Chapter 6: Clarity at a Glance
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Du Zi Heng was aloof, not a fool.
What kind of esteemed family would let their cherished daughter visit on her homecoming day without welcoming her at the gates?
Although he felt nothing for his official wife, the position of a wife represented his dignity.
To shame his wife was to shame him!
Yu Zhi Yi, showing no opposition, followed him back to the carriage.
“Son-in-law! Son-in-law!” The steward hastily chased after them.
Meanwhile, within the Yu Mansion…
Several women exchanged puzzled looks as they glanced at the desolate compound. “Sister-in-law, isn’t today Zhi Yi’s homecoming day?”
These were women from the Yu family’s extended clan. For significant events like weddings and funerals, they usually attended in support.
Madam Yu hadn’t informed them at all, and under normal circumstances, they wouldn’t have come. However, given that Yu Zhi Yi had married the only son of the Chancellor, and now bore the title Young Madam of the Chancellor’s Mansion, it would reflect poorly on them if the Chancellor found out no relatives from the Yu family had shown up.
Yu Jiao Jiao, adorned in opulent pearls and gold, sat beside Madam Yu. She exuded wealth and refinement.
Though Minister Yu held the rank of third-grade official, a respectable position, he couldn’t compare to the Duke Courage’s Mansion, a hereditary title. In terms of status and fortune, the Yu family was far inferior.
Yu Jiao Jiao’s marriage into the Duke Courage’s Mansion was undeniably a social climb. Judging by her current demeanor, she was clearly well-pampered and living splendidly.
The clan women couldn’t help but envy her, though they were careful to couch their feelings in compliments.
Basking in their flattery, Yu Jiao Jiao let her pride show. “Indeed, my husband treats me very well.”
She gestured to her jewelry. “This South Sea Pearl and the Peony Gold Hairpin from Treasure Pavilion were personally chosen for me by my husband from the mansion’s storeroom.”
After showing off, Yu Jiao Jiao sighed dramatically. “Aunts and sisters, you mustn’t blame Mother for appearing neglectful towards Elder Sister and Brother-in-law. It’s just…”
She trailed off, feigning difficulty, before continuing with a sorrowful expression. “My husband has connections and heard some troubling news. It seems that on their wedding night, Brother-in-law abandoned Elder Sister to spend the evening with a country girl he favors deeply, leaving Elder Sister alone in the bridal chamber.”
She added with a bitter smile, “Apparently, Brother-in-law once vowed that he would marry no one but that girl. The marriage to Elder Sister was only forced upon him by Madam Du, who threatened to end her life…”
“That’s why they aren’t coming for the homecoming. Mother was only trying to spare you a wasted trip by not informing you.”
The clan women were stunned, their expressions morphing from disbelief to outrage. One couldn’t hold back her anger: “Outrageous! This is trampling on the dignity of the Yu family!”
“Sister-in-law, you can’t let this slide!”
Madam Zheng sighed, her emotions mixed. “Even if I wanted to stand up for Zhi Yi, I need a valid excuse. You know how estranged she’s been from us since childhood. Without her bringing the matter to us, what justification do we have to act?”
Yu Jiao Jiao, witnessing the mounting indignation, hid her smirk.
Yu Zhi Yi, today is your turn to suffer!
In her previous life, it was she who bore such humiliation. As the legitimate daughter of the Minister of Revenue, how could she swallow such shame?
But worse than her own disgrace was seeing Yu Zhi Yi bask in Zhang Tian Shun’s affection.
Thankfully, everything had reversed in this life.
Zhang Tian Shun’s love, the future title of Princess Consort—everything belonged to her now!
As her triumphant thoughts crystallized, Nanny Zhang rushed into the room, panicked. Whispering into Madam Zheng’s ear, she said, “Madam, it’s terrible! Eldest Miss and the Young Master-in-law have arrived! Upon seeing no one at the gate to greet them, the Young Master-in-law turned to leave. The steward has managed to stop them, but he is furious.”
Madam Zheng’s face paled as she instinctively looked at Yu Jiao Jiao.
Though Nanny Zhang spoke quietly, Yu Jiao Jiao was seated close enough to hear everything.
Her reaction was explosive: “Impossible!”
Nanny Zhang replied firmly, “Miss, I wouldn’t dare lie.”
The clan women turned their curious gazes toward them. Madam Zheng, after a moment’s hesitation, decided to admit the truth. “Zhi Yi and her husband are here. Let’s go welcome them.”
She added to Nanny Zhang, “Send someone to notify the Minister and the five young masters.”
Male members of the Yu clan had accompanied their wives to the mansion, and many were already in the main hall.
Outside the gates of the Yu Mansion…
Du Zi Heng’s face was dark and brooding.
Yu Zhi Yi, in stark contrast, seemed utterly unbothered, as though the situation had been well within her expectations.
Du Zi Heng glanced at her calm demeanor, irritation bubbling up. “Aren’t you angry?”
Yu Zhi Yi replied serenely, “This was to be expected. Why waste energy being angry?”
“They’ve treated you so poorly, yet you endure?” Du Zi Heng found her response baffling.
Yu Zhi Yi countered, “Minister Yu and Madam Yu raised me. The kindness of upbringing outweighs all. Even if they demanded my life, it would be justified. Why wouldn’t I endure?”
In truth, she had repaid them in her past life.
And their actions had already nullified any debts owed.
This time, she wouldn’t yield so easily.
Du Zi Heng stared, his sharp eyes wide in disbelief. It was so at odds with the scheming, manipulative image of the Yu family’s adopted daughter.
Before he could reconcile his thoughts, a crowd from the Yu Mansion emerged to greet them.
Yu Zhi Yi’s gaze landed squarely on Yu Jiao Jiao, her lips curving into a smile as her eyes swept over her sister’s finely adorned appearance.
So that’s how it is…
Yu Jiao Jiao only believed her elder sister had truly returned when she saw her with her own eyes. But how could this be? How could Du Zi Heng, that scoundrel, abandon her to accompany this pretender?
Yu Zhi Yi was draped in the finest Peony-Red Gown from the Splendid Embroidery Workshop. Her naturally stunning beauty now appeared even more radiant.
The rest of the crowd gaped at Yu Zhi Yi, mesmerized by her elegance.
One of the clan women gasped, “Isn’t that the gown displayed on the third floor of the Splendid Embroidery Workshop? It’s worth three thousand silver taels!”
“Indeed, it is. Young Master Du certainly dotes on Zhi Yi.”
Yu Jiao Jiao’s prized pearls and hairpin, worth little over a thousand silver taels combined, seemed pale in comparison.
Moreover, while her adornments had been casually chosen from the Duke’s storeroom, the Peony-Red Gown was a bespoke gift. The care behind the gesture was evident at a glance.
Yu Zhi Yi calmly stood beside Du Zi Heng, unperturbed by the attention and praise showered upon her.
Yu Jiao Jiao, however, was growing increasingly flustered.
Madam Zheng, maintaining her composure, quickly offered an apology. “Son-in-law, Zhi Yi, it was not our intention to neglect you. Some servants failed to report your departure from the mansion.”
Yu Zhi Yi chose not to expose the lie, smiling softly. “It’s no trouble, Mother.”
Du Zi Heng frowned, displeased with her conciliatory tone.
Madam Zheng breathed a sigh of relief.
Yu Jiao Jiao scoffed inwardly. Even with Du Zi Heng accompanying her, Yu Zhi Yi would always be inferior.
Feigning obliviousness to the tension, Yu Zhi Yi asked, “Where are Father and my five brothers? Why haven’t they come out to greet us?”