Chapter 87: Attending the Banquet at Prince An’s Mansion

Qi Yanzhou lifted the heavy object with a 2.1-degree curve, inspecting the dirt below.

Upon closer examination, there was no unusual part.

The round opening, cut open, was narrow enough only for a slim woman to pass through. He thought “Ghost Thief” was a man, so he didn’t give it much thought.

Next to the iron wall where writing was done, the dye was something he hadn’t seen before, with a pungent and acrid smell.

The writing was sloppy, each stroke carrying a sense of mockery.

What exactly did the “Ghost Thief” want to do?

He had even stolen the imperial seal. Could it be that he planned to overthrow the kingdom?

Qi Yanzhou couldn’t make sense of it and decided to leave the underground private vault and head to the emperor’s quarters.

“Your Majesty, I need Grand Eunuch De’s assistance to capture the ‘Ghost Thief.’”

The emperor, who had been forced to issue a self-punishment decree today and had his private vault stolen, looked exhausted, appearing several years older.

He weakly lifted his eyelids. “Granted. How long will it take?”

“Three days should suffice, but whether the ‘Ghost Thief’ will fall into the trap, I cannot guarantee.”

“After the birthday banquet of Princess An, I want to see your arrangements.”

“Understood.”

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For the next two days, Ye Chutang’s life was very routine.

She woke early to practice martial arts, went to the Poetry Tower in the morning, and in the afternoon returned to the residence to teach Shan’er and Jin Zhi the basics.

Le’er and Jun’er also came to join the fun.

After dinner, she treated Jun’er’s illness with acupuncture, then meditated and rested in a bath.

During this time, she went to the carpenter’s shop to pick up a batch of completed racks.

The news of her offering prescriptions for preventing and treating the plague had already spread throughout the capital.

Because the news had come from Xinglin Hall, which was highly trusted, many people believed it without question.

The name “Ye Chutang” not only resounded throughout the capital but was slowly spreading beyond.

Once the prescription was published and her fame spread, she would be known all over the world.

Late at night.

After everyone had fallen asleep, Ye Chutang went to the royal hot spring villa.

The servants who came to clean had already left, and no one noticed that the hot spring water had turned into cold spring water.

The mist hovering over the surface of the water was not steam, but cold air.

Ye Chutang had tied a transparent thread to the iron cage earlier, and without needing to go into the water, she could lift it.

The small iron cage’s ice leeches had grown at least three times larger, black, smooth, and plump.

“If it’s just to suppress fire poison, this size will suffice.”

She put the ice leeches into the space and returned to Ningchuyuan to rest.

As for the cold cicada, it still needed to be kept in the ice cellar for a few more days.

The next day was Princess An’s birthday banquet.

At the break of dawn, Ye Jingchuan sent over a magnificent outfit made from flowing silk brocade, along with a set of headgear granted by the emperor.

“Miss, the master instructed that you must attend in full attire. At the hour of the Snake, go out with him.”

Ye Chutang, who had been practicing martial arts, casually replied, “Understood. Is Ye Anling going?”

“Miss Ye is about to marry, it’s not appropriate for her to appear in public.”

Ye Chutang only asked casually and continued practicing her martial arts.

The golden sunlight of the rising sun spilled into the courtyard, and as the temperature slowly rose, she stopped to rest.

Shan’er and Le’er were preparing breakfast in the kitchen, and the hot water had already been boiled.

Once her blood, heated from intense exercise, cooled down, she could bathe.

Jun’er sat at the stone table, reciting ancient poems Le’er had taught him last night.

At that moment, Shuang’er, who hadn’t appeared for several days, returned.

There was no trace of the usual toilet-cleaning smell on her, but instead, the scent of powder.

Ye Chutang immediately noticed that she had changed from a young girl into a woman.

It was obvious she had climbed into Ye Anzhi’s bed.

Though Ye Anzhi had lost favor, he was still the legitimate eldest son, and ordering the servants to help Shuang’er clean the toilet could still be done.

“Did you sleep with Ye Anzhi, that scum?”

As soon as Ye Chutang spoke, Shuang’er was so frightened that she kneeled down.

She knew denying it wouldn’t help—one look at her pulse would reveal everything.

So she shifted the blame onto Ye Anzhi.

“Miss, please understand. The eldest master is the master, and I am just a servant.”

“So, did Ye Anzhi force you?”

Shuang’er worried that Ye Chutang might go after Ye Anzhi, which would cause her to be discarded.

She bit her lip, “To be noticed by the eldest master, is also an honor for me.”

The days of cleaning toilets every day had been unbearable!

Rather than live like that, she might as well gamble, hoping to get pregnant with Ye Anzhi’s child.

But she never expected Ye Chutang would find out so soon.

Shuang’er thought of Ye Chutang’s threatening words, and her body slightly trembled in fear.

She pressed her head to the ground. “Miss, I haven’t betrayed you. Whatever you ask, I will obey.”

Ye Chutang looked at the terrified Shuang’er and sneered.

“What’s been going on with Kong Ru recently?”

Shuang’er shook her head. “The madam hasn’t asked for me lately.”

She had too many toilets to clean every day, and was too tired and stinky to have the energy to keep an eye on others.

Ye Chutang lifted Shuang’er’s chin with her foot. “So, it seems you’ve been of no use to me recently.”

Shuang’er’s face turned pale in fear, no longer daring to hide anything from Ye Chutang.

“Last night, the eldest master said Miss would be finished soon. Not only would he take revenge, but he would also help me get back my indenture contract.”

She wasn’t sure if that was true or just a way for the man to seduce her.

“Finished soon? How do you mean finished?”

“I don’t know, the eldest master didn’t say.”

Ye Anzhi had a tight mouth, and even when the emotions were high, she couldn’t get any information out of him.

Ye Chutang retracted her foot, brushing the tip of her shoe against the ground in disgust.

“Go away.”

She knew that Kong Ru was waiting for her to make a move.

Most likely, it would happen tomorrow.

Then she would create an opportunity for Kong Ru and the Kong family—lure them into a trap!

Ye Chutang had to attend the banquet, so she ate breakfast before taking a bath.

After her bath, Shan’er helped her dress and style her hair.

The young girl’s hair was styled into a cloud knot, paired with a jeweled step-shake and hair ornaments—elegant yet playful.

The pale pink flowing silk brocade was covered with a thin layer of white gauze, making her look graceful and gentle.

A jade pendant hung from her waist, with a golden bell the size of a soybean, jingling as she walked.

Shan’er genuinely praised her, “Miss, you look truly beautiful.”

“Today’s show will also be very interesting.”

Shan’er thought that the Prince An’s mansion had invited a troupe.

She smiled and said, “Miss, if you like watching plays, you can go to the largest theater in the capital.”

“Alright, I’ll take you both with me later.”

Just as Ye Chutang finished speaking, Steward Chen arrived to hurry them along.

“Miss, it’s time to go to the banquet.”

“I’ll be right there.”

Ye Chutang walked out of the main room, her lotus steps graceful, the golden bells jingling, her beauty breathtaking.

Steward Chen knew about the plan between Ye Jingchuan and the emperor.

He felt that even if Prince An was an ascetic, he wouldn’t be able to resist such a beauty.

When Ye Jingchuan saw Ye Chutang, dressed in full attire in the carriage, he thought the same.

Most of the high-ranking officials’ mansions were located in the west of the city.

The Ministry of Rites and Prince An’s Mansion were only two streets apart.

In less than an incense stick’s time, the carriage arrived at the gates of Prince An’s mansion.

Steward Chen lifted the curtain, “Master, Miss, we’ve arrived.”

Ye Jingchuan stepped down from the carriage first, extending his hand to help Ye Chutang.

But she jumped down herself, almost causing the step-shake to fly off her head.

Seeing this, Ye Jingchuan started to get a headache.

He lowered his voice and admonished, “Chutang, you’re a lady, be mindful of your manners!”

Ye Chutang looked at him with a sweet smile.

“Father, I still say, if no one provokes me, I won’t provoke anyone.”

Ye Jingchuan, caught off guard by her gaze, felt a little guilty and quickly averted his eyes to grab the congratulatory gifts.

“Remember, the Prince An’s Mansion is not a place where you can act recklessly.”