Chapter 507: Luring the Snake Out of Its Hole
This was indeed a troublesome matter.
For the time being, other affairs could be handled jointly by the Eldest Princess and the Cabinet, but the matter of the Wazhen could not be so easily dismissed.
"If they were to learn of this and get any ideas... we must be on our guard!"
The Eldest Princess mulled it over for a moment, then shook her head. "The Wazhen have their hands full with their own problems. Even if they had any ideas, they lack the power to act on them. However, Mr. Wang’s concerns are not without merit. Ultimately, we cannot let our guard down when it comes to the Wazhen."
She turned to Tang Zhongli. "How much longer until the Wazhen Mission arrives in the Capital City?"
Tang Zhongli replied, "Less than ten days."
In other words, Emperor Muwu had to wake up within ten days.
The Eldest Princess sighed inwardly.
"I understand. There is no need for any of you to worry excessively. His Majesty is profoundly blessed and will certainly pull through unharmed."
...
The rich, bitter scent of medicine filled the air. With the doors and windows shut tight, it was so quiet you could hear a pin drop.
After Ye Chutang finished writing the prescription, she reviewed it carefully for a moment before handing it to Chu Qiyuan, who was standing beside her.
"Please take a look. Does this prescription need any adjustments?"
Chu Qiyuan contemplated it for a moment, then shook his head with a sigh. "A prescription written by your own hand could not possibly be wrong."
Ye Chutang glanced outside, a hint of exasperation in her voice. "We’re still in the palace, and you..."
The walls have ears. If anyone were to overhear their conversation, they would inevitably sense that something was wrong.
Chu Qiyuan froze, an apologetic look on his face. "Look at me! I got distracted for a moment and completely forgot."
Ye Chutang studied his expression. "What were you thinking about so intently? You’ve seemed rather distracted ever since the ministers left."
"What else could I be thinking of? It’s—" Chu Qiyuan glanced around before lowering his voice. "It’s you, of course!"
"Me?" Ye Chutang arched an eyebrow.
"Yes!"
Chu Qiyuan was filled with emotion as he recalled the earlier scene.
"Why did you... publicly accuse Jiang Cairen? With insufficient evidence, aren’t you just tipping our hand?"
Ever since Ye Chutang had revealed to him that someone tampered with Emperor Muwu’s meals, he had been investigating in secret. He never expected her to suddenly bring everything out into the open today!
"Her situation is dire, but His Majesty hasn’t completely forsaken her. By making a scene like this, not only will it make the investigation incredibly difficult, but it will also make her hate you. Won’t that just invite more trouble?"
Ye Chutang listened quietly. Only after he finished did she smile and ask, "I know you have my best interests at heart, but if I had said nothing today, would she not hate me?"
Chu Qiyuan was struck speechless.
It was true.
From her behavior today, it was clear that Jiang Qingmei already despised Ye Chutang!
In her heart, she had long wished for nothing more than to grind Ye Chutang’s bones to ash.
"She has blamed everything on me, believing I am the one who brought her and her son to this state. A hatred this deep can never be appeased. Even if I were to kneel and beg for her mercy, I doubt she would show me the slightest bit of compassion."
From the very beginning, they were destined to be enemies. There was never any possibility of reconciliation!
Especially with people like her, blind compromise and tolerance will only make them more ruthless.
"From the day General Huo’s case was reopened—no, from the day I returned to the Capital City—all of this was already fated."
Ye Chutang’s tone was calm.
"I do not strike unless I am struck."
’But if they do, I will repay them a thousand times over!’
Chu Qiyuan was at a loss for words.
He knew that every word Ye Chutang said was the truth.
"But this current situation..."
"This situation is exactly what I wanted."
Ye Chutang’s eyes curved into crescents.
"You must first see the snake to strike it where it’s weakest, no?"