Married to a Villainous Minister - Chapter 193

Xiaodie’s face turned deathly pale. She never imagined that in the blink of an eye, the situation would change so drastically, while the two young ladies from the Yu family were unharmed, disaster was now looming over her.

The two burly attendants beside the master were former constables, known for their heavy-handed methods. If she were to receive the “harsh punishment of the heavy rod,” how could she possibly survive?

She frantically looked around, desperately hoping her mistress would come to her rescue. But where was Yang Jiyan? Not even a shadow of her could be seen.

Tearfully, she begged for mercy. “Master, Miss Yu entered the West Garden unintentionally. There’s nothing for this servant to confess!”

But Yang Yuanchun didn’t even glance at her. He frowned and ordered the two towering attendants coldly, “If she refuses to talk, beat her to death!”

The young maid trembled like a leaf in the wind. The two attendants grabbed her by the arms and dragged her away.

Yu Fuling watched this scene unfold with immense satisfaction. She wasn’t well-versed in the twisted intricacies of elite households and assumed this maid was just crafty and scheming.

Yu Jiao, however, didn’t even look at the maid. She simply etched Yang Jiyan’s name into her memory. To set such a sinister trap for no reason at all, with the intent to kill her and her sister, such malice was truly chilling.

She looked up at the tall, gray brick walls of the Yang estate and quietly warned herself to remember this lesson well. This time, she only escaped because of her medical skills. It was pure luck.

If she ever entered a household like this again, she’d have to be extremely cautious.

Meanwhile, Lady Yang, who had been standing nearby on a small path, rushed over upon hearing the commotion. Seeing that the Yu sisters were safe outside the West Garden, she finally relaxed.

Yang Yuanchun softened his tone and smiled slightly. “Third Madam Mu brought these young doctors to diagnose your illness. We truly owe them our thanks, and the Misses Yu, what happened earlier in the West Garden was just a misunderstanding. They were frightened, so please be sure to reassure them.”

Though she didn’t fully understand the shift in attitude, Lady Yang nodded graciously. “I’ll take the Misses Yu back to my courtyard. Third Madam Mu is still waiting.”

Yang Yuanchun nodded and watched the three women leave.

As they walked away, Lady Yang smiled warmly. “There are honored guests residing in the West Garden. My husband typically doesn’t allow anyone in. Earlier, I suspect he was just startled to see you two enter unexpectedly and lost his temper. If he offended you in any way, I beg your forgiveness.”

“You’re too kind, madam. My sister and I were the ones who wandered in by mistake,” Yu Jiao replied calmly. She remembered how Lady Yang had spoken up for them earlier when the unruly Young Lord Gu was being aggressive. Lady Yang had no knowledge of Yang Jiyan’s trap, so she couldn’t be blamed.

Lady Yang smiled. “Third Madam Mu must be getting anxious. To be honest, this was really Yan-jie’s fault. I asked her to look after you two, but she’s too playful, abandoned her duty and left you in the hands of an inexperienced maid. I’ll be sure to give her a scolding later.”

Yu Jiao only smiled faintly and said no more.

When they returned to Lady Yang’s courtyard, Third Madam Mu was indeed waiting anxiously by the door, peering outside. Seeing Lady Yang return with the two sisters, she finally let out a breath of relief. “Did something happen?”

“It was nothing major,” Lady Yang replied quickly. “Yan-jie got distracted playing around and handed the young ladies off to a maid who didn’t know any better. The maid led them the wrong way, and they accidentally ran into some guests my husband was meeting with. It gave the girls a bit of a scare.”

Third Madam Mu visibly relaxed. She had been uneasy, sitting alone in the room for quite a while, worrying that something had gone wrong in the Yang household.

“Yan-jie has been far too spoiled. She acted irresponsibly today and failed to show proper courtesy in front of the Misses Yu. I’ll be sure to discipline her,” Lady Yang said with a sigh.

Third Madam Mu chuckled. “Yan-jie is still young and unmarried, it’s only natural she’s a bit careless. Don’t punish her over such a small matter. Girls are always more relaxed at home. Once she’s married, she’ll mature.”

Lady Yang then called her personal maid over and whispered a few instructions. Soon, the maid returned with a red lacquered, carved wooden box.

Opening it, Lady Yang revealed a pair of jade bracelets. She smiled gently, “My brother sent these from the northern frontier. They’re not especially valuable, but the jade is beautifully translucent, and the carving is even and smooth.”

She picked one up and took Yu Jiao’s hand, gently slipping it onto her delicate wrist. “This is just a small token to make up for the scare you suffered because of Yan-jie’s carelessness. Please don’t reject it.”

Yu Jiao quickly tried to decline. “I couldn’t possibly accept, madam. There’s no need—”

But Lady Yang insisted, fastening the bracelet onto her wrist. “Good child, don’t argue. You’re so young, yet already such a skilled physician. I really do admire you.”

She then picked up the second bracelet and moved to place it on Yu Fuling’s wrist. Yu Fuling instinctively pulled her hand back.

Third Madam Mu stepped in with a smile. “The lady is fond of you two, don’t turn her down.”

Seeing no other option, Yu Fuling let Lady Yang slip the bracelet on. She looked to Yu Jiao, who offered a quiet “thank you.” Yu Fuling followed suit, murmuring her thanks as well.

“It’s getting late,” Third Madam Mu said cheerfully, noting that it was almost time for lunch. “Let’s not trouble you any further. Once you’re feeling better, sister, we’ll sit down and talk properly.”

Lady Yang nodded politely. “You must come again, and bring the Misses Yu to visit when you can.”

Third Madam Mu agreed with a smile. Then Lady Yang remembered something, “Go fetch the consultation fee,” she told her maid.

With an apologetic smile, she added, “I got caught up in conversation and nearly forgot to pay Miss Meng for her diagnosis.”

The maid soon returned with a silver note, which Lady Yang personally handed to Yu Jiao. “You both came all this way just to help me, this is for your trouble.”

This time, Yu Jiao didn’t refuse as she had with the bracelets. She accepted the note and tucked it into her pouch.

Lady Yang personally escorted them to the gate. Though the morning had been long and tiring, and her body was weary, she was left with many questions. Without delay, she headed to the back courtyard to find Yan-jie.

Back in Yan-jie’s courtyard, the young lady was feeling quite pleased with herself. Her maid Huamei had just reported that quite a scene had broken out in the West Garden, and her father had ordered his trusted men to guard the gates, seemingly to punish the Yu sisters.

Pleased, she rewarded Huamei with a hairpin.

But she didn’t expect that the very man who was supposed to be dealing with those “country bumpkin sisters” in the West Garden would suddenly barge into her courtyard, his face twisted in fury.

“Where is Yan-jie?” Yang Yuanchun stormed into the courtyard, shouting at the servant girls who were sweeping the grounds.