Chapter 83: That Damn Familiar Feeling
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“You dare,” You Bing Yue snarled, her voice dripping with icy venom, as her gaze sharpened with an unmistakable murderous intent.
After all, wasn’t this just some lowly embroideress? Did this woman truly think that cozying up to the Young Madam Du gave her the right to flaunt herself before You Bing Yue?
“And why wouldn’t I dare?” Red Luan snapped back, her sharp features hardening into cold disdain. Without bothering to mask the mockery in her tone, she continued, “If you’re unhappy, go ahead and take it up with our boss. Unless the boss gives orders, I’ve every right to refuse any order I don’t want.”
Her fox-like eyes narrowed with disgust. “You’re nothing but a trinket. Parading around with airs like you’re somebody important—how laughable!”
“Slut! Courting death!” The insult sliced into You Bing Yue like a blade. Her face contorted in fury, and with lightning speed, she lunged forward, her hand aimed straight for Red Luan’s back.
But just as her palm was about to strike, an unseen force materialized out of thin air.
That damn familiar feeling…
You Bing Yue’s expression shifted abruptly. Her hand froze mid-strike, panic flashing across her face. Yet, it was too late to retreat.
The invisible force slammed into her chest like a colossal hammer, hurling her backward through the air.
Despite her seasoned reflexes and attempts to stabilize herself mid-flight, she still crashed into the wall with a bone-rattling thud. Slumping to the ground, she struggled to catch her breath.
Hearing the commotion, Red Luan turned her head with a baffled expression.
“Hey, don’t look at me! I didn’t even touch you!” she exclaimed, her tone edged with mock concern. “If you wanna play the drama queen and throw yourself at walls, leave me out of it. Don’t even think of accusing me of anything!”
“You…” You Bing Yue seethed, biting back the urge to cough up blood. Through gritted teeth, she forced out a venomous retort: “Yu Zhi Yi! I’ll—”
“Excuse me?” Red Luan interjected, her expression darkening. “Do you have no shame? You threw yourself at a wall and now you’re blaming my sister? Ridiculous!”
You Bing Yue glared at Red Luan with unrestrained malice. Then suddenly, a chilling smile curled her lips. “So, you won’t make me a dress? Fine! I’ll make sure you do. And if it doesn’t meet my standards… well, prepare to be demoted to a White-Ranked Embroideress!”
Her words rang out just as Yu Zhi Yi emerged, drawn by the ruckus.
She wasn’t alone. Several other guests from neighboring rooms had also gathered, curious to see what was happening.
When You Bing Yue’s eyes locked onto Yu Zhi Yi, the hatred within them flared even brighter. “I knew it,” she sneered. “How could some insignificant embroideress muster the nerve to defy me? Turns out she has her mistress pulling the strings.”
Yu Zhi Yi frowned, about to clarify, but Red Luan cut in first.
“Exactly!” she declared with exaggerated smugness. “I’ve got my mistress backing me, so I’m fearless. And you? Don’t tell me your backer’s too scared to show up!”
Yu Zhi Yi sighed and shook her head. She knew exactly who Red Luan was taunting—Du Zi Heng. Ever since discovering Du Zi Heng’s pre-marriage affair, Red Luan had spared no opportunity to rail against him.
But this time, Red Luan’s guess was off. The person propping up You Bing Yue now was none other than the infamous Carefree Prince.
As reckless and scandal-ridden as the Carefree Prince might be, he was still a bona fide first-rank prince. If he bore a grudge against Red Luan, it wouldn’t end well for her.
With this in mind, Yu Zhi Yi planned to redirect You Bing Yue’s wrath elsewhere. Yet, before she could speak, You Bing Yue turned on her like a storm.
“Yu Zhi Yi!” she spat, her voice trembling with fury. “All your little tricks—scheming and conniving—they make me sick!”
The sheer venom in her words betrayed the depth of her loathing. Seeing Yu Zhi Yi reignited the festering anger she’d been suppressing.
That night of the assassination attempt…
Upon reflecting on the details, You Bing Yue had reached a damning conclusion. Yu Zhi Yi must have foreseen everything—the ambush, the assassins, and even You Bing Yue’s eventual triumph. And yet, instead of intervening, Yu Zhi Yi had manipulated the situation, using some unspeakable method to disgrace the Carefree Prince, dragging them both down in the process.
All so Yu Zhi Yi could claim the credit for saving the emperor herself!
“And yet, people worship you!” You Bing Yue growled. “For what? What else can you do besides dabble in mysticism? Tell me, can your tricks help manage a household? Can they turn a profit for the Du Family?”
Her derision found eager ears among the gathered crowd. After all, the tangled drama between Du Zi Heng and his two women had long been the talk of the capital’s elite.
“I’ve heard she turned the South Wind Bookstore into the city’s premier reading destination,” one onlooker murmured. “Lines out the door every day. A real marvel.”
“Indeed! A bookstore like that must be raking in silver hand over fist.”
“Meanwhile, what about Du Madam?” another scoffed. “People claim she’s some kind of seer, capable of reading fates and warding off misfortune. But really, what evidence do we have? Even the most accomplished monks and Daoists wouldn’t dare make such boasts.”
Red Luan bristled at their skepticism, ready to leap to Yu Zhi Yi’s defense. But before she could, You Bing Yue smirked triumphantly. “See? The truth always comes to light.”
Red Luan’s eyes narrowed, her opinion of You Bing Yue shifting subtly.
The bystanders, emboldened by You Bing Yue’s words, grew even louder in their criticism.
Before Red Luan could retort, Yu Zhi Yi patted her shoulder gently. “Take a break. Have some water,” she suggested softly.
“What’s the matter?” You Bing Yue taunted. “Afraid to let your lackey fight for you?”
Yu Zhi Yi shook her head. “No, it’s just unnecessary. Look outside.”
She gestured to the open window.
Through it, the commotion outside the South Wind Bookstore was clearly visible. A mob had gathered, and the scene had devolved into chaos. Some people were even attempting to smash the doors.
The color drained from You Bing Yue’s face. “You did this!” she accused, pointing a trembling finger at Yu Zhi Yi.
Yu Zhi Yi chuckled dryly. “Don’t flatter yourself. Unlike you, I don’t waste time on petty games. Why would I sabotage a business that funnels two-thirds of its profits into the Chancellor’s treasury? That’d be like tossing free money into the fire. Now, why don’t you ask yourself why your beloved bookstore is under attack?”
The onlookers, who had initially sided with You Bing Yue, began to murmur amongst themselves, their doubts creeping in.
Red Luan smirked, her schadenfreude barely concealed. “If I were you,” she said, “I’d be out there solving the problem, not standing here looking for someone to blame.”
Yu Zhi Yi didn’t speak but nodded in silent agreement.