Married to a Villainous Minister - Chapter 52

“Was that thunder?” Yu Fuling asked uncertainly.

Yu Jiao looked up at the sky. Her delicate brows knitted slightly as she said in a low voice, “It’s going to rain. Let’s hurry and regroup with Uncle and Uncle Zhou. We still have time to get down the mountain.”

Seeing how tense Yu Jiao was, Yu Zhixing chuckled. “The weather in the mountains changes all the time. It’s been sunny these past few days, this rain might not even fall. And even if it does, it’ll probably just be a short summer shower. There’s a cave nearby where we can take shelter if needed.”

Yu Jiao felt a bit more at ease after hearing that. Fortunately, Yu Qiaoshan and the others were seasoned hunters. Even if a heavy rain did come, they’d know what to do.

Since they were already here, this might be a good chance to look for yao grass, a rare plant that only grows in the rain and withers when it stops. If she could find it, she’d be sixty percent confident she could cure Yu Qizhe’s condition.

The three of them quickly made their way back to where the wild boar had been killed. Yu Qiaoshan and the Zhou father and son were burying the blood left on the ground, afraid that the scent might attract even more ferocious beasts. They also shoveled dirt over the boar’s body.

Yu Jiao pulled a small paper packet from the bundle she carried and handed it to Yu Qiaoshan. “Uncle, this is a packet of medicinal powder I ground up last night. Sprinkle it over the boar, it’ll mask the smell of blood.”

Yu Qiaoshan took it, half-believing. “Will the meat still be edible after this powder’s used?”

Yu Jiao explained patiently, “It’s just a blend of herbs, non-toxic, just to neutralize the scent.”

Hunting inevitably involved bloodshed, and carnivorous predators in the mountains often tracked their prey by following the scent carried on the wind. While making insect-repellent powder the day before, Yu Jiao had thought of that and made this blend as well.

Not only that, she’d also packed herbs for treating fever and colds this morning, just in case. Better safe than sorry.

Hearing her explanation, Yu Qiaoshan was reassured and sprinkled the powder over the boar. Having seen Yu Jiao prescribe and treat illnesses lately, he had come to trust her medical skills to some degree.

Once they finished cleaning up the blood, Yu Qiaoshan laughed heartily. “First catch of the day is a wild boar. That’s a good omen!”

Before he could finish the sentence, raindrops the size of beans suddenly began to fall. Yu Qiaoshan wiped his forehead and muttered, “Huh, it really is starting to rain.”

Zhou Xiang quickly added, “Grab the boar! Let’s head to the cave on the east side and take cover. Summer rain doesn’t last long.”

The dead boar weighed nearly a hundred jin (about 110 pounds). Zhou Xiang’s son and Yu Zhixing, both strong young men, lifted it with ease, and the group quickly made their way toward the eastern part of the forest.

The rain fell harder and harder. The sun from earlier was completely gone, and the sky over the mountains turned a deep gray, like a curtain had been drawn. Dark clouds gathered above them.

They finally found the entrance to a cave, overgrown with weeds. Yu Qiaoshan and Zhou Xiang used their hunting knives to clear away the tangled vines and branches, and everyone rushed inside. Their clothes were already a bit soaked, but thankfully, while it was summer, the women’s garments were made from plain and sturdy fabric. Yu Jiao and Yu Fuling held their outer robes close to their chests, then pulled spares from their packs and draped them over themselves.

Everyone in the village who hunted in the mountains knew of this cave. Anyone staying overnight in the area would use it as shelter. It had a good supply of dry firewood inside. Yu Qiaoshan pulled out a bundle of dry grass and used a flint striker to light a small fire. “Let’s dry off our clothes.”

It was summer, so the fire quickly dried their garments. Standing at the cave entrance, Zhou Xiang looked out at the steadily falling rain. “It’s coming down even harder now.”

Yu Qiaoshan glanced at Yu Jiao. “You really called it.”

Zhou Xiang looked over in surprise. Yu Qiaoshan chuckled and explained, “Last night, Meng girl said it would rain today and told me to wait a couple more days before coming up the mountain. Who’d have thought she’d be right?”