Chapter 16: You Bing Yue Leaves the Chancellor’s Residence
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You Bing Yue pointed at Yu Zhi Yi, stammering, “You, you, you…” She struggled for a long moment, unable to find the right insult.
The queen of the night had just been scolded by a money-grubbing woman from ancient times. She couldn’t accept that—not for a second.
“Alright, alright, Bing Yue, let’s go home.” Du Zi Heng quickly half-dragged You Bing Yue, clearly worried she’d start a scene in front of the Chancellor and his wife.
His eyes flickered toward Yu Zhi Yi, his expression complicated. “We misunderstood today. I apologize.”
Yu Zhi Yi raised an eyebrow but said nothing.
“Du Zi Heng, come back here!” Madam Yao was furious, seeing her son still defending You Bing Yue in a situation like this.
“Mother, please, don’t be angry. It’s not worth it.” Du Zi Heng tried to pacify her.
Madam Yao sighed and looked apologetically at Yu Zhi Yi. “Yi’er, it’s my fault for not keeping that disobedient son of mine in line.”
Yu Zhi Yi shook her head. “Everyone is responsible for their own actions, Mother. Zi Heng is an adult now—his choices have nothing to do with you.”
Madam Yao opened her mouth to say more, but Yu Zhi Yi cut her off. “It’s been a long night. You both should get some rest—Father has court in the morning.”
“Oh dear, you’re right!” Madam Yao exclaimed, slapping her forehead. She quickly pulled the Chancellor along as they left.
But before they went, she turned to Yu Zhi Yi, her face determined. “Yi’er, don’t worry. By tomorrow morning, that woman will be gone.”
True to her word, at dawn, Madam Yao stormed into the Moon Gazing Pavilion, dumping a pile of evidence onto Du Zi Heng’s face.
The evidence showed that, in just five years, Du Sheng had embezzled three thousand taels of silver.
Out of that, only three hundred taels could be recovered.
Nearly one hundred taels had gone to wine and entertainment, while the rest—two thousand six hundred taels—had been spent on golden hairpins and jewelry for You Bing Yue, all to win her favor.
Du Zi Heng and You Bing Yue had been fuming at Madam Yao for bursting in and kicking down their door so early in the morning. But the moment they saw the evidence, their anger turned to shock.
Du Zi Heng stared at his beloved, his eyes filled with disbelief.
You Bing Yue was stunned at first, but quickly recovered. She frowned and said, “How was I supposed to know those things were bought with dirty money? Anyway, the items are all here. If you want them back, you can take them.”
Madam Yao looked at her coolly. “So, Miss You, you accept gifts from anyone, regardless of where they come from?”
You Bing Yue’s temper flared at the implication. “What do you mean by that? Are you saying I’m greedy?”
Before Madam Yao could respond, You Bing Yue snapped, “Do you think I’m like your naïve daughter-in-law, falling for a few trinkets? If Du Sheng hadn’t claimed they were tokens of gratitude, I wouldn’t have taken them! I’m not some ignorant girl willing to sell my dignity for some hairpins!”
Madam Yao sneered. “You keep insisting Yi’er is inexperienced, but last night made one thing clear: the one truly ignorant here is you.”
She flicked her sleeves, her eyes full of disdain. “A few hairpins. If my son had bought them for you, I wouldn’t say a word. But since they were bought with embezzled funds, Miss You, I’m afraid I’ll have to ask you to return the stolen property.”
You Bing Yue was livid. “Stop harping on about stolen money!” She let out a cold laugh, believing she saw through it all. “I know exactly what this is. You’re just using this as an excuse to humiliate me. Well, let me tell you this—I, You Bing Yue, am nothing like you women who rely on men to survive. Even if I leave the Chancellor’s Residence, I’ll be just fine—better than fine!”
She pointed to the door. “As for this place, I won’t return—even if you beg me!”
With that, she stormed out, taking nothing with her.
“Bing Yue!” Du Zi Heng rushed after her, desperate.
Madam Yao had anticipated this. “Someone, stop him!”
Du Zi Heng struggled, his face panicked. “Mother! Bing Yue is alone in Shengjing, with no family or friends. I can’t let her go like this!”
Madam Yao crossed her arms, unimpressed. “Didn’t she say she doesn’t need a man? That she can live perfectly well on her own? Isn’t that why you admired her in the first place—for her independence?”
Du Zi Heng was left speechless.
Madam Yao’s gaze hardened. “Regardless of whether she knew about the embezzlement or not, the stolen goods ended up in her possession. Until it’s clear if she instructed Du Sheng or if he acted alone, you will not see her.”
She called over a servant. “Du Lin, keep an eye on the young master. If I find out he’s met Miss You in secret, I’ll hold you accountable.”
When Yu Zhi Yi woke up later that morning, her maid Zi Yuan rushed in excitedly. “Miss, the mistress did it! She drove that woman away!”
Yu Zhi Yi blinked in surprise. “Did Du Zi Heng agree to it?”
Although she could read someone’s entire life just by studying their face, it didn’t work on those with close bonds to her or on people with special fates.
Ever since the Marquis of Wu’an’s wife had visited, Yu Zhi Yi’s connection with the Chancellor’s family had deepened. She and Du Zi Heng were legally married, and You Bing Yue had a unique fate. Because of these factors, Yu Zhi Yi found herself unable to predict their futures.
Zi Yuan nodded. “The young master probably didn’t agree, but that woman accepted gifts bought with stolen money, and the mistress used that against her. She’s so proud—she even said she’d never return, not even if they begged her. She left without taking anything.”
Zi Yuan’s smile widened. “The young master tried to follow, but the mistress stopped him.”
Yu Zhi Yi was a bit surprised, but she soon understood.
Madam Yao had always been powerless against You Bing Yue because Du Zi Heng had protected her.
And why did Du Zi Heng protect her?
It was because You Bing Yue had been innocent, while Madam Yao was the stronger party, making her the aggressor and Bing Yue the victim.
But now, You Bing Yue wasn’t so innocent—she had helped Du Sheng escape punishment and accepted gifts bought with stolen money. She was in the wrong, and Madam Yao, as the victim, had become the weaker party.
Du Zi Heng knew he was in the wrong, which made it impossible for him to keep defending Bing Yue.
Seeing Zi Yuan’s joyful expression, Yu Zhi Yi couldn’t help but dampen her spirits. “Don’t get too comfortable. He won’t stay quiet for long.”
Zi Yuan’s smile instantly faded. “Miss, you’re such a killjoy.”
Even though she knew Yu Zhi Yi was right, couldn’t her lady let her savor the victory just a bit longer?
Over the next few days, Madam Yao conducted a thorough investigation of the entire residence, rooting out several more “termites.”
Among them were Du Sheng’s parents.
They were even worse than Du Sheng, using their positions to embezzle money and mistreat those beneath them.
Madam Yao was both furious and relieved.
People like them—today, they might embezzle some silver and bully powerless servants, but tomorrow, who knew what they’d do? They could easily become like Du Ping, a pawn for someone plotting against the Chancellor’s family. That thought was terrifying.
After removing those “termites,” it felt as if the skies over the residence had cleared.
During this purge, Madam Yao made sure to give credit to Yu Zhi Yi for her help.
Now, every servant in the house knew that their young mistress was incredibly wise, that her eyes were as sharp as a ruler, and that no wrongdoing could escape her notice.
Those who had been tempted to misbehave became obedient, and those who had looked down on her for not being favored now adjusted their attitudes. Yu Zhi Yi had earned their respect.