Lady of Fortune, Jiao Niang

Chapter 112

The cane beater used for beating quilts was very hard, large, and Little Su had specifically chosen the biggest one to hold. Just swinging it made whooshing sounds that were frightening to hear.

When Fang Cao was splashed with rice ball soup all over her face, she was already stunned. Then Little Su struck her head and body with the beater. She could only cover her head and dodge, not hearing clearly what Little Su was saying.

The places on her body that were hit hurt terribly. Fang Cao cried out in pain, shouting "help."

The result was one person shouting to catch thieves and another shouting for help. When the servants outside heard the commotion and ran in with lanterns, they saw Little Su panting and supporting herself with the cane beater, kicking the trembling person on the ground.

Beating people was also physical work. At least Little Su felt her arms hurt from the beating and would need a good massage later.

Then Little Su looked up at the servants, caught her breath, and said: "Go get rope and tie up this female thief."

The servants could see clearly that the person lying on the ground was dressed like a maid. After all, they'd never seen any thief who wore bright clothes to steal.

But they also knew that Little Su was someone close to Second Young Mistress and was most favored.

If she said it was a thief, then it was a thief. Tying her up couldn't be wrong.

So several servants used rope to tie up Fang Cao securely. Only then did Fang Cao come to her senses, shouting: "I'm not a thief, I'm Fang Cao, my mother works in the small kitchen..."

"What's wrong?"

Before she could finish, she was interrupted by a cold, clear voice.

Everyone looked up to see Qi Yun who had pushed open the door and come out.

Originally, Qi Yun had been looking at account books in the room. When Little Su shouted about catching thieves, he had already heard.

Qi Yun had opened the window to look outside. After seeing everything, he understood what had happened.

Actually, this wasn't the first time someone had tried to attach themselves to him, but this was the first one to make it into the courtyard.

Before, when Qi Yun was in poor health, others would run away when they saw him, so naturally there was no need to worry.

Now Qi Yun had become a desirable bachelor in the eyes of young ladies. Gathering up his wealth, it would probably be enough for ordinary families to live for ten lifetimes. Add his young age, good looks, and simple family situation, quite a few people had their eyes on him.

However, Qi Yun rarely went out, so even if women outside wanted to target him, they had no opportunity.

And this household had always been managed by Liu Shi, with Tie Zi by his side. Even if someone wanted to develop something with him, their intentions would basically be nipped in the bud before any signs appeared.

Now, they had actually encountered someone who snuck in. Qi Yun's first thought was that he needed to reorganize all the servants, attendants, and helping women and maids in the household after a while. Those who should be bought should be bought, and those who should be dismissed should be dismissed.

Then Qi Yun closed the door and went back to looking at account books.

As for the woman outside, Little Su would naturally have ways to deal with her, and it wasn't necessary for him to come forward.

In his heart, Qi Yun was satisfied with Little Su. This child had been inexperienced at first, but now she could protect her masters. She had indeed grown up a lot.

Only when the servants entered the courtyard did Qi Yun put on his fur coat and come out, touching the corner of his mouth to create an expression of displeasure.

Fang Cao, lying on the ground, heard the voice and immediately wanted to cry out her innocence. She had already forgotten her original purpose and just wanted to tell the Young Master she wasn't a thief!

If she was really treated as a thief, even though she hadn't signed an indenture contract, a clean young lady being dragged to the authorities would probably not be able to show her face again.

But Little Su was one step ahead, taking cloth to stuff in her mouth, blocking all of Fang Cao's words.

For Little Su, all her loyalty belonged to Ye Jiao. She might trust Qi Yun, but Little Su always remembered Nanny Liu's words: recognize your own master, and this master was only one person.

The household was managed by Father Qi, but Nanny Liu followed Liu Shi. So anything bad for Liu Shi, even if it went against Father Qi's wishes, Nanny Liu would still argue back.

Little Su was the same. Even though she believed in her heart that Qi Yun wouldn't be attracted to this woman, Little Su wouldn't give Fang Cao any opportunity.

These things that would ruin Second Young Mistress's good life should be eliminated early.

But Qi Yun didn't look at them. Instead, he went to the bedroom first.

Ye Jiao had actually heard the commotion outside, but the small room and bedroom were separated by half a courtyard. In winter, windows and doors were tightly closed, so Ye Jiao hadn't heard Little Su's shouts clearly.

It wasn't until the servants came in with lanterns and there was light outside that Ye Jiao noticed something was wrong.

She was planning to go out and see, when Qi Yun entered first.

Seeing him, Ye Jiao reached out her hand. Qi Yun quickly stepped forward and held his wife in his arms.

However, after just one hug, Ye Jiao pushed him away: "It's prickly."

Only then did Qi Yun notice he was wearing his black fur coat. Although it was warm and impressive, the fur on it was somewhat hard and a bit cool.

The man took off the fur coat and sat down by the bed again.

Ye Jiao looked outside: "What's all the noise in the courtyard?"

Qi Yun touched Ye Jiao's hair and smiled: "A maid broke in and was caught by Little Su. It's nothing serious. Did it disturb you?"

Ye Jiao shook her head and touched her stomach: "I'm very hungry."

Qi Yun leaned over to kiss the corner of Ye Jiao's mouth, saying softly: "Wait a bit more. I'll have someone bring you rice balls."

Ye Jiao was somewhat surprised: "How did husband know I wanted to eat rice ball soup?"

Because that woman's face and body were covered with it, it would be hard not to see.

And it was red bean filling too.

But Qi Yun didn't say this. He didn't want these people to disturb Ye Jiao's peace. He just went to get that copy of "Elementary Learning" for Ye Jiao to read for entertainment, trimmed the candle wick to make the room brighter, then put on his fur coat again and went out.

By now, Little Su had finally caught her breath. Her eyes were still glaring fiercely at Fang Cao, but she was thinking that this physical work of beating people was much more tiring than embroidery. Next time she should find someone else to do it.

If Brother Tie Zi were here, with his strength, he could just carry her and throw her out. Wouldn't that be cleaner?

Seeing Qi Yun come out, Little Su immediately said: "Second Young Master, I'll kick her out right now."

But Qi Yun raised his hand for Little Su to wait, then said to a servant woman: "Tell the small kitchen to cook another bowl of rice balls and add some osmanthus honey."

"Yes."

After the servant woman left, Qi Yun walked down the steps in a few strides and stood in front of Fang Cao.

In Fang Cao's eyes, Qi Yun had now become her hope.

Actually, Qi Yun had never spoken to her, let alone had any contact. After Fang Cao entered Qi Yun's courtyard, she had always been helping her mother in the small kitchen. She had only seen Qi Yun from a distance twice, and that was all.

But after being severely dealt with by Little Su, Fang Cao's naturally submissive character had gained some anger.

Little Su was young and looked very ordinary, appearing thin like a bean sprout. She had no feminine charm at all, and even her features were unremarkable.

Fang Cao was different. Her parents had always intended to marry her to their master. Initially they had aimed for Eldest Young Master Qi Zhao, thinking of getting her in as a concubine. Recently, seeing Qi Yun gaining power, they shifted targets, thinking being Second Young Master's concubine had more prospects.

Even if she wasn't sent to the master as a concubine, they were prepared to send her to other wealthy families as a concubine, so they had always pampered her.

Otherwise, how would an ordinary tenant farmer's daughter have such a good figure? You could tell just by looking that she hadn't done hard work, or Little Su wouldn't have spotted her immediately in the small kitchen.

Fang Cao had also been raised to be petty. She only saw this one way out and no longer knew how to live honestly. Young as she was, she had no idea how difficult it was to be someone's concubine nowadays. She only knew the benefits her parents had told her about, but knew nothing about being beaten, scolded, or sold.

Fang Cao had been confused when Little Su beat her, but now that she'd recovered, she began to feel wronged, then angry.

In terms of looks and figure, although she wasn't outstanding, she wasn't bad either. Second Young Master would definitely like her. But being beaten up by the bean sprout-like Little Su made Fang Cao's teeth ache with anger.

While Qi Yun was in the bedroom comforting Ye Jiao, all Fang Cao could think about were her mother's words.

Yes, as long as Second Young Master took a fancy to her, why would she have to suffer Little Su's attitude?

So when Qi Yun stood in front of Fang Cao, she tried hard to signal him with her eyes. Although her mouth was stuffed and she couldn't speak, she tried to remember what her mother had taught her, tilting her head slightly to look prettier.

But Fang Cao had obviously forgotten about the rice balls from before. As she turned her head, half a broken rice ball conveniently rolled down her cheek.

Even though Little Su was filled with righteous indignation, she couldn't help wanting to laugh at this moment, but felt she shouldn't laugh, so she held it in until her face turned red.

Qi Yun remained completely calm. He looked at her, then turned to Little Su and said: "Next time you make rice balls, don't just make red bean ones. Also make some black sesame ones. Jiao Niang likes them."

Little Su changed from her previous fierceness to being particularly obedient in front of Qi Yun, nodding and agreeing properly.

Fang Cao was somewhat confused, obviously not understanding what this random comment meant.

Qi Yun looked at Fang Cao calmly and said coolly: "Take the cloth out of her mouth. I have questions for her."

A servant immediately pulled the cloth from her mouth. Having been gagged for a long time, her jaw was somewhat sore, but she still tried to soften her voice: "Second Young Master, I'm not a thief..."

Qi Yun neither nodded nor shook his head, just asked: "What's your name?"

Hearing this, Fang Cao's eyes lit up. She immediately raised her face and said: "Replying to Second Young Master, my name is Fang Cao."

Qi Yun's voice was flat. The lantern's dim yellow light made his face appear light and dark, unreadable: "Full name."

"Li, Li Fang Cao."

Qi Yun didn't look at her but turned to ask a nearby servant woman: "Does anyone know her family?"

A servant woman came forward: "Second Young Master, I know her. The Li family woman in the small kitchen is her mother, and her eldest son seems to be a minor steward on the estate."

Qi Yun raised his eyebrows slightly, understanding the situation in his heart.

Every New Year, besides giving year-end bonuses to the stewards, they also had to reassign steward positions.

Qi Yun's shop stewards and managers each had their own duties and abilities, so they were rarely transferred. At most, they might be reassigned if someone was too old or made serious mistakes. Otherwise, changes were rare.

But Qi Zhao's estate was different. Inside, the head steward naturally managed the estate's money and accounts, with many minor stewards under him managing tenants and farming. These minor stewards often changed.

Now it seemed this girl had come forward mostly because her parents wanted to help their son, which was why they had pushed their daughter forward.

However, Qi Yun was somewhat different from ordinary men.

There were many instances of girls wanting to attach themselves to him, and men weren't fools. When perfectly good unmarried girls deliberately stuck to them, their intentions were obvious.

But for some people, they wouldn't refuse meat delivered to their door. At worst, after eating they'd take her as a concubine, then act wronged, saying the woman had done it deliberately and it had nothing to do with them, that they were just deceived.

But Second Young Master Qi had never considered such things. If he was a wolf, then Ye Jiao was the only meat in his eyes, and everything else was grass.

Qi Yun looked at Fang Cao again and said coolly: "The name is quite nice," but before Fang Cao could be happy, he continued, "but her eyes seem problematic, probably diseased."

Fang Cao: ...

The servants standing nearby, many of whom had families, couldn't help their eyebrows twitching.

Was Second Young Master really clueless or pretending? This was someone throwing flirtatious glances, and he called it diseased.

However, Fang Cao's current appearance, with red and white patches on her face, looked rather disturbing no matter what she did.

Qi Yun continued: "Send her to Nanny Liu. Tell Nanny Liu that I think her eyesight is poor, probably some hereditary disease in their family. Drive them out to prevent these messy ailments from infecting others."

At these words, Fang Cao felt everything go black.

Her family were tenants of the Qi family but hadn't signed indenture contracts. Theoretically, they could stay or leave freely. But now all the good farmland in the area belonged to the Qi family. They had spent everything to get her brother to the position of minor steward, and now they were all being driven away together?

The whole family would be driven out to drink the northwest wind!

Fang Cao finally abandoned her fantasies and cried out to beg Qi Yun for mercy. Little Su quickly stuffed the cloth back in to block all sound. Seeing Qi Yun look at her, Little Su replied quietly: "I was afraid she'd disturb Second Young Mistress's rest."

Qi Yun nodded: "Well done. Go collect your reward money later." Then Qi Yun looked at everyone, his voice calm: "Little Su, find out who brought her in and drive them out together."

Little Su agreed, her face serious. Obviously, she also wanted to sweep out anything that might disgust her Second Young Mistress.

But Qi Yun's expression remained unchanged, even becoming somewhat gentler than before: "Since this concerns the courtyard, and Jiao Niang is currently inconvenienced, Little Su, you need to remember these things clearly."

Little Su didn't speak, just stood straight and listened to what Qi Yun would say.

Then she heard the man say word by word: "In the future, when you encounter these types with improper intentions, not only drive them out but also get their names clear. For those who throw themselves forward, if they've signed contracts, sell them; if they haven't, make them leave. Catch one, and I'll reward you once. Remember?"

Little Su immediately looked up and replied cheerfully: "Yes, Young Master!" Then she looked at Fang Cao.

Previously, Little Su had found this person annoying, but now she felt she'd become a big copper coin. Little Su smiled with curved eyes.

The servants who had just thought Qi Yun didn't understand romance immediately felt chills down their backs.

Their Second Young Master wasn't oblivious at all; he clearly saw through everything. Even though they hadn't let Fang Cao in, if this happened again, they'd probably suffer the consequences too.

Everyone quickly bowed their heads in agreement, then rapidly dragged the rice ball-scented Fang Cao away. Servant women came to clean the ground, and soon the courtyard was quiet again.

Little Su ran to the small kitchen to bring another bowl of rice balls and gave them to Qi Yun. When Qi Yun entered the bedroom, he was smiling. He held the bowl and fed Ye Jiao one by one, then coaxed her to sleep with gentle words, never mentioning what had just happened.

Fang Cao was taken to Nanny Liu, which essentially meant she was handed over to Liu Shi.

Liu Shi decisively drove their entire family out. She saw more clearly than Qi Yun. For a girl Fang Cao's age to dare do such things, she was probably coaxed by her parents to be a concubine, but they were actually scheming for their son. Fang Cao was certainly at fault, but there probably wasn't a single good person in their family.

Liu Shi would show no mercy to anyone who wanted to disturb their family's peace.

Ye Jiao didn't know the household had lost people. She only noticed that recently the sand cakes tasted different.

However, they were softer, more glutinous, and sweeter than before, which was actually good for Little Ginseng.

This day she was holding sand cakes made by the new cook, reading while putting them in her mouth.

Xu Bao was lying beside Ye Jiao's leg, looking at her expectantly.

But these sand cakes weren't like the milk cakes Xu Bao liked to eat, which weren't easy to digest. So when Xu Bao was watching her, Ye Jiao sped up and ate all the remaining sand cakes.

Seeing there was nothing to eat, Xu Bao hugged Ye Jiao's leg somewhat pitifully and called out: "Mother loves Xu Bao!"

Ye Jiao didn't know where he had learned these words. He had probably remembered them when Liu Shi and Fang Shi were playing with him.

However, Xu Bao's voice was soft and sounded sweet. Ye Jiao smiled and reached out to pull him into her arms, pinching his chubby face: "Good, mama will hug Xu Bao, okay?"

Who knew Xu Bao would shake his head.

Ye Jiao was somewhat surprised: "No hugs anymore?"

Xu Bao raised his chubby face and said to Ye Jiao: "Daddy said no hugging." Then the little chubby one sat there thinking for a while and continued: "Mother's belly has Xu Bao, Xu Bao be good."

Ye Jiao: ...

Little Ginseng was somewhat confused, not quite understanding what her son meant.

Just then, Little Su came in: "Second Young Mistress, First Young Mistress is here. She wants to discuss adding staff outside the courtyard."