, don’t take risks anymore. The Emperor has wanted to destroy Prince Chen’s residence for a long time. I can handle it.”

“I was just meddling.”

Upon hearing this, Qi Yanzhou immediately became anxious.

“I didn’t mean that. I just don’t want you to take risks because of me.”

Ye Chutang thought Qi Yanzhou didn’t want to owe her a favor.

“Prince Chen doesn’t mind. I’m doing this not for you, but for myself.”

She didn’t want to get involved in political schemes and factional struggles.

But what could she do?

The Emperor had chosen her as his pawn, and there was no escaping it.