Chapter 004

Chapter 4: There Is Something Even More Disgusting

She knew this phrasing too well. Whenever the Heavenly Master asked her, “If you keep going like this, what will happen,” it meant the Heavenly Master had seen the path of her future. And that path was not good.

The marchioness tried to argue, saying with a tight voice: “I am only standing up for my son. How could that cause serious trouble?”

Yu Zhi Yi took a small sip of tea, then said: “It will cause trouble.”

She set the cup down and explained: “You Bing Yue knows many powerful nobles. One of them is someone not even your Marquis Wu’an Manor can afford to offend, and even the Chancellor’s Manor cannot offend him. If you insist on pushing this case, he will step in. After that, he will hold a grudge against the Marquis Wu’an Manor.”

Yu Zhi Yi kept her tone calm as she went on: “While Marquis Wu’an is still alive, that man will hold back a little and only throw small obstacles in your way. But after Marquis Wu’an dies, he will go all out against your household. In less than three years, the new marquis will make a huge mistake and lose the title.”

The Marchioness Wu’an turned pale.

Yu Zhi Yi sighed and said: “And that is not the most disgusting part.”

The marchioness’s lips trembled as she asked: “There is something even more disgusting?”

Yu Zhi Yi turned her teacup slowly and said: “Yes. When that lord brings You Bing Yue to the Marquis Wu’an Manor to show off, your young master, for some reason, will fall in love with her. He will argue with you many times because of her.”

She added without hurrying: “He will even swear to stand against the world for her. He will use the power of the Marquis Wu’an Manor more than once to help her out of trouble.”

Her voice stayed flat as a blade: “A few years later, you will die from the anger he causes you.”

The Marchioness Wu’an felt as if she had fallen into an ice cave and whispered: “That is terrifying.”

Yu Zhi Yi put down the cup and said: “All the Marquis Wu’an Manor really wants is a proper answer. There is no need to send anyone to jail, right? The second young master was hurt. Ask the Chancellor’s Manor for money for his treatment, and ask the chancellor to owe you a favor. That way, everyone gets something, and the matter ends.”

The Marchioness Wu’an did not doubt Yu Zhi Yi’s words about the future. After thinking for a moment, she nodded and said: “I will follow the Heavenly Master’s advice.”

She still worried, so she asked: “As long as I do not pursue it, my son will not fall in love with that woman?”

Yu Zhi Yi counted carefully, then said: “Yes. Not only will he not fall for You Bing Yue, he will marry his true match and live in harmony with her for life.”

She gave one more tip: “Right now, the Chancellor’s Manor cares most about Du Zi Heng’s reputation. Start from that point and ask the Chancellor’s Manor for a solid payment.”

Back at the Chancellor’s Manor, both Chancellor Du and Madam Du showed Yu Zhi Yi pity and apology for how Du Zi Heng left his bride to be with another woman. They even gave her the house steward’s keys and the household seal ahead of time. But when it came to punishing Du Zi Heng, they said nothing at all.

Yu Zhi Yi accepted their kindness. Yet she could not respect that they knew their son had misbehaved outside and still dragged an innocent woman down to cover for him. They had put her in a hole. She would dig one for them in return. And after that, she would make them thank her for it.

After the Marchioness Wu’an left, Zi Yuan could not help asking in a low voice: “Miss, did the young master of the Marquis Wu’an Manor really fall in love with that woman? He even made his own mother die from anger?”

Zi Yuan thought it sounded absurd. Yu Zhi Yi also thought it was absurd. But that was what she had read in the marchioness’s face.

She did not dwell on it. In her last life she had seen too many absurd things. Stories on stage or in books need logic to hold up the plot. Real life does not.

She thought of herself and Yu Jiao Jiao being reborn at the same time, yet she was reborn later, and even had her marriage switched; she wondered silently: [What logic does that follow?]

After the Marchioness Wu’an went back, Chancellor Du invited Marquis Wu’an to visit. The two men spoke behind the study door. No one knew what they said. When they came out, Marquis Wu’an looked unhappy, while Chancellor Du was smiling.

Of course he was smiling. At first, he wanted to visit and apologize right away, but the Marquis Wu’an Manor would not even open the gate for him. They spread the word that there would be no negotiation. They said they would send both the main culprit and the helpers to jail.

Today, Marquis Wu’an finally gave ground. For the sake of the new daughter-in-law, he was willing to step back. He said this: as long as Chancellor Du could help his son become the Capital Halberd Guard Deputy Commander, the matter would be dropped.

This was hard and not hard at the same time. The Capital Halberd Guards serve close to the Son of Heaven. Those who do well are favorites in front of His Majesty. Many eyes were fixed on that deputy commander seat. Placing someone there was like climbing to the sky.

By chance, years ago Chancellor Du had saved the life of Commander Fei. As long as Commander Fei spoke up with a recommendation, the matter would almost surely pass. Of course, once Chancellor Du used that favor, the life-saving debt would be gone. But compared to his son’s future, that debt was nothing.

So the matter was settled. Chancellor Du felt pleased and looked at his daughter-in-law with new respect, saying to Madam Du: “As expected, a man should marry a virtuous wife.”

In the carriage outside the Chancellor’s Manor, Marquis Wu’an’s dark face had turned bright with joy. The Marquis Wu’an Manor had been fading in his generation, and he held no real power. If his eldest son could show his face before His Majesty, then reviving the marquisate would be close at hand.

As for the mess where the foolish younger son was almost beaten to death, it was infuriating, yes, but he had brought it on himself with his filthy mouth. The young lady had only protected herself. He felt his wife was his lucky star, and the eldest Miss of the Yu Clan was truly wise. It was Du Zi Heng who had no taste, throwing away such a good wife to dote on a troublemaking woman.

When Madam Yao heard the matter was settled, she went to Windward Pavilion. It was close to dinner time. She said with a smile: “Your father-in-law has a banquet tonight and will not eat at home. No need to make it complicated. Let us dine here.”

Yu Zhi Yi nodded obediently.

Soon, the dishes were brought in. The table was rich and full. Madam Yao warmly used the public chopsticks to place food in Yu Zhi Yi’s bowl and said with motherly care: “Yi’er, you are too thin. Eat more.”

Yu Zhi Yi knew Madam Yao wanted to feel out her relationship with the Marchioness Wu’an, but since Madam Yao did not say it directly, she pretended not to know. She refused a few foods she disliked, finished the dishes Madam Yao gave her, ate one more bowl of rice, and said gently: “I am done.”

Madam Yao also set down her chopsticks. After they rinsed their mouths and the servants cleared the table, Madam Yao finally asked with a smile: “Yi’er, are you and the Marchioness Wu’an on very good terms?”

Yu Zhi Yi spat out the rinse water and handed the cup to the maid’s tray, then answered lightly: “Not really. She often asks me for help, so she is willing to give me some face.”

Madam Yao’s heart moved as she asked: “She often asks you?”

Yu Zhi Yi said: “When I was a child, I apprenticed to a master and learned the art of calculation. Since I met the Marchioness Wu’an at ten years old, I have done readings for her from time to time. Most of what she asked for has come true.”

Madam Yao was very surprised and said: “Yi’er, you have such a skill? How did I never hear of it?”