Married to a Villainous Minister - Chapter 205

“It’s good to hear everything’s fine,” Mu Yan said, visibly relieved. Then he reminded them, “You mustn’t neglect your throat, don’t forget to take your medicine. That goes for you too, Miss Yu Fuling.”

Yu Fuling quickly replied, “Thank you for your concern, Second Master Mu.”

Mu Yan smiled. Though the two girls didn’t come from a privileged background, their upbringing was undeniably proper.

He remembered that in just two days, Yu Qizhe and the others would be heading to the examination hall. “The day after tomorrow, your brothers will begin the imperial exam. I’ve already had the servants prepare bedding and food for them, so there’s no need for you to worry.”

Bringing bedding on the road would have been far too troublesome. And since they were staying with the Mu family, they’d saved money on lodging. Yu Ru Hai had instructed Yu Qizhe and the others to purchase bedding in Qingzhou. 

Yu Jiao had intended to accompany Yu Qizhe to buy it tomorrow, but seeing that Mu Yan had already taken care of it, she rasped out gratefully, “Thank you for your thoughtfulness, Second Master Mu. I thank you on behalf of my brothers.”

“You children came to Qingzhou with me, so naturally I should look after you. No need to be so formal,” Mu Yan said with a wave of his hand. He then recalled that the servant he’d sent to investigate the identity of the guests at the Yang residence had come back empty-handed.

He turned to Yu Jiao and asked, “Did you see anyone else visiting the Yang residence today?”

Yu Jiao didn’t understand why he was asking about guests at the Yang residence. No matter what, she absolutely could not reveal the identities of Gu Yun and the others. She shook her head.

Mu Yan didn’t doubt her. His tone turned cold. “If I ever find out who it was, I’ll make sure to get justice for the two of you. That person was far too arrogant, to strike out at two young girls like that.”

Seeing that he was speaking up for her and Yu Fuling, Yu Jiao felt deeply grateful. “You don’t need to worry about it, Second Master Mu. It was all just a misunderstanding.”

Mu Yan still hadn’t uncovered the culprit’s identity. With a sigh, he said, “You’ve been busy all day, go get some rest.”

Yu Jiao and Yu Fuling gave him a respectful bow and returned to Luofu Courtyard.

Since they’d been out all day, neither of them had taken their medicine. Once they were back, Yu Jiao immediately instructed the maid to prepare it.

After drinking a bowl of tea, Yu Jiao rasped, “Take off your clothes and let me check your injury.”

Yu Fuling closed the door, went behind the screen, and removed her upper garment. Yu Jiao examined her abdomen. The bruises, which had turned almost black yesterday, were beginning to fade and didn’t look as alarming.

Yu Jiao poured some medicinal wine into her palm and said hoarsely, “Let me massage it again.”

Seeing the wine, Yu Fuling was reminded of the pain from yesterday, it had felt like being butchered alive. Her expression turned resistant, and she pleaded softly, “Dear Yu Jiao, please… can’t I just take the medicine instead?”

Yu Jiao smiled, poured the wine into her hand, and said bluntly, “No.”

Seeing no escape, Yu Fuling resigned herself and lay down on the bed. Though Yu Jiao was gentler than yesterday, Yu Fuling still cried out in pain.

After applying the wine, Yu Fuling dressed herself while grumbling, “Are you taking this chance to get revenge?”

Yu Jiao washed her hands and looked at her with a puzzled expression.

“For tickling you the other day!” Yu Fuling pouted indignantly.

Yu Jiao couldn’t help but laugh. She was just about to respond when a maid’s voice called from outside, “Young Miss, Young Master Yu Qizhe is here.”

Yu Fuling immediately stopped joking and hurried to put her clothes in order. Yu Jiao dried her hands with a handkerchief and opened the door.

Yu Qizhe stood outside, the glow of the setting sun behind him, highlighting his tall, refined figure and making his features appear even more striking.

Yu Jiao let him in. Yu Fuling had already opened a window to air out the smell of the medicinal wine. She turned to him with a smile. “Little brother, what brings you here? Tired from studying?”

Yu Qizhe casually glanced at Yu Fuling, seeing nothing unusual. Then he asked, “Sister, are you hurt? Why does the room smell so strongly of medicinal wine?”

Yu Fuling quickly shook her head. “No, I’m not hurt. I just spilled some medicinal wine by accident, that’s why it smells. I’m airing it out now.”

Yu Qizhe looked at Yu Jiao next. She was wearing a high-collared blouse that covered the bruises on her neck.

He must’ve arrived just as she was applying the wine. Yu Jiao smiled and explained, “Sister Fuling’s leg cramped up earlier, so I helped her stretch it and applied a bit of wine. But it spilled.”

Yu Fuling nodded enthusiastically. “Yes, yes… My leg has been cramping for days. Yu Jiao said the wine would help.”

Only then did Yu Qizhe drop his suspicion. But then he noticed how hoarse Yu Jiao’s voice was. “What’s wrong with your throat?”

Yu Jiao replied smoothly, “Probably just too much internal heat. It’ll clear up in a day or two.”

“Have you taken medicine?” He asked.

She nodded. “I have.”

Hearing her voice made his brow furrow. “You and sister haven’t been well since coming to Qingzhou. Maybe you’re not used to the water here. Perhaps you should return to Changkui sooner.”

“No way,” Yu Fuling immediately interrupted. “We’ll wait until you finish the exam and go back together. Besides, Yu Jiao still has patients to see.”

Speaking of that, Yu Qizhe remembered the expensive gifts from Prefect Yang, two fine brushes and two inkstones carved from Yujiang Pine. He asked Yu Jiao, “Prefect Yang sent over two purple-tipped brushes and two pieces of Yujiang Pine inkstone. Did you know about that?”

Yu Jiao nodded.

“Is the case you’re treating particularly difficult?” He asked with concern. “If it’s too challenging, it might be best to return those things.”

Yu Jiao could see he was worried for her. A smile lit up her pale face as she said softly, “Don’t worry. Just accept them.”

Yu Qizhe poured her a cup of tea and handed it to her. “As long as you’ve thought it through. Try not to talk too much for the next few days and drink more water.”

Yu Jiao smiled brightly. “Drink more water,” that really is the universal advice in every world. She nodded. “Alright, I’ll drink more water.”

Her eyes sparkled with amusement and mischief, large and bright. Yu Qizhe, confused by her sudden laughter, reached out and gently pinched her slightly round cheek. “What are you laughing at?”

Of course, Yu Jiao didn’t tell him that he’d lately taken to either patting her head or pinching her cheek, as if she were still a little girl.

She moved his hand away and pointed to the peaches on the table. “Want a peach?”

Yu Qizhe shook his head. His fingers brushed lightly over the back of her soft hand. He’d just told her not to talk too much, and yet now that he was here, he couldn’t help wanting to talk to her.

He withdrew his hand and stood up. “Take good care of yourselves. I’ll be entering the exam hall the day after tomorrow. Once it’s over, we’ll all go home together.”

“Study hard,” Yu Fuling said. “On the eighth, Yu Jiao and I will accompany you to the exam hall.”

After Yu Qizhe left, a maid finally brought in the medicine. “I didn’t bring the medicine earlier since you were hiding your injuries from Young Master Yu. I didn’t want to give anything away.”

The Mu family’s maids were all clever and tactful, knowing when to speak and when to stay quiet. In these small details, the Yu sisters could tell that the Mu family’s future was bound to be prosperous.