Chapter 182: You Bing Yue’s Coma
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The You Mansion.
Du Zi Heng stood by the bedside, his brows furrowed deeply as he gazed at the unconscious figure.
You Bing Yue had fallen into a coma.
Though she had arrived in the capital a day ahead of them, she failed to escort Cao Yao Zu to the Court of Judicial Review. Instead, she handed him over to the bounty issuer.
This issuer was none other than the elder brother of the Fan siblings who had perished in Cao Nan Village. The former Minister of the Court of State Ceremonies might have retired years ago, but the Fan family remained unshaken by his departure. The eldest son, capable and determined, had risen to become the Vice-Minister of Rites. Even after thirty years, he had not forgotten his younger siblings.
The dying wish of Vice-Minister Fan’s parents had been to locate their missing children. When he traced their last known whereabouts to Cao Nan Village and learned of the infamous female ghost’s serial killings there, he sought someone to uncover the truth.
It wasn’t that he didn’t wish to investigate personally.
Firstly, as a Vice-Minister of Rites, he was bound to the capital and could not leave at will. Secondly, solving a case that had baffled the Court of Judicial Review for decades was beyond his capabilities. Not being a criminal investigator himself, he decided to issue a bounty, hoping the skilled adventurers of the martial world might achieve what he could not.
Time proved his decision correct.
After the bounty was released, results came swiftly.
He finally learned of his siblings’ fate, though the outcome was tragic—both were dead.
Still, knowing the truth was better than letting their spirits remain lost and wandering. Even recovering their remains was a solace.
Upon hearing that the bounty hunter not only unearthed the truth but also apprehended the culprit, Vice-Minister Fan felt a mix of sorrow and relief. After thirty years, the fate of his siblings was no longer a mystery. He could finally face his parents’ spirits with a clear conscience.
Although he paid handsomely for the bounty, Vice-Minister Fan was deeply grateful to You Bing Yue. Many had accepted the task, but only she succeeded. Others who ventured to Cao Nan Village had yet to return.
Thus, his respect for You Bing Yue grew immensely. Having previously dismissed her as a scandal-ridden woman entangled with Du Zi Heng, he had assumed she was like a fragile vine relying on men for survival. But she proved her strength, unraveling a mystery that haunted him for years and fulfilling his parents’ dying wish.
He had intended to urge Du Zi Heng to cherish this exceptional woman.
However, You Bing Yue collapsed before even leaving the Fan residence.
Vice-Minister Fan was alarmed and immediately summoned his household physician, who found no discernible ailment. In desperation, he sought the aid of an Imperial Physician, but even they were baffled by her condition.
While grateful for her assistance in capturing the murderer, he was acutely aware that hosting an unconscious and widely-known young woman in his residence indefinitely would lead to rumors. Upon learning of Du Zi Heng’s return to the capital, Vice-Minister Fan wasted no time sending for him.
Now, observing Du Zi Heng’s deeply concerned expression, Vice-Minister Fan asked, “Young Master Du, what exactly happened in Cao Nan Village? Could Miss You have suffered an unseen injury?”
Du Zi Heng frowned deeply.
He was certain You Bing Yue was unharmed. She had been in control the entire time, unlike Li Chang Huai and Ou Yang Shuo, who sustained injuries and only returned to the capital after a night’s rest. They had arrived shortly before him.
Vice-Minister Fan suddenly adopted a cryptic tone. “Young Master Du, though it may seem improper for me to say this, given Miss You’s current state of unconsciousness, I must speak plainly, even if it displeases you. I’ve heard that your wife also visited South Cao Village?”
Du Zi Heng’s expression darkened. “Vice-Minister Fan, Zhi Yi is broad-minded and upright. Moreover, as an official of the Ministry of Justice, she would never knowingly break the law.”
Vice-Minister Fan frowned but did not press further, though his suspicion towards Yu Zhi Yi remained evident. His silence, however, successfully planted a seed of doubt.
Indeed, on that fateful day, only a few people had visited South Cao Village. Moreover, Bing Yue had always been at odds with Zhi Yi. The crucial point was that without Yu Zhi Yi’s efforts to subdue Cao Zhao Di, the fierce ghost, solving the case would have been impossible. And yet, Bing Yue had taken all the credit for herself…
No, Du Zi Heng refused to succumb to such petty thoughts.
Despite his resolve, Du Zi Heng found himself returning to the Chancellor’s Mansion. Upon arrival, the steward informed him that Chancellor Du was taking a rare day off and was at home.
Du Zi Heng was momentarily surprised but didn’t dwell on it. “Where is the Young Madam?” he asked.
“The Young Madam is entertaining guests in the garden,” the steward replied. “The Marquis of Wu’an’s Wife has come to call.”
Du Zi Heng’s steps faltered. After a brief hesitation, he resumed walking towards the garden. However, upon reaching the garden, he found only Yu Zhi Yi sitting there alone. Perplexed, he inquired with the steward, who was equally clueless. After all, as a man, the steward couldn’t be expected to hover around the ladies all the time, nor was it his duty to specifically attend to the Young Madam.
Du Zi Heng, distracted by the memory of Bing Yue’s increasingly shallow breathing and the faint rise and fall of her chest, pushed all other thoughts aside. “Zhi Yi,” he called out.
Yu Zhi Yi, sipping tea, set her cup down leisurely upon hearing his voice. She looked up with a calm indifference. “Young Master, is something the matter?”
“Bing Yue fell into a coma shortly after returning to the capital,” Du Zi Heng said, carefully observing Yu Zhi Yi’s expression. If she harbored even the slightest guilt or anxiety, he was determined to catch it. Yet, she merely responded with an indifferent “Oh?” and added, “That’s perfectly normal.”
Du Zi Heng blinked in confusion. “Normal?”
Yu Zhi Yi’s demeanor remained serene. “Not just her. Your friend, Young Master Li, likely isn’t feeling well either. Although his condition isn’t as severe as Miss You’s, they both suffered from yin energy invasion. As ordinary people, it’s only natural for them to face complications. In less serious cases, they’ll have bad luck for a few months; in more severe instances, they may face blood calamities.”
Du Zi Heng stared at her in disbelief. “You… you knew this all along?”
Yu Zhi Yi seemed genuinely puzzled. “As a cultivator, while I do not specialize in ghost-hunting, such knowledge is part of the basic curriculum. How could I not know? Are you questioning my professional competence?”
Du Zi Heng, growing increasingly agitated, exclaimed, “Since you knew, why didn’t you warn us sooner? Why did you stand by and let them suffer?”
Nearby, Li Rou, Yu Zhi Yi’s maid, was visibly enraged. Though unaware of the full details, she could surmise that Miss You had come to harm, and it certainly wasn’t her mistress’s doing. Yet, the young master was now blaming her mistress for not giving advance notice?
“Young Master, how can you blame my mistress for this? She’s not responsible for what happened to them!” Li Rou retorted.
Du Zi Heng, known for his generally even temper and fairness, rarely lashed out at servants. However, in his current state of anger, hearing a maid’s reproach only provoked him further. He instinctively snapped, “Since when is it your place to interrupt when your mistress is speaking?”
Yu Zhi Yi’s expression turned cold.