Married to a Villainous Minister - Chapter 208

Yu Qizhe nodded, shouldering his bundle as he walked toward the gates of the examination compound.

Yang Jiyan stared intently at his tall, retreating figure, her heart pounding wildly in her chest.

“It’s him.”

Even though his clothes weren’t particularly fine, and his face still carried the youthful sharpness of a boy, none of it could mask the natural elegance in his bearing. Her hand clenched tightly around her handkerchief, palm already damp with sweat.

In her previous life, she had seen him once during the Zhou family’s downfall. At that time, he was at the peak of his glory, the youngest Zhuangyuan (top scholar) in Taiyan, a favored court official close to the emperor, and a high-ranking Shaoqing of the Court of Judicial Review.

(Not: Shaoqing – lesser minister or vice minister.)

She had been reduced to a wreck by the torment she’d suffered at the hands of the Zhou family, unrecognizable, haggard like an old crone.

Because her father had belonged to the same political faction as him, when the Zhou family men were executed and the women sent to the Bureau of Entertainment to become government courtesans, it was he who showed mercy. He had her father retrieve her, sparing her that humiliating fate.

She still remembered that day vividly, he stood in the grand hall of the Zhou residence in crimson court robes, surrounded by officers, majestic like a deity.

From high above, he looked down at the kneeling Zhou family members, coldly reading out their crimes, his presence so commanding it seemed to crush the very air. Despite his youthful appearance, he possessed a composure far beyond his years.

In that moment, all the Zhou family members she had once feared or resented had become nothing more than ants, herself included.

After she was taken back to the Yang household, she never stepped outside again. But over the years, she’d heard bits and pieces about him.

This young Shaoqing, with boundless prospects, had supposedly navigated the treacherous waters between the Directorate of Ceremonies and corrupt ministers, making alliances with wicked factions, stirring up bloody storms in court. He was said to have played a role in the deaths of many loyal officials and was thoroughly reviled by the upright faction.

Even her own father had once privately cursed him, calling him ruthless and cunning.

But none of that had stopped him from becoming the emperor’s favored official. He was even promoted directly into the cabinet, earning the title of Elder Yu, a man with tremendous power and status.

And now… here he was.

Still young. Still unknown. Just a poor scholar from a humble background.

Yang Jiyan’s thoughts swirled like a pot about to boil over. Her body trembled slightly with excitement as a bold thought bloomed in her heart.

Right now, he’s just a poor scholar. But I… I’m the noble daughter of the prefect. What if I could marry him?

Meanwhile, Mu Yan watched Mu Nianjiu and the others finish the security inspection and enter the exam compound. He turned to his attendant and took a pouch of silver, then handed it to Yu Jiao with a warm smile.

“I was going to have Rong-jie accompany you around Qingzhou, but she’s been fooling around at her maternal grandparents’ estate and hasn’t returned yet. Since Miss Yang is with you, you girls enjoy yourselves.”

Yu Jiao had no intention of taking his money. She hadn’t even planned to go shopping with Yang Jiyan in the first place. Politely declining, she said, “We’ve already troubled Second Master enough by staying at your residence. I know you treat us like family, but we can’t forget proper manners. We have our own spending money. Please take it back.”

Hearing her words, Mu Yan had no choice but to accept the pouch again. Before leaving, he added, “If you get tired, send word back to the house. I’ll have a carriage sent to pick you up.”

Yu Jiao had been planning to come up with an excuse to return to the Mu household, but after Mu Yan said this, she could only nod in agreement.

Yang Jiyan, meanwhile, remained dazed, her eyes locked on the examination gate. She hadn’t even noticed Mu Yan had left. Yu Fuling, thinking she was reluctant to part with her father, called out to her several times. “Miss Yang?”

Yang Jiyan snapped out of her trance and cleared her throat, using her handkerchief to mask her expression. “Second Master Mu has left?”

She smiled sweetly, moving closer to Yu Fuling and linking arms with her. “Sister Fuling, Sister Yu Jiao, let me take you to Xishui Street. There are lots of delicious snacks there, jujube pastries, sweet pea cakes, sticky rice rolls, and mutton jelly. They’re all my favorites.”

Yu Fuling was a little surprised by her sudden friendliness, but after hearing all the delicious names, she smiled and boarded the carriage with her.

Yu Jiao frowned slightly. Yang Jiyan’s sudden kindness made her wary, clearly, she had some sort of agenda. Yu Jiao raised her guard a few notches.

Yang Jiyan leaned out of the carriage and called sweetly to her. “Sister Yu Jiao, come on!”

Yu Jiao kept her expression neutral as she stepped inside.

Inside the carriage, Yang Jiyan secretly observed her. She inwardly regretted how she had treated them before. If she had known that these two country girls were related to the future Elder Yu, she would never have acted so foolishly that day.

But it wasn’t too late to fix things.

She scooted closer to Yu Jiao, trying to take her hand and speaking in a soft, syrupy tone. “Sister Yu Jiao, are you still upset with me? That day you suffered in my home, it was my fault for not managing my servants properly. They took liberties in my name. I was too soft on them.”

Yu Jiao sidestepped her hand. Hearing such empty platitudes, she couldn’t help but laugh coldly and said with biting sarcasm, “Spare me the noble excuses, Miss Yang. No matter how bold your maids were, do you really expect me to believe they dared act without your say-so?”

Yang Jiyan’s face turned pitiful. “You’ve misunderstood me. You helped my mother with her illness, I’m grateful to you. Why would I treat you poorly?”

Seeing that Yu Jiao remained unmoved, she turned to Yu Fuling and pleaded, “Sister Fuling, surely you don’t think I ordered my maids to do that on purpose, do you?”

Yu Fuling looked at this pampered young lady, who had apologized multiple times now, and began to feel a little guilty. Shaking her head, she said, “I don’t think that. Miss Yang doesn’t seem like the type to do something like that.”

Yang Jiyan smiled at her gratefully. “As long as you believe me, Sister Fuling.”

Then she turned back to Yu Jiao, wearing a face full of sincerity. “In the end, it was still my fault. Sister Yu Jiao, please forgive me this once, alright? I really do like you both. We get along so well, it would be wonderful if we could become close friends.”

Yu Jiao replied coolly, “We sisters come from humble backgrounds and lack refinement. I really don’t think we’re suitable company for someone as clever and noble as you.”

Yang Jiyan’s smile stiffened. She was inwardly seething at Yu Jiao’s stubbornness. If not for the need to curry favor and leave a good impression with Yu Qizhe, would she even be lowering herself like this?

Sensing the growing tension, Yu Fuling gently tugged at Yu Jiao’s sleeve and tried to smooth things over. “Don’t listen to her nonsense. Miss Yang likes us, and we’re grateful for that.”

Hearing this, Yang Jiyan’s expression softened again. She knew Yu Fuling was easy to manipulate, so she decided to focus on her instead.

With a friendly smile, she asked, “Sister Fuling, that young man at the exam gate, is he your younger brother? Is he participating in this autumn’s provincial exam? I haven’t heard you mention him before.”