Chapter 2: You’re Truly Crafty
This novel is translated and hosted only on Bcatranslation
Du Zi Heng never wanted to get married, but honestly, neither did she.
If he hadn’t wanted this marriage, he should have fought against it before it happened. But now, here they were—married. And he had the nerve to try and disgrace her? She wasn’t about to let that happen.
In her previous life, Yu Jiao Jiao had faced something similar. Back then, she had been the one left to deal with the mess.
Yu Jiao Jiao had held a deep grudge for the humiliation she endured on her wedding night. When she found out what You Bing Yue had done, she did everything she could to keep the Chancellor’s family out of it.
In the end, You Bing Yue had been taken away, but not entirely.
You Bing Yue had many close male friends—including the free-spirited prince.
The prince not only saved her, but he also got revenge on her behalf, punishing the Marquis Wu’an’s family harshly. Even after that, his anger didn’t subside. During one of Yu Jiao Jiao’s outings, he deliberately had her carriage wheel broken. She ended up embarrassing herself in public, breaking her arm, and having to spend six months recovering.
Meanwhile, You Bing Yue faced no consequences. Instead, the whole incident rekindled Du Zi Heng’s ambition.
Three years later, during the imperial exams, Du Zi Heng emerged as the top scholar. With the emperor’s favor, he requested a mansion—then moved in with You Bing Yue.
In that new mansion, Yu Jiao Jiao’s status plummeted.
She was still the main wife, backed by the Revenue Minister’s family and the Chancellor, but she suffered constantly.
You Bing Yue, on the other hand, was well-protected by Du Zi Heng. And with the husband’s rising influence, even the Chancellor and his wife began to soften towards her…
That afternoon, as expected, a visiting card arrived from Marchioness Wu’an.
At the time, Madam Yao, the Chancellor’s wife, had no idea about the incident involving You Bing Yue hitting someone. She frowned, puzzled. “Why is Marchioness Wu’an visiting now?”
She and Marchioness Wu’an weren’t particularly close—merely acquaintances.
Just then, Chancellor Du returned from outside. As he lifted the curtain and stepped in, he caught Madam Yao’s question. His stern expression darkened. “It’s because of that disgraceful son of ours!”
Madam Yao blinked in confusion. “What happened to Zi Heng? He hasn’t caused any trouble these past two days, has he?”
The only reckless thing he’d done recently was humiliate his bride on their wedding night. But what did that have to do with the Marquis Wu’an?
Chancellor Du, clearly frustrated, explained about You Bing Yue’s assault. He had only found out about it just now.
His first instinct had been to visit the Marquis of Wu’an’s residence, but he had been turned away at the door. With no other choice, he’d come back to confront his wayward son.
But before he could even call for Zi Heng, trouble had arrived at their doorstep.
“Servants, bring that disgrace of a son here, and that woman too. Let them sort out the mess they’ve caused!”
Madam Yao quickly intervened, “Husband, you can’t! If this isn’t handled properly, it could affect Zi Heng’s examination prospects this year.”
The current imperial exams didn’t just consider academic scores and connections; they also judged a candidate’s character. If someone was seen as deceitful or malicious, no matter how high their scores, the court wouldn’t employ them.
Du Zi Heng was the Chancellor’s son and a popular candidate for the exams. Who knew how many people were watching him right now? If this incident grew and reached the emperor’s ears, it would surely damage his future.
Chancellor Du fell silent.
The steward, who had been standing by, felt a chill down his spine. Seeing that the couple had stopped speaking, he cautiously spoke up, “Master, Madam, the person Marchioness Wu’an wishes to meet… is the young madam.”
“What?”
The Chancellor and Madam Yao were both stunned.
After a moment, Chancellor Du ordered, “Summon the young madam.”
Madam Yao added, “Perhaps we should go meet her instead.” She paused, then corrected herself, “No, let Zi Heng go and meet her.”
Yu Zhi Yi had just finished calculating her assets.
She was the adopted daughter of the Yu family. Even though her adoptive father was the Minister of Revenue, her dowry—while impressive at first glance, with its 120 carts—was mostly for show. There wasn’t much of real value.
She only had six hundred taels of silver, and the rest, when all added together, was worth less than a thousand taels.
Before her marriage, Madam Yu had given her two shops, but they weren’t in bustling areas. They were tucked away in little alleys where business was slow. Renting them out as residences wouldn’t bring in any tenants either.
Still, Yu Zhi Yi didn’t mind, since she earned much more on her own.
Zi Yuan, her maid, was fuming. “Master and Madam are truly too biased! I heard the Second Miss’s dowry alone was worth ten thousand taels. Madam also gave her another ten thousand taels separately, and each of the five young masters gave her a thousand taels. Not to mention, the eldest young master gave her several large shops, and the second young master gave her a hundred acres of fertile land…”
Yu Zhi Yi remained calm. “She’s the legitimate daughter of the Minister’s family. Even if they gave her the entire estate as her dowry, no one would have the right to complain.”
Zi Yuan was still upset. “But before the Second Miss came back, Master, Madam, and the five young masters treated you so well.”
More than ten years ago, Madam Yu had given birth unexpectedly while away from home. Another woman at the inn had also just given birth to a daughter. Seeing Madam Yu’s grand entourage, the woman—driven by malice—swapped the two baby girls.
Ten years later, when the truth came to light, the woman panicked and took her own life. Yu Zhi Yi’s position suddenly became awkward.
Minister Yu and his wife couldn’t bear to send Yu Zhi Yi away, so they let her remain as the eldest miss of the Yu family. But her status and treatment had dropped significantly.
Seven years passed, and as time went on, the Yu couple and her five brothers became increasingly distant, until they were practically indifferent to her. Even at her wedding, they showed little regard.
Madam Yu’s only gift to her had been a simple gold hairpin, worth less than a hundred taels. The five brothers, as if coordinated, each gave her an ordinary piece of jewelry.
The six hundred taels of silver were savings Yu Zhi Yi had accumulated before she turned ten. After that, her monthly allowance had been reduced to only three taels of silver, which barely covered her daily expenses. Even the first-rank maids in the Minister’s house received three taels of silver a month.
Was she hurt? Was she sad?
Of course, she had been. But one couldn’t live forever in sadness and disappointment. Clinging to memories of better times wouldn’t help her move forward.
Yu Zhi Yi ignored Zi Yuan’s complaints. Instead, she looked at the bright sunlight streaming through the window and said, “Serve the tea; we have a guest.”
Zi Yuan glanced at the empty doorway but didn’t question her mistress. She obediently went to prepare the tea.
Not long after, Du Zi Heng appeared outside the Wind Facing Pavilion, his expression sour.
He had the scholarly air typical of an educated man. His blue and white robe was loose yet well-fitted, and as he walked, the outer robe fluttered, giving him an effortlessly elegant appearance.
He was indeed quite handsome—rosy lips, a straight but gentle nose, and long eyelashes like butterfly wings. It was the kind of face that could easily make a woman fall for him at first sight.
No wonder, in her past life, Yu Jiao Jiao had been infatuated with him, even knowing there was no place for her in his heart. She had still desperately tried to please him.
Yu Zhi Yi looked away, her expression unreadable. Following proper etiquette, she used her fair, slender fingers to lift the teapot and poured a cup of tea herself.
“Since you’re here, why not come in, sir?”