Chapter 48: Her Noble Character, Unlike Yours
This novel is translated and hosted only on Bcatranslation
The next morning, Yu Zhi Yi had just finished her morning meditation and was about to have breakfast when Zi Yuan rushed in, her face flushed with urgency. “Miss, it’s bad! Miss You really has come back!”
Yu Zhi Yi sighed, clearly unimpressed. “Didn’t you already know last night that she was coming back? Why are you in such a panic?”
Zi Yuan shook her head anxiously. “I knew she was coming back, yes, but I didn’t know Prince Xiao Yao was coming with her!”
Prince Xiao Yao?
The emperor’s younger brother himself—a man second only to His Majesty. There were very few people in the entire Dasheng Empire whom Prince Xiao Yao would take seriously. But those people certainly didn’t include their own useless “son-in-law.”
And if her husband couldn’t handle this, wouldn’t that put Miss in danger?
Miss You clearly came with bad intentions—this was not looking good at all.
Yu Zhi Yi, however, didn’t seem bothered. “Why so frantic? They’re here to visit Young Master Zi Heng, not to cause trouble. Besides, if someone does come here with an axe to grind, we might as well treat it as a free show—isn’t it more thrilling to watch big shots make a scene for free rather than paying to see a play somewhere?”
Zi Yuan blinked at her. “…”
Though she found this outlook rather absurd, she couldn’t help but calm down a bit. After all, if Miss wasn’t worried, then neither should she be.
Madam Yao had left the house early that morning, leaving only Yu Zhi Yi and Du Zi Heng at home.
Du Zi Heng, being injured, had a strict diet for his recovery, which left Yu Zhi Yi free to enjoy her meal in her courtyard.
She was halfway through her breakfast when Steward Du arrived, informing her that Prince Xiao Yao had come and was asking for her at the gate.
Yu Zhi Yi calmly swallowed a spoonful of her seafood congee. “Got it.”
Zi Yuan looked anxious as Yu Zhi Yi changed her clothes and walked to the front gate, only to be informed that Prince Xiao Yao had already gone to Bright Harmony Courtyard.
Zi Yuan frowned at Steward Du. “Why didn’t you tell us he could go straight to Bright Harmony Courtyard? You made the… young madam run here for nothing.”
Steward Du wiped nonexistent sweat from his forehead. “I… didn’t expect His Highness would move that fast. We just received the news, and he was already there…”
“No matter,” Yu Zhi Yi said, dismissing him with a wave. She turned and headed toward Bright Harmony Courtyard.
“Greetings, Prince Xiao Yao,” she said as she arrived, offering a respectful bow.
Prince Xiao Yao looked every inch the nobleman, refined and charming, his lips ever so slightly curved in a gentle smile. He acted as if he hadn’t even seen her, focusing instead on Miss You Bing Yue beside him. “Yue’er, you only had half a bowl of porridge this morning. That’s not good for your recovery. Make sure to eat properly at lunch, no matter how little you feel like it. You need your strength for your wounds to heal.”
Miss You’s beautiful, icy expression didn’t waver, her attention fixed entirely on Du Zi Heng.
Du Zi Heng returned her gaze with equal intensity.
Neither spared Yu Zhi Yi a glance.
Yu Zhi Yi repeated herself, louder this time. “I, Yu Zhi Yi, greet Prince Xiao Yao.”
Prince Xiao Yao took a leisurely sip of his tea, his gaze still averted.
Miss You Bing Yue and Du Zi Heng, however, heard her. Miss You’s expression flickered slightly, but she didn’t bother to remind Prince Xiao Yao, acting as if she hadn’t noticed Yu Zhi Yi’s presence.
Du Zi Heng’s brows furrowed in concern as he glanced at her bowing form. “Your Highness, Zhi Yi is here,” he said.
Miss You scoffed coldly. “How considerate of Young Master Zi Heng, ever the caring husband.”
Her words dripped with sarcasm.
“Your Highness, Young Master Zi Heng is concerned for his wife. Shouldn’t you pardon the young madam’s courtesy? You wouldn’t want to let a woman come between the two of you after so many years of brotherhood, would you?”
Prince Xiao Yao smirked. “Her?”
Though his features were gentle, his tone carried an undeniable sharpness.
Du Zi Heng frowned. “Yue’er, Zhi Yi is innocent.”
He had long come to realize that Yu Zhi Yi was nothing but an unfortunate bystander caught up in their drama. She wasn’t to blame for his and Bing Yue’s problems; holding her accountable for their mistakes was unfair.
Miss You’s lips twisted into a mocking smile. “Innocent? If she were innocent, she wouldn’t have married you, nor would she have done everything she could to push me out!
“Ever since she arrived at the chancellor’s mansion, I haven’t had a single peaceful day! That kind of conniving woman—acting pure while using any means necessary to achieve her vile goals—she’s a true schemer.”
“Look at you now, Du Zi Heng. You’ve already let her cloud your judgment. You’re arguing with me because of her.”
Du Zi Heng was at a loss for words. Though something seemed wrong, he couldn’t help but think that what Bing Yue said was true. Since Yu Zhi Yi’s arrival, Bing Yue had indeed faced constant setbacks.
Initially, his parents had even agreed to let her stay in Moon Gazing Pavilion. Now, his mother wouldn’t even let Bing Yue set foot inside.
Listening to the pair argue, Prince Xiao Yao took in Miss You’s delicate face, flushed with anger and indignation. A flicker of cold light appeared in his eyes. Bing Yue, someone usually so strong and composed, had been pushed to reveal her vulnerable side.
Yu Zhi Yi… this woman couldn’t be allowed to stay.
“Sorry to interrupt,” a cool, clear female voice suddenly rang out—like a crystal stream, pleasant and ethereal.
Even with the murderous intent building within him, Prince Xiao Yao paused, startled.
Du Zi Heng and Miss You stopped arguing, turning to see who had spoken.
Yu Zhi Yi was already standing upright, her posture steady despite having knelt for so long. Her elegant face was expressionless, yet somehow her silence conveyed an unmistakable sense of disdain.
“Whether I am innocent or not doesn’t really matter anymore,” she said evenly. “The fact remains: I am Du Zi Heng’s legitimate wife now, regardless of whether it was by my choice or due to circumstances beyond my control.”
She looked straight at Miss You. “As for your claim that I’m the reason you were driven out of Moon Gazing Pavilion… Isn’t it embarrassing to even say that aloud?”
“Weren’t you initially forced out because you got involved in a case of theft with the servants and didn’t want to face the investigation?”
“It wasn’t me who ordered that servant to embezzle funds. I certainly didn’t tell him to spend the stolen money on jewelry for you either. So how, exactly, does that make it my fault that you had to leave?”
“Let’s be real here—the chancellor’s mansion has never truly welcomed you. If it had, you’d be standing here as Madam Du, and I wouldn’t even be part of the picture. Isn’t that right?”
She spoke with such calmness that it was almost as if she was reciting someone else’s story—but each word was like a stinging slap across Miss You’s face, leaving her cheeks burning.
Miss You shot up from her seat, her eyes flashing with anger. “It wasn’t me who told him to embezzle! And I didn’t know the gifts were bought with dirty money…”
In this entire mess, she considered herself the most innocent.
Prince Xiao Yao nodded in agreement. “Indeed, Yue’er bears no blame here.”
The servant had been the fool, not knowing his place—what did that have to do with Bing Yue?
“Yu Zhi Yi,” he said coldly, “don’t try to slander Yue’er. She has noble character and independence—qualities you, as a mere housewife, could never hope to match.”
His gaze darkened. “And who gave you permission to stand?”
The final question came out low and menacing, each word heavy with authority.