Chapter 665: Chapter 665: The Gift

"A friend?"

Princess Qingyang was taken aback.

"What friend? Is it someone I know?"

Ye Chutang thought for a moment. "You don’t know him, but you will once he arrives."

A spark of realization lit up Princess Qingyang’s eyes, and she suddenly understood. "Could it be... the friend who went to Long City to pass on that message for you?"

Ye Chutang chuckled and nodded.

"Now that the matter in Long City has been settled, he’ll surely take this opportunity to come to the Capital City and collect his reward from me."

She casually picked up an herb and lifted her chin.

"There. For these."

"So that’s how it is!" Princess Qingyang’s spirits lifted. She sat up from the wicker chair, her gaze sweeping over the numerous medicinal ingredients in front of Ye Chutang. "Are all these for him?"

Ye Chutang paused. "Some of them, yes."

Princess Qingyang didn’t pay much mind to her words. After all, even though Ye Chutang no longer ran a medical hall, she was still busy.

She was the one who had been managing His Majesty’s health.

Besides, Ye Chutang had always been skilled in these matters. By preparing more useful medicines, she could help many people.

Princess Qingyang thought it over. "Speaking of which, your friend went through all that trouble to help me, so I should be the one to thank him. Does he like anything in particular? I’ll go to my storeroom later and pick out something nice!"

As the only daughter of King Yan Nan, Princess Qingyang came from an incredibly wealthy family, far beyond what ordinary people could imagine.

She likely had countless rare treasures that couldn’t be found anywhere else.

Since she said so, she was genuinely planning to give a generous gift.

Ye Chutang considered it. "I don’t think he’s ever mentioned anything. His leg isn’t in good condition, so he spends most of his days at home, just reading and practicing calligraphy."

"Ah?"

All sleepiness vanished from Princess Qingyang. She leaped up from the wicker chair, her face full of guilt.

"His leg is bad? Why... why didn’t you tell me before? From the sound of it, it’s difficult for him to even leave the house, yet... yet he still made a special trip to Long City for my father..."

’I owe him a huge favor!’

But Ye Chutang just smiled, shaking her head nonchalantly as she reassured her, "You don’t need to worry. His leg used to be quite severe, but since he met me a few years ago, it has improved a lot in the past two years. He’s just a bit lazy and doesn’t like to go out, that’s all."

In fact, it was Ye Chutang who had suggested Xun Cheng move to Louyang.

The north was dry and cold; by comparison, the warm, humid climate of Louyang was more conducive to the recovery of his legs.

Subsequent events proved that Ye Chutang’s suggestion had been very effective.

After Xun Cheng moved there, he lived a leisurely and comfortable life, and his recovery was even better than Ye Chutang had anticipated.

Otherwise, Ye Chutang wouldn’t have asked for his help this time without hesitation.

Seeing that Princess Qingyang still looked quite troubled, Ye Chutang thought for a moment. "If you really feel bad about it, just pick out a high-quality set of the Four Treasures of the Study for him."

Princess Qingyang’s brow instantly smoothed out, and she nodded repeatedly. "That’s a great idea! I’ll go back and pick something right now! I’ll definitely send him a lavish gift to express my gratitude!"

Ye Chutang couldn’t help but laugh. "There’s no need to rush. Even by carriage, the journey from Long City to the Capital City will take quite some time."

But Princess Qingyang couldn’t wait.

It was in her nature to act immediately once she had something on her mind. Otherwise, she would keep thinking about it, which she found unbearable.

"Strike while the iron is hot!"

Princess Qingyang got up and walked out, muttering to herself.

"Come to think of it, with my father returning, I was so busy being happy that I forgot to prepare a gift for him, too!"

The father and daughter hadn’t seen each other in a long time; how could she not miss him?

Ye Chutang called out to her, "Aren’t you going to sleep a little longer?"

As she walked out, Princess Qingyang waved without looking back. "I still have that calligraphy copybook you gave me!"

Ye Chutang was speechless.

Watching her figure gradually recede, Ye Chutang couldn’t help but shake her head and smile again.

’Oh well,’ she thought. ’Even without the copybook I specially scented with a calming, sleep-inducing fragrance, Princess Qinyang will be able to get a good night’s sleep after this trip home.’

Ye Chutang looked away and patiently continued to process the herbs before her.

...

Time trickled by. By the time Ye Chutang finished her work, she realized another two hours had passed.

She rubbed her sore neck and shoulders.

A pair of small, soft hands immediately reached out and began to diligently massage her shoulders.

Ye Chutang turned her head and smiled. "I got so busy I lost track of time. Why didn’t you call me?"

Xiao Wu had wanted to help, but Ye Chutang had said no.

For one, the task was complex and involved many different things that Ye Chutang needed to oversee personally. For another... Xiao Wu was growing up, recognizing more and more words, and could now read an entire book on her own.

Ye Chutang had picked a book for her from the study, and she had obediently gone off to read by herself.

"Finished the book?"

Xiao Wu nodded, then shook her head.

’I finished it, but there were some parts I didn’t quite understand.’

Ye Chutang pinched her little cheek. "If there’s anything you don’t understand, just come and ask me. Your third brother did say he’s going to quiz you on your lessons when he comes back for his next break."

Xiao Wu stuck out her tongue.

’I’m not Fourth Brother. I’m not afraid of Third Brother quizzing me on my schoolwork!’

Ye Chutang tidied up the things on the table, then took Xiao Wu by the hand to have a meal.

In the afternoon, Ye Chutang took Xiao Wu by carriage to the Dingbei Marquis Mansion.

...

"Second Miss Ye is here?"

When Yun Cheng heard the news, he was both surprised and delighted. He immediately turned to look at his master, only to see a flash of astonishment on Shen Yanchuan’s face as well.

Clearly, he and Ye Chutang had not communicated about this beforehand. Her visit was a complete surprise.

’Then again... who is Second Miss Ye? If she wants to come to the Dingbei Marquis Mansion, she can just show up, can’t she?’

Yun Cheng chuckled. "Master, I’ll go and bring Second Miss Ye over right away."

Shen Yanchuan thought for a moment. His first reaction was that Ye Chutang had come about King Yan Nan’s battle report, but on second thought, he felt that wasn’t right.

’She should have known about it earlier.’

"Please show her to the flower hall."

Yun Cheng smiled and agreed. "Second Miss Ye’s youngest sister is here too. I’ll have the small kitchen prepare some of the pastries she usually likes."

Ye Chutang hadn’t brought Xiao Wu to the Dingbei Marquis Mansion many times, but it had been enough for Yun Cheng to remember a great many things.

Shen Yanchuan nodded and rose to head out.

...

「The Flower Hall.」

Ye Chutang sat down with Xiao Wu, placing the wooden box she had brought on a small table beside her.

When Shen Yanchuan entered, he immediately noticed the box and raised an eyebrow.

"This is..."

A slight curve touched Ye Chutang’s lips. "Didn’t you say before, Princely Heir, that everyone received a gift except you? Well, here I am, delivering it in person."

Her words were teasing and playful, but they stirred something in Shen Yanchuan’s heart.

’He’d just said that casually the other day, but she remembered it so clearly?’

Ye Chutang pushed the box forward.

"Aren’t you going to open it, Princely Heir?"

Shen Yanchuan stepped forward and opened it.

CLICK—

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