Chapter 003

Chapter 3: I Already Apologized, What More Do You Want

They had been married two days, and this was the first time Du Zi Heng had heard Yu Zhi Yi’s voice. Although they had formally met yesterday, he had argued with the chancellor and his wife from start to finish, and Yu Zhi Yi had not been able to speak.

When he heard her voice now, a thought flashed through his mind like a line of poetry: [It sounded like music from the heavens, and even his ears seemed to clear.] Her voice was not as soft and sweet as most women’s, and it was not as strong and forceful as You Bing Yue’s either. It was clear and airy. His bad mood eased a little, as if by a small miracle. Noticing the change in himself, he frowned. He even failed to notice that she had called him “young master” and not “husband.”

He said with a thin, cold smile: “I have heard that the eldest miss of Minister’s Manor is very calculating and best at playing with people’s hearts. Seeing you today, the rumor is indeed true.”

Years ago, the scandal of the real and fake daughters shook the entire Capital City. Even common folk had heard about it. After that, Yu Zhi Yi stopped appearing in the noble circles. But rumors that she stole the true daughter’s favor and often framed her never stopped. If Madam Chancellor had not prayed for a marriage at the temple and received a sign that her son must marry a girl of the Yu clan, and if the true daughter, Yu Jiao Jiao, had not already married months ago, then this “good match” from Chancellor’s Manor would never have fallen to Yu Zhi Yi.

Du Zi Heng felt that even if he had never met Yue earlier, he still would not want to spend his life with such a deep and vicious woman.

Yu Zhi Yi blinked and said: “?” Then she said calmly: “I think rumors cannot be trusted. I always heard the young master of Chancellor’s Manor is brilliant and almost the same kind of talent as Chancellor Du, bound to become a wise minister one day. Seeing you now, I think those words were overstated.”

Her tone was as gentle as she could make it, but her meaning was clear. [How could someone this foolish win any woman’s heart? Why did Yu Jiao Jiao fight for a place in his life in the last life?]

She set down the teapot and said: “Since Young Master Du did not come to ask for help but to stir up trouble, Zi Yuan, see the guest out.”

Zi Yuan came in with pastries just in time to hear Du Zi Heng mock her miss. Her face had already darkened. Now she pushed him out without politeness and said: “Son-in-law, please go back.”

Only then did Du Zi Heng remember he had come here for a reason. He forced down his discomfort and said: “Wait. I do have something to ask you.”

Zi Yuan gave a short laugh and said: “This is not the attitude of someone asking for help.”

Du Zi Heng glared at the sharp-tongued maid, but when he saw Yu Zhi Yi did not stop her, he said: “I am sorry. I should not have spoken rudely.”

Yu Zhi Yi still gave no sign.

Du Zi Heng was almost pushed out the gate, and he grew angry. He said: “I already apologized. What more do you want?”

Yu Zhi Yi smiled and said: “If an apology alone worked, why would we need a court? I think real apologies require sincerity and effort. What do you think, Young Master Du?”

If you need help, then show the attitude of someone who needs help.

Standing at the courtyard gate, his handsome face turned dark as he said: “What do you want?”

She said: “I am a simple person and accept only apologies I can touch. A hundred taels of silver is not too little, and ten thousand taels of gold is not too much.”

Du Zi Heng said: “How can a proper daughter of Minister’s Manor be so vulgar and greedy!”

Yu Zhi Yi did not think vulgar or greedy were bad words. In the last life, when she followed Zhang Tian Shun through war after war, she suffered more than once because there was no money. Without silver, there was no food pay and no military supplies. In the dead of winter, soldiers could only curl up in their tents, shivering. She and Zhang Tian Shun did not starve or freeze, but life was still hard. She had seen many poor families lose people to hunger and cold in winter. After she turned ten, she also found that, unless she had money, no one but Zi Yuan would listen to her orders. Money was a good thing.

She said: “Do not worry. This time I do not want silver or gold. I want you to go to Splendid Brocade Workshop and buy the most expensive red dress hanging on the third floor. Tomorrow, you will go with me when I return to my parents’ home. Do these two things, and your problem will be solved.”

Du Zi Heng’s expression shifted and he said: “You know why I came?”

She said: “I know.”

He said, uneasy and hopeful at once: “Can you really solve it?”

Yu Zhi Yi smiled and said: “Since you say I am skilled at playing with people’s hearts, you should believe in my skill. Otherwise, you are slapping your own face.”

Du Zi Heng fell silent. It was the first time he had seen someone turn an insult into praise for themselves. After a moment, he looked at Yu Zhi Yi and said: “I hope you keep your word. If you lie to me…”

She only smiled softly without answering, while thinking to herself: [Even if I trick him, so what? At most he will get angry.] [I am not after his favor. What can he do to me?]

Du Zi Heng moved fast. Before Marchioness Wu’an entered the manor, the dress had already been delivered to Windward Pavilion. Yu Zhi Yi told Zi Yuan to put it away. Before long, Marchioness Wu’an arrived.

Yu Zhi Yi and Marchioness Wu’an had first met when Yu Zhi Yi was ten. Back then, Yu Jiao Jiao had not returned home yet, and Yu Zhi Yi was still the beloved eldest miss of Yu Manor. One day, when she went out, bandits nearly carried her off. Marchioness Wu’an happened to see it, chased the kidnappers for dozens of li, and brought Yu Zhi Yi back.

Yu Zhi Yi examined the marchioness’s face and saw that the little heir apparent would face a calamity that night. She warned her not to let the child go near ponds or rivers. That very night, the little heir apparent felt like catching fish and fell into the lotus pond in the manor. Remembering Yu Zhi Yi’s words, Marchioness Wu’an sent people searching and found him in time. Otherwise, he would have drowned.

From then on, Marchioness Wu’an was fully convinced of Yu Zhi Yi’s ability. Whenever she met a hard choice in life, she sought Yu Zhi Yi’s advice. Each time she followed that advice, things turned out well. No one thought they would meet again like this.

With a complex look, Marchioness Wu’an said: “Heavenly Master, did you call me here to persuade me to drop the matter and not hold that woman responsible?” If that were true, she would be very disappointed.

She added in a rush: “Heavenly Master, I do not want to ruin the friendship between us, so it would be better if you did not speak for them. My son may have a thousand faults, but he is still my son. I admit he did wrong and should be punished, but not like this. You did not see how he was beaten. The back of his head was split wide open. The physician said the attacker aimed to kill. I asked our retainer. My son was indeed drunk at the time, but he only walked over and asked that woman if she would have a drink with him. He did nothing else. That woman is cruel and ruthless. What I cannot accept most is that Du Zi Heng clearly knew who was beaten but kept his mouth shut. That is so irresponsible. Heavenly Master, you should not wrong yourself for him. He is not worthy.”

Yu Zhi Yi handed her a cup of herbal tea and said: “Have some cool tea and calm down.” Her voice was clear and airy, and anyone who heard it would cool down by half. Marchioness Wu’an’s temper eased a lot, but she did not regret what she had said.

Yu Zhi Yi let her gaze sweep across the marchioness’s face and said: “Do you know what will happen if you keep pressing this?” Marchioness Wu’an straightened without meaning to.