Chapter 14: Admit You Were Wrong
This novel is translated and hosted only on Bcatranslation
“Young Master Du, you heard about Miss You’s visit to Plum Courtyard as soon as you got back. How is it that you didn’t know there was a sneaky thief in the mansion today?”
Du Zi Heng was left speechless.
It wasn’t that he didn’t know about the thief. The steward had told him everything when he returned. But when he heard You Bing Yue was in Plum Courtyard, he immediately worried that his parents might trouble her again. His only thought was to protect the one he loved from harassment, and everything else slipped from his mind.
He frowned. “What’s this got to do with all that nonsense?”
Yu Zhi Yi stepped forward, picked up the talisman paper, and carefully folded it. “This isn’t nonsense. These are formation talismans I created to replace the traditional formation flags.”
“Formation flags are essential tools for creating formations,” she explained. “I used these talismans to set up a defensive formation. Every night, it automatically creates a protective shield around the Chancellor’s residence. Except for the main gate and a few side entrances, every other area is covered by the formation, making it impossible for anyone to sneak into the mansion.”
Madam Yao suddenly understood. “So, Du Sheng didn’t fall off the wall by accident? It was because of this formation?”
“Ridiculous!” You Bing Yue scoffed. “What defensive formation? Such things don’t exist. Are you really willing to lose all credibility just for some attention by making up these wild claims?”
Yu Zhi Yi smiled calmly. “Just because you haven’t seen it doesn’t mean formations don’t exist.”
You Bing Yue was furious. How dare this shallow, gold-digging woman call her ignorant?! She had seen things this woman, with her limited imagination, could never even dream of!
But Yu Zhi Yi ignored her, turning to the Chancellor. “Father, if you want to know whether the formation really works, just put the talismans back in place.”
She looked at You Bing Yue with a friendly smile. “Since Miss You and Young Master Du don’t believe me, they can verify it for themselves.”
The Chancellor didn’t object.
Du Zi Heng wanted to say something, but he had no right to speak here.
Soon, everyone gathered by the wall.
Yu Zhi Yi placed the talismans back in position, then took a handkerchief from Zi Yuan to wipe the dirt from her hands. “Alright, Miss You, you may begin.”
You Bing Yue snorted. “Enough with the theatrics. A fake is a fake. No matter how calm you act, you’ll end up crying and begging for mercy.”
With that, she tapped her toes lightly and shot up to the top of the wall like an arrow.
“Amazing!” Du Sheng shouted.
Admiration and love filled Du Zi Heng’s eyes too. It was this impressive display of skill that had captivated him. The capital had many beautiful women, but a woman with such prowess, willing to break societal norms, was a rare gem.
Just as these thoughts crossed his mind, both Du Zi Heng and Du Sheng’s eyes widened in shock.
Before You Bing Yue’s feet even touched the top of the wall, she seemed to hit an invisible barrier and was thrown back down, landing heavily on the ground, raising a cloud of dust.
Yu Zhi Yi smiled brightly. “Miss You, do you believe me now?”
You Bing Yue glared at her but said nothing, determined to try again.
This time, she didn’t rush. She moved gracefully, using the wall as support, her hands and feet propelling her upward like a leopard.
But—nothing.
No matter what she did, she couldn’t get past the invisible wall. Though it was unseen, it felt as solid as stone, blocking her way out of the mansion.
She refused to believe in formations.
And even if such a thing existed, there was no way this weak, gold-digging imposter could have created one!
Du Zi Heng and Du Sheng also tried to find any flaw in the formation, but they couldn’t.
“Zi Yuan, prepare three chairs. Looks like we’ll be here for a while.” Yu Zhi Yi paused before adding, “Also, prepare some late-night snacks—Father and Mother must be hungry after all this.”
Zi Yuan smiled and nodded.
Soon, servants brought chairs, and food followed shortly after.
Yu Zhi Yi invited the Chancellor and Madam Yao to eat while she picked up her chopsticks to enjoy the delicacies.
Watching the show while savoring good food—truly, this was one of life’s greatest pleasures.
After a while, You Bing Yue, Du Zi Heng, and Du Sheng returned, their faces covered in dust and frustration. You Bing Yue was fuming. Seeing Yu Zhi Yi and her family sitting comfortably, she nearly exploded in rage.
How dare they!
She was the mighty Queen of Shadows, and they were treating her like a circus monkey?!
Yu Zhi Yi finished a pastry and took a sip of tea before smiling sweetly. “Miss You, are you ready to admit your narrow-mindedness?”
You Bing Yue, already irritable, almost lost her temper completely. “You…”
“Bing Yue! Enough… enough…” Du Zi Heng stepped forward, pulling her into his arms. He frowned at Yu Zhi Yi. “You do have some skills, but that doesn’t give you the right to abuse your power and harm the servants of this household.”
“Du Sheng grew up in this mansion, loyal to the Chancellor. Yet you claim you could dispose of him as you wish—that’s going too far.”
Yu Zhi Yi blinked, her beautiful face showing a hint of confusion. “Loyal? You mean when he used his position to embezzle the mansion’s funds during errands? Or are you referring to the way he covets Miss You’s beauty, despite knowing she’s your beloved?”
The Chancellor and Madam Yao immediately sat up straighter.
Having seen Yu Zhi Yi’s abilities, neither doubted her words. They were both angry, yet also intrigued by the gossip.
Well, perhaps not too angry.
The urge to hear more drama won out.
You Bing Yue pushed away from Du Zi Heng’s embrace.
Du Zi Heng, a tall, strong man, nearly stumbled from her shove.
“As a woman, don’t you understand how vile it is to spread such slander? How could you defame me like this?” You Bing Yue’s voice was filled with fury.
Yu Zhi Yi looked even more perplexed. “I only said he covets your beauty, not that you reciprocated. How is that slander? Why are you so angry?”
You Bing Yue was speechless.
Now it was Du Sheng’s turn to protest. “Young Madam, even if you do have skills, you can’t make false accusations against us! Miss You may have been kind to me, but there’s nothing improper between us—we are innocent!”
Du Zi Heng’s face darkened. “Don’t you realize that falsely accusing another woman could drive her to despair? How could you be so cruel?”
Yu Zhi Yi ignored him and looked at Du Sheng. “You really love playing the loyal servant. Instead of defending yourself against embezzling, you focus solely on distancing yourself from Miss You.”
She clapped her hands, her face full of admiration.
Du Sheng was furious. “Young Madam! Watch your words! I am loyal to this mansion. I would never do such a thing!”
“Whether it’s embezzling funds or coveting Miss You’s beauty, it’s all nonsense! If you keep slandering me… I’ll have no choice but to die to prove my innocence!”
Yu Zhi Yi wasn’t intimidated. “Even if you die, the evidence you left behind won’t vanish just because you chose to flee your guilt.”