Chapter 172: Hidden Joys
This novel is translated and hosted only on Bcatranslation
In truth, You Bing Yue had never bothered to suppress her nature around Du Zi Heng and the others. It was precisely this domineering personality of hers that won over so many hearts.
After all, in an era abundant with gentle and submissive women, someone as unique as her was a rare find. However, being domineering did not equate to being unreasonable. On the contrary, her overbearing attitude never infringed on their interests. At most, her words were sharp, but when it came to sharing benefits, she had always been fair.
But now? Asking outright to take credit for someone else’s achievement?
Liu Fei Yang’s expression twisted with disapproval. “Miss You, this isn’t right. Without Yu Lang Zhong, we’d all be dead by now. The credit should be hers.”
Du Zi Heng frowned and agreed, “If not for Zhi Yi, none of us would have survived today.”
You Bing Yue looked at them, disappointment flashing in her gaze. “Have you all forgotten the task I took on?”
The group fell silent, finally recalling the bounty she had accepted.
Clutching his aching chest, Li Chang Huai cast a resentful glance at Yu Zhi Yi before saying coldly, “Miss You’s task was to uncover the truth about what happened in Cao Nan Village thirty years ago and apprehend the murderer.”
“Her mission never included dealing with ghosts.”
Ou Yang Shuo nodded. “Exactly. While Cao Zhao Di is a fierce ghost who’s haunted the village for years, she hasn’t harmed anyone. The tragedy back then wasn’t her doing. Capturing Cao Yao Zu, the real murderer, has nothing to do with the ghost.”
Liu Fei Yang was momentarily stunned. “You can spin it like that?”
Tapping his palm with his folding fan, Li Chang Huai smirked faintly at Yu Zhi Yi. “If I’m not mistaken, you came to Cao Nan Village specifically to deal with the ghostly disturbances. Your task doesn’t overlap with Miss You’s. Her apprehension of Cao Yao Zu doesn’t interfere with you.”
“Moreover, Miss You intends to turn Cao Yao Zu over to the Court of Judicial Review. Even if your mission includes uncovering the truth, it doesn’t make a difference who does it. Whether you or Miss You finds the answers, the outcome is the same, isn’t it?”
He then turned to Du Zi Heng. “Brother You Lin, I know you favor your lovely wife now, but don’t forget who saved us. If not for Miss You’s connection with Master Ou Yang, we would have been killed by the illusions crafted by Cao Zhao Di as soon as we entered the village.”
Whatever Du Zi Heng intended to say, those words stopped him short.
Yu Zhi Yi cast him a cold glance before fixing her eyes on You Bing Yue. “Are you certain you want to take the credit?”
For a fleeting moment, a shadow crossed You Bing Yue’s gaze. She hated those four words—“taking the credit.”
The last thing she wanted was to lose face in front of Yu Zhi Yi.
But she needed that credit. To establish herself as a renowned bounty hunter, she required significant accomplishments to make her name known. Only then could she stand as an equal among nobles despite her common birth.
Most importantly…
The thought of Yu Zhi Yi toiling to exorcise the ghost, only for the accolades to fall into her lap, filled You Bing Yue’s heart with a hidden, twisted joy.
As a former Dark Night Queen, she wasn’t just adept at reckless combat; she could also don the guise of a delicate green tea persona when necessary.
Her expression shifted, and she gave a sorrowful smile. “Yu Lang Zhong, I know you’re incredibly capable, but I’ve already ceded Zi Heng to you. This mission… I truly can’t give it up.”
Yet no one dared to mention that the so-called mission had, in truth, been completed by Yu Zhi Yi alone.
Yu Zhi Yi glanced at Ou Yang Shuo, a faint smile curving her lips. “Very well, then. I’ll grant you this credit. I’ll await the day you deliver Cao Yao Zu and close this case.”
“A case that once shook the empire thirty years ago and remained unsolved until now. It’s no small achievement.”
Her smile carried layers of meaning.
You Bing Yue, under her gaze, felt a wave of discomfort, though she didn’t dwell on it for long. She dismissed it as Yu Zhi Yi’s spite, a petty act of saying one thing but meaning another.
“Let her be sarcastic,” Bing Yue thought. “It’s not like her words can hurt me.”
When she solidified her position through this achievement and climbed higher in the ranks of bounty hunters, Yu Zhi Yi would realize the gravity of her mistake today.
A truly clever woman would never dwell on fleeting arguments or trivial disputes.
“Then many thanks to Official Yu.”
Her grin was bright, her eyes sparkling with genuine joy. And why not? This credit was not just about fame—it came with one hundred taels of gold.
One hundred taels of gold equaled one thousand taels of silver. Right now, she sorely needed money to maintain the image of an independent, successful woman. After all, a strong woman doesn’t rely on men to fund her lifestyle.
She cast a subtle, disdainful glance at Yu Zhi Yi, whose lavish attire spoke of wealth. But anyone could see that her riches came from Minister Yu and the Du Family. How could a woman like that compare to someone like Bing Yue, who built her fortune with her own two hands?
And then there was the matter of Graceful Phoenix Charity…
The thought of Yu Zhi Yi possibly being another transmigrator infuriated Bing Yue further. If she used Du Zi Heng’s money to gild her name by establishing a charity organization, it was downright shameless!
Still, she held her tongue, choosing to wait. Only after securing this achievement and the accompanying reward would she tear down Yu Zhi Yi’s façade. When the time came, she’d rip off that mask of feigned aloofness and unearthly grace. Let’s see how long she could keep up her pretenses!
With the matter settled, Yu Zhi Yi had no intention of wasting more time and prepared to set off for Sheng Capital.
Liu Fei Yang, startled, exclaimed, “Are you serious? Aren’t you exhausted?”
“Even if you’re not tired, your horse will be! No matter how sturdy it is, even the fabled thousand-li steed needs rest. You’ve already pushed it hundreds of miles today. If you keep going, it might not even make it to Sheng Capital before collapsing.”
Yu Zhi Yi gave him an odd look. This person had been hovering around her since earlier, seemingly eager to make his presence known. Wasn’t he one of her devoted followers?
But that was none of her concern. She had no interest in mingling with these idle scions and even less in provoking any tension between You Bing Yue and her admirers. Without a word, she mounted her horse and rode off.
Her horse, of course, was perfectly fine. Under the nourishment of her spiritual energy, it could run for another day and night without issue.
Seeing Yu Zhi Yi truly preparing to ride through the night, Bing Yue grew anxious. This woman was too cunning. She had agreed to relinquish the credit but now seemed poised to return to the capital first.
And what would she do in Sheng Capital?
Secure the credit, of course!