Married to a Villainous Minister - Chapter 104

Yu Jiao once again helped Master He mix some medicinal powder. After adjusting the prescription’s dosage and a few herbs, she asked He Dongsheng to excuse her.

This time, He Dongsheng didn’t try to make excuses to keep her. After all, even if the monk escapes, the temple remains, there is no running from responsibility. As a precaution, however, he didn’t recall the two people he had stationed at the Yu household. Based on his observations over the past few days, he had come to believe that Yu Jiao’s medical skills were truly remarkable, certainly not those of some reckless charlatan.

He Dongsheng had a servant prepare a carriage to escort Yu Jiao and Yu Qizhe back home.

Once in the carriage, Yu Jiao didn’t head straight back to the village. Instead, she instructed the driver to go to Huichun Hall. The Yu family only had common herbs on hand, and she still needed a few specific ingredients to help nourish Yu Qizhe’s health.

Yu Qizhe accompanied Yu Jiao down from the carriage. As soon as Yu Jiao stepped into Huichun Hall, Jiang Qinghe, who was in the middle of seeing a patient, looked up and spotted her. He immediately instructed an apprentice to fetch medicine for the patient, then walked over to greet her.

“Miss Meng, have you made up your mind?” Jiang Qinghe asked with a warm smile.

Yu Jiao returned the smile, apologetically saying, “I’m just here to pick up some herbs.”

“What kind of herbs?” Though slightly disappointed, Jiang Qinghe remained enthusiastic and turned to the medicine cabinet. “Are they for Master He?”

Yu Jiao shook her head and listed the names of the herbs she needed.

As he gathered the herbs, Jiang Qinghe asked casually, “How is Master He doing?”

Though it sounded like a casual inquiry, Jiang Qinghe was fairly certain that Yu Jiao must’ve nearly cured him, otherwise, how could the He family have allowed her to leave the estate?

“He’s almost recovered,” Yu Jiao replied.

As expected. Jiang Qinghe felt increasingly confident in his own judgment. After packing the herbs in paper and handing them to her, he couldn’t help but try once more, “Miss Meng, our young master happens to be here at the pharmacy today. If you’re hesitant because of what I said earlier, perhaps you’d be more comfortable speaking with him directly?”

“I appreciate your sincerity, Doctor Jiang,” Yu Jiao replied tactfully, “But it’s rare for women to hold a formal post at a clinic, and I worry it might invite criticism. Besides, I don’t do well with restrictions, perhaps it’s not the right fit.”

“Miss Meng, your medical skills are outstanding. If you can heal patients, it won’t take long before your talent earns respect. No one will dare speak against you,” Jiang Qinghe said earnestly.

Yu Jiao smiled, genuinely touched. “Thank you for your kind regard, Doctor Jiang.”

Jiang Qinghe felt a pang of regret. He had truly hoped to have Yu Jiao join Huichun Hall. Her skills easily surpassed his own, and working alongside her might have taught him a great deal.

With her bundle of herbs in hand, Yu Jiao nodded politely to bid farewell. Just as she turned to leave with Yu Qizhe, Jiang Qinghe suddenly called out, “Miss Meng, wait a moment.”

Yu Jiao turned back, “Yes, Doctor Jiang?”

He walked quickly over and lowered his voice, “I have a question, did you ever treat the young lady of the Zhang household? Do you know what illness she had?”

Yu Jiao’s almond-shaped eyes flickered briefly, but her expression remained composed. She shook her head calmly and replied, “I did visit a Zhang household, though I’m not sure if it’s the one you’re referring to. I didn’t treat any young lady, but I did prescribe a tonic for one of the Zhang family’s stewards.”

Her expression and tone seemed entirely natural, and Jiang Qinghe couldn’t detect any signs of deception. Though still suspicious, he didn’t press further. “I see, so it was the steward who was unwell. Safe travels, Miss Meng.”

Yu Jiao nodded and left the hall with Yu Qizhe. Jiang Qinghe watched her go, then pulled back the curtain and walked swiftly into the inner room. Inside, reclining lazily on a couch by the window, was a man toying with a delicate wine cup, occasionally taking a sip.

“Young Master,” Jiang Qinghe said to Shen Yu, “That Miss Meng I mentioned earlier came by just now to pick up herbs. I asked her about the Zhang family’s young lady, she said the same thing the Zhang family’s servant claimed the other day, that she treated the household steward, not any young lady.”

Shen Yu sat up, narrowing his eyes at Jiang Qinghe, “She lied. I had someone look into it, she did treat Zhang Xiyue.”

Seeing Jiang Qinghe looking discouraged, Shen Yu added, “She turned down the offer to work at Huichun Hall?”

Jiang Qinghe sighed, trying to turn the conversation, “Young Master, why not invite her in person? Maybe I wasn’t convincing enough. If you go yourself, perhaps Miss Meng will say yes.”

Shen Yu let out a cold, mocking laugh and said lazily, “If she were a peerless beauty, I might bother to take a look. But a married village girl from the countryside? She’s hardly worth my attention.”

Jiang Qinghe shook his head, thinking to himself that Miss Meng was not only beautiful, but also exceptionally skilled in medicine, qualities far beyond most women.

After leaving Huichun Hall, Yu Jiao asked the driver to stop by a shop that sold writing supplies. She bought a stick of ink and a stack of xuan paper. Lately, she had been practicing calligraphy in Yu Qizhe’s room and had noticed that he only used rough straw paper for himself, reserving the white xuan paper for her.

Character shows in the smallest details. The more time she spent with him, the more Yu Jiao felt that while Yu Qizhe was still young, he had many admirable qualities.

After buying the ink and paper, Yu Jiao instructed the driver to return directly to Qingyu Village.

Inside the carriage, Yu Qizhe turned to her and asked, “Doctor Jiang invited you to work at Huichun Hall?”

Yu Jiao nodded. Yu Qizhe turned to look at her pale, delicate face. He wanted to ask why she hadn’t accepted, but in the end, swallowed the question.

No matter the reason, she hadn’t accepted.

And that, at least, was a good thing.