Lady of Fortune, Jiao Niang

Chapter 137

Qi Yun instinctively tucked Ye Jiao back under the quilt, then belatedly realized it was broad daylight and they were fully clothed.

Qi Ming froze in place, somewhat bewildered, then involuntarily shuddered when he met his Second Brother's cold gaze.

Qi Ming didn't know what had happened, but he knew he seemed to have angered his Second Brother...

Thinking it over, Qi Ming could only conclude that he had entered without knocking.

So before Qi Yun could speak, Third Young Master Qi quickly walked out the door, then reached out to knock on the open door panel: "Second Brother, Second Sister-in-law, may I come in?"

Ye Jiao, who had already emerged from under the quilt, was somewhat puzzled, not understanding why she had been tucked in. Her first action after coming out was to punch Qi Yun once, then quickly fix her hair, taking a hairpin to pin it back up properly before saying: "Come in."

Only then did Qi Ming carefully enter, seeing Ye Jiao looking at him with a smile and Qi Yun sitting coldly against the soft couch with a quilt covering his legs. Third Young Master Qi inexplicably swallowed.

He didn't know what he was afraid of, but simple-minded people often had a sense for danger. Qi Ming felt he had come at the wrong time.

Just then, Little Su returned carrying a food box. Upon entering, she looked somewhat surprised at Qi Ming standing there stiffly. She set the food box on the table, greeted Qi Ming, then looked at Ye Jiao: "Second Young Mistress, the ginger tea and glutinous rice balls are ready. Should I serve them now?"

Ye Jiao instinctively touched the jade hairpin on her head, making sure it wasn't crooked, then walked over: "Just leave the glutinous rice balls. Serve a bowl of ginger tea for my husband," then Ye Jiao looked at Qi Ming, "and give Third Brother a bowl too."

Qi Ming knew Ye Jiao meant well, but right now he actually wanted to turn and run.

Qi Yun said flatly: "If she's telling you to drink, then sit down."

"...Alright." Qi Ming set the "Hundred Family Names" book in his hand aside, then carefully sat down, holding the ginger tea and gulping it down mouthful by mouthful.

Ye Jiao still remembered what he had shouted when entering, and looked at him asking: "What about Xu Bao?"

Speaking of this, Qi Ming became happy: "He can recite the Hundred Family Names, the whole text. Sister-in-law, I've never seen such a clever child."

Qi Ming loved reading books, whether naturally or force-fed by Qi Yun in childhood. Either way, he now especially loved reading, and had particular fondness for Xu Bao who also liked reading.

He also knew Master Feng, who was very gentle and cheerful with good knowledge. Hearing that Xu Bao was learning with Master Feng, Qi Ming had wanted to find a chance to look after returning home this time.

As soon as he looked, Xu Bao gave him a surprise.

Qi Ming couldn't help smiling: "I could only recite it when I was six. For Xu Bao to recite it so fluently at this age is truly remarkable."

Qi Yun in the inner room heard this and said flatly: "He's my son."

This statement seemed random without context, but Qi Ming knew his Second Brother was showing off.

A clever son proved a clever father, so naturally the more Xu Bao was praised, the happier he became.

Ye Jiao looked at Qi Yun with confusion, not quite understanding.

Qi Yun timely changed the subject: "How are your recent studies progressing?"

Speaking of this, Qi Ming's expression also became serious.

The metropolitan examination was different from the provincial examination.

The provincial examination was like a threshold. Once crossed, you truly stepped onto the path of officialdom.

The metropolitan examination was like the turbulent river before the carp's leap over the dragon gate. Only by rushing through could you reach the palace examination, seeking the chance for success before His Majesty.

Qi Ming never considered himself a genius. His success in every examination relied on nothing but effort.

But he wouldn't give up either. Otherwise, three years after three years, few could afford such delays.

So Qi Ming stood up and, separated by the door between inner and outer rooms, discussed his recent study insights with Qi Yun.

This included how to write elegant essays, recently read famous works, and unavoidable foundational knowledge.

Usually Qi Ming would discuss these things with Qi Yun whenever he returned home. Ye Jiao was used to it.

She didn't go over to listen, but sat quietly at the table, spooning glutinous rice balls into her mouth.

Her eyes looked at the "Hundred Family Names" book Qi Ming had placed on the table. Ye Jiao picked it up and flipped through it. Previously she had read it to learn characters, recognizing them all but never memorizing it. Now Ye Jiao wasn't trying to memorize either, but was looking for her own surname.

It was hard to find. After flipping for quite a while, she finally saw the surname "Ye."

Just as Ye Jiao was about to start from the beginning to find "Qi," she heard Qi Ming say: "Thank you for Second Brother's guidance. It's getting late, so I won't disturb Second Brother and Second Sister-in-law's rest."

Hearing this, Ye Jiao looked up at him: "In two more days it will be time to depart. Mother said to have Third Brother prepare what you need to bring yourself, pack your trunks properly, so we can all go to the capital together."

Qi Ming nodded, though he felt he had little to prepare.

He was going for examinations, not moving house like Second Brother and Second Sister-in-law. He only needed to bring writing materials, a few sets of clothes, and most importantly, bring along his good book boy Liu Si, then all would be well.

But Qi Ming still respectfully thanked Ye Jiao before preparing to leave.

Qi Yun suddenly spoke: "Are you free today?"

Qi Ming almost instinctively replied: "Second Brother, I'll go practice calligraphy properly, thirty pieces a day, I won't forget."

Hearing this, Qi Yun also unconsciously curved his lips.

This was indeed homework he had assigned, but his third brother's persistence was also admirable.

If Third Brother's calligraphy had previously lacked foundation, now it was quite presentable.

Though not masterful, it could earn praise as good calligraphy.

But now that Qi Ming's calligraphy showed some achievement, the focus should shift to reading and essay writing. Calligraphy practice could be set aside.

Therefore Qi Yun said: "No need for large character practice. If you have free time, why not take your books to read to Xu Bao? He likes listening, and reading to him can also strengthen your memory."

Hearing he didn't need to practice large characters, Qi Ming was naturally happy and readily agreed to this invitation.

But after Qi Ming left, Ye Jiao looked at Qi Yun strangely: "Husband, didn't Xu Bao used to beg you to read to him? How did it fall to Third Brother?"

Qi Yun didn't answer, but slightly leaned to one side, then put his hand to his mouth and coughed lightly twice.

Little Ginseng quickly went over, sat beside Qi Yun, let him lean against her while she helped him breathe easier, saying: "That's right, with your body not feeling well, you probably can't read properly to Xu Bao either."

Qi Yun then took her hand, saying softly: "I'm fine now, Jiao Niang. Let's discuss some serious matters."

How to arrange the trip to the capital, how to outfit the carriage, and arrangements along the way, all these needed their joint consideration.

Ye Jiao looked at him: "Then you must promise me to drink soup tonight, and we'll discuss after you drink it."

"What soup?"

"For nourishing kidney qi. Spring Orchid says it's very effective, also good for physical weakness."

Ye Jiao's focus was on the latter half, but Second Young Master Qi's attention was on the first half.

So when the two finished discussing serious matters and lay down to sleep, Ye Jiao felt her quilt move.

Then a slightly cool body moved closer, demonstrating through action that the soup was indeed effective. The next day, Ye Jiao slept half an hour longer than usual.

But Ye Jiao's spirits were much better than Qi Yun's. When Qi Yun was drawing her eyebrows, she was all smiles without a trace of fatigue.

After setting down the snail shell ink, Qi Yun touched Ye Jiao's face, examining it from various angles.

He couldn't understand who exactly had been tearfully telling him "enough" last night. At that time she was so limp she didn't want to move a finger, and he had to coax her to sleep.

Yet after just one night's sleep, his wife was energetic again, able to run and jump, while he felt his back aching...

And Ye Jiao had force-fed him two boiled eggs.

Ye Jiao also noticed Qi Yun's back pain, so she thought to have him lie down as usual so she could massage him.

But before she could speak, she heard Little Su outside: "Second Young Mistress, the county magistrate's wife has come and is waiting in the front hall."