Married to a Villainous Minister - Chapter 214

Xiao Ning stepped in to smooth things over. “I trust Miss Yu’s medical skills,” he said.

Liu Ziqi pulled Gu Yun aside, his refined face showing a polite smile. “Miss Yu, please don’t take Gu Yun’s words to heart.”

Yu Jiao gave him a courteous nod, then turned and left the West Garden with Yu Fuling.

Outside the archway, a maid stepped forward upon seeing them. “Ladies, my mistress would like to invite you over.”

Before Yu Fuling could respond, Yu Jiao declined flatly, “My sister and I have urgent matters to attend to. We’re not at liberty to meet your mistress right now.”

With that, she took Yu Fuling’s hand and walked off.

The maid looked troubled but dared not stop them. Just a few days ago, her master had beaten the maid Huamei to death over these very sisters, the memory was still fresh in her mind.

She gave the sisters a respectful bow and hurried back to the courtyard to report to Yang Jiyan.

There were guests at Yang Jiyan’s residence. She was chatting and laughing with a young woman seated with a teacup in hand.

“Elder Sister Shen, now that you’ve come to Qingzhou, you must stay for a while,” Jiyan said warmly.

The woman had a graceful and delicate appearance. She wore a pale cyan silk dress embroidered with golden thread and had a jade hairpin tucked into her cloud-like bun. Her manner was composed and elegant.

Setting down her teacup with a soft smile, she replied, “Once my cousin gives birth, I’ll return to the capital with you all. My father mentioned that Uncle Yang will be traveling to the capital soon to present his report. He’ll likely be reassigned there.”

Yang Jiyan smiled knowingly. She remembered that in the tenth year of Emperor Mingzheng’s reign, her father had indeed gone to the capital and been promoted to Deputy Minister of Provincial Administration, relocating the entire household.

Just then, the maid entered and, after bowing, said to Jiyan, “Miss, the Yu sisters said they have pressing matters and cannot come.”

Jiyan’s smile faded a bit. She had hoped to use Shen Guan’s presence to introduce Yu Fuling and Yu Jiao, strengthening ties between them. She didn’t expect the sisters to brush her off so directly.

Turning to Shen Guan, she explained with a faint smile, “Perhaps they had other patients to attend to. I had hoped to introduce them to you, but there’ll be other opportunities.”

Shen Guan responded with an easy smile, “No matter. From what you say, the Yu sisters are both physicians?”

Jiyan nodded. “Yes, female physicians. My mother’s health has been poor, so the Mu family invited them from Changkui to treat her.”

“My mother sent along many medicinal herbs for Aunt Yang before I left. She always worries about her health,” said Shen Guan. “How are these sisters’ medical skills? Has your mother’s condition improved?”

Since Yang Jiyan had already set her sights on marrying Yu Qizhe, she naturally wouldn’t badmouth Yu Jiao’s skills. “Since taking their prescribed medicine, my mother’s been feeling much better. Though Miss Yu is young, her medical skills are quite impressive.”

Shen Guan smiled. “I’ve only ever seen old midwives, never such young girls practicing medicine. I’d love to meet her, perhaps she could examine my cousin as well.”

“In a few days, I’ll invite them on a boat outing at Lake Bibo. You should come along, too,” Jiyan said. She pushed a plate of bright red persimmons toward Shen Guan. “Try these Nanshi oxheart persimmons. They’re a Qingzhou specialty.”

Shen Guan peeled one and took a bite, smiling. “Sweet and juicy. We don’t see such large, rich persimmons in the capital.”

“If you like them, I’ll have a box prepared for you before you leave,” Jiyan said, then instructed a maid to bring a whole box of the persimmons.

Madam Yang and Shen Guan’s mother had been close as girls, and Jiyan and Shen Guan had grown up together, close as sisters. Shen Guan didn’t stand on ceremony and replied with a smile, “Once you’re in the capital, if there’s anything you like, just tell me. I’ll send you boxes of it myself.”

Jiyan laughed, “Deal. Don’t go back on your word!”

They chatted for a while longer, until Jiyan asked, “How far along is Cousin Xueyan now? Since she married into Qingzhou, I haven’t seen her out much.”

A hint of sadness crossed Shen Guan’s face. She dabbed at her fingers with a handkerchief and sighed softly. “She’s five months along now. You’ve probably heard how the Sun family operates. My cousin is soft-spoken and easy to take advantage of. If not for her old nursemaid writing home from the manor, we wouldn’t even know how she’s been treated.”

Jiyan had indeed heard stories about the Sun family. Master Sun was known for favoring concubines and neglecting his wife. His son, Sun Songwen, followed in his footsteps. He had taken Wang Xueyan as his wife, but within six months, he brought in a pregnant concubine who quickly gave birth to a son and began acting like the mistress of the house.

Jiyan couldn’t help but think of her own past life and felt a pang of sympathy. “Cousin Xueyan has had a hard life. If she can give birth to a healthy son, at least she’ll have someone to rely on. Things might get better.”

Shen Guan’s tone turned cold. “I came to Qingzhou this time to support her. I’d like to see what kind of tricks the Sun family can pull with me here!”

Jiyan looked at her, unable to hide her admiration. Shen Guan was a true noblewoman, eldest daughter of the esteemed Scholar Shen of the capital. She carried herself with the poise and authority of someone from a powerful household. Even her words carried weight.

In her previous life, Jiyan had suffered in the Zhou family. If she’d had a sister like Shen Guan backing her then, her life wouldn’t have been so bitter.

But now, things were different. Yu Qizhe was a man of integrity, known for his indifference to women. If she could marry him, she’d never have to share her husband. As the wife of a future Grand Secretary, who wouldn’t treat her with respect?