Chapter 75: Not Only Refusing the Ladder, but Dismantling It Too
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Alas, the Du Family refused to climb down the ladder and even aimed to dismantle it.
“Yi’er, don’t overthink. Rest well. Once you’re able to get out of bed in a few days, we’ll leave the Imperial Palace.”
Madam Yao clearly didn’t want to continue this conversation. She drove Chancellor Du out of the room and personally held the medicine brought in by the palace maids, feeding it to Yu Zhi Yi with a stony expression.
Yu Zhi Yi: “…”
Despite the poor timing and an inappropriate metaphor, her mind couldn’t help but recall one of Red Luan’s absurd sayings: “Cold-faced underwear washing.”
Yu Zhi Yi almost laughed at her own thoughts but restrained herself by dredging up every sorrow from both her lifetimes. That effort kept her from chuckling out loud.
After finishing the medicine with great difficulty, Yu Zhi Yi found herself drenched in sweat.
She was utterly exhausted.
Madam Yao set the bowl aside and gently wiped the light sheen of sweat from Yu Zhi Yi’s forehead. “Rest well. Don’t overthink anything else,” she said before pausing. “If the Du Family’s ancestors blame us from beyond, I’ll bear the consequences. You don’t have to worry.”
Yu Zhi Yi: “…”
Tired. Just end it all.
That sword wound was something she had willingly taken. Initially, it wasn’t a big deal, and she planned to leave the palace after a couple of days.
During those days, the Emperor and Empress visited daily to check on her recovery. Seeing her health and spirits improve, they seemed genuinely pleased.
On the day before her departure, the Emperor said, “Young Madam Du, your efforts in saving the throne are commendable, and your abilities have been proven. I hereby restore your position as a Fifth-Rank Official in the Ministry of Justice, reward you with a thousand taels of gold, and confer upon you the title of First-Rank Madam by Imperial Decree.”
Yu Zhi Yi tried to rise, but the Emperor waved her down. “Stay seated on the bed. No need to get up.”
Bitterness swirled in her heart, but she tried to reason. “Your Majesty, a position in the Ministry of Justice is… unsuitable for me.”
The Emperor dismissed her protests with a wave. “Nonsense. With your skills, solving cases will be as simple as pie. Having you in the Ministry will ensure those idle loafers finally earn their keep. Without you, they wouldn’t solve more than a handful of cases a year. The Ministry of Justice might as well become a mere archive at this rate.”
Yu Zhi Yi: “…”
So he’s eyeing my abilities, after all.
She hadn’t expected her Heaven’s Eye to be utilized like this.
“But, Your Majesty,” she argued, “I’m limited to just three divinations per day at most.”
“Three is still better than the Ministry solving none,” the Emperor countered.
Yu Zhi Yi: “…”
All attempts at negotiation over the past two days had ended in total failure. She couldn’t help but feel disillusioned.
Back in her past life, when she outwitted Zhang Tian Shun and Madam Meng, or dealt with the cunning lot in Duke Courage’s Mansion, it had never felt this exhausting.
The Empress, ever smiling, chimed in, “Young Madam Du, don’t feel burdened. Unlike other nations, our Great Sheng Empire has many women serving in government. While the Ministry of Justice might be a bit unique and encounter dangerous criminals, His Majesty will ensure your safety.”
She glanced warmly at the Emperor. “Right, Your Majesty?”
The Emperor nodded resolutely. “Exactly. I’ll assign you two personal guards to guarantee your safety. You’ll never face danger again.”
Yu Zhi Yi: “…”
Polite refusals having failed, she laid it all out. “Your Majesty, I’m not concerned about safety. I simply don’t want to attend court. My daily routine includes morning lessons and evening offerings to the Ancestral Master, leaving me with no time for the Ministry.”
The Emperor: “…”
The Empress: “…”
“How about this,” the Emperor offered, “you attend the Ministry every afternoon. That shouldn’t interfere with your offerings. If evening duties delay you, I’ll arrange someone to perform them on your behalf. That way, you’ll have no worries.”
Yu Zhi Yi nearly choked on her indignation.
He’s utterly bent on this, isn’t he?
Fine, fine. He’s the ruler of the mortal world. Even the Heaven’s Mystery Sect’s Ancestral Master would show him some respect, so what could she—a mere disciple—do?
I’ll go.
It’s just a job, after all.
She could think of it as a front-row seat for palace drama.
Fortunately, the Emperor wasn’t heartless enough to demand she start working while still injured. He gave her a month to rest and recover before assuming her duties.
Why a month?
Because Imperial Physician Zhang had declared it would take over half a month for her injury to heal without hindering daily activities. The Emperor believed he was being considerate by granting her additional recovery time.
However, the thought of reporting to the Ministry of Justice daily in a month, mingling with various personalities, made Yu Zhi Yi don the metaphorical mask of despair.
Back in her previous life, helping Zhang Tian Shun climb the ranks had been exhausting. As his prestige grew, so did the number of followers—and detractors. Many had greeted her with nitpicking hostility. A third of her life had been spent shutting down their criticisms.
Imagining the Ministry filled with skeptical glances and challenges, her heart grew weary. Even if she had the skills to win them over, repeating the process endlessly drained her.
But for now, she had a month of peace.
Yu Zhi Yi returned to the Chancellor’s Mansion with her title and rewards. As she was still recovering, she was excused from kneeling to receive the decree and remained seated in her sedan chair.
After Chief Eunuch Hu finished reading the decree, he prepared to leave. Yu Zhi Yi stopped him. “Wait a moment, Eunuch.”
The Chief Eunuch smiled respectfully. “Young Madam Du, is there anything else?”
Yu Zhi Yi handed over a jade pendant and jade hairpin. “Their Majesties have shown me great care. These are small tokens of my gratitude. I’d be grateful if you could deliver them on my behalf.”
Without needing explanation, Eunuch Hu discerned which gift was for the Emperor and which for the Empress.
“Apologies for the trouble,” Yu Zhi Yi added, handing him a Protective Talisman. “Keep this close. It can block a single fatal attack.”
The Chief Eunuch’s eyes gleamed.
Everyone vividly remembered the assassination attempt: how the invisible barrier shielded Madam Yao, deflecting the assassin’s strike. No one doubted the talisman’s efficacy anymore. It was no longer a subject of ridicule.
As he accepted the talisman, Du Zi Heng’s gaze turned complicated.