Chapter 61: The Star of Fortune
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It turned out that Ma Family Village and the surrounding settlements were an enormous hub for human trafficking.
Due to the severe poverty of those villages, no decent family from the surrounding areas would marry their daughters into them. Though some women within the villages could marry among themselves, the deeply entrenched preference for sons meant that women were scarce.
To ensure their lineage continued, some families resorted to the practice of wife-sharing among brothers. However, for those unwilling to share a wife and unable to find one locally, there was another option—buying a bride from elsewhere.
Over the decades, these villages had trafficked thousands of women and children. Among them were even daughters of affluent and noble families!
Madam Yao’s expression shifted with shock. “How could such a thing happen? Doesn’t the local government know about this? Haven’t the families of the missing done anything?”
Chancellor Du shook his head. “Of course, they’ve tried.”
“Ordinary families might not stand a chance, but wealthier or influential ones could gather some leads. However, these leads would invariably vanish once they reached the region.”
He explained, “This trafficking had become an entrenched local industry. Anyone from outside, whether a stranger or an official, would find the entire local population, including the authorities, working together to cover it up.”
Moreover, the Ma Family Village and the neighboring settlements were situated deep in the mountains and forests. Without a guide familiar with the area, outsiders would have no way to navigate.
Chancellor Du sighed heavily. “Had Duke Courage not brought in the military himself, rescuing those poor women would have been nearly impossible.”
The word rescue sounded light, but only those involved could comprehend the immense peril and despair involved.
Madam Yao nodded in realization. “No wonder Yi’er didn’t reveal Old Madam Tian’s whereabouts outright but instead pointed to Ma Family Village through You Bing Yue’s statement…”
Chancellor Du agreed. “Indeed, Yi’er is not only compassionate but also highly intelligent.
“Our Great Sheng Empire is no longer the nation of a century ago, when women were barred from holding official positions. Yi’er’s capabilities compelled me to recommend her to His Majesty alongside Duke Courage and Marquis Wu’an.
“His Majesty, understanding the dire impact of local governance failures on the people, decided to amend the original examination topic, ‘People and Grain,’ to ‘People and Officials.’”
Before the exams, Chancellor Du had discussed this issue with his son, Du Zi Heng. Unfortunately, Du Zi Heng had been too preoccupied with feeling wronged on You Bing Yue’s behalf. While he acknowledged Yu Zhi Yi’s talent, he refused to view her through an appreciative lens. Otherwise, he might have claimed the top scholar title this time.
But that was in the past, and dwelling on it was futile.
Chancellor Du concluded, “In any case, Yi’er is the star of fortune for our Chancellor’s Mansion. I have a feeling that the Du family is destined to thrive for a century and ascend to the ranks of enduring noble houses.”
…
Meanwhile, Yu Zhi Yi had no idea of Chancellor Du’s high hopes for her. She was currently fiddling with her official seal, her delicate face scrunched in visible dismay.
Zi Yuan, finally setting aside the treasured official robes, noticed her mistress’s forlorn expression, which seemed more suited to a funeral than a joyous occasion. Confused, she asked, “Miss, isn’t this promotion and honor a good thing?”
Yu Zhi Yi placed the official seal back in its box and sighed. “You wouldn’t understand.”
Ever since her rebirth, she’d pondered over the suddenness of her previous life’s end. The more she thought about it, the more she suspected it was due to her virtue failing to match her position, causing Heaven’s retribution.
She’d used her abilities to help Zhang Tian Shun rise in rank. In doing so, she’d indirectly influenced his soldiers and the citizens who survived thanks to his victories.
Her master had once shared a story about a senior apprentice uncle who, after mastering their art, dedicated himself to saving lives. His greatest accomplishment was foreseeing a massive earthquake that would have buried tens of thousands alive.
Despite objections from the sect’s elders, he warned the local government and personally convinced the people to evacuate. The city became a ghost town just before the earthquake struck, saving everyone.
But on the day of the quake, the senior uncle was crushed to death by a falling rock in a place that should have been safe.
Her master had often used this story to caution her: “Merit is a fine thing. But if you shoulder more than you can bear, it can become a death sentence.”
Yu Zhi Yi hadn’t taken it seriously until her rebirth. Now, she could see the golden glow of merit visibly altering her body and cultivation. It dawned on her that her previous death had been due to her virtue not matching her deeds.
Her rebirth, she realized, was likely Heaven’s way of giving her a second chance.
Understanding this, she resolved to avoid influencing imperial decisions again. Such decisions could shape the destinies of countless people.
As for the rescue of Ma Family Village’s women, the merit she earned was limited to Old Madam Tian’s family. The rest was Duke Courage’s doing and had nothing to do with her.
Even so, she had not escaped the grinding wheels of fate.
“Well,” she muttered, “whatever comes, I’ll face it.”
After all, if the Emperor hadn’t sought her consent before appointing her, she wasn’t obligated to accept the position. That night, Yu Zhi Yi slept peacefully, oblivious to the chaos at the Duke Courage’s Mansion or You Bing Yue grinding her teeth in fury.
…
The next day was the Qionglin Banquet—a combination of the Emperor’s birthday celebration and the award ceremony for the imperial exam’s top three scholars. This event was the liveliest in the palace, surpassing even New Year’s festivities.
Yu Zhi Yi felt no urgency; her title as a fifth-rank official was already secured. Even if no assassins appeared today, she could still use this position to exchange for a ceremonial title.
Madam Yao, however, was on edge. Early in the morning, she came to supervise Yu Zhi Yi’s preparations.
After enduring ten outfit changes under Madam Yao’s watchful eye, Yu Zhi Yi could only sigh helplessly, her frustration evident.