Married to a Villainous Minister - Chapter 17

Yu Jiao completely ignored Madam Zhao’s outburst. Carrying the wooden bucket, she walked straight out of the kitchen. Madam Zhao quickly lunged after her, trying to snatch the bucket from Yu Jiao’s hands.

Yu Jiao frowned slightly, her small face calm and cold. Without the slightest hesitation, she lifted the bucket decisively just as Madam Zhao reached for it. A splash of hot water spilled directly onto the ground, splattering Madam Zhao as well. She immediately let out a cry of pain and began cursing Yu Jiao loudly.

Madam Song had just finished giving Yu Mengshan his medicine when she heard the commotion in the courtyard and rushed outside. The scene that greeted her was Madam Zhao soaking wet and yanking at her pant legs while swearing viciously, and Yu Jiao standing silently to the side, expressionless and composed.

Flustered, Madam Song hurried over to help dry the water from Madam Zhao’s body. But Madam Zhao roughly shoved her hands away. The scalding water had left her ankle red and swollen, so painful that even the slightest touch hurt. 

Consumed with rage, she raised her hand and charged at Yu Jiao. “You little wretch! Were you trying to scald me to death? I’ll beat you to death myself!”

Madam Song quickly stepped in to protect her, but Madam Zhao was much larger and stronger, while Madam Song was petite and frail. She couldn’t stop Madam Zhao at all. The blows meant for Yu Jiao ended up landing on Madam Song instead.

“Third sister-in-law, Meng girl wouldn’t have done it on purpose. Don’t take it to heart, she’s just a child,” Madam Song tried to soothe her.

But Madam Zhao wasn’t listening. Especially when she saw Yu Jiao standing there, unscathed and calm, her fury intensified. She scratched and clawed like a madwoman, determined to tear Yu Jiao apart.

The noise in the courtyard finally disturbed Old Master Yu and Old Madam Yu inside the house.

Old Madam Yu stepped out and, seeing Madam Zhao in such a pitiful state, her face darkened. “What kind of racket is this? Do you want to bring the roof down on the house?”

Madam Zhao was quick to speak first. “Mother, that vile girl’s completely out of control! I just used a bit of the hot water she boiled, and she dumped a whole bucket of boiling water on me! Look at my leg, do you see what she’s done to me?”

Yu Jiao gave a cold laugh. She hadn’t even boiled the water fully. If she had, Madam Zhao wouldn’t be standing there shrieking, she’d be badly burned, possibly even disfigured.

“You still dare laugh, you little tramp! I’ll kill you!” Madam Zhao roared when she saw Yu Jiao smirk, and tried to strike her again.

Old Madam Yu said nothing to stop her. In fact, she was more than happy to see Madam Zhao give Yu Jiao a proper beating.

Unfortunately for her, Old Master Yu had recently taken a particular liking to Yu Jiao and intervened. “Enough! Third daughter-in-law, just look at yourself! What kind of behavior is this?”

Madam Zhao stopped, stunned and aggrieved. “Father, how can you be so unfairly biased toward that dead girl, Meng Yujiao? She poured boiling water on me!”

Yu Ruhai glanced at Yu Jiao and then said in a low voice to Madam Zhao, “If you’re burned, then go treat it with some ointment. What are you doing picking fights with a child?”

Madam Zhao was shocked by his favoritism and turned to Old Madam Yu for support.

Old Madam Yu frowned. She hadn’t expected Yu Ruhai to take Yu Jiao’s side so openly. Staring at Yu Jiao, her dislike deepened.

“Meng girl, your third aunt only wanted some hot water. Was there really a need to go that far? Apologize to your third aunt at once.”

Yu Jiao glanced at Old Madam Yu and said nothing.

Madam Song gently tugged on Yu Jiao’s sleeve, signaling her to yield. Since the old master was defending her, the matter could be smoothed over easily.

Old Madam Yu’s face darkened further. Yu Jiao clearly didn’t take her seriously. “You truly have no sense of remorse! The saying goes ‘a healer must have compassion,’ but this girl may have the skill but she’s cruel-hearted and lawless. With her around, the Yu family will never know peace!”

With those words, Yu Ruhai had no choice but to say to Yu Jiao, “Meng girl, you didn’t mean to spill the water on your third aunt, did you? Go ahead and apologize.”

Yu Jiao bent down, picked up the fallen wooden bucket, and said calmly, “Of course it wasn’t intentional. Third Aunt tried to grab the bucket, and that’s when the water spilled.”

Her words only made Madam Zhao angrier. “You little wretch! I didn’t even touch the bucket! You really are sharp-tongued!”

Yu Jiao gave a faint smirk. “Sharp-tongued? Third Aunt, I’ve only said one sentence. You’re the one who’s been yelling non-stop.”

Madam Zhao was nearly driven mad with fury. Just as she was about to lash out again, Yu Ruhai cut her off.

“That’s enough. If it was unintentional, then what’s the point in arguing? You’re family, why fight like this? If your leg’s burned, go apply some medicine.”

Madam Zhao was furious, but with the old master so clearly favoring Yu Jiao, she knew that continuing would only backfire. She glared hatefully at Yu Jiao, then stormed inside to treat her burns.

Old Madam Yu also cast Yu Jiao a look full of loathing before turning to leave.

Madam Song took the bucket from Yu Jiao and refilled it with water, pulling her back into the kitchen. She spoke in a low voice, “You silly girl, why quarrel with your third aunt? If she wants hot water, just give it to her, we can always boil more.”

Yu Jiao smiled faintly. “Aunt Song, I’ve always believed in this, if others respect me a foot, I return it tenfold. But if they insult or bully me, I won’t yield an inch.”

Madam Song paused at her words and gently patted Yu Jiao’s head with a sigh. “Child, being too rigid will break you. Sometimes, it’s okay to take a step back. That’s how life usually gets muddled through.”

Yu Jiao just smiled and shook her head without replying. Madam Song looked at her and could only shake her head in resignation. She soon boiled another pot of water and helped Yu Jiao carry it into the room.

After taking the medicine Yu Jiao had prescribed, Yu Mengshan looked much better. The swelling had gone down, and Madam Song finally felt at ease.

It was Yu Jiao’s first time bathing with soap pods, and she found it quite novel. She played with them for a while. Having only had the chance to wipe down twice with water Yu Qizhe sneaked in during her time locked in the woodshed, she was filthy. After washing, she felt refreshed and clean.

After dumping the dirty bathwater, Yu Jiao gathered the bedding she had used the night before along with her soiled clothes, intending to wash them.

She heard voices outside and guessed that Yu Fuling, the eldest daughter from the second branch, had returned. As she stepped out with the laundry, the conversation outside quieted.

Yu Fuling looked at her but said nothing. From her expression, Yu Jiao could tell that Yu Fuling didn’t like her. When Madam Song saw the laundry in Yu Jiao’s arms, she called out, “Just leave the dirty clothes in the room, I’ll wash them later.”

Yu Jiao shook her head. “No need, Aunt Song. I’ll wash them myself.”

Madam Song walked over, took the clothes from Yu Jiao, and smiled. “Fuling just got back from my maternal family. You two girls can chat, I’ll go take care of the washing.”

But there wasn’t anything to say. Yu Jiao and Yu Fuling clearly had no interest in speaking to each other.