Married to a Villainous Minister - Chapter 37

After hearing what Yu Jinshu said, Madam Zhang sneered inwardly but kept a calm expression. “Zhizhou has always been a good boy. He wouldn’t get mixed up with the wrong crowd. I’ll ask him myself when he gets back.”

“Big Aunt, please don’t say it came from me. I’m only bringing it up because I’m worried about San-di (third younger brother,)” Yu Jinshu quickly distanced himself from the matter.

Madam Zhang nodded. “I understand. Jinshu, you’re the elder brother. At the academy, please keep an eye on Zhizhou for me.”

“Don’t worry, Big Aunt. We’re brothers, of course I’ll look after him,” Yu Jinshu replied smoothly.

“You’re a thoughtful boy,” Madam Zhang praised him before turning to leave. Once back in the west wing, her expression darkened. 

She turned to Yu Qiaoshan, who was playing with their little granddaughter, and said, “I overheard Zhao Xueru through the wall just now. She mentioned Zhizhou and something about not sending him to the county academy. Do you think Mother’s really planning to send Yu Jinshu to the county academy too?”

Yu Qiaoshan wiped the drool from little Jie Geng’s mouth and replied, “We already spent all our silver before the New Year to send Jinyan to the county school. Don’t jump to conclusions. Is Zhizhou just running late?”

“He probably went out with some classmates and will be back later,” Madam Zhang said, her tone growing bitter. “Yu Jinshu is sly and talks smoothly, not a word of truth from his mouth. He even bad-mouthed our Zhizhou, saying he’s been hanging around with some idle students. As if I don’t know my own child.”

At this point, Madam Zhang’s frustration boiled over. “Ugh, both those boys take after you, so honest and reserved. If they just had a bit more cleverness and knew how to win favor with the old woman, our family wouldn’t always be pushed aside.”

“What’s the point of saying that?” Yu Qiaoshan replied mildly. “Isn’t it a good thing to be honest and steady?” He looked down at the toddler in his arms and smiled, “Right, my little sweetie? Grandpa’s right, isn’t he? Being good and upright is the best thing of all, huh?”

The three-year-old had no idea what her grandfather was saying but giggled and nodded anyway, waving her tiny hands and reaching for Yu Qiaoshan’s stubbly chin.

Madam Zhang took little Jie Geng into her arms and smiled warmly. “Come here, Grandma will hold you. She doesn’t understand a word you said! But if Mother really is favoring Jinshu and plans to send him to the county academy too, I won’t accept it quietly this time.”

After returning to the east wing, Yu Jiao went into Yu Qizhe’s room to continue practicing her calligraphy. Yu Ruhai followed after her, pretending to casually ask about Yu Mengshan’s health. But after just a few words, he quickly stepped into Yu Qizhe’s room, his real goal revealed.

“Meng girl, still practicing calligraphy? Put the brush down for a bit. Come, let’s talk about tomorrow’s patient visit,” Yu Ruhai forced a smile, putting on a kind, gentle tone.

Without stopping her brush or looking up, Yu Jiao replied coolly, “If you have something to say, just get to the point.”

Yu Ruhai hadn’t expected her to be so blunt. They hadn’t completely fallen out before, and he still had use for her, so he glanced at Yu Qizhe, who was still absorbed in his book, then forced himself to smile.

“It’s nothing serious. Just about that case of ulcerous disease. Do you really have a cure? How confident are you that it’ll work?”

Yu Jiao finished her final stroke, gently blew on the fresh ink, then set the brush down. She gave a faint, mocking smile and looked directly at Yu Ruhai. “Fifty percent.”

Yu Ruhai’s face shifted. His voice grew uneasy. “Only fifty percent?”

Yu Jiao replied slowly and calmly, “If I get fifty percent of the consultation fee, then it’s a hundred percent chance. If there’s no consultation fee, then there’s zero.”

“You—” Yu Ruhai was so furious he nearly lost control, about to lash out at her. But he swallowed his anger, trying to save face. The smile disappeared from his face. “Meng girl, you’ve already married into the Yu family. What would a woman want with silver?” 

“It’s not like the household ever lets you go hungry. Our Yu family has always let your grandmother-in-law handle the finances. Your father-in-law and your uncles all turn in their earnings to her. If you truly need money, I’ll make sure you get it when the time comes.”