Chapter 622: Gift
Ye Chutang honestly hadn’t expected this was what he wanted to talk about.
"So soon? I don’t believe I’d heard any news about this."
She knew Shen Yanchuan was investigating the situation in Qingzhou and had anticipated this day would come. She just hadn’t expected it to happen so abruptly.
"The evidence is irrefutable, so the process is naturally moving quickly. A new county magistrate will be appointed to Qingzhou very soon."
Tang Zhongli was the current Minister of the Ministry of Personnel, and all official appointments had to pass through him, so of course, he was the most well-informed.
Ordinarily, a minor place like Qingzhou wouldn’t be worth mentioning. But it was Ye Zheng’s hometown, and Ye Chutang and her family had stayed there before. Tang Zhongli felt it was best to give her advance notice.
Ye Chutang understood. Emperor Muwu wanted Zuo Ci dead.
After so many incidents, regardless of the role Zuo Ci played or how much responsibility he bore, if Emperor Muwu wanted to make an example of him, then nothing could be done.
Ye Chutang had little interest in Zuo Ci himself. She was more concerned about someone else.
"Then... were his family and friends also implicated?"
"Of course. I heard he extorted a great deal of wealth from the common people over the years. Now that it’s all been uncovered, he’ll naturally have to give it all back. As for his wife and children... those who should be exiled will be exiled, and those who should be conscripted will be conscripted."
Those implicated by association weren’t necessarily innocent.
Besides, if Emperor Muwu wanted him dead, then die he must!
Ye Chutang’s thoughts stirred.
Tang Zhongli hadn’t mentioned Gao Yi at all.
Gao Yi was Zuo Ci’s Chang Sui. He must have helped him with many things, both openly and in secret. Truly, he deserved to be beheaded as well.
’Did Tang Zhongli think he wasn’t worth mentioning, or... was there something else going on?’
"I recall you were targeted in an assassination attempt when you returned to Qingzhou, weren’t you?" Tang Zhongli asked suddenly.
Ye Chutang snapped back to the present and nodded. "I was."
"That was Zuo Ci’s doing as well." Tang Zhongli snorted, a hint of derision on his face. "He secretly swore fealty to Xiao Chengxuan and did his bidding. That assassination was just one of his many deeds."
Ye Chutang’s brows furrowed slightly.
’Zuo Ci?’
’How could it be him?’
She vaguely sensed something was off, but after a long moment of consideration, she decided not to press the matter. She just nodded lightly. "I see. Then... I suppose the truth is out."
She glanced at the sky and rose to take her leave.
"Thank you for telling me so much today. I am deeply grateful."
...
It was already late when Ye Chutang returned home with Xiao Wu.
Having eaten plenty of snacks on the way back and had tea at Tang Zhongli’s residence, Xiao Wu only picked at her dinner before running off to play chess on her own.
Ye Chutang went into the courtyard.
"Lord Lu."
The words had barely left her lips when a figure appeared without a sound.
"Second Miss Ye, do you have instructions for me?"
"No instructions, but I do have a few questions."
Ye Chutang wasn’t worried about being overheard. If the men of the Black Cavalry Guard lacked even that much skill, their formidable reputation would be meaningless.
Lu Yu nodded. "Please ask. I will answer everything I know."
Ye Chutang thought for a moment. "A few nights ago, you left for two hours, Lord Lu. Was it related to Zuo Ci?"
Lu Yu looked up, surprised that Ye Chutang had guessed it exactly.
But there was no reason to hide it.
"It was."
’Just as I thought.’
Ye Chutang wasn’t surprised by the answer. Her mind had been preoccupied with Long City recently. If Tang Zhongli hadn’t suddenly mentioned him today, she would have all but forgotten about Zuo Ci.
"Did you see Gao Yi?"
"I did."
"Did you fight him?"
"Yes."
"Your master said he has some of Master Wa’s skills. Is that true?"
Lu Yu paused. He was surprised she knew even that, but on second thought, it seemed perfectly normal.
’Was there anything his master knew that could be kept secret from her?’
He nodded. "That’s right. His techniques do show hints of Master Wa’s style, but he isn’t Master Wa. It’s more like he once studied under him."
Recalling Tang Zhongli’s words, Ye Chutang had a dawning suspicion. She asked softly, "So, he doesn’t work for Xiao Chengxuan?"
...
The next day, Ye Chutang enjoyed a rare morning of sleeping in.
There had been so much going on lately that she’d had to get up and leave early nearly every day. A day of leisure was a rare treat.
Coincidentally, it was a sunny day. The temperature had warmed up some, and even the wind seemed to have lost its biting chill.
Ye Chutang gathered a few medicinal herbs and took them into the courtyard to dry.
Two young maids spotted her through the Moon Gate and immediately ran over to help.
"Second Miss! You finally have a chance to rest. Please, let us handle this!"
It was simple work, so Ye Chutang didn’t insist. After instructing them on how to arrange the herbs and for how long they should be dried, she sat down in a nearby rattan chair.
The snow in the courtyard had melted, and the cool air, tinged with moisture and the fragrance of herbs, was exceptionally refreshing.
It was the two young maids’ first time doing this, and they were both nervous and excited.
Everyone in the Capital City knew that the Second Miss of their mansion possessed extraordinary medical skills. Many high-ranking officials and nobles wanted to request a consultation with her but never got the chance!
The herbs they were holding now would one day become priceless medicines!
A short while later, Xiao Wu ran out with a book and sat down to read beside Ye Chutang.
The atmosphere in the courtyard was tranquil and pleasant. The two young maids gradually relaxed and began to gossip.
"I wonder who will have such good fortune in the future to get our Second Miss’s medicine..."
"Hey, speaking of which, have you heard? Things have been quite lively at the Duke Zhongyong Mansion recently!"
"You mean how the Marquis Zhongyong moved his pregnant mistress into the mansion? Of course, I’ve heard! She was carried in a sedan chair right through the main gates of the Duke Zhongyong Mansion! They say... that mistress is his absolute favorite, and on top of that, she’s pregnant. The Marquis is treating her like a precious treasure! The whole affair has become the laughingstock of the Capital City!"
"I know, right? What kind of noble family would do something so outrageous? If you ask me, he’s doing it purely to humiliate the Eldest Princess!"
"What Eldest Princess? She’s lost her backing. How could she dare cause a scene now?"
"Remember when the Old Marquis was critically ill? Second Young Master Xie came personally to ask our Second Miss to treat him, but that couple blocked her at the door. Especially the Eldest Princess—she was so arrogant back then, wasn’t she? And now, in the blink of an eye, she’s fallen to this..."
"I heard she’s fallen gravely ill and is bedridden. Some even say she doesn’t have much time left... Who knows?"
Ye Chutang paused in the middle of turning a page. A breeze swept by, making the pages rustle.
She seemed lost in thought.
’Is Xiao Jiayi so cornered that she’s decided on a desperate, final struggle?’
Sensing something, Xiao Wu turned her head to look at her, puzzled.
’Big Sis rarely gets distracted when she’s reading!’
Ye Chutang looked at her and blinked.
"Xiao Wu, that gift you bought for Second Young Master Xie—you haven’t sent it yet, have you?"