novelraw Chapter 198
Chapter 198
After marrying into Liangzhou, Qi Qingyu had done many good deeds. Almost everyone knew her and was familiar with her.
If a disguise artist's skills were not up to par, they couldn't find a stand-in for Qi Qingyu.
Because a stand-in would very likely be recognized by the commoners.
Therefore, Qi Qingyu herself had to step forward and identify the escaped stand-ins as members of the Qi family!
Ye Chutang looked at the resolute Qi Qingyu and said, Sister-in-law, for the sake of your child, you must agree to the Chen family's demands.
Qi Qingyu's eyes widened in disbelief, and she shook her head repeatedly.
No, I will never betray my family just to drag out an ignoble existence!
Rest assured, sister-in-law. The magistrate's manor cannot outsmart the Qi family. You just focus on protecting yourself and your child.
Ye Chutang placed her hand on Qi Qingyu's emaciated shoulder and looked at her earnestly.
The fact that I could come to see you proves that everything is under control. You just need to beat them at their own game and agree to them for now.
These words persuaded Qi Qingyu.
She returned the dark jade pendant, which represented her younger brother, to Ye Chutang.
Alright, I will play this part well, compromise with the Chen family, and choose my child.
Hearing this, Ye Chutang's tone turned serious.
Sister-in-law, I must make one thing clear to you. If the Qi family escapes this scheme, the Chen family will bear the consequences of their failure, and you will be implicated as well.
As long as my family is safe, it doesn't matter what happens to me and my child.
It wasn't that Qi Qingyu didn't love her child; she just wouldn't teach her child the wrong way to survive.
One can die standing, but never live kneeling!
Ye Chutang asked, Where is the child locked up?
I don't know. But if I am willing to identify my family, I can make a demand for the Chen family to bring my child to my side.
In that case, things will be much easier to handle.
Qi Qingyu didn't understand. Sister, what do you mean by that?
Ye Chutang answered with a question, Do you want to suffer disaster alongside the Chen family, or do you want to escape them?
If we escape, will my child and I have to live incognito for the rest of our lives?
Yes. The Chen family definitely won't divorce you or agree to a mutual separation. You either stay tied to the Chen family for a lifetime, or you escape and change your names.
As the fierce daughter of a military family, Qi Qingyu couldn't bring herself to discard her very name just to stay alive.
Sister, as long as the Chen family isn't sentenced to total extermination, I won't run away.
The Chen family scheming against Qi Yanzhou was the Emperor's will.
Even if the plan failed and they were punished, the worst would be confiscation of property and exile.
She was not afraid of hardship!
Seeing that Qi Qingyu's mind was made up, Ye Chutang didn't try to persuade her otherwise.
Before leaving, she asked, Do you want me to help you kill your husband?
Qi Qingyu hurriedly waved her hands, her tone urgent.
No need. Shaoping is kind-hearted and treats me and the child very well.
As she spoke, her eyes filled with tears.
To save me, his leg was broken by my father-in-law. I don't know how he is doing now.
Ye Chutang didn't have time to rescue Chen Shaoping, so she didn't respond to this.
She took out a silver needle and said to Qi Qingyu, You will wake up in the time it takes an incense stick to burn.
With those words, she knocked Qi Qingyu out with the needle.
Then, she gave each of the four maidservants a prick with the needle, neutralizing the sleeping drug she had used on them.
When Ye Chutang returned to the noodle shop, Nan Xiao was pacing around anxiously.
Seeing her return, he immediately went to greet her.
Madam, you're finally back.
Ye Chutang looked at Nan Xiao, who seemed to want to say something but stopped himself, knowing exactly what he hadn't asked.
I went to the Chen family and saw my sister-in-law, Qi Qingyu.
She recounted how the Chen family was forcing Qi Qingyu to identify a stand-in.
Nan Xiao, don't do anything right now. Wait for the magistrate's manor to execute their stand-in plan, and then capture the Qi family's fake stand-in alive!
Nan Xiao dropped to one knee before Ye Chutang.
Your subordinate obeys.
Get up. Hurry and get me some noodles, I'm starving to death.
Nan Xiao: ...
Yes, Madam.
Although Ye Chutang hadn't been out for long, when she had visited the back kitchen earlier, the magistrate's manor was already preparing to serve meals.
Considering the hot weather, Nan Xiao had the chef make a bowl of cold noodles.
The taste was decent, and the toppings were generous.
After eating, Ye Chutang offered two suggestions and modified the seasoning recipe.
Make a bowl of noodles exactly as I said and give it a try.
After saying this, she wiped her glossy lips and stood up to leave.
Ye Chutang found a secluded spot and used her earth-evasion technique to return to the reverse-facing rooms.
The room was empty, and no one had been there.
Obviously, Cao Liang kept everyone busy in order to deal with the Qi family.
She rubbed her eyes until they were red, covered her forehead, and left the room, heading toward Qingya Courtyard where the Qi family was staying.
Upon entering the backyard, she was stopped.
Yin Fei, you're awake. Are you feeling better?
From the voice, Ye Chutang recognized him as the man who had previously carried her to the reverse-facing rooms to rest.
I'm fine, but I left my belongings in Qingya Courtyard. I need to go find them.
She had to get back as quickly as possible to switch her identity back.
The man quickly said, You can't go right now. The magistrate has gone to catch up with Old Master Qi.
Ye Chutang hurriedly pushed the man away.
I'll go take a look.
With that, she ran as fast as the wind. When no one was around, she simply teleported.
She entered Qingya Courtyard one step ahead of Cao Liang.
The Qi family had just finished lunch and was preparing to return to their rooms to rest.
Using the excuse that Ye Chutang was resting, Qi Yanzhou hadn't let her join them for the meal, only saving some food for her.
Seeing Yin Fei enter the courtyard, his hanging heart finally settled.
What are you here for again?
I left something very important in the side room!
After Yin Fei spoke, without waiting for Qi Yanzhou's reaction, she rushed into the side room.
Qi Yanzhou quickly followed her in. Stop right there! My wife is resting inside!
Ye Chutang's sleepy voice drifted out from the side room.
Hurry up and find it, then leave quickly once you're done!
By the time Cao Liang arrived at Qingya Courtyard...
Ye Chutang had already removed her disguise and reverted to her true self.
Qi Yanzhou had also helped the real Yin Fei put on his clothes.
But to avoid showing any flaws, she had to hypnotize Yin Fei to make him remember being injured and coming back to look for his things.
A'Tang, you handle the aftermath. I'll put on an act.
With that, he immediately got into character.
You still haven't found it? Are you doing this on purpose?
He grabbed a cup and smashed it against the copper pipe in the corner of the wall.
The piercing ringing sound reached the eavesdroppers' ears, masking all other sounds.
Ye Chutang took this opportunity to hypnotize Yin Fei.
It only took a couple of sentences, and it was done quickly.
She placed the sachet that Yin Fei kept close to his body into his hand.
You've found what you were looking for. Leave now.
With that, she snapped her fingers.
Yin Fei's unfocused eyes regained their clarity, and he happily left with the sachet.
Just as he reached the door of the side room, he almost collided head-on with Magistrate Cao.
Forgive me, Your Excellency! This lowly one deserves death!
As he spoke, he dropped to one knee before Cao Liang, his face pale with fright.
Cao Liang peered into the side room.
Qi Yanzhou shifted a step sideways, blocking his line of sight.
Magistrate Cao, to what do we owe the honor?
I heard that Madam Qi is ill and hasn't even eaten. Would you like me to invite a doctor to take a look at her?
Ye Chutang walked over to Qi Yanzhou's side.
Thank you for your concern, Lord Cao. I took some medicine and slept for a while, and I feel much better now.
On the surface, Cao Liang had come to catch up with Old Master Qi, but in reality, he was there to test Ye Chutang.
I have heard that Madam Qi possesses exceptional literary talent. I recently penned a few modest poems and would like to invite you to my study to evaluate them.
This was exactly what Ye Chutang wanted, so she agreed immediately.
Lord Cao praises me too highly. I am a straightforward person; please don't take offense if my critique is displeasing to the ear.
It was the perfect opportunity to go to the study and gather evidence of Cao Liang's crimes!
"It would be my honor to receive guidance from Madam Qi."
Cao Liang said with a smile, then looked at Old Master Qi.
"Brother Qi, we shall catch up later."
Ye Chutang followed Cao Liang out.
However, instead of taking her to the study, he led her straight to the courtroom.
Han Chong was also there.
Cao Liang sat behind the magistrate's desk, staring at Ye Chutang as if interrogating a criminal.
"Miss Ye, do your loyalties lie with the Qi family, or with His Majesty?"
Ye Chutang sat on the floor, casually throwing the question back at him.
"Right now, my life is still in His Majesty's hands. Whose person do you think I am, Lord Cao?"
"Are you dissatisfied with His Majesty?"
"I wouldn't dare."
Cao Liang scoffed coldly, his gaze as sharp as a blade.
"I think you dare very much! Helping the Qi family is the same as opposing His Majesty!"
Ye Chutang crossed her legs and began to quietly cultivate her internal energy.
"What does Lord Cao think I should do? Disregard my reputation and future, and poison the entire Qi family to death?"
Her voice was very light, as if she were about to fall asleep.
Feeling ignored, Cao Liang burned with anger.
"Ye Chutang, I am discussing serious business with you!"
"Discuss away. I am listening."
"His Majesty has issued a secret edict. The lives of the Qi family are to end here in Liangzhou City!"
"Then I wish Lord Cao success in your endeavors."
Cao Liang was speechless.
It was the first time he had ever met someone who could so easily provoke his anger with every single sentence!
"Ye Chutang, if the Qi family is allowed to leave Liangzhou, I will die, Lord Han will die, and you will not survive either!"
Hearing that Cao Liang was on the verge of exploding, Ye Chutang lazily lifted her eyelids and looked at him.
"Lord Cao, just say it straight. What do you need me to do?"
"I do not care what method you use, but within fifteen minutes, poison the Qi family!"
"Poison them to death directly? Or just control them first?"
Her sudden cooperativeness made Cao Liang a bit uncomfortable.
He thought for a moment before saying, "It would be best to poison them silently. That way, by the time they sense danger and try to resist, they will be completely powerless."
"Understood."
After saying that, Ye Chutang stood up.
"I guarantee the task will be completed!"
Cao Liang watched Ye Chutang's receding figure and asked Han Chong.
"Lord Han, do you think Ye Chutang's words can be trusted?"
Han Chong shook his head. "I do not know. I have never been able to see through her."
After speaking, he asked tentatively, "When will Lord Cao's plan be implemented?"
"In fifteen minutes."
"And what if Ye Chutang disregards her own life and does not make a move against the Qi family?"
"I only made this demand of her to test her on behalf of His Majesty. Whether she does it or not will not affect the plan."
Although Han Chong did not know what Cao Liang's plan was, he could hear absolute certainty in those words.
He could not help but feel a bit worried. Could the Qi family really survive this great catastrophe?