The Duke's Pampered Darling is So Scheming

Chapter 601: Chapter 601: Excuses and Lies

Imperial Palace, Qiyuan Hall.

A low cough echoed as the medicine stove began to BUBBLE, sending plumes of steam mixed with the bitter aroma of herbs into the air.

”Let me.”

Ye Chutang spoke gently, taking the prepared medicine bowl from the hands of a palace attendant.

The attendant glanced at Emperor Muwu, who was reclining on a couch. Seeing him remain silent, the attendant gave a low assent and a fawning smile. ”Miss Ye, your medical skills are unparalleled. Since you wrote the prescription yourself, it’s best that you prepare it.”

With that, the attendant lowered their gaze and stepped back.

The corners of Ye Chutang’s lips curved slightly. She extinguished the stove’s fire and used a thick cloth to lift the lid of the medicine pot.

She skillfully filtered out the dregs from the pot and poured out the brewed medicine.

Her hands, as slender and pale as spring onions, looked as if they had never known a day of hard work, yet her movements were deft and efficient.

Emperor Muwu’s slightly hoarse voice came from behind her.

”...So, you brought her here today because of the matter in Qingzhou?”

Ye Chutang’s movements paused, but she didn’t turn around. After a brief moment, she resumed her task.

Standing in the center of the hall, Shen Yanchuan heard the question and nodded lightly.

”Yes. Your Majesty has yet to make a decision, and I believe it is because you still have doubts about the situation in Qingzhou. As it happens, Miss Ye recently returned from Qingzhou and has some understanding of the events there. Your Majesty may wish to question her.”

Eunuch Li, standing to the side, had wanted to offer a word of caution. But Shen Yanchuan was so blunt that the eunuch could only swallow his words, lamenting endlessly in his heart.

’Oh, for heaven’s sake, Princely Heir! Just yesterday I told you that His Majesty is in a difficult position and that you must speak carefully. I said that once you’d mentioned the Second Prince, you should let it be and not bring it up again. And now, in the blink of an eye, here you are again! You even brought backup!’

’Isn’t this just twisting the knife in His Majesty’s heart?’

Shen Yanchuan, of course, paid no mind to such concerns. He stood tall and elegant, his expression frank and open. His entire demeanor radiated forthrightness.

Emperor Muwu was silent for a long time before finally letting out a helpless sigh.

”Didn’t you say that this Gao Yi knows some of Master Wa’s techniques? If this isn’t thoroughly investigated, how can I make a decision?”

It was still unknown if Xiao Chengxuan was truly behind the grain hoarding in Qingzhou. Now that Master Wa was involved, how could Emperor Muwu not have a headache?

Shen Yanchuan nodded. ”Your Majesty’s considerations are thorough. However, summoning someone to the Capital City for interrogation without cause would surely stir up trouble. Therefore, I believe it would be best to first recall Zuo Ci to the capital.”

As long as Zuo Ci comes, Gao Yi, as his Chang Sui, will have to follow.

Then it would be like catching a turtle in a jar, saving a great deal of trouble.

Emperor Muwu shook his head. ”Only you would have the nerve to put this old man through such trouble without a moment’s hesitation... Chutang.”

Ye Chutang rose, brought the medicinal soup over, and placed it on the small table beside Emperor Muwu.

”The medicine is still a bit hot. Your Majesty, please wait a moment before drinking it.”

”I’ll drink any medicine you prepare. But right now, I have something to ask you.”

Ye Chutang lowered her head. ”Please ask, Your Majesty. I will tell you everything I know.”

Emperor Muwu sighed again. ”You heard what Yanchuan and I were just discussing, so I’ll ask you directly. When you were in Qingzhou, did you learn anything about that Gao Yi?”

Ye Chutang paused for a moment as if recalling the past, then said, ”I have not seen him in person, but I once heard my fourth younger brother mention him.”

”Ye Yunfeng?”

”Yes. A Feng has been mischievous since he was a child, never one to sit still. This was especially true after we returned to Qingzhou; he would sneak out all day to ride horses and roam the streets with his friends. Then one day, he said that while passing by the county magistrate’s government office, he saw a tall, thin official beating several troublemaking commoners and throwing them out. He said the man’s skills were quite impressive.”

Emperor Muwu frowned. ”Fighting at the entrance of the government office?”

Ye Chutang affirmed, a trace of hesitation appearing on her face. ”A Feng overheard a little. It seemed those people had gone to the government office to beg for help because the heavy rains had ruined all the grain in their fields, and they could no longer survive. But... they were all driven away.”

Emperor Muwu’s face darkened.

Shen Yanchuan had already told him that in Qingzhou, the grain merchants had failed to appear. Compounded by days of heavy rain, the unharvested rice in the fields had suffered catastrophic losses.

Many people relied solely on these fields for their livelihood. With the grain gone, they had no income, and even feeding themselves became a problem.

It was only natural for them to turn to the government for help, but...

”That Zuo Ci is so incompetent and derelict in his duties! Without his tacit approval, how would that Gao Yi dare to act so brazenly!”

Emperor Muwu was furious and couldn’t help but curse aloud.

Hearing this, Shen Yanchuan stepped forward and cupped his hands. ”Your Majesty, Zuo Ci may not actually be aware of all these matters. During his years as the county magistrate of Qingzhou, his performance has been lackluster. He sometimes feigns illness for days on end to avoid the government office, indulging in food, drink, and entertainment in his own residence. Gao Yi has his complete trust, so many affairs are handled by him on Zuo Ci’s behalf.”

’In other words, Gao Yi is the one truly in control of all of Qingzhou!’

’Zuo Ci... is nothing but a puppet, neglecting his duties for a life of pleasure!’

Overcome with a fit of anger, Emperor Muwu began to cough again.

Ye Chutang brought the bowl of medicinal soup forward.

Emperor Muwu endured the bitter taste and downed it in one gulp, gradually calming down.

Under Ye Chutang’s treatment during this period, Emperor Muwu’s health had indeed improved significantly. However, the damage to his heart was irreversible, and a full recovery was actually impossible.

His current condition was merely being maintained.

Only he and Ye Chutang knew just how dire his internal condition truly was.

At this thought, a profound sense of powerlessness washed over Emperor Muwu.

So many things had long since slipped from his control.

’Besides, with a body like this... even if he wanted to manage everything, for how many more days could he do so?’

Emperor Muwu was silent for a long while before finally waving a hand, his voice thick with exhaustion.

”Enough... Immediately send a letter to Zuo Ci in Jiang Zhao Yuan’s name, ordering him back to the capital!”

Jiang Zhao Yuan had already fallen from power, but Zuo Ci was, after all, considered his protégé. Upon receiving this letter, Zuo Ci would have no reason to refuse.

He was far away in Qingzhou and unaware of the situation in the capital, so he likely wouldn’t grow suspicious.

’Once he arrives in the Capital City... everything will be out of his hands!’

Shen Yanchuan immediately accepted the order. ”I will obey Your Majesty’s command.”

As Ye Chutang watched from the side, secretly wondering how she could inquire about King Yan Nan’s situation, she saw Emperor Muwu set down the medicine bowl and ask, as if in passing, ”By the way, I heard Qinyang went to your residence to cause a scene again today? Twice, even?”

Ye Chutang’s heart skipped a beat!

Emperor Muwu’s question was light and casual, as if making small talk, but it was clear he was fully aware of everything that had happened!

She and Shen Yanchuan knew that coming to the palace together would inevitably arouse suspicion, so after discussing it, they had planned to use the matter of Qingzhou as their explanation.

But it was obvious that this could not truly deceive Emperor Muwu!

The hall was so quiet you could hear a pin drop. The very air seemed to freeze.

Shen Yanchuan, however, appeared relaxed and composed.

”Yes.”

”She came for King Yan Nan.”