Lady of Fortune, Jiao Niang

Chapter 129

No one had told Qi Yun that he had two children.

Just as Qi Yun was about to faint, hearing Dong Shi's words, he suddenly startled, then forcefully grabbed Tie Zi's arm, struggling to stand straight, looking at the bedroom door in shock.

He saw Liu Shi lifting the curtain and coming out.

She had been worrying about her daughter-in-law's condition all along. Twins were different from ordinary births after all. Though they were auspicious omens, they were also more taxing than having a single child.

Liu Shi had been turning prayer beads and chanting, praying for her daughter-in-law. Now, adding up the time from beginning to end, it had taken just over an hour, and both mother and children were safe, which was the best outcome possible.

She was preparing to go back early to chant sutras for her daughter-in-law and grandchildren. As soon as she came out, she saw Qi Yun.

Though Qi Yun was more uncomfortable than usual after all that running, you couldn't tell from his complexion. The man's cheeks were slightly flushed, his ears were red. Since Liu Shi didn't know he had run all the way here, she just thought Qi Yun looked healthy and had encountered such good news. Naturally, Liu Shi was all smiles.

Walking toward Qi Yun, Liu Shi grabbed his hand and patted it: "This time Jiao Niang really had it difficult. Now that you have both a son and daughter, you must treat them well in the future."

Qi Yun opened his mouth, his mind in chaos, finally only managing a simple syllable: "I know."

Liu Shi smiled with relief, then left supported by Nanny Liu, leaving time for the young couple.

But Qi Yun didn't get to see Ye Jiao and the pair of children right away. After Liu Shi left, he called Doctor Li to ask about everything, and only after confirming all was well did he relax and faint with darkness before his eyes.

This gave everyone quite a fright. Though Qi Yun had lived peacefully for nearly four years now and hadn't fallen seriously ill since marrying Ye Jiao, he was still fundamentally a medicine jar and invalid who had been taking medicine since birth. Even though he was somewhat better now, the previous impression was too deeply rooted to change easily.

Many people, upon seeing Qi Yun collapse, immediately recalled the terrifying memories of when Qi Yun used to be constantly on the verge of death and the Qi family was shrouded in gloom, causing many servants to involuntarily shiver.

Tie Zi remained exceptionally calm, bringing Doctor Li to check his pulse.

The birth of Second Young Mistress's son and daughter should have been a great joy, they couldn't let anything bad happen now.

Doctor Li only said to let Qi Yun rest, have a good sleep, and he would be fine.

When he woke again, it was already the next day.

Indeed, as Doctor Li had said, after Qi Yun got up and had a bowl of hot noodle soup, he went to see the two children in high spirits.

He had originally wanted to see Ye Jiao first, but she was still sleeping then, so he had to give up.

He first held Xu Bao to see the newborn twins, also preparing himself to handle Xu Bao's various strange questions.

Around noon, Little Ginseng slowly woke up.

Having two children was beyond Ye Jiao's expectations, but before she had time to be surprised by this news, the children had already eagerly come out.

Of course it hurt.

But after waking from sleep, she felt much more comfortable.

Not only because her health was good and she hadn't suffered much, but also because her belly was flat without that pressing feeling, which felt especially pleasant.

Ye Jiao reached out to touch her belly. Little Su, seeing her awake, quickly came forward to add a pillow behind Ye Jiao's back, while Nanny Mo helped put a cloth cap on her head to prevent catching cold.

Ye Jiao wasn't experiencing this for the first time, so she cooperatively let them work.

Little Su wasn't one to talk much. Though she had become much bolder than before, no longer the always cautious and careful person she used to be, she was still ultimately a young girl, and looking at Ye Jiao, her eyes were full of heartache.

Nanny Mo was all smiles: "Congratulations Second Young Mistress, you have both a son and daughter."

Little Ginseng, still immersed in the joy of successful delivery, only then remembered she had children again, and looked toward Nanny Mo asking: "Where are the babies?"

"In the outer room. Second Young Master just woke up too and ran over to see them before even calling for the doctor."

When Nanny Mo said this, she was full of smiles, but Little Su coughed lightly.

These words sounded fine, explaining that the children were well while subtly praising Qi Yun's deep love for Ye Jiao, which would make anyone feel comfortable.

But Nanny Mo had been serving Second Young Mistress for a short time and didn't know the temperament of these two masters, who were most straightforward and different from others. She probably couldn't understand this kind of roundabout praise.

Sure enough, upon hearing this, Ye Jiao immediately looked out the window. Even though the window was tightly closed, just by looking at the sunlight, she could tell it was no longer morning but probably close to noon.

Her husband normally never got up this late.

She widened her eyes, her voice slightly louder than usual: "What happened to husband?"

Nanny Mo was stunned. Little Su immediately said: "Second Young Mistress, don't worry, Second Young Master is fine." He had just been too happy yesterday and fainted in the courtyard.

At the time it had frightened many people, but since Second Young Master was fine, there was no need to bring it up and worry Second Young Mistress.

Just as Ye Jiao was about to ask more, the inner room door was pushed open.

Qi Yun wore a silk shirt, just ordinary home clothes. Since Ye Jiao's confinement room was much warmer than outside, the man was dressed even more lightly than usual.

But the simple clothing somehow gave Qi Yun a festive appearance, especially at his chest where two pieces of soft silk were laid, completely different in color and material from the silk shirt, like two patches, giving him an oddly cheerful look.

Qi Yun wore this to avoid chafing the delicate skin of the newborn babies.

The two babies weren't born at full term. Twins generally come earlier than ordinary children. But having seen the fair and tender Xu Bao last time, now seeing two red little babies, Qi Yun was especially careful.

Their skin was more tender than freshly made tofu, and touching them felt like they were made of water.

Qi Yun was extremely cautious when holding the children, taking each step very carefully.

Seeing Ye Jiao watching him expectantly, Qi Yun smiled, walked over, placed the children beside Ye Jiao, then lightly kissed Little Ginseng's forehead, his voice gentle: "How do you feel?"

Ye Jiao first shook her head, then nodded, then asked him: "How do you feel?"

The same question, asked by different people about different things, but the same thing was the care and concern in the words.

Qi Yun understood Ye Jiao's meaning. He softened his voice: "Don't worry, Jiao Niang, I'm fine. Doctor Li checked my pulse."

Little Ginseng didn't immediately nod but reached out, gently placing her hand on the man's wrist.

The man only felt her soft fingers pressing against him, very lightly. She was probably exhausted yesterday and hadn't recovered yet. But Qi Yun said nothing, just obediently extended his hand for her to feel.

After a while, confirming Qi Yun was fine, Ye Jiao released him and grasped her own wrist instead.

Then Ye Jiao said to Qi Yun: "I'm fine too."

Qi Yun showed a smile and had someone bring a chair to place beside the bed.

He sat down and said very gently to Ye Jiao: "Come, look, it's these two."

Only now did Little Ginseng think to look at the babies.

The two little ones no longer looked as completely red as when they were first born yesterday. Their cheeks were soft, eyes closed, sleeping deeply.

Ye Jiao looked with fresh interest, couldn't help asking: "Which one is older and which is younger?"

Qi Yun looked at Little Su, who immediately replied: "Yesterday Young Master came out first, then Third Miss."

Ye Jiao blinked: "So they're brother and sister?"

As she said this, both children simultaneously moved their mouths, just the habitual sucking of babies, but they didn't wake up.

But this made Qi Yun, Little Su, and Nanny Mo all unconsciously hold their breath, afraid of waking them.

Not only for the children's health, but also because all three had witnessed the little girl's vocal power, loud and forceful, heartbreaking when she cried, so naturally they didn't want to provoke her.

But Ye Jiao had been sleeping and didn't know any of this, casually pulling both children into her arms.

Perhaps due to the mother-child connection, just smelling her scent, both babies quietly settled down, their little heads tilting toward Ye Jiao, small hands curled beside their faces, extremely well-behaved.

Only then did Qi Yun speak: "Not necessarily. Some say whoever is born first is the elder, others say the first born was lower in the womb, so the later born is the elder." His voice paused slightly, Qi Yun's voice calm, "None of this matters. Since they're twins anyway, it doesn't matter who's older or younger."

Upon hearing this, Ye Jiao thought briefly, then smiled at Qi Yun: "Yes, husband is right."

Qi Yun also smiled, leaning over to look at their children with Ye Jiao.

When the two children woke up, Nanny Mo helped Ye Jiao nurse them, then carried them aside to sleep.

The small crib was placed right beside Ye Jiao's bed, two swaddling cloths placed together, the boy in lake blue, the girl in vermillion red, easily distinguishable.

Ye Jiao suddenly seemed to remember something, lying down and looking at Qi Yun: "Have you chosen names for the children?"

Having learned from the previous "Big Head" mistake, Qi Yun had thought of nicknames early on, but seeing the two babies in person, he felt they weren't quite suitable.

Especially the baby girl. Originally he had wanted to call her Qian'er, from "clever smile and beautiful eyes," which should have been an excellent name.

But the little girl didn't like to smile, completely different from Xu Bao, who would grin and giggle from birth.

Fortunately, when coaxing them just now, the little girl had kept her small hand extended, and looking in that direction was the ornament placed on the windowsill. So Qi Yun said: "Let's call the girl Ruyi. It sounds nice, is easy to remember, and very auspicious."

Ye Jiao repeated it twice in her mind and smiled.

She didn't have the pursuits of those educated women who insisted on giving their children elegant and novel names, wishing their child would be the only one in the world with that name, even wanting to create new characters for their children.

The Qi family daughters-in-law all seemed down-to-earth. Fang Shi called her son Little Shi Tou, and Ye Jiao had almost called her son Big Head. It could be said they all chose the most simple names.

Little Ginseng just wanted something smooth. The two characters Ruyi had good meaning and sounded nice, so that would be her.

Little Ruyi slept soundly in her red swaddling cloth, unaware she had earned herself a nice name.

But what to call the baby boy, Qi Yun hadn't decided.

The formal name had been chosen last time, but the nickname was still pending.

Seeing Qi Yun not speaking, Ye Jiao, who was holding a bowl of rice porridge, couldn't help putting down her spoon and looking at the baby boy in the small bed.

The little fellow wasn't as lively as Ruyi. It seemed all the vitality had been inherited by little Ruyi, making him appear particularly quiet. Even when sleeping, he was well-behaved, not fussing or crying. His chubby little face would occasionally move, then there would be no other movement.

Ye Jiao's first impression was that this child was a bit darker than others.

So she immediately looked at Qi Yun: "Let's call him Little Black."

As soon as she spoke, Little Su immediately handed over the fish porridge in her hands, saying softly: "Second Young Mistress, drink some fish porridge, it's good for your health."

In her heart, Little Su was crying without tears, making the greatest effort to fight for Little Black's survival.

But this time Qi Yun didn't take it out on anyone else, just looked at Ye Jiao helplessly, unable to think of a reason to object.

But Nanny Mo on the side smiled and said: "Second Young Mistress needn't worry. Ordinary children are like this. Those who are dark when small often become fairer than others when they grow up. Though Young Master looks a bit red now, children like this grow up to be very fair."

Ye Jiao nodded seriously: "Then let's call him Little White."

Nanny Mo: ...

Qi Yun felt he shouldn't continue to harm his young son like this, but he didn't want to directly refuse his wife either. So, like last time, Second Young Master Qi gave Ye Jiao a choice: "He's quiet, so why not follow Xu Bao's pattern and call him Ning Bao?"

Ye Jiao blinked: "What does that mean?"

Qi Yun smiled: "Ning means peace, tranquility and happiness, a smooth life."

Ye Jiao could tell this had good meaning, so she smiled: "Good, let's call him that."

The two children's names were thus decided, and Ye Jiao followed along calling them by these names.

But since the two babies were twins, there were different ways to determine who was older or younger. However, the two little ones did indeed look somewhat similar. Though they didn't look exactly identical like twin brothers or sisters might, they were still small and hadn't opened their eyes yet, so at first glance it was really hard to tell who was who.

Even Ye Jiao initially had to distinguish them by the different colored swaddling cloths.

Otherwise, she would reach in to feel around, also checking whether her babies had really grown no grass or flowers.

But after some more time passed, the two children became easy to distinguish.

One active, one quiet, they were really quite different.

The one who was always lively and restless was Ruyi, while the one who did nothing but eat and sleep without making a sound was Ning Bao.

When the children opened their eyes, Ruyi was even more eager to curiously observe the world, while Ning Bao still slept more than he was awake. Sometimes Ye Jiao would have Doctor Li check her pulse first, then check Ning Bao's pulse, ensuring her baby was healthy.

During Ye Jiao's confinement, besides Qi Yun coming to sit with Ye Jiao for half the day every day, Xu Bao visited most frequently.

Xu Bao was still just a little child himself, sometimes still speaking unclearly, doing things with childish awkwardness.

But after seeing his little brother and sister, Xu Bao inexplicably developed some sense of responsibility as an older brother.

He would always come to see his mother and the two babies, seriously lying beside Ye Jiao, staring at the two little ones and chattering: "You be good, big brother will give you milk cakes."

Ye Jiao touched Xu Bao's head: "They're still small, they can't eat milk cakes."

Previously Little Shi Tou had used this to encourage him, so he wanted to use the same method to encourage his little brother and sister.

Seeing it didn't work, Xu Bao put on a serious face and thought for a while, his chubby little face all wrinkled up, then he had an idea: "Then Xu Bao will study hard and read books to Ruyi."

Ye Jiao reminded: "What about Ning Bao?"

Xu Bao said "Oh" and added: "Ning Bao can listen too."

"How well is Xu Bao reading books now?"

Upon hearing this, Xu Bao immediately showed a big smile: "Good! Master Feng says Xu Bao is clever, seven something something dragon, very amazing."

If Qi Yun were there, he would certainly know he was talking about "seven apertures and exquisite heart."

But Little Ginseng's vocabulary was about the same as her chubby son's. What he didn't know, Ye Jiao didn't know either, but Little Ginseng could tell that Xu Bao had been praised.

Master Feng was the tutor Qi Yun had mentioned to her, saying he was very good and patient with Xu Bao.

Now hearing Xu Bao's words, Ye Jiao smiled: "Then recite some books now to lull them, alright?"

If it were another child being told by their parents to recite books, they would probably be so upset their face would wrinkle.

But Xu Bao was different. He was one who liked reading books, and having inherited Qi Yun's perfect memory, reciting books was easy and simple, so it wasn't any pressure.

Moreover, having become a big brother, he liked showing off in front of his little brother and sister.

As for whether they understood or not, Xu Bao didn't care.

As long as mother praised him, he would recite.

But the two babies couldn't understand what he was saying, just rolling their eyes around looking everywhere.

Except Ruyi was looking at Xu Bao, while Ning Bao was looking at his own hands, seemingly studying why his little paws were so round.

Ye Jiao, who was almost finished with confinement, gathered her three children together, listening to Xu Bao recite.

Xu Bao, extremely enthusiastic about reciting, happily clapped his hands and recited the "Thousand Character Classic" for Ye Jiao. Ye Jiao listened along, and listening, she fell asleep.

Ruyi also fell asleep with her, occasionally laughing in her sleep, clearly a lively girl.

Only Ning Bao, though he couldn't understand, was willing to look at Xu Bao. His pair of round, dark eyes were like two black pearls, quietly and intently watching Xu Bao.

Encouraged by this gaze, Xu Bao really did recite a long passage, only stopping when Ning Bao couldn't hold out and fell asleep.

When leaving, Xu Bao was carried away by Nanny Mo.

Leaning in Nanny Mo's arms, he asked quietly: "When will little brother and sister grow up?"

After being frightened by Xu Bao once before, Nanny Mo no longer used coaxing words to humor him, carefully answering every question, and this time was no different.

Nanny Mo thought briefly before replying: "It will be a very, very long time."

Xu Bao persisted: "How long is very long?"

"When Young Master grows up, they will grow up too."

These words seemed to give Xu Bao much inspiration. He held his round head thinking alone, and at noon, he ate a whole bowl of custard by himself.

Normally he could only eat half a bowl, but today he suddenly ate more. Nanny Mo didn't dare feed him more, afraid of overfilling him, but Xu Bao insisted on wanting to eat.

When Qi Yun, who had just returned, heard the commotion and went to the side room to ask, after hearing Nanny Mo's explanation he went to ask Xu Bao: "Usually you're the one who loves snacks but doesn't like meals. Why did you suddenly change today?"

Xu Bao grabbed Qi Yun's finger, replying softly: "Xu Bao wants to eat meals, grow tall. When I grow tall, little brother and sister can grow tall too."

Upon hearing this, Qi Yun smiled inwardly while asking calmly: "And then?"

"Then make them listen to Xu Bao recite books! Daddy, let Xu Bao recite books for you!"

So for the next half hour, Qi Yun listened to Xu Bao recite books, until Xu Bao wanted water and Qi Yun could finally escape.

As soon as he left, Second Young Master Qi looked up to the heavens and sighed.

Others worried their children wouldn't study, but he worried about his child dragging him into studying.

Probably no one would believe this if told.

Before going to the bedroom, Qi Yun first washed his hands and face with hot water, warming himself up, then entered the inner room.

As soon as he entered, he saw Ye Jiao who had just woken up.

Actually, confinement days were very boring. Though she had two little ones to keep her company, they were her own children after all, and when they slept, she couldn't bear to disturb them.

Ye Jiao could only take a book to read to pass the time.

But Ye Jiao didn't have that kind of photographic memory. What she read were also story books and novels, just for entertainment.

When Qi Yun entered, she immediately threw the book aside and reached out her hand to Qi Yun.

The man immediately walked forward, grasped Ye Jiao's hand, first kissed her, then kissed both children.

Then his eyes looked at the story book Ye Jiao had been reading.

Qi Yun had read this one too, but didn't find it very interesting.

It was nothing more than talented scholar and beautiful lady stories, always noble daughters from wealthy families falling for poor scholars, and somehow they always caught each other's eye, and the endings were similar too, either the scholar passing the imperial examination or the noble daughter getting pregnant, anyway it was always the sheltered young ladies who suffered.

After all, most who wrote books were men, and those who could write novels were mostly those who couldn't pass exams and become officials, so they wrote stories to console themselves.

Completely unrealistic and nonsensical.

Seeing that Ye Jiao had only read two pages, Qi Yun said to her: "If you like them, I'll find some good ones for you later."

Ye Jiao shook her head: "I don't like them."

"Why?"

"Too many words, not interesting."

At these words, Little Su on the side didn't think anything of it, but Qi Yun coughed lightly.

There were books with many pictures, and they were available outside, but obviously they weren't quite suitable for reading now.

But Second Young Master Qi's ears turned red as he said: "It's fine, later when some time has passed, I'll find, find ones with lots of pictures for you."

Ye Jiao curved her lips, smiling as she extended her hand to Qi Yun: "Pinky promise."

Qi Yun made the pinky promise with her while inwardly criticizing himself for thinking about nonsense.

Feeling deeply that now wasn't the right time to discuss this topic, Qi Yun said: "Just now Big Brother sent a letter, mentioning his marriage with Princess Huaning."

Though commoners didn't need to observe mourning, as royalty, Princess Huaning still had to complete the mourning period.

Next year, when the mourning period ended, they could naturally marry and finally settle their affair.

Ye Jiao immediately became interested: "Big Brother is getting married? When?"

Qi Yun smiled while helping her adjust her hair, replying: "The date is set for next year, an excellent auspicious day. By then the children will be bigger, and the shops in the Capital will also be open. I'll go with Jiao Niang."