Chapter 152 – With This Seal, You’re Mine

Qi Yanzhou understood Ye Chutang’s worries and agreed readily.

“Don’t worry. I’ll handle Father and Mother. As for the child, I want to keep it a secret for now. We’ll wait until after the marriage and exile before telling them. There are too many people in the Prince of Chen’s manor—it’s best to avoid unnecessary trouble.”

Ye Chutang had no objections. “Alright.”

“Miss Ye, please wait here for a while. I’ll go speak with them now.”

After Qi Yanzhou left, Ye Chutang poured herself a cup of over-steeped jasmine tea.

There was only a small amount of tea leaves, steeped with honey. It was fragrant and sweet, with a faint bitterness, but left a pleasant aftertaste.

Much like her current situation.

She touched her still-flat belly. “Be good for a while, alright? Don’t make things difficult for your mother. If someone finds out, you’ll be scolded too.”

After speaking to the baby, she began to consider the matter of exile.

Since Qi Yanzhou had just reclaimed the southern border, he certainly wouldn’t be sent to the southwest.

And with the Qi family army stationed in the northeast, Ningguta could also be ruled out.

That left only the Lingnan coast and the northwestern desert.

The coast, though prone to natural disasters, was rich in seafood. But with the dog emperor’s cruelty, it was unlikely he’d choose somewhere that easy.

The northwestern desert, with its harsh environment, scarce resources, and brutal winters, was the more likely choice.

With that in mind, Ye Chutang knew she’d have to stockpile a lot of supplies.

In the desert, even money might not be enough to buy the things she needed!

While she was mentally listing the items she needed to store, Qi Yanzhou had gone to speak with Consort Dowager Chen.

Together, they visited the old prince’s courtyard.

The old prince was currently feeding koi with one of his concubines nestled in his arms.

When he saw his wife and son approaching, he immediately knew it was something serious.

“Ping’er, go back to your courtyard. I’ll visit you later.”

Before leaving, Aunt Su deliberately gave the old prince a kiss on the cheek.

“I’ll be waiting for you, my lord.”

Consort Dowager Chen was used to Aunt Su’s provocation and didn’t take her seriously at all.

Once Aunt Su had left, the old prince dismissed the servants in the courtyard.

To avoid eavesdropping, the three of them moved to the study.

The old prince asked, “Zhou’er, what happened?”

Consort Dowager Chen was also curious and tentatively asked, “Does it have something to do with Miss Ye?”

Qi Yanzhou nodded. “I want to marry her. Tomorrow morning, I’ll petition His Majesty to bestow the marriage.”

Consort Dowager Chen was delighted, but also puzzled.

“Didn’t you say before that you had a hidden illness, that you didn’t have much time left and didn’t want to drag her down? Why the sudden change?”

As soon as she asked, she realized the answer herself.

“Did Miss Ye bring it up? Why would she suddenly want to marry you?”

She had previously tested Ye Chutang and could tell the girl had no interest in her son.

Qi Yanzhou trusted his parents deeply. Aside from the pregnancy, he told them everything.

Consort Dowager Chen grabbed his arm, visibly shaken.

“Zhou’er, you’re not lying to me, are you? Miss Ye can really cure you?”

“If the witch doctor from the southern border arrives in time, she can save me.”

“You risked your life to reclaim the south. The witch doctor will definitely come to remove your curse.”

The old prince, seeing his son finally escape death, patted him on the shoulder with relief.

“Miss Ye is a fine daughter-in-law!”

Then, he brought up the issue of exile.

“Zhou’er, His Majesty has long wanted to eradicate the Prince of Chen’s household. Exile isn’t so simple. Too light, and it’s prison; too heavy, and it’s execution.”

Qi Yanzhou smiled. “With Miss Ye’s help, we’ll make it through.”

He told them about the emperor’s plan to use Ye Chutang as a pawn, and how she had pretended to fall into the trap to become an inside agent.

After hearing the whole story, Consort Dowager Chen was even more impressed.

“Who says women are inferior to men? Miss Ye is both brave and clever—few men could compare. Zhou’er, since she’s willing to endure exile with you, you must never betray her.”

“Don’t worry, Mother. I’d rather betray the world than betray her.” Qi Yanzhou then mentioned Ye Chutang’s two conditions.

Of course, he didn’t bring up the child yet.

Consort Dowager Chen had no objections. “She’s saving your life. Wanting to live monogamously and not be confined to the inner chambers is not too much to ask. It just shows her noble heart.”

The old prince nodded in agreement. “Your older brother and half-brothers can carry on the family line. Losing one won’t matter.”

Qi Yanzhou immediately prepared to write down Ye Chutang’s two conditions.

He purposely left a blank line for future addition of anything related to the child.

After signing and stamping the agreement—

“Father, Mother, if you would.”

The old prince and Consort Dowager Chen signed and stamped it without hesitation.

Qi Yanzhou picked up the ink-damp paper and gently blew on it to dry.

He then suggested, “Mother, I think before I seek His Majesty’s decree, you and Father should pay a visit to the Minister of the Left’s residence.”

Consort Dowager Chen nodded. “You’re right. Letting Lord Ye know in advance shows how much our family values this marriage.”

The old prince said, “After lunch, choose a few appropriate betrothal gifts, and we’ll head over.”

“Alright, I’ll go check the storeroom now,” said Consort Dowager Chen.

She and Qi Yanzhou left for the back garden.

She held Ye Chutang’s hand and slid a jade bracelet from her own wrist onto Ye Chutang’s.

“Tang’er, this is the Qi family’s heirloom. I’m giving it to you.”

Ye Chutang felt it was too valuable and was about to decline, but Consort Dowager Chen pressed her wrist.

“I thought you and Zhou’er were not meant to be, and was thinking of taking you in as a daughter. I never expected things would turn around. I’m truly happy—and thank you for saving his life.”

After that, she let go of Ye Chutang’s hand.

“You two talk. I’ll go prepare the gifts for the Minister’s residence.”

Ye Chutang bowed. “Safe journey, Dowager Consort.”

After she left, Qi Yanzhou called Ye Chutang to his study.

He added a final line to the first clause on the agreement and handed it to her.

Ye Chutang read over it—two conditions, both clearly written.

One: I promise that after marriage, I will be wholly faithful to Ye Chutang. One heart, one mind, one person. If I break this, may lightning strike me down. Ye Chutang may divorce me at any time and take the child with her.

The last line had just been added, the ink still wet.

Two: I will not interfere in any of Ye Chutang’s decisions. I will respect all of her choices and protect her with everything I have. If I break this, I deserve to die without a proper burial.

After reading it, Ye Chutang said, “Your Highness, you didn’t need to make the consequences so harsh.”

Better to part peacefully than live in misery.

Qi Yanzhou looked at her with burning sincerity.

“The harsher it is, the more it shows my resolve. Miss Ye, I’m serious about spending my life with you.”

Ye Chutang accepted the contract and gave Qi Yanzhou a kiss on the cheek.

“With this seal, you’re mine. If you keep your promises, I won’t leave you.”

Qi Yanzhou blushed from her boldness and immediately took two gulps of cold flower tea to hide it.

“To find a soulmate like this—what more could I ask for?”

Then he pulled Ye Chutang down beside him, a little nervously.

“Miss Ye, don’t you think it’s time we called each other more intimately?”

Ye Chutang nodded approvingly. “You can call me A’Chu or A’Tang. Should I call you A’Yan? Or A’Zhou?”

“You’ve probably heard of the phrase ‘Sha Tang Zhou’*. From now on, I’ll call you A’Tang, and you call me A’Zhou.”

(*Sha Tang Zhou: A poetic phrase meaning “sandalwood boat in the sand.” Likely a reference to his name.)

Ye Chutang thought A’Yan sounded better, but she didn’t object.

“Alright, A’Zhou.”

Her soft, affectionate voice made the tips of Qi Yanzhou’s ears turn red again.

He then told her that his father and mother would be visiting the Minister of the Left soon.

“A’Tang, even though our marriage came about unexpectedly, I won’t let you lose face or respect.”

Ye Chutang didn’t care much for formality, but she was moved by his sincerity.

“A’Zhou, tell me about all the masters and mistresses in your residence.”