Chapter 4: There’s Something Even Worse
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Yu Zhi Yi knew this tone all too well.
Every time the Enlightened Master said, “If you continue down this path, what will happen?” it meant she had seen a glimpse of her future. And it was never good.
“I’m just trying to get justice for my son. How could that bring trouble?” Madam Wu’an asked, her voice trembling slightly.
Yu Zhi Yi took a calm sip of her tea. “It’s true; it will bring trouble.”
Madam Wu’an frowned. “Trouble?”
Yu Zhi Yi nodded. “You see, Yu Bing Yue has quite a lot of connections with powerful people. One of them isn’t just someone your Wu’an residence can’t afford to offend—even the Chancellor’s family would struggle to deal with them. If you keep pushing for justice, that person will step in. And after that, they’ll hold a grudge against your family.”
“While Marquis Wu’an is still alive, that person might hesitate, causing only minor trouble. But after the Marquis passes, they’ll come after your family with full force. Within three years, the new marquis will make a fatal mistake and lose his title.”
Madam Wu’an turned pale.
Yu Zhi Yi sighed softly. “And that’s not even the worst of it.”
Madam Wu’an’s lips trembled. “There’s something worse?”
Yu Zhi Yi twirled her teacup slowly. “Even worse is that when that powerful person brings Yu Bing Yue to your residence to flaunt their power, your youngest son—for reasons unknown—falls in love with her. He ends up arguing with you over her multiple times.”
“He even vows to fight against the world for her, using the Wu’an’s resources to solve her problems more than once.”
“A few years later, you… die from the anger he causes you.”
Madam Wu’an felt as if she’d been plunged into icy water. “That’s horrifying!”
Yu Zhi Yi put down her teacup. “The Wu’an residence only seeks a reasonable resolution. There’s no need to insist on imprisoning anyone, is there? The Second Young Master was hurt, so demand compensation from the Chancellor’s residence and ask Chancellor Du for a favor. That way, everyone will be satisfied.”
Madam Wu’an didn’t doubt Yu Zhi Yi’s words about the future. After pondering for a moment, she nodded. “I will listen to the Enlightened Master.”
Still, she was worried. “As long as I don’t pursue this, my son won’t fall in love with that woman?”
Yu Zhi Yi calculated carefully before replying, “Yes, not only will he avoid falling for Yu Bing Yue, but he will also marry his destined match smoothly, and they will live harmoniously and happily.”
She added a suggestion. “The Chancellor’s residence cares most about Du Zi Heng’s reputation right now. You can use that to your advantage to demand compensation.”
Chancellor Du and Madam Du had shown her kindness and sympathy over Du Zi Heng’s behavior—leaving his bride to cavort with another woman—and they had even given her the keys and seal to manage the household ahead of time. But they had said nothing about punishing Du Zi Heng.
Yu Zhi Yi accepted their kindness, but she neither understood nor respected their willingness to drag an innocent woman into their son’s misdeeds. If they wronged her, she had no qualms about paying them back in kind.
And when it was all over, they would still thank her.
“Miss, did the youngest son of Wu’an’s residence really fall in love with that woman? And even anger his own mother to death for her?” Zi Yuan couldn’t help asking after Madam Wu’an left.
It sounded absurd.
Yu Zhi Yi also found it absurd, but it was what she had seen in Madam Wu’an’s face.
However, she didn’t dwell on it too much—after all, she had witnessed countless absurd things in her past life.
In stories and plays, there needed to be logic to support the plot.
Reality, though, had no such need.
Just like her and Yu Jiao Jiao both being reborn, yet Yu Jiao Jiao awakened first and even successfully switched destinies with her—what logic was there to that?
After Madam Wu’an left, Chancellor Du invited Marquis Wu’an to his home. The two of them shut themselves in the study, and it wasn’t clear what they discussed. But when they emerged, Marquis Wu’an looked displeased, while Chancellor Du wore a smile.
And why not smile?
When he had first learned of the incident, he had wanted to go apologize immediately, but the Wu’an residence hadn’t even let him through the door. They had made it clear there would be no negotiations—they intended to see both the primary and secondary offenders imprisoned.
Today, Marquis Wu’an had relented, saying that, out of respect for the Chancellor’s good daughter-in-law, he was willing to compromise—as long as Chancellor Du found a way to make her eldest son vice commander of the Shengjing Guards, the matter would be dropped.
It was a tough ask, but not impossible.
The Shengjing Guards were close servants to the emperor, and those who did well in the role became favorites at court. The position of vice commander was highly sought after, with countless eyes on it.
To place someone in that position was near impossible.
But Chancellor Du had once saved Commander Fei’s life years ago. If Commander Fei were to make a recommendation, the promotion would be almost guaranteed.
Of course, calling in such a favor would use up that life-saving debt.
Yet, compared to his son’s future, a mere life debt seemed insignificant.
And so the matter was resolved. Chancellor Du felt deeply satisfied and found himself holding his daughter-in-law in even higher regard.
He said to Madam Du, “Truly, a wise wife makes a wise household.”
In the carriage outside the Chancellor’s residence, Marquis Wu’an’s scowl had vanished, and he was now grinning from ear to ear.
The Wu’an residence, under his leadership, had been declining for years, and he held no real power. But if their eldest son could gain favor at court, the house’s revival was in sight.
As for the nonsense with their wayward younger son almost getting himself killed—it was infuriating, yes, but his own foul mouth was to blame.
After all, the girl was only defending herself.
He honestly felt his wife was truly his blessing to know the eldest daughter of the Yu family.
As for Du Zi Heng, he was truly a fool to favor a troublemaking woman over such a virtuous wife…
Upon hearing that the situation had been resolved, Madam Yao visited the Wind Facing Pavilion when it was nearly dinner time.
“Your father-in-law has a dinner engagement tonight,” Madam Yao said. “No need to make a fuss—let’s just eat here.”
Yu Zhi Yi nodded obediently.
Soon, dinner was served, a generous spread of dishes.
Madam Yao used the communal chopsticks to fill Yu Zhi Yi’s plate, her face full of affection. “Yi’er, you’re too thin. Eat more.”
Yu Zhi Yi knew Madam Yao wanted to ask about her relationship with Madam Wu’an, but as long as she didn’t bring it up directly, Yu Zhi Yi would pretend to be oblivious.
Declining a few dishes she disliked, Yu Zhi Yi ate everything Madam Yao gave her, then finished a bowl of rice before setting her chopsticks down. “I’m done.”
Madam Yao set her chopsticks down too.
After rinsing their mouths, and while the servants cleared the dishes, Madam Yao finally smiled and asked, “Yi’er, are you close to Madam Wu’an?”
Yu Zhi Yi spat out her rinse water and handed her cup to the maid beside her. “Not particularly. She just often needs my help, so she’s willing to give me some respect.”
Madam Yao’s curiosity was piqued. “She often needs your help?”
Yu Zhi Yi smiled. “When I was young, I had a teacher who taught me some skills in divination. Since I met Madam Wu’an when I was ten, I’ve read her fortunes regularly. Most of her wishes have come true.”
Madam Yao was astonished. “You have such abilities? How come I’ve never heard of this before?”