Chapter 562: Chapter 562: Sought-After

A young eunuch arrived, stepping forward with a smile:

"Second Miss Ye, His Majesty has issued a verbal decree. You are to proceed to Chongyuan Hall at seven o’clock sharp tomorrow evening to attend the palace banquet."

Ye Chutang was somewhat surprised. "But isn’t the Wazhen Mission coming to the palace tomorrow—"

"Precisely." The young eunuch’s smile grew even wider, his eagerness to please perfectly clear. "His Majesty said you’ve been working quite hard lately, so he thought you could enjoy the festivities and relax a little."

With neither family standing nor an official title, Ye Chutang would normally not have been qualified to attend a palace banquet held to welcome the Wazhen Mission.

But since Emperor Muwu had told her to go, she would go.

"Thank you. I will be there on time tomorrow."

After she politely saw the eunuch off, everyone in the Ye Mansion heard the news and was overjoyed.

The young maids, in particular, started excitedly pondering what she should wear.

Ye Chutang let them have their fun; she herself didn’t pay it much mind.

’The invitation was unexpected, but on second thought, it made sense.’

’I’ve been in the limelight lately, so it’s not that strange to be invited. Besides—only Chu Qiyuan and I know the true extent of Emperor Muwu’s illness. If I’m there, I can keep an eye on his condition.’

To put it bluntly, Ye Chutang was Emperor Muwu’s personal physician.

She had little interest in the palace banquet, but Xiao Wu was at an age where she loved excitement, so it would be a chance for her to see it.

Ye Chutang returned to her room and beckoned to Xiao Wu.

"We’re going to a palace banquet tomorrow. There will probably be food you like."

Xiao Wu’s eyes instantly lit up!

Ye Chutang smiled. "We’ll probably get to see Master Wa there as well."

Xiao Wu’s eyes went wide.

She was at an age where she was curious about everything. She had only ever heard her older sister talk about Wazhen; she never imagined she would get to see them with her own eyes!

She gestured with her hands—Is Third Brother going?

Ye Chutang thought for a moment. "He has his lessons tomorrow, so he probably won’t go."

Xiao Wu shrugged, looking quite disappointed.

’What a shame.’

But Xiao Wu soon put that aside and curiously tugged on Ye Chutang’s sleeve to ask another question.

It sounds like this Master Wa who’s visiting is someone really important?

Ye Chutang nodded. "The Crown Prince of Wazhen, Ugle."

Realization dawned on Xiao Wu.

She wasn’t particularly interested in such matters, and after listening for a moment, her attention drifted to the dishes that would be served at the banquet. She began to secretly wonder which ones would be the most delicious and resolved to bring some back for her third brother to try.

Ye Chutang summoned a servant and had him take the box out for delivery.

...

「The next evening. Chongyuan Hall.」

The winter days were always exceptionally short. By the time Ye Chutang arrived at the gates of Chongyuan Hall with Xiao Wu in tow, dusk was already falling. The glazed palace lanterns in front of the building were lit, and the hall within was ablaze with light, exuding an air of solemn luxury.

Palace attendants hurried back and forth while the Imperial Army stood guard, lending the atmosphere a gravity greater than usual.

The two nations were holding peace talks. Though polite on the surface, they were secretly vying for dominance.

Just as Ye Chutang was about to walk inside, she heard a familiar voice call out.

"Chutang!"

She turned to see Princess Qingyang approaching.

A whip still hung from her waist as she swaggered in, trailed by a group of palace attendants who served her with great care.

"So you came after all!" Princess Qingyang beamed. "I was just thinking how boring it would be to be here all by myself. This is great! Now that you and Xiao Wu are here, we can sit together. At least we’ll have something to talk about, right?"

Ye Chutang, of course, had no objection.

"Of course."

Princess Qingyang glanced around. "These occasions are usually so tedious, I’m not interested in the slightest. However—"

She lowered her voice. "I heard Marquis Zhongyong is coming today, and their family has been in an uproar the last couple of days. I’m just here to watch the drama."

"Marquis Zhongyong?"

Ye Chutang was surprised. "Hasn’t he been unwell and confined to his home for some time? Why would he suddenly come today?"

"You think he wants to? It’s not like he has a choice!" Princess Qingyang scoffed. "He’s crossed swords with Master Wa before, so he understands them well enough. He’s here today to hold down the fort. I figure he’s at his wit’s end with that mess at home, too. If he can seize this opportunity to accomplish something meritorious, he might finally get some peace and quiet in the days to come."

Ye Chutang immediately understood.

’Xie Pei really must have had no other choice.’

"So, Princess Huan Ning isn’t coming?"

"Who knows." Princess Qingyang shrugged. "If I were her, I wouldn’t have the gall to show my face at an event like this today."

No matter how much Xiao Jiayi wanted to plead for Jiang Qingmei and Xiao Chengxuan, she would have to swallow her pride.

If she dared to do so in front of the Wazhen Mission, wouldn’t that be tantamount to airing the royal family’s dirty laundry?

In that case, Emperor Muwu would show her no mercy whatsoever.

"I heard she caused another scene yesterday. Who knows if Marquis Zhongyong will help her this time?"

Ye Chutang recalled the scene she had witnessed before at Yunlai Tavern.

’Xie Anjun clearly holds a deep-seated grudge against Princess Huan Ning, but the princess is so pampered. How could she ever stand for such a slight?’

’Poor Marquis Zhongyong, getting dragged into this mess at his age.’

Soon, a palace attendant hurried over to guide them to their seats, and Ye Chutang spoke no more.

As she appeared, the crowd in the hall, which had been exchanging pleasantries, gradually fell silent as gazes of all kinds landed on her.

Many of those present were not seeing her for the first time. But unlike their previous disdain and contempt, their gazes now held a subtle mixture of awe and eagerness as they looked at Ye Chutang.

For Ye Chutang to appear at an occasion like this spoke volumes about His Majesty’s favor and trust in her.

There were some who wanted to approach her to curry favor, but they all stopped in their tracks upon seeing Princess Qingyang at her side.

’That’s one person you don’t want to offend! If you displease her in the slightest, who knows what kind of trouble she’ll cause!’

Ye Chutang took it all in, the corners of her mouth curving slightly.

"Thanks to you, Your Highness, it looks like I’ll get some peace and quiet tonight."

Princess Qingyang winked at her.

"You can count on me!"

Hm?

Ye Chutang gave her another look.

’The way she said that... it’s almost as if someone asked her to help me get rid of any unnecessary trouble.’

Princess Qingyang seemed to read her mind and quickly explained in a low voice, "Don’t get the wrong idea. I’m not doing this for my brother; I just can’t stand those sycophants who fawn over the powerful and trample on the weak!"

Princess Qingyang wasn’t just being paranoid. In fact, after all the recent events, many people in the capital had already changed their opinion of Ye Chutang.

Previously, in everyone’s eyes, she was merely an orphan girl with no backing and nothing worthy of note.

But things were different now.

She had earned His Majesty’s deep trust, making her a completely different person from who she was before.

Who among those present wouldn’t have to look up to her now?

"His Majesty arrives—"

At the loud announcement, the vast hall fell silent in an instant.

Everyone knelt in unison to pay their respects, but countless pairs of eyes, each harboring different thoughts, glanced toward the front.

’Emperor Muwu has been gravely ill for a long time, and there are even rumors that his days are numbered. Just how is he doing now?’

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