Chapter 17 was drastically altered by the mother-in-law.

On this day, Madam Yao personally visited Yu Zhiyi to express her gratitude. Knowing that Yu Zhiyi liked money, gold, silver, and jade, she specially brought her a fine blood ruby.

Yu Zhiyi was overjoyed.

Thinking back to her previous life, after she married into the Duke of Yong's mansion, although the mansion was very prestigious and wealthy, her mother-in-law, Madam Bai, was a stingy and strict person. For more than 20 years as her daughter-in-law, Yu Zhiyi not only did not receive a single penny of gifts, but also spent several thousand taels of silver.

Thinking about it this way, she really liked the Du family mansion.

Everyone except Du Ziheng is so lovely.

"By the way, where is Heng'er?" Old Madam Yao had been there for a while but hadn't seen Du Ziheng, so she couldn't help but feel a little puzzled.

Madam Yao's smile faltered slightly. Just as she was about to say something, Yu Zhiyi said, "Grandmother, he's busy studying. The imperial examination is coming up soon, and he's been so busy these days that he's nowhere to be seen. He probably doesn't know you've come yet."

Mrs. Yao breathed a sigh of relief, but then felt somewhat sorry for her daughter-in-law.

The daughter-in-law is so sensible. Even though Heng'er is such a scoundrel, she is still willing to think about his reputation and cover up his image.

It makes her son seem like a complete idiot with shit in his brain, abandoning such a gentle, polite, and capable wife for that woman who only knows how to talk big, is vulgar and rude, and has no real skills.

Yu Zhiyi had no idea what Yao was thinking, otherwise she would have definitely refused three times.

No, I didn't, don't talk nonsense!

She was clearly doing it for herself.

If Old Madam Yao were to bring Du Ziheng back to repay a debt of gratitude, who knows what kind of conspiracy theories that would emerge.

She didn't want to explain again and again that she didn't want to ruin his relationship with You Bingyue; repeating the same thing over and over was exhausting.

Madam Yao gave a wink to her aunt behind her, who then took out an invitation: "Seven days from now, your fifth cousin will be holding a chrysanthemum appreciation banquet at Shangjing Garden. He has brought together the most precious chrysanthemums in the world for this banquet. If you are interested, you can go and take a look."

Old Master Yao was the Minister of the Court of State Ceremonial. He and his wife had three sons and two daughters. Madam Yao was the second daughter and was quite favored in the Yao family before her marriage.

Grandpa Yao took over the mantle from the old man and embarked on an official career. He is currently the prefect of Jiangzhou, and after a few years, when his term expires, he can be transferred back to the capital to be given important responsibilities.

Grandpa Yao's eldest son inherited the talents of his grandfather and father. He passed the imperial examination at the age of twenty-five and is now working at the Hanlin Academy.

The Yao family members weren't particularly talented, but they still managed to move around in the imperial court.

However, the talents of the Yao family did not lie in officialdom, but rather in business. Yao Sanye alone could make a fortune every day.

Fifth cousin Yao Jin'ang has surpassed his father in talent; at only twenty-six years old, he is already a renowned wealthy businessman.

Madam Yao smiled and said, "Your cousins ​​and sisters-in-law will be going too. It'll be good for you young people to have something to talk about. You can go out and have some fun."

Yu Zhiyi wasn't particularly interested in flower viewing, but since the old man had just given her a large gemstone, she couldn't refuse: "Okay, I'll go take a look later."

Before we knew it, the day of the flower viewing banquet had arrived.

The flower viewing banquet began at noon. After Yu Zhiyi had breakfast, Yao Shi pulled her to get ready.

Recently, Yao has developed a new hobby: buying clothes and jewelry for her and personally styling her outfits.

At that time, Yu Zhiyi was wearing a pale yellow silk dress with a smoky green shawl over it. Her dark hair was piled up at the back of her head, but on top of her head, it was styled into a snake bun, and her bangs were naturally fluffy and curly.

Madam Yao also wanted to add a floral decoration between her eyebrows.

Yu Zhiyi quickly refused, "Mother, this is fine enough."

She had never dressed so pink and youthful before she got married, but unexpectedly, she experienced a young girl's style of dressing after getting married.

The woman in the mirror still had striking and elegant features, but her overly cute outfit diminished her aloofness.

Yu Zhiyi used to think that she had the typical face of a Taoist nun, cold and world-weary. Although she was fairly good-looking, she seemed unapproachable from both afar and up close.

But now...

In Hongluan's words, "Who is that cute little girl with chubby cheeks and bright, sparkling eyes in the mirror?!"

"Mother, why don't you change your clothes?"

She couldn't bear to look at herself in that state.

That's so damaging to my image.

"I think this outfit is fine."

Madam Yao, however, became more and more satisfied: "Ziyuan, do you think the young mistress looks even more beautiful dressed like this?"

Zi Yuan exclaimed in amazement, "You're absolutely stunning, Madam! Your taste is truly impeccable!"

So Yao made the final decision: "Let's go! My Yi'er will definitely amaze everyone!"

Yu Zhiyi sighed and said, "Mother, I'm already married. There's no need for me to make a big fuss."

Madam Yao glared: "Who said that a married woman can't amaze everyone? I want everyone to see that my Yi'er is the best."

Yao had always wanted to have a daughter, but unfortunately she had a miscarriage when she was pregnant with Du Ziheng and almost didn't make it through childbirth.

After that, her health deteriorated, and she was unable to conceive again.

Yu Zhiyi fulfilled all her expectations of a daughter: intelligent, beautiful, obedient, and filial.

The more she got to know him, the more she liked him.

It's just that my own son is too blind; he can't even see how good Yi'er is.

She dressed Yi'er up especially for today, not only to make Yi'er look beautiful when she went out, but also because...

"Let that brat open his eyes and see clearly how unattractive his wife is!"

Yu Zhiyi: "..."

I politely declined.

However, she wasn't foolish enough to express her dissatisfaction with her nominal husband in front of her mother-in-law, so she just smiled and remained silent.

Du Ziheng arrived shortly afterward.

He was indeed stunned when he saw Yu Zhiyi dressed up in her finest attire.

However, he didn't lose his composure for long. Realizing that he had been staring at Yu Zhiyi in a daze again, he frowned and looked away: "Mother, the imperial examination is coming soon, and I want to concentrate on my studies."

Madam Yao glared at her: "You've studied for so many years, is one day less important?"

Before Du Ziheng could say anything more, Madam Yao suddenly said coolly, "However, if you really want to stay home and study in peace, that's fine too. Just don't go out before the exam. I'll instruct the gatekeeper to also keep out visitors and ensure you have a quiet environment to study. How about that?"

Du Ziheng: "...The flower viewing banquet will only last half a day, so I still have that much time."

Yu Zhiyi stood aside with a faint smile, not participating in the conversation between the mother and son.

Once inside the carriage, Du Ziheng closed his eyes slightly.

Yu Zhiyi hasn't bothered him these days, which makes him very satisfied with her clear understanding of her own position.

In addition, she did indeed expose a few corrupt officials in the Prime Minister's residence, restoring order and clarity to the household.

This made him feel slightly less attracted to her.

But there were only a few.

This doesn't stop him from not wanting to communicate with her.

However, if she wants to communicate with him, he will respond out of politeness.

However, Yu Zhiyi also showed no inclination to initiate communication.