Married to a Villainous Minister - Chapter 182

Yu Jiao let out a long breath, her lips curling faintly. The city gates of Qingzhou Prefecture stood tall, built of blue bricks over two meters high. As a provincial capital, it was naturally far grander than the likes of Changkui County, a small place where even antlered wooden barriers served as gates.

Soon, it was the Mu family’s carriage’s turn at the gate. Mu Yan lifted the curtain, and the city guards, seeming to recognize him, only went through the motions, lifting a few curtains and glancing inside the carriages before waving them through.

Inside the city, wide stone-paved roads stretched out. The streets and alleys bustled with people. Taverns and workshops rang with lively noise, filling the air with clamor and excitement. Green-tiled roofs, red-painted walls, flying eaves adorned with fluttering flags, and gilded carriages with vermilion wheels rolled by.

Yu Fuling poked her head out eagerly, looking out with fascination. Even the passersby seemed novel to her. “I always thought Qingzhou was so far away,” she said. “I thought I’d never come to the prefectural capital in this life. But after just one night, here we are in Qingzhou.”

Yu Jiao smiled faintly, her expression a little dazed. Places one has never been to always seem impossibly distant. But in truth, there are no places one can’t reach, only people and moments that can never be seen again.

The Mu family had prepared three carriages, each drawn by fine horses accustomed to the road to Qingzhou. The journey was smooth and swift, with barely a pause. In just over half a day, none of them even felt the weariness of travel.

The carriages turned to Shuying Lane in the city’s eastern quarter. This was a neighborhood of aristocratic families, every household had produced officials.

The direct branch of the Mu family in Qingzhou lived here. Their servants had gone ahead to knock on the gate, announcing the arrival of the second young master. The heavy, black-lacquered gate with brass fittings slowly opened.

The carriage entered, circled around a waist-high Sumeru-style screen wall, and stopped in the front courtyard. From outside, the driver called, “Young Master Yu, young ladies, we’ve arrived at the residence.”

Yu Qizhe lifted the curtain first and stepped down, then turned to offer his hand to Yu Jiao. Both she and Yu Fuling took his hand and descended from the carriage.

Mu Yan was speaking with a woman dressed in a sapphire-blue robe embroidered with trailing floral vines. Seeing Yu Jiao step down, he brought the woman over and said with a smile, “This girl is the physician who cured my carbuncle.”

The woman looked Yu Jiao over, then warmly took her hand. “Good child, I’ve been hoping you’d arrive. The second master mentioned you before, and I’ve been wanting to meet you. Now that you’re here, treat this place like your own home.”

Yu Jiao wasn’t sure of the woman’s identity, but Mu Yan quickly spoke up. “This is my wife.”

Yu Jiao smiled politely. “You’re too kind, madam.”

The woman gave Yu Jiao’s hand a gentle squeeze, then glanced amiably at Yu Fuling and Yu Qizhe. She said, “Don’t just stand there, let’s go sit and talk in the front hall.”

The group made their way inside. Yu Jinshu followed behind Mu Nianjiu, eyes wide with curiosity at the grandeur of the Mu residence. In a hushed voice, he asked, “Nianjiu, what sort of officials are your great-uncles? This place is incredibly grand!”

Mu Nianjiu had been a bit tense ever since entering the compound. Hearing Jinshu ask so bluntly, he glanced ahead to make sure no one overheard before replying in a low voice, “My eldest uncle holds a fourth-rank post in the capital. My third uncle is a sixth-rank assistant magistrate here in Qingzhou.”

Yu Jinshu let out a soft whistle. He’d heard vague rumors that the Mu family’s main branch had officials, but hadn’t expected one to be a high-ranking capital officer. The Mu family truly was an established noble lineage.

He couldn’t help but feel pleased with himself. If not for his friendship with Mu Nianjiu, how could he have had the chance to stay in such a household and rub shoulders with government officials?

He was eager to ask more, but Mu Nianjiu was unwilling to say much. His own grandfather’s branch had long since declined, there was a vast gulf between their situation and that of the Qingzhou relatives. They were hardly close anymore.

Only Mu Yan, the second uncle, still made a point to visit them in Changkui and offer support now and then.

Before the trip, Grandfather had warned Nianjiu to be cautious in the ancestral home, speak little, behave with restraint, and avoid drawing displeasure.

Once they reached the front hall, servants brought in tea. Mu Yan gestured for everyone to sit and said, “I’ve had a quiet courtyard prepared for you. No one will disturb you. Wulang, you and your brothers can settle in and focus on your studies.”

Yu Qizhe thanked him calmly and politely.

Mu Yan then turned to his wife. “How have you arranged Miss Meng’s accommodations?”

Lady Mu smiled. “I had the side room in Rong-jie’s courtyard cleaned up. Since they’re about the same age, I thought the girls would get along better. So I decided to have Miss Meng and her sister stay there.”

Mu Yan nodded and turned to Yu Jiao. “Rong-jie is my daughter. Living together, you’ll have someone to keep you company.”

Yu Jiao responded with a pleasant smile, agreeing without hesitation. As a guest, she simply followed the host’s arrangements.

“You must be tired from the journey,” Mu Yan said. “Let me have someone show you to your quarters.”

He summoned a servant to lead Yu Qizhe and the others to their rooms.

Lady Mu personally led Yu Jiao and Yu Fuling to the rear courtyard. The maids quickly moved to take Yu Jiao’s medical kit and the bundle Yu Fuling carried on her back.

Fuling looked uncomfortable. The maids’ clothing was as fine as that of noble ladies back in Changkui. For a moment, she didn’t know what to do with her hands or feet. Clutching her bundle tightly, she stammered, “I can carry it myself.”

The Mu family’s maids were well-trained. None of them showed any expression of disdain.

Out of the corner of her eye, Lady Mu observed Yu Jiao. Though young, the girl hadn’t shown the slightest sign of nervousness since entering the residence. In fact, she seemed far more composed than her older sister. Lady Mu grew even fonder of her.

With a kind tone, she said, “Rong-jie has gone to visit her maternal grandparents. She’ll be back tomorrow. Once she returns, I’ll have her take you girls out for a stroll.”

They passed through a floral-covered gateway into the western courtyard of Luofu Garden. The courtyard maids stepped forward and bowed.

Lady Mu addressed them, “These are Miss Meng and her sister. You are to attend them just as you would Miss Rong. If I hear any complaints, I won’t be lenient.”

The maids respectfully agreed and discreetly glanced at the two girls.

Lady Mu led them into the room prepared for them. She smiled and said, “That’s Rong-jie’s room on the left. If there’s anything missing here, just tell the maids. Make yourselves at home, don’t be shy.”

“Thank you for your trouble, madam,” Yu Jiao replied courteously.

Lady Mu noted her poise and natural grace. She didn’t seem like a simple country girl at all. No wonder her husband had such faith in her abilities, not only had she cured his illness, but she’d even impressed him enough to bring her here to treat Madam Yang.

With a warm smile, Lady Mu continued, “I had originally thought to host a welcoming banquet for you, but my husband said your brothers need to focus on studying, and eating with strangers might not be comfortable. So we arranged for a small kitchen to send meals directly to your courtyards. If there are any dishes you especially like or dislike, just let the maids know.”

Yu Fuling stood off to the side, stiff and awkward. She had never interacted with a noble lady before, and to her, Lady Mu’s status was impossibly high, far beyond any village matron. Her tongue felt heavy, and she couldn’t even manage polite small talk.