Chapter 109: If You Have Issues, Seek Help—Don’t Lose Your Mind in Public
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Yu Zhi Yi had no intention of engaging with the two people before her, yet they seemed determined not to let her go.
You Bing Yue’s face twisted with disdain. “Why is it that you’re everywhere?”
Yu Zhi Yi rolled her eyes. “That’s precisely what I was about to ask you.”
She then turned to Du Zi Heng. “See? Didn’t I tell you? This woman is a master manipulator. She pretends not to care about you, claims she won’t interfere between us, yet she constantly causes trouble for us.”
“She’s nothing like the selfless person you imagine her to be. Everything she does is part of her schemes!”
Yu Zhi Yi’s tone was icy. “…If you’re not well, you might want to visit a clinic. Don’t embarrass yourself in the streets.”
Not even sparing them another glance, she quickened her pace toward Northern Suburb Street.
Northern Suburb Street, situated on the far northern edge of Sheng Capital, was also known as the slums. The people who lived here were in dire conditions, worse off than those in rural villages beyond the city. At least the villagers had farmland to sustain them. Here, many relied on begging when they couldn’t find work.
“Zhi Yi!”
Du Zi Heng hurried to catch up with her. “Please, let me explain.”
He moved quickly, managing to keep pace with her despite her determined strides. Clearly, not all scholars who earned their ranks through exams were frail bookworms.
You Bing Yue gritted her teeth in frustration. She’d spent a few days at the Carefree Prince’s Mansion, where the servants had all treated her with thinly veiled contempt. Unable to stomach their disrespect, she’d retaliated harshly before storming out in a huff. She wanted to prove to those wretched servants that she and the Carefree Prince were just close friends—good companions without romantic entanglements. She didn’t need their beloved title of princess consort.
Her encounter with Du Zi Heng had been coincidental. Hearing rumors about his involvement with a so-called gold-digger, she had initially resolved not to forgive him. Yet, upon seeing him so entranced by another woman, she was livid. How could she, a modern assassin queen adept in both seduction and combat, be bested by someone from a feudal society?
Consumed with jealousy and indignation, she resolved to expose Yu Zhi Yi’s supposed true nature to Du Zi Heng.
“Du Zi Heng!” she shouted angrily, halting his steps.
Her interruption gave Yu Zhi Yi just enough time to slip further away. If anything, she felt inclined to applaud You Bing Yue for her interference. “Good, keep dragging him down. Whatever you two decide to do, stay out of my way,” she muttered under her breath, focusing on her destination.
Du Zi Heng watched her disappearing figure, a pang of guilt stabbing at his heart. Turning back to You Bing Yue, he spoke earnestly. “I’ve secured my scholarly title. Once my parents return, I’ll ask for their approval to bring you into the family. Please go back and wait.”
With that, he resumed his pursuit of Yu Zhi Yi.
You Bing Yue was left standing in the street, seething. “Scumbag! Slut!” she spat venomously.
Watching Du Zi Heng disappear into the distance, she smirked coldly. “I’ll personally expose that woman’s schemes and show you just how vile she really is.”
…
Following the address on the document, Yu Zhi Yi soon found herself outside a dilapidated house. Most of the homes along Northern Suburb Street lacked courtyards. Those fortunate enough to have one were considered wealthy by local standards. The street itself was littered with rotting vegetable scraps, stagnant slop, and heaps of trash. Even those without a cleanliness obsession would be reluctant to tread these filthy alleys.
Yu Zhi Yi, however, had no such qualms. During her secret excursions beyond the confines of the Yu Mansion, she had seen far worse.
Du Zi Heng, on the other hand, nearly gagged. “Zhi Yi, why would you come to such a place?”
Her patience for him had long since worn thin. Despite her brisk pace, he remained hot on her heels. Clearly, his physical prowess matched his academic accolades—a rare combination.
“It’s a pity you didn’t aim for the martial champion title,” she quipped.
Accepting that she couldn’t shake him off, Yu Zhi Yi decided not to waste further time driving him away. Time was of the essence, and she couldn’t afford distractions.
“Fine, you can follow me,” she relented. “But keep your mouth shut and stop asking questions. When the time comes, you’ll naturally find out what’s going on.”
Du Zi Heng nodded reluctantly. “…Alright.”
Though a top-ranking scholar of his cohort, he found himself reduced to a figure of inconvenience. Still, he held his tongue.
Yu Zhi Yi moved with purpose. Though she wished to avoid drawing attention, Northern Suburb Street was crowded even in its narrow alleys, with makeshift shelters lining every available corner. Blending in was impossible, so she strode openly toward her destination.
Midday meant most laborers were conserving energy over a simple lunch or resting indoors. As such, few people were on the street. Yet even in casual attire, Yu Zhi Yi’s silk garments exuded a subtle opulence that turned heads. Passersby openly ogled her and Du Zi Heng—men fixed their stares on her, while women focused on him.
The lecherous gazes irked Du Zi Heng to no end. As a man, he recognized the predatory look in other men’s eyes, which only made him more protective of Yu Zhi Yi.
She, however, seemed oblivious, hastening toward a house at the street’s end. Unlike the bustling atmosphere elsewhere, this area was eerily silent. An old man sat outside, methodically picking vegetables. Beside him lay a simple wooden cane.
As he finished, he reached for a water bucket, preparing to head inside. Only then did Du Zi Heng notice the man’s limp. Though his gait was labored, he managed without the cane’s aid.
Yu Zhi Yi’s sharp eyes stayed on the old man, and Du Zi Heng nearly voiced his curiosity but remembered her earlier warning.
Yu Zhi Yi’s pace quickened. According to her analysis, Old Zhang’s life was in immediate peril. He was fated to be killed by an intruder today, and the murder weapon would be none other than his own kitchen knife.
The appointed time was fast approaching, and the intruder was likely already inside the house. Though the situation was dangerous, capturing the criminal red-handed would simplify matters greatly.
As Old Zhang reached for the door, Yu Zhi Yi deftly pulled out a talisman script, ready to act. But before she could, a piercing scream erupted from within the house, freezing everyone in their tracks.
Even Yu Zhi Yi was momentarily taken aback.