Chapter 043

Chapter 43: Du Zi Heng: Am I Worthy?

Du Zi Heng had come full of anger, but when he saw how calm she was, as if everything was natural, he could not vent it. Instead, his chest felt heavy and dull. So what she said that day was true: she wore that skirt not for him, but to use her bad name and his fake “favor” to raise Red Luan’s fame. Realizing he was only a tool made his mood sour.

Red Luan began to speak, saying: “Young Master Du, actually…” She did not know their real relationship. Since she had seen Yu Zhi Yi speak for him at the pavilion, she thought they were close. She did not want to harm their bond because of her, so she tried to explain. Yu Zhi Yi waved a hand and said: “It is fine.”

[Du Zi Heng fell silent.]

Red Luan knew her limits. Since Yu Zhi Yi stopped her, she said no more. Yu Zhi Yi said to Red Luan: “I will head back first. I will visit you next time I am free. If you have time, come to the Chancellor’s Manor to see me.”

Red Luan answered, saying: “Alright.” She stepped down. As Yu Zhi Yi was about to tell the coachman to drive, Du Zi Heng climbed into the carriage.

Under her puzzled look, he turned his eyes to the window, looking a bit uneasy, and asked: “The bracelet and the jade pendant you made for my parents, is there something special about them?”

He had thought about that morning again and again. The more he thought, the stranger it seemed. He knew his parents well. Madam Yao liked jewelry, so it made sense she liked the bracelet Yu Zhi Yi gave. But Chancellor Du was not a shallow man. Why would he chase Yu Zhi Yi for a jade pendant? Yes, chase. He later realized that although his father looked calm that day, his eyes were the most anxious of all. With Yu Zhi Yi’s skills in mind, it was not hard to guess the bracelet and pendant were unusual.

Yu Zhi Yi had not expected this question, but there was nothing to hide, so she answered truthfully, saying: “Mother’s bracelet is defensive. It has twelve beads and can block twelve major disasters. When there is no disaster, the spiritual energy in it nourishes the body. Wearing it for a long time helps clear the mind and lengthen life.”

There was one more thing she did not say: for people with small chronic issues, the bracelet could quietly heal them; for those with serious illness, it could not cure the root, but could add three to five years of life. Since neither Madam Yao nor Chancellor Du had any serious illness, there was no need to bring this up.

Du Zi Heng’s fingertips trembled and he asked: “It can block twelve disasters?” He thought of You Bing Yue’s shoulder wound. If she had such a bracelet, would she have been unhurt? As for doubting the power, after seeing a defensive array with his own eyes, only a fool would doubt.

He hesitated and began: “Could you…”

Yu Zhi Yi cut in, saying: “Ten thousand taels for one protective talisman.”

Du Zi Heng was stunned and asked: “Ten thousand? Did Father and Mother give you that much?”

Yu Zhi Yi gave him a look as if he were being silly and said: “Why would I take money from Father and Mother?” She had not taken money. Madam Yao’s bracelet was a return gift. As for Chancellor Du, although she took neither money nor gifts, he was an elder and had treated her well. A junior sending a gift to an elder made sense. [Free for Du Zi Heng? Why should I?]

Du Zi Heng did not know how Madam Yao got her bracelet, but he understood the gap between himself and his parents. Ever since Yu Zhi Yi entered the house, his parents had been kind to her. As for him… [Better not bring it up. I really do not deserve it.]

He steadied himself and said: “Fine, ten thousand it is. But can you make it as a jade pendant or a bracelet too?” His private money still had not quite twenty thousand taels. He could afford it. If ten thousand taels could save a life, it was not a loss. Still, making it a symbol felt strange.

Yu Zhi Yi gave him a strange look and said: “Are you sure you want a bracelet or a pendant? Between a man and a woman, those are gifts lovers exchange.”

Du Zi Heng closed his eyes for a moment and said in a low voice: “Fine, make it a talisman.”

Yu Zhi Yi nodded and said: “I can give it to you tomorrow. Keep the talisman paper on you at all times and it will keep you safe. Remember, carry it with you. It still works if it leaves your body, but the power weakens with distance.”

Du Zi Heng nodded and said: “I understand.”

The next day, Yu Zhi Yi made the jade pendant and the talisman paper. She was fair. Since her patron paid ten thousand taels, she drew the talisman with great care. Although it was only yellow paper, she used a special method so ordinary means could not destroy it. Besides blocking one deadly disaster, it could also calm the mind and nourish the body. Compared with Madam Yao’s bracelet and Chancellor Du’s jade pendant, the only differences were the look and the number of times it could block danger. Chancellor Du’s jade pendant also had twelve charges.

The following morning, the very busy Chancellor Du still did not eat at home. Du Zi Heng showed up instead, which surprised Madam Yao. After her surprise, she smiled with bright joy. [She is thinking the wrong thing again,] Yu Zhi Yi guessed. [No need to poke it, especially with my mother-in-law.]

Madam Yao ate quickly, wiped her mouth and hands, then stood and said: “I am going into the palace to visit Her Majesty the Empress. Take your time and finish eating.”

Once Madam Yao left, Yu Zhi Yi lost the mood to eat. She took out the talisman paper and said: “Here.” For a major patron, she did not mind small touches; she even added a red charm pouch.

The moment Du Zi Heng took the talisman paper, he felt clear-headed. Even the gloom of the past days seemed to ease. He looked amazed and said: “This is incredible.”

Yu Zhi Yi rose and said: “Young Master, enjoy your meal. I am done.”

“Um…” Du Zi Heng stopped her, but he did not dare look at her face. His gaze drifted aside as he asked: “Will this work for anyone?”

Yu Zhi Yi guessed his plan and did not mind. In fact, she hoped he would buy more. She said: “Yes. A protective talisman has no fixed master. Whoever carries it will be protected. There is also a spirit talisman that can bind to a master, but the price is several times higher.”

Du Zi Heng’s private stash now had only a few thousand taels left. He said: “Forget it. No binding.” [No one could steal from Bing Yue anyway.]

Soon after Yu Zhi Yi returned to Windward Pavilion, the steward came to report, saying: “Young Madam, Aunt He from Yu Manor is here. Madam Yu invites you back to the manor for a family gathering.”

Yu Zhi Yi did not even lift her head as she turned a page and said: “I will not go.”