Lady of Fortune, Jiao Niang

Chapter 139

Little Su hung her head, holding the cage with Little Black but not letting go.

Others didn't quite understand why this girl was always so devoted to a rooster. Though Little Black looked handsome with his glossy black feathers, he wasn't different in any other way.

He was even more hateful than ordinary roosters, having stolen Xu Bao's milk cakes and daily forcing everyone to consider turning him into chicken soup.

But Little Su knew that Little Black was the first thing she had personally cared for after arriving at the Qi family, and she had endured plenty of fear protecting him.

The first time was probably to protect a companion, the second and third times she felt she wouldn't stay at the Qi family long anyway, protecting him for a while was just for a while. But later, as Little Su cared for him longer and longer, protection became habit.

Others thought Little Black was a useless rooster, but Little Su treated him as a pet.

After all, Little Black had disturbed Qi Yun, nearly performed a wedding ceremony with Ye Jiao, stolen Xu Bao's milk cakes, yet still survived to now, which was indeed not easy.

This trip to the capital might last who knows how long. Second Young Mistress said it could be two or three months, or two or three years. Little Su also knew Little Black was the type to cause trouble when there was nothing else to do, fearing that after she left, someone would catch him and stew him. That's why she prepared to take him along.

She could even leave behind those beautiful clothes Ye Jiao had given her, just wanting to leave with this cage.

Little Su raised her head, not daring to look at Qi Yun, only looking hopefully at Ye Jiao: "Second Young Mistress, I'll just take him, nothing else."

Ye Jiao had no objections, but Qi Yun asked flatly: "What can it do?"

Little Su immediately replied: "Make shuttlecocks, tie kites, anything."

The cage held Little Black, who had just had his feathers plucked a few days ago for shuttlecock binding. Not knowing his not-yet-grown feathers had been promised away again, he crowed twice more.

This time Qi Yun said nothing more, just said "bring it if you want" and stopped looking.

Xu Bao was good-tempered. Though his memory was as good as Qi Yun's, he hadn't learned his father's cold grudge-holding. His clever heart was soft and kind like Ye Jiao's.

Hearing Little Black would also be taken along, Xu Bao clapped his hands, calling out crisply: "Take him, take him, Little Black fly!"

Little Su also smiled, nodding at Xu Bao. She set down the chicken cage and picked up Xu Bao to walk around, taking him with Nanny Mo to see the flowers.

Ye Jiao had someone check the two specially made small beds again.

Since they would be riding in carriages the whole journey, occasionally switching to water routes, the carriage bumping and boat swaying might make the children uncomfortable.

Adults could speak when uncomfortable, but children could only cry when uncomfortable. Being so young, they might not endure the travel well. Though Ye Jiao spoke of taking them along, she actually hadn't thought carefully about how to manage it.

After all, Little Ginseng had previously been buried in soil, then lived within a ten-li radius of the city, never having traveled far. Naturally, her considerations weren't thorough.

But Qi Yun was different. Though the weak Second Young Master had also never traveled far, reading ten thousand books was like traveling ten thousand li. He knew everything written in books. For Qi Yun, he originally didn't want to bring two infants, but since they later decided to bring them, naturally everything that should be done must be done well.

As a father, naturally he should do everything possible for his children.

So Qi Yun carefully considered all possibilities, reinforcing carriages, finding stable boats, then having people make two small beds.

Ye Jiao curiously pushed the two small wooden beds. Qi Yun stood behind her, holding Ye Jiao's shoulders, saying slowly: "These beds are different. Carriage shock absorption installs two pieces of wood at the bottom of the carriage body, called 'crouching rabbits,' to reduce shock. I had people modify these two beds using the same method. During bumping, they'll be relatively stable. The bottom is wrapped with thick silk, with three layers of soft padding inside. It will be much more comfortable."

Qi Yun explained in detail because he knew his wife was especially concerned about the two little ones. Saying more would help Ye Jiao feel more at ease.

But Qi Yun also knew that most of what he said, Ye Jiao probably couldn't understand.

Sure enough, Ye Jiao's eyes first showed confusion, then she bent down to look, asked Qi Yun detailed questions, and finally smiled: "Husband is truly amazing, thinking of so much."

Qi Yun grasped her hand, his tone gentle: "What you care about, I naturally take to heart."

Ye Jiao looked up at him: "Husband, I also care deeply about your matters."

Though Qi Yun knew his sweet words had again received Ye Jiao's unique response, he liked it and wanted to ask: "How do you care?"

Ye Jiao blinked, thinking she naturally cared well about Qi Yun's health.

But there were many ways to care: making soup, watching him eat boiled eggs, stuffing warm hand warmers in his hands. These were all good. What really required her personal action seemed to be just one thing.

So Ye Jiao, with clean and pure eyes and a soft voice, said: "Naturally by holding you tight to sleep at night."

Being closer would provide more nourishment, Little Ginseng reasoned confidently.

But hearing this in Qi Yun's ears made his cheeks flush red.

He instinctively embraced Ye Jiao, pressing his wife's face into his chest, afraid others might hear. Qi Yun could only whisper: "When we get in the carriage later, we'll discuss privately."

Though Ye Jiao didn't know what was worth discussing privately, since Qi Yun said so, she agreed.

When things were nearly packed, it was time to depart.

Qi Yun took Qi Ming to bid farewell to their parents. Especially Qi Ming, who was going to the capital for examinations. Whether he could leap over the dragon gate depended on this attempt, naturally it was extremely solemn.

The ceremony was complete, kneeling and kowtowing on the ground. Liu Shi sat properly but kept wiping tears with her handkerchief. Father Qi's face showed pride and satisfaction.

Men and women were ultimately different. Liu Shi thought of the pain of separation, while Father Qi thought of his children's success, which was truly the best thing possible.

Liu Shi gave mostly valuables, while Father Qi gave money to Qi Yun. Even though his second son had already earned mountains of gold and silver, as a father he was happy to give his treasured savings before his child's long journey.

Fang Shi also sent gifts, but she didn't send money. Instead, she gave personally made clothes, appearing more sincere.

She specifically pulled Ye Jiao aside, thanking them for helping her see clearly about her maternal family matters.

Fang Shi was straightforward, avoiding no taboos. Cut off from her maternal brother meant cut off. Thanks must be given, and with Second Brother and sister-in-law leaving, if she didn't speak now, it would be too late.

Qi Yun had people prepare several good horses early, plus a large basket of dry provisions for them to eat on the road.

Little Ginseng was different from ordinary people. Having been a spirit creature too long, she wasn't sensitive to the life-and-death partings that ordinary people experienced.

At least when previously thinking about going to the capital, Ye Jiao's heart held only excitement, like a child, especially eager to see that place.

But now, seeing people she lived with day and night holding her hands saying they couldn't bear to part, Ye Jiao felt her nose getting sour.

Blinking her eyes, cool teardrops rolled down.

She rarely cried. In these few years, she had shed tears only a countable number of times. But precisely because she rarely cried, her sudden tears were especially heartbreaking.

Liu Shi couldn't hold back either, holding Ye Jiao's hand with much instruction. Fang Shi also came over, her voice somewhat choked.

After Qi Yun helped Ye Jiao into the carriage, she still lifted the curtain and poked her head out, looking at the family members behind them who watched and were reluctant to return.

Family.

Ye Jiao paused, only now realizing she was human and naturally had a family.

This... was really good.

Marriage was really good.

Little Ginseng suddenly turned her head and solidly kissed Qi Yun on the lips.

Especially crisp, with a clear "pop" sound.

This made Little Su quickly lower her head pretending not to know, while Qi Yun was stunned, really not knowing why his wife suddenly did this.

But he thought it was because of suddenly leaving a place they'd lived for several years, Ye Jiao felt sad and came to him for comfort. So Qi Yun reached out to hold her in his arms, stroking her back while saying: "It's fine, we're not never coming back. After we settle in the capital, whether you want to return to live or bring Father and Mother over is possible."

Ye Jiao held him, making a small "mm" sound.

After a while, when Ye Jiao's eyes were no longer dropping tears, she sat up from Qi Yun's arms, scanning the carriage interior.

Ruyi and Ning Bao each had a small bed. Ning Bao was sleeping, while Ruyi was staring with wide eyes, smiling as she waved her little fists, making a fuss in her small bed.

Little Su watched them from the side, occasionally using a handkerchief to wipe drool from the two babies, very carefully.

But she didn't see her eldest son.

Ye Jiao tugged at Qi Yun asking: "Where's Xu Bao?"

Qi Yun was still gently patting her back, saying slowly: "Xu Bao said he wanted to hear stories, clinging to Third Brother and wouldn't leave. I had Nanny Mo take him to find Third Brother to talk first. Also, if Xu Bao were here, Ning Bao definitely couldn't sleep."

Xu Bao just loved disturbing Ning Bao, who didn't like moving. When they were together, there was definitely no peace.

Speaking of Ning Bao, Ye Jiao's eyes looked toward those two small beds.

After Qi Yun's earlier explanation, Ye Jiao knew how exquisite and precious these two beds were. Now seeing the good effect, Ning Bao sleeping steadily, Ruyi playing happily.

But though called small beds, actually each could fit three babies inside. Ye Jiao reached out to pinch Ruyi's little hand, saying: "These beds are so big, why not put them together? That way it would be more spacious too."

Qi Yun said nothing, just picked up Ruyi and gently placed her in Ning Bao's small bed.

At first Ruyi didn't notice anything, still smiling as she looked around.

But after she saw Ning Bao, she stopped moving.

The next moment, the little girl vigorously twisted her body, bit by bit moving toward Ning Bao.

Her mouth no longer smiled, only making huffing sounds of effort, her hands and feet persistently trying to hook onto Ning Bao.

Ye Jiao found it interesting, leaning over to watch, her eyes smiling like two crescents.

Soon, Ruyi had wiggled next to Ning Bao.

Ye Jiao immediately patted Qi Yun to have him come look too: "See, Ruyi likes Ning Bao so much."

But Qi Yun didn't speak, signaling for Ye Jiao to keep watching.

Before Ye Jiao could speak again, she saw Ruyi grab Ning Bao's chubby little arm. She brought her own head over, opened her little mouth, and firmly bit down on Ning Bao's plump cheek.