Married to a Villainous Minister - Chapter 79

Madam Zhang felt a wave of relief at Yu Jiao’s response. Seeing the sly glint in Yu Jiao’s bright, lively eyes, the smile on her own face finally became genuine. It was refreshing to deal with someone smart, someone who understood things without needing them spelled out.

After reuniting with Yu Zhixing in the front courtyard, the group exited the Zhang residence through the back gate. Seeing that it was still early, Village Head Zhang laughed and asked, “Miss Meng, is there anything you’d like to buy? Shall I take you to the market for a stroll?”

Yu Jiao had come with a task in mind. She had previously asked Yu Qiaoshan to help her commission some custom prosthetic connectors from the town’s blacksmith shop, but had yet to pick them up. This trip was the perfect chance to swing by and collect them.

“In that case, I’d like to trouble you to take us to the blacksmith’s shop on South Street,” Yu Jiao said.

“Got it!” Chief Zhang chirped as he drove the donkey cart toward the south alley.

“Is there anything you two want to buy? I’ve got money,” Yu Jiao turned to Yu Zhixing and Yu Fuling, knowing full well they likely didn’t have any silver on hand, and offered kindly.

Both of them shook their heads. “Nothing.”

Qingshui Town wasn’t large, so it didn’t take long to reach the blacksmith’s shop. A burly, bare-armed man was busy hammering iron. Seeing Yu Jiao enter, he grinned and asked, “Young lady, what would you like made?”

Yu Jiao gave Yu Qiaoshan’s name, and the blacksmith’s eyes lit up. “Ah, it’s ready. I’ll go get it for you.” He set down his hammer and slipped behind a curtain. Before long, he returned carrying the items.

The furnace in the middle of the shop roared, flames flicking high and heating the entire room until it felt like a sauna. After standing there just a short while, Yu Jiao was already slightly sweating.

“These parts are awfully intricate. Miss, do you know what they’re for?” the blacksmith asked, full of curiosity.

Yu Jiao picked up the components, a glint of satisfaction flickering in her eyes. Although they were nowhere near the refined standards of the prosthetic parts from her past life, the fact that they were successfully made was good enough. 

She took the items and replied with a smile, “Nothing much, just some little gadgets.”

The blacksmith knew she wasn’t telling the truth and clearly didn’t want to explain, so he didn’t press further.

When Yu Qiaoshan had first placed the order, he’d only left a deposit of forty wen. Yu Jiao now paid the remaining amount, one whole string of copper coins, which delighted the blacksmith. 

Usually, he only earned fifty wen for making a kitchen knife. These little gadgets had been fiddly and prone to error, but didn’t require much iron, so it was a great deal for him.

After collecting the items, the group was just about to leave when someone suddenly emerged from a nearby alley and stepped in front of Yu Jiao.

“Miss Meng, our Doctor Jiang would like to see you.”

Yu Jiao narrowed her eyes. She didn’t know how Jiang Qinghe had found out she was here, but she could guess he was still pursuing the matter of the carbuncle remedy. 

She had no interest in meeting him and said coolly to the man blocking her way, “Tell Doctor Jiang that prescriptions must be tailored to the individual. Even for carbuncles, there are different types, yin deficiency with excess fire, dual deficiencies of qi and blood, or intense heat with strong yang. Even if I sold him the formula, it would be useless without proper diagnosis and treatment.”

The man, an assistant from Huichun Hall, looked troubled by her words but didn’t budge, clearly afraid of failing the errand entrusted to him. He insisted, “Doctor Jiang said he must see you.”

Yu Jiao stepped to the side and walked past him, her voice cool. “Just deliver my message. That’s enough.”

The assistant tried to stop her again, but Zhang Laosan stepped forward and blocked him with a fierce expression. “Didn’t you hear what Miss Meng said? Move it!”

The assistant could tell Zhang Laosan wasn’t someone to mess with. He didn’t dare say another word and left, wearing a miserable expression.

“Thanks,” Yu Jiao said with a smile to Zhang Laosan.

Zhang Laosan grinned back. “Ah, it’s nothing.”

And it truly wasn’t, at least not to him. Not only had Yu Jiao cured young Qi’er’s seizures, something he was genuinely grateful for, but if she really managed to treat the eldest young lady’s illness this time, the Master and Madam would surely look favorably on him.