Chapter 207
Yuan Ting's official rank was low, and his family wealth was not substantial. The confiscation of his property had already concluded.
The bailiffs were taking inventory of the seized assets. Once recorded, they would be sent to the Prefectural Magistrate's office.
Then, along with all other confiscated properties, they would be transported to the capital.
As for the Yuan family, their punishment was slightly lighter than that of the Cao family.
Both men and women were enslaved, and they were forbidden from ever leaving their servile status.
Seeing that there were only a few bailiffs at the Yuan residence, Ye Chutang created a disturbance to lure them away.
Then, she knocked out the sole remaining guard and brazenly took all the valuables.
She also went to the kitchen, taking all the usable food supplies.
As she was leaving the Yuan estate, she overheard the bailiffs discussing the "Ghost Thief" again.
"Wasn't the 'Ghost Thief' always committing crimes in the capital? Why did he suddenly come to Liangzhou?"
"He left the capital a long time ago. Haven't you heard about the incident in Xun County?"
"The money that Magistrate Zhang colluded with bandits to rob from travelers was also stolen by the 'Ghost Thief'?"
"There were rumors before linking the 'Ghost Thief' to Young Master Qi. It seems they were true!"
"Enough talk. Let's hurry back to the Prefectural Magistrate's office and report to the Provincial Governor!"
After the bailiffs left, Ye Chutang went to the Cui family.
The reason she didn't go to the Chen family was that their confiscation was scheduled for last.
At this moment, the confiscation there was surely not yet finished, with many people around, making it inconvenient to act.
The Cui family was a well-known scholarly family in Liangzhou City, residing in the eastern part of the city.
Like the Song family, the Cui family members focused on teaching rather than holding official posts.
However, the Cui family had educated many civil officials of varying ranks, which was enough to secure their status.
Uncertain if the Cui family knew about Song Jingning's true origins, Ye Chutang did not state her purpose directly. She only said she had an appointment with Song Jingning.
"This protective talisman is a token. Show it to Young Master Song, and he will see me."
The talisman had been given to Ye Chutang by Song Jingning.
When he saw it, he immediately hurried to the entrance of the Cui residence, his face flushed and breathless.
Upon seeing the disguised Ye Chutang, he promptly invited her to the main hall.
"Madam Qi, what brings you here?"
Hearing this form of address, Ye Chutang understood that Song Jingning had not revealed their relationship to the Cui family.
"I came to thank Young Master Song for his assistance to the Qi family and for the dinner you sent."
"It was merely a small effort. Madam Qi, you needn't take it to heart."
After saying this, Song Jingning returned the talisman to Ye Chutang.
"Sister, you came specifically to find me. Is something the matter?"
His voice was very soft, audible only to the two siblings.
Ye Chutang tucked the talisman close to her person.
Seeing the worry on Song Jingning's face, she quickly said, "It's nothing serious. I just wanted to express my gratitude to the Cui family."
Although the current circumstances weren't suitable for open thanks, she could express it subtly.
"Brother, my medical skills are quite good. Would you like me to check the health of the Cui family members?"
Looking at his sensible and thoughtful sister, a warm feeling flowed through Song Jingning's heart.
Ye Chutang had made a special trip to thank the Cui family, so he naturally wouldn't refuse her kind offer.
"That would be good. I'll go ask my maternal grandparents and the others to come out."
After speaking, he stood up and said to the servant waiting outside the door, "Brew a pot of the finest tea for Madam Qi."
Ye Chutang hastily declined.
"Young Master Song, drinking tea at night can easily cause sleeplessness. A cup of plain water will be fine for me."
She was pregnant and unsuitable for drinking tea.
"Then bring Madam Qi a cup of honey water, and prepare some fruits and pastries as well."
After instructing the servant, Song Jingning went to the rear courtyard.
Not long after, he returned to the main hall with the Cui family members.
Only the direct lineage resided in the main Cui household.
Apart from the family patriarch, the men usually lived at the academy, so fewer than ten people came to the main hall.
Just as Ye Chutang was about to bow in greeting to the elderly couple, the female members of the Cui family, along with the children, bowed to her first.
"Greetings, Madam Qi!"
"Please, there's no need for such formality. I apologize for the intrusion."
Old Madam Cui, observing the similar features shared by Ye Chutang and Song Jingning, vaguely guessed something.
She felt an additional sense of closeness towards Ye Chutang.
"Madam Qi treats illnesses and saves lives. This old woman admires you greatly!"
"You flatter me, Madamam. I merely flaunt my medical skills, hoping to gain some reputation."
Unfamiliar with the Cui family and unsure how to make small talk, Ye Chutang exchanged a few polite words before getting straight to the point.
"Madam, I shouldn't be away from the Prefectural Magistrate's office for too long. Shall I check your pulse now?"
Old Madam Cui extended her arm. "I trouble you, Madam Qi."
Ye Chutang checked the pulse of everyone present.
For those needing treatment or recuperation, she wrote prescriptions with detailed instructions.
Before leaving, she also prescribed a formula to brighten the eyes, refresh the spirit, and clear the mind.
"Brew this medicine regularly for the students. It will be of some help in their scholarly pursuits."
Old Master Cui accepted the prescription and carefully put it away.
He bowed with clasped hands to Ye Chutang. "Thank you, Madam Qi!"
"You are too kind, Master Cui. Regarding the events of today, we still rely on the students to spread the word discreetly. This prescription is merely a token of gratitude and does not warrant your thanks."
After saying this, she bid farewell to the Cui family.
Song Jingning saw her off.
When he returned to the main hall and saw that Old Madam Cui had something to say, he spoke first.
"Grandfather, Grandmother, the lecture series in Liangzhou City has concluded. I will depart tomorrow morning."
Old Madam Cui, perceptive, suppressed her questions.
"Jingning, you've come with such difficulty. Stay a few more days to keep your grandmother company, won't you?"
"Grandmother, your grandson's itinerary was set long ago and cannot be delayed."
Old Madam Cui looked at Song Jingning with reluctance but did not press him further.
"You have great ambitions, child. Your grandmother won't hold you back."
Old Master Cui said to Song Jingning, "Jingning, for this study tour, take Chen'er and Yue'er with you."
Today, the Qi family and the imperial family had completely broken ties; the landscape of the realm was bound to change.
The Cui family could not remain isolated. It was time for them to go out and broaden their horizons.
Cui Yunchen (Chen'er) and Cui Shuyue (Yue'er) were the most learned and courageous among the younger generation of the Cui family.
It was fitting for them to go out and make their way in the world.
Feeling deeply indebted to the Cui family for their great kindness, Song Jingning agreed immediately.
"Your grandson will follow Grandfather's arrangement."
He also needed trustworthy people to help him establish a branch academy in Tianshan Commandery.
Just as the Cui family had settled the matter of the study tour, Ye Chutang arrived at the Chen family.
She did not conceal her identity, saying to the bailiffs at the gate, "I am Ye Chutang. I've come to treat Chen Shaoping's leg."
Since Qi Qingyu had chosen to stand together with Chen Shaoping through thick and thin, she couldn't let him become a cripple and a burden.
The bailiffs did not stop Ye Chutang and showed her the way.
It was the same courtyard she had visited before in disguise.
The Chen family had been ransacked. The courtyard was in disarray, a scene of utter chaos.
Qi Qingyu was applying medicine to Chen Shaoping's leg.
Chen Shaoping had a wooden stick clenched between his teeth, sweating profusely from the pain.
He had bitten down so hard that he injured his gum, and blood seeped from the corner of his mouth.
"Sister-in-law, just applying medicine isn't enough. Let me handle it."
Qi Qingyu, startled by Ye Chutang's sudden voice, quickly stood up.
"Sister-in-law, what brings you here?"
I had some private matters to attend to and, incidentally, came to treat my brother-in-law's injury.
Qi Qingyu's eyes welled up with grateful tears. "Sister-in-law, thank you!"
"We're family. No need for thanks."
Ye Chutang first set Chen Shaoping's bone, then applied medicine and bandaged it. Finally, she secured it with wooden splints to allow the bone to heal.
After finishing, she looked at Qi Qingyu.
"Sister-in-law, for brother-in-law's leg to recover fully, you'll need to buy a flat cart to pull him, so his leg bears no weight."
"Alright, I understand."
"I will prepare the internal and external medicines for brother-in-law. Don't worry."
Upon hearing this, Qi Qingyu hurriedly took out the silver notes from his robe and handed them to Ye Chutang.
"Sister-in-law, if this money isn't enough for the medicine, just ask me for more."
Ye Chutang did not accept them.
"The medicine isn't worth much. I cannot stay out for long, so I must take my leave."
As she departed, the bailiffs had just finished confiscating the Chen family's property.
Seizing the opportunity, she used the guise of the "Ghost Thief" to create a major commotion and made off with the seized valuables.
By the time Ye Chutang returned to the Prefect's residence, the Cao family's assets had already been transported into the warehouse.
In the dead of night, she knocked Qi Yanzhou unconscious, disguised herself, went to the warehouse, and emptied it.
Afterwards, she slipped away to the secret chamber within the prison dungeon.