Chapter 8: The Du Mansion—A Hidden Paradise?
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Yu Zhi Yi’s thoughts swirled momentarily before a realization struck her.
By any normal logic, wouldn’t the bride’s family, upon learning their daughter was left alone on her wedding night, march over and teach the heartless husband a lesson?
Yet, all the Yu family cared about was whether Du Zi Heng would accompany her back to visit.
Yu Zhi Yi chuckled softly, her gaze locked on Du Zi Heng. “Young Master Du, now that you understand my standing in the Yu family, what do you intend to do? Reveal everything to your mother?”
Du Zi Heng remained silent.
His mother had pressured him into marriage, citing that You Bing Yue’s status was unworthy, whereas the eldest daughter of the Yu family was a perfect match.
But after today’s visit, he realized it was far from the truth.
A family that couldn’t provide its daughter with any leverage, and might even be a burden—what good was that?
He could throw this reality at his mother and show her just how absurd her earlier insistence had been.
Turning away, Du Zi Heng spoke curtly, “As long as you remain obedient—don’t covet what’s not yours and stay away from Bing Yue—this position of Young Madam will remain yours, for now.”
“I’ll find an appropriate opportunity to amicably separate without tarnishing your reputation, and I’ll also arrange a suitable future for you.”
Yu Zhi Yi raised an eyebrow, mildly surprised.
Young Master Du was surprisingly soft-hearted.
“When you’ve figured out how to handle the separation, simply inform me. As for finding me another arrangement, there’s no need. I’ll manage on my own.”
Du Zi Heng frowned. “Where could a weak woman like you possibly go?”
In just a few days of interaction, he had come to see the truth—rumors about Yu Zhi Yi were false. This so-called malicious eldest daughter was, in fact, gentle and kind. Her thorny exterior existed solely for self-protection.
No matter what, they were now husband and wife.
She had married him out of necessity and was now bound by society’s gaze. If he were more callous, she might not survive it.
Forget it. Another mouth to feed wasn’t that big a deal.
And Bing Yue, being so understanding, would surely see reason… right?
Upon returning to the Chancellor’s Mansion, Du Zi Heng dropped a quick command—“Take the items from the carriage inside”—and disappeared deep into the estate.
Zi Yuan scowled. “How can the Young Master be so indifferent, rushing to see that woman while leaving you behind? Where’s his respect for the Young Madam?”
Yu Zhi Yi shrugged. “They’ve always been a loving pair. I’m the one who intruded on their relationship. His actions are understandable.”
Red Luan often said that relationships respected the principle of first come, first served; the latecomer was always the interloper.
Though not her intention, Yu Zhi Yi couldn’t deny that she had become the third party in Du Zi Heng and You Bing Yue’s love story.
But Red Luan also pointed out that such principles didn’t apply in this messed-up era.
Hence, Yu Zhi Yi felt no guilt.
“Enough. Instead of dwelling on useless thoughts, let’s tally the accounts. Maybe we can afford an extra meal this month.”
Zi Yuan’s mood lifted at the mention of money.
Over an hour later, Zi Yuan entered with the ledger. “Miss, the calculations are done.”
“The dividends from the Splendid Embroidery Pavilion amount to 1,524 taels. The Yu family sent two bolts of Shu brocade, a century-old ginseng, a basket of fresh crabs, and some pastries and candies, which altogether are worth about 820 taels.”
Yu Zhi Yi couldn’t help but laugh. “My dowry wasn’t even worth 800 taels, yet a single visit home with Du Zi Heng brought in so much.”
Rather than dwell on this, her smile brightened. “I earned money on this trip, and Red Luan gained reputation—a win-win. Truly a rare treasure of a day.”
Red Luan, her dear friend, was from the Jiang family, a prominent imperial merchant lineage.
Though raised with the hope of marrying into a noble family, Red Luan had no desire to be a mere bargaining chip in a marriage alliance.
Determined to prove her worth, she fled her family to demonstrate she could run a business as skillfully as any man.
Yu Zhi Yi, sharing her passion for profit, offered a deal: if Yu Zhi Yi brought customers to Red Luan, she would receive half the sale proceeds.
That Peony-Red dress had fetched over 3,000 taels from Du Zi Heng himself.
The visit to the Yu family wasn’t just for face; it was to showcase Red Luan’s craft.
A scandal-ridden young lady of the Yu family, wearing an exquisite Peony-Red dress, could charm her husband enough to bring her back to her maiden home.
Was that dramatic enough to attract attention?
Would those courtyard-bound ladies, desperate for their husband’s affection, go wild over it?
Du Zi Heng, it turned out, was quite the lucrative tool.
Suddenly, Yu Zhi Yi felt a strange sensation.
A thread of Golden Light of Merit seeped into her being!
In her past life, despite using face-reading to aid many, she had never experienced such a miraculous moment. Even saving 400,000 soldiers in a war hadn’t granted her this.
Could the Heavenly Dao be compensating her for her wrongful death in her past life?
Excitement surged within her.
Merit was far harder to accumulate than cultivation, and while cultivation alone might not ensure immortality, merit promised a better rebirth.
Her goals had just expanded—now, she would collect merit too!
…
By evening, Madam Yu returned to the mansion.
Yu Zhi Yi, poring over the account book and reviewing her attendants’ records, was about to greet her mother-in-law when Madam Yu arrived at her courtyard instead.
“Mother, I was just heading to Leaning Plum Courtyard. Why come here personally?”
“Yi’er!” Madam Yu clasped her hands, her voice trembling with emotion.
One glance at Madam Yu’s tearful eyes told Yu Zhi Yi everything. “Mother, don’t worry. Grandmother is fine now.”
“You’re truly my lucky star, Yi’er!” Madam Yu exclaimed.
Earlier that day, she had returned to the Yao family upon Yu Zhi Yi’s advice.
Madam Yao had intended to visit Heavenly Sound Temple, but upon hearing Madam Yu’s arrival, she postponed and sent her maid instead.
The maid was ambushed by bandits en route, robbed, and stabbed. Thankfully, the wound missed vital organs, and the young woman survived.
Had Madam Yao gone herself, she wouldn’t have lived through such an attack.
Relieved but guilt-ridden, Madam Yu asked, “Yi’er, will Tian Xiang be alright?”
Yu Zhi Yi smiled. “Don’t worry, Mother. This misfortune will turn into fortune for her. She’ll live a prosperous life.”
Madam Yu sighed in relief, increasingly impressed with her daughter-in-law. She gestured to her attendant. “Bring it over.”
A finely crafted box was presented. Inside lay an ornate Warm Sun headpiece from the Treasure Pavilion.
Yu Zhi Yi initially declined but quickly calculated its worth—5,000 taels.
Her inner joy was immense.
Was the Du Mansion some sort of blessed haven? In just a few days, she’d earned more than she had in the past seven years combined!