Chapter 626: Death

Chapter 626: Chapter 626: Death

She didn’t refuse outright, nor did she say she couldn’t do it. Instead, she simply asked Xiao Jiayi what made her so sure she would help.

The weight on Xiao Jiayi’s heart finally lifted.

"You will do it. Because... if you knew what he’s done, you’d want him dead, too! Alternatively, you could take his life to claim credit for yourself. It would be a great achievement!"

Xiao Jiayi’s voice was laced with a seething hatred.

"Ye Chutang, I know you despise me, and I’ve never liked you! But now... I’m out of options. No one can help me but you."

To have to eat her own words like this was an immense humiliation for Xiao Jiayi.

But she had nowhere else to turn.

She resented Ye Chutang, but she needed her even more!

"As long as you agree to help me, I’ll agree to any demand you make!" Xiao Jiayi bit her lip until it bled. "Even if you want my life, I won’t hesitate for a second!"

Ye Chutang remained impassive.

"Your brother is your brother, and you are you. I’ve always been one to keep my grudges separate. Let’s set aside our own issues for now. I’m just... a little surprised. Do you really hate him that much?"

A wretched smile touched Xiao Jiayi’s lips.

"Our bond as husband and wife is severed. He was ruthless to me, so he can’t blame me for being this way!"

In the past two days, Ye Chutang had indeed heard plenty of gossip about the Marquis Zhongyong’s Mansion. This once-resplendent Eldest Princess, the Marchioness, was truly having a difficult time.

’The more a woman loves a man, the more she can hate him. It would be stranger if she could just swallow this humiliation.’

"I can help you," Ye Chutang said. "However, you need to be sure. Once something happens to Xie Anjun, the entire Xie Family will be implicated, including your son. As far as I know, what Xie Anjun committed... is a capital crime."

Xiao Jiayi’s eyes flew wide, her face a mask of shock. "You know!?"

Ye Chutang smiled. "Just a few details."

She was telling the truth, but to Xiao Jiayi, it sounded like she was being deliberately modest.

’Ever since Ye Chutang returned to the capital, so many unbelievable things have happened.’

’For instance, everyone who provoked her met with retribution. And now, she’d managed to sneak into the heavily guarded Marquis Zhongyong’s Mansion and was sitting here talking with me, completely undetected.’

’When I sent out that white jade earring, I figured Ye Chutang would find a way to contact me. But I truly never expected she was this capable!’

’The woman before me is so calm and elegant, yet all I feel is that she’s completely unfathomable!’

So, Xiao Jiayi decided not to hide anything anymore.

She wiped the tears from the corners of her eyes.

"I swear on my life that everything I am about to tell you is the absolute truth."

Ye Chutang nodded.

"Go on."

...

A gentle night breeze blew.

It was still dark when Ye Chutang returned to the Ye Mansion.

Xiao Wu was fast asleep in bed.

Ye Chutang changed her clothes and quietly lay down beside her.

But she didn’t sleep. Instead, she replayed Xiao Jiayi’s words in her mind, trying to piece everything together.

’Even though I’d had my suspicions, hearing it for real was still a shock.’

’Xie Anjun... His audacity is astounding!’

’Then there’s Fan Chengzhuo—sly, treacherous, and utterly deceitful.’

’He deserved most of the "credit" for Xiao Chengxuan’s downfall.’

’There must be someone else behind him, but even Xiao Jiayi couldn’t guess who it is.’

’A name had already surfaced in my mind, but I can’t figure it out. Why would Fan Chengzhuo choose to work for that person?’

’No matter how I look at it, it just doesn’t seem like a good choice...’

Ye Chutang closed her eyes, but the past only became sharper in her mind.

’It’s a tangled web. All that’s left is to find the spider at its center!’

Time trickled by. The night receded, giving way to a new day.

Ye Chutang rose, quickly washed up, and changed into a simple brocade dress embroidered with Haitang blossoms.

The weather was growing warmer, and since she had recovered well, she no longer needed a heavy cloak when she went out.

Today, she was going to the palace for Emperor Muwu’s follow-up appointment.

...

「Qiyuan Hall.」

Ye Chutang took out a pulse pillow and checked Emperor Muwu’s pulse, her brow furrowing slightly.

After a moment, she withdrew her hand.

"Your Majesty, your health had improved significantly, but it seems you’ve been agitated these last few days. The resulting qi stagnation and blood stasis are detrimental to your heart and lungs."

Emperor Muwu seemed to have expected as much and simply shook his head.

"Getting old... A man just can’t fight his age!"

Ye Chutang didn’t say any more.

’Anyone could see that the relapse of Emperor Muwu’s illness wasn’t due to his age, but because of all the recent troubles.’

’After all, Xiao Chengxuan was his own son, his once most-favored heir. Emperor Muwu couldn’t possibly feel good about him meeting such an end.’

’Then there was Xiao Jiayi.’

’He couldn’t be unaware of Xiao Jiayi’s awkward position in the Xie Family. But as the Emperor, some things must be done, and some crimes must be punished.’

"I’ll add two more herbs to your prescription. Try it for three days and we’ll see how you are."

As she spoke, Ye Chutang moved to one side to write out the prescription.

Emperor Muwu nodded, letting out a few low coughs.

Suddenly, a palace attendant came rushing in from outside the hall.

"Your Majesty!"

Eunuch Li frowned, stepping forward to block him. "What’s the meaning of this, rushing in like a fool?" he chided in a low voice. "His Majesty is resting and is not to be disturbed!"

The attendant, drenched in sweat and looking terribly nervous, pleaded,

"Eunuch Li, I truly have an urgent matter to report to His Majesty!"

Eunuch Li sized him up and recognized him.

"You’re... one of the attendants from Yaohua Palace?"

The attendant nodded repeatedly. "Yes! Yes!"

’Yaohua Palace... It used to be Jiang Qingmei’s residence, but it’s been empty ever since she was sent to the Cold Palace.’

’But then, not long after, Xiao Lansi was confined there.’

’Which means...’

"Is Princess Yuhe causing trouble again?"

The attendant’s face was a mask of anxiety, and he seemed hesitant to speak.

Emperor Muwu’s voice drifted from inside. "Let him in."

Eunuch Li complied at once, stepping aside. "Go on in."

The attendant scrambled into Qiyuan Hall and fell to his knees with a loud THUD, his voice trembling.

"Your Majesty, Princess Yuhe... she died suddenly last night!"

Ye Chutang froze. A drop of ink fell from her brush, blooming into a dark stain on the paper.