Married to a Villainous Minister - Chapter 56

Zhou Changshun knew all too well that his father had suffered from chronic migraines for years. He had tried countless prescriptions, none of which had brought relief. When the headaches hit, his father would often throw things, sometimes even bang his head against the wall. 

Now, seeing a glimmer of hope, Zhou Changshun looked at Yu Jiao like a drowning man grasping at a lifeline. His gaze was fervent. “Miss Meng, do you have a remedy for my father’s migraines?”

“I do.”

As soon as Yu Jiao said this, both father and son were visibly moved with excitement.

There was a prescription called Chasing Wind Powder (Zhui Feng San) in the He Ji Ju Fang medical compendium. It used eighteen herbs and was known to be particularly effective in treating chronic migraines, often with immediate results.

“Once we’re down the mountain,” Yu Jiao said, “I’ll write up a prescription for you, Uncle Zhou. With it, your condition should improve.”

Zhou Xiang was overjoyed. “Will it really work that well? If it can truly cure this wretched headache, I must thank you now, Meng girl!”

Yu Jiao’s voice was calm and steady. “As long as you take the medicine as prescribed, it will absolutely be cured.”

The way she spoke, as if migraines were of no concern at all, made Zhou Xiang trust her completely. Grateful, he rubbed his hands together. “Honestly, I don’t even know how I ended up with this headache disorder. Every time it strikes, the pain is excruciating, feels like it’s going to kill me!”

Yu Jiao explained, “Chronic migraines come from lingering pathogens. It begins with a deficiency in vital energy, allowing external evil (wind, cold and dampness) to invade. The body lacks the strength to expel it, so the evil lingers.” 

“Over time, it penetrates from the skin and muscles into the internal organs. Phlegm and stagnant blood accumulate, forming a nest of disease that becomes deep-rooted and difficult to eliminate.”

The others didn’t quite understand the complex medical terminology, but none dared interrupt.

Yu Fuling, who had often secretly watched her grandfather conduct medical consultations, actually understood a fair amount. “So Uncle Zhou’s migraines are due to internal deficiency and external pathogens. Over time, it became chronic. Meng Yujiao, could you explain the medicinal principles behind your prescription?”

Seeing her eagerness to learn, Yu Jiao replied, “To treat this, you need herbs with warm, dispersing properties that attack the evil, support the vital energy, open the exterior, and lead the hidden pathogens out. Once expelled, the illness will be gone. If you’re interested, when we return, you can study the herbs I use in the formula.”

Yu Fuling nodded repeatedly. “Alright!” She was genuinely interested in medicine and took the opportunity to ask Yu Jiao about treatments for several common ailments.

Yu Jiao patiently answered each question. Her voice was gentle and pleasant, and as she explained, the sound of the rain outside echoed softly through the cave. Eventually, Yu Qiaoshan and the others, leaning against the cave wall, dozed off one by one. Only Yu Fuling remained fully awake, still full of questions and curiosity.

Lowering her voice, Yu Jiao answered everything. The storm outside hadn’t let up, and before they knew it, night had fallen.

Yu Fuling felt she had gained immensely. Listening to Yu Jiao’s detailed explanations opened her mind in ways that even watching her grandfather treat patients never had.

“Let’s cook something to eat,” Yu Fuling whispered, her stomach rumbling.

Yu Jiao nodded. The two of them moved carefully, taking the iron pot to fetch hot water. They pulled a handful of rice from their bundles and set it on the fire to cook.

The sound of boiling water and the aroma of rice woke the others. Seeing the sky had gone completely dark and the rain hadn’t stopped, they shared some dry rations and warm porridge, then huddled around the fire and drifted off to sleep.

Back at the Yu household, the sudden storm had Madam Zhang from the first branch deeply worried about Yu Qiaoshan and her son, who were out hunting. Madam Song comforted her, and though Madam Zhang knew it was impossible for them to return in such heavy rain, she still chatted for a bit before heading back to her room.

Madam Song stayed behind under the lamplight, mending clothes. She chatted idly with Yu Mengshan, who was lying on the bed. “I wonder how Fuling and Meng girl are doing. It’s been pouring all day. Aren’t they scared, spending the night on the mountain like that? Meng girl even asked me for an umbrella this morning. Could she have known it would rain?”

Yu Qiaoshan comforted her. “Big Brother will take care of them, and with Xiang-ge there, nothing will go wrong.”

Worried about her eyesight under the dim light, Yu Mengshan said, “Don’t sew anymore. It’s not urgent. Do it tomorrow, get some rest.”

Madam Song smiled warmly. “It’s fine, I’ll finish this patch and then sleep.”

Inside the inner room, Yu Qizhe was writing at his desk when he heard his parents talking. He set down his brush and walked to the window. Pushing it open, a gust of cold wind blew in.

Yu Qizhe stood tall and slender by the window. His faded blue long robe fluttered in the wind and rain, making his already thin frame seem even more frail and sickly.

In the distance, the dark outline of Qingyan Mountain looked like a giant monster with an open maw. Yu Qizhe suddenly recalled Yu Jiao’s radiant smile and her soft, sweet voice saying she was heading up the mountain to gather herbs for him.

A quiet sigh escaped his lips. He stretched out a slender, fair hand. Cold rain landed on his palm. Though it was summer, the rain was icy enough to make one shiver.

The cold wind and rain lashed against his elegant face, enhancing his almost otherworldly beauty. But it also carried a chill deep into his throat. Yu Qizhe felt a tickle rise. Not wanting to worry his parents, he quickly raised his hand to cover his mouth. His pale fingers curled slightly, pressing to his lips. He furrowed his brows, trying to suppress the urge to cough.

But he couldn’t hold it back. What started as a light cough turned into a relentless fit, leaving him breathless and trembling.

Madam Song, alarmed by the sound, dropped her sewing basket and rushed to the inner room. Knocking on the door anxiously, she called out, “Qizhe, why are you coughing like that? Did you catch a chill? Let me call your grandfather to take a look at you!”

It wasn’t surprising she panicked, Yu Qizhe’s health was as fragile as a sieve. The slightest misstep could bring on a serious illness. He had only just stopped taking medicine recently. Madam Song had been on edge, fearing a relapse.

Yu Qizhe was nearly choking from the coughing fit. He quickly closed the window and rasped out in a hoarse voice, “I’m fine, Mother. Please rest.”

With that, he forced himself to stop coughing, blew out the lamp on the desk, and lay down to make it seem like he was going to sleep.

Seeing the light go out and hearing no more coughing, Madam Song finally relaxed.

The next morning, Madam Song and Yu Mengshan were both awakened by the sound of intermittent coughing from the inner room.

Yu Mengshan looked worried. Madam Song hurriedly threw on a robe and rushed to knock on the door.

“Qizhe, are you sick?” she asked anxiously.

Yu Qizhe tried to suppress the tickle in his throat but failed.

Last night’s open window had let the chill seep into his body. He had felt unwell as he lay down, and by dawn, a fever had come on. He hadn’t wanted to disturb his parents, but no matter how hard he tried, he couldn’t hold back the coughs, ending up alerting them anyway.