Chapter 108: The Carefree Prince’s Mishap
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The Heavenly Dao’s merit, granted as a reward for her virtuous deeds, was a gift Yu Zhi Yi knew well how to utilize. It could directly enhance her cultivation. As long as she converted it into cultivation before the Heavenly Dao caught wind of her actions, it couldn’t possibly withdraw her advancements as punishment.
Thinking this way, Yu Zhi Yi’s spirits lifted. That very night, she worked tirelessly to transform the merit into cultivation.
Three days later, she donned a simple outfit and took Li Rou to a bustling restaurant. They chose a second-floor window seat under the pretense of enjoying some entertainment. After ordering a few side dishes and the restaurant’s signature green plum brew, Yu Zhi Yi invited Li Rou to join her at the table.
At first, Li Rou hesitated, burdened by the propriety of sitting beside her mistress. But Yu Zhi Yi was insistent, leaving the young girl no choice but to comply. Tentatively, Li Rou picked up her chopsticks, stealing a quick glance at her mistress. Upon seeing no sign of disapproval, she relaxed, cautiously taking a bite.
Each taste brought delight, her eyes squinting in pleasure like a satisfied little mouse. She looked utterly adorable.
Pleased to see Li Rou enjoying herself, Yu Zhi Yi turned her gaze to the bustling street below. Her declaration to “watch the excitement” was not mere idle chatter.
Meanwhile, the Carefree Prince had been residing in the palace for three consecutive days. Such behavior was against decorum; after all, he was already an adult. Except for the princesses, empress dowager, and a few elderly consorts, the women in the palace were all the emperor’s. Previously, when he was bedridden, his prolonged stay might have been excusable. But now that he was fully recovered, lingering in the palace risked censure.
The explanation he offered, however, was impeccable. He claimed animosity with Yu Zhi Yi, whose mystical skills had cured him. Who could say whether she had secretly tampered with his condition? What if he relapsed after she left? Remaining in the palace would prevent accusations of framing Yu Zhi Yi in case of any mishaps.
Three days passed, and not only did his health remain robust, but he also seemed to grow even sturdier than before. His appetite improved, to the point where he began eating an extra bowl of rice at every meal.
The Carefree Prince was left speechless, forced to admit that he had been overly suspicious. Once assured of his complete recovery, he prepared to return to his mansion. Though he had left orders for his staff to follow Yue’er’s instructions in his absence, he was well aware of the sycophants within his household and worried about whether Yue’er had faced any grievances.
Anxious to return, he requested a sedan chair from the palace. Unbeknownst to him, this seemingly ordinary sedan was anything but. Having failed to personally oversee its arrangements three days prior, he remained unaware that this was the very chair sent to fetch Yu Zhi Yi.
Ignorant of the chair’s hidden faults, the Carefree Prince climbed aboard. The understated yet luxurious sedan swayed gently as it traveled down the bustling street, passing beneath the restaurant where Yu Zhi Yi and Li Rou were seated.
Yu Zhi Yi swirled her cup idly and remarked to Li Rou, “The show is about to begin.”
Li Rou, her mouth full, hurriedly swallowed and leaned towards the window, eager to watch.
The once-sturdy sedan wobbled along the street until, quite suddenly, its walls collapsed outward like petals of a blossoming flower. The richly dressed prince within was laid bare for all to see. The bustling street fell silent, but only briefly. Moments later, a wave of laughter erupted.
“So much for noble sedan chairs,” someone mocked. “Falling apart mid-ride, ha!”
“Good thing the bottom held up,” another quipped. “If that gave way, the scene would be even funnier.”
As if on cue, the sedan’s base gave way entirely.
Caught between shock and indignation, the Carefree Prince hesitated to step down. When the bottom finally gave out, he fell through with it. Reacting quickly, he attempted to leap using lightfoot martial arts, but the lack of support only hastened his descent. He landed awkwardly, his lower back colliding painfully with the sedan’s seat. A loud crack resounded as he lay motionless, incapacitated once again.
“Let’s go,” Yu Zhi Yi said, rising from her seat.
With their meal nearly finished, Li Rou swallowed her last bite and stood as well. She cast a fleeting glance at the disheveled prince. Remembering how the Carefree Prince had once bullied her mistress for another woman, she felt no sympathy for him.
“Anyone who crosses the mistress never meets a good end,” she mused to herself.
Had Yu Zhi Yi known of Li Rou’s thoughts, she would have applauded her insight. Today’s incident with the Carefree Prince was indeed orchestrated by her. Yet, in fairness, the situation could be seen as the prince’s just deserts. Three days earlier, when the palace’s servants came to fetch her, the same sedan had been tampered with. Only her sharp instincts had allowed her to avoid the disaster meant for her.
The individual behind this scheme clearly intended to humiliate her publicly. Had she fallen victim, the sight of Yu Langzhong, famed for her mystical skills, failing to foresee her own demise, would have been the talk of Sheng Capital. Such a public execution would have been a cruel and twisted spectacle, even more sensational than her sudden rise to a fifth-rank official.
Undeterred by the spectacle on the street, Yu Zhi Yi proceeded with Li Rou to Graceful Phoenix Charity. There, Steward Wu was busy organizing documents at a large table.
“Big Proprietor,” he greeted respectfully upon noticing her arrival, immediately reporting on their progress. “We’ve identified a few households in need of aid, but only one has agreed to accept our help.”
Yu Zhi Yi skimmed through the dossier, her expression shifting. “Zhang Lao Han. His only son disappeared five years ago. Two years later, his wife and parents passed away in succession. After searching for his son for two years, he returned to find his home in ruins and has since lived in destitution.”
“He’s lost the will to live,” Wu Shan explained. “The only reason he’s holding on is his hope of finding his son. Others think we’re frauds, but he’s desperate enough to take the risk.”
Understanding the man’s despair, Yu Zhi Yi’s gaze turned serious. Retrieving a government token from her sleeve, she handed it to Wu Shan. “Take this to the Ministry of Justice and summon a few constables. Be quick!”
Wu Shan nodded and hurried off. Meanwhile, Yu Zhi Yi made her way towards the Northern Suburb Street, where Zhang Lao Han resided.
En route, she encountered none other than Du Zi Heng and You Bing Yue. The pair appeared deep in conversation, with Du Zi Heng’s brows furrowed in apparent frustration.
Both parties noticed each other but, to Yu Zhi Yi, the moment was far from awkward. She had no interest in becoming entangled in their emotional games. With her priorities set, she moved on without a second glance.