Chapter 9: She Would Have to Bear It
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Yu Zhi Yi thought that as long as Du Zi Heng didn’t bother her in the future, staying in the Du residence wasn’t all that bad. Soon enough, she would have saved enough precious jade stones to create her array.
A spirit-gathering formation that could cover her entire Wind Facing Pavilion would cost at least a hundred thousand taels’ worth of top-quality jade. If she wanted to add other functional arrays, like a defense array, she’d need even more. In her past life, even when she climbed the ranks with Zhang Tian Shun, they never had enough jade for both the spirit-gathering and defense arrays.
Money was always tight during military campaigns, and political enemies constantly tried to cut the funding. She couldn’t let her soldiers starve, so she had to spend her savings on provisions. But now, the Chancellor’s mansion was rich, with no real expenses. Most importantly, Du Zi Heng’s attitude made it clear—she could live as she pleased, building her own fortune.
For now, she couldn’t use jade, but she could temporarily make do with paper talismans for her arrays. They weren’t as powerful and were easily damaged, but it was better than nothing.
So, Yu Zhi Yi started drawing talismans.
She worked all night and finally drew enough to set up a defensive array. The next day, after breakfast, she said she wanted to explore the mansion and began wandering around. Outwardly, she seemed to be taking a casual stroll, but in reality, she was placing talismans in strategic spots to substitute for the array flags.
Zi Yuan chattered away at her side. “Our lady is the rightful wife, so I’ve naturally kept an eye on Moon Gazing Pavilion.” She paused, then added, “Yesterday, when the young master returned, he went straight to Moon Gazing Pavilion, but that woman wouldn’t let him in.”
“He stayed outside half the night until she finally let him in. And he slept in until after dawn today. By now, the academy would’ve finished their morning lessons already.”
Zi Yuan knew her lady didn’t care about love or affection; she only cared about money. Though she still felt it was unfair to her lady, she no longer tried to make Du Zi Heng see Yu Zhi Yi’s worth. Instead, she just reported these events as amusing gossip, hoping to entertain her mistress.
Yu Zhi Yi found it all quite novel. “No wonder Du Zi Heng has to wait for the next imperial examination to become the top scholar. With such a troublesome little fairy around, how could he focus?” She shook her head. He was smart and talented, and he could have done well this time if not for her.
As they came to a stone bridge, Yu Zhi Yi paused. There, standing on the bridge, was a woman in a tight black dress, her figure curvaceous, yet her expression icy. Though her demeanor was cold, she was undeniably beautiful.
Zi Yuan leaned closer, whispering, “Miss, that’s the one from Moon Gazing Pavilion!”
This was Yu Zhi Yi’s first time meeting her husband’s mistress. In her past life, if Zhang Tian Shun had dared to keep women like this, she would’ve made him kneel on a washboard and driven those women out. Now, though, she felt strangely calm, lightly fanning herself as she waited.
You Bing Yue stood there for a moment, expecting Yu Zhi Yi to come to her. When she didn’t, her expression grew colder, and she stepped forward, her icy presence intensifying as she approached.
Up close, You Bing Yue was even more striking, like a flower blooming high on a mountain, beautiful and untouchable.
“Zi Heng has told me everything,” she said coolly. “I know you were forced into this marriage, so I don’t blame you. But you will only get the title of young madam. Don’t even think about touching anything else. If you do, the consequences won’t be something you can handle.”
Yu Zhi Yi raised an eyebrow. She hadn’t even planned to deal with this woman, yet here she was, picking a fight. Yu Zhi Yi was puzzled. She asked, “What exactly do you mean by ‘anything else’?”
“Zi Heng’s love,” You Bing Yue said, her swan-like neck held high, her gaze proud.
Yu Zhi Yi burst into laughter.
“What’s so funny?” Bing Yue snapped.
Yu Zhi Yi quickly wiped the smile off her face, nodding solemnly. “Rest assured, I have no interest in him.”
Why would she want Du Zi Heng, who still relied on the Chancellor’s mansion for food and shelter, when the treasury filled with gold and silver was right there? Even if he became the top scholar someday and officially started his career, he’d still have years of scraping by before finding wealth.
She would be foolish to trade pearls for pebbles.
Pebble-Du Zi Heng sneezed. His servant, Du Lin, grumbled, “Miss You is too much. It’s already autumn, and she let you freeze outside all night.”
Du Zi Heng frowned. “Be quiet. Don’t speak ill of Bing Yue!” This was their way of having fun; what did Du Lin know?
Recalling the servants’ reports, he quickened his pace.
Meanwhile, You Bing Yue tilted her head up. “I’m glad you’re sensible. I hope you stick to your word, or I’ll make you kneel and sing for mercy!”
Zi Yuan was furious. “How dare you! Who do you think you are, speaking to the young madam like that?”
You Bing Yue’s eyes turned icy. “A foolish servant dares shout at me? You’re asking for death!” She stepped forward, reaching for Zi Yuan’s throat.
Yu Zhi Yi’s smile vanished. She pulled Zi Yuan back two steps, widening the gap between them, and flicked her fingers lightly.
Splash!
You Bing Yue fell into the water.
“Bing Yue!” Du Zi Heng shouted as he arrived, seeing her struggling in the water. He glared at Yu Zhi Yi before jumping in after her.
Moments later, both were onshore, soaking wet. Du Zi Heng ordered Du Lin to give Bing Yue his coat, then stormed over to Yu Zhi Yi, eyes blazing. “Who gave you the right to touch her?”
Yu Zhi Yi looked at him calmly. “Which eye of yours saw me touch her?”
Du Zi Heng hesitated. Now that he thought about it, she hadn’t actually done anything. From his point of view, all he saw was Yu Zhi Yi pulling her maid away, while Bing Yue had reached out, trying to strike them.
He had been too anxious and angry to notice.
Yu Zhi Yi dusted off her sleeve as if brushing away invisible dirt. “I didn’t understand before. How could the young master of Marquis Wu’an’s household be nearly beaten to death just for speaking drunkenly? But now, I understand.” She glanced at You Bing Yue, her expression cold, her voice as indifferent as if discussing the weather, unlike the spirited girl who had feigned obedience just days before. “If I’d known that acting would bring such a cost, I wouldn’t have wasted the favor.”
Her beautiful face showed no anger, but her eyes were extremely cold, unlike the liveliness and feigned obedience from two days ago. “She blocked my path, spoke recklessly, and tried to attack my maid. Someone so rash and unprincipled—if I had truly acted against her, she’d have to accept it!”
“Come, Zi Yuan, we’re leaving.”