Chapter 20: Du Zi Heng’s Apology
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“Miss, isn’t this a bit unfair to the first wife?” Zi Yuan asked, her voice filled with uncertainty.
The group was making their way to No. 18, Lin’an Street. Ji Yi Fei was about to reveal Yu Zhi Yi’s deceit. Du Zi Heng and the Yao family were partly there to protect Yu Zhi Yi, but mostly, they came along for the drama. After all, the flower appreciation event wasn’t as exciting as watching secrets unravel. Fifth Master Yao had gathered some rare flowers, but they just couldn’t compete with the unfolding spectacle. The Yao family seemed to agree.
Only Zi Yuan truly understood her mistress’s abilities. She wasn’t worried that Yu Zhi Yi would make a mistake; she was concerned about the consequences for the first wife. From what she’d heard about Madam Pang, the woman seemed rather ruthless.
“Revealing the truth is their only chance,” Yu Zhi Yi said, not elaborating further.
Based on Ji Yi Fei’s facial lines, she could see that his only sibling wouldn’t be around much longer. In other words, Madam Pang would soon discover that the first wife and her son had survived and would send people to kill them. The outcome for the first wife was unclear, but knowing Madam Pang, it wouldn’t be good. In the previous timeline, there had been no rumors about Ji Cong Xin’s first and second wives, which meant Madam Pang had taken care of things in secret and completely controlled Ji Cong Xin, to the point where he dared not avenge his wife and child.
Lost in thought, Yu Zhi Yi barely noticed the carriage come to a stop. The group disembarked, and Ji Yi Fei glared at the house before them, his eyes bloodshot. He turned his anger towards Yu Zhi Yi. “I’ll expose your lies right now!”
He looked at Du Zi Heng. “Brother Youlin, once we prove that this woman has been making things up, I hope you’ll give me an explanation!”
A hint of worry flashed across Du Zi Heng’s face. “Brother Ji, don’t be reckless…”
Bang!
Ji Yi Fei kicked open the courtyard gate. What he saw inside made his rage intensify.
His usually stern father was gently teaching a young man how to write. A plainly dressed woman emerged from the house, holding a tray of steaming bowls of soup. It was a simple yet heartwarming scene.
Ji Yi Fei’s eyes filled with tears, and his lips trembled as he struggled to find words.
The warmth of the moment shattered with his sudden entrance. The woman gasped, dropping the tray, spilling soup across the ground.
Ji Cong Xin looked flustered at first, then his expression changed, as if something had finally clicked. He quickly composed himself, ignoring his stunned son, and moved to the woman’s side, asking gently, “Are you alright? Did you get burned?”
The sight only enraged Ji Yi Fei more. He shouted, “Father! How could you do this to my mother?!”
He tried to rush forward, but the young man stepped in front of Ji Cong Xin and the woman, his broad frame like a small mountain, keeping Ji Yi Fei at bay.
After ensuring the woman was unharmed, Ji Cong Xin looked at his two sons, his expression a mix of emotions. “Perhaps it’s best we settle everything now, once and for all.”
Ji Cong Xin was a decisive man. By the next day, he had divorced Madam Pang, and he made no effort to hide the reason. Everyone who knew the family was aware of Madam Pang’s past deeds. Some argued that Ji Cong Xin was too harsh—after all, so much time had passed, and the first wife and child had survived. Why not let bygones be bygones? To some, the idea of having two wives seemed ideal. But those with a moral compass applauded his actions.
Of course, all of that would happen later.
At the moment, Yu Zhi Yi was sitting in a carriage heading back to the Chancellor’s residence. She had no words for Du Zi Heng, so she closed her eyes, resting while quietly absorbing the golden light of merit that had just entered her body.
She was a bit surprised by the merit. This time, she hadn’t taken any payment for her divination. She’d acted mostly to embarrass Ji Yi Fei, so she hadn’t expected Heaven to reward her selfish motives. Yet, the merit she received was even greater than before. Perhaps it was because she had saved two lives?
As she pondered, the person across from her suddenly spoke. “I’m sorry.”
Yu Zhi Yi opened her eyes, puzzled. “What?”
Du Zi Heng looked away, clearly embarrassed. “I said, I’m sorry for doubting your abilities.”
He had seen everything with his own eyes. Recently, the Yaos had also told him what happened to Du Ping. Given his sharp mind, it wasn’t hard for him to figure out that if Yu Zhi Yi hadn’t exposed the traitor, the Chancellor’s residence would’ve been in big trouble. Forget the imperial exam—he would’ve been lucky just to avoid execution.
But his biases were too strong. He hadn’t believed Yu Zhi Yi was capable, thinking his mother was just exaggerating to set them up, until the harsh truth slapped him in the face.
Yu Zhi Yi was surprised but didn’t take it to heart. “No worries. I’m used to it.”
Her words were simple, but they carried an unexpected weight.
Du Zi Heng thought about all the rumors about her in the capital, then considered how she’d acted at the Chancellor’s residence these past days. How could he not see now that the rumors were false?
He prided himself on his ability to read people, yet he’d been blinded by his own prejudice. Recalling the things he’d said to her, he felt a pang of guilt.
He tried to explain himself. “A year ago, I was traveling and got attacked by bandits. There were too many of them, and I was badly hurt. Bing Yue saved me.”
Yu Zhi Yi raised an eyebrow. “?”
Did she ever say she was interested in his love life?
She was at a loss for how to respond, so she gave a polite smile, listening to a story she already knew all too well.
After Du Zi Heng was rescued, he saw You Bing Yue’s seemingly cold yet caring nature. He noticed the kind soul beneath her fierce demeanor, and the profound things she said left a lasting impression on him. He fell for her, wanting nothing more than to live a peaceful life with her in the countryside.
Hearing this, Yu Zhi Yi couldn’t help but click her tongue. “No wonder your mother, as gentle as she is, dislikes Miss You so much.”
Du Zi Heng paused, confused. “Why?”
Yu Zhi Yi glanced at him. “If I were in her shoes, and the son I raised with so much effort decided to abandon his family and their honor for some woman, I’d be done with both the woman and the son.”
Du Zi Heng: “…”
The question that had troubled him for so long suddenly became clear, as if a flash of lightning had illuminated his mind.
Feeling guilty, he tried to defend himself. “I was born into the Chancellor’s family. My parents always wanted me to marry someone suitable. Bing Yue might be talented and wise, but her background is humble. I just… I just didn’t want to make Mother unhappy.”
Yu Zhi Yi rolled her eyes. “Seems to me you wanted to make her so mad she’d stop interfering altogether.”