Married to a Villainous Minister - Chapter 236

She stepped into the courtyard without sparing a glance at the maids and old servants who had been kneeling there for hours. 

These servants were all assigned to care for Wang Xueyan, yet ever since the Sun household had been taken over by a lowly concubine, the staff had grown used to currying favor with the powerful and neglecting the weak. 

Not only had they been inattentive in their duties, but they also bore al part of the blame for the fall that caused Wang Xueyan’s current state.

Shen Wan summoned the attendants she had brought with her from the capital and marched directly toward the Sun family’s main residence, her procession full of imposing momentum.

Inside the house, Yang Jiyan was sipping tea and asked Yu Fuling curiously, “Is Cousin Xueyan truly out of danger?”

Yu Fuling smiled, “She’s fine now. Miss Xueyan has already woken up. If you’re worried, Miss Yang, you can go in and check on her.”

Yang Jiyan was too superstitious to dare step into the inner room. She laughed and said, “If she’s awake, that’s good. I was overly anxious. I didn’t realize Sister Yu Jiao was so skilled in medicine.”

Yu Jiao merely offered a faint smile without replying.

Lin Fang, who had previously looked down on Yu Jiao for being a female physician, now changed his tone entirely. He even bowed his head and apologized. “I must apologize, Miss Yu. It was my own ignorance. I had no idea such secret techniques existed in this world. As they say, one cannot be blamed for what they do not know, please don’t take offense.”

Yu Jiao lifted her teacup, skimmed the foam from the top, and said slowly, “Physician Lin, there’s no need to overstate things. Every physician has their own methods, and disputes are inevitable. It’s true that ignorance is not a crime, but one should not be arrogant in ignorance, nor look down on others.”

An awkward expression passed across Lin Fang’s face, but he accepted the rebuke sincerely. “Miss Yu is right. I shouldn’t have been so proud just because I’m older. You’ve truly taught me a lesson today, I’ve learned a great deal. I hope you won’t hold it against me.”

Feigning curiosity, he continued, “Earlier, I noticed that one of the ingredients you used in the decoction was dog walnut. That’s known to be a toxic herb, it can cause mental confusion and physical numbness if not used correctly. But I’ve read in obscure notes that it may be related to Ma Fei San (Ancient anesthetic powder). Might I ask if your prescription was a version of that?”

Yu Jiao took another sip of tea and swallowed before replying, “Not exactly, though it does have anesthetic and pain-relieving properties.”

Seeing her admit to it, Lin Fang’s eyes lit up with excitement. He probed further, “May I ask, Miss Yu, are you a descendant of The Green Satchel Legacy?”

Upon hearing the name The Green Satchel Legacy, Yu Jiao calmly took another sip of tea. She knew full well that “an innocent man gets into trouble for holding a treasure.” The Green Satchel Legacy held enormous value in the eyes of traditional physicians, and Lin Fang’s probing was clearly driven by ulterior motives.

She set down her teacup and replied, “Physician Lin flatters me. I know of The Green Satchel Legacy, it was said to be written by the great physician Hua Tuo. But according to historical records, before Hua Tuo died, he entrusted the scroll to a prison guard named Zhang Mingsan. Fearing execution, Zhang Mingsan’s wife burned the book. There’s no credible evidence it ever survived. Unless, of course, Physician Lin has had the fortune of seeing it himself?”

Lin Fang studied her expression but couldn’t detect any hint of deception.

He chuckled. “I only asked because your surgical technique reminded me of the rumored methods of Hua Tuo. The Green Satchel Legacy has long been lost. I was simply curious, may I ask where you learned such a rare skill?”

“Just a coincidence,” Yu Jiao replied airily. “You mentioned having a master at the Imperial Medical Institute in the capital. I also apprenticed under a reclusive medical expert in the capital when I was young. But my master’s name is not something I can reveal.”

Lin Fang seemed to believe her. Without an impressive mentor, how could a young girl like her possibly possess such advanced skills?

He mentally ran through the names of several legendary reclusive healers but couldn’t place which one might have taught her. He resolved to write to his own master, Wang Min, for guidance as soon as he returned.

Just then, Shen Wan returned with her attendants.

Upon entering, she saw the physicians were still there and said, “Thank you all for coming to examine my cousin. With so much happening in the household, I won’t be able to properly see you off, so I’ll stop you here.”

Her words were a clear and polite dismissal. Lin Fang, knowing he wasn’t welcome to linger, stood and said, “Truthfully, the three of us didn’t do much. It was thanks to Miss Yu that the young madam was saved. Miss Shen, we’ll take our leave.”

Following Lin Fang’s lead, the young physician and Song Yuan also rose and excused themselves.

Shen Wan gave her maid a subtle signal. The maid quickly caught up with the doctors and discreetly slipped them some silver. “My lady is grateful that you all came and took the trouble to treat the young madam. She couldn’t let you leave empty-handed, please accept this as tea money.”

Lin Fang didn’t refuse and accepted it with a smile.

As they exited the courtyard, Song Yuan suddenly said, “Physician Lin, I forgot my medical kit. Could you two wait for me a moment?”

But Lin Fang was eager to begin investigating Yu Jiao’s background. “Physician Song, I have patients waiting at my clinic. I can’t afford the delay, we’ll go ahead.”

Song Yuan seemed a little envious. “Physician Lin, your clinic always has patients lining up. Unlike my pharmacy, it’s quiet as a graveyard. You go ahead, I’ll ask the Sun household to send a carriage for me later.”

Lin Fang was clearly pleased with the praise. He smiled smugly, his vanity fully satisfied.

Ever since he returned to Qingzhou from the capital, leveraging the reputation of his master, Imperial Physician Wang Min, he had thrived. His clinic had become the most respected in Qingzhou. Compared to others, his business was booming.

Song Yuan waited until Lin Fang and the others were gone, then turned back toward the courtyard.

Shen Wan was chatting with Yu Jiao when she saw him return. She asked in surprise, “Physician Song, why are you back?”

Song Yuan gave a polite bow. “I forgot my medical kit.”

He walked to the table where he had previously sat, picked up the kit, but didn’t leave right away. Instead, he looked at Yu Jiao and said, “Miss Yu, there are a few things I’d like to speak with you about. May I have a moment?”

Yu Jiao remembered that when Lin Fang and the younger physician had spoken rudely to her, Song Yuan had remained silent. He didn’t seem to be in league with them.

She stood and said, “Then allow me to walk you out, Physician Song.”

They left the courtyard together. It was quiet outside. Since Wang Xueyan’s accident, Shen Wan had begun “cleaning the house”, and no one dared loiter near Feixue Courtyard for fear of getting caught in trouble.

Seeing the coast was clear, Song Yuan lowered his voice. “Miss Yu, you must be careful of Lin Fang.”

Yu Jiao looked him over and asked, “Why do you say that?”

Her eyes were clear, her face innocent. Song Yuan hadn’t originally intended to say much, but seeing how young and unguarded she was, he feared Lin Fang might take advantage of her.

He explained, “You might not know this, but ever since Lin Fang arrived in Qingzhou, all sorts of families’ secret medical texts and techniques have somehow ended up in his hands. Whether or not you actually possess The Green Satchel Legacy, after what you demonstrated today, you’ve definitely caught his attention. You should be on guard.”