Chapter 101: Were You an Embroidery Needle in Your Past Life?
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Red Luan had a different perspective.
“There’s a difference between retiring at the peak and giving up halfway. If I had struggled for a year as a low-level embroideress without achieving anything and quit in that situation, then yes, I’d lack perseverance and determination.”
“But now I’m a Gold-Ranked Embroideress, and not just any gold embroideress—I’m the gold embroideress of Splendid Embroidery Workshop. I’ve reached the pinnacle of this field. If my father wants to lecture me, he’ll need to show embroidery skills better than mine or fame greater than that of a renowned head chef.”
Yu Zhi Yi was speechless. “…”
Such logic was novel, to say the least.
Since ancient times, people had adhered to the principle of loyalty and commitment—whether it was to their partner or their profession. Be it love or work, no one would quit halfway unless they were utterly unable to continue.
Red Luan’s viewpoint, without a doubt, was out of step with the times.
Yet Yu Zhi Yi found it refreshing. Why should anyone be shackled to a person or a career?
If a partner is unsuitable, a job unfulfilling, or the boss intolerable, why should one wait to be dismissed or endure indignities instead of leaving on one’s terms?
“Alright, I support you.” Yu Zhi Yi smiled faintly. “If you find something you’re more passionate about in the future, go ahead and pursue it. I’ll learn to take over the responsibilities here. I won’t hold you back.”
Red Luan clapped her hands and laughed. “You truly are my sister!”
She added, “Don’t worry. Even if I leave, I’ll never drop everything suddenly. I’ll make sure everything is settled.”
“Like at Splendid Embroidery Workshop, I’ll train the next gold embroideress before I completely step away.”
Yu Zhi Yi nodded in agreement.
The charity organization that Red Luan managed was running smoothly. Yu Zhi Yi had a good understanding of its current progress.
After leaving the charity, Yu Zhi Yi decided to take a stroll through the streets, hoping to encounter two fated individuals.
For her, the only solution to dispel worries was a significant boost in cultivation.
…
While passing a store’s entrance, a basin of dirty water suddenly splashed down from above. Despite Yu Zhi Yi’s quick reflexes to dodge, her skirt was still soiled.
Li Rou wasn’t as fortunate; half of her body was drenched, the soaked clothes clinging to her and emitting a foul stench.
Yu Zhi Yi’s expression darkened as she looked up.
“Yu Jiao Jiao, are you mad?”
Yes, the one who had dumped the dirty water was none other than Yu Jiao Jiao.
This was a restaurant, and restaurants always had plenty of kitchen waste.
The bucket of kitchen waste had been deliberately poured down by Yu Jiao Jiao’s servant.
“You’re the crazy one!”
Yu Jiao Jiao’s eyes burned with hatred. “Yu Zhi Yi, you despicable wench! You’ve ruined my father, made my entire family a laughingstock. Are you satisfied now?”
It was lunchtime, and the streets were bustling. Drawn by the commotion, the crowd quickly gathered to watch, jostling for the best vantage points.
Some sharp-eyed individuals recognized the protagonists of this drama as the infamous real and fake daughters of the Yu Family. The gossip frenzy ignited.
Not content to enjoy it alone, the crowd invited friends to join. For those unaware of the backstory, eager narrators filled them in with dramatic flair.
They recounted how, seventeen years ago, the fake daughter’s mother had maliciously swapped the babies of two families to secure her daughter’s future. They spoke of how the real daughter endured ten years of hardship in the countryside, while the fake one basked in luxury and power at the Yu Mansion.
“So, not only did the fake daughter steal ten years of the real daughter’s good fortune, but even after her identity was exposed, she shamelessly clung to the Yu Mansion and schemed to take away the real daughter’s rightful affection?”
Disbelief spread among the uninformed. “How could anyone be so vile?”
Others voiced skepticism. “But she was only ten at the time. How could she have such malice?”
Immediately, someone countered, “Why not? As the saying goes, ‘The upper beam is crooked, so the lower beam bends.’ With such a conniving mother, how good could the daughter be?”
Yu Jiao Jiao, overhearing the murmurs, grew increasingly deranged. “You’re all right! This woman stole ten years of my life. That wasn’t enough; she tormented me in the mansion. One year, she even nearly killed me!”
“I endured all that, understanding her resentment. But what I cannot forgive is how she caused my father to lose his position!”
“Because of her, my family now lives in disgrace. My father, once a respected Minister, has been demoted to a commoner!”
Her eyes filled with venom. “Yu Zhi Yi, even if my parents neglected you over the years, they never mistreated you. Even your marriage was planned with your best interests in mind!”
“Otherwise, with your background, how could you possibly marry into the Chancellor’s Mansion?”
“Despite their disappointment in you, they still ensured your future. And what did you do? You destroyed my father’s lifetime of hard work. Are you even human? Doesn’t your conscience ache?”
The onlookers, already stirred by the tale of the real and fake daughters, erupted further at the accusations of ruining a foster father’s career and receiving a privileged marriage. They glared at Yu Zhi Yi with disdain, some even cursing aloud.
“What kind of creature is this?”
“Like mother, like daughter! Her mother swapped children, and now she repays her foster father’s kindness by ruining him. Shameless!”
“Let’s go protest outside the Chancellor’s Mansion! Let’s see if Chancellor Du will still want her as a daughter-in-law after learning the truth!”
Yu Jiao Jiao, hearing the crowd’s angry outbursts and their plans to protest, felt a crazed triumph.
Yu Zhi Yi, if I can’t live well, neither will you!
From the moment Yu Jiao Jiao started causing trouble to when Yu Zhi Yi was condemned by the crowd, only a short time had passed. Yu Jiao Jiao’s few words had sparked public outrage.
Yu Zhi Yi ignored the clueless onlookers. Her mocking gaze fixed on Yu Jiao Jiao as she spoke slowly.
Her voice wasn’t loud, yet it silenced the surrounding fury.
“You’re so good at picking fights. Were you an embroidery needle in your past life?”
“The wrongs you accuse me of, I don’t care to dispute. I owe you ten years, and I’ve willingly repaid them. That’s why I’ve never bothered arguing with you.”
“But blaming me for Minister Yu’s dismissal… do you really think His Majesty doesn’t hear the voice of the people?”
Her lips curved faintly, unfazed by the hostile glares and hateful shouts aimed at her. Her focus remained on Yu Jiao Jiao as she continued, her calm voice carrying through the crowd.
“I’m curious. The last time you caused trouble, Minister Yu had to use an Imperial Pardon Token to save your family’s lives. Now, deliberately twisting facts like this… when His Majesty finds out, how will he punish you? How will he make the Yu family pay?”