Chapter 5: Don’t Wait; She Won’t Be Returning Home
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In the capital, whenever a noblewoman demonstrated any remarkable skill, it would be widely publicized. Such talents could serve as a bargaining chip when arranging a marriage, earning her a measure of respect from her husband’s family.
Yu Zhi Yi deflected the conversation with a serene smile. “Regardless, this matter has been resolved satisfactorily, and Mother can now rest at ease.”
“But, I have a favor to ask,” she added.
Madam Yao’s curiosity piqued, and she asked, “What is it?”
“I wish to clear out a room in Breeze Pavilion to dedicate it for honoring the ancestral master’s memorial tablet. As someone from the Mystic Sect, continuity is paramount to us. If offerings are interrupted and the ancestral master grows displeased, there’s no telling what chaos might follow,” Yu Zhi Yi explained.
Madam Yao chuckled lightly. “I thought it was something serious! Breeze Pavilion is your residence. You can arrange it however you like; there’s no need to report it to me.”
She turned to the nearby Auntie Ye and instructed, “Allocate a thousand taels to the Young Madam from my account.”
Then, turning back to Yu Zhi Yi, she said, “If it’s not enough, let me know.”
Yu Zhi Yi was momentarily taken aback, but she quickly composed herself and smiled faintly. “This is more than sufficient. Thank you, Mother.”
In the Yu Mansion, she had once made a similar request. However, it was flatly refused by both Minister Yu and Madam Yu.
Later, Yu Jiao Jiao demolished the mansion’s finest courtyard and turned it into a garden. Minister Yu, Madam Yu, and her five brothers applauded her ingenuity.
From that point on, Yu Zhi Yi became acutely aware of the vast gulf between herself and Yu Jiao Jiao. She stopped making requests altogether.
She had expected Madam Yao to respond evasively or even refuse outright. She had prepared to convert one of her modest storefronts into a shrine as a contingency plan.
Unexpectedly, Madam Yao was so accommodating.
Though… Madam Yao’s generosity likely stemmed from recognizing Yu Zhi Yi’s value.
In the past, Yu Zhi Yi had used her metaphysical skills to help Minister Yu identify a traitor in his midst. But he dismissed it as mere coincidence and refused to believe in her abilities.
Even Madam Yu and her brothers assumed she was scheming to gain their attention.
Her fifth brother, Yu Zi Xuan, had bluntly said, “Stop playing these petty tricks. No matter what you do, you’ll never be worth a single finger of Jiao Jiao. You’re only making us despise you more.”
Yu Zhi Yi fell silent for a moment.
She studied Madam Yao’s face carefully before remarking, “Mother, have you not visited my maternal grandmother recently?”
Madam Yao was momentarily taken aback before realizing that Yu Zhi Yi was referring to her own mother. She sighed. “I’ve been preoccupied with your wedding preparations. Your grandmother had planned to attend, but she fell ill with a cold at the last moment. I couldn’t bear to let her travel while unwell.”
Yu Zhi Yi nodded slightly. “Tomorrow, there won’t be much going on. Mother will have some free time to visit.”
From Madam Yao’s facial features, Yu Zhi Yi had discerned dimness in her parental palace and a blood-red aura in the area representing her mother. This suggested her maternal grandmother would soon face a calamity involving bloodshed.
Madam Yao, unnerved by Yu Zhi Yi’s words, hesitated.
Had Yu Zhi Yi mentioned this yesterday, Madam Yao would have assumed her daughter-in-law was seeking an alternative means to gain favor, frustrated by her husband’s lack of affection.
However, after witnessing Yu Zhi Yi’s earlier handling of the Marquis of Wu’an’s wife, Madam Yao dared not dismiss her words as nonsense.
“Very well. After you return from visiting your family tomorrow, I will also pay a visit.”
Yu Zhi Yi said no more, though she noticed a shift in Madam Yao’s facial features.
Yu Zhi Yi had always been someone who reciprocated kindness. If others treated her well, she would return the favor tenfold.
Besides, she had no intention of leaving the Chancellor’s Mansion anytime soon. Since her mother-in-law had shown her respect, she was willing to maintain peaceful relations.
Madam Yao summoned the steward and instructed, “From now on, the household affairs will be handed over to the Young Madam. Assist her where needed.”
Yu Zhi Yi glanced at Madam Yao in surprise.
This gesture signified that Madam Yao was relinquishing real authority to her, not merely treating her as a symbolic figurehead.
In her previous life, even Yu Jiao Jiao had never been granted such power during her stay at the Chancellor’s Mansion.
…
The day of returning home.
Yu Zhi Yi finished her morning routine and breakfast before Du Zi Heng finally showed up, fashionably late.
By then, Yu Zhi Yi was already seated in the carriage.
Du Zi Heng glanced at her, his gaze landing on her intricately embroidered red dress. He froze momentarily before frowning. “You…”
Yu Zhi Yi smiled faintly. “Am I beautiful?”
Du Zi Heng, uncomfortable, averted his gaze.
She was undeniably beautiful.
After the inspection by Madam Du, he had been informed of Yu Zhi Yi’s regal and elegant beauty.
If You Bing Yue was a glacial, unattainable snow lotus, Yu Zhi Yi was a blooming peony, resplendent and captivating.
The vibrant red dress didn’t overshadow her charm. Instead, it enhanced her peerless beauty.
Realizing his thoughts, Du Zi Heng frowned further.
“There’s no need for you to overthink,” Yu Zhi Yi remarked before he could speak. “This dress wasn’t worn for you. It’s a one-time affair, and I won’t trouble you again in the future.”
Du Zi Heng was about to retort when the carriage suddenly stopped.
The coachman announced, “Young Master, Young Madam, we’ve arrived at the Yu Mansion.”
Yu Zhi Yi inwardly sighed. Finally.
The entrance to the Yu Mansion was desolate. Aside from a doorkeeper and two guards, no one was there to greet them.
Yu Zhi Yi stepped out first. The scene before her was both unsurprising and bitterly ironic.
In her past life, Yu Jiao Jiao hadn’t returned home either.
She scanned the two guards’ faces, confirming what she had suspected: Yu Jiao Jiao had come by yesterday, spreading rumors through Zhang Tian Shun’s connections that Du Zi Heng would not accompany Yu Zhi Yi for her return.
As a result, Minister Yu, Madam Yu, and her five brothers had all gone about their respective business.
Yu Zhi Yi smirked coldly.
Good. The busier, the better.
Du Zi Heng, however, frowned deeply. “Where are Minister Yu and Madam Yu?”
Yu Zhi Yi shot him a look.
Realizing his misstep, he awkwardly corrected himself. “Where are Father-in-law and Mother-in-law?”
The doorkeeper turned pale, stammering as he begged for mercy. “Young Master, please forgive me! The Master and Madam are merely delayed by urgent matters. They meant no disrespect and will be here shortly!”
Du Zi Heng sneered. “On the day of their daughter’s return, what could possibly be more pressing than welcoming us? And what sort of emergency requires the entire household to vanish?”
“It seems the Minister’s Mansion isn’t interested in receiving us. Let’s go, my wife!”