Chapter 6: Who Put in More Effort? It's Clear at a Glance

Du Ziheng is just aloof, not stupid.

In respectable families, how could a beloved daughter not be greeted by her parents and relatives on her homecoming day?

Although he had no feelings for his legal wife, she was still his legal wife, and she represented his dignity.

Making his wife lose face is making him lose face!

Yu Zhiyi did not object and followed her back to the carriage.

"Young master! Young master!"

The butler hurriedly chased after them.

Inside the house.

Several women looked at the deserted mansion and asked in confusion, "Sister-in-law, isn't today the day Yi-jie returns home for her wedding?"

These are all women from the Yu family clan; they visit each other for important events like weddings and funerals.

In fact, Madam Yu hadn't given them any prior notice, so they shouldn't have come.

However, Yu Zhiyi was married to the only son of the Prime Minister's family and is now the Prime Minister's daughter-in-law. If the Prime Minister finds out that none of his relatives from his maternal family came to visit on his daughter-in-law's homecoming day, he might make things difficult for her husband.

Yu Jiaojiao sat beside Madam Yu, adorned with jewels and exuding an air of extraordinary elegance.

Speaking of Minister Yu, he was a high-ranking official of the third rank in the current court, and his family background was not low. However, compared with the hereditary Duke's family, he was still far behind. Whether in terms of status or wealth, he could not catch up.

Yu Jiaojiao's marriage into the Duke of Yong's mansion was truly a step up for her.

Judging from her current demeanor, she is clearly very favored and living a good life in the Duke's mansion.

The women of the clan were green with envy, but they had to offer compliments on the surface.

Hearing the praise and compliments from everyone, Yu Jiaojiao felt proud and showed it on her face: "My husband is indeed very good to me."

"These pearls from the South China Sea and the peony hairpin from the Treasure Pavilion were all personally selected for me by my husband from the treasury."

After showing off for a while, Yu Jiaojiao sighed and said, "Aunties and madams, you don't know, it's not that my mother intentionally wanted to neglect my sister and brother-in-law, it's just that..."

She seemed somewhat reluctant to speak, and after a pause, she said with a look of pity, "My husband has quite a few connections. He recently found out that Young Master Du abandoned my sister on his wedding night and went to be intimate with a country girl, leaving my sister alone in her empty room."

"So, it turns out that Young Master Du had already made a vow that he would marry no one but that woman, and that his marriage to my sister was only because Madam Du threatened to kill herself..."

"So they won't be returning home today. My mother didn't want you all to make a wasted trip, that's why she didn't inform you."

The women of the clan were stunned. One of them couldn't help but speak out angrily, "This is too much! Isn't this taking away the face of the Yu family and trampling it on the ground?!"

"Sister-in-law, this matter cannot be left like this!"

Madam Yu, Zheng, was filled with mixed emotions: "Even if I wanted to step forward, I would need a reason. But as you all know, Yi'er has been estranged from us since she was little. If she doesn't send the message back, we have no legitimate reason to act!"

Yu Jiaojiao listened to the conversation, a faint smile playing on her lips.

Yu Zhiyi, you've finally met your match!

In her past life, she was the one who suffered these shameful things!

She is the legitimate daughter of the Minister of Revenue!

How could she swallow such a humiliation?

What was even more unbearable for her than the humiliation she had endured was that Yu Zhiyi had actually received Zhang Tianshun's wholehearted love and care.

Fortunately, in this life, everything has turned out the other way around.

Zhang Tianshun's love, and the future position of princess, are all hers!

Just as the smug thought crossed her mind, Zhang Mama suddenly rushed in, whispering in Zheng's ear, "It's terrible, Madam! The eldest young lady and her husband have returned home! Seeing no one to greet them at the door, the young master turned to leave, but the steward has stopped him. However, the young master is very angry."

Zheng's expression changed, and she subconsciously looked at Yu Jiaojiao.

Zhang's mother's voice wasn't loud, but Yu Jiaojiao was right next to Zheng Shi and heard it clearly.

She reacted strongly: "That's impossible!"

Zhang Mama: "Miss, I dare not lie."

The women of the clan looked over with curiosity. After a moment of hesitation, Madam Zheng decided to tell the truth: "Yi-jie and her husband have arrived. Let's go and greet them together."

He then said to Zhang Mama, "Send someone to inform the master and the five young masters."

The men of the royal family didn't need to be invited; many of them came with their wives and were currently in the main hall.

Outside the Yu residence.

Du Ziheng's handsome face darkened.

Yu Zhiyi, on the other hand, was quite relaxed and at ease, and not at all surprised by the current situation.

Looking at the leisurely appearance of the person beside him, Du Ziheng was somewhat annoyed by his lack of self-control: "Aren't you angry?"

Yu Zhiyi: "It was expected, what's there to be angry about?"

"They treat you so badly, how can you tolerate it?" Du Ziheng found it unbelievable.

Where did her ability to scheme against him go?

Yu Zhiyi retorted, "Minister Yu and his wife have raised me with the kindness of nurturing, a kindness greater than heaven. Even if they asked me to repay them with my life, it would be perfectly reasonable. What can I do if I can't bear it?"

Of course, she had already paid off what she owed in her previous life.

What they did to her was enough to offset their debt of gratitude for raising her.

In this life, she will never give in unconditionally again.

Du Ziheng's eyes were wide open like copper bells, which ruined his elegant and refined demeanor, but added a touch of humanity and authenticity.

He couldn't reconcile the woman before him with the notoriously cunning adopted daughter of the Yu family, a figure widely known in the capital.

Before he could sort out his thoughts, a group of people came out of the Yu residence to greet him.

Yu Zhiyi looked up and her gaze settled on the jewel-encrusted Yu Jiaojiao. Her eyes swept over Yu Jiaojiao's face, and a smile appeared on her red lips.

I see……

Yu Jiaojiao didn't dare to believe that Yu Zhiyi had really returned until the moment she stepped out the door.

But! How is that possible?!

Why did that scumbag Du Ziheng not accompany me on my homecoming, but instead came back with this usurper?!

Yu Zhiyi wore the most expensive and gorgeous red dress from Jinxiufang, which made her already stunning face even more beautiful.

The others also saw Yu Zhiyi and were all shocked by her beauty.

A woman from the clan exclaimed in surprise, "Isn't that the peony red dress hanging on the third floor of Jinxiufang? That dress costs three thousand taels of silver!"

"It really is that one! Young Master Du is so good to Yi-jie!"

Although Yu Jiaojiao's South China Sea pearls and gold hairpins were also very precious, they only amounted to a little over a thousand taels of silver.

At this moment, the pearls and gold hairpin were overshadowed by the red skirt, making them appear dull and lackluster.

Moreover, the pearls and gold hairpins were just randomly taken from the treasury of the Duke of Yongguo's mansion, while the red dress was specially bought outside and given to Yu Zhiyi. It's obvious who put more thought into it.

Yu Zhiyi, facing everyone's gaze, stood confidently beside Du Ziheng, allowing everyone to look her over and admire her.

Yu Jiaojiao was even more confused and distraught.

Madam Yu remained calm and pleaded for forgiveness, saying, "Young master, Yi'er, it's not that we intentionally neglected you, it's just that the servants below were negligent in their duties and didn't inform you in advance that you had already left the mansion."

Yu Zhiyi didn't expose the obvious lie, and smiled faintly: "It's alright, Mother."

Du Ziheng frowned, displeased with her behavior of treating the family members like pushovers.

Madam Yu breathed a sigh of relief.

Yu Jiaojiao sneered inwardly.

Something that can't be presented in public.

Even if Du Ziheng were lucky enough to accompany her on her homecoming visit, she still couldn't stand up straight.

Yu Zhiyi, seemingly oblivious to the changes in everyone's expressions, asked curiously, "Where are Father and my five elder brothers? Why didn't they come out with us?"