Lady of Fortune, Jiao Niang

Chapter 103

The Merchant Caravan returned on the afternoon of the second day. To avoid drawing attention, Qi Yun didn't have them return to the Qi family home, nor go to any of the Qi family's shops, but directly to the Qi family's Mountain Retreat.

Qi Yun brought Ye Jiao along to the retreat, and also carried Xu Bao with them.

In the carriage, Ye Jiao lifted the curtain to look outside, then quickly dropped it back down and sat beside Qi Yun again, saying: "This time we're later than when we came before, there aren't even any red leaves left."

Qi Yun was currently holding their Xu Bao, extending his hand for the chubby child to grab and gnaw on. Hearing this, he said to Ye Jiao: "The last experience was too profound, it's better not to mention it."

Only then did Little Ginseng remember that it was precisely because of coming to the retreat last time that Qi Yun had been summoned away by the current emperor who was then Prince Duan, and ended up encountering assassins, nearly losing his life. No wonder Qi Yun's impression of this mountain wasn't good.

Ye Jiao leaned over, first rescuing her husband's hand from Xu Bao's little teeth, then while holding Xu Bao with one arm, she used a handkerchief to wipe Qi Yun's fingers, asking with a smile: "What, are you afraid, husband? Then we won't come here anymore."

"But you like this place, don't you?"

Ye Jiao nodded and leaned against Qi Yun's shoulder, saying softly: "I like places with flowers, grass, mountains, and trees. They're comforting to look at."

Actually, Little Ginseng had always felt that her goal was to become human. Even though now it was only her spirit essence entering a human body, which couldn't be considered truly transforming into human form, having a husband, a child, and a life with food and drink, Little Ginseng felt these were days that even immortals wouldn't trade for, better than the goals she had originally envisioned.

But habits were ultimately hard to change. Occasionally when Ye Jiao went out for spring outings and saw the lush greenery everywhere, she would still remember those thousand years in the mountain forests.

But a thousand years really was too long and quite boring. Thinking about it, Ye Jiao muttered: "But I don't want to see them every day either. Occasional reminiscing is fine, but too long would be stifling."

Qi Yun didn't inquire about the reason, just assuming his wife liked to relax in mountain forests, so he said gently: "If you like it, then we'll come often in the future. Besides, my courage isn't that small. Regarding this place, I wouldn't say I'm afraid, but rather grateful."

Ye Jiao looked up at him: "Grateful for what?"

Second Young Master Qi grasped Ye Jiao's hand in return, his expression calm, his voice tranquil: "Grateful for that near-death experience and revival, and also grateful... if that assassination hadn't made His Majesty determined to return and compete for the throne, I'm afraid the current situation would be different."

What would be different, Qi Yun didn't say, fearing it would frighten Ye Jiao, but in his heart he had always been clear about it.

If the one who ultimately ascended to the throne wasn't Emperor Chu Chengyun, then according to the ruthless cruelty of the other princes, whoever came to power, Emperor Chu Chengyun would certainly die, and those connected to Emperor Chu Chengyun would probably also find it hard to escape death.

Even if Emperor Chu Chengyun had previously thought out how to help them escape involvement, Qi Yun would still take the seal that Ye Ping Rong had given him and leave the pass with his whole family.

Although it wouldn't lead to being beheaded, how could the barbarian wilderness beyond the pass compare to their current comfortable freedom?

But Qi Yun never spoke of things that hadn't happened. He just said jokingly: "Fortunately Third Prince came to power, otherwise, Eldest Brother would probably be alone for quite a while."

Ye Jiao also thought of Ye Ping Rong and Hui Niang's situation, and smiled along: "That's right, it wasn't easy for Elder Brother to find a wife."

Xu Bao, who had been quiet all along, clapped his hands and repeated: "Wife!"

Ye Jiao quickly distracted him with milk cakes, lest Xu Bao learn this and go around saying it everywhere.

Qi Yun stared at Xu Bao, gently touching his son's face with particularly loving movements, his voice also very gentle: "Xu Bao is grown up now, he understands speech, but it's not appropriate for him to learn everything he hears."

Ye Jiao couldn't help but look at him: "What do you want to... hey."

Before Ye Jiao could finish speaking, Xu Bao found the right moment to open his mouth and bite off the milk cake Ye Jiao was holding, puffing out his cheeks as he ate, happily wiggling back and forth.

Before Ye Jiao could react, Xu Bao burrowed forward and nestled into her arms, giggling with laughter.

Little Ginseng was also amused by him and lost her temper, gently pinching his little bottom, forgetting the question she had just asked Qi Yun.

Second Young Master Qi looked at Xu Bao, thinking to himself that although Xu Bao was very well-behaved, he was indeed rarely clever and quick to learn everything.

But such clever children could easily grow crooked if not taught early, so perhaps he really should have him study and learn proper conduct.

Fortunately Xu Bao was obedient and didn't need to be constantly watched and pressed like Third Brother or Little Shi Tou. There was no rush for memorizing and copying books, teaching him proper human conduct first would be fine.

Moreover, facing those eyes that were exactly like his wife's, Second Young Master Qi honestly couldn't bring himself to be harsh.

Just as he was thinking this, the carriage gradually stopped.

Qi Yun got out first, then stood by the carriage and had people properly set up the footstool. He first lifted Xu Bao down and handed him to Tie Zi, then extended his hand to help Ye Jiao down.

Ye Jiao placed her left hand on Little Su's hand and her right hand on Qi Yun's for support. When she stepped down and looked up, she saw dozens of large wagons.

Little Ginseng was momentarily stunned.

Before the merchant caravan had left, she had seen them off together. Although there had been quite a few horse-drawn carts then, it was far fewer than now, and the cart frames hadn't been this large either.

This made Ye Jiao rather puzzled, and when she encountered something she didn't understand, she would naturally look to Qi Yun and ask: "Husband, how did they increase? Weren't they supposed to take things out to sell? What's the logic in having more the more they sell?"

Qi Yun took her hand and walked forward with her, smiling, his voice gentle and patient: "This merchant caravan wasn't just going out to sell goods, but to conduct trade. In trade, there's selling out and buying in. Foreign barbarians like our items, and I also like theirs. Buying low and selling high, that's the fundamental way merchant caravans make money."

Ye Jiao memorized these words, then went over them several times before nodding.

Only when Second Young Master Qi saw her nod did he continue: "The most important thing about the merchant caravan we sent out wasn't actually the exchange of goods, but Third Prince's commission." His voice paused, and Qi Yun tightened his grip on Ye Jiao's hand. "It's just whether his commission still counts or not remains to be seen."

If it didn't count, naturally all would be well.

If it did count, sharing profits according to the previous agreement was a small matter. Qi Yun was even willing to give him all the money, because that would gain him a powerful backing, and the strongest backing in the world at that.

But Qi Yun felt that Emperor Chu Chengyun might not necessarily want it, and this backing of his wasn't entirely reliable either.

Ye Jiao didn't think so deeply about it. She was just counting the large wagons one by one, as if she wanted to count them all before stopping.

While the couple chatted happily in front, Xu Bao being held by Tie Zi in the back was somewhat displeased.

Obviously his dear mother had been pulled away by his dear father holding her hand, completely forgetting about him. Usually it was his fragrant mother who held him, but now he was being held by a hard and particularly thin older brother...

"Mother!"

This cry was particularly loud. Ye Jiao turned around to see her Xu Bao reaching out to her.

Ye Jiao immediately let go of Qi Yun's hand and hurried over to take Xu Bao into her arms.

However, Ye Jiao still thanked Tie Zi first, then looked at Xu Bao and touched the little fellow's nose with her own nose tip: "What's wrong? Do you know that your loud cry just now scared everyone else?"

Xu Bao couldn't quite understand such long sentences, but as soon as Ye Jiao held him, he immediately snuggled up, laughing as he rested against Ye Jiao's shoulder, not crying or fussing, extremely well-behaved.

Qi Yun looked at them and raised his eyebrows slightly.

Looking at it this way, whether his son was truly well-behaved or not still needed more observation.

When Manager Song arrived, Qi Yun took Manager Song to sort through the accounts and goods from this trip. Ye Jiao didn't follow along but took people to rest in the side rooms of the retreat.

As long as Xu Bao was with Ye Jiao, he was happy. Having forgotten about being here a year ago, Xu Bao found everything fresh and new. The little fellow who usually wouldn't say a word for half a day at home started asking questions as soon as he entered.

What's this, what's that, Xu Bao seemed to want to ask about everything from the ceiling beams to the floor.

Ye Jiao was also patient, explaining each thing to him one by one, quite proudly.

When Little Su served tea, she said with a smile: "Young Mistress really dotes on Young Master."

Ye Jiao smiled back: "I'm teaching him how to be human. Before, it was always husband who taught me, now it's finally my turn to teach someone else."

Seeing Little Su's confused expression, Ye Jiao didn't intend to explain.

After all, the joy Little Ginseng felt when imparting wisdom about being human was something ordinary people couldn't understand.

When Qi Yun returned, it was already evening.

Xu Bao had tired himself out and fallen asleep, sprawled out in all directions, his little belly rising and falling under the blanket. Qi Yun couldn't resist poking it once.

However, when Ye Jiao looked over, Second Young Master Qi withdrew his hand and said gently to Ye Jiao: "Jiao Niang, thank you for your hard work."

Ye Jiao came over to help him remove his cloak and belt, hanging them on the rack while saying: "Playing with Xu Bao isn't hard work, it's quite interesting. But you, having walked around outside for so long just now, are you tired?"

If it were someone else, Qi Yun would certainly say he wasn't tired.

But since Ye Jiao was asking, Qi Yun honestly nodded: "Tired."

Ye Jiao then pulled him to wash up and properly soak his feet. After they had both cleaned up, Ye Jiao patted him: "Get on and lie down."

Qi Yun obediently lay prone on the bed, then felt his thigh sink down. Turning his head, he saw Ye Jiao had already sat on his legs.

Little Ginseng rolled up her sleeves and used her soft, pale fingers to press down on his back, saying as she massaged: "Although your health is better now, you still can't overwork yourself. Tonight you absolutely cannot go out again, proper rest is what's needed."

Hearing this, Qi Yun couldn't help but nod, then turned back to look at her, saying with a smile: "With Jiao Niang saying this, no matter how tired I am, it's worth it."

But Ye Jiao could tell his body wasn't sore or painful. Having just pressed several acupoints and getting no reaction from Qi Yun, she knew this man really wasn't tired.

She simply leaned forward and sprawled completely on Qi Yun's back, supporting herself on his shoulders: "That still won't do. If you're tired, in the end I still have to massage you, and my hands will get sore."

Qi Yun then rolled over in one motion, gathering Ye Jiao into his arms, gently kneading her hands: "Then shall I massage yours too?"

Ye Jiao agreed and smiled, letting him do as he pleased.

But after playing around for a while, Qi Yun patted Ye Jiao's back: "It's still early, let me show you the profits from this trip."

Ye Jiao remained unmoved: "You knowing is enough, you don't need to tell me."

"That won't do. My wife is my chief steward, in charge of the money. Whatever I earn naturally needs to be handed over to you for peace of mind." As Qi Yun spoke, he released Ye Jiao and got up, fetching the box he had brought and pulling over a low table to place the box on top.

Ye Jiao also sat up, watching him and asking: "Usually don't these things need to go through the household first?"

"Those are shop accounts. Shops are family property, so they naturally need to give a fixed amount from the profits to the family. But this merchant caravan was funded by the one above, with me providing the effort. When we make money, we two split the accounts, it has nothing to do with the family." As he spoke, Qi Yun pushed the box toward Ye Jiao. "Everything in here is the profit from this trip, take a look."

Ye Jiao opened the box, and after lifting the lid, felt her eyes dazzled.

Squinting her eyes and moving the candle farther away, she could finally see what was inside.

Then Ye Jiao couldn't help but cover her mouth: "This is gold?"

Qi Yun smiled: "Besides gold, there are also gemstones, all priceless things." As he spoke, he took out a round black gemstone. "This one alone is worth ten thousand strings of cash."

Ye Jiao had never really had much concept of money, but seeing so many glittering objects together, it was hard not to take notice.

However, from the moment she started managing money for Qi Yun, even though Ye Jiao had never spent freely, she knew these things couldn't be casually displayed and needed to be carefully stored.

She hurriedly took the gemstone from Qi Yun's hand and threw it back into the box, then closed the box and said to Qi Yun: "This needs to be stored safely, add a lock?"

Qi Yun was amused by her caution.

However, Qi Yun didn't add a lock. Instead, he placed the box to one side, moved the low table away, and embraced Ye Jiao, saying slowly: "This is just the beginning. Money can sustain oneself but cannot protect oneself. If we want to protect ourselves, I still have many things to do in the future."

Ye Jiao didn't ask what he would do in the future, but thought of the large wagons she had seen earlier and couldn't help saying: "What's loaded on those wagons?"

Qi Yun never hid anything from her, and this time was no different: "Those wagons are loaded with things that are very cheap in barbarian lands, animal hides, native medicinal herbs, and many food crops they grow there. After all, people living in this world cannot escape clothing, food, housing, and transportation. Doing business in these areas will never result in losses."

There was another thing Qi Yun didn't say.

Regardless of whether Emperor Chu Chengyun acknowledged it or not, this merchant caravan expedition was registered with Emperor Chu Chengyun.

Since the current emperor knew about this matter, Qi Yun couldn't be too ruthless in his dealings, even in trade he had to show restraint.

These gemstones and gold and silver were from routine exchanges, not deliberate acquisitions. But those furs and grains were all things that could benefit the common people. Even if Emperor Chu Chengyun questioned it later, he would only know that Second Young Master Qi worked for country and people, unwilling to compete for profit, which would naturally be good.

Meanwhile, Ye Jiao was cupping her face and looking at him with focused attention.

Qi Yun couldn't help but stop speaking and asked with a smile: "Why is my wife looking at me?"

Little Ginseng blinked: "I always feel that when husband talks about these things, you look particularly handsome."

Being so directly praised by his wife, even Qi Yun's ears turned red.

He coughed lightly and forcibly changed the subject: "Now that we have spare money, we can't just keep it on hand. Money left in hand will sooner or later bring trouble, better to spend it early."

But this question sounded rather bewildering to Ye Jiao's ears.

If it were just 50 strings of cash or a bank note, Ye Jiao would naturally know how to spend it.

But now it was a whole box of gold and gemstones. Little Ginseng felt her time as a human had been too short and she really didn't know what to do, so she could only ask Qi Yun: "How to spend it?"

Qi Yun reached out to pinch Ye Jiao's earlobe, feeling that his wife was indeed different from others.

Other people always worried about earning money, but only his wife, having obtained money, didn't know how to spend it. She was quite frugal and thrifty, the most virtuous possible.

Qi Yun thought for a moment and asked: "Then, what does my wife like?"

Ye Jiao answered without thinking: "I like you."

Second Young Master Qi's ears turned even redder, but his face maintained a serious expression: "Jiao Niang, we're discussing spending money now, don't keep saying such things."

But in his heart, Second Young Master Qi hoped Ye Jiao would say more, even just one more word, and he would have reason to lose control.

But Little Ginseng obediently stopped talking and just thought again, remembering their conversation in the carriage. Ye Jiao said: "Then I quite like flowers and plants."

Qi Yun felt regretful in his heart, but his face showed a smile: "That's good, then we'll buy flowers and plants."

Ye Jiao couldn't help but tug at his sleeve: "The flower beds in our home courtyard are already full, there's nowhere to put new ones."

Qi Yun then lowered his head to kiss Ye Jiao's smooth forehead, saying softly: "What I mean is, don't you really like the flowers and plants on this mountain? Then I'll buy this mountain, and then we can see whatever we want."

Buy a mountain?

You can buy mountains?

Ye Jiao stared at him blankly. Qi Yun took the opportunity to kiss the corner of her mouth, saying softly: "Do you like it?"

"I like it."

"If you like it, then we'll buy it."

And the response to him was Ye Jiao's soft arms and lips carrying the fragrance of osmanthus flowers.

It seemed his Jiao Niang had secretly eaten osmanthus cakes again tonight. Qi Yun thought as he deepened the kiss.

Before long, the candle was blown out. After a rustle of movement in the room, came a woman's soft voice with a hint of breathlessness: "Liar, you just said you were tired."

Responding to her was a voice filled with laughter: "Being tired depends on the matter. When it concerns Jiao Niang, I'm not tired."

"...Then you still made me massage your back, now I'm tired."

"Don't worry, wife just lie there. Let your husband do the tiring work, alright?"

When they went down the mountain the next day, Ye Jiao sat in the carriage massaging Qi Yun's waist while saying: "After we return, I have to accompany Mother to burn incense. You can eat lunch with Xu Bao."

Qi Yun responded with an "mm."

Ye Jiao continued massaging his waist and couldn't help saying: "How about next time, husband, you lie down properly and I'll do the tiring work?"

Qi Yun wanted to refuse, after all this involved his dignity, and he didn't want to admit it.

But suddenly thinking of that scene, the words of refusal that hadn't yet left his mouth were swallowed back.

Second Young Master Qi looked at Little Ginseng and agreed.

Ye Jiao looked at Qi Yun's reddened cheeks with some bewilderment, really unable to imagine what her husband was thinking about.

After returning to the Qi family home and resting briefly, Ye Jiao changed clothes and went out, accompanying Liu Shi and Fang Shi to the temple.

However, after getting out of the carriage, Liu Shi frowned slightly.

Fang Shi looked in the same direction and couldn't help saying: "What a coincidence."

Ye Jiao also looked over and saw a carriage not far away, with a mother and daughter getting out. They looked unfamiliar to Ye Jiao, who didn't recognize them.

Fang Shi said in a low voice: "That's the Lu family matriarch Lady Wu, and the other one is probably the Lu family daughter."