Chapter 43: Du Zi Heng: Am I Worthy?
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Du Zi Heng had a bellyful of anger. Yet, as he looked at her overly calm expression—calm to the point of making everything seem natural—he found himself unable to vent.
Instead, he felt a dull ache in his chest.
So, it was true, what she said that day. She hadn’t worn that dress for him.
She’d done it to exploit her own infamy and his nonexistent “favor” to boost the reputation of Red Luan!
Realizing he was nothing more than a pawn, Du Zi Heng’s mood soured further.
“Du Gongzi, actually…”
Red Luan, unaware of the actual dynamics between the two, had seen how Yu Zhi Yi had defended Du Zi Heng at Splendid Embroidery Pavilion and assumed their relationship was good. She didn’t want to ruin their bond because of herself and tried to explain.
Yu Zhi Yi, however, waved it off with casual indifference. “No need.”
Du Zi Heng: “…”
Red Luan, being a person of discernment, refrained from continuing after Yu Zhi Yi’s dismissal.
“I’ll head back now. Next time, I’ll visit when I have the chance. If you’re free, you’re welcome to visit me at the Chancellor’s Mansion.”
Red Luan replied, “Alright.”
After Red Luan left, just as Yu Zhi Yi was about to instruct the coachman to drive on, Du Zi Heng suddenly got into the carriage.
His expression was awkward as he stared out of the window, his voice breaking the silence. “The bracelets and jade pendants you gave my parents—do they have some kind of special meaning?”
The more he thought about that morning, the more suspicious it seemed.
He knew his parents well.
Madam Yao liked ornaments, so her fondness for Yu Zhi Yi’s bracelet was understandable. But Chancellor Du was not one to be charmed by superficialities—why had he chased after Yu Zhi Yi for a jade pendant?
Yes, chased after her.
In hindsight, despite his father’s seemingly composed demeanor, there had been a gleam of eagerness in his eyes.
Combining this with Yu Zhi Yi’s abilities, it wasn’t hard to deduce that the bracelet and pendant weren’t ordinary.
Yu Zhi Yi hadn’t expected him to ask about this but saw no harm in explaining. She answered frankly, “The bracelet I gave Madam is a Defensive Bracelet. It has twelve beads that can block twelve major disasters.
“On regular days without calamities, its spiritual energy nourishes the body, promotes clarity of mind, and prolongs life.”
There was one thing she didn’t mention.
For those with minor but non-lethal illnesses, wearing the bracelet would invisibly cure them. For individuals with severe illnesses, it might not heal them completely but could extend their lives by three to five years.
Since neither Madam Yao nor Chancellor Du had any significant ailments, there was no need to elaborate.
Du Zi Heng’s fingers trembled. “It can block twelve major disasters?”
He thought of You Bing Yue’s injured shoulder. If she’d had such a miraculous bracelet, wouldn’t she have been unharmed?
As for doubting its efficacy?
After witnessing the power of a Defensive Formation, only a fool would question it.
He hesitated. “Is it possible…”
“One thousand taels, for one Protective Talisman.”
Du Zi Heng was stunned. “One thousand taels? Did Father and Mother pay you that much?”
Yu Zhi Yi’s gaze was as if she were looking at an idiot. “Why would I charge Father and Mother?”
Well, that wasn’t entirely accurate.
She hadn’t taken money. Madam Yao’s bracelet had been a reciprocal gift. As for Chancellor Du, while she neither took payment nor gifts in return, he was a respected elder who treated her well. It wasn’t inappropriate for a junior to present a gift to a senior.
As for giving one to Du Zi Heng for free?
Why should she?
Though he didn’t know the reason Madam Yao received the bracelet, Du Zi Heng now understood the gap between himself and his parents.
Since Yu Zhi Yi’s arrival, his parents had shown her kindness.
And he…
Better not mention it.
He truly didn’t deserve it.
“Fine. One thousand taels it is. But can you make it into a bracelet or jade pendant?”
He still had less than two thousand taels in his private treasury and could afford it.
A thousand taels to save a life wasn’t a bad deal.
But a talisman seemed odd.
Yu Zhi Yi raised a peculiar brow. “Are you sure you want it as a bracelet or jade pendant? For men and women, those are gifts only exchanged between lovers.”
Du Zi Heng: “…”
He closed his eyes and replied firmly, “Fine. A talisman it is.”
Yu Zhi Yi nodded.
Since he was now her Fated Patron, it was only right to clarify things. “It will be ready by tomorrow. Just carry the talisman with you at all times, and you’ll remain safe. Remember, keep it on your person. Though it will still work if left behind, the effect diminishes with distance.”
Du Zi Heng nodded. “Understood.”
The next day, Yu Zhi Yi handed over both a jade pendant and the Protective Talisman.
She was meticulous in her craft; after all, her patron had paid a thousand taels. The talisman, though made of plain yellow paper, was imbued with special techniques, making it immune to typical destruction.
In addition to countering one lethal disaster, it calmed the mind and nourished the body. Compared to Madam Yao’s Defensive Bracelet and Chancellor Du’s jade pendant, it was only less visually appealing and had fewer uses.
As for Chancellor Du’s jade pendant, it, too, had the ability to block twelve disasters.
The next morning, Chancellor Du, ever the busy man, skipped breakfast at home, but Du Zi Heng’s rare presence at the table surprised Madam Yao.
After the surprise passed, a warm smile spread across her face.
Yu Zhi Yi, guessing Madam Yao’s thoughts had gone astray: “…”
Forget it. Some things were better left unsaid.
Especially with one’s mother-in-law.
Madam Yao quickly finished her meal, dabbed her lips with a cloth, and rinsed her hands. She rose, saying, “I’ll be heading to the palace to visit the Empress. You two take your time eating; there’s no rush.”
Once Madam Yao left, Yu Zhi Yi lost interest in continuing her meal. She pulled out the talisman she had prepared the day before. “Here.”
When it came to her Fated Patron, she didn’t mind showing small acts of thoughtfulness, such as providing a red talisman pouch.
The moment Du Zi Heng took the talisman, he felt refreshed, as if the knots in his heart had been untied.
His eyes lit up with astonishment. “This is incredible!”
Yu Zhi Yi stood. “Enjoy your meal, Gongzi. I’m done.”
“Wait…” Du Zi Heng called out, avoiding her gaze and letting his eyes drift elsewhere. “Does this… work for anyone?”
Yu Zhi Yi guessed his intention and wasn’t annoyed. In fact, she hoped he’d buy more. “Indeed, the Protective Talisman is ownerless. Whoever wears it will be protected. However, there are also talismans that can bind to a specific owner, but those cost several times more.”
Du Zi Heng’s depleted treasury: “…”
“Forget it. No binding needed.”
After all, with You Bing Yue’s skills, no one would dare steal from her.
Shortly after Yu Zhi Yi returned to Breeze Pavilion, the steward approached with a report. “Young Madam, Auntie He from the Yu Mansion has come. She says Madam Yu invites you to the Yu Mansion for a reunion.”
Yu Zhi Yi didn’t even lift her head from the book she was reading. “Not seeing her.”