Chapter 84: One-on-One Close Combat

Nan Xiao froze when he saw the prescription in his hands, “Your Highness, Xize cannot go.”

Jiangnan was over two thousand miles away from the capital, and the journey would take at least ten days.

Given the current state of the lord’s health, it was necessary for someone highly skilled in medicine to be by his side.

Qi Yanzhou glanced at Ye Chutang and said, “With Miss Ye here, I won’t have any problems. Let Xize depart immediately, and along the way, gather some medicinal herbs to treat the plague when passing through various states and counties.”

Nan Xiao understood how dangerous the plague could be. If it broke out and wasn’t controlled, the casualties would be in the tens of thousands at the very least.

“Understood, Your Highness.”

“If the plague truly erupts in Jiangnan, have Xize stay to assist, and inform everyone that these prescriptions come from Miss Ye’s hand.”

“I will pass on your message to Xize.”

After Nan Xiao left, Qi Yanzhou was about to bow in gratitude to Ye Chutang.

Ye Chutang quickly stepped back, “Your Highness, there’s no need for such formalities. I’m a doctor, and it is my duty to save people.”

She said this and prepared to leave.

Qi Yanzhou’s gaze fell on Ye Chutang, and he asked, “Miss Ye, were you outside the pavilion earlier?”

Ye Chutang awkwardly rubbed her nose with her finger.

“I didn’t mean to eavesdrop. It’s just that in such a situation, it wasn’t really appropriate for me to be present.”

Qi Yanzhou awkwardly coughed.

“It was my mother, the Empress Dowager, who acted on her own initiative. I never intended to casually select a noble lady for marriage.”

He didn’t want Ye Chutang to misunderstand him as disrespecting women, gathering them together and picking among them.

Ye Chutang also coughed.

“I overheard your conversation with the Empress Dowager behind the rockery.”

Then, she gave him a thumbs-up.

“Your Highness, your commitment to the witch doctor is truly admirable. You will definitely overcome all obstacles and be together.”

Qi Yanzhou quickly tried to explain, “I’m not with the witch doctor—”

Ye Chutang didn’t wait for him to finish and made a sealing gesture with her lips.

“Your Highness, rest assured, I didn’t see anything yesterday, and I didn’t hear anything. I absolutely won’t tell a single word to anyone. I’m taking my leave now.”

With that, she quickly left.

Qi Yanzhou’s explanation got stuck in his throat, leaving him feeling uncomfortable.

He wanted to chase after her and clarify things, but he also thought it might seem a little ridiculous.

He raised his foot and lowered it again.

Ye Chutang didn’t know what was going on in Qi Yanzhou’s mind as she made her way back home.

As she passed the garden pavilion, she lifted the curtain and entered.

The Empress Dowager was sending off guests.

Seeing Ye Chutang suddenly enter, she smiled and said, “Miss Ye, you’re finished talking with Yanzhou so soon?”

Ye Chutang: “…”

What did the Empress Dowager mean by saying this in front of the noble ladies?

Was she using her as a shield?

“I just had a few words with him, so of course, it was quick.”

She then glanced at the noble ladies before speaking directly and bluntly.

“You say I was eavesdropping? I wasn’t here to select a wife, so I didn’t need to come in and join the fun.”

“You say my character is low, but then, what about you talking behind others’ backs? Is that high-minded behavior?”

“Yes, I’m Ye Chutang, well-known in the capital. If you’re not happy about it, come and challenge me.”

“Your Highness rejected the idea of marriage with me, so am I not allowed to come to the Prince’s residence? You, who don’t even have the qualifications for such a marriage, why do you still have the face to be here?”

The noble ladies were stunned by her harsh words and looked at her in shock.

They wanted to retort, but they were afraid of being labeled as ill-mannered, like a shrew.

After all, this was the Prince’s residence, not their own home!

The Empress Dowager, already familiar with Ye Chutang’s straightforward nature, was not surprised by her sharp words.

She looked at the noble ladies who were too angry to speak and quickly tried to smooth things over.

“Miss Ye, they didn’t mean any harm. Please show some leniency for the sake of the palace.”

Ye Chutang scanned the noble ladies’ attire and immediately got an idea.

“Empress Dowager, I apologize, it was rude of me to speak like that. But if you want to impress others, you must show real skills.”

“Since we don’t like each other, let’s have a little competition.”

Empress Dowager: “…”

How did it suddenly turn into a competition?

Qi Yanzhou’s voice suddenly came from outside the pavilion.

“Miss Ye’s talent is unmatched, I’m afraid no lady here can compare. This might be a bit unfair.”

As soon as these words were spoken, the noble ladies thought the Prince was disapproving of Ye Chutang and was siding with them.

They immediately felt relieved and quickly echoed his words.

“Your Highness is right, our skills are mediocre…”

Ye Chutang interrupted Luo Rou’s words.

“Your Highness, you’re mistaken. I’m asking them to compete using their strengths. How is that unfair?”

Qi Yanzhou smiled slightly, a warm expression he didn’t even realize he had.

“If that’s the case, Miss Ye is definitely not being unfair.”

Ye Chutang immediately realized that Qi Yanzhou was helping her, probably repaying her for the prescription she had given him.

His long journey to deliver the prescription would bring him fame if the plague truly broke out.

She seized the opportunity and asked the noble ladies, “Don’t you look down on me? Are you daring enough to compete?”

Luo Rou, eager to show off in front of Qi Yanzhou, replied, “Of course I dare. I’m just worried you’ll think I’m bullying you, since I’m only good at martial arts.”

“How coincidental. I know a little bit of martial arts too.”

Qi Yanzhou smiled deeper as he heard this.

With Ye Chutang’s martial skills, ten Luo Rous wouldn’t be her match.

The Empress Dowager, not understanding the full situation, thought Ye Chutang was just flattering herself.

She was worried Ye Chutang might lose and hurriedly warned her.

“Miss Ye, Luo’s family is a military household. Miss Rou has practiced martial arts since childhood.”

Ye Chutang smiled and replied, “Good skills make the competition more interesting.”

The Empress Dowager realized she couldn’t persuade Ye Chutang, so she turned to Luo Rou.

“Since it’s a friendly competition, let’s agree to stop at the right moment.”

Luo Rou nodded, “Of course.”

She wasn’t stupid and wouldn’t act like a bully in front of the Empress Dowager and the Prince.

“The pavilion is too small, Miss Ye, please step outside.”

“Wait a moment.”

Luo Rou thought Ye Chutang was backing out and sneered.

“Miss Ye, are you admitting defeat?”

Ye Chutang took out a warm jade piece from her space and placed it on the stone table in the middle of the pavilion.

“Just sparring is too boring. Let’s add a little excitement.”

Four of the six noble ladies had attended Ye Chutang’s return banquet.

They all knew that with a single poem, Ye Chutang had not only slapped Princess Anping’s face but had also earned a lot from the added excitement.

Now, the same thing was happening again, and their faces were filled with resistance.

Since they had dressed up in their finest today, they were reluctant to wear anything too flashy.

“Luo…”

The daughter of the Minister of Rites had just about to refuse, but Luo Rou spoke at the same time.

“Enough!”

She had attended the Minister’s return banquet and knew Ye Chutang had no good intentions with the added excitement.

Luo Rou, confident in her martial skills, didn’t care about the other noble ladies.

She had dressed in tight-fitting clothes today and wasn’t wearing much jewelry.

She took off the ice-type purple jade pendant from her neck and placed it on the stone table.

This action immediately angered the other noble ladies.

Luo Rou, thinking she had a good chance to win, didn’t care about them at all.

Too much!

They secretly hoped Ye Chutang would win.

If they lost face, they’d lose it together. If they lost money, they’d lose it together!

Luo Rou paid no attention to their angry looks.

They were just pretending to be competitive in a friendly way; there was no need to act like close sisters.

Now, she could show off in front of the Empress Dowager and Prince, and win the excitement. What could be better than that?

“Miss Ye, please.”

They moved to the corridor outside the pavilion.

Luo Rou glanced at Qi Yanzhou, who was standing not far away. Her face flushed with a shy tint, and her voice softened.

“Miss Ye, don’t worry. I’ll stop when it’s enough. I won’t hurt you.”

Ye Chutang’s lips curled into an evil smile. “I’ll say the same to you. Let’s start.”