Married to a Villainous Minister - Chapter 70

The moment those words were said, the villagers launched into another round of praise. Yu Ruhai was overjoyed, though he kept a composed expression, his heart was practically bursting with pride.

The voices from the main hall drifted faintly into the east room. Yu Fuling whispered, “Grandpa sure loves his pride. It was clearly Yu Jiao who treated Master Mu’s illness, but now he doesn’t even mention her part in it.”

Yu Jiao just smiled and took out a small wooden box, handing a case of rouge to Yu Fuling. “This is for you.”

Yu Fuling saw that the case was small and delicate, and carefully took it. “What is it?”

Yu Jiao motioned for her to open it. Yu Fuling, curious, lifted the lid, and a sweet fragrance wafted out. Seeing the pale pink balm inside, her eyes lit up in delight. “Is this rouge? It smells so good! Where did you get it?”

“It was a thank-you gift from Master Mu. He said his wife bought it in Qingzhou. I’m giving it to you,” Yu Jiao said as she stuffed another identical box into Fuling’s hands. “I don’t really wear this stuff. You can give this one to Sister Mengyan.”

Yu Fuling couldn’t stop admiring the rouge in her hands. “What girl doesn’t love rouge? If you give one to Sister Mengyan, then you won’t have any left. Since it came from Madam Mu in Qingzhou, it must be expensive. Are you sure you don’t want to keep one for yourself?”

“Just go already. I really don’t like using this kind of thing,” Yu Jiao said with a warm smile.

Yu Fuling carefully closed the lid of her rouge and hid it in the wooden box by her bedside. Then she took the other one and headed to the west room.

Inside, Wang Mengyan was comforting Madam Zhang. When she received the rouge from Yu Fuling, she was genuinely happy. Master Mu had only given Yu Jiao two boxes, and yet Yu Jiao had still thought to give one to her. 

Wang Mengyan’s impression of Yu Jiao softened considerably, and she even asked Yu Fuling to pass along her thanks.

Meanwhile, Yu Jiao went out to the courtyard to flip over some herbs she had picked from the mountain a few days earlier to dry in the sun. Madam Song had finished preparing the meal but, hearing that Old Master Yu was still happily chatting with the villagers in the main hall with no signs of stopping, went off to the west room to talk to Madam Zhang instead.

After finishing with the herbs, Yu Jiao pulled up a stool and sat in the courtyard to bask in the sun. The warm rays beating down on her skin seemed to warm her heart as well.

After a while, the heat made her drowsy. She stretched lazily and thought she’d take a nap after lunch. Just then, voices came from beyond the courtyard gate.

“Miss Meng! That’s the young lady who cured our Qi’er!”

Before the voice even finished, another called into the courtyard toward Yu Jiao, “Miss Meng, I’ve brought my wife to express our thanks in person!”

Yu Jiao squinted toward the gate to see who it was.

It was the village head of Zhang Village. Standing next to him was a middle-aged woman, holding the hand of young Qi’er. The family of three entered the courtyard. The woman gave Yu Jiao a warm smile. “Miss Meng, my husband told me all about how our son Qi’er recovered thanks to you. We’re truly grateful.”

Yu Jiao stood up and replied modestly, “No need to thank me, it’s just a healer’s duty.”

The woman gently stroked Qi’er’s head and said kindly, “Since he started taking the medicine you prescribed, our Qi’er hasn’t had another episode. I counted the days, he’s been on your remedy for about a month. So I thought I’d bring him back to see you again, to check if the phlegm in his body has cleared up.”

Yu Jiao looked at Zhang Qi and beckoned to him with a smile. “Come, let big sister check your pulse.”

Zhang Qi liked Yu Jiao very much and obediently walked over, holding out his hand.

Inside the main hall, the villagers overheard the commotion in the courtyard. Seeing the scene unfold, one of them commented in confusion, “Isn’t that the bride Doctor Yu bought for Wulang to ward off bad luck? What’s she doing? Don’t tell me she’s trying to act like a doctor too?”