Chapter 017

Chapter 17: Remade by Her Mother-in-law

That day, Old Madam Yao came in person to thank Yu Zhi Yi. Knowing she liked money and gemstones, the old lady even brought her a fine blood-red ruby.

Yu Zhi Yi was delighted. She remembered her last life: after marrying into Duke’s Manor, the household was noble and rich, but her mother-in-law Madam Bai was stingy and harsh. In more than twenty years as a daughter-in-law, Yu Zhi Yi never received a single coin as a gift. Instead, she had to pay out several thousand taels.

Thinking of this made her like Du Manor even more. Everyone here was lovable, except Du Zi Heng.

Old Madam Yao looked around and asked: “By the way, where is Heng?”

She had been sitting a while and still had not seen Du Zi Heng. Madam Yao’s smile faltered, but before she could speak, Yu Zhi Yi stepped in and said: “Grandmother, he is busy studying. The metropolitan exam is near. He has been so busy these days that he barely shows his face. He probably does not know you are here.”

Madam Yao let out a quiet breath of relief, then felt a stab of guilt toward her daughter-in-law. Yi’er was so considerate. Even with Heng acting like a brat, she still protected his name and image. It made her own son look like a fool who could not treasure a gentle, well-mannered, and capable wife, and instead favored a woman who only talked tough, was rude, and had no real skill.

Yu Zhi Yi did not know what Madam Yao was thinking. If she had, she would have denied it three times in a row and thought: [I am not. I did not. Don’t make things up.]

She was doing this for herself. If Old Madam Yao, out of gratitude, dragged Du Zi Heng back, who knew what conspiracy theory he would spin next. She did not want to keep explaining that she had no wish to ruin his feelings for You Bing Yue. Saying the same thing again and again was tiring.

Old Madam Yao gave a look to the aunt behind her. The aunt stepped forward and held out an invitation as she said: “In seven days, your fifth cousin will hold a chrysanthemum-viewing party at Shang Jing Garden. For this event, he has gathered the most famous chrysanthemums under heaven. If you are interested, you can go see them.”

In the Yao family, the elder sir served as Minister at the Court of State Ceremonies. He and his wife had three sons and two daughters. Madam Yao was the second legitimate daughter and was much favored before marriage. The eldest master of the Yao Clan took his father’s place and entered officialdom. He now serves as the commandery governor of Jiang Prefecture and can return to the Capital in a few years for an important post when his term ends. His eldest legitimate son inherited his grandfather’s and father’s talents, placed high at twenty-five, and now works at the Hanlin Academy. The second branch was less gifted but still held office. The third branch did not shine in government, but they had a knack for trade; Yao Third Master alone earned gold by the day. The fifth cousin, Yao Jin Ang, was even more remarkable. He was only twenty-six and already a merchant famous throughout the land.

Madam Yao smiled and said: “Your cousins-in-law and cousins will be there too. You young people will have things to talk about. Go out and relax.”

Yu Zhi Yi was not interested in flowers, but the elder had just given her a big gem, so she could not refuse. She nodded and said: “All right. I will go.”

In the blink of an eye, the day of the party arrived.

The chrysanthemum party began at noon. After breakfast, Madam Yao pulled Yu Zhi Yi to dress her up. Lately, Madam Yao had a new hobby: buying clothes and jewelry for her and personally styling her outfits.

Today, Yu Zhi Yi wore a goose-yellow gauze skirt with a mist-green shawl. Her black hair was coiled at the back, and on top she wore a spirit snake bun. Wispy bangs curled softly over her forehead. Madam Yao even wanted to dot a small floral ornament between her brows.

Yu Zhi Yi quickly refused and said: “Mother, this is good enough.”

She had never dressed this cute even before marriage, and now, after marrying, she was trying a little-miss style. The woman in the mirror still had striking, elegant features, but the overly sweet outfit took away her usual coolness.

She had always thought she had a priestess face, cold and world-weary. Though she looked decent, from near or far she seemed hard to approach. But now, as Red Luan liked to say, the girl in the mirror looked like a soft-cheeked cutie with bright watery eyes.

She could hardly stand it and said: “Mother, can I change into something else?”

It felt too damaging to her image.

Madam Yao was delighted and said: “I think this set is great.” She grew more satisfied the more she looked and called out: “Zi Yuan, with this styling, isn’t our young madam even more beautiful?”

Zi Yuan’s eyes gleamed as she said: “She is stunning, madam. Your taste is unmatched.”

Madam Yao decided on the spot and said: “We will go like this. My Yi’er will amaze everyone.”

Yu Zhi Yi pressed her forehead and said: “Mother, I am already married. There’s no need to amaze everyone.”

Madam Yao widened her eyes and said: “Who says a married woman cannot amaze everyone? I want all to see that my Yi’er is the best.”

She had always wished for a daughter. Sadly, she suffered a scare while carrying Zi Heng and nearly died in childbirth. After that her body was harmed, and she never conceived again. Yu Zhi Yi fulfilled all her dreams of a daughter: smart, beautiful, obedient, and filial. The more she knew her, the more she adored her. It was only her own son who was so blind that he could not see how good Yi’er was. Today she dressed Yi’er up not only so she could go out pretty, but also to make a point, and she said: “Let that brat open his eyes and see how charming his wife is.”

Yu Zhi Yi fell silent and thought: [I will politely pass.] She was not foolish enough to voice any dislike of her nominal husband in front of her mother-in-law. She only smiled and said nothing.

Before long, Du Zi Heng arrived. The sight of Yu Zhi Yi in full dress stunned him, and he froze. But he did not lose control for long. Realizing he had stared, he frowned and looked away as he said: “Mother, the metropolitan exam is near. I want to focus on studying.”

Madam Yao glared and said: “You have studied for so many years. Will one day make the difference?”

Du Zi Heng wanted to argue, but Madam Yao cooled her tone and said: “However, if you truly wish to study in peace at home, that works too. Before the exam you will not leave the house. I will tell the gatekeeper to block your visitors and give you the quiet you want. How about that?”

Du Zi Heng stiffened, then gave in and said: “The flower-viewing is only half a day. I can spare that.”

Yu Zhi Yi stood aside with a light smile and did not join their back-and-forth.

Once they were in the carriage, Du Zi Heng half closed his eyes. These days, Yu Zhi Yi had not bothered him, which pleased him. She understood her place. Also, she had found several pests in Chancellor’s Manor and cleared the air, which made him feel a little better toward her. But only a little. It did not change the fact that he did not feel like talking to her. Still, if she spoke to him, he would answer out of good manners.

However, Yu Zhi Yi also had no wish to start a conversation.