Chapter 3: I’ve Already Apologized, What More Do You Want?
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Two days after their wedding, this was the first time Du Zi Heng heard Yu Zhi Yi speak.
Though they had officially met the day before, he’d spent the entire time arguing with the Duke and Duchess, leaving Yu Zhi Yi with no chance to get a word in.
But now, hearing her voice, he couldn’t help but think, “It’s like listening to celestial music, as if my ears had suddenly opened up.”
It wasn’t the usual soft tone of most women, nor did it carry the boldness of You Bing Yue. It was airy, almost ethereal. Somehow, the agitation he had felt just moments before started to fade away.
He frowned, surprised by this change within himself. He hadn’t even noticed that Yu Zhi Yi had addressed him as “Sir” rather than “Husband.”
“I heard that the eldest daughter of the Minister of Revenue is calculating, skilled in manipulating people. Seeing you today, you certainly live up to your reputation,” he said.
The scandal involving the true and false daughters of the Yu family had rocked the capital, even reaching the commoners’ ears. Ever since, Yu Zhi Yi had vanished from noble circles, but her infamous reputation—stealing the true daughter’s love and constantly setting her up—never ceased.
If not for Madam Du visiting the temple and being told by divine insight that her son had to marry a daughter of the Yu family, and with the true daughter, Yu Jiao Jiao, already married months before, there was no way this “great marriage” would have fallen on Yu Zhi Yi.
Du Zi Heng thought, even if he hadn’t known Bing Yue earlier, he would never want to spend his life with someone as vicious and manipulative as this woman.
Yu Zhi Yi simply responded, “?”
“I’ve heard plenty of rumors about you too, Young Master Du. They say you’re exceptionally talented, destined to become a wise statesman like your father. Meeting you today, it seems those were just exaggerations.”
Her tone was gentle, but her meaning couldn’t have been clearer—how could someone so foolish deserve such praise? She couldn’t understand why Yu Jiao Jiao in her past life was so desperate to win a place in this man’s heart.
Yu Zhi Yi set the teapot down. “Since Young Master Du isn’t here to ask for help but to pick a fight… Zi Yuan, please see him out.”
Zi Yuan, who had brought in some pastries, happened to hear Du Zi Heng insulting her mistress. Her expression darkened, and she began to shove him towards the door without ceremony. “Master-in-law, please leave.”
Only then did Du Zi Heng remember that he had come with a request.
Suppressing his annoyance, he said, “Wait, I really do need your help.”
Zi Yuan sneered. “Master-in-law, this is no way to ask a favor.”
Du Zi Heng glared at the insolent maid, but seeing Yu Zhi Yi made no move to stop Zi Yuan, he said, “I apologize. I shouldn’t have spoken out of line.”
Yu Zhi Yi showed no reaction.
By now, Du Zi Heng was almost at the doorstep. Frustration rising, he shouted, “I’ve apologized! What more do you want?”
Yu Zhi Yi smiled. “If apologies were all it took, what use would there be for officials and courts? I believe a proper apology should show sincerity, don’t you think?”
If one was to ask for help, they should act accordingly.
Du Zi Heng stood at the courtyard gate, his handsome face darkened with anger. “What do you want?”
“I’m a simple person,” Yu Zhi Yi said, “I only accept apologies that I can see and touch. One hundred taels of silver would suffice, but a thousand taels of gold is even better.”
Du Zi Heng’s expression twisted in disbelief. “A noblewoman of the Ministry of Revenue stooping to such vulgar greed?”
Yu Zhi Yi didn’t think vulgarity or greed were bad traits. In her past life, following Zhang Tian Shun across countless battlefields, she had suffered multiple times for lack of money.
Without funds, there was no food for the soldiers, no equipment—and in the dead of winter, troops could only shiver in their tents. Although she and Zhang Tian Shun never went hungry or cold, it was a hard life.
She had also seen many impoverished families freeze or starve to death during winter. Not to mention, after she turned ten, no servant besides Zi Yuan was willing to help without payment.
Money was indeed a good thing.
“Don’t worry,” she said, “this time I don’t want silver or gold. All I want is for Young Master Du to personally buy the most expensive red dress hanging on the third floor of Splendid Embroidery Workshop, and accompany me back to my family home tomorrow. Once you’ve done that, I’ll help solve your troubles.”
Du Zi Heng’s expression shifted. “You know what I came here for?”
“I do,” she said.
“And you can really help?” His voice held a mix of hope and doubt.
Yu Zhi Yi smiled. “Since you said I’m good at manipulating people, you should trust my skills. Otherwise, it’s your own words you’re contradicting.”
Du Zi Heng glared at her in silence. This was the first time he had seen anyone take an insult as a compliment.
After a pause, he looked at her seriously. “I hope you keep your word. If you’re lying to me…”
Yu Zhi Yi gave him a faint smile, not bothering to answer. Internally, she thought, “If I lie, so what? At most, he’d throw a tantrum.”
She wasn’t seeking his love. What could he do to her?
Du Zi Heng worked fast. Before the Madam of Marquis Wu’an’s Household even entered the estate, the red dress had already been delivered to Wind Facing Pavilion.
Yu Zhi Yi had Zi Yuan store the dress away carefully.
Soon after, Madam Wu’an arrived.
Yu Zhi Yi had known her since she was ten, back when Yu Jiao Jiao had not yet returned to the family, and she was still the beloved eldest daughter of the Yu household.
One day, while out on an excursion, she had nearly been kidnapped, but Madam Wu’an happened to pass by and chased the culprits for dozens of miles, rescuing her.
Yu Zhi Yi had read her fortune then and warned her that her young son was fated to have a disaster that night, advising her to keep him away from ponds or rivers.
That very night, her son had run to the lotus pond in their estate, wanting to catch fish, and fallen in. If Madam Wu’an hadn’t remembered Yu Zhi Yi’s warning and sent people looking for him, he would’ve drowned.
Since then, Madam Wu’an had been deeply convinced of Yu Zhi Yi’s abilities, visiting her every time she faced difficult decisions.
And every time she acted according to Yu Zhi Yi’s advice, things worked out well.
Neither had expected they’d meet again under such circumstances.
Madam Wu’an’s expression was complicated. “Did the Enlightened Master ask me here to convince me to drop my pursuit of that woman?”
If that was the case, she’d be sorely disappointed.
“Enlightened Master, I do not wish to damage our friendship, so it’s best you don’t say anything about this matter. My son may have his faults, but he’s still my son. I admit he was wrong, and he should be punished—but not like this.”
“You didn’t see how badly he was beaten. His skull was split open! The doctor said whoever did it intended to kill him!”
“I asked the servants; my son was drunk, but all he did was approach the woman to ask if she’d share a drink with him. He didn’t do anything else.”
“That woman is ruthless!”
“What angers me most is that Du Zi Heng knew exactly who got hurt, yet stayed silent! Such a man lacks responsibility and character. Enlightened Master, you shouldn’t lower yourself for him. He’s not worth it!”
Yu Zhi Yi handed her a cup of tea. “Have some cool tea to calm your anger.”
Her voice was as airy and serene as ever, making it hard for anyone to hold onto their rage.
Madam Wu’an’s mood gradually settled, but she didn’t regret her words.
Yu Zhi Yi glanced at her. “Do you know what will happen if you keep pressing this matter?”
Madam Wu’an straightened unconsciously.