Married to a Villainous Minister - Chapter 219

A few days ago, the provincial exam hadn’t even concluded, could Yang Jiyan really have foreseen this poetry gathering ahead of time?

Yu Jiao quietly chastised herself for overthinking. Perhaps Yang Jiyan had only just heard today that the scholars were hosting a poetry gathering and, curious about the excitement, decided to invite them to Bibo Lake tomorrow.

That evening, Yu Jiao and Yu Fuling attended the dinner at the flower hall. Because of the separation between men and women, the Mu family arranged two separate banquets, one for the men in the main hall, and one for the women in the flower hall, where Second Madam Mu accompanied Yu Jiao and Yu Fuling.

The banquet was lively. Third Madam Mu even had the servants bring over rice wine for the women. She laughed and chatted with Yu Jiao. “I visited the Yang residence yesterday. Madam Yang said that after using the medicine you prescribed, her health has improved greatly. She said many kind things about you and asked me to convey her thanks.”

Yu Jiao offered a faint, polite smile. “I only did what any physician should.”

“What a sweet and well-mannered girl you are,” Third Madam Mu said with a laugh, turning to Second Madam Mu. “Having a daughter like this is truly a blessing for any family.”

Second Madam Mu looked upon Yu Jiao with fondness as well. “Indeed. Both sisters are so well-raised. And with all the brothers being scholars, the elders in their family must be far-sighted and wise.”

Third Madam Mu added, “Four brothers all taking the provincial exam at once, such a thing is rare even among families like ours.”

She turned and smiled at the sisters. “Judging by their ages, your brothers must be at the stage of arranging marriages. Have your elders decided on any matches for them?”

Yu Fuling shook her head and answered honestly, “Nothing has been settled yet. My aunt is currently helping Third Brother look into potential matches.”

“What about the Fifth Young Master? Has he not been betrothed yet?” Third Madam Mu asked. She had visited the Yang residence the day before, and from Lady Yang’s words, she’d sensed some interest in inquiring about Yu Family’s Fifth Young Master. 

Though it hadn’t been said outright, Third Madam Mu had guessed as much. She was surprised now, if the esteemed Yang family truly considered him a match, it would be a significant marriage, practically marrying down.

Yu Fuling had only answered casually, but now that Third Madam Mu asked again, specifically about her younger brother, she hesitated for a moment. Remembering how close her younger brother and Yu Jiao had grown, she replied, “My little brother is already engaged.”

Third Madam Mu’s expression shifted subtly. The Fifth Young Master of the Yu family was already engaged? He was the youngest among the brothers, how was it that his elder brothers weren’t engaged, but he was? 

Still, she considered, he had passed all three preliminary exams at such a young age and was already well-known. It made sense that he might secure a marriage sooner than the others.

Yu Jiao watched Third Madam Mu’s expression and quietly guessed, could she have been thinking of arranging a match for Yu Qizhe?

She took a sip of rice wine. It was slightly sour and sweet, with the mellow aroma of fermented rice. The alcohol content wasn’t high, but she ended up drinking quite a bit without realizing.

Unlike the men’s table, where drinking and talk could stretch late into the night, the women’s banquet ended relatively early.

Having drunk too much rice wine, the aftereffects began to kick in. Yu Jiao felt a bit dizzy and followed behind Yu Fuling with slow, meandering steps as they left the flower hall.

As they neared a small pavilion, Yu Fuling noticed someone sitting inside. Looking closely, she saw it was Yu Qizhe. She walked over and asked, “Little Brother? Weren’t you dining in the front hall? What are you doing here?”

Yu Qizhe stood, the dark-blue robe he wore swaying gently in the evening breeze. The way it hung off his slender frame only emphasized his tall and graceful bearing. Stepping out of the pavilion, he said, “I had a bit to drink and started feeling dizzy, so I came out to get some air.”

He looked past her at Yu Jiao, noting the flush on her cheeks. Her usually clear and bright eyes had a soft haze to them. As he approached, he asked gently, “You’ve been drinking?”

The autumn night was a little chilly, and the breeze made Yu Jiao shiver. She pulled her arms close, her head even fuzzier now. With a dazed expression, she gave a small nod.

“She had quite a bit,” Yu Fuling added. “Third Madam had rice wine brought over during the banquet.”

Yu Qizhe untied his outer robe and draped it over Yu Jiao’s shoulders. Then, naturally, he reached out and took her hand. “Let me walk you both back.”

“You’ve been drinking too. Aren’t you still dizzy?” Yu Fuling began to protest, intending to say she could look after Yu Jiao herself. But seeing the clarity in his gaze, she swallowed her words.

“I didn’t drink much. After sitting for a bit, I feel fine now,” Yu Qizhe replied, leading Yu Jiao along as they walked.

Yu Jiao allowed herself to be led by the hand, obedient and docile, keeping close to Yu Qizhe’s side.

Yu Fuling followed behind, then asked, “If you don’t go back to the front hall, won’t that be a bit impolite?”

“Second Brother and the others are still drinking with the Second and Third Masters of the Mu family. It’s fine if I go back a little later,” Yu Qizhe said calmly.

Yu Jinshu had been doing everything he could at the banquet to curry favor with the Mu family’s influential elders. When Yu Qizhe left, the two Mu lords were already red-faced with wine, so the banquet probably wouldn’t last much longer.

The cool air was making Yu Jiao’s stomach uncomfortable. After walking for a while, she stopped beside a rock garden, clutching her chest with a frown.

“Are you feeling unwell?” Yu Qizhe asked right away, his voice soft with concern.

Yu Fuling also stepped forward, eyes full of worry.

Yu Jiao felt nauseous. She covered her mouth and retched dryly. Her legs grew weak, her head spinning, and she began to sway toward the rocks behind her.

Yu Qizhe moved quickly to catch her, guiding her into his arms and helping her sit on one of the stones. Turning to Yu Fuling, he said, “Sister, go back and ask the maids to prepare some sobering soup. I’ll stay with her here for a bit and then take her back.”

Yu Fuling nodded and returned to the courtyard.

Yu Jiao still had a sliver of awareness, but her mind was foggy and her limbs sluggish. She leaned against Yu Qizhe’s shoulder, gripping his hand, murmuring, “I’m fine…”

The wine made her voice unusually soft and sweet, almost childlike.

Yu Qizhe, having given her his outer robe, had cool hands. Worried the cold might discomfort her, he gently tried to withdraw his hand, but Yu Jiao frowned in protest and reached for him again.

Seeing her rare display of initiative, Yu Qizhe’s lips curled into a smile. Joy welled quietly in his heart.

“My hand’s too cold,” he murmured.

Yu Jiao pressed his hand to her cheek, the warmth of her flushed face melting the chill from his skin. In a drowsy voice, she whispered, “Then it won’t be cold anymore.”

Her words were like something a child might say.

Yu Qizhe felt a soft ache bloom in his chest from her affection. The night air was still and cool, the full moon just past its peak, casting a gentle silver glow across the courtyard. In the moonlight, his gentle gaze never left her, the tenderness in his peach-blossom eyes deeper than words.

The two sat quietly together for some time.

Eventually, Yu Qizhe spoke softly, “The stone is too cold. Shall we go back to the courtyard?”

Yu Jiao gave a slow, groggy nod, then released his hand and murmured adorably, “Don’t wanna move…”

Yu Qizhe stood and opened his arms toward her, lips curled in a fond, indulgent smile.

“I’ll carry you back, sweetheart.”