Chapter 016

Chapter 16: You Bing Yue Leaves Chancellor’s Manor

You Bing Yue pointed at Yu Zhi Yi, stammering for a long time: “You, you, you…,” yet she could not even find a proper insult.

As the proud Queen of the Night, being lectured by a money-hungry girl from ancient times was unbearable to her.

Du Zi Heng hurried to half hold her, afraid she would strike in front of Chancellor Du and his wife, and said: “All right, Bing Yue, let’s go back.”

When his gaze fell on Yu Zhi Yi, his eyes grew complicated as he said: “We did not understand the situation today. I’m sorry.”

Yu Zhi Yi only raised an eyebrow.

Seeing her son still shielding You Bing Yue at a time like this, Madam Yao snapped: “Du Zi Heng, come back here!”

Du Zi Heng tried to calm her as he said: “Mother, please don’t be angry. It’s not worth hurting your health.”

Madam Yao looked at Yu Zhi Yi with apology and said: “Yi’er, it’s my fault. I did not keep that unfilial son in line.”

Yu Zhi Yi shook her head and said: “Everyone is their own person. The young master is an adult and should answer for his actions. How could this be blamed on mother?”

Madam Yao wanted to say more, but Yu Zhi Yi smoothly shifted the topic and said: “We have been busy almost the whole night. You two should rest. Father still has court in the morning.”

Madam Yao slapped her forehead and said: “Oh no, I even forgot that!” Then she hurried off with Chancellor Du. Before leaving, she called back over her shoulder and said: “Yi’er, don’t worry. At first light I will drive that woman out!”

At dawn, Madam Yao kept her word. She marched to the Moon-Viewing Pavilion with people in tow and flung a stack of written testimonies into Du Zi Heng’s face.

The testimony showed that in only five years, Du Sheng had embezzled three thousand taels of silver. Now only three hundred taels could be recovered. Of the missing two thousand seven hundred, about one hundred taels had gone to drink and pleasure, and the remaining two thousand six hundred had been turned into gold hairpins and other jewelry for You Bing Yue, just to make her smile.

At first, Du Zi Heng and You Bing Yue were angry that Madam Yao had men kick their door so early, but now both their faces changed.

Du Zi Heng swung his eyes toward the woman he loved, shock filling them, and said nothing.

You Bing Yue was stunned at first, then quickly gathered herself and frowned as she said: “How would I know those were bought with dirty money? The items are all still here. If you want them back, take them.”

Madam Yao looked at her coolly and said: “So Miss You accepts anything? No matter who it comes from, as long as it is a gift, you take it?”

Hearing the hidden barb, You Bing Yue flushed with anger and said: “What do you mean? Are you saying I coveted those trinkets?”

Before Madam Yao could answer, she stamped her foot and said: “Do you take me for your shallow, narrow-sighted daughter-in-law? They were only a few hairpins. If Du Sheng had not said they were a thank-you to me, I would not have accepted them.”

She lifted her chin and said: “I am not your clueless daughter-in-law. I would never sell my character for a few things.”

Madam Yao let out a cold laugh and said: “You keep saying Yi’er is inexperienced, but last night proved the one who lacks experience is you.”

She flicked her wide sleeve and said: “A few hairpins would be nothing if Heng gave them to you. I would not object. But these were bought with embezzled funds. So, Miss You, please hand over the stolen goods.”

Feeling insulted, You Bing Yue snapped back and said: “Stop calling it stolen money every time you open your mouth!”

She curled her lip, thinking she saw through everything, and said: “Don’t think I don’t know. You only want an excuse to shame me. I, You Bing Yue, am different from you foolish women who can only live by relying on men. Even if I leave Chancellor’s Manor, I can still live, and live very well.”

She flung a final line over her shoulder and said: “As for this Chancellor’s Manor, even if it begs me later, I won’t come back!”

She swept away in anger, taking nothing with her.

Du Zi Heng cried out and rushed after her as he said: “Bing Yue!”

But Madam Yao was ready. She clapped her hands and said: “Stop him!”

Du Zi Heng grew anxious and said: “Mother, Bing Yue is a girl with no family in the Capital City. I must look for her.”

Madam Yao snorted and said: “Didn’t she just say she does not need to rely on men or on Chancellor’s Manor, and can live well? Isn’t that the independent and capable woman you like?”

Du Zi Heng had no words.

Madam Yao pressed on and said: “Even if Du Sheng’s crime is not her doing, the things bought with stolen money ended up with her. Before we learn whether she told Du Sheng to buy them for her, or whether he gave them on his own, you are not allowed to go to her.”

She turned to a steward and said: “Du Lin, keep an eye on the young master. If I learn he meets that Miss You in private, I will hold you responsible.”

After Yu Zhi Yi got up, Zi Yuan came in bubbling with news and said: “Miss, madam is amazing. She drove that woman out!”

Yu Zhi Yi paused in surprise and said: “Du Zi Heng agreed?”

She could read most people’s futures by their faces, but she could not see through those related to her by blood or tied to her by fate, nor those with special destinies. Ever since Marchioness Wu’an had visited, the bond between the Chancellor Du couple and Yu Zhi Yi had deepened. She and Du Zi Heng were a proper married pair, and You Bing Yue had a special fate. Because of that, she could no longer use mystic arts to foresee matters about these people.

Zi Yuan shook her head and said: “The young master surely did not agree. But that Miss You accepted things bought with stolen money from Du Sheng, so madam used that to force her out. That miss is very proud. She said even if Chancellor’s Manor begs her later, she will not come back, then left without taking anything.”

Zi Yuan grinned and added: “The young master tried to chase her, but madam stopped him.”

Yu Zhi Yi felt a bit surprised, but then she understood. She thought it through and said: “Before, Madam Yao could do nothing about You Bing Yue because Du Zi Heng shielded her.”

She analyzed further and said: “He shielded her back then because she was clean and the weaker side, while Madam Yao was the stronger side. But this time, You Bing Yue not only helped Du Sheng escape judgment during questioning, she also accepted the gifts bought with stolen money. That makes her the one at fault. Madam Yao, as the complainant, becomes the weaker side. Knowing he is in the wrong, Du Zi Heng has no face to fight her.”

Seeing Zi Yuan’s joy, Yu Zhi Yi could not help but pour a little cold water and said: “Don’t relax too much. He will not stay obedient for many days.”

Zi Yuan’s smile disappeared at once. [Miss, you are a demon, aren’t you? I know it’s true, but can’t you let me be happy a little longer?]

Over the next few days, Madam Yao carried out a full inspection of Chancellor’s Manor and rooted out several more pests.

Among them were Du Sheng’s parents. They were even worse than he was. They not only used their positions to embezzle silver, they also bullied those beneath them.

Madam Yao was both furious and relieved. People rotten at the core might embezzle thousands and bully powerless servants today, and who knew what heartless deeds they would do tomorrow. They could even become a second Du Ping, a chess piece for enemies to use against Chancellor’s Manor. That would be terrifying.

After removing these pests, the sky over Chancellor’s Manor felt much clearer.

Through it all, Madam Yao did not forget to credit Yu Zhi Yi. Soon every servant knew their young madam was wise, and that her eyes were like a measuring rule. Anyone who did wrong could not escape her notice. Many restless people settled down, and those who had looked down on her because she was not favored corrected their attitude.