Chapter 50: What Does the Marquis of Wu’an’s Reinforcements Have to Do with Yu Zhi Yi?
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As Yu Zhi Yi observed the unfolding drama with amusement, the sharp glare of Duke Courage pierced straight through Prince Carefree, his eyes burning with restrained fury.
His youngest granddaughter was his favorite among all his grandchildren. He had gone to great lengths to secure her a good marriage. Back then, he chose Prince Carefree for two reasons: his impeccable appearance and his perceived loyalty and reliability. Moreover, as his own grandson, he never doubted the man’s integrity.
When Prince Carefree requested a three-year mourning period for the late Empress Dowager, Duke Courage, impressed by his filial piety, rejected any suggestion to annul the engagement. He believed a man with such devotion would love his wife wholeheartedly. Even at the risk of turning his beloved granddaughter into an “older” bride, he insisted she wait.
But now?
This man, who claimed to be cutting off emotions to observe mourning, was standing here defending another woman and causing trouble for a stranger?
“Grandfather,” Prince Carefree said, his expression tightening, “that’s not true. It’s a misunderstanding. Madam Du mistook my intent. I merely didn’t hear her greeting.”
“Your Grace misunderstood,” Yu Zhi Yi chimed in, her tone light yet barbed. “His Highness didn’t trouble me at all. He was merely so engrossed in… whatever he was looking at that he didn’t notice my greeting.”
Since they accused her of being cunning, she might as well live up to their expectations.
Hearing this, Duke Courage exploded. “My eyes are neither blind nor deaf.”
Turning coldly to Prince Carefree, he declared, “If you truly have no intention of marrying my granddaughter, just say so! My granddaughter, a true daughter of the Yu Family, has no shortage of suitors. There’s no need for her to cling to one tree!”
Prince Carefree’s gaze flickered.
His cousin was kind and lovely, but he had no desire to marry her.
His feelings for her were purely familial, devoid of any romantic spark. At times, her persistence even irritated him.
He hadn’t understood love until he met Miss You. Only then did his lifeless heart begin to stir. Witnessing her love with Du Zi Heng revealed what he truly wanted—a passionate connection, not a dull, arranged union that would doom him to a lifeless existence.
Unfortunately, Miss You already had someone.
Thus, he buried his feelings, contenting himself with admiration from afar.
Regarding the engagement, he believed any bride would do. However, ending it would cause unnecessary trouble.
But now, with his grandfather granting him an out, he hesitated.
Just as he was about to speak, a cold voice cut through, stunning everyone.
“But they can’t marry anyway.”
Yu Zhi Yi turned, astonished to find You Bing Yue speaking up so boldly.
Prince Carefree froze in surprise before excitement lit his eyes. “Yue’er…”
Meanwhile, Du Zi Heng’s face darkened. “Bing Yue!”
Duke Courage’s expression soured further.
Oblivious to the storm brewing, You Bing Yue looked confused, as if she had no idea why her words caused such a stir. “Why are you all looking at me like that? I’m just stating the truth—close relatives can’t marry.”
“Marrying relatives increases the risk of defects in the children,” she explained bluntly.
Duke Courage laughed coldly. “Utter nonsense! In all my years, I’ve never heard such absurdity.”
Du Zi Heng frowned. “Bing Yue, don’t speak recklessly. Intermarriage within clans has always been a tradition, and there’s never been an issue.”
Her brows arched as anger flared in her eyes. “You don’t believe me?”
He shook his head. “It’s not that I don’t believe you, but—”
She abruptly rose to her feet. “Excuses are just lies in disguise. Lies mean betrayal! Du Zi Heng, I can’t believe you have no faith in me after all these years. I’ve misjudged you!”
Prince Carefree, displeased with Du Zi Heng, added, “Yue’er is well-read and wouldn’t speak without reason.”
He turned back to You Bing Yue. “Yue’er, I trust you.”
Yu Zhi Yi nearly applauded. This drama was too delicious to miss.
She even felt like taking out sunflower seeds to munch on while watching.
Next to her, Zi Yuan was equally engrossed.
Finally, she understood why her mistress said today would bring a benefactor to perform a show. This love triangle was pure entertainment.
However, You Bing Yue suddenly fixed her sharp gaze on Yu Zhi Yi. “You planned all this, didn’t you?”
Prince Carefree’s expression also darkened. “You really are a scheming fake daughter.”
His words dripped with contempt and a veiled threat.
Yu Zhi Yi: “…”
Even as a mere spectator, she was implicated. Suppressing her irritation, she retorted, “His Highness gives me far too much credit. I’m just a rootless, powerless fake daughter. How could I manipulate both the esteemed Duke Courage and the renowned Prince Carefree? Besides, wasn’t it you who came to me? Did I beg you to visit?”
The Marquis of Wu’an bringing Duke Courage here had nothing to do with her, after all.
So, she wasn’t lying.
Was it fair that she couldn’t prepare when trouble was clearly on its way?
Prince Carefree: “…”
After this debacle, Prince Carefree couldn’t openly support You Bing Yue anymore. Without his backing, her other admirers posed little threat to Yu Zhi Yi.
Frustrated by her lack of evidence, You Bing Yue fumed silently.
Glancing at Duke Courage, Prince Carefree asked, “Grandfather, with Chancellor Du absent, why are you here?”
He suspected the Duke wouldn’t bother with Du Zi Heng, so his presence could only mean one thing: Yu Zhi Yi had summoned him.
That woman’s calculated words and their timely delivery seemed aimed at painting You Bing Yue in a bad light.
“She’s devious and manipulative,” he thought, “just as Yue’er said.”
“I came for the master,” the Duke replied.
“Master?” Prince Carefree was confused.
Since when was the Du Mansion a temple?
The Duke, equally puzzled, looked at the Marquis of Wu’an.
The marquis, who had been enjoying the drama, composed himself under the Duke’s gaze. Bowing respectfully, he explained, “Your Grace, the master is none other than Madam Du.”
The Duke: “?”
Prince Carefree sneered. “Still claiming this wasn’t your doing?”
Smirking disdainfully, he mocked, “To call yourself a master… How laughable.”
It was the second time he spat those words.