Chapter 5: Don’t Wait for Her, She Won’t Come Back
This novel is translated and hosted only on Bcatranslation
In the capital, any skills possessed by the daughters of noble families were often well known. Such talents could enhance a girl’s worth when she married, making her more respected by her husband’s family.
Yu Zhi Yi smiled gently, shifting the conversation away. “No matter what, everything turned out well this time. Mother can finally relax.”
“However, I do have one request,” she added.
Madam Yao’s interest was piqued. “What is it?”
Yu Zhi Yi spoke earnestly, “I’d like to clear a room in the Wind Facing Pavilion to dedicate solely to our ancestors’ memorial tablets. In metaphysics, tradition is very important. If we neglect the offerings, our ancestors’ spirits could become upset, which might lead to unfortunate incidents.”
Madam Yao laughed. “I thought it was something serious! The Wind Facing Pavilion is your residence. You may arrange it however you wish—there’s no need to ask me.”
She turned to Ye Nanny by her side. “Take a thousand taels from my account and give them to the young mistress.” Then she addressed Yu Zhi Yi, “If it’s not enough, just come to me.”
Yu Zhi Yi paused for a moment, then offered a gentle smile. “That’s more than enough. Thank you, Mother.”
Back at the Yu Residence, she had made the same request before, but it was rejected by both Minister Yu and Madam Yu. Later, Yu Jiao Jiao had blown up the best courtyard to turn it into a garden, and instead of being upset, Minister Yu and his wife, along with her five elder brothers, had all applauded and praised her.
From that moment, Yu Zhi Yi became more aware of the gap between herself and Yu Jiao Jiao. She stopped asking for anything.
She had assumed Madam Yao would also refuse her request and had even been prepared to convert one of the small buildings she owned into a business if needed.
Unexpectedly, Madam Yao was so generous.
Maybe it was because Madam Yao saw some value in her.
But once, she had also used her skills in metaphysics to help Minister Yu identify a traitor, only for him to dismiss it as a lucky coincidence. He never really believed in her talent.
Even Madam Yu and her brothers thought she was just scheming, trying to get their attention.
Fifth Brother Yu Zi Xuan had bluntly told her, “Stop with these little tricks. No matter what you do, in our eyes, you’re not worth even one finger of Jiao Jiao’s. It only makes us dislike you more.”
Yu Zhi Yi was silent for a moment.
She looked at Madam Yao and noted the lines on her face. “Mother, it has been a long time since you’ve seen my grandmother-in-law, hasn’t it?”
Madam Yao paused, realizing Yu Zhi Yi was talking about her own mother. She sighed, “I’ve been busy with your wedding lately. Originally, your grandmother-in-law was going to attend the ceremony, but she caught a cold, and I didn’t want her to push herself while ill.”
Yu Zhi Yi nodded slightly. “There’s nothing much happening tomorrow. Since you have some free time, why not visit her?”
By reading Madam Yao’s face, Yu Zhi Yi could tell that trouble was approaching—specifically, the grandmother might be at risk of a bleeding incident soon.
Madam Yao was unsettled by her words.
Had it been the day before, she would have assumed Yu Zhi Yi was just trying to get her attention, desperate for some acknowledgment in the face of her son’s indifference.
But after the incident with the Marchioness of Wu’an, Madam Yao wasn’t so quick to dismiss her.
“Alright, after your visit to the Yu Residence tomorrow, I’ll go see her myself.”
Yu Zhi Yi didn’t say anything more, but she could already see a subtle change in Madam Yao’s expression.
She had always been like this—if someone showed her respect, she would give it back tenfold.
Besides, it wasn’t like she could leave the prime minister’s residence anytime soon. Since her mother-in-law had shown her respect, Yu Zhi Yi was willing to maintain the peace.
Madam Yao then called for the steward, instructing him, “From now on, the household affairs will be handed over to the young mistress. Help her if she’s unsure about anything.”
Yu Zhi Yi looked at Madam Yao in mild surprise.
This meant Madam Yao was genuinely giving her authority—not just treating her as a figurehead.
In her previous life, Yu Jiao Jiao hadn’t gained any real power even after moving out of the residence…
The day of the return visit arrived.
Yu Zhi Yi had finished washing, completed her morning meditation, and eaten breakfast before Du Zi Heng finally showed up—fashionably late.
By that time, Yu Zhi Yi was already seated in the carriage, waiting.
Du Zi Heng glanced at her, his eyes landing on her intricately embroidered red dress. He blinked, then frowned. “You…”
Yu Zhi Yi smiled. “Am I beautiful?”
Du Zi Heng turned his gaze away, clearly uncomfortable.
She was undeniably beautiful.
After his mother had seen Yu Zhi Yi, she had described her as elegant and graceful.
If You Bing Yue was like a snow lotus blooming on a high mountain—beautiful but distant—then Yu Zhi Yi was like a peony, breathtakingly gorgeous.
The elaborate red gown didn’t diminish her beauty at all; it only added to her regal aura.
Realizing where his thoughts were going, Du Zi Heng scowled.
“You needn’t overthink this, my lord,” Yu Zhi Yi spoke calmly before he could say anything. “This dress isn’t for you. I’ll only wear it this once, and I promise I won’t trouble you again.”
Just as Du Zi Heng was about to speak, the carriage came to an abrupt stop.
The driver’s voice rang out. “Young master, young mistress, we’ve arrived at the Yu Residence.”
Yu Zhi Yi silently thought, “Finally, we’re here.”
The entrance to the Yu Residence was eerily quiet. Apart from one gatekeeper and two guards, there wasn’t a soul in sight.
Yu Zhi Yi stepped off the carriage first. She looked around at the scene, feeling it was oddly fitting.
Because, in her previous life, Yu Jiao Jiao never returned for this visit.
Her eyes swept over the guards, noting the expressions on their faces that confirmed what she suspected.
Yu Jiao Jiao had come by yesterday, using connections to learn that Du Zi Heng favored his concubines over his wife. She had convinced everyone in the Yu family that Du Zi Heng would not accompany Yu Zhi Yi on this return visit.
Thus, Minister Yu and her five elder brothers had all gone about their own business.
Yu Zhi Yi smirked. “Busy is good.”
Du Zi Heng frowned. “Where are Minister Yu and Madam Yu?”
Yu Zhi Yi gave him a glance.
Realizing his mistake, Du Zi Heng hesitated before correcting himself. “Where are my father- and mother-in-law?”
The gatekeeper’s face turned pale, and he quickly begged, “Please forgive us, my lord. The master and mistress were held up by something urgent. They didn’t mean to neglect you. They’ll be out soon!”
Du Zi Heng sneered. “On the day of a return visit, what could be more important than welcoming the bride and groom? And what kind of emergency takes every single person in the household away?”
“It seems that the Ministry of Revenue’s household doesn’t welcome us. My dear, let’s leave!”