Chapter 69: Ill-Mannered
This novel is translated and hosted only on Bcatranslation
Someone couldn’t resist asking, “Young Madam Du, and then what?”
Madam Meng cast her sharp gaze toward the questioner. The person, so engrossed in the drama, had forgotten that provoking Duke Courage’s Mansion was beyond their means. One glare from Madam Meng dampened their excitement considerably.
Fortunately, Yu Zhi Yi spoke up at that moment.
“Over time, Madam Zhang indeed won the favor of the Duke. The Duke is a decisive man, especially when it comes to his own marriage, where he holds significant authority. Despite opposition from the Old Duke and Duchess, he insisted on marrying Madam Zhang.”
“In the end, Madam Zhang successfully joined Duke Courage’s Mansion. The Duke’s sister even seemed delighted about it.”
The Duke Courage frowned. “If she and my sister were such close friends, how did my sister’s death end up being linked to her?”
Although Yu Zhi Yi had merely recounted how Madam Meng and the Duke’s sister became acquainted, anyone with half a brain wouldn’t dismiss it as idle chatter. After all, Yu Zhi Yi had baited them with an irresistible hook before diving in—didn’t they want to know how his sister had died?
“She’s lying! My lord, don’t believe her!” Madam Meng grew flustered. “She’s just a young girl with no credibility!”
Yu Jiao Jiao frowned deeply.
Although she despised Madam Meng and wished for her downfall, she absolutely didn’t want the person to topple Madam Meng to be someone from the Yu Family.
Not even her least favorite, Yu Zhi Yi.
If that happened, her standing in Duke Courage’s Mansion would be compromised!
“Sister, there’s a limit to how far you can go with your nonsense!” she said, feigning urgency. “Chancellor Du may have immense influence, but that’s no excuse for you to make baseless claims! The case from back then has already been concluded by the Ministry of Justice. Stop spreading rumors just to seek attention!”
She brought up Chancellor Du, subtly guiding everyone to associate Yu Zhi Yi’s revelations with his influence. It would seem more plausible that Chancellor Du had uncovered these secrets and shared them with Yu Zhi Yi, rather than her divining them herself.
Hearing this, Chancellor Du rose and addressed the Emperor. “Your Majesty, though I hold the position of Chancellor, I am not omnipotent, nor could I uncover private matters of Duke Courage’s Mansion. Over twenty years ago, I was merely a poor scholar who couldn’t even step foot inside the Duke’s estate.”
Those who had started doubting due to Yu Jiao Jiao’s words now felt as if they’d been struck by a heavy blow.
To think they had let a young girl lead them by the nose—how humiliating!
Duke Courage frowned. “Minister Yu, it seems the education within the Yu Family is somewhat lacking.”
He then turned his gaze toward Madam Meng. “I’d heard Madam Zhang was particular about etiquette, but it seems rumors can’t be trusted.”
His words were blatant mockery!
Yet, neither Minister Yu nor Madam Meng could rebut them.
After all, Yu Jiao Jiao had indeed acted improperly at the palace banquet, jumping into matters without permission.
Madam Meng shot a furious glare at Yu Jiao Jiao, while Minister Yu redirected his anger toward… Yu Zhi Yi.
If not for this rebellious daughter stealing the spotlight, Yu Jiao Jiao wouldn’t have felt compelled to intervene, thus exposing her lack of manners.
The Yu Family, from the five young masters to Madam Yu, all shared this sentiment.
While they were busy seething, the investigators sent to the private estate returned with new findings.
“Speak,” the Emperor said calmly. The leader of the group stepped forward and produced a scroll.
Duke Courage’s figure trembled as he fixed his gaze on the scroll, unable to look away.
The investigator unfurled it, revealing a painting of a young girl reclining amidst a peach blossom grove.
In the painting, the girl’s snow-white complexion and rosy cheeks were complemented by her bright, watery eyes. Her lips curved into a soft, gentle smile.
Petals of peach blossoms drifted through the air, resembling a springtime rain.
She seemed to bathe in the floral shower, like a celestial maiden descended among the blossoms.
A small, pink peach blossom mark between her brows shimmered mysteriously, blending harmoniously with the surrounding scene.
“Sister…”
Tears welled up in Duke Courage’s sharp eyes.
“This is a painting I made for my sister when she was seventeen. It was her last birthday gift before her wedding. I poured all my effort and care into it.”
His eyes were filled with nostalgia.
Yu Zhi Yi nodded. “Indeed, Duke, you invested great effort and expense into this painting. If it had been gifted properly, your sister might have retained a lifeline even in her most isolated moments. What a pity…”
“What do you mean?” The Duke’s expression hardened as he scrutinized Yu Zhi Yi.
She remained unshaken under his intense gaze and replied calmly, “This painting has two layers. Between them is sewn a banknote from Hui Feng Bank, worth one million taels of silver. You prepared it as her dowry. With such a sum, even if she faced adversity and lost all visible assets, she could have lived comfortably for many lifetimes.”
“You intended to tell her about it after her wedding. Knowing she would refuse such a generous gift outright, you planned to explain later, hoping she might reluctantly accept it then.”
“But alas, the painting was lost.”
The Duke sighed deeply. “Yes, my sister was raised in luxury. Although she learned household management from our mother early on, she retained a youthful idealism and simplicity. She believed her dowry, combined with her husband’s resources, would suffice.”
“She didn’t understand men, nor the scheming intricacies of noble households. I feared she would suffer.”
“And in the end… she did.”
Had she possessed that hidden wealth, even the worst outcome might not have crushed her. She could have weathered the storm, sustained by the funds from Hui Feng Bank.
Turning back to Yu Zhi Yi, the Duke’s eyes were free of doubt and full of trust. “Girl, did you divine all this?”
Yu Zhi Yi nodded. “I did.”
“Good. Continue.”
The Duke’s confidence in her was unwavering. The banknote was a secret known only to his most trusted confidant, and not even his parents were aware of it.
Not even the powerful Chancellor Du could have unearthed this deeply buried truth.
After this revelation, Madam Meng fell completely silent. Her face turned ghostly pale.
Even Yu Jiao Jiao, after being warned, dared not utter another word.
Finally, Yu Zhi Yi could resume her tale uninterrupted.