Lady of Fortune, Jiao Niang

Chapter 127

Qi Yun didn't know the newly appointed prefect. In fact, ever since Prefect Shao had been swept away by this wave of administrative reform, this new prefect appeared extremely cautious, arriving very low-key without fanfare or extravagance.

He had only heard from Shi Tianrui that this was a capable and efficient official who promoted commerce wherever he went, which was good news for the people.

This time the prefect was inviting merchants to come, probably to get to know people and reassure them.

Normally Qi Yun would agree to such things. He had now replaced the Shao family as the city's wealthiest household, becoming new money that needed careful handling. To proceed steadily, he definitely needed to maintain good relationships both above and below.

But Qi Yun thought about his wife's condition. She would give birth in about a month, so he first asked Tie Zi: "Did they specify the exact time?"

Tie Zi handed over the invitation while replying: "They said ten days from now."

Qi Yun calculated in his mind, Ye Jiao would be eight months pregnant by then.

The last month was the most critical. Qi Yun didn't want to leave Ye Jiao. Though shop matters were important, they weren't as important as his wife. So he shook his head at Tie Zi: "That won't work, I can't go. I'll write a letter later to explain clearly. You must personally deliver it to the prefect."

Tie Zi had guessed this would be the result and nodded, following Qi Yun into the courtyard.

Second Young Master entered the bedroom while Tie Zi stood obediently by the door waiting.

Looking up, Tie Zi saw Little Su approaching with a copper basin. His face immediately brightened with a smile as he went over: "You're up early today. Have you had breakfast?"

Little Su shook her head: "I'll eat later, I'm not hungry yet. Brother Tie, what are you doing here?"

Tie Zi pointed at the room door: "Second Young Master just went in, I'm waiting for him."

Little Su immediately stopped, hesitating.

Usually when Second Young Master and Second Young Mistress were alone together, others rarely went in to disturb them. It wasn't entirely out of fear, but also because with Second Young Master there, he would help with all of Second Young Mistress's needs, whether washing her face and combing her hair, or applying makeup. Their Second Young Master was practically omnipotent.

Anyone else would be redundant.

But Little Su still knocked gently on the door, saying quietly: "Second Young Master, Second Young Mistress is up. I brought hot water, should I bring it in now?"

Soon the door opened and Qi Yun reached out to take the basin from Little Su's hands, his eyes looking at Tie Zi: "Take Little Su to get some food. Come back in half an hour."

Tie Zi cheerfully agreed, then took Little Su to the small kitchen nearby.

Qi Yun carried the water in, using his knee to close the door, then turned back into the room.

Ye Jiao was leaning against the carved bed frame, her eyes still showing the confusion of just waking up. She yawned when Qi Yun approached.

This wasn't Qi Yun's first time seeing Ye Jiao just after waking, but every time he found it endearing.

Her fragrant cheeks were slightly flushed, her eyes dreamy, her voice soft: "Husband, what time is it?"

The man set down the copper basin, took a cloth and dampened it before wringing it dry, walking over while saying: "You woke up several times last night, probably didn't sleep well. It's normal to sleep in this morning, don't worry about the time. If you want to sleep more, just continue sleeping."

Ye Jiao raised her face, obediently letting Qi Yun wipe it for her.

After lightly wiping her face with the warm, moist cloth, Little Ginseng felt more alert. When she looked at him again, her eyes had regained their usual clarity and brightness: "I'm awake, not tired, just a bit hungry."

She had eaten dinner early yesterday, woke up late today, of course she was hungry.

Upon hearing this, Qi Yun set the cloth aside, brought salt water to her lips, smiling: "I had the small kitchen make porridge when I got up. The estate sent some pickled vegetables recently, you can have a little, lunch will be ready soon anyway."

Oh, looks like she slept in again today.

Ye Jiao, who was already used to sleeping late, rinsed her mouth, then used tooth powder made from ground medicinal herbs and spices to brush her teeth, rinsed with flower tea, and finally got up.

While getting dressed, Ye Jiao's eyes looked at the invitation on the table. Not just Qi Yun, she herself had received plenty of these things. She blinked: "Husband, do you have business to attend to?"

Qi Yun didn't hide it from her, tying her skirt sash while saying: "The newly appointed prefect invited the city's merchants to meet in ten days. But I calculated the timing, you'll be at a critical stage then, so I thought I'd decline and stay with you. Going might interfere with helping you."

If someone else heard their husband say such words, they'd probably be moved to tears.

But Little Ginseng had a straightforward temperament. Upon hearing this, she thought it over carefully, then looked at Qi Yun somewhat puzzled: "Husband, I don't understand. I'm the one giving birth, what can you help me with?"

Qi Yun's movements paused. He looked up at Ye Jiao, opened his mouth, but couldn't speak.

Ye Jiao recalled her previous experience: "Last time Little Su called the midwife, you brought me chicken noodle soup but dropped it. Later husband you waited outside, you don't need to deliver babies, so you can't really help, right?"

Qi Yun wanted to argue, but after thinking for a long time, he felt he had nothing to refute.

It seemed... when it came to giving birth, he couldn't help at all...

This realization made Qi Yun feel somewhat dejected and heartbroken. He reached out to hug Ye Jiao: "You've really worked hard, Jiao Niang."

Little Ginseng hugged him back, gently patting Qi Yun's back. After a while, she suddenly seemed to remember something and looked up at Qi Yun: "Speaking of which, Wan Ying told me earlier that she found a very good teacher for children's early education. Why don't you take this opportunity to have a look? If he's good, we can arrange it for Xu Bao early."

A private tutor referred to a teacher, wealthy families would typically hire one to come teach their children at home.

Early education for small children usually didn't start this early, but it varied by individual.

Xu Bao was indeed clever, with perfect memory and quick character recognition. Even though when he played and acted coquettishly his speech was still mumbled, when it came to listening to stories and recognizing characters, he was more enthusiastic than anything else.

Though Qi Yun had tutored Qi Ming before, he wasn't a professional at this. Having a dedicated tutor would be excellent. The Wan Ying Ye Jiao mentioned was County Magistrate Shi's wife Madam Zheng, from a noble family, so anyone she recommended wouldn't be bad.

Moreover, hiring a tutor wasn't something that could be done overnight. If one didn't work out, they'd need to look at another. The earlier the better.

Qi Yun asked: "Where is this tutor that Madam Shi mentioned?"

Ye Jiao pressed her lips together thinking, then said: "He's at a private school in the city. Wan Ying said that since Xu Bao is still small, if we can reach an agreement with this tutor, having him come once every five days would be sufficient."

Hearing this, Qi Yun realized Ye Jiao was encouraging him to go to the city. He couldn't help but look down at his wife, saying quietly: "Is Jiao Niang trying to persuade me?"

In his impression, Ye Jiao was gentle and obedient, a good girl, but never worried about anything beyond food and drink.

But this time, Ye Jiao nodded.

She still held onto Qi Yun, and since her belly was large, she couldn't properly hug his body, so she just draped her arms around the man's neck, looking at Qi Yun with smiling eyes, her voice soft: "Husband has always been working hard for me, I know that. You have things you need to do, and so do I. When you do well at yours, that's being good to me."

These words were plain, simple, without any embellishment, but Qi Yun understood clearly.

His wife had always been perceptive, thought about things differently, but that didn't mean she understood nothing.

On the contrary, Ye Jiao had been trying hard to learn: learn to be human, learn to do things, learn to better love the person before her eyes.

And Ye Jiao had a concern she hadn't mentioned to Qi Yun, about whether there would be grass or not...

Little Ginseng's voice was soft: "There's Mother for everything, and Doctor Li. Besides, there's still some time before the birth, you can go and come back, it's fine."

Upon hearing this, Qi Yun was silent for a long while, then nodded and buried his face in Ye Jiao's neck, saying softly: "Wife, if labor suddenly starts, you must have someone call me back."

"Alright." Ye Jiao agreed verbally, thinking in her heart, we'll see when the time comes.

Doctor Li said this child was a bit different, but wouldn't say how it was different. Little Ginseng thought about her previous dream, fearing the baby might really grow grass and bloom this time.

If husband wasn't there, that would be good too, she could quickly pluck the grass herself...

Ten days later, Qi Yun prepared to go to the city with Tie Zi. Before leaving, he gave a long list of detailed instructions until Liu Shi looked helpless: "You're leaving in the morning and returning in the afternoon, just one day. Don't worry, I'll definitely take good care of Jiao Niang."

Qi Yun nodded, knowing in his heart that nothing would happen, but emotions made him overthink.

Liu Shi brought up another matter: "When you come back, bring Third Brother back too. His provincial examination ends today, perfect timing for you to return together."

Qi Yun nodded in agreement, looked at Ye Jiao again, then finally released her hand.

But before Qi Yun could turn around, he felt his sleeve tighten.

Turning his head, he met Ye Jiao's lips as she rose on tiptoes to reach him.

A proper kiss right on the mouth.

Liu Shi coughed lightly, Tie Zi turned his head, Little Su was used to it, and Ye Jiao released him and smiled: "Husband, come back early."

Qi Yun opened his mouth, made a sound of agreement, then turned and left. He looked proper and serious, but his retreating figure somehow had the air of fleeing in panic.

After he left, Liu Shi also returned to her own courtyard. Near noon, Dong Shi arrived with Doctor Li.

This was also Qi Yun's requirement. When he wasn't there, naturally everything that could be prepared should be prepared, ensuring nothing could go wrong before he could feel at ease.

Ye Jiao extended her hand for Doctor Li to check her pulse. Doctor Li stroked his beard with one hand while placing the other on Ye Jiao's wrist.

Squinting and pondering for quite a while, Doctor Li opened his eyes, looked at Ye Jiao, and said slowly: "Second Young Mistress, this time it appears to be twins."

Ye Jiao was startled. Dong Shi on the side looked at Ye Jiao's belly and exclaimed softly: "Two?"

"Yes." Doctor Li nodded, his face showing some smile. "Judging by the pulse, it's two. Previously, because the fetuses hadn't fully developed, it wasn't certain, but now the pulse matches that of several women I've examined who gave birth to twins. Second Young Mistress, rest assured, this pregnancy is progressing extremely well, there will be no problems."

Upon hearing this, Dong Shi's face also broke into a smile.

Ordinarily, common folk both yearned for and feared twins. For ordinary families with poor circumstances, poor food and sleep, childbirth was like passing through death's door, and two children were more prone to complications.

But for wealthy families, with proper care it wouldn't be too difficult, naturally it was a joyous occasion.

"Divine bear twins born, auspicious璋 double radiance," a great omen in this dynasty.

But knowing there were two babies inside, Dong Shi looked at Ye Jiao even more carefully, helping her to the inner room to examine carefully, confirming the pregnancy was progressing well before relaxing.

Before leaving, Doctor Li instructed: "Twins are usually born earlier than single babies. Second Young Mistress should immediately have people make preparations to avoid being caught off guard when the time comes."

Ye Jiao nodded to remember, Little Su also nodded along, and Nanny Mo immediately went out to notify Liu Shi, calling the midwife to be ready for battle.

Ye Jiao just laughed: "You're all acting like I'm going to give birth today."

Doctor Li wouldn't stay by Ye Jiao's side constantly, so he went to rest in a side room nearby.

He had come today to be prepared for any emergency, might as well take some leisure time.

But before Doctor Li could even lift his teacup, he heard commotion outside. Dong Shi came running over, pushed open the door, and shouted loudly: "Doctor Li, come quickly, Jiao Niang... Jiao Niang has gone into labor!"