Chapter 63: Drink This Cup of Wine, and Watch Yourself Make a Fool
This novel is translated and hosted only on Bcatranslation
“Look at that woman!”
Yu Wu Lang noticed the silent exchange of glares between Yu Zhi Yi and Yu Jiao Jiao, his expression darkening. “Sister Jiao Jiao’s eyes are red with anger. That woman is truly unbearable!”
The other Yu brothers, except for Yu Ming Quan, displayed varied reactions, though their shared disapproval of Yu Zhi Yi’s treatment of their precious younger sister was unmistakable.
Even Madam Yu seemed concerned. However, being at a banquet, she couldn’t comfort her beloved daughter directly. Instead, she cast pitiful glances at Yu Zhi Yi, hoping this adopted daughter would stop “bullying” Yu Jiao Jiao.
As for Minister Yu, he remained silent, his expression as stern as ever.
Meanwhile, Yu Zhi Yi didn’t spare a single glance at the Yu family. Once she withdrew her gaze from Yu Jiao Jiao, she accompanied Chancellor Du and his group to their designated seats.
In such banquets, family members were traditionally seated behind their husbands or fathers. Since Yu Zhi Yi and Du Zi Heng hadn’t officially assumed their positions, they attended as family members without separate seating arrangements.
Shortly after they sat, the royal family, consorts, and the emperor himself arrived.
The emperor, in his thirties, appeared refined and noble, though lacking the sharpness one might expect from a decisive ruler. Based on his aura alone, it was hard to imagine him as a king known for his resolute leadership.
The empress, a dignified woman, wasn’t strikingly beautiful but exuded a calming presence, as if heralding peace and prosperity.
As the emperor ascended to his seat, he began his address. Though the occasion was his birthday, such celebrations were annual. Talent, however, was a rarity. Before the banquet officially commenced, he praised the newly crowned top three scholars and announced their appointments.
Before getting to the point, he delivered the usual ceremonial rhetoric about the empire’s prosperity and peace. Feeling moved, he raised his cup, inviting everyone to drink together.
Everyone at the banquet, regardless of whether they drank or could tolerate alcohol, raised their cups to follow suit.
Yu Zhi Yi had just lifted her cup when she felt two intense, hidden gazes upon her. She paused momentarily, but with the emperor already drinking and others following suit, not drinking would make her stand out.
Thus, she quickly drank her wine, as if completely unaware of any oddity in her cup.
In the shadows of the crowd, two smirking figures exchanged pleased glances.
Yu Jiao Jiao, on the other hand, glared at Yu Zhi Yi with a fiery intensity.
“That wretched woman is always stealing the spotlight! Drink, drink, drink—why not choke on it!” she fumed inwardly. “If only there was poison in that cup. What a shame I can only dream.”
Her thoughts paused as she caught sight of a figure in the distance. Noticing how that person was also fixated on Yu Zhi Yi, a cruel smile tugging at their lips, Yu Jiao Jiao’s irritation morphed into anticipation.
“A fight between villains? Now that’s my kind of show.”
Feigning obliviousness, Yu Zhi Yi set her cup down after drinking. When all had finished, the Chief Eunuch proclaimed in a booming voice, “Let the Top Scholar, Second Scholar, Third Scholar, and Madam Yu Zhi Yi step forward to receive their appointments!”
The announcement left the crowd dumbfounded.
They understood why the top three scholars were called, but what was with the last name?
Most high-ranking families in the capital had already heard rumors about Yu Zhi Yi’s appointment as a Fifth-Rank Official in the Ministry of Justice. However, hearing it formally declared in such a grand setting—directly from the emperor—was a different matter altogether.
The Ministry of Justice wasn’t some insignificant department. To hold even a minor position there was to be someone many would scramble to curry favor with.
If the emperor had simply issued this appointment discreetly or granted her a symbolic title, few would have objected. Yet he openly announced it in front of the entire court, including nobles and officials, effectively slapping many faces.
For example, the top three scholars of this year’s imperial examination were still uncertain about their postings. If Yu Zhi Yi’s position turned out to be more prestigious, wouldn’t they be humiliated?
And their examiner, Chancellor Du, would certainly lose face.
Oh, wait. Chancellor Du was Yu Zhi Yi’s father-in-law.
Never mind, then.
Regardless of the crowd’s thoughts, the ceremony continued. Feeling the malicious stares directed at her, Yu Zhi Yi remained unfazed.
She had already mentally exhausted herself yesterday when she learned about the appointment. Now, since the outcome couldn’t be changed, why not let others stew in their frustration instead?
Besides, her contribution as a Mystic Practitioner was limited to reading three fortunes per day. If the emperor or the Ministry of Justice expected her to use her skills to solve complex cases, they were in for disappointment.
As these thoughts swirled, Yu Zhi Yi, Du Zi Heng, and the two scholars reached the hall’s center. Since the banquet was informal, no kneeling was required. They saluted the emperor before standing in place.
Though Yu Zhi Yi stood beside Du Zi Heng, their lack of interaction spoke volumes about their distant relationship.
The onlookers, however, misinterpreted their aloofness as a refined and admirable dynamic.
Even You Bing Yue, seated among the guests, couldn’t help but feel jealous. Her expression turned an unsightly shade of green.
Meanwhile, seated among the imperial relatives, Prince Carefree smirked coldly.
“Any moment now, the drug should take effect,” he thought. “Let’s see how long this ‘pure and innocent goddess’ facade lasts once she’s humiliated in public.”
But as the moments passed, the effects weren’t seen on Yu Zhi Yi.
Instead, Prince Carefree felt an unbearable heat surge through his body, clouding his thoughts and making it impossible to think clearly.
At the center of the hall, Yu Zhi Yi cast a brief glance in his direction before withdrawing her gaze, a subtle smile tugging at her lips.
Prince Carefree’s eyes widened in alarm. “What the—?!”