Married to a Villainous Minister - Chapter 63

Yu Qizhe set down the medicine bowl and glanced at the dregs left at the bottom. His refined, handsome face remained unreadable as he asked calmly, “How much is a hundred-year-old ginseng worth?”

“At least seventy to eighty taels of silver,” Yu Fuling whispered, leaning closer to mutter, “I once sold herbs at the pharmacy in town and saw them buy a fifty-year-old ginseng for forty taels!”

Yu Qizhe recalled the way Yu Jiao had stood up to Yu Ruhai over his consultation fee that day, and murmured, “I’ll remember that.”

“Remember what?” Yu Fuling went on, “It rained hard that day in the mountains. Meng Yujiao went out in the storm to find herbs for you and even slipped and fell. I used to think Chen Rou was better, but if Meng Yujiao can really cure you… then I’ll accept her as my sister-in-law.”

Yu Qizhe didn’t respond. He picked up a coarse ceramic tea bowl and brought it to his lips. The contrast between his slender, well-shaped fingers and the rough bowl somehow made even the plain object look elegant.

Just then, Yu Jiao arrived outside the eastern room and knocked on the door. Yu Fuling rushed to open it. Seeing Yu Jiao, she asked, “What’s the matter?”

Yu Jiao’s gaze shifted to the medicine bowl on the table. Noticing it was empty, she said, “The old master wants you to come out and meet Master Mu.”

“What’s so special about meeting some Master Mu?” Yu Fuling muttered under her breath.

Yu Qizhe stood up and followed Yu Jiao outside.

“I heard from my sister that you used the hundred-year-old ginseng you found in the mountains in my medicine?” Yu Qizhe asked quietly.

Yu Jiao turned her head to look at him. “What about it?”

“I’ll repay you the silver for it someday,” Yu Qizhe said seriously.

Yu Jiao curved her lips into a small smile. Though Yu Qizhe always carried himself like a stiff little scholar, he was undeniably good-looking. His peach blossom eyes sparkled with light, the kind of eyes that should belong to a flirt, but his cold temperament subdued all that charm, turning it into something restrained and cool.

Narrowing her lovely almond shaped eyes with playful amusement, she teased, “Oh? You want to pay me back? A hundred-year-old ginseng may have a price, but your life? That’s priceless. How do you plan to repay me? By offering yourself to me?”

Yu Qizhe averted his eyes from her bold gaze, and a strange, unfamiliar joy bloomed quietly in his chest. His eyes lowered, the ends of his long, narrow lashes adding a lively touch to his otherwise calm features. A faint blush spread from his ears to his pale cheeks as he muttered, “How can a lady speak so freely and boldly? Didn’t you say before that once I recover, you’d leave, and we’d owe each other nothing?”

Yu Jiao eyed his fair, delicate features and thought to herself, The ancients were right, desire is human nature.

She took a step closer, her voice soft and coaxing. “But what if I don’t want to leave? Would you be willing to offer yourself to me?”

Yu Jiao’s fair little face was just inches from Yu Qizhe’s. His breathing grew uneven, the blush on his ears creeping all the way to his jade-like face. Yu Jiao noticed and was both surprised and deeply entertained.

This man, usually so aloof and unreadable, rarely showed such a vivid expression.

Her amusement grew. Her smile blossomed, and her bright almond eyes stayed fixed on Yu Qizhe’s face, hoping to tease more reactions out of him. In a soft, honeyed voice, she said, “Though I was bought by the old master as your blessing bride, at the end of the day, it still means you married me. Why don’t we just become real husband and wife?”

Because she was standing so close, Yu Qizhe could smell the faint scent of herbs and soap clinging to her, so familiar, yet suddenly intoxicating. His heartbeat quickened beyond control, and even the air around them seemed to thicken, making it hard to breathe.

Normally cool to the touch, a fine sheen of sweat appeared on Yu Qizhe’s smooth forehead. He took a step back, turned his face away, and quietly let out a breath. “If you’re willing…”

Yu Jiao looked at his flustered, bashful face and, worried she might push him too far, chuckled softly. “I’m just teasing. I was only joking with you.”