Married to a Villainous Minister - Chapter 134

Before Yu Qizhe could speak, the man casually grabbed the teacup on the table, poured himself a drink, and said with a grin, “I just caught a glimpse earlier, she’s quite a pretty little thing. Since when did you start dabbling in romance? Hiding a woman in your room, no less.”

Yu Qizhe remembered how Yu Jiao had just changed clothes in his room. His expression darkened instantly. He stared coldly and said, “Enough nonsense. It’s been a year since I last saw you, and you’ve only grown more shameless, peeping at women now?”

Seeing that Yu Qizhe was genuinely upset, Lu Jin quickly smiled and explained, “Don’t be angry, junior brother. I only took one glance! You didn’t get married without telling me, did you? Not even a letter?”

Yu Qizhe remained expressionless. He gave Lu Jin a sidelong glance. “Only one glance?”

Having known Yu Qizhe for years, Lu Jin was all too familiar with his temper. Realizing he might’ve gone too far, and noticing how protective Yu Qizhe seemed about the girl, he didn’t dare joke further. He admitted honestly, “Truly, just one glance. I saw her shoo you out of the room, so I didn’t dare peek again. Is she really your wife?”

Yu Qizhe gave a cold snort, but his expression softened. After all, it had been three years since they’d seen each other. Despite Lu Jin being tanner than before, he looked stronger, healthier even, clearly not having lived badly these past years. Calmly, Yu Qizhe replied, “She’s my younger sister.”

Lu Jin leaned in, grinning. “Ah, your sister! No wonder she looked so young. But wait a minute, I remember you only had one elder sister. When did you get a younger one? I’ve only been away in the capital for three years. There’s no way you suddenly gained a sister that age.”

Yu Qizhe didn’t want to explain Yu Jiao’s situation, so he changed the subject. “Why aren’t you in the capital? What brings you back so suddenly?”

At the mention of serious matters, Lu Jin dropped the jokes. His expression turned somber. “Master sent me a letter saying he’s fallen ill. Once I wrapped up my duties in the capital, I rushed back.”

Yu Qizhe frowned slightly, worry flickering in his eyes. “I visited Fahua Temple three months ago. He was still in good health then. How could he suddenly fall ill?”

Lu Jin hadn’t even returned to the temple yet. Since Qingyu Village was nearby, he had come straight to find Yu Qizhe. He shook his head uneasily. “I’m not sure, but it must be serious. Master wouldn’t summon me back otherwise.”

Mention of illness reminded Lu Jin of Yu Qizhe’s own health. Studying him more closely, he noticed his color was far better than before. Reaching out to feel his pulse, his face lit up with joy. “Junior brother, your poison, it’s gone? You’re truly recovered?”

Yu Qizhe didn’t pull away, letting him check again. After a moment, he nodded. “Seems like it.”

Lu Jin beamed. “Who was the expert who helped you? Master will be so pleased when he hears.”

Yu Qizhe didn’t mention Yu Jiao, but silently resolved to take her to Fahua Temple to help treat their master.

Lu Jin was still overjoyed at Yu Qizhe’s recovery. He paced around the room excitedly. “The provincial exam is next month. Now that you’re well, you should come to the capital with me! You have no idea how lonely I’ve been there these past three years. No family, no familiar faces. But now that you’re coming, I’ll finally have some company!”

Yu Qizhe didn’t believe a word of it. Lu Jin had always been outgoing and easy to befriend, someone who could bond with a stranger over one meal. Besides, working in the Embroidered Uniform Guard, (Imperial secret police that serves the Emperor) he was unlikely to lack people eager to cozy up to him.

“I’ve got things to handle here, so I won’t keep you. Go visit Master first. In a few days, I’ll bring a doctor to see him.” Hearing footsteps outside, likely Madam Song and Yu Mengshan returning, Yu Qizhe lowered his voice.

Lu Jin, with his sharp senses and martial skill, had already picked up on the sound from outside. He sighed lightly. “You know as well as I do how good Master’s medical skills are. If he says someone’s beyond help, it usually means there’s no hope.” He looked at Yu Qizhe with a gleam in his eye. “And yet, someone managed to cure your poison. Are you bringing that same person to treat Master?”

Yu Qizhe nodded slightly. Lu Jin’s face lit up. Hearing the approaching footsteps grow louder, he whispered, “I’ll head back first. I’ll wait for you at the temple.”

With that, he leapt onto the roof. Yu Qizhe looked up without urgency and called quietly, “Put the tiles back. It’s the rainy season.”

Lu Jin, already on the roof, shot him a mock-annoyed glare but obediently placed the loosened tiles with care. Once satisfied that it was all secured, he vanished into the distance. In his heart, he muttered, This little brother of mine is still delicate. If the roof leaked and he got sick again, I’d never hear the end of it. As his senior, I’ll let it slide.

Not long after Lu Jin left, Madam Song called from outside the room, “Wulang, are Yujiao and Fuling in your room?”

Yu Qizhe opened the door and replied, “They went to the river to wash clothes.”

Madam Song had just taken the family’s laundry to the river earlier that morning, so she found it odd they’d gone again. But assuming they had changed into new clothes and needed to wash those too, she didn’t think much of it. She nodded and didn’t press further.

Yu Qizhe stopped her. “Mother, my health has really improved. I want to go to Fahua Temple.”

Hearing this, Madam Song’s face lit up with joy. “Truly better? Did Yujiao say so?” In her heart, anything related to medicine was only trustworthy if Yu Jiao confirmed it. Without realizing it, she had already begun treating Yu Jiao’s words as gospel.

Yu Qizhe nodded. Madam Song and Yu Mengshan had no idea about the episode of him coughing blood the day before, nor did they know his condition had taken such a turn for the better.

Madam Song was elated. “Yes, yes, we should absolutely return to the temple to fulfill our vow! I still have some money left, take it with you, make an offering, light incense. We have to thank all the gods above. My son’s finally healed!”

From the moment Yu Qizhe was born, he had always been weak. Madam Song had often taken him to Fahua Temple to pray for his health, and for a while, his condition did improve. Convinced that the gods had responded, she continued visiting the temple, and over time formed bonds with the monks there. Sometimes, she even lets Yu Qizhe stay for short visits.

After he fell ill again following the child scholar exam, and all medical efforts failed, Madam Song had taken him once more to the temple. But his health declined so much that even traveling uphill became difficult. With no visible improvement, she eventually gave up hope.

Now, hearing him mention Fahua Temple again, Madam Song felt that perhaps the gods had finally heard her prayers. After all, wasn’t it fate that brought Yu Jiao to them and cured her son’s illness? Naturally, she agreed at once to let him go fulfill the vow.