Chapter 13: Neither Wicked Nor Foolish
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You Bing Yue supported the man as they entered the main hall.
The man attempted to kneel, but You Bing Yue frowned and stopped him. “A man’s knees are as precious as gold; how can you kneel so lightly?”
“You were merely employed by them, not sold to them.”
The man’s eyes brightened. He had known all along—Miss You was different from the others!
Yu Zhi Yi couldn’t hold back her laughter.
You Bing Yue immediately shot her a piercing look. “What are you laughing at?”
Yu Zhi Yi’s gaze flickered to the man’s face. “His name is Du Sheng. He’s a home-born slave of the Chancellor’s Mansion. While he wasn’t sold to the mansion, he was born to serve there, bound by duty to kneel to any master of this household.”
Du Sheng lowered his head, his face reddening in shame. The light in his eyes, which had begun to gather into a dazzling glow, was abruptly extinguished.
Slowly, he sank to his knees.
You Bing Yue’s face turned icy as she glared at Yu Zhi Yi. “You’re quite pleased with yourself, aren’t you?”
Yu Zhi Yi looked puzzled. “What do I have to be pleased about?”
“Of course, you take pride in having claimed the title of Young Madam of the Chancellor’s Mansion, wielding authority to punish and dispose of subordinates at will. But let me tell you, your days of triumph are numbered.”
Du Sheng, regaining his purpose, took out two sheets of yellow paper from his pocket.
On the papers, crimson ink painted symbols that resembled bizarre talismans.
“Master, Madam, I personally witnessed the Young Madam burying these beneath several corners of the mansion’s walls. These markings are clearly no good! She must be trying to curse the mansion, to bring calamity upon us all!”
You Bing Yue stood tall, making no move to greet Chancellor Du or Madam Du.
Her chin lifted proudly, her eyes alight with defiance as she faced the elderly couple. “You used my humble origins as an excuse to tear me and Zi Heng apart. You even forced him to marry this woman, claiming her high birth and virtuous character made her a better match.”
A smirk tugged at her lips. “And what’s the result? This woman harbors sinister intent, plotting to destroy the entire mansion. If not for me, her true colors might never have been exposed. I wonder how you two feel about this now?”
You Bing Yue was a vengeful person. Ordinarily, she repaid grievances on the spot. But because Chancellor Du and Madam Du were Zi Heng’s parents, she gave them a sliver of courtesy.
Still, she couldn’t resist twisting the knife with her words.
She scrutinized their faces, seeking signs of fear or regret. Instead, she saw expressions she couldn’t quite decipher.
“What kind of reaction is that?” she asked.
Weren’t the people of old notoriously superstitious, particularly fearful of witchcraft and sorcery?
Why did these two look neither afraid nor regretful, but rather… disdainful?
Could it be that they didn’t understand such matters, unaware of the dangers?
That had to be it.
“Oh, perhaps you don’t know what these papers are,” she continued. “Allow me to explain. These are talisman papers. Those with malicious intent, who dabble in sinister arts, often use such items to harm others.”
Chancellor Du ignored her and turned to Yu Zhi Yi. “Yi’er, did you really place these talismans?”
Madam Du also seemed curious.
They didn’t suspect Yu Zhi Yi of foul motives. After all, hadn’t she helped them uncover Du Lin’s schemes earlier?
Madam Du was uncertain, but Chancellor Du had already investigated. Du Lin’s family lived two or three hundred miles away and had never met Yu Zhi Yi before she entered the mansion. There was no chance of collusion.
Moreover, although Chancellor Du and Liu Shan were close friends, their differing political views often led to clashes in court. Many believed their relationship was strained.
Yu Zhi Yi had identified their bond at a glance, proving her keen insight. Chancellor Du trusted her abilities.
Yu Zhi Yi nodded. “I did place them.”
You Bing Yue’s eyes gleamed. “See? She admits her malicious intent!”
Yu Zhi Yi calmly sipped her tea. “I only admitted to placing the talisman papers. When did I say they were malicious or meant to harm anyone?”
You Bing Yue scoffed. “Don’t lie! Talismans meant for protection are carried on one’s person or kept in one’s room. Only those used for harm are buried secretly.”
She turned to Chancellor Du. “This woman seeks to harm you. Why haven’t you cast her out?”
“Enough!” Chancellor Du snapped. “Yi’er is the Young Madam of the Chancellor’s Mansion. We are the masters of this house. And you? You’re nothing but a trinket, unfit to shout and dictate here!”
You Bing Yue’s face burned with rage. “Did you just call me a trinket?!”
“You ignorant relics! Let me…”
“Bing Yue!”
Du Zi Heng hurried in, pulling You Bing Yue behind him. His face was a mask of anger. “Father, Mother, didn’t you promise not to make things difficult for Bing Yue?”
The Chancellor and Madam nearly fainted with exasperation.
Why did they bother raising children?
Chancellor Du, known for his eloquence in court debates, was left speechless by his love-struck son’s absurdity.
Yu Zhi Yi straightened. Chancellor Du and Madam Du had shown her trust and respect, becoming her most important patrons. She would not allow anyone to insult them.
“Du Zi Heng, has a dog eaten your brain?”
“If not, why haven’t you used your mouth to ask what happened?”
“Accusing your parents without knowing the facts—are you not only brainless but heartless too?”
“My father is the Chancellor of a nation. My mother holds the title of First-Rank Madam. What status do these two possess that would compel my parents to stoop to bullying them?”
“Besides, if we wanted to ‘bully’ someone, why go to such lengths? Du Sheng is a home-born slave; dealing with him takes but a word. Even I could handle it.”
“And as for Miss You, she is neither a master of the mansion, a servant, nor a guest. She could easily be called a thief. Yet here she stands, spouting nonsense in the Leaning Plum Courtyard?”
Her cutting words gave no chance for rebuttal. Du Zi Heng and the others were left speechless.
Only when Yu Zhi Yi sipped her tea did You Bing Yue retort, “You’re the thief! Zi Heng invited me into the Du Mansion. If not for him, this so-called Chancellor’s Mansion could never entice me!”
Yu Zhi Yi shook her head solemnly. “Such flawed logic. If not for Young Master Du defying his parents, you wouldn’t have even set foot inside.”
You Bing Yue snapped, “Stop changing the subject! The issue here is your attempt to harm the Du Mansion!”
“Zi Heng, this woman harbors ill intent, plotting to use witchcraft against the mansion. Du Sheng found the evidence, but your parents are bewitched by her and defend her.”
Du Zi Heng frowned. “Did you really try to harm the mansion? My parents treated you well. Do you have no conscience?”
Yu Zhi Yi set down her tea cup and sighed. “Love truly is peculiar—it can turn geniuses into fools.”
Shaking her head, she addressed Chancellor Du and Madam Du. “Father, Mother, I am one with the Du Mansion now. If anything happens to it, I’ll suffer too. Only a fool would act against their own interests.”
“To think otherwise is neither wicked nor foolish!”