Married to a Villainous Minister - Chapter 120

Yu Jiao curved her almond eyes into a faint smile as she walked up to the desk. She glanced at the essay Yu Qizhe was writing, his brushstrokes were fluid and graceful, the writing elegant and lively. She couldn’t help but sigh, “I wonder when I’ll be able to write characters as beautiful as yours.”

Yu Qizhe was just finishing his composition. He replied evenly, “Calligraphy isn’t mastered in a day. Diligent practice is key.”

He raised his slender, defined hand and gently set his brush down. Then, collecting the finished essay, he stood up and vacated the seat for Yu Jiao.

“You keep writing. I’ll find another chair and just use the corner of the desk,” she said. Ever since she started practicing calligraphy in Yu Qizhe’s room, he’d let her use the writing desk. Yu Jiao felt a bit guilty—she was only practicing, while Yu Qizhe was preparing for the imperial exams. She understood very well whose task was more important.

Just as Yu Qizhe was about to take a scroll and sit on the bed to read, her words made him pause. A faint smile tugged at his lips as he moved the chair slightly, making room for her to use half the desk.

Yu Jiao brought in a chair from the main hall, unrolled the calligraphy copy Yu Qizhe had made for her, and sat down beside him, focusing on her characters.

Yu Qizhe glanced at her lowered profile, silent for a moment before asking, “Why did you decide to stay?”

Yu Jiao didn’t quite catch it. “What?”

He shook his head and looked away. “Nothing. Go on with your writing.”

Yu Jiao squinted playfully, scooted a bit closer, and said with a smile, “Fu Ling said you didn’t want me to leave, that you were really sad. Now that I’m still here, are you happy?”

Yu Qizhe’s heart stirred, though his face remained calm.

He had been thinking about it earlier. Yu Jiao had mentioned more than once her intent to leave the Yu family. She’d said she would help him recover, and once he passed the exams, he was to help her leave. Though she hadn’t left this time, what about in the future?

She wasn’t like other women. Even on her own, she could survive just fine. What in the Yu family could possibly tie her down?

Seeing his silence, Yu Jiao felt a bit deflated. “Forget it, I was just teasing.”

Yu Qizhe looked up at her. Her image reflected in the dark depths of his peach blossom eyes as he said, clearly and sincerely, “Yes. I’m very happy you stayed.”

Yu Jiao hadn’t expected such direct words. Under his gaze, she felt a little awkward and quickly looked away, bending over her paper again. In a low voice, she muttered, “Then you better treat me well.”

“I will,” Yu Qizhe replied softly, smiling to himself.

They sat side by side at the desk, one tall, one shorter, he in plain green robes, she in modest attire. From a distance, they looked unusually harmonious. The only sound in the room was the quiet rustling of brush against paper.

This peaceful moment didn’t last long.

In just half a day, Yu Jiao’s name had spread like wildfire across Qingyu Village. In a world where nearly all doctors were men, her medical skills as a young woman made her stand out. At the far end of the village, a widow named Li, suffering from a gynecological illness, was intrigued. Under cover of dusk, she quietly made her way to the Yu household to consult Yu Jiao.

Yu Jiao had just finished three practice sheets when she heard someone had come for treatment. She put down her brush and headed to the main hall.

Old Madam Yu was entertaining Widow Li. Yu Jiao didn’t notice Yu Ruhai wasn’t there and simply began asking the widow about her symptoms. Then she led her into the west wing where the medicinal herbs were kept, shut the door, and examined the affected area.

Widow Li’s face flushed bright red. After Yu Jiao prescribed a medicinal soak and an herbal remedy to be taken internally, she paid the consultation fee and hurried out of the courtyard, head down, afraid someone might see her.

But just as she exited the courtyard gate, she bumped straight into a man.

Startled, she gasped, only to realize it was Yu Hanshan, the third son of the Yu family. Embarrassed, she stammered, “Third Brother…”

After Lord He left, Yu Hanshan had been dragged off by some village men to drink. Now slightly tipsy, he felt the softness of the woman who’d collided into him.

Her shy voice reached his ears, and the warmth in his chest deepened. He stared blankly at her for a moment before, his breath laced with wine, he murmured, “Ah, it’s Xiu’e. What brings you here so late?”

His breath made her uneasy. Widow Li quickly stepped back and stuttered, “Nothing… I… just came to pick up some medicine. I’ll be going now, Third Brother.”

She brushed past Yu Hanshan and hurried toward the edge of the village.

Yu Hanshan stood still, his gaze glued to her retreating figure.

Though Widow Li was in her thirties, she had a mature charm. Her husband had died of tuberculosis a year ago, leaving her to raise two children alone. With her curvy figure, she’d often been whispered about by drunken village men at the wine table. But until now, Yu Hanshan hadn’t realized just how soft and delicate she was.

Zhao shi came out into the courtyard to dump water and saw her husband staring blankly at the gate, clearly drunk.

“What are you standing there gawking at now? How much did you drink this time?” She grumbled as the sour smell of wine hit her.

Yu Hanshan was startled sober. He saw that Widow Li had vanished and turned back toward Madam Zhao. “Pi San and the others wanted news about the He family. They dragged me into drinking. I’m just standing out here to clear my head.”

“Come in already. Father and Jinshu went into town and still haven’t returned. Who knows if they’ve taken care of it yet.” Madam Zhao helped him inside, glancing down the road as she closed the courtyard gate.

“What did they go to town for?” Yu Hanshan frowned as he looked at his wife’s thick-set figure, suddenly feeling irritated.

Madam Zhao poured him a cup of hot tea and handed it over. “Jinyan gave Father an idea to go register Meng Yujiao under the second branch’s household as their daughter. That way she’d officially belong to the family.”

“What a rotten idea!” Yu Hanshan surprisingly had a moment of clarity. “Registering her as their daughter means she’ll still get married off eventually. Jinyan’s being ridiculous, and Father’s lost his mind listening to a child!”

“Keep your voice down!” Madam Zhao scolded, clearly protective. “What do you mean rotten idea? Her deed of sale was torn up. Father’s just being cautious. Besides, that sickly Yu Qizhe can’t even consummate a marriage! I think Jinyan’s plan is smart, it keeps that girl tied to the Yu family and stops her from trying anything funny with Jinyan again.”

Yu Hanshan lay down and gave a dry laugh. “We shouldn’t have stopped it back then. If that girl really had become Jinyan’s wife, all the money she’s earning from her clinic would’ve gone to our third branch!”

“Shut your mouth! That low-born girl isn’t worthy of our Jinyan. I’m waiting for him to pass the exams and bring home a refined lady from a noble family as my daughter-in-law!” Madam Zhao took off his shoes and socks and tucked him into bed.

Meanwhile, Madam Song had finished cooking, but since Yu Ruhai wasn’t home, Old Madam Yu wouldn’t let anyone eat. She had to cover the dishes on the stove while the entire family waited.

Little Jie Geng, Yu Zhixing’s daughter, was starving. Madam Zhang sneaked two duck eggs into the kitchen, boiled them with sugar, and fed them quietly to the little girl.

By the end of the morning, Yu Ruhai and Yu Jinshu finally returned. Yu Ruhai’s expression looked noticeably more cheerful than before.