Married to a Villainous Minister - Chapter 38

Yu Jiao was not a naive little girl that’s new to the world. She didn’t take Yu Ruhai’s sweet promises at face value. When it came to money, there was only one rule. Having it in your own hands was the only thing that brought real security.

“There’s no such thing as getting everything in life,” Yu Jiao said coolly. “You want both fame and profit, don’t you think that’s a bit greedy? The consultation fee isn’t up for discussion. Don’t waste your breath.”

“Well, well. Very well.” Yu Ruhai was so angry he laughed, not expecting Yu Jiao to be so blunt, so unwilling to say even a single polite or respectful word like a decent adult.

“I can give you fifty percent of the consultation fee. But first, repay the silver my Yu family spent when we bought you,” Yu Ruhai dropped all pretense, now haggling with Yu Jiao directly.

That was exactly what Yu Jiao wanted to hear. Even if Yu Ruhai hadn’t brought it up, she would’ve eventually. She’d been planning to bring up the matter of her indenture anyway.

Yu Jiao nodded. “Deal.”

Her quick agreement made Yu Ruhai suspicious again. Lately, she’d hinted more than once that she wanted to redeem herself and leave the Yu family. Yu Ruhai now wondered if she was asking for the consultation fee to save up money for that purpose. 

With such a talented money-making tree in his hands, how could he possibly let her go?

But the deed of indenture was still in his possession. How much silver was enough to buy her freedom? That was up to him to decide. Yu Ruhai made up his mind, not only would he refuse to give her the consultation fee, he’d also never hand over the indenture.

Though Yu Qizhe kept his eyes on the book in front of him, he had listened to every word exchanged between the two. In his heart, he became certain that the timid, shy Meng Yujiao who had just entered the Yu family was nothing more than a disguise. 

The sharp, bold, and fearless woman in front of him now, that was her true self.

But then, why would someone so clever and strong-willed do something as foolish as she did before? Was she really that afraid of having to spend her life widowed with a sickly husband like him?

After Yu Ruhai left, Yu Jiao organized the calligraphy she’d copied that day and handed it to Yu Qizhe. “Wu-ge, have I improved at all?”

When Yu Qizhe heard her call him Wu-ge, his ear twitched slightly. It was a perfectly proper form of address, but somehow, when she said it, it sounded sweet and soft, even a little sticky.

He accepted the papers with no change in expression, glanced through them, and said calmly, “You’ve only been practicing a few days. You can’t expect much progress. Reading and writing always takes time and effort.”

Not receiving any praise didn’t faze Yu Jiao. Instead, she said lightly, “I’m not a scholar. As long as my writing’s legible, that’s good enough for me. Even if I practiced for a lifetime, it wouldn’t look as good as yours.”

Yu Qizhe put the sheet down, pulled out a different writing manual from the desk, and handed it to her. “Practice with this instead.”

Yu Jiao flipped through the thick booklet, bound with paste. It was filled with the names of medicinal herbs. She had no idea when Yu Qizhe had written it. 

Glancing at his elegant and handsome face, she said softly, “You put thought into this. Thank you.”

His expression remained unreadable. He simply replied, “You said you wanted to heal my body. I’m just returning the favor.”

“I thought you didn’t believe I could cure you?” Yu Jiao remembered how just a few days ago, he clearly didn’t have much faith in her.

Yu Qizhe lowered his eyes to his book again and said evenly, “I believe you now.”

Yu Jiao looked at the shadow of his long, thick lashes gently caressing his pale cheeks. His lashes were like inky feathers, exceptionally beautiful. That sickly yet refined side profile did, in fact, carry the air of an ailing beauty. 

He was still young and a little raw, but even now one could glimpse a hint of the grace he’d have in the future.

Though he was only her nominal husband, married to bring good luck to his illness, he was truly pleasing to the eye. In a way, she’d gotten lucky, getting to enjoy the presence of such a promising young gentleman.

The thought made her smile. “Yu Qizhe, if I cure you, how well do you think you’ll do in the autumn imperial exams this year? Do you think you’ll earn the title of a juren?”

Yu Qizhe looked up at her, his peach blossom eyes calm and deep. “I’ll know after I take the exam.”

“If you become a juren, you’ll have more say in the Yu household, right?” Yu Jiao said with a faint smile. “If I nurse you back to health before the autumn exams, and you do become a juren, help me leave the Yu family, how about that?”