Married to a Villainous Minister - Chapter 73

Village Head Zhang glanced around the room and said, “This matter is sensitive. If word gets out, it might damage our young miss’s reputation. I ask that none of you speak of it outside.”

Old Madam Yu smiled warmly. “Don’t worry. Our family isn’t the kind to gossip.”

“That’s a relief, truly,” Madam Qin said, then turned to Yu Jiao and continued, “It’s inconvenient for our young miss to come here for a consultation, so I must trouble Miss Meng to come with me to the Zhang residence instead.”

Yu Jiao readily agreed, nodding. “That’s fine.”

Yu Ruhai remained silent on the side. He had no objection to treating someone from a wealthy household in town, on the contrary, those kinds of families paid well for medical services. Even if Yu Jiao hadn’t agreed, he would’ve done so on her behalf.

“How about today?” Madam Qin asked quickly.

Yu Jiao nodded. “Of course, but I haven’t eaten yet. I’ll go with you after I’ve had lunch.”

Madam Qin nodded repeatedly, smiling apologetically. “That was careless of us, Madam at the estate has been pressing us urgently.” She turned to Yu Ruhai and Old Madam Yu, bowing her head slightly. “I’m sorry to have delayed your meal.”

“No trouble at all,” Old Madam Yu replied kindly, then told Madam Song to serve the food.

Yu Ruhai, meanwhile, was doing his own calculations. Since the Zhang family wanted help with a woman’s illness, it wasn’t appropriate for him to go along. However, he also didn’t feel comfortable letting Yu Jiao go alone with the Zhang couple. 

It wasn’t just that Meng Yujiao was inexperienced and might make a misstep at the prestigious household, he was more worried she might try to slip away.

Yu Ruhai saw things clearly. Right now, Meng Yu Jiao was their family’s golden goose. In just over a month, she had earned more than he usually made in a whole year. She had even drawn powerful families like the Mus and Zhangs to their door. 

As long as Yu Jiao was around, patients from affluent families would keep coming. No matter what, he needed to keep a close eye on her. As he mulled over these thoughts, lunch was brought out and laid on the table.

Old Madam Yu chatted with Madam Qin for a while longer and invited them to join for lunch, but the couple politely declined and sat to the side with tea.

Yu Qizhe came in for the meal as well, and Yu Jiao sat beside him, picking up her bowl and eating with quiet focus.

While they were eating, Yu Ruhai looked over at her kindly and said, “You’re still a young girl heading out on your own. Grandfather worries. Why not have Zhixing go with you?”

Yu Jiao considered it. She’d need to write prescriptions, and though she’d been practicing calligraphy with Yu Qizhe for over a month, her handwriting was still rough. 

Yu Zhixing had attended a few years at an academy, so he should be able to write prescriptions properly. She nodded her agreement.

Nearby, Yu Fuling also wanted to go with Yu Jiao to learn more about treating patients but was worried Yu Ruhai might say no. She kept shooting Yu Jiao pleading looks.

Her expression was so exaggerated it was practically twitching, so Yu Jiao spoke up again. “Let Fuling come too, it’ll be more convenient to have her along.”

Yu Ruhai thought for a moment. Since the patient was a young lady, even if Yu Zhixing went, he wouldn’t be able to enter her quarters. He nodded and said to Fuling, “You’re the older one. Meng girl is still young, so you should keep a close eye on her out there.”

Yu Fuling quickly nodded. “I understand, Grandfather.”

After the meal, Yu Jiao grabbed a peach from the basket on the table. Since arriving in the Taiyan Dynasty, she hadn’t had any fresh fruit yet!

Madam Zhao saw this and opened her mouth to scold her, but a look from Old Madam Yu stopped her. Instead, Old Madam Yu gave Yu Jiao a kindly smile and said, “Wash it clean before you eat it.”