Chapter 24: Lying with Another Man
This novel is translated and hosted only on Bcatranslation
Yu Zhi Yi sat at her vanity, letting her fingers glide across the smooth surface of the dressing table. Her voice was calm as she said, “In the mistress’s bedroom, behind the mirror, there’s a hidden compartment. Open the first layer, and you’ll find the real account book inside.”
She turned to Zi Yuan with a mischievous glint in her eyes. “Setting an example, are we? Like killing a chicken to scare the monkeys. Oh, and make sure to bring a few more people along. A gambler who has lost everything can be dangerous. Desperation makes them unpredictable.”
Zi Yuan sighed, sounding exasperated. “Miss, you…”
Could she be any lazier?
Yu Zhi Yi took another bite of melon, enjoying its juicy sweetness. She closed her eyes in satisfaction. If she was going to live again, why not make the most of it? What was the point of having a second life if not to relax?
When Zi Yuan left, Yu Zhi Yi was ready for an afternoon nap. But then Li Rou appeared at the door. “Madam, Miss You is here,” she said.
Li Rou was one of four maids Yu Zhi Yi had brought from the Yu household. Zhang Xiang was another.
Yu Zhi Yi raised an eyebrow. You Bing Yue had returned a few days ago, and to her surprise, she’d been keeping her distance, trying to stay in Madam Yao’s good graces. Yu Zhi Yi had enjoyed the peace and quiet.
Madam Yao had even come by personally to apologize. She had explained that, if there was any other choice, she wouldn’t have allowed You Bing Yue into their household. But her son was utterly infatuated. She had once tried threatening her own life to stop him, but it only made things worse between them. She didn’t want to push him that far again—she feared it would ruin their relationship completely.
Yu Zhi Yi understood. In this era, men often took multiple wives and concubines. Faithful love stories like that of Chancellor Du and his wife were rare. Madam Yao hoped her son would stay loyal, but if he insisted on taking another partner, she could only accept it.
Yu Zhi Yi wasn’t naive enough to think Madam Yao would stand against her own son for her sake. She didn’t mind You Bing Yue’s return—it was better than a mother-in-law constantly pestering her about consummating the marriage and having children.
But she hadn’t expected You Bing Yue to come looking for her now.
Before Yu Zhi Yi could decide whether to invite her in or send her away, You Bing Yue barged into the room without waiting.
Yu Zhi Yi blinked. “…”
“I heard from Zi Heng that you gave him the idea to convince Madam Yao?” You Bing Yue demanded, her tone sharp. It was clear she wasn’t here for a friendly chat.
Yu Zhi Yi ignored her, gesturing for Li Rou to clear away the melon rinds. Then, Zhang Xiang brought over a basin of water, and Yu Zhi Yi washed her hands, taking her time. She didn’t bother answering Bing Yue’s question, nor did she even look at her. Her indifference was colder and more dismissive than any words could have been.
Bing Yue’s expression darkened. “What’s with that attitude?! I’m asking you a question!”
Yu Zhi Yi turned to Li Rou. “Did you hear something? It sounded like noise.”
Li Rou hadn’t grown up in the Yu household—she had been bought later. In wealthy families, the most trusted servants were usually those whose families had served for generations or those who were bought young and raised in the household. Servants like Li Rou, who were brought in as adults, were often given simple tasks, but they could be sharp and observant—Li Rou, for example, had a naive charm about her.
Li Rou looked at Bing Yue, confused. Hadn’t Miss You just been talking? But Yu Zhi Yi was her mistress, and she couldn’t exactly argue with her. “Uh… maybe?”
Bing Yue fumed, her anger rising. The look from Li Rou wasn’t even threatening—it was just incredibly insulting.
“Yu Zhi Yi! What exactly are you so proud of?! Do you think your little schemes are clever? Pretending to be above everything while secretly manipulating others—isn’t it disgusting?” Bing Yue glared, her rage growing as she thought of Du Zi Heng’s recent behavior.
She’d been away from the Chancellor’s residence for so long, and he hadn’t come after her even once. When he finally did, it was to drag her back and apologize to Madam Yao. She hadn’t wanted to return, but Du Zi Heng’s sweet words had convinced her. He’d talked about their duty to his parents, how no parents could truly hate their children, and that if they showed their sincerity, the Chancellor and Madam Yao would forgive them. He’d even made sweet promises.
She’d believed him, only to find out later that it had all been Yu Zhi Yi’s idea.
Yu Zhi Yi! Always Yu Zhi Yi!
She also remembered the flower event, when Ji Yi Fei had wanted to stand up for her. But after that, he vanished. He never came to see her again!
Lost in her thoughts, Bing Yue didn’t realize that Ji Yi Fei’s status had already crumbled. She was furious—this woman was always working against her. Stealing Du Zi Heng wasn’t enough; she had to take Ji Yi Fei too!
Otherwise, why had Ji Yi Fei disappeared without a word?
Yu Zhi Yi snorted. “Pretending to be above it all, yet secretly seducing men—are you talking about yourself?” She began to count on her fingers. “Let’s see—Du Zi Heng, Ji Yi Fei, Dong Fang Yuan, Leng Xiao Yao… and those are just the ones I can name. Who knows how many others there are.”
Bing Yue’s eyes widened in shock. How did she know everything?!
“Stop talking nonsense! I’m just friends with them! Pure friendship! You’re the one with a filthy mind! I’m not like you, who can’t survive without a man!”
Yu Zhi Yi couldn’t read Bing Yue’s face, but she had memories of her past life to draw from. She’d had the misfortune of meeting this “unforgettable” woman a few times and had heard plenty of stories.
Every time they met, Yu Zhi Yi had witnessed an extraordinary drama involving men, with Bing Yue at the center.
“Pure friendship—like that time you spent a night with Ji Yi Fei, drinking alone, and then fell asleep in his bed? Or not needing a man—like when you borrowed three thousand silver taels from Ji Yi Fei, promising to pay him back once your business took off, but instead spent it all and still have nothing to show for it?”
She’d read these details off Ji Yi Fei’s face.
Bing Yue’s panic grew. Was this woman psychic? Wait—did Ji Yi Fei tell her all this?! Her hatred flared. That filthy man! Promising to love her forever, then betraying her to this witch.
She was humiliated and furious.
Anger surged through her, and she moved without thinking—her body a blur as she lunged at Yu Zhi Yi. “You’re asking for it!”
Her hand struck out, her fingers curved like an eagle’s claws, aiming straight for Yu Zhi Yi.
The murderous intent in her eyes was almost tangible. Li Rou, nearby, was terrified. “Madam, watch out!” she cried, instinctively stepping in front of Yu Zhi Yi.
Yu Zhi Yi blinked, taken aback.