Married to a Villainous Minister - Chapter 82

Yu Jiao noticed how warm-hearted he was, not holding a grudge at all just because she hadn’t agreed to pay for Yu Zhizhou’s tuition to the county school. With a sincere smile, she said, “Thank you, Uncle.”

Yu Qiaoshan had remembered her mentioning, back when he was working on the wooden prosthetic, that the socket part would need leather. He had kept that in mind.

He knew now she must be asking for the leather to make a prosthetic for her second brother, and he was also curious to see if what Yu Jiao claimed, a prosthetic that could help Mengshan walk again, was truly possible. Without delay, he rushed back to the west room and soon returned with two pieces of tanned leather.

He asked her, “Will these two pieces of sheepskin do?”

Yu Jiao took them and gave them a feel. The leather was a bit stiff, likely due to the tanning technique, but it was still the best material they had available at the moment.

She nodded. “They’ll work.” Mengshan’s leg had been healing well lately, and Yu Jiao wanted to finish the prosthetic quickly so he could start adapting to the socket as soon as possible.

She used her hands to mark out a section on the larger piece of sheepskin. “Uncle, would you please cut the leather along these lines?”

Yu Qiaoshan went back inside and brought out a knife and scissors, cutting the leather exactly as Yu Jiao had instructed.

Meanwhile, Yu Jiao pulled out the iron components she had retrieved from town and the wooden prosthetic she had previously crafted. She began assembling the weight-bearing foot part, though even with her understanding of the theory, putting it all together was still tough, technical work.

After cutting the leather, Yu Qiaoshan suggested, “Why don’t I do it? You can just guide me.”

Yu Jiao made space for him and squatted to the side, explaining how everything should be installed.

Perhaps because of his experience with woodworking, Yu Qiaoshan picked it up quickly. His hands moved skillfully, and the once unassuming little parts from the blacksmith shop all started coming together just right. He couldn’t help but marvel at it all.

The socket, however, required precise work. A difference of even a millimeter could cause skin abrasions or skeletal issues. After Yu Qiaoshan finished assembling the rest, Yu Jiao took over to complete the socket herself.

Nearly half an hour later, the prosthetic was finally done. Since it had to bear the full weight of a person and they didn’t have any strong, lightweight materials, the prosthetic was quite heavy. Yu Qiaoshan carried it into the east room.

“Uncle Mengshan, try putting on this prosthetic,” Yu Jiao said to the man lying on the bed.

Neither Yu Mengshan nor Madam Song had any idea what a prosthetic was. Yu Jiao hadn’t mentioned it earlier because she wasn’t sure it would work. In fact, only Yu Qiaoshan in the entire Yu household knew about it.

Yu Qiaoshan carefully placed the prosthetic on the bed and eagerly said, “Second Brother, don’t just sit there, try it on and see if you can stand or walk with it!”

Madam Song put down her needle and thread and stared at the strange-looking thing on the bed. “How do you wear this? Can it really let him walk?”

Yu Jiao smiled. “Aunt Song, help Uncle Mengshan sit up. We’ll have to try it to know if it works.”

Yu Fuling had also come over, curious about the commotion. Madam Song helped Mengshan sit up and rolled up the empty left pant leg.

Yu Jiao knelt down and personally strapped the prosthetic to his left leg.

Yu Mengshan looked amazed, still sitting stiffly on the bed, too nervous to move.

“Uncle Mengshan, try standing up and taking a step,” Yu Jiao said, signaling to Madam Song to support him.

With Madam Song’s help, Yu Mengshan stood up, though all his weight leaned on his right leg and her arm.

“Don’t worry. We’re all here, you won’t fall.” Yu Jiao encouraged him.

Even though Fuling didn’t understand what her father was wearing, she had full faith in Yu Jiao now and chimed in, “Dad, just take a step and try it out!”

Ever since his leg was amputated, Yu Mengshan had never imagined he could walk again. Lately, he’d often been consumed with guilt about being a burden on the family. If he weren’t such a gentle person by nature, he might’ve fallen into despair long ago.

Now, caught between joy and fear, a surge of emotion welled up inside him, so much so that he couldn’t bring himself to take the first step.

Yu Jiao quietly walked behind him, and when no one was watching, gave him a gentle push.

Startled, Yu Fuling let out a yelp. Yu Mengshan stumbled forward, and Madam Song reached out to catch him.

But in that instant, Mengshan’s body instinctively reacted, both feet moved forward, and he managed two wobbly steps before regaining his balance and standing upright.

“You walked just now!” Madam Song exclaimed, overwhelmed with emotion.

Yu Mengshan’s strong, dark features were filled with disbelief. His legs were stiff as he stood there, eyes lifting to meet Yu Jiao’s gaze. Encouraged by her smile, he awkwardly lifted his right leg and took another step forward. Though he couldn’t feel anything below the knee, and every motion felt unfamiliar, he was really walking.

“Pinch me,” he muttered dreamily to Madam Song.

Her eyes were moist, but she laughed as she pinched his arm hard.

“Ow! Okay, not a dream!” Mengshan laughed through the pain.

Everyone in the room burst into laughter. Yu Jiao added, “Uncle Mengshan, this is just the start. The socket still needs time to adjust to your body. If anything feels off, tell me. For today, walk a hundred steps. Add fifty more every day after.”

Yu Mengshan nodded eagerly. “Alright, alright. Will I be able to work again?” That was the thing he cared about most, being able to provide for his family.

Yu Jiao smiled. “Of course. While it’s not as good as a real leg, once you’ve adjusted to it, as long as the work’s not too strenuous, you’ll be able to handle it.”

Hearing that, Yu Mengshan was even happier. He couldn’t wait to start practicing and headed straight for the courtyard, with Madam Song following behind.

Yu Qizhe had come out of the inner room at some point. His long, narrow eyes watched Yu Qiaoshan and Madam Song’s backs, the soft expression on his face like an ink painting, serene and gentle, lips carrying the faintest trace of a smile.

Standing behind Yu Jiao, he said quietly, “Thank you.”

The sudden voice so close to her ear startled Yu Jiao. She turned and looked at him, her bright apricot eyes gleaming with amusement. Smiling, she teased, “So how are you going to thank me?”

Thinking of what she’d said last time about repaying her with his body, Yu Qizhe’s refined face flushed faintly. He parted his lips as if to say something but ended up staying silent.

He had nothing to give, and any promise for the future would be just empty words.

Yu Jiao softened, “Alright, no need to thank me. Aunt Song and Uncle Mengshan have always been kind to me. This is something I can do in return, it’s only right.”

She didn’t dare tease him any more, worried she might anger him again like last time, when he hadn’t spoken to her for days.

The noise from the east room had startled Yu Ruhai and the others from the two other branches. When they saw Yu Mengshan walking in the courtyard, they were all shocked. After learning it was Yu Jiao’s handiwork, Yu Ruhai’s expression shifted. He had originally planned to pressure her into giving up her consultation fees, but now he began to reconsider.