Chapter 86: Truly a Ghost Story
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Du Zi Heng was left speechless. “…”
He chuckled helplessly. “Don’t worry. I’m not here to ask for your help. You already warned me once, but I didn’t listen.”
It was the same when they were buying a dress. She had refused and repeatedly reminded him that if problems arose later, he couldn’t blame her.
But back then, he had blindly believed in You Bing Yue’s abilities, convinced she could make money. He had stubbornly avoided interfering in the bookstore’s operations, let alone checking accounts or progress.
So, now that disaster struck, he had no one to blame but himself.
At least she wasn’t asking for money.
Yu Zhi Yi’s expression softened considerably.
“Sorry for doubting you before. Rest assured, I’ll never question you again.”
He had witnessed her abilities firsthand, yet somehow, back then, he had foolishly refused to trust her.
Yu Zhi Yi shrugged. “There’s no need for that.”
Before she could say anything cutting, Du Zi Heng quickly turned and fled as if greased lightning.
The faster he ran, the less chance she’d have to scold him.
Yu Zhi Yi stood frozen. “…”
“What’s wrong with him?” she asked Li Rou suspiciously. “Do you think he’s been scared stupid?”
After losing so much money, instead of trying to fix the situation, he wasted time coming to her to spout nonsense.
Li Rou’s round, honest face lit up with a knowing smile. “The young master must have realized how good the young madam is.”
Yu Zhi Yi muttered, “Truly a ghost story.”
…
During dinner, Chancellor Du didn’t make it back in time, and as usual, Du Zi Heng was absent.
Yu Zhi Yi wasn’t surprised, but Madam Yao seemed deeply troubled.
“Mother, aren’t you feeling well?” Yu Zhi Yi asked after noticing Madam Yao had barely touched her food, a stark contrast to her recent healthy appetite.
Madam Yao sighed. “Yi’er, what you said before about the South Wind Bookstore losing money has come true.”
The bookstore had its own operational funds, but the monthly allowance was only a hundred taels. Expenses for books, tea, and refreshments had already surpassed this, leaving unpaid debts.
Yu Zhi Yi remained silent, unsure how to respond. She couldn’t very well say, “Serves him right.”
She had no intention of covering for him, but if Madam Yao wanted to use family funds to settle Du Zi Heng’s accounts, she wouldn’t oppose it—after all, it was the Du family’s money.
Unexpectedly, Madam Yao declared, “If he comes to you for money, don’t give him any. Use this opportunity to teach him a lesson. Don’t worry, I won’t let you be put in a difficult position. If he comes to me, I’ll send him away without troubling you.”
Yu Zhi Yi was surprised but nodded after a moment. “Alright.”
Surprisingly, Du Zi Heng neither sought out Madam Yao nor Yu Zhi Yi.
Within days, he managed to balance the accounts, and the bookstore resumed normal operations.
Though Yu Zhi Yi disliked gossip, she learned from the servants that Du Zi Heng had earned over ten thousand taels by composing three music scores for Miss Ban Ruo, the courtesan queen of the Pleasure Red Pavilion.
The Pleasure Red Pavilion ranked second among Sheng Capital’s brothels, overshadowed by the Hundred Flowers Pavilion for the past decade.
Miss Ban Ruo was no match for Miss Qin Huai of the Hundred Flowers Pavilion. However, with Du Zi Heng’s compositions, Miss Ban Ruo managed to outshine Miss Qin Huai temporarily.
Li Rou recounted the tale with vivid detail while massaging Yu Zhi Yi’s shoulders.
The young girl, used to hard labor, applied just the right amount of pressure, making it unexpectedly pleasant.
Initially, Yu Zhi Yi wanted to refuse. As a mystic practitioner, she didn’t believe she needed such mundane comforts.
But when Li Rou started…
Ah, it was oddly relaxing.
The words to stop her dissolved on her tongue.
Oh well. If she couldn’t enjoy life even a little, what was the point of slacking off?
At lunch, she rewarded Li Rou with two drumsticks for her efforts.
Li Rou’s eyes sparkled with surprise and gratitude. “Miss… you’re so kind to me!”
Since joining Yu Zhi Yi’s side, Li Rou had started calling her “Miss” instead of “Young Madam,” following Zi Yuan’s example.
Yu Zhi Yi sighed. “It’s just two drumsticks.”
Li Rou, her eyes glistening with unshed tears, said no more.
The young miss didn’t realize how much those drumsticks meant to her.
Outside, Zhang Xiang watched with envy.
…
The warm moment didn’t last long. The steward arrived, and Yu Zhi Yi immediately tensed. Experience had taught her that his appearances usually meant trouble.
“Young Madam, Fifth Young Master Yu Zi Xuan requests to see you. He says Madam Yu is ill and asks for your return to the Yu Mansion to tend to her.”
Yu Zhi Yi suddenly found her meal tasteless.
The Yu family rarely sought her out unless they needed something—just as they had in her past life. They would look down on her with disdain, yet shamelessly exploit her for their gain.
Whether it was Yu Meng Qin and Yu Ming Yu’s careers, Yu Ming Quan’s marriage, Yu Ning Gui’s military accolades, or Yu Zi Xuan’s very life…
After learning she could practice mystical arts, they had even coerced her to attempt a forbidden ritual to resurrect Yu Zi Xuan!
She had warned them that such a technique was evil and would invite heavenly retribution, but they persisted.
The memories darkened her mood as she unconsciously rubbed her fingers together. Finally, she rose. “Let’s go.”
Seventeen years of upbringing could not be ignored. This was her karma with them.
But this life, she would not give them everything.
After instructing the steward to inform Madam Yao, Yu Zhi Yi headed to the gate.
Yu Zi Xuan was pacing irritably. The moment he saw her, his face twisted with disgust.
“Yu Zhi Yi, Mother is sick, and you’re still dawdling? I knew you were an ungrateful wretch.”
Yu Zhi Yi ignored him. Arguing with someone so unreasonable was a waste of breath.
Her indifference enraged him further. “What’s with that attitude?”
When she didn’t respond, he lunged to grab her hand, trying to force her to face him.
“Ever since you married into the Du family, you’ve grown increasingly arrogant! Back home, at least you pretended. Now, you don’t even bother!”
But before his hand could reach her, an invisible force slapped it away, sending him stumbling back several steps.