Lady of Fortune, Jiao Niang

Chapter 132

When Tie Zi came to knock on the door, he actually felt extremely uneasy inside.

It wasn't because the matter at hand was particularly serious, but because usually when his Second Young Master and Second Young Mistress were together, he was reluctant to disturb them.

Simply because these two people could always make any seemingly ordinary day passionate and warm.

Even though Tie Zi was still young and didn't quite understand what they were actually doing, Tie Zi at least knew that Second Young Master didn't like others disrupting them.

If not for the urgent pressure from the front, Tie Zi would never dare to come knock on the door.

Sure enough, when the door opened, he saw Qi Yun's indifferent expression and cold eyes.

Tie Zi hadn't seen this expression for a long time. Since Qi Yun married Ye Jiao, his health had improved and his complexion was good. Without the dark circles and pale face, the man looked like a wealthy Young Master with clear, handsome features.

But at this moment, Tie Zi felt in a trance that he was seeing that gloomy man who seemed like a ghost again...

Qi Yun didn't restrain his bad temper because he felt he had reason to be unhappy.

Anyone would have reason to be angry when interrupted at the height of passion with clothes half-removed.

This made Qi Yun's voice somewhat dry: "Speak."

Tie Zi didn't dare slack off in the slightest, immediately answering: "Second Young Master, word came from the front saying Seventh Great-Uncle has arrived with quite a few people. Eldest Young Master secretly sent word asking Second Young Master to come take a look."

Tie Zi said this sentence crisply and clearly, revealing everyone involved transparently.

He had only one purpose:

Second Young Master, did you hear clearly? I'm not deliberately causing trouble, but the front is not peaceful!

Whether you blame Seventh Great-Uncle or blame Eldest Young Master, just don't blame me!

Qi Yun neither confirmed nor denied, just gave a light "mm," then turned back to close the door and enter the inner room.

But all his irritation melted into spring water when he saw Ye Jiao looking at him with a smile.

Ye Jiao yawned and adjusted her clothing, currently tying her sash. Seeing him return, she directly extended her hand: "Help me, I can't see."

Qi Yun hurried forward, sitting sideways on the bed edge to tie the sash behind her neck, saying: "Don't rush, Jiao Niang. We'll continue tonight."

Ye Jiao turned her head to look at him, her eyes clean like a spring stream just freed from ice: "No, I promised Xu Bao I'd sleep with him tonight."

Qi Yun replied without blushing or breathing hard: "He has something to do tonight, can't make it."

"What could he have?" Little Ginseng didn't understand. Xu Bao was a soft little thing, what big business could he have at night?

Qi Yun said lightly: "Mother misses him, wants to hold him for sleep tonight." His voice paused, "And Ning Bao and Ruyi too, Mother wants to take a good look at them all."

Hearing this, Ye Jiao nodded.

Now that deep autumn had arrived and the weather was getting colder, it didn't matter for adults, but children were young after all. When it was cold, it was better not to carry them out much.

Especially her two newly born little ones, who had been born earlier than normal children and were slightly smaller. Even though their health was fine, Liu Shi felt heartbroken every time she looked at them, calling them precious darlings, naturally not wanting them to run back and forth in the cold weather.

If she missed them, she would have them wrapped warmly and brought over to sleep for a night, then sent back at noon the next day. This was normal.

But usually Liu Shi would tell Ye Jiao a day in advance. Such sudden changes hadn't happened before. Little Ginseng couldn't help asking: "When did Mother say this? I don't remember."

Qi Yun smiled and kissed her: "Mother told me."

Of course, Qi Yun wouldn't tell his wife this was his impromptu fabrication.

Though he hadn't said it yet, he could discuss it with Liu Shi later. When you said it didn't matter, right?

After the sash was tied, Qi Yun helped her put back on the clothes he had just taken off.

Second Young Master Qi could only console himself that this was preparation for tonight, but having been unable to be intimate for nearly a year, his face inevitably showed some displeasure.

Ye Jiao actually wanted it too, but she wasn't in a hurry. She just slowly put on her clothes and arranged her hair before asking: "Husband, what did Tie Zi want you for?"

Though Qi Yun had only heard Tie Zi's brief words, he already understood most of it. While helping his wife arrange her hair, he said: "Seventh Great-Uncle came, probably nothing serious, just get rid of him."

Seventh Great-Uncle?

Ye Jiao blinked, somewhat surprised.

Though Little Ginseng might not know much about ordinary matters, fortunately her memory was good.

She remembered that when they paid respects and acknowledged family members the second day after their wedding, she had only acknowledged Father, Mother, eldest brother and sister-in-law, and Third Brother. There were no other relatives.

At that time, Qi Yun had told her their family was simple, with no clan and few relatives. Now she didn't know where this Seventh Great-Uncle had come from.

Qi Yun saw her curiosity, and without waiting for Ye Jiao to ask, he answered: "They separated from the family, split off from Grandfather's generation, having nothing to do with each other. Usually even when there's contact, they don't meet. This Seventh Great-Uncle's family has a particular nature of not releasing the hawk until seeing the rabbit. This time they probably heard our family received the Imperial Plaque and learned Third Brother passed the examination, so they came."

This was said quite rudely. Ye Jiao said: "Sounds like... right, coming to freeload."

Qi Yun laughed, lowered his head to kiss her forehead, saying warmly: "Correct, just freeloading. Jiao Niang remembered well and used it perfectly, exactly right."

Little Ginseng happily accepted his praise, her eyes looking at Tie Zi's shadow on the door: "Since there's business, you should go quickly."

"No hurry."

"Why?"

"Since they're here to seek benefits, they certainly won't leave easily. Father has a gentle temperament and doesn't like tearing faces. If he's not pushed to desperation, he probably just wants to be a peacemaker. Mother and eldest brother usually have their own ideas, but they're extremely respectful to Father. Whatever Father says, they'll listen. Better to go later."

When families had more relatives, if they were good, that was fortune; if they were bad, that was disaster.

Qi Yun understood clearly that this Seventh Great-Uncle's family absolutely couldn't be dealt with. Not to mention their greed and stinginess, just his family's several good-for-nothing grandchildren would be like mud on one's shoes if encountered, impossible to shake off, impossible to wash clean, and disgusting besides.

Previously they had caused plenty of trouble, making everyone beg relatives for help. Father Qi was good-tempered and had helped twice, but each time after helping he'd still get complaints, pleasing no one.

Usually it would be fine, but now eldest brother's estates needed to continue, Third Brother had examinations, and he would be going to the capital next year. Everything required caution.

If they acknowledged these relatives now, when real trouble came later, it might delay himself and eldest brother, which would be fine, but if it delayed Third Brother's examinations, they'd have nowhere to cry with regret.

Speaking of principle, they had already separated families and had nothing to do with each other.

Speaking of sentiment, after being distant for so long, they were like strangers. When the Qi family had difficulties before, no one had provided relief.

Speaking of law, the family separation documents were there for anyone to see, without fault.

Qi Yun wasn't the type to muddle through with good temper. These were relatives who had already been cut off, only a fool would reconnect them.

But delaying a bit would let the front get more chaotic, so when Father Qi realized these relatives couldn't be acknowledged, his own persuasion would be easier.

So Qi Yun lingered with Ye Jiao for a while more before putting on his cloak and leaving.

Ye Jiao never worried about Qi Yun's affairs. In her heart, her husband was omnipotent, so naturally there was nothing to worry about.

After Qi Yun left, Ye Jiao got up, took a cloth bundle and walked to sit behind the writing desk in the outer room. She opened the bundle and took out a book to look at.

While looking, she mentally compared it with "Six Wonders of the Flower Formation."

Whether it looked good, whether it was clear, whether it was tiring, Little Ginseng considered everything carefully, extremely focused.

Even Little Su, who came in carrying a teacup, didn't notice that her Second Young Mistress was reading "leisure books." She carefully placed the teacup and snacks on the table, then carefully withdrew, afraid of making any sound that might disturb her.

But before long, Little Su pushed open the door again: "Second Young Mistress, Madam Dong has come."

Ye Jiao casually closed the book and set it aside, smiling: "Quickly let Spring Orchid in."

Then Dong Shi entered with a smile.

Dong Shi hadn't seen Ye Jiao for quite some time. Previously when Ye Jiao was pregnant with twins, Dong Shi had accompanied her during the birth, but during Ye Jiao's confinement, Dong Shi rarely visited, afraid of bringing cold air to Ye Jiao.

Now that Ye Jiao was in good health and the twins had survived their first critical month, she came to visit during the Qi family's celebration of Third Brother's examination success.

Ye Jiao sat with her at the table. Little Su served tea, and Dong Shi wasn't polite, drinking tea and eating snacks before saying: "Finally got a bite to eat. You don't know how chaotic it was out front - I was so busy I didn't get a single bite."

But as soon as she finished speaking, Dong Shi regretted it internally.

She spoke too directly, without restraint. Just now Fang Li had warned her not to tell Ye Jiao about Seventh Great-Uncle's visit to the Qi family, afraid she'd worry. Who knew Dong Shi would accidentally let it slip.

But Little Ginseng had already heard from Qi Yun, so she didn't ask. She just smiled and also picked up a piece to put in her mouth.

Sweet and fragrant, with excellent flavor.

Dong Shi quickly changed the subject: "I heard from my husband earlier that you and Second Young Master are going to the capital together?"

Ye Jiao nodded: "Yes, we'll go after New Year. My eldest brother is getting married in spring, so my husband and I will go together."

"What about Young Master and the little miss?"

"We'll bring Xu Bao, but not Ning Bao and Ruyi for now."

Upon hearing this, Dong Shi hesitated before saying: "It's not my place to interfere, Jiao Niang, but this matter of who to bring and who not to bring isn't really my business. But I've seen many children and understand their nature. Children this age, if you don't take them with you, they might forget you due to their poor memory. It's still several months away, and you're not in a hurry. Better to bring them along."

Ye Jiao didn't know about these things, but since Dong Shi mentioned it, she took note, saying softly: "When my husband returns, I'll discuss this with him." Her voice paused, "Actually, I can't bear to part with them either."

To Dong Shi, this seemed natural. After all, as parents, who could bear to part with their own children?

They were flesh that had fallen from her body, too precious to treasure enough.

But for Little Ginseng to say this was the first time.

Since becoming human, among the few people she cared about, the closest was Qi Yun. Second Young Master Qi stayed with her and protected her daily, never going far, so Little Ginseng naturally didn't understand what separation meant.

Commander Ye was someone who had been traveling from the beginning. Ye Jiao saw his letters more often than she saw him.

But children were different. Perhaps Little Ginseng couldn't feel the so-called invisible mother-child bond, but looking at these little bundles, saying she didn't cherish them would be false.

Moreover, these were born after she had suffered greatly, so naturally she should take good care of them herself.

She had plenty of nursemaids around her, and it wasn't as if no one would care for them. Bringing them along seemed like no problem.

While thinking this, Ye Jiao's eyes inadvertently caught sight of Dong Shi's dress.

Dong Shi wasn't like ordinary women who were reserved and restrained, but was someone who loved cleanliness very much. Her clothes would never have a speck of dirt, always kept neat and clean.

But now there was a brown stain from her knee to her ankle, a large patch that looked like spilled tea.

Ye Jiao couldn't help saying: "Spring Orchid, what happened to you?"

Dong Shi looked down, then showed an inexplicable expression.

Part angry, part annoyed, finally all turning into helplessness. Dong Shi sighed lightly: "This was splashed by Miss Shen. She and I have never gotten along, occasional quarrels are normal. This time we just disagreed and she deliberately knocked over her teacup and splashed my skirt."

Inwardly she was gritting her teeth. That Miss Shen didn't know what had gotten into her, causing her disaster.

When she was unmarried, she had indeed had conflicts with this Miss Shen, but it was always because the latter was arrogant and bullied others, while she couldn't stand it and quarreled with her. Who knew this person would come after her once she'd made her comeback.

What rotten luck.

Ye Jiao made a sound of surprise.

She knew Dong Shi's temperament - usually the most fierce and aggressive.

If someone provoked her, let alone some Miss Shen, even if she were a noble lady, she wouldn't swallow her anger. At least she would complain to herself about it.

Who knew she could endure until now this time.

Ye Jiao asked: "Who is this?"

Dong Shi tried hard to suppress her urge to roll her eyes, lowering her voice: "Isn't the Emperor currently selecting beauties to fill the harem? This Miss Shen somehow got her family to use connections to get her recommended. She'll be going to the capital next year. Someone who's going to be an imperial consort - even if I'm angry, I can only swallow it."