Lady of Fortune, Jiao Niang

Chapter 119

What Little Su mentioned was something Xu Bao had never seen or heard of before.

The moisture that hadn't yet formed in his eyes slightly dispersed. Xu Bao looked up and said quietly: "Kite?"

"Yes, it can fly and makes sounds too."

Xu Bao wasn't actually hungry. He had just been a bit upset earlier. Now hearing about something new, he became happy and nodded repeatedly: "Good, want to see kite!"

The next day, Ye Jiao saw Little Su bring over a kite.

It had a whistle and patterns on it, but what was most eye-catching were several long black tail feathers attached to it.

Ye Jiao couldn't help asking: "Did Little Black cause trouble again?"

Little Su nodded heavily, then assured Ye Jiao: "Second Young Mistress, rest assured. This time I'll definitely keep it locked up properly and not let it wander around casually."

After Little Black was plucked this time, it probably wouldn't want to show its face for quite a while either.

But being plucked was better than becoming soup.

Ye Jiao didn't ask more questions. She just smiled and took Xu Bao to the courtyard to watch the kite flying.

The kite decorated with chicken feathers wasn't as graceful as ordinary kites, but fortunately it was symmetrically attached. After flying up, it was quite conspicuous, and Xu Bao watched with great delight.

Xu Bao's enthusiasm for the kite lasted quite a while. For several days in a row, he kept pulling people to fly the kite for him to watch.

Before going to the county magistrate's house for tea, Ye Jiao had Nanny Mo stay home to take care of Xu Bao, while she brought Little Su along with Qi Yun in the carriage to town.

The carriage was lined with soft cushions. For stability, Qi Yun had previously commissioned a special carriage. Even when holding water while sitting inside, you could only see a few ripples, nothing would spill out.

This carriage was quite expensive. Ordinary ones only cost 30 strings of cash, but this one cost a full 100 strings.

But for Qi Yun, everything had to prioritize Ye Jiao's needs first. Money was probably the thing Second Young Master Qi lacked least right now.

Little Ginseng sat in the carriage, unusually not eating anything.

She held a round fan in her hand, gently fanning herself while lifting the curtain on the window to look outside, her face showing a smile.

Qi Yun couldn't help reaching out to embrace Ye Jiao's waist, gently touching her slightly protruding belly, saying softly: "Have you been feeling cooped up recently?"

Ye Jiao never hid anything from him and nodded very straightforwardly: "Yes, I've even counted how many pillars there are in the courtyard corridors."

Qi Yun smiled and leaned his head against her cheek, saying softly: "Then how about this, now that your condition is stable and the flood relief matters are mostly handled, I'll have people tidy up the mountain garden. Once it's ready, we can go live there for a while. How does that sound?"

Ye Jiao's eyes lit up and she immediately nodded.

This had been mentioned before, but various matters had delayed it. Now that it was brought up again, Ye Jiao naturally agreed: "I was just worried that the heavy rain washed away all the medicinal herbs I had just planted. It would be perfect to go take a look."

Qi Yun kissed her without telling Ye Jiao that indeed, they had been washed away.

Their estate had a small stream running through it. Usually it was quite narrow, but when the rain was heavy, it widened, flooding the land on both sides including the half-built bridge. Even now that the water had receded, it had carried away everything on both sides, leaving nothing behind.

However, Qi Yun had people replant the medicinal herbs these past days, trying to follow Ye Jiao's previous arrangements as much as possible. This couldn't have been done without Dong Shi's help, but both of them kept it from Ye Jiao.

Looking down at his wife's eyes curved with laughter, Qi Yun felt that doing anything for her was worthwhile.

When they arrived at the county magistrate's house, Qi Yun got off the carriage first, then stood beside it and extended his hand to help Ye Jiao down.

This scene made countless wives and ladies who had also come to the banquet envious.

However, the two wouldn't be in the same place. Qi Yun had to go to the front hall to meet County Magistrate Shi Tianrui, while Ye Jiao had to go to the back residence.

Fortunately, Dong Shi had been waiting at the entrance. Seeing Ye Jiao arrive, she walked forward and gently took Ye Jiao's arm, looking at Qi Yun and saying: "Second Young Master, don't worry. I'll take good care of Second Young Mistress."

Qi Yun nodded and quietly gave a few instructions before going to the front hall, while Ye Jiao went with Dong Shi toward the back courtyard.

Walking through the corridor, Dong Shi came closer and whispered to Ye Jiao: "I just met County Magistrate Shi's wife, Madam Zheng. She's a very straightforward woman, but Jiao Niang, remember not to ask about her background."

Ye Jiao blinked: "Why?"

Dong Shi lowered her voice further: "I inquired about it. Madam Zheng was originally the daughter of a noble family in the capital, originally betrothed to another wealthy household. But for some unknown reason that family broke the engagement, so she married down to Master Shi. Master Shi was also originally a civilian official in the capital. This time he was demoted and came here to be a small county magistrate. He's probably holding in his anger, so it's best not to ask about their past. Just talk about other things."

Ye Jiao was always straightforward and treated others the same way, but she also knew that being kind to others meant not constantly poking at people's painful spots.

She nodded to remember this and smiled: "It doesn't matter. Anyway, when I go to tea parties or flower banquets, I don't talk much either. This time will probably be the same."

But Dong Shi looked at Ye Jiao silently, wanting to say that the Qi family was different now from before. They had won many hearts and helped the court solve urgent problems. Even though the previous county magistrate had concealed and not reported it, now that they had changed officials, it probably wouldn't be easily overlooked.

This time inviting others was probably just a pretense. What the Shi family couple really wanted to invite were only Second Young Master and Second Young Mistress.

However, before Dong Shi could explain clearly to Ye Jiao, they had already exited the corridor and reached the back courtyard hall.

At this moment the sun was just right, with sunlight slanting down. It was neither hot enough to be irritating nor cold enough to be bleak, everything looked warm and pleasant.

When Ye Jiao walked over, she saw the women sitting in the hall talking.

Among them, some Ye Jiao recognized, and some she didn't. Fortunately, she didn't need to greet each one individually. Not knowing their names didn't matter.

She didn't recognize others, but everyone recognized her. Seeing Ye Jiao enter, they all stood up to greet her.

Ye Jiao's belly was slightly protruding. She only nodded lightly as a return greeting, then wanted to sit in the back.

"Madam Ye, please sit beside me." At this time, a woman in bright clothing sitting in the main seat stood up and smiled at Ye Jiao.

Dong Shi whispered: "That's Madam Zheng." Then she released Ye Jiao's hand.

Little Ginseng thought for a moment, then brought Little Su over and walked to Madam Zheng. Her face showed the dignified and gracious manner she had learned from Liu Shi: "Madam, I hope you are well."

Madam Zheng smiled and reached out to gently grasp Ye Jiao's hand, helping her sit down before saying: "You're pregnant, so there's no need for so much ceremony." Then Madam Zheng said to her maid: "Bring Madam Ye a cup of clear water. She can't drink these tea soups now."

The maid responded and went to change the cup. Ye Jiao smiled lightly and thanked Madam Zheng.

After this display, Dong Shi, sitting not far away, marveled inwardly, thinking that Jiao Niang had truly learned well, and the mistress had taught her well too. She could actually resist reaching for the pastries until now, which was truly remarkable.

At this moment, Ye Jiao heard someone laugh and chat with her: "We were just saying, Second Mistress is now pregnant and looks so blessed."

Then someone picked up the conversation: "Exactly, the Qi family's previous charitable acts are known to everyone. They've naturally accumulated merit."

But among these compliments, a voice spoke up: "I'm afraid our county magistrate's wife should be thanking Second Mistress Qi."

As soon as these words were spoken, no one else opened their mouths.

These words sounded good but weren't pleasant to hear.

Actually, everyone present wasn't blind or deaf. They all knew that the previous county magistrate and deputy magistrate had suddenly lost their positions and been dismissed, probably not unrelated to their response to flood relief.

Even though the Qi family hadn't received any commendation, the fact that the Qi family's actions had indirectly brought down two officials was actually no longer a secret.

But bringing this up so openly seemed to praise Ye Jiao on the surface, but actually poked through the window paper, making the county magistrate thank a commoner. If they said this didn't have provocative intent, probably no one would believe it.

But Ye Jiao didn't take it to heart. She didn't even look at that person, just held her cup and drank water.

Tasting a sweet flavor in it, she knew honey had been added. She drank a few more sips and smiled at Madam Zheng: "This tastes good, but if you dissolve it in warm water instead of brewing it directly with hot water, it would taste even better."

Madam Zheng immediately had someone do as she suggested. When she turned her head, her smile was gone, and her phoenix eyes looked coldly toward where the voice had come from.

After all, this was her own banquet as hostess. She couldn't let people disturb it.

After recognizing the person, Madam Zheng said coolly: "Madam Shao, since you know Second Mistress Qi's condition is precious, please say less and let her have some peace."

Then Madam Zheng continued to smile as she had people taste the newly served refreshments and had someone set up arrow throwing for entertainment. The somewhat cooled atmosphere quickly became lively again.

Although Ye Jiao couldn't participate, she watched their games with interest, tasting the county magistrate's refreshments, and had quite a pleasant time.

Madam Zhu, who had been rendered speechless by Madam Zheng's retort, blushed and clutched her handkerchief without speaking again, though her expression showed some indignation.

Her husband's family name was Shao. They were indeed a merchant family, but the Shao family had a cousin who was a prefect. Regardless of how distant the relation, it was still family, and Prefect Shao had given the Shao family many benefits, so naturally they prospered.

In the past, the Shao family had been prominent figures in this area. With Prefect Shao's position secure, they were secure too, firmly holding onto the title of the area's foremost wealthy family.

But now this rock-solid position was about to be taken by the Qi family!

Actually, last time they had tried to use intermediaries to intimidate the Qi family, but the message never even reached them before being blocked.

Later, when the flood occurred, Prefect Shao told the Shao family to contribute some silver to at least gain a good reputation, but the Shao family was too stingy to give a penny. As a result, the Qi family contributed money and grain, greatly stealing their thunder.

In others' eyes, it was the Shao family being stingy, but in the Shao family's view, the Qi family had stolen their benefits!

Previously, Madam Zhu wouldn't have cared about such tea parties organized by county magistrates. If it weren't for this county magistrate having some background and being newly appointed, she probably wouldn't have come at all.

But she did come, only to find she couldn't sit in the seat beside the county magistrate's wife, and had to watch that young Ye Jiao take it instead. How could she be satisfied?

Feeling frustrated, she showed it on her face. Though Madam Zhu still socialized with the ladies around her, she kept rolling her eyes toward the main seat.

But she was unlucky to encounter Ye Jiao, who completely ignored outsiders, and the deep-thinking Madam Zheng, so her eye-rolling was like throwing glances at the blind.

Madam Zheng smiled and chatted with Ye Jiao.

Conversations between women usually revolved around those few topics: husbands, children, family background, never escaping these circles.

But Madam Zheng didn't want to talk about these. Her family background was good, but the price of a good family background was being inexplicably rejected by an even better family. Although Madam Zheng still had connections in the capital, she didn't want to discuss it much now.

Her husband Shi Tianrui was good, but it wasn't appropriate for women in the inner quarters to discuss county magistrates.

As for children, Madam Zheng only had a daughter who was still young and sickly, often ill, and wasn't good to dwell on.

Fortunately, Madam Zheng was clever and had prepared game items and several pots of beautiful flowers early on, so there was always something to talk about.

Madam Zheng had inquired early that Ye Jiao had planted many medicinal flowers at home, thinking she must be someone who cherished flowers, so she brought out several of her favorite pots.

After all, as a county magistrate's wife, maintaining good relations with local gentry and wealthy families was essential. Even though Madam Zheng came from a noble family, now that she was married to Shi Tianrui, she followed her husband's lead and naturally worked harder in this area, thinking of her husband in everything.

But when those delicate and beautiful flowerpots were brought up, Ye Jiao glanced at them once, thought they looked nice, but had no other interest.

For Ye Jiao, what she liked were medicinal herbs, and what she treasured was Qi Yun's health, not flowers.

There were many beautiful ones at home too, but she had mostly moved or pushed them aside without feeling sorry about it.

Seeing she wasn't interested, Madam Zheng didn't mind. Instead, she talked with Ye Jiao about the refreshments.

Little Ginseng was particularly fond of this topic and showed some genuine smiles toward Madam Zheng.

Madam Zheng was indeed calculating, but that was forced out of her in noble families. Deep down she was straightforward and generous, and what she liked most were people she could see through completely.

One had intentions of building connections, the other followed her heart completely. They chatted quite pleasantly, and Madam Zheng took the opportunity to change her form of address, calling her Jiao Niang, showing their close relationship.

When the tea party ended, Madam Zheng left arm in arm with Ye Jiao.

However, in Madam Zheng's heart, she was thinking more about how much benefit the Qi family could bring to her husband, with her own calculations. Even though she liked Ye Jiao's temperament, her true feelings were mixed with some deliberate intent.

Most of the guests had dispersed. Only Dong Shi followed them as they continued discussing "five ways to eat sand cakes" along the way. But when passing through an archway, Ye Jiao's steps paused slightly, her eyes looking straight at a flower cluster with some surprise.

Seeing that Ye Jiao seemed to like it, Madam Zheng smiled and asked: "Which plant has caught Jiao Niang's eye?"

Ye Jiao wiped the corner of her mouth with her handkerchief, looking at a pure white, flawless flower in the cluster, and asked softly: "May I ask what flower this is?"

Madam Zheng glanced at it and smiled lightly: "This is Buddha orchid. Because the flowers look like Buddha sitting in meditation, it got this name. My daughter likes it most." Her voice paused, then Madam Zheng said to Ye Jiao: "If Jiao Niang likes it, taking a pot wouldn't be impossible."

But Ye Jiao looked at Madam Zheng, hesitated for a moment, then said: "I'm afraid I cannot take it."

Madam Zheng was surprised: "Why?"

Ye Jiao looked at Madam Zheng again and said softly: "This flower has fierce toxicity and shouldn't be approached lightly."