Married to a Villainous Minister - Chapter 196

Yu Jiao carefully pressed all the areas on Yu Fuling’s abdomen where internal organs are located. After confirming there were no unusual reactions, she took her pulse again, counting the beats in her mind. There were no signs of organ rupture, and only then did she finally feel reassured.

During this, Third Madam Mu caught a glimpse of the bruises on Yu Jiao’s neck peeking out from her collar. A chill ran through her heart, ‘No wonder Madam Yang had taken so long, and now both Yu sisters were injured. The force used against them wasn’t just harsh, it was clearly meant to take their lives.’

Her mind raced. Who exactly was staying in the Yang residence that warranted this kind of brutality? Did the Yu sisters accidentally offend someone important? But then again, just before leaving, Madam Yang had so warmly gifted them each a jade bracelet. That didn’t match the behavior of someone truly harboring ill will.

The coachman had already pulled the carriage up in front of a nearby medical clinic. He reined in the horses and turned back to say, “Madam, we’ve arrived at the clinic.”

Yu Jiao helped Yu Fuling straighten her clothes, then turned to Third Madam Mu. “Thank you, Third Madam. I’ll just be a moment, I need to pick up some medicine.”

Third Madam Mu snapped out of her thoughts and replied gently, “Go on, quickly.”

She then turned to the old maid beside her. “Go with Miss Meng and cover the cost of the medicine.”

The maid acknowledged the order and hurried to follow Yu Jiao.

As they entered the clinic, Third Madam Mu lowered the curtain and turned to Yu Fuling. “Miss Fuling, who did you encounter at the Yang residence? Who dared to lay hands on you and your sister? Foolish girl, if you were being bullied, why didn’t you tell me?”

She asked gently, but she was clearly probing. Third Madam Mu had judged that while Yu Jiao might be younger, she was far more perceptive and cautious than her sister, and thus harder to extract the truth from. Yu Fuling, on the other hand, might slip up.

But Yu Fuling didn’t dare reveal too much. Just a few overheard words at the Yang estate had nearly cost her life. She echoed Madam Yang’s earlier excuse and said, “My sister and I accidentally disturbed one of Prefect Yang’s guests. They mistook us for servants and that’s why we were beaten. I’m sorry to have made you worry, Third Madam.”

Having gone through what happened in the western courtyard of the Yang estate, Yu Fuling no longer felt nervous speaking to Third Madam Mu. In fact, as Yu Jiao had said, once you’ve faced death, few things are left to fear.

Third Madam Mu thought about it but didn’t press further. The Yu sisters were newcomers to Qingzhou, and unlikely to know anyone influential enough to identify the Yang residence’s mysterious guest.

Looking at the frightening bruise on Yu Fuling’s abdomen, Third Madam Mu gently patted her head and said kindly, “It’s my fault. I brought you girls out but didn’t look after you properly.”

Something about the tenderness in her tone, almost maternal, caused Yu Fuling’s eyes to sting with tears. She shook her head. “It wasn’t your fault. Please don’t blame yourself.”

Third Madam Mu, being a mother herself, saw how sensible and mature the girl was for her age, about the same as the young ladies in her household, and her fondness for the sisters grew even more.

Meanwhile, Yu Jiao purchased a medicinal wine to promote blood circulation and reduce bruising, along with internal medicine for trauma injuries. Concerned that the clinic’s prepared wine might not be strong enough, she also bought herbs to make a poultice for swelling and bruises.

Since Third Madam Mu’s maid insisted on paying, Yu Jiao didn’t argue. She quickly carried the medicine back to the carriage.

The coachman turned the carriage around and headed back to the Mu residence.

When they arrived, Yu Jiao helped Yu Fuling down and said to Third Madam Mu, “Third Madam, we’ll take our leave now.”

Third Madam Mu nodded. “Go get some rest.”

As she watched the sisters walk off, a maid came over and reported, “Third Madam, Second Master and Second Madam are waiting in the side hall to speak with you.”

Third Madam Mu nodded and made her way to the side hall.

As soon as she entered, Mu Yan asked, “How did the consultation with Madam Yang go today?”

After sitting down, a maid poured her some tea. She replied, “That Yu Jiao girl truly does have medical skill. She prescribed a treatment for Madam Yang. Whether it will work remains to be seen.”

Mu Yan chuckled. “If that girl says it can be cured, then I believe it will be.”

Third Madam Mu gave him a look and took a sip of tea. “You place far too much blind faith in her.”

Mu Yan shook his head. “You don’t understand. Someday, if our third sister-in-law falls ill and Yu Jiao treats her, you’ll believe me.”

Second Madam playfully scolded, “How could you curse your own sister-in-law like that?”

Mu Yan bowed to Third Madam Mu with a grin. “Forgive me, Third Madam. I only meant that the girl has real skill.”

Third Madam Mu smiled, not taking his words to heart, then said, “Something happened at the Yang residence today.”

Both Mu Yan and his wife immediately straightened up, concern evident on their faces. “What happened?”

Third Madam Mu lowered her voice. “After the consultation, Madam Yang asked her daughter, Yan-jie, to take the Yu sisters to her courtyard to admire the osmanthus. I stayed to chat with Madam Yang. A while later, a servant rushed in saying something had happened.” 

“Apparently, the girls accidentally ran into an important guest of the Yang family and caused some alarm. Madam Yang later took them back from the west garden herself, after being gone for quite some time. Before they left, she gave each girl a jade bracelet.”

She paused, sipped her tea, then continued, “On the way back, Miss Fuling looked pale and was holding her stomach. Yu Jiao checked her injuries, and when she lifted her clothes, her stomach was covered in dark purple bruises, like she’d been kicked hard. I also saw bruises on Yu Jiao’s neck that looked like strangulation marks.”

“What?!” Mu Yan shot to his feet, furious. “What the hell is going on at the Yang residence? I invited Yu Jiao in good faith to treat Madam Yang, and they repaid her by beating two young girls?!”

His raised voice startled Second Madam Mu. “Second Master, please calm down.”

Second Madam tugged his sleeve. “Let’s hear the rest first.”

Mu Yan’s face remained dark. Though he had been trying to curry favor with Yang Yuancheng, this was going too far. Yu Jiao had once saved his life. She was just a child, barely older than his own daughter Rong-jie. She’d followed him all the way to Qingzhou, only to be treated cruelly and unjustly. How could he not be enraged?

“I asked Miss Fuling what happened on the carriage,” Third Madam Mu said, “She said the Yang family’s guests mistook them for servants and beat them. It wasn’t Yang Prefect himself. Madam Yang also seemed genuinely remorseful and gave them a hundred taels as a consultation fee.”

Trying to calm him down, she added, “It was the Yang household’s unruly guest who hurt them, it’s not entirely the Yang family’s fault.”