Chapter 038

Chapter 38: This Jerk!

Suddenly, Yu Zhi Yi’s expression shifted as she turned her head and said: “Why are you here?”

She had been so caught up snapping back at people that she hadn’t noticed Du Zi Heng arrive. The moment she remembered he must have heard her call him “husband,” she felt sick: [Gross.] She had only said that to put on a show and anger these women.

She would protect Du Zi Heng’s face only to protect her own, as well as Chancellor Du and his wife’s face. She did not want to be pointed at wherever she went. These people looked like they were sympathizing, but how many in this world truly feel another’s pain? Most just want a joke to laugh at.

Besides, after today, if Du Zi Heng still cared about his reputation at all, he wouldn’t dare fool around in public. He and You Bing Yue would either break it off, or he would bring her into the manor as a concubine. No matter what he did or chose, Yu Zhi Yi was fine with it.

The noble ladies followed Yu Zhi Yi’s gaze and finally noticed Du Zi Heng, then they gasped: “Young Master Du?”

Pressing down a jumble of feelings, Du Zi Heng walked to Yu Zhi Yi’s side and said: “I heard you were here, so I came.”

The viewing banquet at Splendid Brocade Pavilion was meant for all the noble class. That naturally included men, not only women. Most men were not interested though, so except for a few devoted husbands or sons forced to accompany their mothers, there were rarely male guests. Even so, they still had to set out seats, even if many were left empty.

Du Zi Heng sat across from Yu Zhi Yi. Feeling guilty, he tried to make it up to her and said: “If you see any clothes you like, go ahead and buy them.”

Yu Zhi Yi looked surprised: [Did the sun rise in the west?] A moment later, she guessed he was offering this out of guilt. Since a generous sucker had delivered himself, she wouldn’t refuse. Besides, half the money would end up in her hands anyway.

She tilted her head and asked with care: “Young Master, are you sure you’re giving them to me?” She knew his nature was not to take back gifts, but she still had to ask clearly, so that when Nan Feng Bookstore was about to close down one day, he would not try to argue about it.

Du Zi Heng answered at once: “Of course.”

She pressed again, voice calm: “No matter what happens later, you will not regret it, and you will not try to take anything back?”

Du Zi Heng fell silent, then said with a wry smile after a pause: “In your eyes, am I that kind of person?”

Yu Zhi Yi didn’t commit either way and said: “Maybe you are not that kind of person, but who knows if a whisper in your ear will turn you into one?”

Du Zi Heng had no reply. He thought of everything that had happened these days. He had no face to deny it, so he promised again and again: “Don’t worry. I will never ask for the dresses or the money back in any form.”

“Good,” said Yu Zhi Yi, and her lips curved with real pleasure.

Their voices were not loud, and the hall was full and noisy, so others could not make out the words. They only saw the bright smile on Yu Zhi Yi’s lovely face, and the look on Du Zi Heng’s face that seemed helpless but, the more one looked, the more it felt like fondness.

The noble ladies were speechless: “…”

If this didn’t count as love, what did?

Yu Jiao Jiao clenched her fists so hard her nails almost cut her palms. Was Du Zi Heng blind? She was the true daughter of Yu Manor, a well-bred lady with the real bloodline of Minister’s Manor. Yet he gave her no warmth. Now he was being so gentle to that fake. What happened to loving only You Bing Yue?

Yu Zhi Yi ignored the sharp gaze from not far away that seemed to pierce through her. After getting Du Zi Heng’s promise, she was in a good mood and didn’t care to argue. After all, once today’s matter spread, Red Luan’s name would rise another level and stand firm at Splendid Brocade Pavilion. That would also prove Yu Zhi Yi’s own ability. She believed her wish would be fulfilled soon.

Before long, the viewing banquet began. The steward of Splendid Brocade Pavilion went on stage, said a few polite words, then invited a geisha to play the pipa. The music was clear and elegant, lifting the mood in the hall.

Next came the clothing showcase. Only designs launched by the Gold-Ranked Seamstresses were worthy of a viewing banquet, so the program always had the five Gold-Ranked Seamstresses take turns showing their work.

First up was the most senior seamstress. Her three outfits used flowers as their theme. The colors were bold, the look dazzling, and they caught the eye at once.

After the first round of clothing, a storyteller took the stage. He told a love story between a rich young lady and a poor scholar. Their love was stirring. In the end, the rich young lady abandoned everything to be with the scholar, and the scholar did well enough to take first in the exams, then made the rich young lady his wife.

The noble ladies listened with fluttering hearts. In that moment, many wished their beloved would work hard for them, and give them a court title one day.

The storyteller was very pleased with their reaction. He was the city’s most famous storyteller. No matter how plain a tale, once he spoke it, it would linger in the mind. Just then, he heard a small, scornful laugh. At first it sounded like a chuckle, but it brought no joy. It felt like mockery.

He looked over and saw the one who laughed was a young, beautiful woman in a flowered skirt. The moment he saw her face, his heart swayed. She was too beautiful, a beauty so clean it stirred no dirty thoughts. He looked away and pretended not to hear.

He had told this story countless times. The more he told it, the more uneasy he felt, especially after his own name grew and his money grew at home. Each time he told it, his stomach turned a little. He had a daughter. He was, barely, a rich man himself. If he imagined his daughter running off with some poor boy, even if that boy later did top the exams, he would lie awake, suffocating at the thought.

The storyteller chose not to argue, but Yu Jiao Jiao called out, voice bright with fake innocence: “Sister, were you showing your displeasure?”

Then she asked with wide eyes: “But why, sister? Do you think this gentleman told it poorly?”

Everyone looked over, with contempt, disgust, glee at others’ trouble, or no feeling at all.

Du Zi Heng frowned. At first, he also thought Yu Zhi Yi was being rude. But once he thought of recent events, he could not help wondering if she had noticed something. Was there a problem with the storyteller?

He spoke in a low voice that still carried: “Yi’er is not someone who behaves rudely. There must be a reason.”

In the small hall, his words set off waves. Young Master Du spoiled that fake heiress so much? The matter was so clear, and he still chose to be blind?

Yu Jiao Jiao dug her nails into her palm and almost broke the skin. This jerk. Jerk.

Yu Zhi Yi looked even more surprised and glanced at Du Zi Heng with puzzlement. A moment later she grew wary: [Is he trying to make me beg for You Bing Yue? Don’t even dream of it.]