Married to a Villainous Minister - Chapter 231

“You see, take me for example. Most physicians in this world are men, and female physicians are often looked down upon. But my medical skills are no worse than any man’s. Even though people may scoff at female physicians, when they encounter an illness no one else can treat but me, they come seeking my help. And once they see what I’m capable of, their preconceived notions begin to change. They start to realize that a woman practicing medicine can be just as good, if not better, than a man.”

Yu Jiao paused for a moment before continuing, “Men are often heartless. They visit brothels and keep mistresses, yet rarely face condemnation. It’s not your fault, it’s the world that’s broken. And that’s exactly why you must keep living. Live well, so that the world can see, it wasn’t you who was wrong, it’s the way of the world that’s wrong.”

As Wang Xueyan listened to these bold, unorthodox words, a faint light began to return to her eyes, as if a tiny spark had ignited deep within.

Shen Wan’s gaze toward Yu Jiao also shifted. This woman, her presence, her words, were unlike anyone she had ever encountered.

From childhood, they had been taught the virtues of obedience and propriety, to be gentle, modest, and virtuous ladies from noble households. Only by doing so could one hope to marry a worthy man.

As long as you married well, your life would be set.

Even if your husband was promiscuous, you weren’t supposed to be jealous. You were expected to graciously welcome his concubines into the home with a smile. Otherwise, you would be labeled as petty and improper, a threat to the harmony of the household, and guilty of violating the Seven Grounds for Divorce.

Note: In historical Chinese Customary Law, these patriarchal rules allowed a husband to divorce his wife: Failure to bear a son. Lascivious conduct/wanton behavior. Disobedience to in-laws (parents-in-law). Loquacity (excessive talking). Larceny (stealing). Jealousy. Incurable disease or grave infirmity. 

But what Yu Jiao said today made her realize just how absurd those rules and doctrines truly were. Society used books like Precepts for Women and Instructions for Women to shackle women with layer upon layer of constraints, while men were granted endless leniency.

A husband taking a concubine was nothing more than male lust and moral failing, but women weren’t even allowed to feel jealous. If they did, they were blamed for disrupting the household and endangering its legacy.

But when you trace it back to the root, the fault always lay with the man and yet women were the ones who bore the blame.

Yu Jiao’s words didn’t just awaken something in Wang Xueyan. They planted a seed deep within Shen Wan as well.

Yu Jiao walked to the bedside and added, “If you live, then in the future, other women who are forced to divorce like you will face less scorn and judgment.”

Wang Xueyan looked into Yu Jiao’s clear, unwavering eyes and felt courage swell in her chest. With firm resolve, she said, “Miss Yu is right. I must live.”

For the past eighteen years, she had lived in submission and weakness, and it had brought her to this point. No matter how hard the rest of her life might be, it couldn’t be worse than what she had endured in the Sun family. What was there left to fear?

Shen Wan burst into tears and laughter at once, wrapping her arms around Wang Xueyan. “That’s the right way to think, cousin.”

Once Wang Xueyan was calmed, Yu Jiao followed Shen Wan back out into the outer room.

As soon as Shen Wan appeared, the lead physician, Lin Fang, spoke up, “Miss Shen, I urge you to make a decision quickly. Any further delay, and Young Madam Sun’s life will be in danger.”

Shen Wan turned to Yu Jiao and asked, “Miss Yu, do you have a method to remove the dead fetus from my cousin’s womb? Doctor Lin suggests using an extremely aggressive herbal remedy, but I fear my cousin’s frail body won’t withstand it. Do you have a safer solution?”

“She’s already lost too much blood. If we use such harsh medicine, it may cost both lives,” Yu Jiao replied calmly and matter-of-factly.

Upon hearing this, Lin Fang narrowed his eyes at Yu Jiao with evident disdain. “And what brilliant solution does Miss Yu propose, then?”

Yu Jiao remained composed. “I can perform a cesarean to remove the fetus.”

“A cesarean…” Shen Wan was taken aback. The very word was alarming, and her worry deepened. “If you cut open her abdomen, how could she possibly survive?”

“Nonsense!” Lin Fang snapped, shaking his sleeves dramatically. “Miss Shen, where on earth did you find this so-called female doctor? If you follow her advice, the young madam will surely die! Cutting open the belly to remove a fetus, this isn’t healing, it’s butchery!”

Another doctor, a younger man who had accompanied Lin Fang, also spoke up. “Cutting open the abdomen to deliver a baby is unheard of! Doctor Lin is right, this method will only lead to death. Miss Yu, this idea of yours is pure fantasy.”

Shen Wan, caught in the middle and overwhelmed by the tension, turned back to Yu Jiao. “Miss Yu, is there no other way?”

Yu Jiao shook her head, her voice even. “If you want me to save Miss Xueyan, then a cesarean is the only way. Though it may sound terrifying, it can indeed save her life. These other physicians call it outrageous only because their knowledge is limited and their skills insufficient. Ginseng, though precious, can still be harmful. Arsenic, though poisonous, can also save lives. It’s all a matter of skill.”

Lin Fang let out a cold laugh. “How shameless! Where did this little girl come from, daring to call herself a doctor?”

He lifted his hands toward the sky with pride. “My teacher is a renowned imperial physician in the capital’s Imperial Medical Bureau, a famed expert in women’s medicine. Even he has never heard of such a thing as a cesarean! So tell me, who trained you? What’s your master’s name?”

Yu Jiao smiled faintly. “Then your master is simply ignorant. Who taught me is irrelevant. Healing the sick doesn’t depend on who your teacher is, but on whether you yourself have the skill.”

“Such arrogance! If you perform this cesarean and fail to save her, would you dare pay for it with your life?” Lin Fang was furious. He had studied under a respected imperial physician and was well-known in Qingzhou’s medical circles. Even noble families treated him with great deference. No one had ever questioned his abilities to his face like this.

Seeing the growing hostility, Shen Wan hurried to ease the tension. “Please, both of you, you are here to save my cousin. Let’s discuss this calmly, there’s no need for conflict.”

Yang Jiyan tugged gently at Yu Jiao’s sleeve and whispered, “This is a matter of life and death. Don’t be reckless. Doctor Lin is highly skilled and far more experienced than you. It’s better to follow his advice.”

Shen Wan added, “I do believe in your abilities, Miss Yu. But this concerns my cousin’s life. I must be cautious.”

Yu Jiao said nothing more. She simply sat down on a nearby chair.

Seeing that Shen Wan and Yang Jiyan both leaned toward him, Lin Fang grew smug. After instructing someone to prepare medicine according to his prescription, he cast a sideways glance at Yu Jiao.

“Young lady,” he said condescendingly, “let me give you a word of advice. Medicine is meant to save lives, not play games. If you use flashy tricks and endanger people, it won’t be long before you’re facing criminal charges. Even if you escape punishment once, it’s only a matter of time before something goes wrong. A woman should know her place, stay home, learn to embroider and sew. You have no business parading yourself around in public.”