Chapter 56: You’ve Changed
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Yu Zhi Yi had calculated You Bing Yue’s identity as a soul from another world using her birthdate, yet destiny still hid some secrets from her. It was like looking at flowers in a mirror or the moon in the water—beautiful but unreachable, always slightly out of grasp.
She pondered briefly, then let it go. Some things could only be understood with time.
After bidding farewell to the Guardian Duke, Yu Zhi Yi informed Chancellor Du and his wife that she would be going into seclusion and wouldn’t be emerging until next month.
If any other daughter-in-law made such a request, her in-laws might think she had lost her mind. They would not only refuse, but perhaps also call for doctors to check her sanity. But since it was Yu Zhi Yi, the elderly couple simply smiled warmly and agreed.
They even asked what she needed for her retreat, instructing everyone not to disturb her. And so, Yu Zhi Yi settled comfortably into Wind-Facing Pavilion, enjoying her leisure.
Each day, she ate and drank to her heart’s content, slept until she woke naturally, and basked in the simple pleasures of life. Compared to her previous life—waking up early, scheming late into the night, constantly worrying about Zhang Tian Shun—she now realized how foolish she had been back then.
While Yu Zhi Yi was relishing her idle days, You Bing Yue was having quite the opposite experience.
That day, when the Guardian Duke discovered both Prince Xiao Yao’s and her identities, his anger was unmistakable. It was only because she hinted she knew where his sister was that he held his fury in check.
You Bing Yue had planned to use the merit of saving his sister to make him overlook everything else, thinking she would become an honored guest at the Guardian Duke’s manor. She imagined how people would acknowledge her abilities, seeing her as different from the women of this era—a modern woman who stood out among the crowd.
In the future, she thought no one would question her when she interacted with Prince Xiao Yao. And, with the Guardian Duke’s backing, she could stand confidently before Chancellor Du and his wife, arguing that her love for Du Zi Heng was between equals—unlike a certain helpless woman who married into the Du family using her family’s influence.
But reality had slapped her hard.
The clue she provided was wrong. And after she finally located the kidnappers using her own skills, she underestimated them and ended up falling right into their trap, nearly being sold off along with those helpless women and children.
Though the incident didn’t make much noise, she was embarrassed in front of Prince Xiao Yao. Thankfully, the outside world didn’t know about her mishap. And to her surprise, Prince Xiao Yao did not look down on her.
But even if it shouldn’t have mattered—after all, she had failed in modern times too, even losing her life due to misplaced trust in a teammate—comparisons could be infuriating.
She had given the wrong clue, and the Guardian Duke had berated her. Worse still, he forced Prince Xiao Yao to choose between her and his fiancée. Prince Xiao Yao, ever indecisive, chose her—despite her having no feelings for him.
But that wasn’t the real problem.
The problem was Yu Zhi Yi.
She somehow acquired the correct information, and only a few days later, the Guardian Duke successfully rescued his sister. Now, the entire capital praised Yu Zhi Yi—marveling at her accurate fortune-telling.
If that was all, You Bing Yue could have let it go. But what infuriated her most was that even though they both pointed to Ma Family Village as the bandits’ hideout, she was scolded, while Yu Zhi Yi was glorified as a noble and virtuous woman. The Guardian Duke claimed Yu Zhi Yi had deliberately given the wrong location to protect the innocent women sold into the village.
“Fraud! Smooth-talking liar!” You Bing Yue gritted her teeth, refusing to believe it.
How could that crude and ignorant housewife possess such magnanimity?
“Bing Yue…”
The day before the imperial exams, Du Zi Heng managed to sneak out, telling his family he needed fresh air. Madam Yao, knowing keeping him cooped up wouldn’t help, allowed it. He finally found himself before You Bing Yue, feeling as if a day apart had felt like years.
You Bing Yue’s response, however, was icy. “Look who’s finally here.”
Du Zi Heng winced, understanding her frustration. “Bing Yue, I never meant to be away for so long. But you know some things are beyond my control right now. Just wait until the exams. I’ll get a good rank, and once that happens, my father won’t meddle in my personal matters anymore. Then, I’ll be able to bring you home openly.”
His sincerity was clear, and You Bing Yue’s expression softened, just a little. But there was something else that had been bothering her.
“Why did you help her?” she asked.
Du Zi Heng blinked. “What do you mean?”
“Helping that woman—Yu Zhi Yi—helping her rescue the Guardian Duke’s sister, spreading her good name. Now the entire capital praises her as if she’s some kind-hearted saint.” Just thinking about it made You Bing Yue’s stomach turn.
Du Zi Heng let out a tired sigh. “Bing Yue, I didn’t help her. Everything was her doing. She really does have some ability, and she didn’t intend for her involvement to be known. It was only after the Guardian Duke realized how she’d orchestrated things that she explained her reasoning, her subtle intentions.”
You Bing Yue’s eyes narrowed. “You believe that? You actually believe that conniving woman is selfless? Only a fool would be tricked by her.”
Du Zi Heng frowned. “Why can’t you accept that she might be kind-hearted?”
“If you hadn’t stopped her on the bridge that day, she wouldn’t have bothered with you,” he added quietly.
That was enough to ignite her fury.
“There you go again, defending her! Admit it, Du Zi Heng—you’ve changed!”
“I haven’t…” he started, but she cut him off.
“If you hadn’t changed, you wouldn’t defend her at every turn. You wouldn’t question me because of her, wouldn’t argue with me over her!”
He looked at her, exhausted. He didn’t know how to explain it. Yu Zhi Yi hadn’t provoked her—she was just his wife, chosen for him by his parents. An arranged marriage, nothing more.
Why was Bing Yue so obsessed with tearing her down?
“Do you expect me to support you even if you’re wrong?” he asked, his voice tired. “To stand by you unconditionally, no matter the mistake?”
You Bing Yue’s face went cold. “So now you’re calling me a terrible person?”
“No…”
“Yes, you are! You’re all being fooled by her—even you, Du Zi Heng. You’ve changed!” Her voice cracked with frustration. “But I’ll show you all. I’ll prove just how wrong you are. My abilities are beyond anything a mere housewife could ever understand.”
That same day, Yu Zhi Yi was admiring herself in a new dress that Hong Luan had delivered. It was elegant, flowing, and perfectly her style. As she twirled in front of the mirror, Zi Yuan entered, her face showing displeasure.
“Who upset my little Zi Yuan?” Yu Zhi Yi asked with a curious smile.