Chapter 21: Back Again
This novel is translated and hosted only on Bcatranslation
The romance between Du Zi Heng and You Bing Yue was the sort of tale that would make any storybook proud—a nobleman falling in love with a humble village girl. Together, they defied societal conventions and class barriers, boldly chasing their love, and in the end, living happily ever after.
If such a story were written and sold, it might inspire countless young women to dream of becoming phoenixes soaring from lowly branches. At the same time, it might embolden many young men to believe that defying the world for love was the epitome of heroism.
But the reality?
When Du Zi Heng went missing for three months, Madam Yao wept day and night, her eyes nearly blinded from tears. Chancellor Du, sleepless with worry, aged visibly in just a few months. Yet Du Zi Heng himself? He had recovered enough to get out of bed within half a month of his accident, and within a month, his injuries were nearly healed.
Had he chosen to notify Chancellor Du and his wife then, bringing his savior back to the capital, they might have begrudgingly accepted You Bing Yue despite her humble origins. After all, she had saved their son’s life.
However, Du Zi Heng, fearing that Madam Yao wouldn’t accept You Bing Yue, kept delaying, hoping to devise a way to make his parents more receptive. Meanwhile, You Bing Yue, upon learning of Du Zi Heng’s family, didn’t urge him to send word home. When she discovered that his parents wished for a daughter-in-law of equal standing, her solution was for him to abandon everything and roam the world with her.
Her exact words were, “I have ways to earn money, and you have knowledge and skills. Even without relying on the Chancellor’s Mansion, we could live well.”
Not only did she say this to Du Zi Heng, but she repeated it to Madam Yao when the latter tactfully expressed her desire for a daughter-in-law who could support her son.
When Chancellor Du finally located the small village where his son was hiding, Du Zi Heng was preparing to leave everything behind and wander with You Bing Yue.
Such actions could only lead to one outcome: absolute rejection of You Bing Yue by the Chancellor and his wife.
Yu Zhi Yi, with a calm tone, remarked, “From my observations, Father and Mother are not unreasonable people. For instance, when I wished to set up a fragrance chamber, Mother, despite her skepticism about my abilities, agreed after hearing my reasons.”
“If you hadn’t intentionally hidden the truth or harbored thoughts of abandoning your parents, perhaps things could have turned out differently.”
At the time, Du Zi Heng didn’t feel his actions were wrong. His father, being the Chancellor, was strict with him, and his mother, though loving, would always side with his father’s principles. Having been raised with the belief that he must marry someone of equal status, Du Zi Heng never considered the possibility that his parents might accept someone of lower birth. Thus, when You Bing Yue suggested eloping, he wavered.
He had never thought about the emotional toll his actions took on his parents. Nor did anyone around him suggest that trusting his parents from the start might have led to a different outcome.
The realization hit him like a hammer. Stunned, he asked, “In your opinion, what should I do now?”
Yu Zhi Yi raised an eyebrow. “You wish for my help?”
She continued, her tone light yet pointed. “The first time Miss You met me, she was disrespectful and tried to push someone of mine into the water.”
“The second time, she falsely accused me alongside others.”
“Why should I help her?”
Du Zi Heng, speechless, could only try to salvage the situation.
With a faint smile, Yu Zhi Yi concluded, “Not actively working to separate you two is the greatest concession I’m willing to make. Helping you? Absolutely not.”
Even as the words left his mouth, Du Zi Heng realized the absurdity of his request. Asking the legitimate wife to help convince his parents to accept the concubine? What kind of man would do such a thing?
Flustered, he covered his face in embarrassment. “Apologies, that was presumptuous of me.”
“No harm done.”
The carriage wheels creaked as they rolled forward. Neither Du Zi Heng, who was not fond of small talk, nor Yu Zhi Yi, who preferred silence, broke the quiet that settled inside.
Although he picked up a book, Du Zi Heng found himself unable to focus. His mind swirled with thoughts of the day’s events—not his relationship with You Bing Yue, but the shocking revelations about Madam Ji.
Who would have thought that the gentle and kind Lady Ji could be so venomous? Curious, he asked, “What do you think Ji Cong Xin will do?”
Despite Madam Ji’s wickedness, Ji Cong Xin’s original wife and son were still alive—a situation that could be glossed over in many circles. As a man, Ji Cong Xin could very well bring his original wife back into the household and enjoy the best of both worlds.
But putting himself in Ji Cong Xin’s shoes, Du Zi Heng knew he couldn’t tolerate a venomous snake by his side.
With a faint smile, Yu Zhi Yi replied, “Being a man of true sentiment, Ji Cong Xin will undoubtedly choose his original wife.”
Satisfied with the answer, Du Zi Heng expressed regret. “What a pity for Ji Yi Fei, though…”
The family, once intact, was now in shambles.
The following day, Ji Cong Xin divorced Madam Ji. Though she initially resisted, Ji Cong Xin laid out all her misdeeds and made it clear that if she refused, he would publicly denounce her. Unwilling to bear the shame of a formal dismissal, her family intervened and agreed to the separation.
Having amassed significant wealth and connections, Ji Cong Xin was no longer the impoverished merchant fleeing from the Pang family’s influence. Now, even a powerful family like the Pangs couldn’t touch him.
Still, Ji Cong Xin wasn’t entirely heartless. After the divorce, he granted Madam Ji a generous sum of silver and allowed their son Ji Yi Fei to remain with her.
As Zi Yuan animatedly recounted the tale, Yu Pan Er rushed in, face flushed with worry. “Young Madam, bad news!”
Without even looking up, Yu Zhi Yi asked lazily, “What is it?”
“The Young Master has brought that woman back again! Somehow, he’s even convinced Madam to let her stay in the Moon Gazing Pavilion!”
Unperturbed, Yu Zhi Yi turned her gaze away. “And you thought this was worth panicking over?”
Yu Pan Er gawked in disbelief. “Isn’t this a big deal?”
“He’s a man. Who he brings home is his business, not mine.”
Yesterday, Du Zi Heng had unexpectedly visited Yu Zhi Yi’s courtyard, delighting Madam Yao to no end.
Privately, Yu Zhi Yi thought that if You Bing Yue didn’t return soon, Madam Yao might start pressuring her about consummating the marriage or having children.
But Yu Zhi Yi had no intention of letting herself be shackled by men or motherhood. Whether another woman bore children or not, they would still call her “Mother.” When she earned her title and secured her status, even if she failed to ascend, she could still rest in peace with dignity.
Wasn’t that far more satisfying than exhausting herself over a man?
Despite her nonchalance, she sighed. If only her rebirth had come at a better time, she might not have had to face all this.