Lady of Fortune, Jiao Niang

Chapter 12

Qi Yun hadn't noticed that on his way to the study, Ye Jiao had been following far behind.

The little ginseng still felt somewhat uneasy. Her husband's health wasn't just ordinary minor ailments, but congenital deficiency from birth. If not careful, small illnesses could become serious ones.

Although when she felt his pulse, the internal heat in Qi Yun's body had mostly dissipated, Ye Jiao still couldn't completely relax, so she followed behind to watch.

From Qi Yun's courtyard to the study required passing through a small garden. Ye Jiao stood by the garden's archway, poking her head out to watch. Only after seeing Qi Yun enter did she turn to go back.

With this turn, she saw Fang Shi holding little Shi Tou and smiling at her.

The sun was good today, so Fang Shi had brought her son, bundled up like a little dumpling, out for a walk. Standing in the garden, she happened to see Qi Yun with a little tail.

Fang Shi found it amusing but didn't approach to greet them.

No one in this household wasn't afraid of Qi Yun, and Fang Shi was the same. Although she usually treated Qi Yun with the kindness befitting an elder sister-in-law, most of the time she avoided him when possible.

Only after Qi Yun entered the study did Fang Shi come out and encounter Ye Jiao face to face.

Ye Jiao stopped walking and smiled: "Elder sister-in-law."

Fang Shi also nodded at her, while Shi Tou directly waved at Ye Jiao: "Second Aunt!"

The child's voice sounded especially clear. Dressed in layers, his little round body swayed slightly, making Ye Jiao think he looked just like the pandas who used to come chat with her.

All round and plump, looking so lovable.

But Ye Jiao only touched his hair and didn't pick him up.

The little ginseng had held him before, but after just having him in her arms for less than half a cup of tea's time, little Shi Tou had complained of being hot. Since then, Ye Jiao no longer casually held him or got too close to others.

Her husband had a weak constitution, so she could stay close as long as she didn't overdo it, and they'd be fine.

But if it were someone else, never mind energetic little children, even healthy ordinary people might get nosebleeds if the little ginseng held them too much.

What was that phrase the little fox often said...

Oh right, "made for each other", wasn't that exactly describing her and her husband?

Fang Shi didn't notice Ye Jiao's wandering thoughts. She bounced her son and smiled at Ye Jiao: "Little sister-in-law, did you come to see Second Brother?"

Ye Jiao nodded: "Mm."

"Why didn't you go in?" Fang Shi glanced toward the study.

Ye Jiao answered honestly: "Husband has things to do. I'll just go back and wait for him."

Fang Shi guessed that Ye Jiao was worried about Qi Yun and had followed him, but she didn't point it out. After all, everyone knew Second Brother's poor health, but saying it outright wouldn't be good.

People were more or less superstitious. Unpleasant words were better left unsaid.

It was cold outside, so the two sisters-in-law didn't talk much. Fang Shi went back to her courtyard with Shi Tou first.

After Fang Shi had gone far away, Ye Jiao remembered that she seemed to have forgotten to say goodbye to Fang Shi properly. Although she had spoken, she hadn't performed the farewell gesture she had just learned.

The little ginseng's face showed some regret. She glanced toward the study again before turning back to the courtyard.

When Fang Shi returned to her room carrying her child, she looked extremely pleased.

As soon as she entered, she saw Qi Zhao drinking tea.

Fang Shi was somewhat surprised: "Eldest, why did you come back so early today?"

Qi Zhao was the eldest, unlike Second Brother's weakness or Third Brother's scholarly air. Qi Zhao's skin was somewhat darker, making him look especially robust, and he spoke with a straightforward manner: "The estate manager's leg hurts. His leg always aches before wind and rain. I came back to pack things. If it rains, I'll need to stay at the estate for several days to keep an eye on them."

Hearing this, Fang Shi felt distressed and quickly handed Shi Tou to him, going herself to prepare clothes for Eldest Master Qi, saying: "Why can't the managers handle these things? Why must you personally see to everything?"

Qi Zhao played with his son, answering casually: "Second Brother's health isn't good, Third Brother is studying, so estate matters can only be handled by me. Although our family has shops, we still depend more on the estate's harvest. I should be diligent about it."

Fang Shi had originally felt sorry for him, but hearing Qi Zhao's words, her heart filled with pride, and she began chattering: "Yes, you must do well with the estate matters. Don't let Father and Mother find fault."

Qi Zhao just thought Fang Shi was advising him and nodded in agreement, not knowing Fang Shi had other plans in her heart.

She was originally a scholar's daughter. Even though as a woman she hadn't formally attended academy, many concepts were deeply ingrained.

Even though the current court encouraged commerce and merchants had no worries, even being able to buy official positions with money if they became successful, Fang Shi still looked down on it in her heart.

The family's shops were given to Qi Yun, true, but what was good about that? They hardly made money. How could they compare to her eldest son's estate?

Besides, with Second Brother's physical condition... giving them to him was wasted anyway.

But Fang Shi wouldn't say these things now. She had mentioned it to Qi Zhao before, which had made him unhappy, telling her not to damage their brotherhood. So Fang Shi stopped saying such things, though she kept thinking about them.

The more she thought, the happier she became. Comparison bred satisfaction.

Just now she had been reluctant about Qi Zhao going to the estate, but now Fang Shi eagerly helped pack his things.

At this moment, Ye Jiao, who Fang Shi had been gossiping about, sat in a bamboo chair wrapped in a jacket, looking at the sky and saying softly: "It's going to rain, isn't it?"

Little Su looked up but couldn't tell.

Ye Jiao had watched clouds roll and unfurl for a thousand years. Even though she was now an ordinary person without cultivation or magical abilities, she could tell from just looking up at subtle weather changes.

Autumn rain was common, but Ye Jiao remembered that Qi Yun hadn't brought an umbrella.

Standing up from the bamboo chair, Ye Jiao took an oiled paper umbrella and prepared to go to the study to meet him.

Just then, Qi Yun stepped through the courtyard gate, and the two collided!

Qi Yun hadn't expected to encounter his hurried little wife as soon as he entered, and was knocked back two steps. After steadying himself, he reached out to support her, asking in surprise: "Jiao Niang, what's wrong with you?"

Little Su, seeing Qi Yun, ran away like a mouse seeing a cat, disappearing through the side door in an instant.

Ye Jiao had been holding the umbrella, which fell to the ground when they collided.

But with Qi Yun holding her waist, she couldn't pick it up and could only look up at Qi Yun first: "It's going to rain. I came to meet you."

Qi Yun patted her back, smiling: "Thank you for thinking of me, Jiao Niang. Next time just have Little Su or Tie Zi bring one."

"Alright." Ye Jiao agreed, but her eyes looked behind Qi Yun.

In the distance stood a person who looked somewhat aged, with many wrinkles on his face, dressed respectably, holding something and looking at it, laughing as he read, sometimes loud enough for even Ye Jiao to hear.

Qi Yun touched her head, saying quietly: "That's Manager Song from the wine shop."

Ye Jiao pulled him toward the house, asking as they walked: "What's he laughing about?"

Actually, men rarely brought outside matters home to discuss with their wives. Like Qi Zhao, besides some trivial matters he'd tell Fang Shi about, he rarely told her other things, since women couldn't help much and knowing might just add to their worries.

But Qi Yun was happy to tell Ye Jiao: "Our wine shop wants to find ways to make money. As the manager, he's naturally happy."

Ye Jiao blinked: "Will husband be as busy as eldest brother now?"

Qi Yun nodded, entering the house with her and closing the door, saying slowly: "I still need to rest more this year. I won't go out and about until next year. But I'll probably have much less free time than now."

Currently, Qi Yun knew he couldn't personally watch over the shop. With winter approaching, though his health wasn't as precarious as before with constant near-death episodes, he still couldn't handle exertion and needed to stay home.

But compared to previously spending most of his time waiting to die, Qi Yun would certainly have many things to do in the future.

Qi Yun had thought Ye Jiao would cling to him and insist he continue resting quietly. In fact, when Qi Yun had just visited Liu Shi, she had tried hard to dissuade him from exerting himself. Only after Qi Yun made promises did she relent.

Who knew Ye Jiao would actually nod and smile at Qi Yun: "If husband likes it, go do it."

This surprised Qi Yun: "You won't try to persuade me otherwise?"

The little ginseng didn't have many complicated thoughts: "You should do what you like. Besides, you won't be going out. One winter should be enough."

One winter of recuperation, while not completely healing Qi Yun's constitution, should make going out and about feasible.

Moreover, Ye Jiao was nurturing a Stone Sprout Grass plant. Recently seeing its good growth, it should bear fruit next year. With White Rainbow Fruit available then, Ye Jiao wouldn't need to worry about Qi Yun's life being in danger.

Most importantly, Ye Jiao felt that Qi Yun truly wanted to accomplish something.

Though the little ginseng had just become human and was still learning many social customs, her eyes were more perceptive than others.

She could see that when they first met, Qi Yun was lifeless. Even when speaking and laughing, he carried an aura of death, which made Ye Jiao risk curling up in his arms for a whole night, fearing he might just stop breathing.

But these days, when Qi Yun looked through those account books Ye Jiao couldn't understand, the man's eyes were always focused.

No death aura, no gloom, but much more vitality instead.

Since he liked doing it, let him do it. Moreover, in Ye Jiao's heart, her husband was the most knowledgeable person in the world. What he decided couldn't be wrong.

Qi Yun smiled gently: "Thank you, Jiao Niang."

"But you must promise me to take your medicine properly and rest well. If your health still isn't good next year, you must set aside even the most important matters." Ye Jiao pulled him close to make her demands.

Qi Yun knew she cared about him and immediately replied: "Good, I promise."

Even if Ye Jiao hadn't said this, he would have done so anyway. For Jiao Niang's sake, no matter how bitter the medicine, he would drink it all.

Only then did Ye Jiao release him and smile as she went to pour tea.

But Qi Yun stopped her: "Don't busy yourself. I came back to get the account books. I need to talk more with Manager Song later."

"Going to the study?"

"No, since it's going to rain, we'll just talk in the small room next door."

The small room was right next to the bedroom. Ye Jiao didn't plan to follow him there, just tightened the clasps at his collar.

Qi Yun actually didn't know if it would rain, since it still looked clear and sunny, but since his wife said so, he'd listen. Whether right or wrong, in his heart it was always right.

If it really didn't rain, that would just be heaven accidentally forgetting.

Qi Yun went to get the account books and was about to leave when he heard his Jiao Niang's voice: "Husband, wait."

Thinking Ye Jiao had more instructions, Qi Yun immediately turned to listen, but as soon as he turned around, he saw his Jiao Niang standing right in front of him, looking up at him.

Then the woman stood on her tiptoes, seeming to try very hard to make herself taller.

Ye Jiao found it strange. This person clearly had poor health, yet his height was perfectly fine. Looking at those two long legs in the bathtub earlier, they were quite long too.

Hmm, worthy of being her husband, he certainly knew how to grow tall.

Qi Yun was somewhat puzzled but didn't ask, just loosely encircled Ye Jiao with his arms, afraid she might accidentally fall.

Ye Jiao grabbed his front clothing, standing on her toes, but could only barely reach the man's chin.

"Mwah."

This sound was small, but it left Qi Yun frozen in place.

Though Ye Jiao had touched him briefly and moved away, Qi Yun still felt the soft sensation on his chin, the warm feeling, and inexplicably felt his heart beat faster several times.

Ye Jiao was pressing against the man's chest and felt his abnormality through her palm.

The little ginseng began self-reflection. Did just one kiss cause his heart to race? Her husband's body still needed careful nurturing.

Qi Yun instinctively embraced the woman's body, looking down at her, meeting Ye Jiao's bright eyes that seemed to be waiting for praise.

The man worked to calm his breathing, his voice floating: "Jiao Niang, what are you doing?"

Ye Jiao smiled as she looked up at him: "Just doing the same as you. Didn't you just do this before leaving earlier? But you're too tall, I can't reach, I can only reach here."

Qi Yun: ...

Fine, he understood. His wife had misunderstood.

Qi Yun quite liked Ye Jiao's active attitude toward integrating into the family. Her learning attitude was exceptionally proper. Now Qi Yun was only reviewing his own actions, not explaining clearly, causing Jiao Niang to misunderstand.

Fortunately, it wasn't too late to explain this misunderstanding now.

But before Qi Yun could speak, he heard Ye Jiao say: "But I forgot when I saw elder sister-in-law just now. Don't worry, I'll make up for it next time."

Qi Yun: ...

Qi Yun immediately coughed lightly twice. No longer in a hurry to go out, he pulled Ye Jiao to sit at the table, gripping her hand and speaking seriously: "Don't do this anymore in the future."

It was fine with him, but if she did this to Fang Shi or Liu Shi, there would be chaos.

Ye Jiao also sensed something was wrong and asked quietly: "Is it wrong?"

Qi Yun immediately tightened his grip on her fingertips: "It's right, but in the future, only we can do this."

Ye Jiao looked at him without quite understanding.

Qi Yun said solemnly: "We're married."

Being married seemed to provide legitimate justification for everything, and Ye Jiao looked enlightened.

Right, they were married. This wasn't a human habit, but something only married people did. So there were so many rules to follow after marriage. She really didn't know why the little fox was so enthusiastic about getting married.

Qi Yun felt slightly guilty, but all of that disappeared when the little ginseng kissed his face again.

Marriage was truly wonderful.