Lady of Fortune, Jiao Niang

Chapter 140

This... she bit him?

Ye Jiao was startled, reaching out to separate the two babies when she saw Ning Bao open his eyes.

Among the three children, Ruyi and Xu Bao's eyes were like Ye Jiao's, only Ning Bao's were like Qi Yun's.

Slightly upturned, with beautiful eye corners, but without Qi Yun's indifference, instead having some innocent softness.

The little bundle who had just woken up looked somewhat confused, with someone lying on him without knowing to resist. Ning Bao wasn't as lively as Ruyi, his reactions also half a beat slow. After opening his eyes and lying for a while, he realized he was being gnawed on.

But Ning Bao's treatment of Ruyi wasn't like his response to Xu Bao, where he would push and refuse completely. Instead, he softly moved, struggled a little, and finding he couldn't escape Ruyi, he stopped moving again, closed his eyes, letting Ruyi bite, quite resigned to his fate.

Ruyi happily sucked on Ning Bao's face, her chubby hands and feet hooking onto him, gnawing this side then that side, playing extremely happily.

Only when Qi Yun reached out to pick her up did Ruyi finally release Ning Bao.

The little girl seemed somewhat unhappy, humming twice in her mouth. But when these two hums made Ning Bao open his eyes again, Ruyi fell silent, obediently being placed in her own small bed, continuing to happily gnaw her hand.

Ning Bao closed his eyes again and was fast asleep in no time.

Ye Jiao looked at Qi Yun with some confusion: "What were they doing just now?"

Qi Yun took a silk handkerchief, gently wiping the drool from Ning Bao's face, saying softly: "She's about to cut teeth. Ruyi likes to bite things. It'll be better after her teeth come in."

Ye Jiao blinked: "Ning Bao is the same age as her, why doesn't Ning Bao bite things?"

Qi Yun glanced at Ye Jiao: "He bites."

"Bites what?"

"Bites Xu Bao."

Ye Jiao: ...

When Xu Bao returned, the first thing he did was go kiss Ning Bao. Ning Bao saw him approach, didn't cry or fuss, but opened his mouth and bit down on Xu Bao's chin, which verified Qi Yun's truthfulness.

For the next few days, since Qi Ming needed to prepare for examinations, Xu Bao could only stay with Qi Ming for half an hour before returning.

For Xu Bao, this half hour was good time for hearing stories.

For Qi Ming, it was rest time between studying. Xu Bao was chubby and good-tempered. Holding him for some cuddling was very stress-relieving.

But after Xu Bao came to Qi Yun and Ye Jiao's carriage, he didn't make noise. He obediently played with Ruyi and pinched Ning Bao, mostly eating and sleeping, much quieter than usual.

Ye Jiao could see Xu Bao was stifled from always staying in the carriage, but her plump son was well-behaved, wouldn't complain, just endured it, which made him even more pitiable.

But always making Xu Bao sleep wasn't a solution either. When tired and weary, even Master Feng reading to him wouldn't interest him.

Qi Yun had the convoy slow its pace. When the weather was nice outside, they'd stop to rest, letting people in the carriages get out to walk and turn around, making it more comfortable.

Though this would delay the journey, they weren't in a hurry to reach the capital, so naturally they went with whatever was most comfortable.

But when they switched to boats, it became much more comfortable.

After Qi Yun brought Ye Jiao into the cabin, he walked with her while saying: "This is the Qi family's own merchant ship. Two smaller ones will follow behind, all guarded by people your brother sent. Safety won't be a problem."

Hearing this, Ye Jiao leaned against the window to look outside, then whispered: "Those boats are so small."

"Larger ones are more stable. Since you and the children are riding a boat for the first time, naturally I want to find a steady one." Qi Yun spoke while gently holding Ye Jiao's fingertips, rubbing them in his palm.

Ye Jiao turned to look at him: "Husband, have you ridden before?" Wasn't it said that her husband had always stayed home without going out?

Qi Yun said slowly: "Once, when I was still small and seriously ill. Even the doctor said I couldn't be saved. My mother held me on a boat to my maternal grandfather's home, seeking famous doctors everywhere, finally managing to save my life."

Qi Yun had never told anyone this before. After all, everyone preferred looking forward rather than showing others their old scars.

The experience of being on death's edge was truly too painful, and with Qi Yun's excellent memory, he still hadn't forgotten it even now.

Ye Jiao couldn't help grasping his hand, seeming to comfort him.

Qi Yun smiled at Ye Jiao: "It doesn't matter now. With my body properly cared for, I still want to spend long, long years with you."

Little Ginseng nodded, feeling he was right. Men indeed needed to take good care of themselves.

As for how to take care...

Ye Jiao leaned over and tightly embraced Qi Yun.

More hugging would provide good care.

Second Young Master Qi was first startled, then hugged her back, glancing to the side.

Tie Zi understood, pulling Little Su out and thoughtfully closing the door.

Outside the door stood a middle-aged man of medium build with a goat beard.

When Tie Zi saw him, his smile faded somewhat, and he cupped his hands: "Steward Wei."

Steward Wei immediately returned the courtesy: "Master Su, I wonder what the master thinks of my arrangements?"

This merchant ship belonged to the Qi family, and Steward Wei was sent by the Qi family to do water route business.

Water route business was hard to do, everything required money to pave the way, but once successful, it earned much more than land routes. Qi Yun had begun preparations last year, and Steward Wei was found by Steward Song, reliable and steady, but had never met Qi Yun face to face.

Now that the master was personally using his boat, Steward Wei was extremely happy and eagerly waited at the door.

Hearing this, Tie Zi nodded: "Second Young Master said it was very good. Steward Wei, rest assured, our Second Young Master is very reasonable."

Steward Wei immediately smiled and nodded. Little Su secretly glanced at Tie Zi, truly unable to imagine Second Young Master being easy to talk to.

But these words were just a means of reassuring subordinates, no one took them seriously.

Not far away, someone brought hot tea. Steward Wei quickly took it, saying to Tie Zi: "Master Su, I have some accounting matters to report to the master."

Tie Zi stepped aside, knocked twice on the door, and after hearing "come in" from inside, he raised his hand. Steward Wei smiled and entered.

Upon entering, Ye Jiao was still standing by the window looking outside.

Having previously lived in the mountains and later in houses, Little Ginseng truly hadn't stayed on boats before. With calm water flow, wide river channels, and green mountains surrounding both sides, just looking made her feel refreshed.

Qi Yun sat at the table, watching Steward Wei.

Steward Wei only glanced once and felt this master wasn't as frail as rumors suggested. Aside from a slightly pale complexion, he was no different from ordinary people.

As for the second young mistress, he didn't dare raise his eyes to look, just set down the teacup, respectfully saluted, then focused on reconciling accounts with Qi Yun.

Steward Wei liked scheming, and Qi Yun could see this. He was a slippery person who spoke without leaving any openings, acted carefully and cautiously, watching Qi Yun's expression for ages before saying a word. He was truly a human fox.

But this was nothing. Those doing business on water needed some smooth qualities to get by.

Someone straightforward and rigid like Fang Li could manage a medicine shop well, but put him on these water routes, and he'd be squeezed out every three days.

Qi Yun flipped through the account books, seeing at a glance that Steward Wei's accounts were clear and transparent without any embezzlement, which was good.

How someone behaved personally didn't affect business. Qi Yun was fairly satisfied with him.

But whether satisfied or not, for this first meeting, Second Young Master had to establish his authority sufficiently.

When he was expressionless, though no longer having his previous demon-like appearance, looking handsome and elegant, that cold indifference could still make Steward Wei break out in layers of cold sweat.

After finishing the discussion, Qi Yun didn't say whether it was good or bad, just kept the account books: "I need to review these more. You go first, we'll talk tonight."

"Yes, yes." Steward Wei quickly rose to bid farewell, backing out of the room.

As soon as he left, he heard Tie Zi's voice: "Little Su, why are you covering your face with your hands?"

Little Su's face was red. Even though she saw Second Young Master and Second Young Mistress together daily, each time she watched, she felt especially embarrassed.

Hearing Tie Zi's words, Little Su put her hands down, but her cheeks still had some flush.

This made Tie Zi look curiously: "Eh, what rouge did you put on today? It looks really nice."

Little Su glanced at him: "I don't have rouge..."

Hearing this, Tie Zi immediately moved closer: "Then shall I give you a box? What color do you like, pink or red?"

These words made Little Su look at him twice, her voice gentle: "You seem quite good at choosing. Have you bought it before?"

Tie Zi immediately smiled and replied: "I have," and before Little Su could glare at him, Tie Zi said: "All chosen by Second Young Master for me to buy, gifts for Second Young Mistress. Each time, wasn't it me who bought them and gave them to you?"

Little Su blinked, nodded, and softly said "oh."

But the young girl didn't look at him, instead dropping the line: "I'm going to see how Young Master and Miss are settled." She turned and ran.

Tie Zi shouted from behind: "When we reach the capital, I'll definitely buy you the prettiest ones!" making Little Su run even faster.

Standing nearby, Steward Wei smiled with a face full of satisfaction. After Little Su left, he said to Tie Zi: "Master Su, you're really good with words."

So intimate with young ladies, truly warm and natural.

Tie Zi looked at him blankly: "What did I say?"

Steward Wei: ...

It seemed only he had been overthinking the whole time.

When it grew dark outside, as Ye Jiao went to the adjacent room to nurse the twins, Qi Yun called Tie Zi over, handing him the account books along with an abacus: "Look carefully, reconcile the accounts, and give them back to me when you're done calculating."

Tie Zi agreed and took them to calculate.

Usually no one had taught him accounting skills, but among the books Qi Yun had given him were those about accounting, and Qi Yun had also secretly practiced with the abacus.

Though not long had passed and Tie Zi couldn't use it fluently yet, since Qi Yun asked him to do this, he wanted to see if he'd been lazy these days. Tie Zi naturally wouldn't refuse.

Sure enough, Qi Yun watched him somewhat clumsily manipulating the abacus beads without saying anything, just holding a soup bowl, slowly drinking while calmly looking at the book spread before him.

Occasionally turning a page, when he saw something interesting, he'd mark it with a bookmark.

As long as Tie Zi raised his head, he could see Qi Yun reading something that didn't look like account books, judging by the cover.

Actually, Qi Yun was reading spring palace illustrations, just with a serious expression, looking focused and unlike someone doing bad things.

But Tie Zi had been concentrating on calculating the accounts in his hands without getting distracted.

But Qi Yun hadn't really intended for him to finish calculating everything. Seeing the candlelight go out in the right window, Qi Yun knew Ye Jiao had finished nursing the two babies and was coaxing them to sleep, probably returning soon.

So Qi Yun closed the open book, set it aside, and looked at Tie Zi: "How far have you gotten?"

Tie Zi's face reddened, hanging his head: "Only looked through less than one-third, just roughly sorted out the general situation."

Qi Yun didn't ask details, only asking: "Did you find any discrepancies?"

"None."

"Then can you tell what business we usually do on these water routes?"

Tie Zi hesitated, then said: "It seems we don't do much of anything, just help people transport goods, but I don't know where such profits come from."

Qi Yun set down his soup bowl, wiping his mouth with a handkerchief, then said slowly: "In the world's commercial ventures, it's not only buying and selling that matters, cargo transport is equally important. We have connections with the Canal Gang, each taking profits. We transport official merchant goods, they handle private goods. We don't interfere with each other but can rely on each other. Water routes yield great profits, and there are ways to earn more if we wanted, but earning too much would bring disaster."

Tie Zi thought: "Master means... they eat meat, we drink soup?"

"We eat meat together. Not competing for profit doesn't mean yielding profit. Life must go on." Qi Yun glanced at Tie Zi. "Having meat but not eating it, always drinking soup, what's the point of doing business? Might as well jump in the river and drink water."

Tie Zi scratched his head, laughing twice. Though he didn't quite understand in his heart, he still took Qi Yun's words to heart.

Seeing he'd listened, Qi Yun said: "Take this account book back to look carefully. This Steward Wei is capable of handling things. The accounts are extremely clean, you should look more."

Tie Zi blinked: "Master, Steward Wei is very talented?"

Qi Yun said lightly: "Some details are still somewhat improper, but as long as there are no major oversights, it's fine. As for which details, come tell me after you finish reading."

Tie Zi agreed, understanding in his heart that Qi Yun appreciated Steward Wei, and that man's work was indeed efficient. He seemed quite capable.

After leaving, Tie Zi hurried toward his own room, but before entering, he saw Steward Wei waiting for him in the corridor.

Seeing him, Steward Wei quickly approached, smiling and cupping his hands: "Master Su, still not resting so late? How about having someone bring some late-night snacks?"

Tie Zi smiled: "No need to trouble Steward Wei, I'm not hungry. So late, you should rest early too."

"Thank you for Master Su's concern, I'll remember," then Steward Wei's voice paused, lowering his voice: "I just have one matter I'd like Master Su to help with."

Tie Zi nodded: "Please speak."

Steward Wei stroked his goat beard, smiling: "Not far from here, there's a dock, and near that dock there are often flower boats, with river boat women..."

"Cough cough." Seeing him getting more inappropriate, Tie Zi quickly stopped him.

Though Steward Wei hadn't named names, with slight imagination, one could know what river boat women referred to.

He'd only heard of prostitutes on river flower boats before, never actually seen them, not expecting Steward Wei to deliver them right to his eyes.

If it were someone else, Tie Zi would say nothing, and Second Young Master had ways to deal with them.

But having just heard Qi Yun praise this Steward Wei for being capable, and having seen the account books knowing his abilities, Tie Zi planned to give a reminder: "Steward Wei, forgive my directness, but Master and Young Mistress have deep affection, and he's bringing children. What you're doing is truly inappropriate."

Steward Wei was stunned, not understanding for a moment.

It was because he often traveled water routes, seeing many dock workers, or official merchants and wealthy households, none of whom could walk when seeing beautiful women.

But this approach obviously shouldn't be used on Qi Yun.

Tie Zi continued: "Steward Wei's management here isn't easy, naturally you've worked hard with all the arrangements, but if you insist on finding displeasure for Master and Young Mistress, I'm afraid all this hard work will be wasted. Wouldn't that be a pity?"

Steward Wei immediately understood, quickly bowing to Tie Zi repeatedly saying "wouldn't dare," then saluting again: "Thank Master Su for the guidance, I understand, definitely won't in the future."

Whether he would or wouldn't, Tie Zi didn't care. He just didn't want Steward Wei to hit a wall.

Otherwise, letting him go up there, with his master's temperament, Steward Wei would probably be finished, and Qi Yun would lose a capable steward. Tie Zi wouldn't gain anything either. Why bother?

But Tie Zi didn't plan to hide this from Qi Yun either, telling his master the next day.

Hearing this, Qi Yun frowned, but immediately relaxed his brow, saying slowly: "Steward Wei's way of handling people and situations is still too crude. Have him come later, I have words for him."

Tie Zi didn't quite understand, so he asked: "Second Young Master, what does this have to do with handling people and situations?"

Qi Yun said: "Knowing we were coming, he didn't prepare properly. If he'd inquired a little, he wouldn't have done what you described."

Second Young Master Qi's marital harmony was famous. Steward Wei could have asked around, but asking nothing and wanting to make arrangements, then directly bringing it to Tie Zi, obviously assuming Qi Yun would agree.

Not giving a warning, Qi Yun felt he couldn't let it pass.

Hearing this, Tie Zi was stunned, then looked enlightened, running off to call Steward Wei.

Steward Wei entered trembling, came out shaking after the time of one incense stick, his face pale.

Tie Zi felt sorry for him, but the next few days were harmonious, suggesting this matter had been resolved.

Qi Ming got peace and quiet. Besides studying, he just rested. On the boat, it was like being isolated from the world. His room had the best soundproofing, actually quieter than at the academy.

But while Qi Yun and Qi Ming were busy with their own affairs, Ye Jiao became idle.

Not that she didn't want to find things to do, but her physical condition didn't allow it.

Little Ginseng had underestimated the importance of solid ground beneath her feet. Having always lived buried in earth, then walking around within ten li of the city, never traveling far, naturally she had some oversights.

Qi Yun was different. Though the weak Second Young Master similarly hadn't traveled far, reading ten thousand books was like traveling ten thousand li. He knew everything written in books. For Qi Yun, though he originally didn't want to bring two infants along, since they later decided to take them, naturally everything proper should be done well.

Little Ginseng underestimated the importance of being grounded. Having always lived buried in soil, then later walking around the city's surrounding ten li area, never having gone far, naturally she would have some unconsidered aspects.

For one or two days she felt fine, even fresh and excited, but after a long time, she felt uncomfortable.

Dizzy, drowsy, not wanting to eat.

This scared Qi Yun into having her pulse checked repeatedly, afraid something terrible had happened again. Only after Ye Jiao patiently told him she definitely wasn't pregnant did Qi Yun feel somewhat relieved.

Not that he didn't like children. People nowadays valued having many sons and much fortune, no one would dislike having many children.

But since Ye Jiao had given birth to Xu Bao and gotten pregnant with Ning Bao and Ruyi within just a year, though her confinement was well done and her health wasn't seriously affected, Qi Yun felt very sorry for her.

In his thinking, it would be better not to burden Ye Jiao for the next few years, so he usually restrained himself.

Now knowing it was just seasickness, Second Young Master Qi sighed with relief.

Also because of Qi Yun's panicked flurry, Ye Jiao's seasickness actually improved considerably. After adapting, she could even get up to flip through books.

But the books Ye Jiao read were much more proper than Qi Yun's. She leaned against Qi Yun, her voice soft: "Mother gave me this before leaving, it contains records of all the servants we brought this time, telling me to look when I have time, so I can manage the household well."

Qi Yun had already looked through this book and memorized it completely. Now that Ye Jiao wanted to read it, Qi Yun let her, only instructing: "You just recovered from seasickness not long ago. Don't read too much text. If you feel uncomfortable, put it down. I can read it to you if needed."

Ye Jiao smiled and kissed him, then slowly began flipping through it.

Little Ginseng was no Qi Yun. Though she had ginseng spirit essence, that couldn't change her brain or make her a genius.

She read very slowly, and couldn't remember after just one pass. She needed to flip back and forth many times to memorize it.

Qi Yun was patient too, following along with her bit by bit, showing no sign of impatience.

After a long while, Ye Jiao felt embarrassed: "Husband, have you already memorized it all?"

Qi Yun, who had indeed memorized it all, firmly shook his head: "How could that be? I also need to read it several times. Why don't I read it aloud to you? You can listen while reading, which might help you remember faster."

"Good."

Little Ginseng didn't doubt him and handed the roster to Qi Yun, then lay on her side on the man's lap, looking up at him expectantly.

From this angle, Qi Yun could clearly see Ye Jiao's beautiful face, bright eyes, and the light green ties of her undergarment.

Trying hard to focus his attention on the roster, Qi Yun's voice was calm as he read each word clearly to her.

Ye Jiao listened attentively at first, occasionally asking questions, but gradually her eyelids grew heavy. After yawning twice, she soon fell asleep.

When she woke up, it was already noon.

Xu Bao had somehow also climbed onto the bed. Not disturbing Ye Jiao, he played with a cloth ball by himself. Seeing Ye Jiao open her eyes, Xu Bao immediately crawled over, lay on his side next to Ye Jiao, reached out to hug her neck, and said sweetly: "Mother, kiss kiss."

Ye Jiao, still drowsy from just waking up, instinctively kissed his face.

Xu Bao smiled, released Ye Jiao, and bounced around on the bed, shouting: "Daddy, Daddy! Mother's awake!"

"I know, don't bounce around." Qi Yun scooped up Xu Bao and placed him on the nearby soft couch, then sat on the bed's edge.

Ye Jiao, who had been gentle enough to give Xu Bao kisses moments before, immediately showed none of that earlier gentleness upon seeing Qi Yun. Instead, she lazily extended her arms for Qi Yun to help her sit up.

Leaning against the man's shoulder, Ye Jiao yawned and rubbed her face against his chest before saying: "I slept so comfortably, though I dreamed of names the whole time."

Qi Yun found this amusing, patting her back: "If you find it troublesome, don't worry about memorizing them. There's still plenty of time to get to know people."

Usually Ye Jiao would agree to anything he said, but this time she shook her head, leaning sideways and speaking slowly: "Mother said managing a household involves many complicated matters, and you must carefully supervise your subordinates. The more names I can remember, the better. When we arrive, I can assign duties properly instead of letting things go unmanaged."

Qi Yun knew his wife was being diligent, and this was also her right as the head mistress of the household. Naturally he wouldn't stop her.

Little Ginseng's eyes, now more awake, looked past Qi Yun's shoulder toward the soft couch nearby.

Nanny Mo was watching over them, and on the soft couch, besides Xu Bao, were two other lying babies.

Ning Bao was still hugging his favorite ball of yarn tightly. Being small, he needed both hands and feet to hold the ball properly, so he had curled himself into a ball.

Xu Bao and Ruyi surrounded him, one hugging, one kissing. The surrounded Ning Bao showed no resistance, neither crying nor fussing, lying lazily and letting them have their way. Eventually, they could even hear Ning Bao laughing.

Ye Jiao found it interesting and wanted to touch them too.

Just then, Tie Zi's voice came from outside: "Second Young Master, Steward Wei says after passing this section and going a bit further, we'll be able to see the capital!"