Chapter 48: Her Noble Character Is Beyond Your Comparison
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Early the next morning, Yu Zhi Yi had just finished her morning practice and was about to have breakfast when Zi Yuan rushed in, clearly flustered. “Miss, bad news! Miss You is really back!”
Yu Zhi Yi sighed in resignation. “Didn’t you already know last night that she was returning? Why panic now?”
Zi Yuan replied, her tone anxious, “I knew she was coming back last night, but I didn’t know the Carefree Prince would be accompanying her!”
The Carefree Prince!
He was no ordinary noble—he was the younger brother of the Emperor himself, a man second only to the Emperor in power and influence!
In the Great Sheng Empire, few dared challenge him, save for a handful of individuals. And needless to say, the young master of their household, with all his shortcomings, was not among them.
If even her young master was powerless, wouldn’t her lady be in grave danger?
Miss You’s aggressive return was clearly not a simple matter. What should they do now?
Yu Zhi Yi, however, appeared unbothered. “Why the urgency? They’re here to visit Young Master Du, not to stir up trouble.”
She added with a hint of humor, “Of course, if someone truly lacks the sense to cause a scene, we might as well enjoy a free performance. Watching the mighty dance for us in our courtyard—doesn’t that beat paying for theater tickets?”
Zi Yuan was momentarily speechless.
Although she found the idea absurd, her lady’s calmness reassured her, and she stopped worrying.
That morning, Madam Yao had left the residence for some business, leaving only Yu Zhi Yi and Du Zi Heng in charge of the household.
Du Zi Heng, being injured, was restricted to a convalescent diet, so Yu Zhi Yi enjoyed her meal leisurely in her own courtyard.
Halfway through her breakfast, the steward, Du Steward, came to report. “Madam, the Carefree Prince has arrived. You’re requested to greet him.”
Yu Zhi Yi calmly swallowed her mouthful of seafood porridge. “Understood.”
Zi Yuan, however, was visibly tense.
Yu Zhi Yi changed into appropriate attire, intending to greet the prince at the main gate. But upon arriving, she was informed that the Carefree Prince had already proceeded to Radiant Harmony Courtyard.
Zi Yuan turned to the steward, irritation evident. “Why didn’t you mention earlier that His Highness would go straight to Radiant Harmony Courtyard? You made the young… madam run here for nothing.”
The steward wiped away nonexistent sweat. “I didn’t expect His Highness to be so fast. We received news of his arrival only moments before he was already there…”
“It’s fine,” Yu Zhi Yi said dismissively, waving him away. She then turned toward Radiant Harmony Courtyard.
When she arrived, she performed a perfectly measured bow. “Greetings to the Carefree Prince.”
The Carefree Prince exuded an aura of elegance. With refined features and a perpetual faint smile, he appeared every bit the dignified royal. Yet, as if oblivious to her presence, he focused his attention on You Bing Yue, saying, “Yue’er, you only had half a bowl of porridge this morning. That won’t help your recovery. At noon, you must eat properly, no matter what. Only then will your wounds heal faster.”
You Bing Yue’s cold, striking face remained emotionless, her gaze fixed solely on Du Zi Heng.
Du Zi Heng, in turn, stared back at her with equal intensity.
Neither acknowledged Yu Zhi Yi’s presence.
Yu Zhi Yi repeated, her tone steady, “This humble lady, Yu Zhi Yi, greets the Carefree Prince.”
The Carefree Prince leisurely sipped his tea, still ignoring her.
It was only when You Bing Yue and Du Zi Heng seemed to react that You Bing Yue’s expression briefly flickered, though she refrained from reminding the seemingly deaf prince.
Du Zi Heng glanced at Yu Zhi Yi, still bowing in courtesy. His eyes showed a flicker of hesitation before he finally spoke. “Your Highness, Lady Yu has arrived.”
You Bing Yue sneered, her tone dripping with mockery. “What a devoted husband. Truly a paragon of affection.”
Turning toward the prince, she added sarcastically, “Your Highness, it seems Young Master Du is too fond of his lovely wife. Shouldn’t you spare her from this bowing and save face for your years of camaraderie?”
The Carefree Prince let out a faint chuckle. “Her? Truly laughable.”
Though his demeanor was refined, his words were barbed.
Du Zi Heng frowned. “Yue’er, Yu Zhi Yi is innocent in all this.”
He had come to realize that Yu Zhi Yi was but a victim, dragged into an unfortunate mess. The conflicts between him and Bing Yue weren’t her doing, and blaming her was deeply unfair.
You Bing Yue laughed bitterly. “Innocent? If she were innocent, she wouldn’t have married you, nor schemed to drive me out!”
“Since she entered the Chancellor’s Mansion, I haven’t had a single day of peace! She’s the type to feign innocence while using every underhanded trick to achieve her despicable goals.”
“And look! Now even you, Du Zi Heng, have fallen under her sway, defending her to the point of quarreling with me!”
Du Zi Heng was at a loss for words. While he felt something was off, You Bing Yue’s accusations did hold some truth. Ever since Yu Zhi Yi entered the household, Bing Yue had indeed suffered repeated setbacks.
The Carefree Prince observed their exchange, his gaze resting on You Bing Yue’s pale but exquisite face, now marked by anger and grievance. A flicker of cold intent crossed his seemingly serene eyes.
A woman as steadfast and graceful as her, forced to reveal such vulnerability—Yu Zhi Yi was the root cause. She could no longer remain.
“Pardon me,” a clear, melodious female voice rang out suddenly, breaking the tense atmosphere like the chiming of a crystal bell.
Even the Carefree Prince’s brewing hostility momentarily faltered.
Du Zi Heng and You Bing Yue stopped their argument, turning toward the speaker.
Yu Zhi Yi had already risen. Despite holding her bow for longer than necessary, she showed no trace of weariness. Her serene beauty remained undisturbed, her expression neutral, though a hint of exasperation could be sensed beneath her calm exterior.
“The question of my innocence isn’t up for debate,” she stated. “Regardless of the reasons, I am Du Zi Heng’s rightful wife.”
She turned her attention to You Bing Yue. “But to claim that I caused your eviction from Moon Gazing Pavilion—do you not feel ashamed saying such a thing?”
“Weren’t you the one who stormed out in a huff when implicated in a theft case, unwilling to face investigation?”
“I didn’t instruct that servant to embezzle funds, nor did I direct him to buy jewelry for you with stolen money. Yet somehow, the blame conveniently falls on me?”
“Let’s not forget, the Chancellor’s Mansion had already been reluctant to accommodate you for quite some time. Had they been willing, I wouldn’t be here as the Young Madam in the first place, now would I?”
Her tone remained composed, but her words struck like slaps to You Bing Yue’s face, leaving her visibly flustered.
Rising abruptly, You Bing Yue retorted, “It’s not as if I told him to steal! I didn’t know those gifts were bought with stolen money…”
She was, in her eyes, the true victim of the incident.
The Carefree Prince nodded, agreeing. “Indeed, Yue’er cannot be blamed for this.”
A foolish servant, ignorant of his place—what did that have to do with Yue’er?
“Yu Zhi Yi, cease your alarmist nonsense. Stop framing Yue’er. Her noble character and independence are beyond your petty household scheming.”
“And who allowed you to rise without permission?” His last words were dark, laden with unspoken authority.