Chapter 184: Divorce and Independent Household
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Yu Zhi Yi gazed at the Independent Household Registry for a Woman in her hands, marveling at it as though it were a rare treasure.
Living through two lifetimes, this was the first time she truly felt real.
For once, she was not someone’s adopted daughter, someone’s wife, or someone’s daughter-in-law. She was just herself.
Du Zi Heng appeared dazed, his mind a haze of confusion. How had things come to this?
He clearly did not want to separate from Yu Zhi Yi. Yes, separate.
Though the current dynasty had rare precedents of women divorcing their husbands, it had only been successfully achieved a century ago by the trailblazing Senior Princess Jia Luo, the Protector of the Nation.
For most women since then, lacking the Princess’ power and status, the best outcome was an amicable separation.
Yet Yu Zhi Yi intended to divorce him outright…
Her identity made it plausible, but society would hardly accept it. After all, there was no solid justification.
Claim he was unfaithful?
But in these times, which man wasn’t?
That alone was hardly grounds for divorce.
Thus, what lay between them was merely an amicable separation.
Du Zi Heng convinced himself he was yielding to Yu Zhi Yi because he didn’t want to stoop to the level of petty disputes. Moreover, he harbored a secret hope.
He thought it might be good for her to experience life outside, to see how difficult it was for a woman after separating from her husband. Only then would she appreciate her days in the Du Mansion.
When that time came, he would extend a hand, and she would naturally take it.
Yu Zhi Yi had no inkling of his thoughts. Even if she did, she would only scoff, not wasting her time arguing with him.
How could he have the audacity to expect her to return after asking her to save his beloved?
“Follow me back to the mansion to sort out a few things. Once we’re settled, I’ll extract the yin energy from your beloved,” Yu Zhi Yi said plainly.
Du Zi Heng pursed his lips. “No need to settle accounts. The items in Breeze Pavilion were prepared for you. You’re free to take them all if you wish.”
Yu Zhi Yi shook her head. “I don’t like owing anyone anything.”
Seeing her insist, Du Zi Heng could only follow her helplessly.
Yu Zhi Yi’s dowry was modest. Though her wedding procession appeared grand with countless carts, much of it had been superficial. Once consolidated, fewer than ten to fifteen trunks sufficed to hold everything, including bulky items like quilts and the possessions she had acquired later.
The steward hurried over at the commotion and was startled. “What’s going on? What happened?”
Yu Zhi Yi had a decent impression of the steward. Though his respect stemmed from his regard for Chancellor Du and Madam Du, he had at least treated her with courtesy.
Yu Zhi Yi smiled at him. “Thank you for your care during this time.”
She pulled out a talisman and handed it over. “This Protective Talisman is for you. It can save you from a major disaster.”
The steward’s face lit up with joy. “Oh, Young Madam, how could I possibly deserve this!”
Still, he quickly accepted it with both hands.
Du Zi Heng: “…”
Why did the steward get one for free, yet he had to pay for one?
After securing the talisman, the steward suddenly remembered the situation. “Young Madam, are you heading on a long journey? Is it official business?”
Yu Zhi Yi shook her head. “From now on, I will no longer be the Young Madam of the Du Mansion. Don’t call me that anymore.”
The steward froze in place.
As he watched Yu Zhi Yi lead her people past him and toward the gate, he slapped his forehead and dashed off to inform Chancellor Du.
Unfortunately, by the time Chancellor Du arrived, Yu Zhi Yi was already gone.
Chancellor Du’s chest heaved violently with rage. “Insolent child!”
Yet, his fury was wasted; Du Zi Heng was nowhere near to hear the scolding.
Yu Zhi Yi turned to glance at the group trailing behind her. After a moment of thought, she addressed Li Rou, “Take the items to Graceful Phoenix Charity first. I’ll join you once I’m finished.”
Du Zi Heng suddenly seemed to remember something. “You… you still don’t have a place to stay, do you? I have a spare residence…”
“Young Master Du,” Yu Zhi Yi’s voice was calm but distant, “We are no longer husband and wife. Between unrelated men and women, there is no need for such overreaching concern.”
A faint smile played on her lips, though it didn’t reach her eyes. “I, Yu Zhi Yi, even without the Yu Family or the Du Mansion, will never end up homeless.”
Du Zi Heng stammered, trying to respond but ultimately fell silent, unsure of what to say. His thoughts, instead, turned to You Bing Yue.
You Bing Yue often prided herself on being an independent woman, claiming she could carve her place in the world with her own abilities. But in truth, her accomplishments were sparse. She was clever enough to fend off trouble when necessary, but as for true competence, she seemed to fall short.
For instance, she had once taken a large sum of money from Ji Yi Fei to start a business. Yet, to this day, there was no sign of progress. She even accepted bounty missions, only for Yu Zhi Yi to complete them on her behalf. You Bing Yue merely swooped in to seize the credit.
Even the residence she currently lived in wasn’t hers—it had been purchased by him.
Still, You Bing Yue frequently criticized Yu Zhi Yi as a useless housewife who leeched off the Du and Yu Families.
The memory gave Du Zi Heng a sharp, throbbing headache.
A voice broke through his thoughts. “Let’s go.”
“What?”
Yu Zhi Yi looked at him, exasperated. “Weren’t you asking for help to dispel the yin energy from your beloved?”
Du Zi Heng hesitated before muttering, “…We’ve already broken up.”
Yu Zhi Yi found it laughable. To sacrifice his marriage for a woman he had now parted with? She couldn’t fathom the logic behind it.
Not that she cared much about Du Zi Heng; what amused her was the absurdity of the entire situation.
Seeing her indifference, Du Zi Heng grew anxious. But Yu Zhi Yi paid him no further attention. All she wanted was to settle You Bing Yue’s affairs quickly and sever any remaining entanglements with these people.
She realized now she had been mistaken. Initially, she thought Chancellor Du and Madam Du had treated her well. As long as Du Zi Heng and his sweetheart stayed out of her way, she would have no objections. After all, she valued the peace that came with being the daughter-in-law of a chancellor.
However, Du Zi Heng’s affair had ensured her tranquility was impossible. If she remained in the Du Mansion, she would be bound by her obligations to the Chancellor and Madam, unable to act against him.
Now that the divorce was finalized, she owed no such courtesy.
It wasn’t long before they arrived outside a modest courtyard. Though small, the residence was situated in a prime area of the capital, where every inch of land came at a premium. Even though it couldn’t compare to Golden-Scaled Street where the Chancellor’s Mansion stood, its residents were undoubtedly wealthy or influential.
The courtyard’s footprint barely reached one hundred square meters, yet its value was no less than three thousand taels.
As Yu Zhi Yi surveyed the property, Du Zi Heng felt a twinge of guilt and hurried to explain. “When Bing Yue had nowhere to go, I let her stay here for the time being.”
Yu Zhi Yi hadn’t intended to dig into the past; the marriage was over, and dwelling on it seemed pointless. But since Du Zi Heng brought it up, she glanced at him coolly. “You accepted the divorce without complaint, and rightly so. Keeping a mistress while your wife was still in the picture…”
Her smile deepened, though her gaze turned icy. “Out of respect for Chancellor Du, I won’t expose you. But if I did, that blemish alone would be enough to strip you of your eighth-rank official position.”
Du Zi Heng’s face turned ashen, and he found himself at a loss for words.