Lady of Fortune, Jiao Niang

Chapter 162

Dong Shi sat quietly in the main seat, looking at the Wen family elders below, a faint smile on her face. She still had the presence of mind to leisurely pick up her tea cup and drink slowly, appearing unhurried and extraordinarily calm.

Instead, it was the elders who looked at each other, not knowing what to say.

Though they could be called elders, they were actually just Wen family seniors who normally had no real say in matters.

The most accomplished member of the Wen family was Wen Minsong, Dong Shi's husband. Back then, Wen Minsong had taken the imperial examinations up to the provincial level but failed to advance further. However, he had made many friends, including fellow provincial Shi Tianrui, and Wen Minsong had successfully married Shi Tianrui's legitimate sister when Shi Tianrui was still a scholar.

Later, when Shi Tianrui passed the higher examinations and gained favor at the Hanlin Academy, the Wen family was able to establish itself in the Capital by borrowing Shi Tianrui's influence.

When Shi Tianrui was later demoted and sent away from the Capital, it didn't implicate the Wen family. The Wen family still controlled more than half of the porcelain and jade business in the Capital, truly earning vast amounts of money daily.

As for whether the Wen family's inner quarters were peaceful, these clan members didn't care.

As long as they could see that Wen Minsong could make money and support them, everything was fine.

Dong Shi knew their thoughts, so she was confident this divorce would succeed. Speaking now, her words were steady and balanced: "My husband and I have known each other for many years, sharing both sweetness and bitterness, but our fate has ultimately run its course. I don't want to delay my husband either, so separation is for the best."

Wen Minsong, sitting to one side, had a somewhat complex expression when he heard this.

He didn't particularly like Dong Shi. Though he had once spoken sweet words to her and given her many gifts, that was because Wen Minsong saw that Shi Tianrui had unlimited prospects and thought marrying his sister would bring benefits later.

Moreover, Dong Shi at that time was gentle-hearted and mild-tempered, very tolerant, certain to treat Sun Shi well, who had already borne him two sons. This was why Wen Minsong pursued her relentlessly.

But once he married her and brought her home, Wen Minsong paid her little attention. Though it didn't reach the point of mutual disgust, their relationship grew increasingly cold.

Especially when Sun Shi often came crying to him about being wronged and suffering under Dong Shi, Wen Minsong felt even more that Dong Shi's previous tolerance and gentleness were all pretense.

If not for Dong Shi calling him over today for this meeting, counting up, the two hadn't spoken in the same place for a full six months.

Even the news of Dong Shi wanting a divorce, he had learned from the servants.

When Wen Minsong first heard that Dong Shi wanted a divorce, his first reaction was that Dong Shi had gone mad.

He sat up straight, frowning deeply, his voice low: "You need to think clearly. Now your natal family has no backing, and your food, drink, and expenses all depend on the Wen family providing for you. Though you have no children, I'm still willing to keep you in the household, which is already the height of benevolence. If we divorce, once you leave this door, I'm afraid you won't last a single day."

At these words, Dong Shi showed no reaction, but the old woman serving beside her turned red with anger.

No one knew better than she what kind of hellish life her mistress lived, and no one understood better what kind of venomous woman that Sun Shi was.

Her mistress had originally been such a good girl, but after entering the Wen family, she was like a lamb entering a wolf pack, living in constant fear. Who knew where this small household got so many demons and monsters.

Her mistress had fulfilled her duties as the primary wife, managing the Wen family's inner quarters perfectly, and these blood-sucking elders had been appeased extremely well by her mistress. The master's foundation for success had come from her mistress's natal family, yet now he spoke as if her mistress were begging for food.

How utterly shameless!

The old woman wanted to explode with anger, but Dong Shi gently gripped her wrist.

Dong Shi looked at her and smiled faintly.

She had already vented all the anger she needed to vent and shed all the tears she needed to shed. Having endured with a single breath back then, she could get through it. Now it was just a few unpleasant words, nothing she couldn't bear.

The person who had once been soft as dough had long since been forged into a heart of iron, very steady indeed.

If there were really a commotion and Wen Minsong refused to sign the divorce papers, that would be truly troublesome.

So Dong Shi looked at Wen Minsong with a peaceful expression and said gently: "Master, we can speak plainly now. Initially, my natal family was extremely generous to the Wen family, and I believe I haven't wronged you in these years. Now I have no natal family backing and no children to rely on. Rather than creating resentment between us later, it's better to settle accounts cleanly early."

These words went against Dong Shi's heart, because she had long wanted to tear apart this thing who had deceived her.

But the acting skills honed through long years in the inner quarters made these words sound sincere and heartfelt, as if every word came from the heart. Anyone listening couldn't find fault with them.

Wen Minsong grasped the key point.

Indeed, Dong Shi now had no natal family backing, which was why Wen Minsong had always treated her coldly without fear.

In Wen Minsong's view, with Dong Shi having no external support and no children below, she should be the one desperately clinging to his side. How could it be reversed, with Dong Shi wanting the divorce?

Wen Minsong instinctively felt something was wrong but couldn't figure out what.

Sixth Young Master Wen, standing to one side, was getting anxious.

From childhood, he had been convinced that Dong Shi mistreated Sun Shi. His mother was always secretly crying, speaking only of Dong Shi's wrongs. Sixth Young Master Wen had grown to dislike her early on. Now that this woman was personally saying she wanted a divorce, wasn't this like getting a pillow when sleepy? If not now, when?

If Dong Shi rolled out of the Wen family, then the Wen family matriarch position would surely go to his mother Sun Shi, and he would become the legitimate son with many benefits.

But before Sixth Young Master Wen could speak, a Wen family elder tapped his walking stick and said: "Minsong, your wife hasn't had it easy these years, thinking of you in everything. She's already contributed enough to this household. Now that this is her heart's desire, you should fulfill it."

At these words, Dong Shi understood their meaning.

No matter how much Dong Shi had done usually, in their eyes she was ultimately an outsider. Now that there was nothing left to leech from her, they naturally found her tiresome.

But Dong Shi wasn't angry at all. Instead, she smiled gently and tugged at her old woman's sleeve again.

The old woman held back her anger but remembered Dong Shi's instructions. For the sake of not disrupting her mistress's affairs, she could only endure.

Wen Minsong looked at Dong Shi's face, which was as tolerant as when they first met, and laughed at himself for overthinking.

This person had always been as soft as dough, not even knowing how to get angry. How could she have so many schemes?

With no more concerns, Wen Minsong's merchant nature immediately emerged. He looked at the divorce document and said to Dong Shi: "Divorce is fine, but the household properties were mostly earned through my years of hard work. I'm afraid I can't give them to you."

Dong Shi had long anticipated this point. Moreover, she had received news from Qi Yun early on that the Wen family would likely face disaster in the future, and holding onto these properties would only be trouble.

However, she still put on a sorrowful expression, her voice soft: "It doesn't matter. I just need to support myself in the future. Having some gold and silver will help me get by."

In this regard, Wen Minsong wasn't stingy.

Gold and silver didn't amount to much in his view, so he was generous: "Would 500 taels be enough?"

Some elders became anxious, thinking the Wen family's things belonged to them too. How could they give them to an outsider for nothing?

But immediately someone else pressed them down, lowering their voice: "500 taels isn't even worth one of Minsong's shops. What's the big deal if he gives it?"

But these words were spoken rather loudly, and both people above heard every word.

Wen Minsong looked somewhat embarrassed but didn't deny it, just stared at Dong Shi.

Dong Shi acted as if she didn't care, or rather, no one could see that she did care. She just nodded: "Good, I agree. 500 taels of silver and my dowry orchard. Besides that, I want nothing else. Press your fingerprint."

Wen Minsong hadn't expected it to be so easy, but he didn't hesitate. He had someone bring 500 taels in bank notes, stood up, dipped red clay, and pressed his fingerprint. Dong Shi immediately pressed hers as well, and then the old woman immediately stepped forward, as if afraid Wen Minsong would change his mind, snatched up the divorce papers and gave them to the yamen official nearby.

This man was from the yamen and had been instructed beforehand that Princess Huaning had ordered good treatment for Madam Wen. So when he received the document, he raised it high with both hands and bowed deeply, looking extremely respectful.

This action didn't attract anyone's attention. Even Wen Minsong didn't look this way. At this moment he was already excitedly calculating in his heart whom he could marry as a second wife.

There were many powerful and influential families in the Capital. He had previously risen to success by relying on Dong Shi, and now he thought about walking this path again.

Dong Shi didn't care what he was thinking. She just stood there calmly, completely losing her smile.

With the divorce papers in hand and the bank notes in her sleeve, she was like a bird released from a cage, free to fly wherever she wished. She naturally no longer needed to put on expressions that disgusted even herself to deceive anyone.

There was some emotion, some heartache, but more than anything, joy after liberation.

But wanting to laugh yet being unable to, this house had worn away too much of her time. Just staying in this room made Dong Shi feel suffocated.

Steadying herself, Dong Shi looked toward Wen Minsong and finally asked the question she had wanted to ask for so many years: "Between you and me, there has long been no affection. Now tell me one truth," her voice pausing slightly, Dong Shi said softly, "Sun Shi used medicine to ruin my body. Did you know or not?"

Perhaps because his heart was relaxed, or because he felt Dong Shi would live miserably once she left this door, Wen Minsong was too lazy to lie to her, only saying: "Some things shouldn't be investigated too deeply."

Hearing this, Dong Shi looked deeply at Wen Minsong, turned, and walked away.

The old woman followed and helped Dong Shi out the door.

Only after getting in the carriage did the old woman finally burst out, gritting her teeth: "Mist... Master, since you know that Sun Shi harbored evil intentions, why still let her benefit? If you just leave like this, won't Sun Shi be elevated to become the primary wife?"

Dong Shi closed her eyes slightly, her voice soft: "Do you really think the Wen family values her that much? Elevating a concubine to primary wife would, according to law, require the husband's family to be imprisoned for several months. I know Wen Minsong's temperament better than anyone, selfish to the extreme. Even though Sun Shi bore him Second Young Master, she's still not as precious as himself. Sun Shi doesn't have that kind of status."

The old woman had never known these things. Thinking about it, she still felt it was a pity: "Mistress, the Wen family only gave silver and no shops. They got off too easy."

Hearing this, Dong Shi finally smiled, not only not sad but radiating joy: "I managed the inner quarters affairs, but I also handled the silver given to those elders. I know how much ready money is in the accounts. Don't look at the peaceful appearance of the books, but I know exactly how much silver that Sun Shi has privately swallowed."

The old woman was first stunned, then understood: "Mistress means..."

But Dong Shi had no intention of spelling it out. She didn't even care to think about how the Wen family should be happy now, just saying cheerfully: "Let's go. This household's affairs no longer concern me. Even looking one more time is disgusting. We'll stay temporarily at the orchard first, and I'll pick some good ones to send to Jiao Niang in a few days."

Dong Shi kept Ye Jiao in her thoughts, and likewise, Ye Jiao was thinking of her.

Ever since learning that the neighboring Wen family had divorced, Ye Jiao had people keep watch. Little Su would also note down things she heard from outside and repeat them to Ye Jiao at home.

After all, they were neighbors, and there's no wall in this world that doesn't let wind through. Various matters, bits and pieces, could all drift over the walls.

It was said that Sun Shi had been locked in the ancestral hall for making a fuss about being elevated to primary wife.

It was said that Dong Shi had already registered as a female household head at the yamen.

It was said that the Wen family's shops had suddenly run short of money, and in half a month, three or four had closed one after another.

These matters came in fragments. Ye Jiao usually wasn't someone who could calculate, so naturally she couldn't connect them.

Fortunately, she had a good husband by her side who knew everything. She could just ask him.

So after dinner this day, Ye Jiao proactively went over and tugged at Qi Yun's sleeve: "Husband, have you been tired these days?"

Qi Yun didn't think much and nodded.

Because Dong Shi was Shi Tianrui's sister and had a good relationship with Ye Jiao, even though Qi Yun wanted to move against the Wen family, he had to consider Dong Shi's dignity, so he had held back.

Now that Dong Shi had no connection to the Wen family, Qi Yun found the opportunity to help the old man he had saved reclaim his kilns and shops. Moreover, Qi Yun knew best that in business, timing was extremely important. The previous arrangements could all be put to use now. These past days he had been watching over shop matters, inevitably feeling somewhat fatigued.

Ye Jiao smiled, first signaling for Little Su to carry the already drowsy Xu Bao to the side room to sleep. After there were no others in the room, she got up and pulled Qi Yun to sit on the bed, reaching out to push him: "Lie down properly."

Second Young Master Qi was unprepared and was directly pushed down by his wife. After lying down, he realized what happened and reached out to embrace Ye Jiao, his eyes gentle, voice soft: "What, does my wife miss me?"

Ye Jiao was held very close by him. Hearing this, she couldn't help but find it strange: "We see each other every day, what's there to miss?"

Qi Yun pulled her even closer into his arms and reached out to untie the silk ribbons holding the bed curtains, his voice gentle: "Good, then it's me who misses Jiao Niang, why don't we..."

But before Qi Yun could finish, Ye Jiao sat up first, then turned to sit on Qi Yun, smiling and patting him: "Since husband is tired, lie down properly, I'll massage you."

Qi Yun: ......

The things on his mind had made him passionate as fire. After several days without any intimacy, his body had reacted, but since it was his wife's words, he couldn't very well refuse. So he obediently turned over and lay face down on the bed.

This would also help hide his excitement somewhat.

Feeling Ye Jiao's fingers moving up and down his back, massaging, Qi Yun closed his eyes slightly and said faintly: "Does Jiao Niang have something to tell me?"

Ye Jiao was somewhat surprised when she heard this, then laughed: "Husband is really amazing, how did you know?"

"Usually you only do this after we've completed our conjugal duties. Today you're massaging me so early, so there must be something else." Qi Yun turned his head slightly and smiled at her, "Speak up. I never refuse any of your requests."

Ye Jiao continued her hand movements, saying softly: "Husband, you've worked hard these days, I couldn't just let you help for nothing."

Qi Yun understood that Ye Jiao wasn't being polite or distant with him, but was being considerate.

It seemed to have always been like this. Regardless of whether his health was good or bad, Ye Jiao always tried to help him share more burdens. Even though Ye Jiao never spoke of it, Qi Yun knew in his heart that the person who cared most for him in this world was his Jiao Niang.

His heart softened completely, and Qi Yun's voice was gentle: "Thank you, Jiao Niang."

Ye Jiao lowered her head to kiss his face, then straightened up again, continuing her movements while saying: "I should be thanking you, husband. I want you to tell me, what will happen to Ying Xiu in the future?"

Qi Yun knew Ye Jiao valued Dong Shi. In this Capital, apart from relatives, Dong Shi was Ye Jiao's closest friend.

Now that Dong Shi had divorced, Ye Jiao would naturally be concerned.

There was nothing to hide about Dong Shi's situation, so Qi Yun replied: "After her divorce, Princess Huaning spoke up, and the yamen will help her register as a female household head."

Ye Jiao was somewhat curious: "What does female household head mean?"

"It means a woman becomes the head of a household, establishing herself independently, able to live on her own and buy houses and land in the future."

Speaking of this, Qi Yun sighed inwardly that Princess Huaning's feelings for Ye Ping Rong were truly sincere.

Qi Yun looked after Dong Shi because of Shi Tianrui's request and to enable Dong Shi's early divorce so he could move against the Wen family.

But Princess Huaning was different. Though Dong Shi was Shi Tianrui's sister and Shi Tianrui would certainly make a comeback in the future.

But none of this had anything to do with Princess Huaning. She was imperial family, and a minister's fortunes couldn't affect her wealth and status.

But Ye Ping Rong was different. He was a military officer, and in the court there must always be mutual support. Everything Princess Huaning was doing now was just paving the way for Ye Ping Rong, helping him walk more smoothly in court in the future.

His eldest brother-in-law was about to marry such a wife, truly good fortune.

Ye Jiao was happy for Dong Shi. She couldn't help but lie down on Qi Yun's back, hugging the man's neck, putting her chin in his neck hollow, leaning close and saying: "But I heard that Ying Xiu didn't take anything away, only her dowry and a few hundred taels of silver. But I heard Nanny Mo say that when ordinary families divorce, the woman takes quite a lot of things."

Qi Yun still kept his eyes slightly closed and said: "Dong Shi knows best what kind of money the Wen family's wealth comes from, and she knows about our family's conflicts with the Wen family. Keeping it in hand would be a source of trouble. Giving it all up and only taking silver is practical. She has clear calculations in her heart. Jiao Niang doesn't need to worry too much about her. Since she's registered as a female household head, she naturally has her own plans."

Hearing this, Ye Jiao completely relaxed, and her smile became genuine.

Qi Yun also curved his lips: "You're always like this, treating people well if they treat you well."

Little Ginseng asked with a bright smile: "Is this not good?"

Qi Yun kissed Ye Jiao's cheek and said warmly: "It's good. My Jiao Niang is the best."

Pure, true, and natural.

His wife was truly a treasure of a person.

Hearing this, Ye Jiao lowered her head and hugged him tighter, but as she held him, her hands wandered to different places.

Second Young Master Qi could clearly feel his wife's soft, boneless delicate palm slowly stroking his chest, then his waist and abdomen. When she was about to explore further down, Qi Yun grabbed Ye Jiao's hand.

The woman's skin was delicate, like silk. Holding it felt just as soft as when they first held hands.

Qi Yun took a deep breath, then looked at Ye Jiao and asked softly: "Jiao Niang, what are you doing?"

Ye Jiao's eyes were completely clear, even carrying some joy as she said: "Husband, your body has become much more solid. It feels much better to touch than when you were thin before." As she spoke, Ye Jiao's eyes roamed over his body.

Perhaps because his wife had just been touching him all over, even just her gaze made Qi Yun feel as if her eyes were tangible, making wherever she looked feel hot.

For a moment, Qi Yun didn't know whether he should let go of her hand or not. He couldn't say anything because Ye Jiao's eyes were completely pure, without a trace of teasing. She was clearly genuinely happy about Qi Yun's improved health.

But the more this was the case, the more restless Qi Yun felt.

After a while, Qi Yun seemed to accept his fate and turned over to press Ye Jiao down.

Meeting Ye Jiao's clear eyes, Qi Yun said softly: "Where does Jiao Niang think I'm good now?"

Ye Jiao blinked, seriously thinking about it, then actually parted Qi Yun's clothes to look inside, then smiled with curved eyes: "Your chest is solid, your waist is tight, and your legs have strength..."

"This is all thanks to Jiao Niang." Qi Yun interrupted her with a light laugh before she finished.

Ye Jiao nodded and said: "Right, I've taken very good care of you."

But Second Young Master Qi shook his head, his tone meaningful: "I mean, the practice has been good."

Little Ginseng was somewhat puzzled: "Practice? Practice what?"

Then Qi Yun pulled the silk ribbon holding the bed curtains. Without bothering to untie buttons, he directly tore them apart. Gauze curtains flowed down like water, concealing the intimate spring scene within.

The night was deep, all was quiet, and only occasional sounds emerged from behind the layers of curtains: "Husband, you, you should rest..."

"What?"

"You've already done it twice, if you continue, you'll be too tired to get up tomorrow."

"......"

Then the woman had no mind to speak, hearing only the creaking sounds of the bed frame. Only one thing remained in her mind:

Tomorrow, she needed to have someone reinforce the bed. Making noise at the slightest movement was really quite annoying.

The next day, Qi Yun indeed didn't get up on time. When he opened his eyes, it was already bright outside, and his wife was lying by the bedside smiling at him.

For a moment, Qi Yun wanted to turn over and bury his face in the blankets.

Seeing him wake up, Ye Jiao ran to the table to get a bowl, then quickly walked back, crouched down, and handed him the bowl: "I just made this soup myself, try it."

Qi Yun took it and smelled it, finding the fragrance excellent, so he instinctively asked: "Thank you for your trouble, Jiao Niang, but what kind of soup is this?"

"Lotus seed, psoralea, and pork kidney soup, for tonifying the kidneys and strengthening yang. Drink it quickly."

Qi Yun: ......

He wanted to say he didn't need it, but his sore waist and abdomen made those words seem particularly weak.

Resignedly sitting up and accepting the bowl, he drank it all in one gulp. Qi Yun looked at Ye Jiao and suddenly remembered what Ye Jiao had said when she was drunk about being a demon.

He hadn't believed it then, but now he thought there might be some credibility to it.

Every time, no matter how much they carried on at night, by the next day Ye Jiao was always fresh and clean, showing no signs of fatigue. Instead, it was he who could lie around for quite a while each time.

Whether it was when his health was poor before, or now when it had improved somewhat, it was always the same.

Qi Yun couldn't help thinking that his wife really was like a little demon who absorbed yang to supplement yin.

Ye Jiao didn't notice Qi Yun's gaze. She cheerfully put the bowl back on the table and was about to pull Qi Yun up to wash.

Just then, someone knocked on the window frame.

Then Little Su's voice came from outside: "Second Young Master, Second Young Mistress, Tie Zi says First Young Master and Young Master Shi Tou have reached Ten Li Pavilion and will enter the city soon."