Chapter 68: Little Yong and Little Mei
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“Your Majesty, I will write down the results of my calculations and Madam Zhang’s reactions on paper. You may compare what I write with the events that unfold to determine if I am correct,” Yu Zhi Yi proposed with confidence.
The Emperor gave no objection.
Soon, a eunuch brought paper and ink. Yu Zhi Yi shielded her actions with her wide sleeves, her hand swiftly gliding over the paper as she wrote.
In no time, she set the brush down, blew the ink dry, and folded the paper neatly before handing it to the eunuch.
Madam Meng’s face was full of disdain.
What an act of charlatanry.
Yu Jiao Jiao smirked, eager for entertainment.
This fool—if she managed to guess something by sheer luck, as long as Madam Meng denied it, who could prove she was right? The idea of exposing Madam Meng’s reactions was absurd. If Yu Zhi Yi truly possessed such abilities, why couldn’t she outwit her back in the Yu household?
The Emperor glanced at the contents of the paper. A flicker of interest crossed his face before he folded it away and remarked to the Empress, “I’ve seen it. Proceed.”
Yu Zhi Yi nodded and fixed her gaze on Madam Meng. Her eyes lingered past Madam Meng’s face, landing on Duke Courage. “Your Grace, do you know how your elder sister met her end all those years ago?”
Duke Courage had been watching the spectacle with a calm demeanor, but the unexpected question brought a storm to his expression. The mention of his sister—a topic he considered sacred—instantly darkened his face. “You intend to stir trouble? Do not bring the deceased into this.”
A flicker of unease passed through Madam Meng’s eyes, but she quickly regained composure and snapped, “Young Madam Du, mind your words!”
Ignoring their protests, Yu Zhi Yi turned to the Emperor. “Your Majesty, I will tell a story now.”
“The characters in the story will be given aliases.”
“Over twenty years ago, there was a young noble named Little Yong. Though he had many siblings, as the eldest legitimate son, he was the heir to his father’s estate. The rest of the siblings could only receive a fraction of the inheritance.”
“Little Yong’s family was grand and wealthy, making every unmarried member highly desirable in the eyes of outsiders. Men wished to marry Little Yong’s sisters to gain a connection to his family, while women aspired to marry Little Yong himself or his brothers to secure lives of luxury.”
“Among them was Little Yong’s full-blooded elder sister—a woman of remarkable beauty, kindness, and intelligence. Little Yong revered her deeply.”
“This is the background of the story I wish to tell.”
“When Little Yong reached adulthood, countless women hoped to marry him. However, his family’s high standards and Little Yong’s disinterest in romance left many disappointed.”
“In the same city, there lived a modest family whose standing couldn’t compare to Little Yong’s household. Yet, the family’s ambitious daughter—whom we shall call Little Mei—dared to dream.”
“Initially, Little Mei never imagined marrying a man as prestigious as Little Yong. Such thoughts seemed impossible, even in her dreams. Yet fate presented her with an opportunity.”
“One day, while walking down the street, she noticed a painting scroll dropped by a servant ahead. Though she intended to return it, the servant disappeared too quickly. Determined, she followed him to the shop where his master had just been, hoping to find out who owned the painting.”
“And indeed, the owner was none other than Little Yong.”
Madam Meng slammed her hand on the table. “Utter nonsense! I never picked up a painting, nor did I inquire about such things!”
Though Yu Zhi Yi used aliases, anyone with common sense could discern that Little Yong and Little Mei referred to Duke Courage and Madam Meng.
Duke Courage’s expression was inscrutable. He neither accepted nor rejected the story.
The Emperor and the gathered officials, however, were intrigued. “What happened next?” someone asked eagerly.
Even Du Zi Heng, who had been brooding over his heartbreak concerning You Bing Yue and Prince Carefree, found himself drawn to the tale, waiting for its continuation.
Yu Zhi Yi smiled knowingly at Madam Meng. “Madam Zhang, you believe that destroying all evidence of your calculated approach toward your late sister-in-law leaves no trace. And with the shopkeeper who once knew the truth long deceased, you thought you were untouchable?”
“I’ve already said—I didn’t do any of those things! My relationship with my sister-in-law was genuine and affectionate. Don’t taint our bond with your fabrications!” Madam Meng snapped.
She had guessed correctly; her denials depended on the absence of evidence. She had no choice but to deny.
Yu Zhi Yi remained composed. “Ah, Madam Zhang, even the most meticulous plans have their flaws. While you may have destroyed letters tracking your late sister-in-law’s habits and silenced witnesses from that time, one piece of undeniable proof remains, overlooked due to your carelessness.”
She turned to the Emperor. “Your Majesty, there is a private estate belonging to Madam Zhang in the outskirts of the capital. In the storage room, a painting is wedged between the wall and a cabinet—the very painting she once picked up.”
“It is a portrait of Duke Courage’s sister.”
Duke Courage abruptly stood. “Is what you claim true?”
He recognized the description of the painting. It was one he had personally created as a birthday gift for his sister when she turned seventeen. That year, she had just become engaged, and the thought of her leaving their family pained him deeply. He poured all his emotions into the painting, making it unforgettable.
He had never given it to her, and it had been a source of regret ever since.
Madam Meng’s composure began to crack. She tried to interject, but Yu Zhi Yi pressed on. “Your Majesty, the location of the estate is written on the paper I handed you. Send someone to search for it—you will find the painting there.”
“No…” Madam Meng attempted to object, but Duke Courage’s icy glare froze her words.
He turned to Yu Zhi Yi. “If this is true, why didn’t she return the painting? Wouldn’t approaching me directly through it have been simpler than using my sister?”
“Not at all,” Yu Zhi Yi explained.
“You were wholly focused on military ambitions and dismissive of all marriage proposals. Back then, it was considered a peculiar tale in the capital.”
“Madam Zhang discovered your identity through the shopkeeper and learned of the close bond you shared with your sister. She calculated that befriending your sister would be more effective than approaching you directly.”
“And her strategy succeeded.”
“She staged a dramatic rescue, gaining your sister’s gratitude and trust. From there, she had a legitimate reason to frequent Duke Courage’s Mansion, learning much about your preferences—including your love for military strategy. She even forced herself to study military texts.”
“When you discovered she understood military strategy, weren’t you deeply impressed?”
Duke Courage remained silent, his face unreadable.
But yes, he had been impressed.