Chapter 160: Ye Anling’s Return Visit

After sending the doctors away, Manager Lin turned to look at Ye Chutang.

“This old man believes Miss Ye wouldn’t joke around with human lives. If the opportunity arises, I’m willing to be the first to try cowpox inoculation myself.”

Ye Chutang replied, “The inoculation might cause some discomfort, but it won’t endanger lives.”

With that, she brought up the matter of purchasing medicinal herbs.

“Manager Lin, please have the herbs delivered to Tianshan Commandery. I’ll arrange someone to accompany the shipment.”

Manager Lin had already contacted some trusted herb suppliers.

“Miss Ye, the prices have all been negotiated. They’re the lowest rates.”

As he spoke, he walked over to the counter, pulled out a price list, and handed it to Ye Chutang.

“These are the prices and stock quantities for each herb. Please have a look. If anything’s unsuitable, I’ll find other suppliers.”

Ye Chutang took the list and looked it over carefully.

“The prices are fine, but the quantity isn’t enough. Manager Lin, could I borrow your paper and brush?”

Manager Lin quickly handed her an unused ledger and even helped her grind ink.

“Please, Miss Ye.”

Ye Chutang looked at the herb cabinets in front of her and started writing down the names of herbs, noting prices and quantities as she went.

Her wrist was sore by the time she finished.

She handed the ledger back to Manager Lin. “Please help me tally this up. I’ll arrange someone to coordinate with the herb suppliers, pay the deposit, and manage delivery.”

“You’re too polite, Miss Ye. Of course I’ll help.”

Manager Lin took a glance at the quantities recorded and nearly popped his eyes out.

“Miss Ye, with this much medicine, the cost will be immense—nearly a million taels!”

Ye Chutang had already estimated the cost—it would exceed a million taels easily.

Adding in the freight cost for several thousand li, the total would be at least 1.3 million taels.

For most people, that kind of money was unthinkable. But Ye Chutang had emptied the pockets of the richest few in the capital—she was more than flush.

“No worries. My mother left me a dowry vast enough to rival a kingdom. A million taels is nothing to me.”

Her tone was calm, but Manager Lin was deeply moved.

Even so, few would be willing to sacrifice so much for others.

He felt as if he saw a divine light of universal compassion shining from Ye Chutang.

“This old man is ashamed.”

It was all he could say.

“I’m doing this for others, but also for myself. I’ll leave the rest to you, Manager Lin.”

With that, Ye Chutang returned to the Ministry Residence.

Just as she reached the gate, she saw Qi Yanzhou approaching with a goose in his arms.

Today, he wore a blue brocade robe. His jet-black hair was held in place by a white jade crown.

Silver thread embroidered tall bamboo stalks at the hem of his robe, creeping all the way up to the front flap—glistening in the sunlight.

A black belt with gold trim hugged his slender waist, and a jade pendant swayed gently with each step.

He walked slowly toward her, bathed in sunlight—a picture of elegance…

…if not for the squawking geese ruining the scene.

Ye Chutang laughed. “Ah Zhou, you’re right on time. Please, come in.”

Qi Yanzhou entered the Ministry Residence and went to the main hall.

As he handed the goose to Ye Chutang, he also quietly slipped her a list.

And passed along two pieces of news.

“Kong Qingyuan and his son have been stripped of their posts and thrown into prison. Their family’s been barred from holding office for the next three generations.”

The Kong family was done for.

“Zhao Qingshu took all the blame. Count Yongning voluntarily gave up his title and left the capital with his entire family. The Emperor agreed.”

Ye Chutang frowned. “The Emperor pardoned Zhao Simin?”

Qi Yanzhou gently smoothed the crease between her brows.

“Not yet. I immediately submitted a memorial—full of evidence of how Zhao Simin used her status as a commandery princess to bully commoners and assault officials’ families.”

“And what’s the verdict?”

“Zhao Simin and Zhao Qingshu were sentenced to one year in prison. Zhao Mingxu’s whole family was exiled to Dingzhou. He’s been granted a token title of ‘County Earl’ and receives thirty percent of Dingzhou’s tax revenue.”

Qi Yanzhou knew Ye Chutang wasn’t happy with the outcome and explained,

“Zhao Mingxu is the Emperor’s biological brother. Unless he commits treason, the Emperor won’t deal harshly with him.”

Had Zhao Qingshu and Zhao Simin not targeted Ye Chutang, nearly ruining the Emperor’s plans, they likely wouldn’t have been punished at all.

Ye Chutang raised her eyebrows in satisfaction.

“If there were evidence of Zhao Mingxu plotting treason, would that be the end for him?”

Qi Yanzhou nodded. “Of course.”

The Emperor cared most about his throne—anyone who threatened it would be eliminated.

That said, even then, to preserve the image of brotherly affection, the Emperor would probably only imprison or exile him—not kill him.

Ye Chutang leaned in close and, in a voice only the two of them could hear, told him a secret about Prince An’s Manor.

“There’s a hidden chamber under the stables at Prince An’s Manor. Weapons are stored at the bottom. Dig it up with a good excuse, and Zhao Mingxu is done for.”

Qi Yanzhou knew this intel must have come from the “Ghost Thief.”

He grew even more curious about their relationship but didn’t ask.

“Alright. I know what to do.”

With that, Qi Yanzhou stood and took his leave.

Ye Chutang walked him to the gate—just in time to run into Ye Anling returning for her visit.

Ye Anling came alone, carrying just two return gifts. She looked utterly pathetic.

She stared at the perfect couple before her, eyes red with jealousy.

“Greetings, Prince Chen.”

Qi Yanzhou didn’t even glance at her. Instead, he gently reminded Ye Chutang,

“Get plenty of rest. Don’t tire yourself. The Ministry of Rites will handle everything.”

Ye Chutang deliberately reached out in front of Ye Anling to straighten Qi Yanzhou’s collar.

“Got it. You take care too—don’t overwork yourself.”

“I must be hands-on. I want to give you the best of everything.”

With those tender words, Qi Yanzhou reluctantly left.

Ye Anling glared furiously at Ye Chutang, who was basking in smug satisfaction.

“You did that on purpose, didn’t you?”

“I made it that obvious, and you still had to ask?”

“You vile woman! If Prince Chen knew who you really were, he’d never marry you!”

Ye Chutang laughed lightly. “And who am I, really? Talented and beautiful? Well-known and respected? Wealthy beyond measure? A daughter avenging her mother?”

She dragged out her last words and gasped dramatically.

“Oh right—Kong Ruyue raised you, spoiled you, protected you. But instead of retrieving her body from the mass grave and burying her properly, you show up empty-handed for your return visit. Such a filial daughter!”

Ye Anling’s fragile composure shattered completely.

She threw the gifts she brought at Ye Chutang. “Shut up!”

Ye Chutang kicked them right back—hitting Ye Anling square on the knees.

With a loud thud, Ye Anling fell to her knees in humiliation.

Ye Chutang stepped aside.

“Madam Grand Eunuch, your return gifts are far too precious for me to accept.”

With that, she skipped merrily back into the residence.

Ye Anling nearly fainted from rage and screamed at her maid.

“Are you dead or something? Help me up!”

The maid knew Ye Anling had fallen out of favor—on her wedding night, she’d been used by Eunuch De as an outlet for his frustrations, tortured within an inch of her life.

Looking at Ye Anling’s sorry state, the maid’s tone was laced with contempt.

“Madam, don’t make a scene at the gate. Everyone’s watching.”

Ye Anling closed her eyes and forced herself up despite the pain.

She glared viciously at the insolent maid and made a silent vow.

“I will climb to the very top and trample everyone who looks down on me beneath my feet!”

If she couldn’t rely on Eunuch De, she’d change her strategy—

Become the Emperor’s woman.

She would help the Emperor crush Eunuch De’s power and break free of the eunuchs’ control.