Chapter 28: Stop Making Trouble
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“How was your day?”
The words slipped out, and Du Zi Heng nearly bit his tongue.
Wasn’t he here to confront her?
But the conversation had already veered off course, and he didn’t bother to pull it back.
Yu Zhi Yi answered truthfully, “I checked on the gold shop and the Grand Flourishing Restaurant, then made time to visit the estate outside the city. The new manager at the gold shop is competent and trustworthy. The restaurant is doing decent business, and the crops on the estate are growing well. We’re bound to have a bountiful harvest this year.”
“Oh… Then you’ve worked hard. Get some rest,” Du Zi Heng replied, turning to leave.
Yu Zhi Yi and Zi Yuan exchanged puzzled glances. Even with her eyes that could discern karma, Yu Zhi Yi was baffled. “What exactly did he come here for?”
It didn’t take her long to figure it out.
Du Zi Heng was a man who valued propriety. Though he had two maids, they were ordinary attendants who had never been intimate with him.
Yu Pan Er’s antics today must have been intolerable to him.
And since Yu Pan Er was under Yu Zhi Yi’s management, it was natural for the blame to fall on her for failing to control her servants.
“Forget it; he’s not worth worrying about.”
Yu Zhi Yi dismissed it with a wave. She still had uses for Yu Pan Er and couldn’t deal with her just yet.
However, as the mistress of the household, she couldn’t entirely turn a blind eye to such insolence. If she did, Madam Yao would be the first to express her displeasure.
“Zi Yuan, inform Auntie Wen to have Yu Pan Er kneel for three hours. Let her reflect on her identity.”
In the blink of an eye, seven days passed.
You Bing Yue, bedridden for nearly ten days, finally recovered enough to move about.
That’s when she learned about Yu Pan Er’s attempt to seduce Du Zi Heng.
Though she hadn’t succeeded, You Bing Yue, the self-proclaimed Dark Night Queen of the modern era, could not tolerate some lowly maid coveting her man.
Yu Zhi Yi was bad enough—at least she was a legitimate young lady and had formally married Du Zi Heng.
But Yu Pan Er? What on earth was she?
Furious, You Bing Yue stormed off.
At that moment, Yu Pan Er was practicing abacus calculation. Ever since being disciplined by Auntie Wen, she had been much more subdued. Though she still harbored thoughts of rising in status, Auntie Wen’s vigilance left her with no opportunity to act, forcing her to focus on her studies.
While writing, she shot daggers at Auntie Wen with her eyes, thinking, Just you wait, old hag. The moment I’m favored, you’ll be the first I deal with!
She finally finished a sheet of writing and presented it to the female teacher for review. Though the teacher wasn’t entirely satisfied, it was Yu Pan Er’s best work yet and she allowed her a fifteen-minute break.
Relieved, Yu Pan Er rushed toward the outhouse.
She was dying to go.
Just as she approached, a shadow descended from above.
“Wretched maid, daring to steal my man? You’re courting death!”
You Bing Yue grabbed Yu Pan Er by the neck and slapped her across the face with both hands, the sharp sound echoing loudly.
Over twenty blows later, Yu Pan Er’s cheeks were swollen to grotesque proportions, blood seeping from her mouth. You Bing Yue flung her to the ground. “How dare someone of your ilk lust after my man? Since your mistress won’t discipline you, I will!”
“I’m warning you—Du Zi Heng is mine. No one else can lay a finger on him.”
“If you dare harbor such thoughts again, next time won’t be as simple as a beating.”
Leaving behind her chilling threat, You Bing Yue turned and walked away, her face expressionless.
Left behind, Yu Pan Er clutched her swollen face. Even without a mirror, she knew she looked horrific. Overcome with despair, she screamed, “Ahhhh!!”
Her cries attracted the patrolling guards. Seeing a maid beaten beyond recognition, they were stunned and hurried to report the incident to Madam Yao and Yu Zhi Yi.
Even though Yu Zhi Yi had foreseen Yu Pan Er’s punishment, the actual sight of her battered state still gave her a fright.
That was ruthless.
“Madam, Young Madam, that You woman is insane! I didn’t provoke her, and she attacked me! Please, you must seek justice for me!” Yu Pan Er wailed.
Madam Yao was livid. “Outrageous! Absolutely outrageous! Someone, bring that woman to me!”
Du Zi Heng was resting in the Moon Gazing Pavilion.
After her outburst, You Bing Yue was in high spirits. Learning from the servants that Du Zi Heng hadn’t even glanced at Yu Pan Er, she felt a surge of sweetness in her heart and went to lie down beside him.
These past days, Du Zi Heng had been careful not to cross boundaries due to her injuries. But now, with her nestled in his arms, he cast aside all restraint. It didn’t matter whether it was day or night.
Just as the two were about to let passion ignite, Du Lin’s frantic voice rang out, “Master, Madam has sent someone to summon Miss You! They say she’s furious.”
Du Zi Heng frowned. “We’ve had peace for only a few days. Why is Mother stirring up trouble again?”
You Bing Yue’s health had only just recovered!
He said firmly, “Tell Mother that Bing Yue is still recuperating. Whatever it is, it can wait until she’s fully recovered.”
The guards sent to summon her didn’t dare disobey and returned to relay his words.
Madam Yao was incensed. “That unfilial son! I’d like to see how long he can shield her!”
“Let’s go to the Moon Gazing Pavilion!”
Yu Zhi Yi quickly tried to soothe her. “Mother, please calm down…”
Madam Yao gripped her hand. “You’re too soft-hearted. That woman has climbed over your head, and you don’t even get angry.”
“I know you’re mindful of Zi Heng, but I don’t need to hold back. I’ll see if he’s truly willing to discard all propriety for her!”
Yu Zhi Yi thought to herself that it wasn’t concern for Du Zi Heng that tempered her reaction—she simply wasn’t that angry.
If not for You Bing Yue constantly stirring up trouble, she might even enjoy watching their affection.
Before long, the group arrived at the Moon Gazing Pavilion.
By then, Du Zi Heng and You Bing Yue had already dressed.
Though both were still heated, the tension from Madam Yao’s earlier summons had doused their flames.
Seeing Madam Yao personally arrive, Du Zi Heng was visibly displeased. “Mother, why are you troubling Bing Yue again? She’s been very well-behaved lately and just recovered from a severe illness. Must you target her incessantly?”
Then, turning his dissatisfaction toward Yu Zhi Yi, he added, “Mother isn’t young anymore, and her health isn’t good. You should be persuading her to rest, not letting her lose her temper.”
Yu Zhi Yi, unjustly blamed, showed no anger—just mild amusement.
Whenever this man was with You Bing Yue, it was as if his sense and values had taken a vacation.
Could love really make people this foolish?
Terrifying.
She was glad her heart belonged to the Dao.
“You know Mother shouldn’t get angry, yet you’re the one provoking her to wrath,” she countered calmly.
Du Zi Heng choked on his words. “I’m not! I just don’t want unnecessary disputes in the household. Can’t you stop being as unreasonable as Mother?”
Madam Yao was furious. “Did you just call me unreasonable!?”
Yu Zhi Yi smirked coldly. “You claim Miss You is still unwell?”