Chapter 33: Rescue Her? Why Should I?
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It turned out that after the Huang Family arrived at Flame Martial Slope, they discovered that You Bing Yue’s intelligence was flawed.
While there were indeed criminals hiding there, they were far more dangerous than mere child-snatchers—they were bandits disguised as common folk, led by a ruthless chief and his crew.
These desperadoes used Flame Martial Slope as a stronghold to plan a large-scale operation: kidnapping the families of high-ranking officials and nobles in Sheng Capital, particularly their legitimate heirs, to extort hefty ransoms.
The gang comprised hardened fugitives, ferocious and highly skilled. Underestimating them cost You Bing Yue and the Huang Family dearly.
Though You Bing Yue fared slightly better due to her remarkable combat skills, even managing to hold her ground against three bandits at once, the situation for the Huang Family was disastrous. They were merely two civil officials accompanied by an ill-equipped entourage, no match for experienced bandits.
In mere moments, the Huang Family suffered grievous losses. You Bing Yue, despite her skill, was eventually overwhelmed in the relentless onslaught, her strength depleted. A vicious bandit pierced her right shoulder, leaving her gravely injured.
Had it not been for Du Zi Heng’s resourcefulness—discovering the identity of the bandits occupying Flame Martial Slope and connecting the dots to You Bing Yue’s bounty hunter mission—the Huang Family and You Bing Yue would have perished there. He promptly alerted the City Defense Guard, ensuring their timely arrival to save them.
When Du Zi Heng interrogated You Bing Yue afterward, she mentioned Yu Zhi Yi’s name. Further inquiry with the Huang Family revealed the full story, including Yu Zhi Yi’s involvement. This prompted Du Zi Heng to confront her.
Yet, even in his frustration, he retained some sense, recognizing that Yu Zhi Yi couldn’t have intentionally endangered You Bing Yue or the Huang Family. Still, he questioned why she hadn’t stopped them.
“If you’d stopped them,” he said, “Bing Yue and the Huang Family wouldn’t have been hurt.”
Already irritable, Du Zi Heng’s mood soured further at Yu Zhi Yi’s sardonic tone. His thoughts spiraled into a conspiracy: “I’ll admit, Bing Yue can be headstrong at times, but she didn’t deserve this…”
His voice dropped, tinged with suspicion. “Unless… did you do this on purpose?”
“You knew Bing Yue wouldn’t die but also realized she’d get injured. You also figured out that my cousin’s nephew wasn’t at Flame Martial Slope but back in the capital. You used this to highlight your own competence, so that my mother and I would see how capable you are while Bing Yue appeared incompetent. Is that it?”
The more he spoke, the more convinced he became of his theory. “I was wrong about you!”
Yu Zhi Yi leaned back slightly, her narrowed eyes revealing her exasperation. “With this level of paranoia, you must not see the sun often, do you?”
Before Yu Zhi Yi could retort, Madam Du interjected, her anger erupting. “Enough! How could I have given birth to such a foolish son?”
“Mother!” Du Zi Heng, still distressed over You Bing Yue’s injury, defended himself. “She’s skilled, yes, but her intentions… Do you even realize Bing Yue was hurt? If the City Defense Guard hadn’t arrived in time, she could have—”
Hearing that You Bing Yue survived, Madam Du dismissed the subject. “Whether Yu Zhi Yi had ill intent, I don’t know, but I do know that you’re both stupid and malicious! Speaking so recklessly about a kind-hearted young woman—what happened to the upbringing I gave you? Did the dogs eat it?”
She took several deep breaths, visibly restraining herself from having someone beat her son on the spot.
“Yu Zhi Yi returned home this afternoon, and from the moment she arrived, she hasn’t mentioned that woman’s name!”
“If you hadn’t barged in here like a lunatic, I wouldn’t even have known that foolish girl dragged herself and the Huang Family into this mess, bleeding and injured as they are.”
Du Zi Heng’s face turned pale. “What?”
Yu Zhi Yi patted Madam Du’s back gently. “Mother, calm down.”
She fixed a cold gaze on Du Zi Heng. “Indeed, I can foresee many things and often predict fortune or misfortune. But I cannot interfere with others’ karma without reason. I aided my cousin because she entrusted her karma to me.”
“Had it not been for my cousin’s concern for the Huang Family, I wouldn’t have bothered warning Miss You. I knew my words would be wasted on her.”
She sneered. “Besides, even if there weren’t heavenly restrictions, why should I help a woman who constantly targets me? Do you think my life is too peaceful?”
“You…” Du Zi Heng faltered.
“How could you be so heartless?” Yu Zhi Yi stared at him blankly. “To be frank, since learning of Miss You’s existence, I’ve deliberately avoided involving myself in your affairs. I even thought it’d be good for you to have confidants.”
“And yet, what happened? I stayed out of her way, but she repeatedly provoked me.”
“Not dealing with her directly is the greatest mercy I’ve shown. Rescue her? Not even in my dreams.”
Du Zi Heng was stunned.
It was rare for someone to acknowledge their dark side so plainly, yet Yu Zhi Yi’s logic was irrefutable.
Her piercing gaze seemed to strip him bare, revealing all his flaws. Under her scrutiny, he felt as insignificant as trash.
Mother was right—he was being unreasonable. The error lay in You Bing Yue’s stubbornness and his own emotional turmoil. Yu Zhi Yi had done nothing wrong.
Unable to remain any longer, he avoided her gaze, bowed to Madam Du, and fled the Leaning Plum Courtyard.
“How did my son become like this?” Madam Du lamented, grief-stricken.
Her once brilliant, virtuous son now seemed blind and foolish.
Yu Zhi Yi offered no comment. A mother scolding her child stemmed from love, and no matter how harsh the words, a mother’s heart remained tethered to her son.
If she joined in the criticism, she’d only make herself the villain when the mother and son reconciled.
The best course would have been to speak kindly of Du Zi Heng. But…
Why should she?
Let him dream on.
After a few more complaints, Madam Du noticed Yu Zhi Yi’s weary expression and sent her to rest at Breeze Pavilion.
That night, as Yu Zhi Yi meditated, four strands of golden light of merit entered her brow.
She wasn’t surprised.
In her past life, a serial killer in the capital murdered four vulnerable individuals, including a pregnant woman. After that final victim, the killer vanished, evading capture until her death years later.
At the time, she was away with Zhang Tian Shun, assigned to duties outside the capital. By the time she returned, the case had gone cold.
She finally recognized the culprit today—Song Xi Yuan.
The old scoundrel had harbored hatred against all who had apprehended his son, targeting their families over six years to exact revenge. Cowardly yet cunning, he avoided suspicion by staggering his crimes.
Now that he was caught, those four lives were spared.
Yu Zhi Yi silently thanked the Heavenly Dao for its gift and used the merit to refine her body.
The next morning, when she stepped out, she was met with Zi Yuan’s astonished gaze.
“What is it?” she asked.