Married to a Villainous Minister - Chapter 43

“Five qian each of angelica, red peony root, salvia, and honeysuckle, two qian of forsythia, four qian each of violet cress, soapberry thorn, and raw licorice, three qian each of aged tangerine peel and fritillaria, and one qian of roasted pangolin scales. Boil in hot water and take one dose daily,” Yu Jiao recited calmly.

Mu Yan looked doubtful. “That simple prescription can really cure me?”

Yu Jiao replied coolly, “Since Master Mu has already agreed to my treatment, you shouldn’t be so suspicious.”

She turned to Yu Ruhai. “Please gather the herbs for Master Mu according to what I just prescribed.”

With that, Yu Jiao rose and left the west room. Outside, the eyes of Yu Zhoushi and the others immediately fell on her. Yu Jinshu asked with concern, “So? Can Uncle Mu’s carbuncle be cured?”

Yu Jiao didn’t answer. She walked straight out of the main hall and knocked on the door of the west wing. Wang Mengyan, holding her child, came out. Surprised to see Yu Jiao, she asked, “Miss Meng, do you need something?”

Yu Jiao smiled. “Has Big Brother come back yet?”

Wang Mengyan shook her head. After breakfast, Yu Zhixing had gone out without saying what for. The way Yu Jiao asked made it seem like she knew where he’d gone.

Just then, the courtyard gate creaked open. Madam Song walked in, carrying a bamboo tray. Seeing Yu Jiao in the courtyard, she called out, “Meng girl, here’s the goat droppings you asked for.”

Wang Mengyan quickly covered her nose and turned aside with the child. “Auntie, what do you need so much goat dung for?”

“Meng girl asked me to get it. I don’t know what it’s for either,” Madam Song replied with a smile.

As they spoke, Yu Zhixing stepped into the yard with a basket. His clothes, shoes, and socks were all wet.

Wang Mengyan put down little Jie Geng and walked up, concerned. “You went to the river to catch fish? Why are you soaked?”

Yu Zhixing handed the basket to Yu Jiao, then scooped up Jie Geng and gently pinched her cheek. He looked at Yu Jiao. “Miss Meng, I caught two crucian carp. They’re still alive, but a bit small.”

Yu Jiao peeked into the basket and smiled. “That’s fine. Thank you, Big Brother.” She carried the basket toward the kitchen.

“She wanted fish? You went out first thing in the morning just to catch fish for her?” Wang Mengyan stared at Yu Jiao’s back, puzzled.

“She said it was for medicine. I don’t know the details, so I didn’t ask much,” Yu Zhixing replied cheerfully as he played with his daughter. “Jie Geng, let your mom hold you a bit, dad needs to wash up and change shoes.”

Wang Mengyan took the child, but when she saw Madam Song also heading into the kitchen with the goat droppings, curiosity got the better of her and she followed.

Yu Jiao moved swiftly. She scaled the fish, removed the tails, slit open their bellies, and cleaned out the innards. Then, using a cloth to shield her hands, she packed the goat droppings tightly into the fish cavities, stuffing them full.

“Aunt Song, could I trouble you to light the stove for me?” Yu Jiao asked while continuing to work.

Madam Song quickly crouched under the stove to start the fire and heat the wok.

Watching the whole process made Wang Mengyan’s stomach churn. She frowned and asked, “Miss Meng, why are you stuffing goat dung into the fish? Is this even edible?”

“It’s not for eating,” Yu Jiao replied with a friendly smile.

Wang Mengyan was still full of questions. Though disgusted, she stayed in the kitchen with her child, wanting to see what Yu Jiao intended to do with such a bizarre preparation. 

She had never heard of using goat droppings as medicine, how could something so filthy and nauseating be medicinal?

Once the wok was hot, Yu Jiao placed the dung-stuffed crucian carp into it and instructed Madam Song to keep the fire low, letting the fish slowly roast until they turned charred black and became dry and crispy. Only then did she take them out of the pan.