Chapter 78: How About I Leave?
This novel is translated and hosted only on Bcatranslation
Being drawn into such royal secrets is akin to tying one’s head to their waist—never knowing when their head might part from their neck.
Since ancient times, few of the capable and talented individuals embroiled in these intrigues have lived to see a peaceful end.
At this moment, Du Zi Heng truly worried about Yu Zhi Yi.
Resting her cheek on her hand, Yu Zhi Yi gazed casually out of the carriage window. “In the current situation, do you think I can simply avoid being dragged into it just because I want to?”
Living in the capital, with her father-in-law as the current Chancellor, she would be swept into court and palace conflicts even if she did absolutely nothing.
Some matters are inescapable—unless she had chosen to hide her talents from the beginning.
But she didn’t have unconditionally doting parents. Although her in-laws showed some fondness when she first entered the Chancellor’s Mansion, they wouldn’t sacrifice everything for her sake.
Yet, there were people she wanted to protect.
Without a solid foundation to rely on, she needed to rise herself; only then would those she wished to protect not suffer alongside her or be looked down upon.
So, could she really just throw her hands up and walk away from it all?
If the conditions allowed, who wouldn’t want to live carefree, cherished like a princess?
Du Zi Heng frowned. “If we return now, there’s still time.”
“Du Zi Heng,” Yu Zhi Yi turned her gaze onto him. “I’ve suddenly realized that the title of Court Physician Yu is quite appealing.”
“Perhaps, in no time at all, I could be promoted to Vice-Minister Yu, or even Minister Yu. Wouldn’t it be remarkable to have your wife as a minister of the realm?”
She shrugged. “Of course, if you don’t want to be overshadowed by my title, you could just sign the separation agreement, marry your delicate beauty, and I could pursue my own grand ambitions. Wouldn’t that be perfect?”
Du Zi Heng sneered. “Your abacus beads are practically hitting me in the face.”
“Don’t say such things again in the future.”
Yu Zhi Yi frowned, about to retort, when they saw people beginning to emerge outside Prince Shun’s Mansion.
Before long, a man seated in a wheelchair, surrounded by a throng of attendants, was pushed out.
The man, appearing just over thirty, exuded a steady demeanor and carried a sorrowful expression. Upon seeing Eunuch Hu, he showed no hint of respect. “A cripple like me won’t bother with formalities.”
Eunuch Hu exclaimed, “Your Highness, what are you saying? You have every right not to kneel.”
Prince Shun said nothing.
Suddenly, his gaze shot toward the carriage, his lifeless eyes flashing with icy brilliance. But he quickly looked away, his expression indifferent, as if unaware of the carriage or its occupants.
Eunuch Hu remained oblivious as he unfolded the imperial decree and read aloud.
In truth, the decree contained nothing of importance; the Emperor had merely bestowed gifts upon Prince Shun.
But astute observers understood that the gifts were a pretense. The true purpose was for Yu Zhi Yi to observe whether Prince Shun harbored rebellious intentions and if he was the mastermind behind the assassination attempt.
After all, Prince Loyal was merely a scapegoat for someone else’s schemes.
When the ceremony concluded, Eunuch Hu prepared to leave, and Yu Zhi Yi intended to report back to the palace.
Suddenly, a cold voice rang out. “Eunuch Hu, aren’t you going to invite the honored guest over?”
Eunuch Hu hesitated. “Honored guest? What honored guest?”
Prince Shun scoffed. “The person in the carriage—surely it’s none other than the famed Young Madam Du, reputed to be a peerless strategist?”
Eunuch Hu froze in shock.
Meanwhile, Prince Shun’s men were already approaching the carriage.
Yu Zhi Yi sighed. As two imposing guards reached the carriage, she spoke calmly, “Please ask the Prince to accompany me to the palace. Certain matters must be addressed face-to-face for clarity.”
Prince Shun snorted, his eyes glinting with resentment. “Very well. Let’s see what tricks he has up his sleeve!”
Others were alarmed. “Your Highness, you mustn’t!”
Ignoring their pleas, Prince Shun stood firm in his decision.
…
At the Imperial Palace, the Emperor gazed at the man in the wheelchair with a mix of longing and sorrow. “Yun Huai, you’ve finally come to see me.”
Chu Yun Huai sneered. “Your Majesty summoned Young Madam Du just to coerce me into appearing. Isn’t it all to eradicate me, the ambitious threat? There’s no need for such caution. My life is yours for the taking whenever you desire. I will not resist.”
“Chu Yun Huai! You know I’ve never harbored such thoughts!”
Yu Zhi Yi and Du Zi Heng stood silently, finding the scene before them absurd.
Rumors suggested that Prince Shun’s injuries and near-death during his efforts to restore peace had been part of the Emperor’s machinations.
Yet, the situation now seemed different.
Observing the Emperor fumbling for words and Prince Shun maintaining his obstinate stance, Yu Zhi Yi interrupted, “How about we leave first?”
The Emperor seemed to remember their presence and found no issue with his earlier conduct. “Young Madam Du, since you claim to be proficient in divination, why not determine what misunderstanding exists between Yun Huai and me?”
Yu Zhi Yi replied solemnly, “It’s possible, but I’ll need your birth details.”
Prince Shun sneered. “Isn’t it said that Young Madam Du can deduce a person’s life history just by examining their face? Why ask for birth details in my case?”
Clearly, he doubted her sincerity and suspected another scheme.
Yu Zhi Yi, showing leniency for his crippled yet heroic circumstances, replied, “Your Highness, while I possess profound abilities and can discern someone’s fate through their face, those with unique destinies have a shroud obscuring their fortunes. In such cases, I require their birth details to reveal their life’s path.”
“Both Your Majesty and Your Highness are such distinguished individuals. The Emperor is a dragon among men, unparalleled in nobility. Even with birth details, I may only grasp a glimpse.”
The Emperor, unconcerned, said, “Fine, I’ll give mine.”
He wrote his details straightforwardly.
Prince Shun was taken aback.
Was the Emperor genuinely sincere, or was this another ploy?
After a moment of hesitation, he added his own.
Birth details were no secret; the Emperor could easily uncover them.
From the moment he entered the palace, he hadn’t expected to leave alive.
He was curious—how far would they take this act?
Yu Zhi Yi held the two slips of paper, feeling their weight. “Your Majesty, divinations require payment. The last rewards don’t count, and since this is two separate readings, it’ll cost double.”
The Emperor sighed, half-amused. “Aren’t practitioners supposed to be free from material desires? Why are you so fond of money?”