Chapter 389: Cutting Ties Is Best
“You don’t need to escort me. I can return on my own.”
Seeing her daughter again, Ye Jiamei had no interest in going to the Crown Prince’s residence. She only wanted to take Yu Luo and leave this complicated capital as soon as possible.
Upon hearing this, the coachman’s expression immediately darkened.
Ye Jiamei was still officially a criminal of the imperial court. Though his master had retrieved her from the desolate lands to treat the Emperor, if someone in the capital recognized her identity, it could be used as a weapon against the Crown Prince.
“Doctor Ye, forgive me, but I cannot abandon you on the road. We must return to the residence first—along with your daughter.”
Hearing that the coachman refused to let her go and even insisted on bringing Yu Luo along, Ye Jiamei’s initial joy at reuniting with her daughter quickly dissipated. She anxiously grabbed Yu Luo’s hand, unwilling to let go.
“I’ve already done what your master asked of me. What more do you want? Am I not even allowed this little bit of freedom?”
“Doctor Ye, do not forget your status. If someone recognizes you on the streets, it will be bad for everyone.”
The coachman’s words struck a nerve in Ye Jiamei, leaving her unable to argue back.
Seeing her mother’s unease, Yu Luo gently squeezed her hand in reassurance.
“Mother, don’t be upset. Let’s get in the carriage first. This isn’t the place to talk.”
Yu Luo was wearing a veil, having left in a hurry due to the sudden arrival of news from Chi Jinchen’s people. She hadn’t had time to disguise herself.
Hearing her daughter’s calm words, Ye Jiamei didn’t argue further and boarded the carriage with her.
“You reckless girl, how did you even find me?”
Thinking about how suddenly she had been taken away, Ye Jiamei was surprised that Yu Luo had managed to track her down in the capital.
“That’s a long story. After you were taken, I followed immediately. By the time I arrived in the capital, you were already inside the palace, so I’ve been waiting outside this whole time.”
As she spoke, Yu Luo removed her veil and carefully examined her mother. Seeing that she looked well, she let out a quiet sigh of relief.
“Mother, did you suffer in the palace? Did the Crown Prince’s people mistreat you? Also, your health—”
“Apart from lacking freedom, everything was fine. But now that I can leave soon, I’m happy. Just thinking about seeing you all again makes me feel better. But you! You’re too reckless! Does your father know you’re here?”
“He does. Someone was sent back to inform him. Luo City needs someone to manage it, so Father knows I came to find you. He shouldn’t be too worried.”
“That’s good. I was afraid you’d all be frantic if you didn’t know where I was. But looking at the situation now, it seems they don’t intend to release me right away. We don’t know how things will turn out, so you shouldn’t come in with me. Once we arrive, you should leave on your own. Do you understand?”
“Mother, I already know that it was Yu Zhengqing who had someone bring you here. I’ll wait outside the estate. You go in and tell them to release you immediately. Otherwise, I won’t hesitate to storm in and take you myself.”
Yu Luo understood that rather than being trapped inside with her mother, it was better for her to wait outside. If the Crown Prince truly refused to release Ye Jiamei, she could figure out another way.
“That’s a good plan. I doubt the Crown Prince will make things difficult for me. He probably wouldn’t dare kill me to silence me after using me. Find a place to rest while you wait.”
When they arrived at the Crown Prince’s residence, mother and daughter stepped off the carriage. Ye Jiamei followed the coachman inside, while he made no attempt to force Yu Luo to enter.
As Ye Jiamei and the coachman disappeared through the gates, another carriage pulled up beside Yu Luo. Without hesitation, she stepped inside.
“How is Madam Yu?”
Inside the carriage, Chi Jinchen’s handsome face showed a rare hint of concern.
“She’s fine. Thanks to you, Young Master Chi.”
“That’s good to hear. There’s no need for formalities between us, Xiao Luo. Since your mother has been released, why didn’t you take her away just now? Is the Crown Prince refusing to let her go?”
“Not exactly. My mother told me to wait outside and act accordingly. If she hasn’t come out within half an hour—before the city gates close—I’ll break in myself.”
Chi Jinchen fell silent.
Although the Crown Prince no longer resided at the estate, there were certainly plenty of people guarding it. Chi Jinchen truly couldn’t imagine how Yu Luo planned to “storm in.”
Even with the few subordinates she had, was she really planning to do this alone?
Meanwhile, inside the estate, Yu Zhengqing rushed forward to greet Ye Jiamei upon hearing of her arrival.
“Sister-in-law, are you well?”
Seeing the worry in Yu Zhengqing’s eyes, Ye Jiamei only felt deep irony.
“You knew the imperial palace was a place that devours people whole, yet you still had the audacity to send me there. And now you have the nerve to ask if I’m well?”
Unable to hold back, Ye Jiamei snapped at him immediately.
Yu Zhengqing, long accustomed to her sharp tongue, remained unbothered. Seeing that she looked energetic, he was relieved.
“So, you’re fine. That’s good to hear. And His Majesty’s health—”
“You don’t need to worry. He’ll recover after some rest. Unfortunately, the Empress has her eye on me. I was only able to leave because the Emperor permitted it. Originally, he wanted to keep me longer until he was fully recovered, but the Empress was impatient and wanted to use me as a scapegoat. If the Emperor hadn’t valued my skills and been unwilling to offend the Empress, he wouldn’t have rushed the Crown Prince to send me out.”
Hearing this, Yu Zhengqing finally relaxed a little, even feeling some gratitude.
No matter what, the fact that Ye Jiamei had cured the Emperor meant that their family was one step closer to being pardoned.
“Regardless, you have done a great service for the Yu family. It was inevitable that the Empress would react this way—she and the Crown Prince have always been at odds. Even if it hadn’t been you, any physician the Crown Prince found for His Majesty would have faced the same situation. But now that you’ve made this contribution, we’re even closer to escaping exile. Soon, we’ll leave the desolate lands behind.”
“Enough! I never thought the capital was anything special, nor have I longed to leave the borderlands. That’s all your family’s wish. If not for the fact that my husband carries the Yu surname, tying me to your mess, and if I hadn’t wanted to sell the Crown Prince a favor, I wouldn’t have bothered treating the Emperor at all.”
Yu Zhengqing sighed, nodding helplessly.
“But no matter what, in the Emperor’s eyes, we are one family. Our fates are tied together—either we all prosper, or we all suffer. But trust me, if we do return to the capital, the past will not repeat itself.”
“If we are pardoned, we should cut ties immediately. That would be best. Now that I’ve informed you of the situation, my task is complete. Have them send me out of the city at once.”
