Chapter 128: Yu Jiao Jiao Kneels at the Door
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In recent days, Yu Zhi Yi couldn’t shake the feeling that someone was following her.
Every time she left the Du Mansion, the sensation of being shadowed would arise. Yet, despite several days passing, nothing had occurred. Her pursuer maintained a consistent distance of about twenty meters, neither too far nor too close, trailing her wherever she went. But that was all — they simply followed.
Yu Zhi Yi had inquired at the Graceful Phoenix Charity, but the staff assured her that everything seemed normal. While many came seeking help, only a few met their criteria.
Was Su Yuan Lin pitiful?
He had lost both hands, a genuine disability. Yet, because he retained the ability to earn a living and care for himself, the charity wouldn’t extend aid to him. By their standards, this excluded nearly 80% of applicants. Many were simply poor but otherwise healthy, facing some social injustices but not to the extent that charity intervention was vital. On the other hand, those truly in need, such as the elderly, disabled, or gravely ill, often couldn’t make it to the charity’s doorstep.
Recognizing this, Yu Zhi Yi insisted that the team tasked with finding clients continue to visit neighborhoods personally. The charity itself needed only two or three people to greet visitors and handle registrations.
As for the one following her, Yu Zhi Yi chose to ignore them. She sensed no malice. If they required assistance, they could approach the charity directly. For other motives, she couldn’t be bothered. If they needed her, they’d eventually reveal themselves.
Before the stalker could emerge, trouble came knocking.
That day, Yu Jiao Jiao appeared alone at the charity’s entrance.
Though still adorned in gold and silver, her attire had noticeably declined in quality. The fabric of her dress was the type affordable to commoners. It wasn’t coarse cloth, but neither was it silk or satin. Instead, it was a finely woven material with a pleasant appearance and decent texture, yet far inferior to luxurious fabrics.
In the Great Sheng Empire, clothing regulations weren’t overly strict. As long as one could afford it, even commoners could wear silk, though specific styles were restricted. For instance, men without official ranks couldn’t wear round-collared robes, and daughters of commoners couldn’t don garments exclusive to officials’ families. Even among officials, there were further distinctions.
In short, a keen eye could discern someone’s status from their attire.
The moment Yu Jiao Jiao arrived at Graceful Phoenix Charity, she knelt.
This street, once unremarkable, had recently grown bustling due to the charity. Crowds now frequently passed by, most of them drawn by its reputation. Upon seeing someone kneeling outside, curiosity naturally drew a crowd. Speculations abounded as people pointed and guessed what grave misfortune had driven her to such an act.
Yu Jiao Jiao’s eyes were red-rimmed, brimming with unshed tears. Her lips quivered as she choked out, “Elder Sister, I know I was wrong. Please forgive me!”
At the back of the crowd, a young man observed Yu Jiao Jiao with a flicker of dark emotion in his eyes.
Meanwhile, Yu Zhi Yi was upstairs, sifting through documents.
The organization’s staff had collected a wealth of data during their trips outside the city, much of it aligned with the criteria for assistance. However, many of the individuals identified lived in remote and isolated areas, where news was scarce. Confronted with the sudden opportunity for aid, their first reaction was skepticism.
Fortunately, the staff’s patient explanations, combined with the villagers’ own reflections, led to a realization: they had little to lose and no apparent reason to be exploited. Gradually, they accepted the help being offered.
Yu Zhi Yi was reviewing the profiles of these individuals, which prominently featured their birth dates and eight-character horoscopes. It was often the poorest households, plagued by relentless misfortunes, that came under scrutiny. Once adversity struck, it seemed to cascade unendingly, leaving only one or two family members behind. Some were elderly, disabled, or solitary; others were able-bodied yet had lost all means of livelihood due to various misfortunes, leaving them to the mercy of starvation despite their capabilities.
For those who were elderly, disabled, or otherwise incapable of sustaining themselves, Yu Zhi Yi adopted Red Luan’s suggestion to purchase a dedicated property in the city. There, specialized caregivers were hired to attend to their daily needs. Moreover, a partnership was established with local medical clinics to ensure they received timely and proper treatment for any illnesses. This sanctuary was aptly named the “Nursing Home.”
As for the latter group, those who had been ostracized or unfairly deprived of opportunities, Yu Zhi Yi provided them with work instead. The prospect of anyone causing trouble for such individuals did not cross her mind. After all, she had the emperor’s Imperial Gold Token, granting her the authority to act decisively. Should any villainous figure dare to appear, she would deal with them—one at a time or in pairs if necessary. And if they were utterly reprehensible? Well, removing a few pests from society would only serve the greater good.
At that moment, she was poring over the file of a young man named Li Feng. At twenty-three, his life had spiraled into such destitution that he survived by foraging wild herbs. The cause of his plight? Bad luck, pure and simple.
Li Feng had once lived a contented life in the countryside. His parents were diligent and resourceful, owning several acres of fertile land. His mother, who had previously worked as a maid for a family renowned for their medical expertise, had some knowledge of herbs and their preparation. Together, the couple worked hard, farming during busy seasons and venturing into the mountains to gather medicinal herbs during quieter periods. Over the years, they had saved a respectable sum of money.
With their newfound prosperity, the family decided to invest in education, an aspiration common in those times. Li Feng, showing promise, earned consistent praise from his teacher for his intelligence and potential. At eighteen, he passed the Student Candidate examinations and soon after married the daughter of the town’s doctor. Their married life was harmonious and filled with mutual affection.
Li Feng’s academic journey was equally fruitful; his dedication and curiosity garnered him valuable experience in the imperial examinations. He was poised to achieve the rank of Scholar, needing only a bit more time and opportunity.
Yet, fate’s benevolence ended there. A few years ago, during the Qiqiao Festival, the family’s visit to the city turned tragic. A powerful figure from Sheng’s Capital took a liking to Li Feng’s wife and brazenly abducted her. Despite their despair, the family tirelessly sought information and eventually discovered her whereabouts. But when they confronted the perpetrator to demand her return, their pleas met a brutal response. Li Feng and his father were savagely beaten, leaving his father mortally wounded. The older man succumbed to his injuries before they could even reach home.
Though Li Feng’s own injuries healed after a prolonged recovery, his spirit remained unbroken. He sought justice through legal channels, but no official dared to challenge the powerful figure involved. Not long after, his mother’s grief overwhelmed her, leading to her demise. Devastated by the chain of events, Li Feng’s wife, stricken with guilt over her father-in-law’s death, ended her life with a white silk ribbon.
The once-thriving family was reduced to ruins. Li Feng’s story was a stark reminder of the fragility of fortune and the devastating consequences of unchecked power.