Married to a Villainous Minister - Chapter 192

When Xiao Ning spoke, Gu Yun remained silent, seemingly agreeing to let Yu Jiao go.

“Thank you, General Xiao,” Yu Jiao said with a respectful bow. She then added, “Actually… there may still be a chance for your hand to recover.”

Xiao Ning’s eyes widened in disbelief. “You mean… you can treat my hand?”

“Is that true?” Yang Yuancheng asked, clearly excited.

Yu Jiao nodded calmly and explained, “It will require breaking and resetting the bones. I’m not sure if General Xiao can endure the pain that comes with it.”

Xiao Ning looked down at his right hand, trying to move his fingers, they twitched but couldn’t even curl into a fist. He let out a sharp laugh, “What’s a little pain? I’m no coward, I can take it.” His voice softened as he looked at Yu Jiao. “If the bones are reset… will my hand truly recover? Will I be able to wield the Thousand Cavalry Spear again?”

All eyes turned to Yu Jiao. She remained composed and answered steadily, “I can’t guarantee full recovery, but you’ll certainly be able to wield weapons again. As for delicate tasks like threading a needle or handling a strand of hair, those might be a bit difficult.”

Gu Yun cut in, “If it’s not a full guarantee, then how confident are you?”

“If I can gather all the necessary materials, I have about an 80% chance,” Yu Jiao replied.

Eighty percent, an impressive chance. Xiao Ning’s heart raced with hope as he stared intently at her.

Yang Yuancheng pressed further, “What do you need? Just tell me, I’ll have someone prepare it immediately.”

Yu Jiao answered methodically, “I’ll need a thin steel knife, a pair of tweezers, and two specific needles, one angular, one round. I’ll also need catgut.”

The items she mentioned, though unfamiliar, carried a sense of expertise. Even the well-traveled men present had never heard of them.

“A good blacksmith won’t be hard to find,” Yang Yuancheng said. “But I doubt any of them have heard of angular or round needles. And catgut? What’s that?”

Yu Jiao patiently explained, “It’s fine if the smith hasn’t heard of them. I’ll draw up diagrams and guide him during the forging. As for the catgut, it’s made from the intestines of lambs or sheep around seven to eight months old. The intestines are scraped clean of fat and membranes, then soaked in a medicinal solution, smoked with sulfur, and finally twisted into threads. Once used to suture human flesh, the thread gets absorbed by the body.”

The group listened, visibly impressed. Their view of Yu Jiao had clearly changed, no one dared underestimate her just because of her age anymore.

“These items will take time to prepare. In the meantime, may my sister and I leave?” Yu Jiao asked.

Yang Yuancheng couldn’t make that call alone, so he looked to the Young Marquis.

Gu Yun grinned shamelessly. “Didn’t expect it from you, you really do know a lot for someone your age. I guess you are a proper female doctor.”

Yu Jiao remained indifferent, unmoved by his flattery.

Yang Yuancheng turned to Xiao Ning. “I’ll have someone find a smith outside the manor. You should stay in Qingzhou a few more days until Miss Meng finishes treating your hand.”

Xiao Ning had planned to leave Qingzhou that night to avoid further dragging Yang Yuancheng into trouble. But now, he couldn’t go. His right hand meant everything to him. Without the ability to wield the Thousand Cavalry Spear, he was nothing.

He nodded. “In that case, I’ll have to trouble you, Brother Yuancheng.”

“Miss Meng, why don’t you stay here at the manor for a few days until you’re done treating General Xiao?” Yang Yuancheng offered politely.

Yu Jiao gave a cool smile. “I appreciate your kindness, Lord Yang, but I must decline. Today, my sister and I only came to see your wife for a consultation, and somehow, we were accidentally dragged into a life-threatening trap. If that’s the danger just from a visit, imagine the risks if we stayed. I value my life too much to take that chance.”

Her words were loaded with implication, everyone present understood exactly what she was getting at.

Yang Yuancheng flushed with embarrassment and immediately promised, “Miss Meng, rest assured, if this was indeed a deliberate setup, I’ll make sure to get to the bottom of it and give you and your sister justice!”

Yu Jiao nodded. “Then I thank you in advance, Lord Yang. I’ll be staying with the Mu family. Once everything is ready, I’ll return to treat General Xiao’s hand. I also need time to prepare some medicines, so I won’t stay longer.”

Yang Yuancheng looked at Gu Yun and Liu Ziqi. Neither objected, silently approving her departure. He then said, “I’ll walk Miss Meng out.”

To everyone’s surprise, he personally led the way.

Liu Ziqi’s clear, thoughtful eyes followed Yu Jiao’s departing figure. Gu Yun, amused, remarked, “Who would’ve thought we’d run into such an interesting girl in Qingzhou? Good thing I didn’t break her neck earlier, I’d have seriously regretted it.”

Liu Ziqi turned his gaze back. “You really need to stop reacting with violence every time things don’t go your way.”

Thinking of what Yu Jiao had just done, Liu Ziqi’s face softened with admiration. “She may say she comes from humble origins, but her actions show boldness, precision, and composure, not something you see every day.”

Then, recalling how she used the situation to corner Yang Yuancheng into taking responsibility, he added with a smile, “Smart, too. Not the kind to take things lying down.”

Xiao Ning agreed. “She’s young, but her medical knowledge is impressive. The things she spoke of were strange but convincing.”

Gu Yun nudged Liu Ziqi. “How about we stick around a few more days? I want to see with my own eyes how she plans to treat Xiao Ning’s hand using those tools.”

Liu Ziqi nodded. They had originally planned to escort Xiao Ning to safety and then head to Changkui, but this unexpected twist was worth lingering for. As for Changkui… they’d been searching for years. A few days’ delay wouldn’t matter.

Yet uncertainty lingered in his heart. If he really did find Meng Qingshan, and the girl taken away back then wasn’t Su Jian… what would he do?

Meanwhile, Yu Fuling waited anxiously outside the bamboo grove, worried, angry, and afraid. If glares could kill, the maidservant kneeling by the garden gate would have died a hundred deaths under her furious stare.

She looked up suddenly and saw Yu Jiao walking toward her, unharmed and following Yang Yuancheng. Relief washed over her, and she rushed forward, grabbing Yu Jiao’s hands and anxiously asking, “Are you okay? Did they hurt you again?”

Yu Jiao felt a wave of warmth in her chest and replied gently, “It’s all right. We can go now.”

Yang Yuancheng gave Yu Fuling an apologetic smile. “I owe you both an apology. Please, allow me to escort you out.”

Surprised by his sudden change in attitude, Yu Fuling held tightly to Yu Jiao’s hand and cautiously followed him out of the garden.

As they passed the kneeling maid, Xiaodie, Yang Yuancheng’s face turned cold. He barked to the guards at the gate, “Take her away. Beat her with rods until she explains why she lured Miss Meng to the West Garden. Don’t stop until I say so!”

“Yes, sir!” Two trusted servants immediately stepped forward, grabbed the maid’s arms, and dragged her out of the West Garden.