Chapter 178: Ye Chutang Takes Charge of the Shopping

Once the sound from the amplifier recording finished, Ye Chutang tucked it away into the space.

Qi Yanzhou immediately stepped forward and helped her up.

“Ah Tang, are you alright?”

Ye Chutang nodded, retracting her half-foot from above the massive black hole.

“I’m fine, just a little startled.”

Qi Yanzhou had often heard that when the “Ghost Thief” steals, the whole house often collapses underground.

He never imagined it and thought it sounded exaggerated.

But now that he had witnessed it firsthand, he was deeply shocked.

So he didn’t think much of Ye Chutang being startled. After all, he had been startled himself when the whole yard collapsed in an instant.

“Luckily, the ‘Ghost Thief’ is not our enemy.”

Otherwise, in an instant, they could be wiped out!

Ye Chutang, not wanting to be distracted while using her space abilities, didn’t respond to Qi Yanzhou.

The huge black hole was visibly filled with yellow soil at an astonishing speed.

The ground was now flat and even.

But the bluestone slabs were gone, the valuables were gone, and the Imperial Guards were gone.

A dumbfounded De Gonggong (an official title) snapped back to his senses and roared, “Someone, dig quickly!”

He knew it was futile, but something had to be done.

The Imperial Guards outside the mansion rushed into the Prince’s estate, drawing their swords from their waists to dig through the soil.

The tools were inadequate, and their digging looked almost comical.

De Gonggong looked at the group of fools, so angry his vision went black, “Hurry up and find shovels and hoes!”

Just as he finished speaking, the head of one of the Imperial Guards popped up from the dirt.

His face was covered in mud, his head full of dirt, and his appearance was unrecognizable.

Soon, many more heads emerged from the soil.

The leader of the Imperial Guards counted them and found fifty-three people, matching the number of the missing guards.

He approached Qi Yanzhou and said, “Young Master Qi, where are the shovels and hoes inside the mansion?”

They had to dig the people out quickly; otherwise, the constant pressure from the dirt would suffocate them.

Qi Yanzhou, who usually didn’t deal with such tools, didn’t know where they were kept.

“Sir, you’ll need to ask the servants inside the mansion.”

After saying that, he stopped concerning himself with the stolen valuables and called the Qi family members to the main hall to discuss the shopping list for the exiles.

The Qi family now understood that being exiled meant suffering hardships.

The route for exile was fixed.

Apart from reporting to each state and district for supplies, they mostly traveled on small paths and occasionally had to cross mountains.

So, even if they had money, it was impossible to buy food all the way.

They would need to prepare pots, bowls, spoons, rice, flour, oil, spices, and so on, and cook their own meals.

If they didn’t want to cook, they would have to eat the steamed buns issued by the officials.

It wouldn’t starve them, but it was so bad they might wish they had starved.

The journey was long, the conditions were harsh, and it was easy to fall ill.

Therefore, they also needed to prepare some common medicinal herbs.

The Qi family had lived in luxury and wasn’t accustomed to such a life.

Ye Chutang, a “country woman,” listed everything they needed to buy.

The list was two pages long, densely packed with items that made one’s eyes hurt just looking at them.

“You don’t know how to pick these things, so I’ll go buy them,” she said.

As soon as this was said, Su Yiniang (a concubine) immediately agreed.

“Madam grew up in the countryside; she’s the best one to buy the items needed for exile.”

Whoever went shopping meant they would be paying for the goods.

To Su Yiniang, since Ye Chutang had a lot of silver notes, she naturally thought it was her responsibility to cover the costs for the whole family.

Ye Chutang didn’t mind, but she wasn’t going to be taken advantage of.

“The cost of the items will be shared equally among everyone,” she said.

Su Yiniang frowned. “Do we really need to split it so clearly?”

“You’re right. A family shouldn’t be so calculative. In that case, you can buy the items yourself,” Ye Chutang said.

“No way!”

Ye Chutang laughed mockingly, “So, you just want to take advantage, huh?”

Su Yiniang’s face flushed with embarrassment.

“I wasn’t trying to take advantage, just that splitting everything evenly doesn’t seem fair to us concubines.”

Due to regulations, the jewelry of concubines and illegitimate children was nowhere near as valuable as that of the main wife and the newlywed couple.

Her jewelry was already scarce, and splitting the costs of buying things was a huge loss for her.

Ye Chutang looked at the calculating Su Yiniang with an indifferent expression. “If you don’t want to give, then don’t.”

Su Yiniang looked at Ye Chutang suspiciously, thinking she might be setting a trap.

“You really won’t give?”

“If you don’t want to, don’t. Is there anyone else who doesn’t want to share the costs?” Ye Chutang replied.

Although Gao Yiniang had never interacted much with Ye Chutang, she understood she wasn’t the type to lose out.

So, she didn’t speak up.

Xu Yiniang asked, “Madam, if we don’t split the costs, will we still be able to buy the things?”

Ye Chutang nodded.

“Of course. If you want it, you can rent it. But if you want to eat food cooked with these tools, you’ll have to buy them.”

Upon hearing this, Su Yiniang suspiciously asked, “How much to rent? How much to buy?”

“It depends on what you want to rent. If it’s just pots and bowls, it’s not expensive—ten wen each time. But if you want rice or flour, it’s at least three times the market price.”

“You… you’re too greedy!”

“You don’t have to buy it if you don’t want to. I won’t force anyone to buy,” Ye Chutang responded.

Gao Yiniang’s son, Qi Yun’an, interjected, “There’s nothing in the wild mountains and wastelands. Being able to buy something is already good. Triple the price isn’t that expensive.”

Su Yiniang muttered, “Then I’ll just buy some in the capital and bring them along.”

She thought that she and her daughter wouldn’t consume much, so splitting the costs wasn’t worth it.

She would buy a little now and replenish it whenever they reached a new state or district.

Ye Chutang was more than happy to cook for fewer people.

“Alright, once I finish shopping, if you need anything, you can go buy it yourself.”

After saying this, she asked Aunt Xu and Aunt Gao.

“What about you two?”

Aunt Gao asked, “Madam, the jewelry we have is not worth much silver, and we surely can’t afford the expenses for the entire journey. If we run out, does that mean we’ll have to eat the dry bread given by the government officials?”

“Of course not. As long as you’re diligent and work hard, there will be food guaranteed.”

This reassured Aunt Gao and Aunt Xu.

Old Madam Qi handed over all the jewelry she had to Ye Chutang.

Some were hers, and some belonged to the old master.

“Tang’er, from now on, the Qi family will be under your management.”

Aunt Xu hesitated for a moment, then also handed over all her jewelry to Ye Chutang.

“Madam, you can pawn these; silver is better.”

Before she was a concubine, Aunt Xu had quite a bit of jewelry, some of it quite valuable, worth at least two thousand taels.

If she didn’t hand it over to Ye Chutang, it would be enough for her and her son to live frugally all the way to Tianshan County.

But she was a smart woman, and she knew that being estranged from the legal wife wasn’t wise.

Qi He’an followed suit.

He handed over his golden crown, jade pendant, and jeweled belt to Ye Chutang.

“This is all I have, Second Sister-in-law, don’t mind it.”

In fact, he still secretly kept a few silver notes hidden in his clothes, just in case they were needed.

Ye Chutang accepted the things from Aunt Xu.

“As long as you all are honest and hardworking, Ah Zhan and I will protect you.”

After saying this, she looked at Aunt Gao.

“Have you made your decision, Aunt Gao?”

After a moment of silence, Aunt Gao nodded.

“Like Sister Su, I want to buy the necessary items for exile myself.”

She knew full well that the Emperor wouldn’t let the Qi family off.

Who knew when their lives might be at risk? Rather than scraping by in hard times, she might as well enjoy herself first.

If they were lucky enough to escape the pursuit, the master would definitely not neglect them.

Once the family had discussed things, they began their lunch.

Since something had happened at the Prince of Chen’s mansion, the waiter from Guangju Pavilion was stopped by the Imperial Guard and wasn’t allowed to deliver the food.

Ye Chutang had a simple meal and then, under the watch of four Imperial Guards, left the Prince of Chen’s mansion.

In ancient times, newlyweds wore red for the first month of marriage.

Ye Chutang, dressed in a red gown, stood out and attracted much attention, with various discussions overheard along the way.

“Miss Ye is so unfortunate, she hasn’t even enjoyed a day as the ‘Princess of Chen’ and now has to suffer exile with the Qi family.”

“I heard she volunteered for it, truly loyal and righteous!”

“The Qi family can’t carry anything and can’t work, Miss Ye will surely suffer during the exile.”

“Sigh, Prince Chen… Young Master Qi and Miss Ye both care for the common people, why are they getting such bad luck?”

Ye Chutang listened to the discussions as she went to the cart.

She bought a cart for transporting goods, had the shop reinforce it, and also bought the strongest donkey.

The officers responsible for escorting the exiled people would use the cart for transporting goods. Since the Qi family requested exile themselves, using the cart wasn’t a breach of protocol.

Ye Chutang led the donkey to Xinglin Hall and bought some common medicinal herbs.

The shopkeeper, Lin, refused to take any money and even gave her some medicine for internal and external injuries, as well as a century-old ginseng that could save lives in critical moments.

“Madam Qi, take care!”

Ye Chutang waved her hand with ease as she met the shopkeeper’s reluctant gaze.

“If we’re fated, we will meet again.”

After saying that, she went to the grain and oil store across the street.

She bought half a month’s worth of rice, flour, and oil, along with various seasonings.

Then she went to a dry goods store, a vegetable market, a blacksmith shop, a clothing store, a farm tool shop, a vegetable stand, a fruit stall…

The cart quickly filled up with items.

Ye Chutang checked the list and made sure everything was bought.

On her way back to the Prince of Chen’s mansion, she stopped by a pastry shop.

Then she overheard a big piece of news.

“I thought the Emperor wouldn’t take action against the Minister’s residence, but unexpectedly, they’re being exiled.”

“They were colluding with the princes, secretly hoarding grain and weapons. How could the Emperor let Ye Jingchuan go free?”

“Ye Jingchuan has fallen, but what about the two princes? Why haven’t we heard anything about them?”

“The most likely candidates for the throne are the Crown Prince and the Second Prince. The Emperor needs them to balance the court, so he won’t act against them.”

“Ye family wasn’t exterminated, just exiled. It should be a result of Ye Jingchuan taking the fall for the two princes.”

Ye Chutang finished paying for the pastries, came out of the shop, and asked the few people gossiping outside.

“Excuse me, do you know where the Ye family is exiled to?”

The people recognized Ye Chutang and quickly said, “To the northwest, Linzhou City.”

Linzhou City is a border town in the northwest, known for years of war, its environment vastly different from Tianshan County.

Ye Chutang understood. The Emperor arranged for Ye Jingchuan to be exiled to the northwest to deal with the Qi family.

“Thank you!”

After saying that, she went to the nearby tavern and booked a large table of delicacies.

Not long after, she overheard another big piece of news.

“The entire family of Prince An has been imprisoned in Dingzhou, their lives are basically over.”

“The Emperor still showed some mercy to his younger brother, providing food and drink, but they are not allowed freedom.”

“Yes, the children, who were sentenced to a year in prison, are also going to Dingzhou, which is considered a form of amnesty.”

“Since they must pass through Dingzhou to get to the northwest, will the Qi family and Zhao family travel together?”

Upon hearing this, Ye Chutang understood everything.

The Emperor’s arrangements were to use Zhao Xu’s hand to destroy the Qi family.

Whether successful or not, the dog Emperor would get away scot-free!

Ye Chutang could already imagine how “lively” the journey of exile would be.

“Shopkeeper, please send the meal to the Prince of Chen’s mansion at around 7:30 in the evening.”

After saying that, she paid and left.

Returning to the Chen Wang Mansion, Ye Chutang led the donkey to the stable. After feeding it some grass, she came to the front courtyard.

The guards from the Imperial Forest Army, who had been buried in the dirt, had already been dug out.

The front yard was left with numerous holes.

As there was no longer a need to guard the property, many of the Imperial Forest Army had been withdrawn.

The servants who sold themselves had also been arranged for their destinations.

Those with money spent double the silver to redeem themselves and leave the Chen Wang Mansion.

Those without money were sent to other officials’ residences to serve as servants.

Ye Chutang handed the shopping list to Qi Yanzhou.

“This is the itemized list. Let everyone take a look.”

The daily necessities she bought were all top-quality, not cheap, costing nearly three hundred taels.

The snacks and the pre-ordered feast also cost her over a hundred taels from her own pocket.

Before leaving the capital, she had to enjoy a good meal.

Qi Yanzhou didn’t look at the list and handed it to Xu Yiniang.

Xu Yiniang didn’t take it and respectfully said, “Madam is in charge. All expenses are decided by Madam.”

She was very clear about her position and would never do anything that would irritate others.

Seeing that Xu Yiniang was so aware of her position, Ye Chutang took back the list.

No one knew how much she had bought, so no one would suspect any discrepancy in the amount of supplies.

The supplies she had stocked in her space would come in handy.

Of course, the discrepancy in quantity couldn’t be too large.

Otherwise, with Qi Yanzhou’s sharp eyes, he would definitely notice.

She yawned, “I’m a little tired from shopping. I’ll go rest for a bit.”

Su Yiniang immediately stopped Ye Chutang, “Madam, may I take a look at the shopping list?”

She wanted to know what needed to be bought and the prices, to use it as a reference.

Ye Chutang saw Su Yiniang’s little thought and sent her two words.

“Cannot!”

After saying this, she glanced at Qi Yanzhou and entered the east side hall.

Su Yiniang pouted, “If you don’t want to show me, then I won’t look!”

After saying this, she went out to shop under the supervision of the Imperial Forest Army.

Qi Yanzhou saw that Ye Chutang had something to say and, looking at her back, said, “A-Tang, I need to talk to you.”

“Come in and say it.”

Ye Chutang leaned against the bedhead of the bed, while Qi Yanzhou sat by her bed and began massaging her legs.

She closed her eyes in comfort and told Qi Yanzhou the two pieces of news she had heard.

Qi Yanzhou massaged her legs lightly.

“A-Tang, don’t worry. No matter what changes happen, I will handle it.”

“I trust you. The news of my pregnancy is probably not going to stay hidden for long.”

Once the emperor finds out about her pregnancy, she would no longer be able to provide insider information.

“If it can’t be hidden, then don’t try. You’ll feel more at ease. Lie down and rest.”

Once Ye Chutang was pregnant, the feeling of drowsiness came quickly.

She muttered, “Mhm,” and lay down.

“Don’t keep massaging. My legs aren’t tired. Go tell them that it’s time to prepare for Li’s departure.”

“Alright, sleep well. I’ll call you when it’s time to eat.”

Ye Chutang slept for half an hour.

When she woke up, she just happened to bump into Su Yiniang returning from shopping.

She was struggling with large bundles, her steps unsteady, and panting.

Her fine clothes had been changed into coarse cloth and were nearly soaked in sweat.

“Yao’er, come help.”

Qi Jingyao looked at the disheveled Su Yiniang, frowning in disdain, and unwillingly took the bundles from her.

“Mother, what did you buy? Why is it so heavy?”

“Pots, bowls, and food. I bought enough for half a month.”

“So heavy, how will we even walk once we carry it? Why didn’t you buy a donkey?”

A donkey wasn’t expensive, it only cost three taels of silver.

Su Yiniang had thought about buying one, but the Imperial Forest Army didn’t allow it.

They said that letting the Qi family buy a donkey to carry goods was already a favor from the emperor.

“Yao’er, I’m of humble status, I’m not worthy of buying a donkey.”

Qi Jingyao pouted in dissatisfaction. “Then you should have bought a small cart. It would be easier than carrying it.”

Su Yiniang knocked her head in regret.

“I forgot, I’ll go buy one now.”

However, the Imperial Forest Army said, “You can’t go out anymore. This is the last chance for the Qi family to leave.”

Hearing this, Gao Yiniang said, “I’ll go!”

She still hadn’t bought anything!

Su Yiniang hurriedly stuffed a small piece of silver into Gao Yiniang’s hand.

“Sister, please bring back a small cart for me. Sorry for the trouble.”

Although she didn’t know much about prices, she thought a wooden cart was just an ordinary tool and wouldn’t be expensive.

Gao Yiniang looked at the small silver coin in her hand, and said directly, “It’s not enough.”

“It’s definitely enough. A small cart would cost at most three or four taels. This piece of silver can at least be worth six or seven taels.”

“Six taels, I’ll help my sister get the cart.”

Su Yiniang widened her eyes in anger. “Six taels? Are you cheating me?”

Gao Yiniang was known for cheating people for money.

The more money she had in hand, the better her life would be on the way to exile.

“If you don’t want to, then forget it.”

Su Yiniang saw that Gao Yiniang was turning to leave, and angrily called out to her.

“It’s just six taels of silver, I’ll give it to you!”

Gao Yiniang took the silver happily and went to buy the cart.

By the time it was evening, the meal from the restaurant arrived on time, with ten signature dishes, all beautifully presented and delicious.

As soon as the waiter left, the Guoju Xuan restaurant also brought in their dishes.

Since lunch hadn’t been delivered, they sent four dishes in the afternoon.

A large table was fully set.

Ye Chutang gestured for the two elders of the Qi family and Qi Yanzhou to sit down.

Once the three were seated, she planned to call for Xu Yiniang and Qi He’an.

However, before she could, Su Yiniang, who reeked of sweat, took the lead and pulled Qi Jingyao to sit down.

She greedily looked at the dishes on the table, “The dishes from the restaurant still taste better. Just smelling them increases my appetite.”

Qi Yun’an saw Su Yiniang about to pick up her chopsticks and hurriedly reminded, “My mother hasn’t come back yet.”

Su Yiniang, who was upset about being tricked into losing two taels of silver, snorted coldly.

“Her legs are slow. We can’t make everyone wait for her. The food will get cold, which would make it less appetizing. Right, Master?”

Old Master Qi looked at Su Yiniang with a cold stare and scolded, “Go sit with Yao’er.”

“Master, I didn’t say anything wrong. Why are you angry with me?” Su Yiniang said, looking pitifully at Ye Chutang.

“Madam, who knows when Gao Yiniang will return? We can’t keep waiting for her, can we?”

Ye Chutang gave Su Yiniang a mocking look.

“If everyone is already here, we certainly won’t wait.”

She then turned to Xu Yiniang, “Aunt, please sit over here with Third Brother.”

Xu Yiniang, understanding that this meal was expensive and knowing she was not invited to dine with Su Yiniang or Gao Yiniang, purposely said, “Madam, there’s no need to spend so much.”

The implication was clear: Su Yiniang and Gao Yiniang had not contributed any money, so they weren’t qualified to eat.

Ye Chutang smiled, “This is the last meal before we leave the capital. It’s only right to spend a little.”

Old Madam Qi nodded in agreement.

“Chutang is right. Consider this a farewell meal.”

She then turned her attention to the displeased Su Yiniang.

“Su Shi, if you want to eat, you’ll have to pay. The Qi family can no longer afford to let people eat for free.”

Su Yiniang knew this meal was expensive. If she had to pay, it would be at least thirty taels.

She was unwilling to spend that money.

With a dark expression, she pulled her daughter, Qi Jingyao, and left the room.

“If you don’t want to eat, then fine. It’s no big deal. The kitchen will bring us food soon enough.”

Qi Yun’an felt embarrassed, and his face reddened as he left the main hall.

Once those irritating people had left, Ye Chutang smiled and said, “Quick, let’s eat while it’s hot.”

Just as they picked up their chopsticks, Gao Yiniang returned, pushing a small cart.

At the same time, the food from the kitchen was also brought in.

The four of them enjoyed their meal together, savoring the dishes and soup.

After finishing their meal, Ye Chutang said, “This meal was paid for out of my own pocket. We didn’t use any of the family’s money.”

She explained this to avoid being misunderstood as wasting money.

Old Madam Qi glanced at her reproachfully, “We’ve already eaten, how can we let you spend your money?”

Qi Yanzhou echoed, “Chutang, feel free to spend the family’s money. If it runs out, I’ll figure out a way.”

Ye Chutang nodded, “Alright, has Li been taken care of?”

“Everything’s packed.”

The valuable items in the Prince of Chen’s residence had been confiscated. The Imperial Guards didn’t allow anything with value to be taken.

So, the Qi family members had only packed some clothes and shoes.

The Imperial Guards didn’t allow them to take much, fearing they might sell it for silver.

They were allowed two sets of clothes per season, and they had to choose old ones.

Although the amount of belongings wasn’t much, since it was winter and they had heavy clothes, each person had a bulging bundle.

Qi Yanzhou said, “Chutang, you only have summer clothes. When the weather turns cold, I’ll buy you new ones.”

Ye Chutang nodded, “Alright, I bought some coarse cloth outerwear for everyone.”

On the journey to exile, they couldn’t wear anything too extravagant, or they would be targeted by thieves.

She took the coarse cloth clothes from the cart and distributed them to everyone.

“Rest early today, conserve your energy.”

As night fell, the Qi family members went to bed.

Ye Chutang woke up from her nap and, after making sure everyone in the East Side Hall was settled, left the Prince of Chen’s residence.

She went to the royal summer palace to collect the fat leeches she had raised.

Then she took a stroll around the palace, collecting a few remaining dishes from the Imperial Kitchen.

Afterward, she cleared out the newly replenished medicinal herbs from the Imperial Medical Office.

When she returned to the Prince of Chen’s residence, she went to the ice cellar.

Due to the cicadas, the ice in the cellar had mostly melted.

She collected the leeches and cicadas, then placed them together in the herbal medicine section of her space.

The remaining ice blocks were also stored in her space.

Finally, she gathered the treasures she had buried underground that day.

Ye Chutang lay back on her bed and entered the space.

The increase in merit points had slowed significantly, indicating that the plague in Jiangnan had been controlled.

She organized the gold and silver treasures from the Prince of Chen’s residence, then left the space and continued her rest.

She wasn’t sure how long she slept, but was suddenly awakened by the sound of approaching footsteps.

A long bamboo tube stretched between the two bed curtains.

Smoke with a yellowish color began to emanate from the opening of the tube.

It was a soporific incense.

Ye Chutang had suspected that someone might target her silver, so she had been on alert in recent days.

Tonight, someone had finally come.

She quickly blocked the opening of the bamboo tube and kicked the intruder away.

“Ah!”

A woman’s miserable scream echoed.

Ye Chutang froze for a moment and then parted the bed curtains.