Married to a Villainous Minister - Chapter 142

After coughing up the noodle that was stuck in his throat, the man gasped for breath and wiped his mouth with his sleeve before scrambling to his feet. He quickly turned to Yu Jiao and said gratefully, “Thank you, Lady Doctor, for saving my life.”

“No need to thank me,” Yu Jiao replied calmly, standing behind Yu Qizhe. Seeing that the man had recovered, she followed Yu Qizhe back to their table.

The onlookers, realizing the man had simply choked from eating too fast, returned to their seats and resumed their meals.

“Young Master, I’ve really embarrassed you,” the man said sheepishly as he walked up to Shen Yu, who was still shaken. He spoke cautiously, gauging Shen Yu’s expression.

But Shen Yu’s attention was entirely on Yu Jiao. Watching how she revived his servant without even using standard medical tools, he was clearly impressed, her skills were no less than the lady doctor Jiang Qinghe always talked about. His eyes sparkled with interest.

He tapped his folding fan on his servant’s head. “You really are an idiot. I bring you out for a rare treat, and you nearly choke to death on noodles. You’ve embarrassed me!”

The servant lowered his head. Normally, he slurped noodles just fine, but today of all days, when the young master was in a good mood and had even let him eat at the same table, he’d caused a huge scene and nearly lost his life.

“I deserve punishment, Young Master.”

But Shen Yu had no intention of punishing him. His eyes were still fixed on Yu Jiao and her companions. With a meaningful tone, he said, “That young lady is both beautiful and kind-hearted. She saved your life, don’t you think we should at least know the name of your benefactor?”

The servant nodded. “Young Master is right. I’ll go ask her name right away.” But then, remembering she was a young woman, he hesitated. “But… asking a lady for her personal name might not be proper?”

Shen Yu shot him a cold glance, then strode toward Yu Jiao’s table and addressed her directly. “Many thanks for saving my servant. May I ask for your name and where you live, so I can properly repay your kindness?”

Yu Jiao was quietly using a cloth dipped in tea to wipe her hands, but before she could respond, Yu Qizhe answered coolly, “It was just a small favor, nothing worth mentioning.”

Though brushed off, Shen Yu wasn’t one to give up so easily. He looked at Yu Jiao with a smile. “To be honest, my family runs a medical clinic. Young lady, are you a physician? Your skill just now was extraordinary. I would love to exchange knowledge if you’re willing.”

Yu Qizhe frowned and stood up, blocking Shen Yu’s line of sight. His long, narrow peach blossom eyes glinted with a chilly edge. “You flatter her too much. My wife’s medical skills are modest, there’s really nothing worth discussing.”

Yu Jiao’s hand trembled slightly at the word wife, momentarily stunned. When she lifted her eyes, she met Shen Yu’s gaze and gave a polite nod.

Shen Yu’s charming smile deepened, and just as he was about to speak again, Yu Qizhe gently asked, “Are you full?”

Yu Jiao and Yu Fuling both nodded. Yu Qizhe ignored Shen Yu completely and said, “Then let’s go.”

The three of them stood and walked out of the noodle shop. Seeing Shen Yu still staring at the young lady’s back, the servant quietly whispered, “Young Master, she’s already married. You saw how upset her husband got when you spoke to her.”

Shen Yu finally looked away, a wistful sigh escaping him. “She’s so beautiful and skilled in medicine. How is she already married at such a young age? She’d be such a perfect match for me, what a shame.”

The servant, knowing his young master’s flirtatious nature, quickly tried to steer him back on course. “Young Master, the Zhang family’s daughter just attempted suicide. The Master’s already worried sick at home. Please don’t stir up more trouble outside. Besides, that young lady is clearly already engaged and her fiancé looks refined and talented. They make a good match!”

At the mention of the Zhang girl, Shen Yu winced and gave the servant another tap on the head with his fan. “Pity, you didn’t choke to death earlier!”

The servant rubbed his head and grinned. “Awu and Alu have already been sent to help in the kitchen. Who knows what hardship they’ll face. Please, Young Master, don’t cause any more trouble. Once the Zhang family matter is resolved, we can bring the girls back to your rooms.”

“As if I needed you to tell me that,” Shen Yu scoffed and headed toward the door.

The servant quickly fished out some coins to pay for their food, then caught up, asking, “Young Master, are we heading back to the manor?”

Shen Yu tossed back lazily, “Huichun Hall. If you talk too much, go back on your own.”

The servant clamped his mouth shut, not daring to speak further.

After leaving the noodle shop, Yu Jiao and the others went straight to Huichun Hall. The clinic was still bustling as ever. Inside, patients waited in line to be seen. Jiang Qinghe was busy consulting at his usual place beside the medicine shelves.

Seeing he was occupied, Yu Jiao glanced around. The herb cabinets were neatly labeled, and a young apprentice was measuring and wrapping herbs at the counter in a smooth and orderly rhythm. 

The sight reminded Yu Jiao of her own clinic in another world, her grandfather seeing patients, she and her senior apprentice helping prepare medicine. Those days were simple, fulfilling, and full of warmth.

Yu Qizhe noticed the faraway look in her eyes as she stared at the herb shelves. A thoughtful glint passed through his gaze. “Do you plan to open a clinic of your own someday?”

Yu Jiao snapped out of her thoughts. Her apricot eyes lit up. Yes, though her grandfather and senior brother were no longer with her, she could rebuild the Yujia Medical Hall in this world.

“Fuling, Zhe… Qizhe, you’re here to get herbs too?” A gentle voice sounded behind them.

Yu Fuling turned and smiled brightly. “What a coincidence! Ah Rou, you’re in town too?”

Chen Rou smiled gracefully. “I came to get medicine for my grandmother.” She then looked at Yu Jiao, as though just noticing her. “So Miss Meng is here too. About what happened with Ah Ying last time, I hope you won’t hold it against her, for my sake.”

“It’s in the past, Miss Chen. No need to dwell on it,” Yu Jiao replied politely but with some distance.

“How’s your grandmother doing?” Yu Fuling asked with concern.

Chen Rou’s expression turned wistful. Her frail posture made her look delicate and pitiful. “She’s a bit better since taking Physician Jiang’s prescriptions, but she still coughs up blood every now and then.”

At that moment, Jiang Qinghe happened to glance up and saw Yu Jiao standing in the corner. His eyes lit up. He quickly stood and said to the patient, “Excuse me, just a moment.”

He rushed over to Yu Jiao, his face beaming. “Miss Meng! What brings you here?”

Yu Jiao’s smile this time was warmer and more genuine. “I’ve just finished memorizing a medical text. I thought of you, you’re so passionate about medicine, I figured you might enjoy reading it.”

With that, she handed over a bound copy of the handwritten book.

Jiang Qinghe accepted it with both hands, clearly touched. He had long regretted not being able to recruit Yu Jiao to study at Huichun Hall. Now she had personally brought him a medical text she’d transcribed herself.

Unable to resist, he flipped it open on the spot. To his surprise, her handwriting was incredibly neat and detailed, and the book even included a table of contents at the front. 

A quick scan revealed it covered everything from miscellaneous ailments to pulse analysis, diagnosis, and even health preservation and longevity, an absolute treasure.