Married to a Villainous Minister - Chapter 122

As the situation with the He family continued to stir gossip in the village, the Yu family also became a hot topic. Yu Jiao’s name was now known by everyone, many expressing envy that the Yu family had managed to buy such a skilled “chongxi” (auspicious) bride. At the same time, there were also unkind whispers questioning Yu Ruhai’s medical abilities.

Madam Zhao overheard some of these rumors during a visit and relayed them to Old Madam Yu and Yu Ruhai. Enraged, Yu Ruhai ordered Yu Qiaoshan to hang the plaque given by He Dongsheng right above the courtyard gate, so everyone in the village could see it.

As expected, the gold-gilded plaque attracted a crowd of onlookers. Satisfied in his vanity, Yu Ruhai stood beneath it, repeatedly declaring that all of Yu Jiao’s medical skills had been taught by him.

To his face, the villagers praised him insincerely for being such a great teacher, but behind his back, they scoffed, who would believe a student could cure illnesses that the teacher couldn’t?

Still, Yu Jiao’s growing reputation brought newfound prestige to the Yu family. Even wealthy families from the city were coming with gifts, seeking her medical services. Because of this, the villagers gradually accepted that a woman could practice medicine and be a doctor.

One day, someone from the Chen family arrived to invite Yu Jiao to treat their elderly matriarch for a persistent cough. The person who came was Chen Rou’s older brother, Chen Zhiqing, who had passed the initial civil service exam the previous year. 

Yu Ruhai treated him with courtesy, especially since it was Chen Gensheng who had efficiently handled the process of adding Yu Jiao to the family genealogy. Knowing Chen Zhiqing’s intent, Yu Ruhai readily agreed and went to ask Yu Jiao to make the house call.

Yu Fuling, eager to learn more about medicine and knowing they were going to see Chen Rou’s grandmother, immediately dropped the shoe embroidery she was working on and insisted on going with Yu Jiao.

As soon as Yu Jiao nodded, Yu Fuling quickly snatched up the medicine box and took charge of carrying it. The two girls followed Chen Zhiqing to the Chen residence. In the courtyard, they ran into Chen Rou and Chen Ying. Yu Fuling greeted warmly, “Ah Rou!”

Chen Rou smiled gently, her delicate oval face showing a hint of warmth. “Fuling, you came with Miss Meng?”

Turning to Yu Jiao, she said softly, “Miss Meng, I truly didn’t expect your medical skills to be so exceptional. I have high hopes that my grandmother’s cough will be cured this time.”

Yu Jiao offered a polite, reserved smile. “You flatter me, Miss Chen. I haven’t yet examined the patient, so I can’t say for sure whether her condition is treatable.”

“So you and Ah Rou already know each other, then we’ll be troubling you today, Miss Meng,” said Chen Zhiqing with a pleasant tone.

“Let’s see the patient first,” Yu Jiao replied directly, avoiding any more empty pleasantries. Chen Rou stepped forward and offered, “Let me take Miss Meng to grandmother’s room.”

Yu Jiao nodded and followed her to the west wing of the Chen house. Chen Ying, curious to see if Yu Jiao’s skills were truly as miraculous as rumored, followed as well, despite her own skepticism.

Inside, Chen Gensheng and his wife Madam Qin were with the elderly matriarch. Seeing Yu Jiao enter, they offered her kind smiles. It was their first time meeting her, and they were a bit taken aback, such a young, delicate-looking girl didn’t seem like someone who could have the kind of extraordinary medical abilities that had drawn city elites to her doorstep.

They were familiar with Yu Ruhai’s skills, having known him all their lives in the village, and had never found him especially remarkable.

On the bed, the Chen family’s elderly matriarch sat propped up, lightly coughing and dabbing her mouth with a handkerchief. Lifting her drooping eyelids, she glanced at Yu Jiao and asked Chen Gensheng, “Where did you find this doctor now? Such a young girl? Really now… How many times have I told you, stop bringing in doctors. This cough isn’t going away. Save the money for Zhiqing’s studies.”

“Mother, this is Yu Wulang’s wife. She’s very skilled. We’ve saved up enough for Zhiqing’s school, don’t worry. If you’re sick, you need to be treated,” Chen Gensheng replied gently, trying to coax her.

Upon hearing Yu Jiao was Yu Wulang’s wife, the old lady scrutinized her more closely. Clutching her handkerchief, she said coldly, “So she’s Wulang’s wife? Didn’t Ah Rou just get medicine from the Yu family for this cough? It didn’t help. Send her back.”

“Well then, I’ll take my leave,” Yu Jiao said without hesitation and turned to leave.

She was not someone to beg for the chance to treat patients. This wasn’t like before when she tried to convince Mu Yan to cooperate in front of the Yu family, she had no patience for this kind of attitude anymore.

Startled, Chen Gensheng quickly blocked her way. “Please don’t be upset, Miss Meng. My mother has taken many medicines and seen many doctors over the years. None of them helped, so she’s grown skeptical.”

In the past, as the village elder, Chen Gensheng would never have spoken so humbly to a young girl. But with someone as influential as He Dongsheng showing such respect to Yu Jiao, he had to be cautious. That connection was the main reason he’d invited her to treat his mother in the first place.

Yu Fuling also tugged gently at Yu Jiao’s sleeve. Yu Jiao frowned slightly, suppressing her irritation, and took Yu Fuling by the hand to leave.

Chen Rou, though still holding a grudge over the incident outside the Yu house, genuinely hoped her grandmother’s illness could be cured. The old lady had always adored her. Softly, she pleaded, “Grandmother, the last prescription was from Grandpa Yu. But everyone in the village says Miss Meng is even better than him. Please let her take a look. I feel awful every time I hear you coughing.”

The old lady’s heart softened, she adored Chen Rou, who had always been lovely and dear to her since childhood. Catching the cue, Chen Gensheng signaled to his wife, Madam Qini, who quickly followed Yu Jiao outside to intercept her.

“Miss Meng, must you take offense so easily?” Madam Qin said with a frown, trying to hide her displeasure. “My mother-in-law is old and has never seen a female doctor before. It’s natural for her to grumble. Ah Rou did get medicine from your family before, but it didn’t help. She’s just worried about wasting money. Please don’t take it personally.”

Yu Fuling also chimed in, “Yu Jiao, please take a look at Grandma Chen’s condition. She’s been sick for years, and Ah Rou’s tried everything without success.”

Lowering her voice, Madam Qin added with a soft tone, “Miss Meng, I apologize for not explaining beforehand that we were inviting a female doctor. That was our mistake.”

Yu Fuling looked up at Yu Jiao with a hopeful smile. Seeing that Yu Jiao’s expression had eased a bit, she gently tugged her back toward the house.

But just then, Chen Ying, who had also followed them out, couldn’t stand seeing Madam Qin lower herself in front of Yu Jiao. With a snort, she snapped, “Meng Yujiao, what’s with the attitude? Are you stalling because you actually can’t treat my grandmother’s cough? Honestly, what can someone like you, a chongxi bride bought by the Yu family, possibly be capable of?”