Married to a Villainous Minister - Chapter 130

When Yu Jiao said that, Madam Zhao actually had the gall to step forward and say, “Your third uncle wants to open a butcher shop to earn some money. He needs… ten taels, no, twenty taels as capital. Why don’t you give a bit?”

Yu Jiao leaned lazily against the doorframe, her gaze calm as she pulled out a fifty-tael silver note from her sleeve and waved it in front of Madam Zhao and Yu Hanshan. “Twenty taels? That’s not nearly enough. Here’s fifty taels. Want it?”

She had exchanged the note earlier through the town’s moneyhouse via Song Chun for convenience, and now it came in handy. Yu Hanshan’s eyes lit up like lanterns as he took a big step forward, grinning ear to ear. “Little Meng is generous indeed! You’re right, twenty taels isn’t enough. Fifty taels is just right!”

Madam Zhao’s eyes narrowed with joy as she stared hungrily at the silver note.

Yu Jiao gave a languid smile. “You want it? Sure, kneel down and bark like dogs. Make it sound real. If I’m satisfied, I’ll give it to you.”

The smiles on Yu Hanshan and Madam Zhao’s faces instantly froze. After a long pause, Madam Zhao forced a smile. “Come now, Little Meng, don’t joke around. How could your uncle and aunt bark like dogs?”

“No bark, no silver. Don’t say I didn’t offer,” Yu Jiao replied, tucking the note back into her sleeve.

Yu Hanshan’s expression turned vicious. He lunged forward, clearly intending to snatch it, but Yu Jiao was faster and stepped back, holding the note threateningly. “Want to rob me? Then I might as well tear it up!”

She’d already torn a small slit in the note. Yu Hanshan panicked, knowing full well from her icy, steady gaze that she really would destroy it.

“You damn girl! That’s fifty taels! You tear that and I’ll beat you to death!” Yu Hanshan shouted.

Yu Jiao ignored him. With a small flick of her thumb, the tear widened. Yu Hanshan was furious, stomping in place, helpless.

Old Madam Yu had been hiding inside, unwilling to get involved. But now, with the silver note right in front of them and those two useless fools still unable to grab it, she had no choice.

Forcing a smile, she came out and said gently, “Little Meng, what’s this nonsense? Even if you’re angry, don’t take it out on the money. Your uncle and aunt just want to do some business to earn for the family. There are three boys in the family who’ll need money for the imperial exams. Once the butcher shop starts making money, they’ll pay you back. And right now, you’ve got the silver just sitting there, why not use it to make more? You’re family. If the Yu family prospers, won’t you benefit too?”

Yu Jiao stopped tearing and gave her grandmother a mocking smile. “You talk a pretty game. But I’m no fool. Once the money lands in their hands, you think I’ll ever see it again? Ask them, do they believe that? Do you?”

“I’m short-sighted and can’t see far ahead like you. So I’ll say it again, if Third Uncle and Aunt want money, sure, just bark like dogs.”

“Meng Yujiao, don’t push too far!” Yu Hanshan’s face turned red with fury as he glared at her. “How can a younger generation make elders kneel and bark like dogs? That’s beyond insulting!”

“Oh? I’m the one going too far?” Yu Jiao sneered, eyes gleaming like frozen water as she met his glare. “Everyone knows what your precious third branch is up to. You say you’re an elder, but do you act like one? Always threatening to beat me, you think I’m scared? I’ve never forgotten that beating you gave me. No need to keep reminding me. That debt, I will collect someday.”

She rarely lost her temper. Since childhood, her grandfather had taught her to maintain composure, especially as a healer, since a calm demeanor brought comfort to patients. But life in Taiyan has been unbearable lately. Everyone thought they could trample over her. Today her patience was gone, and she was ready to set things straight.

“You don’t want to kneel or bark? Fine. Then how about Yu Jinyan and Yu Jinshu? They’re not elders. Let them kneel and bark, if they do it well, I’ll hand over the money.”

Madam Zhao exploded, her two sons were her pride and joy, and she couldn’t tolerate Yu Jiao humiliating them. Rage surged through her.

Yu Hanshan, enraged by Yu Jiao’s arrogance, raised his hand to strike her, but before he could, a hand shot out from the side and grabbed his wrist firmly.

He turned in surprise to see it was Yu Qizhe. Frowning, Yu Hanshan tried to shake him off, but couldn’t. The normally frail Yu Qizhe held him in a vice grip, his fingers pressing painfully into the bone.

“Wulang, let go! That brat’s out of line. If I don’t teach her a lesson, she’ll never learn!” Yu Hanshan growled.

Yu Qizhe stepped forward, shielding Yu Jiao behind him. His voice was calm but cold. “Uncle, your hand reaches too far.”

“You, Yu Qizhe! I’m your elder. What, now you’re going to let this little wretch run wild?”

Yu Qizhe’s grip tightened, pushing Yu Hanshan’s arm aside as he stood tall and unyielding. “She’s from my household. You’ve overstepped. Even if she was in the wrong, it’s not your place to reprimand her. Uncle, show some respect.”

Yu Hanshan stumbled back, confused at how strong Yu Qizhe was. He rubbed his sore elbow, still defiant. “From your household? She’s not your wife yet. Looks like you’ve recovered just fine, sticking your nose into everything!”

“Whether or not she’s my wife, she’s still my sister.” Yu Qizhe’s long, narrow eyes sharpened like blades. “And if Uncle keeps abusing your status as an elder, don’t blame me for being rude.”

Yu Hanshan’s temples throbbed with rage. Madam Zhao prepared to throw a fit, but Yu Ruhai finally stepped out from the main room, face like thunder.

“What the hell are you all yelling about? Trying to tear the family apart? If Third wants money, just talk to Meng girl nicely. What’s with the shouting? We’re all family, she won’t refuse!”

Yu Jiao gave a cold, mocking laugh. Stepping out from behind Yu Qizhe, her clear eyes locked on the old man.

“Now that’s a joke. You hold fifty percent of the clinic’s profits and still want to snatch my private money? Do you really think I’m a fool?” Her sharp gaze swept across Old Madam Yu and the third branch. She pulled the torn silver note from her sleeve, crushed it in her palm, and declared icily.

“Let me be clear, the silver in my hands, whether I tear it, burn it, or throw it away, is mine to deal with. If any of you dare plot again, don’t even think about that fifty percent clinic share. If any patients come, I’ll treat them for free. I mean it. Try me again, and see what happens.”