Lady of Fortune, Jiao Niang

Chapter 120

At these words, Madam Zheng's eyes widened, her mouth opening without speaking.

Dong Shi was stunned for a moment and instinctively looked over as well.

She was particularly devoted to medicinal herbs and had never slackened in studying flowers. Others treated learning medicine and identifying herbs as a means of livelihood, but Dong Shi treated it as a personal hobby. Naturally, their enthusiasm was different.

For Dong Shi, when she heard Ye Jiao mention the Buddha orchid's toxicity, her first reaction was disbelief, since she had never heard of it before.

But soon Dong Shi believed it, because she trusted Ye Jiao completely. Ye Jiao was much more capable than her in identifying medicinal herbs. Dong Shi always had rational doubts but emotional deep trust in her.

Soon, Dong Shi looked toward Madam Zheng, bowed slightly, and said: "Madam, may I go take a look?"

Madam Zheng didn't understand medicine, and Ye Jiao was pregnant, so she was the most suitable person.

Madam Zheng gripped her servant woman's hand tightly, pursing her lips, and nodded to Dong Shi.

Ye Jiao reminded: "Don't touch it with your hands."

Dong Shi smiled at Ye Jiao, then walked forward.

But Ye Jiao's words made Madam Zheng's vision go dark.

Can't touch with hands... her daughter's favorite thing was to stroke the Buddha orchid's petals with her hands, thinking they were pure and flawless. If it was truly poisonous, her daughter's weak constitution had probably found its culprit!

Dong Shi went forward to observe carefully, walked around to look, and lightly sniffed the scent. Her expression changed, and she turned back, asking Madam Zheng: "May I ask if anyone has come into contact with this Buddha orchid?"

Madam Zheng nodded, her face pale.

Ye Jiao gently placed her hand on her slightly protruding belly, looking at Madam Zheng with eyes that remained gentle: "Diarrhea, breathing difficulties, rising body temperature, recurring repeatedly without recovery, is this correct?"

Recalling her daughter's symptoms, Madam Zheng nodded and pressed her lips tightly together: "What Jiao Niang said is exactly right, not a bit off."

Ye Jiao and Dong Shi exchanged glances, seeing confirmation in each other's eyes.

However, although Ye Jiao knew this flower's toxicity, she didn't know enough about flower names in this world, so she didn't continue speaking.

Dong Shi lowered her voice: "This Buddha orchid shares the same origin as the spider lily. Observing its form and smelling its scent, they're almost identical, but the toxicity is probably even more violent than the spider lily's. Just contact can cause reactions."

In other words, this was a poisonous flower. It just had a pure appearance but was actually toxic to the bone.

Ye Jiao had never heard of spider lily, but speaking of this Buddha orchid's toxicity, she said softly: "This flower's poison is easy to resolve as long as the poisoning isn't deep, but one must suffer some hardship."

Dong Shi also nodded: "Doctor Li should have a way. Later have him come to the residence to take a look."

Madam Zheng closed her eyes, steadied herself, and only then released her grip on the servant woman's hand.

Taking two steps forward, Madam Zheng's expression was solemn as she slightly bowed to Ye Jiao and Dong Shi, her voice somewhat hoarse: "The life-saving grace of Jiao Niang and Madam Dong, I dare not forget. I will surely repay it in this lifetime."

Ye Jiao and Dong Shi quickly helped her up and returned the bow, but didn't say much more before heading to the front hall.

After they left, Madam Zheng gripped the servant woman's hand tightly again, gritting her teeth, her face pale, looking like she might faint at any moment.

The servant woman quickly said: "Madam, should we destroy this flower now? And that one in the back courtyard, should we beat her to death now?"

Madam Zheng didn't just want to destroy this flower, she even wanted to burn it all with fire right now! Along with that woman who had harmed her daughter, beat her to death with clubs!

But Madam Zheng knew she couldn't do this, because she was no longer the Second Miss Zheng who could act willfully, but a married woman who had to think of her husband in everything. Only by considering Shi Tianrui more could their future days be better.

Although her daughter being harmed made Madam Zheng's heart feel like it was being cut by knives, she still took two deep breaths and told the servant woman: "No, no one can say anything. Don't even think about writing home to tell father. This matter cannot let my parents know, otherwise inner quarter disputes could easily give others grounds for criticism."

The servant woman was stunned and quickly asked: "Then Madam, are we doing nothing?"

"What should be done will naturally be done, but we can't be rash. Now that my husband has offended important court officials, naturally we must follow rules and regulations for a period. This matter needs planning." Madam Zheng said while supporting herself on the servant woman as she walked toward the back courtyard.

The servant woman didn't understand: "This Buddha orchid was found by that noble concubine in the back courtyard through intermediaries, and she personally had it sent to our young lady. This is clear as day, how to plan?"

Madam Zheng lightly inhaled and exhaled, her voice steady: "A concubine, even if she was previously my husband's cousin, once she becomes a concubine, whether she lives or dies in the future is just a matter of my word. She did such a lowly thing, I have ways to make her life worse than death. But who sent this Buddha orchid isn't important, how to use it is most important."

The servant woman still didn't understand, and Madam Zheng didn't explain.

She wasn't an ordinary woman. She came from a noble family and had seen much of these inner quarter intrigues. But Madam Zheng was steady and deep-thinking. Such methods were beneath her notice. She not only hated the concubine's viciousness but also hated her own negligent oversight that let her daughter suffer.

That delicate and weak noble concubine in the back courtyard was already a dead person, sooner or later. It wasn't a big deal.

But just one concubine's death couldn't fill the hole in Madam Zheng's heart.

That concubine had always been timid and inexperienced. For her to do such a thing, someone must have been instigating behind the scenes. And the Buddha orchid had been sent when they were in the capital, so it was probably done by people in the capital. But now with heaven high and the emperor far away, Madam Zheng didn't have such long reach.

If she wanted revenge, she couldn't let Shi Tianrui be a small official in this small county for life. She had to help Shi Tianrui get promoted and return to the capital early.

Better to throw this matter on those people in the capital, cutting off Shi Tianrui's resolve to die of old age here and forcing him to strive for advancement.

Madam Zheng neither cried nor made a fuss, her thoughts racing as she said quietly: "Go tell my husband I have something to discuss with him."

The servant woman responded and left.

Madam Zheng turned back to look at that Buddha orchid, pure and flawless, white as snow.

Clutching her handkerchief and taking another deep breath, Madam Zheng quickly returned to the back hall to wait for Shi Tianrui's arrival.

In the front hall, Shi Tianrui and Qi Yun seemed to hit it off at first sight.

Originally, Qi Yun's understanding of Shi Tianrui was only from outside rumors of his upright character. If it weren't so, he probably wouldn't have been exiled for offending powerful ministers.

But having actually met him, Qi Yun felt Shi Tianrui's temperament seemed familiar.

It wasn't that his persistent righteousness was familiar, but that kind of wholehearted devotion to the people, pure-hearted nature always reminded Qi Yun of Chu Chengyun when they first met at the tavern.

The same family and country feelings, the same disregard for personal gain and loss, the same... believing whatever was said.

Shi Tianrui had no idea what Qi Yun was thinking. In his view, Qi Yun could be considered a breath of fresh air among these merchants.

Although merchants weren't as discriminated against now as in previous dynasties, merchants pursued profit, and one principle of gentlemanly conduct was not bowing to money. This made many officials unable to tolerate the mercenary smell on merchants.

But Qi Yun gave Shi Tianrui a completely different impression.

The first time Shi Tianrui heard of Qi Yun was because of his generous charitable acts in disaster relief. When they met, he saw a man like a jade tree in the wind, naturally generating goodwill.

People ultimately judge by appearance, regardless of gender.

Combined with Second Young Master Qi's habit of maintaining proper posture and etiquette in front of outsiders, Shi Tianrui found him more and more pleasing to the eye. When the banquet ended, Shi Tianrui specifically kept Qi Yun to say a few more words.

What they discussed was Qi Yun's previous charitable disaster relief and the court's coming commendation: "Before this official took office, what accompanied me was a plaque personally inscribed by His Majesty for you. Now that this official has taken office, I think that plaque should soon reach Prefect Shao's office."

Qi Yun's heart jumped, then he knew this was Chu Chengyun deliberately taking the open route to send it, not just for commendation but probably also for his imperial merchant status.

But on the surface, Qi Yun showed a slightly surprised expression: "Sir, I never sought any commendation..." Then he started to rise and coughed lightly twice.

Shi Tianrui naturally knew Qi Yun's constitution wasn't like ordinary people's. He quickly stood up after Qi Yun rose and reached out to support him, feeling in his heart that this Second Young Master Qi was truly a purely good person. His receiving imperial commendation was not surprising.

Such a good-hearted person would probably be easily bullied by those unscrupulous merchants. He should help and support him in the future.

The young county magistrate's handsome face showed three parts smile as he said gently: "This is imperial grace, and what you deserve. No need to decline."

Qi Yun nodded and bowed to Shi Tianrui.

Shi Tianrui returned the bow. Both men performed their courtesies properly, especially Shi Tianrui, who was simply enchanted with Qi Yun at first sight, wishing he could consider him a close friend.

Just then, a servant woman from Madam Zheng's side hurried in and said a few words to him.

Shi Tianrui's expression changed. Seeing this, Qi Yun appropriately said: "Sir, my wife's condition is inconvenient. I believe she's waiting outside for me to return."

"Second Brother, please go. Don't keep your wife waiting long."

Before leaving, Qi Yun looked back and saw Shi Tianrui hurrying toward the back hall.

As for what had happened, Qi Yun didn't care. After all, it was their family matter and had no connection to him.

But when walking out of the main hall, he saw Shopkeeper Sun, who seemed to be waiting for him not far away.

Seeing Qi Yun come out, Shopkeeper Sun immediately walked over quickly and smiled at Qi Yun: "Second Young Master Qi has gained County Magistrate Shi's appreciation. Congratulations!"

Qi Yun was old acquaintances with Shopkeeper Sun from the bank. Previously when bringing down the Cai family, Shopkeeper Sun had contributed, and when organizing merchant caravans, Qi Yun had also received Shopkeeper Sun's assistance in finding suitable guides and escorts.

Now seeing Shopkeeper Sun, Qi Yun stopped and returned the bow: "Shopkeeper Sun is too kind. I wonder why Shopkeeper Sun is waiting for me here. Is there something to discuss?"

Shopkeeper Sun immediately pulled him aside, and they walked to one side. Shopkeeper Sun said: "Have you heard that Prefect Shao has recently been inquiring about your family's situation?"

Qi Yun nodded. He had learned of this from Shi Tianrui. It seemed that before the plaque was issued, there were procedures, and it wasn't strange for the prefect to inquire about him.

But Shopkeeper Sun's understanding was obviously different from his thinking. He looked at Qi Yun with some worry and said quietly: "I've heard that the Shao family is habitually jealous of the able, and they're extremely stingy. But their family doesn't avoid silver or beautiful women. After all, the Shao family has a prefect backing them. Second Brother, why don't you send some benefits over? After all, harmony brings wealth."

At these words, Qi Yun understood Shopkeeper Sun's meaning.

He knew Prefect Shao was coming to deliver the plaque, but in Shopkeeper Sun's eyes, that person would probably cause trouble for him.

Shopkeeper Sun's words were naturally for Qi Yun's consideration. Since ancient times, civilians don't fight with officials. If you can avoid trouble, avoid it.

But Qi Yun didn't agree.

It wasn't that he didn't appreciate kindness, but he really felt it wasn't necessary. Besides, he had a patron who issued plaques for him and a brother-in-law who treated his sister like the apple of his eye. If he acted carelessly and dared to send beautiful women, that would be truly crazy.

Shopkeeper Sun didn't insist either. He just expressed his worries again and walked out the main gate with him.

But the Qi family carriage wasn't easy to find. Qi Yun looked around for a while before spotting his family's carriage, and in front of it was another carriage twice as large, completely blocking the Qi family carriage.

Hanging on it was the Shao family's sign.

Qi Yun remained calm with an indifferent expression as he walked around the Shao family carriage and, with Tie Zi's help, stepped on the low stool to board the carriage.

Inside the Shao family carriage, Madam Zhu curled her lip in a sneer.

Fifth Master Shao seemed to have drunk several cups and his face was flushed. Hearing the commotion, he looked at Madam Zhu and asked: "What are you laughing at?"

Madam Zhu naturally wouldn't tell him she had just been embarrassed inside. Her husband was someone she knew well, most cowardly at heart. If he heard she had been given cold looks, he'd only say she was useless and definitely wouldn't help her vent her anger.

So Madam Zhu didn't mention those frustrating matters, only saying: "The Qi family claims to be the hot new nobility, but look at this carriage. It doesn't look like anything special. They're small families after all, doing things that don't measure up."

She had expected Fifth Master Shao to just listen, but who knew he would speak up: "Don't worry. Elder Brother has already decided to teach the Qi family a lesson. They're just grasshoppers after autumn, they can't jump around much longer."

Madam Zhu's eyes lit up: "Really?"

Fifth Master Shao was obviously drunk, his voice somewhat slurred: "Of course, why would I lie to you?"

Madam Zhu immediately smiled, thinking that after all, the Shao family still ruled this city. What did the Qi family, with their peasant origins, amount to?

She had just blocked the Qi family's carriage with hers, so they must be spitting blood with anger right now.

But in the Qi family carriage, neither Ye Jiao nor Qi Yun paid any attention to the Shao family couple, not even mentioning them.

As soon as he got in the carriage, Qi Yun moved close to Ye Jiao's side, gently touching his wife's small belly, seeming to breathe out in relief, resting his chin in the woman's neck hollow and saying softly: "How did you get along with Madam Shi?"

Ye Jiao let him hold her and, hearing this, smiled and replied: "Quite well, except her courtyard's flowers and plants aren't carefully selected, just planted randomly."

This didn't sound like a big deal to Qi Yun, so he didn't ask further.

But Ye Jiao said softly: "I only had some refreshments just now and didn't eat much. I'm a bit hungry."

Hearing this, Qi Yun placed his hand on her small belly to warm it, saying: "Wait a bit more. There'll be food when we get back."

Little Ginseng smiled and leaned sideways in Qi Yun's arms, speaking private words with him. Before long, she fell asleep.

Qi Yun lowered his head to kiss his beloved wife's cheek. He had originally wanted to share the good news he'd just learned with his wife, but now he held back, thinking that time wasn't long anyway. It would be the same to tell her when the plaque arrived.

But who could have expected that with this wait, spring turned to summer, and the imperial plaque stayed at the prefect's office for a full two months.