Lady of Fortune, Jiao Niang

Chapter 163

Little Shi Tou's journey to the Capital was accompanied by Qi Zhao, though the entire route was arranged by Qi Yun's people.

Whether by land or water routes, Qi Yun had people arrange everything properly, which allowed Qi Zhao and Little Shi Tou to arrive smoothly in the Capital.

After they disembarked, Qi family people were waiting at the dock. Upon seeing them board a carriage, they ran back to report, enabling the family to know immediately.

Ye Jiao didn't know about these arrangements, but she knew her husband would arrange everything well. He was always thorough in his considerations.

Hearing Little Su's words now, Ye Jiao turned to Qi Yun and said: "Elder Brother and Little Shi Tou are coming, let's go meet them."

Qi Yun nodded: "We should go. It's almost noon now, let's go to the restaurant together for a meal to welcome Elder Brother, and we can also take this time to have the luggage transported home for arrangement."

Little Ginseng, upon hearing this, moved close to Qi Yun and looked at him eagerly: "Which restaurant?"

Qi Yun spat out the salt water from his mouth, rinsed with flower tea, wiped the corners of his mouth, then leaned over to kiss Ye Jiao's forehead, smiling: "The one with the good chef we hired, who came to our house last time to make chicken soup fish balls."

Ye Jiao usually loved to eat, and delicious food was often more memorable than anything else. She particularly liked those chicken soup fish balls. Hearing Qi Yun's words, she immediately smiled, nodding repeatedly, stood on tiptoe to peck at Qi Yun's chin, her voice cheerful: "Good, let's go there. This time let's bring the children too, bring Ruyi and Ning Bao as well."

Qi Yun smiled and nodded: "All as you wish. It would be good for them to get reacquainted with Little Shi Tou early. And Master Feng too, let's invite him, since Little Shi Tou will be studying with him from now on."

Ye Jiao agreed and went out with Little Su to find Xu Bao.

Second Young Master Qi then tied his hair and dressed, tidying himself up before sitting at the table. His eyes stared at the clay pot containing soup on the table for several moments, looked at the near-noon sun outside, was silent for a while, then quietly served himself another bowl of soup and gulped it down.

After all, it was for kidney tonification... for body strengthening, drinking more couldn't hurt.

Ye Jiao pushed open the door to Xu Bao's side room and immediately saw Liu Si organizing books.

Usually Liu Si served at Qi Ming's side, but since Qi Ming now had an official position with busy public duties, leaving early and returning late, Liu Si spent more time going with Xu Bao to Master Feng's for lessons.

Spending more time together, Liu Si often looked after Xu Bao. He was now tidying the books Xu Bao had finished reading to return to the study.

Seeing Ye Jiao enter, Liu Si immediately stood up, lowering his voice: "Second... Second Young Mistress, Young Master Xu is sleeping."

Ye Jiao was somewhat surprised: "Xu Bao hasn't gotten up yet?"

Liu Si quickly shook his head: "No, this morning, this morning Young Master Xu went to see Master Feng, to study, got tired and then... then..."

Little Su never found Liu Si's stuttering annoying, instead found it interesting. Just seeing him unable to get out the last word, she kindly added: "Then slept?"

Liu Si nodded hastily, smiling at Little Su.

Ye Jiao took the books from Liu Si's hands and said to Little Su: "Liu Si has worked hard too, take him to the tea room for some pastries and rest. I need to speak with Xu Bao."

Little Su agreed and, seeing Liu Si wanting to decline, simply reached out and pulled him away.

Ye Jiao entered the inner room and saw a small figure curled up sleeping on the bed, her heart softening completely.

She sat sideways on the bedside, reached out her hand, and gently stroked Xu Bao. Seeing he was sleeping deeply, Ye Jiao simply lay down beside Xu Bao, turned sideways, and directly embraced her chubby son.

Though Xu Bao was still in his dreams, he instinctively moved toward Ye Jiao. His chubby little arms softly climbed onto Ye Jiao's neck, his little face nestling against her neck hollow. When breathing, his little belly rose and fell, making Ye Jiao's mouth curve up involuntarily.

Little Ginseng didn't know what ordinary people felt as mothers, but for her, these children were all her treasures, and the more she raised them, the more precious they became.

Even though she didn't understand what Liu Shi called natural maternal instinct, Little Ginseng now roughly understood a mother's thoughts.

No matter which child, watching him grow from tiny to bigger, raising him plump and healthy, when holding such a soft little one, who could bear to make him unhappy?

Though Ye Jiao lay down, she didn't sleep with Xu Bao. She just lay there, gently patting Xu Bao's back, waiting for him to wake up.

She understood her own son. Xu Bao's biggest difference from the twins was that his sleep was scattered. He could lie down and sleep when there was nothing to do, but would wake up soon.

Sure enough, in less than the time of one incense stick, Xu Bao slowly opened his eyes.

The little one was still a bit confused after just waking up, softly calling out: "Nanny Mo, thirsty." Just after speaking, he saw clearly that he was holding his own mother. Xu Bao's face immediately lit up with a smile, vigorously nuzzling Ye Jiao's cheek with his little chubby face, his voice sweet as honey: "Mother, kiss!"

Ye Jiao didn't hesitate to pick him up, kissed the little one's forehead, then carried him to the table and handed him the water cup: "Drink slowly."

Xu Bao obediently held the porcelain cup with both hands, bringing it to his mouth, and quickly drank it all.

After Ye Jiao sat down, she let him sit on her lap, smiling as she asked: "Want to drink more?"

Xu Bao shook his head, replying softly: "Enough."

Ye Jiao put the cup back on the table and said to Xu Bao: "Mother needs to tell you something. Later, Father and Mother are going out to meet people for a meal, and you need to come along too."

Xu Bao's face scrunched up upon hearing this.

He was different from ordinary children. Normal children liked going out to play, liked catching butterflies and chasing sparrows, but Xu Bao only liked reading books.

When he had free time, he'd rather stay in his room holding books and reading all day than go out and bounce around in carriages, which was stuffy, boring, and Mother would only kiss Father. He didn't like it.

Seeing Xu Bao's reluctance, Ye Jiao touched her son's head: "Your little brother and sister are going too. This time we're meeting your First Uncle and Brother Little Shi Tou, going early means seeing them sooner."

At these words, Xu Bao's eyes lit up.

All his reluctance was thrown aside. He raised his head, wiggling his little bottom, loudly declaring: "Go go go, go meet Brother Little Shi Tou! Mother take me along!"

Ye Jiao couldn't help asking: "Does Xu Bao still remember Brother Little Shi Tou?"

Xu Bao immediately nodded: "Remember, Brother Little Shi Tou is very good, Xu Bao remembers everything."

Ye Jiao smiled: "Really?"

Xu Bao seemed to be proving himself, his little chubby hand grabbing Ye Jiao's sleeve, his voice clear: "Really really, Xu Bao remembers Brother Little Shi Tou was good to Xu Bao, he used to read books to Xu Bao, Father said he could recite the Hundred Family Names."

If Xu Bao hadn't mentioned this, Ye Jiao couldn't remember clearly either. Thinking carefully, she recalled this was from when Xu Bao had just learned to speak. Qi Yun had mentioned it once, and Xu Bao remembered it.

Things from when he was one year old, this child could still remember so clearly, others would probably be frightened.

But Little Ginseng was new to being human and this was her first time personally raising children. She didn't find it strange at all, instead thinking Xu Bao definitely took after her husband.

So Ye Jiao blurted out: "Husband is really amazing."

Upon hearing this, Xu Bao puffed up his cheeks and buried his face in Ye Jiao's embrace: "Xu Bao is amazing."

Ye Jiao smiled brightly: "Yes, Xu Bao is amazing too."

Xu Bao: ......

Having persuaded Xu Bao, she just needed to inform Master Feng's side.

As for the twins, two babies who couldn't speak yet could just be picked up and taken along. Even if they were reluctant, they couldn't voice it, so Little Ginseng unilaterally made the decision for them.

In the carriage, Ning Bao rarely wasn't sleeping but sat holding a piece of orange to gnaw on.

This orange was sent by Dong Shi from her own orchard, picked as the best, sweet as honey with abundant juice. When the little one held it, he inevitably squeezed some onto his hands. Nanny Mo beside him carefully helped him wipe, and Ning Bao obediently raised his head to cooperate.

Ruyi had originally been playing with Ning Bao's yarn ball, but seeing him eat happily, she moved closer. Without making a sound, she just lay beside Ning Bao, looking at him eagerly.

Then Ning Bao directly fed the orange to Ruyi's mouth. After watching Ruyi eat, Ning Bao had Nanny Mo clean him up, then slowly went to hug his yarn ball, lay down, and slept.

Xu Bao gripped the small bed railing to look inside, suddenly saying: "Ning Bao is good."

Ye Jiao, who was talking with Qi Yun, couldn't help turning to look at him, smiling: "What's wrong?"

Xu Bao replied seriously: "Ning Bao loves little sister, he's a good big brother."

Qi Yun looked at Xu Bao and asked: "What about Xu Bao, how do you love little sister?"

Hearing this, Xu Bao looked at his hands, found that his orange was finished. He thought briefly, then leaned over and kissed Ruyi's face.

Little Ruyi was somewhat unclear about what happened, but since Xu Bao kissed her, she was happy, clapping her hands joyfully and showing her newly grown little front teeth, extremely cute.

Ye Jiao couldn't help hugging Qi Yun's arm, saying softly: "Ruyi's name was really well chosen."

Qi Yun, hearing her praise him, first smiled, then asked: "How so?"

Ye Jiao leaned against his shoulder, saying softly: "Xu Bao loves reading, Ning Bao is clever too. With them around, Ruyi will surely have everything go as she wishes."

Qi Yun hugged Ye Jiao's shoulder, his voice gentle: "Naturally, my daughter should have everything go as she wishes."

Little Ginseng smiled and asked: "What about sons?"

Second Young Master Qi looked at Xu Bao, then at Ning Bao, and after a while said: "Refined through a hundred trials to become steel."

Ye Jiao was somewhat puzzled by this phrase's meaning, but before she could ask, the carriage stopped. Tie Zi's voice came from outside: "Second Young Master, Second Young Mistress, we've arrived at the restaurant."

They hadn't gone to Ten Li Pavilion to meet them, but would meet at the restaurant instead.

Since the proprietor was hosting a banquet, the restaurant's third floor was entirely cleared for Qi Yun's feast, while the first and second floors continued normal business with many customers coming to dine.

When Qi Yun's family entered the establishment and went upstairs, many people looked their way. Some recognized them, some didn't, but not a single person approached to strike up conversation.

In the past, when Qi Yun appeared in public, there were always people wanting to curry favor with him. But now, Third Young Master Qi had an official position and lived in Qi Yun's house. Once involved with officialdom, those wanting to establish relations with the Qi family had to weigh their own worth.

This also allowed Qi Yun to bring his wife and children upstairs smoothly.

There, Qi Zhao and Little Shi Tou had already arrived first.

First Young Master Qi immediately stood up upon seeing Qi Yun and went to embrace his second brother.

When they lived together before, he hadn't felt such longing, but after separation, First Young Master Qi thought daily about his second and third brothers. Though he knew rationally that they each had their abilities and prospects in the Capital and wouldn't suffer, this elder brother's protective habit had formed. Being separated by thousands of miles, though rationally knowing all was well, emotionally he still worried constantly.

Seeing his second brother now naturally filled him with joy. After releasing Qi Yun, Qi Zhao smiled: "Looking at Second Brother, life must be good. Your complexion is much better than before."

Qi Yun smiled: "It's all thanks to Jiao Niang's good care."

Hearing this, Ye Jiao blinked and asked Qi Yun quietly: "Husband, didn't you say it was from good practice?"

Qi Yun, hearing this, knew his wife still didn't understand the meaning of that phrase. But he couldn't explain properly, so he could only say with reddening ear tips in an equally low voice: "I'll tell you when we get home."

Little Ginseng smiled and nodded: "Alright."

The adults sat down together to talk, while the children gathered together.

Little Shi Tou was somewhat older after all. Though he didn't have Xu Bao's good mind, when Xu Bao left, Little Shi Tou was already old enough to remember. Seeing him now naturally made him happy, and he ran to Xu Bao, wanting to speak but soon stopped, afraid Xu Bao might not recognize him.

Instead, Xu Bao smiled and first took Little Shi Tou's hand, pulling him toward the twins.

When they first came upstairs, the twins' small bed had been brought up too, and the two children were now placed inside.

Ruyi gripped the railing looking outward, while Ning Bao lazily sat in a corner holding his yarn ball, patting it left and right, occasionally glancing at Ruyi.

Xu Bao pulled Little Shi Tou over to look, then said proudly: "Brother Little Shi Tou, look, my little brother and sister."

His voice sounded like bragging, and indeed it was worth bragging about.

Little Shi Tou fell in love with the much-grown twins at first sight. He crouched down to look at them, then turned to look at Xu Bao: "So cute, Xu Bao, you're so fortunate."

Xu Bao grinned and moved closer: "We'll play together from now on." Then Xu Bao said to the twins: "This is Brother Little Shi Tou, he has lots of milk cakes, be good to him."

The twins were still small. Whether they understood or not, they hadn't learned to speak yet, so there was no response.

However, Ruyi was very curious about this unfamiliar big brother. Gripping the railing, she leaned forward, her big eyes staring at Little Shi Tou, then showed a smile and reached out her hand.

But just then, Ning Bao, who had been lazy, suddenly dropped his yarn ball, quickly crawled to behind Ruyi, and pulled her back with one motion.

Chubby Ruyi was somewhat bewildered. When the two fell backward together, Ruyi stared blankly at Ning Bao. Meeting Ning Bao's equally chubby face, Ruyi smiled, opening her mouth to bite Ning Bao's face.

But when she got close, Ruyi changed to kissing instead, laughing as she wrapped her hands and feet around Ning Bao, holding him tight.

Just then Qi Yun turned to glance at them: "Little Shi Tou, Xu Bao, come eat."

Little Shi Tou had been afraid of Qi Yun since childhood and still hadn't forgotten the terror of being held down to recite the Three Character Classic by Second Uncle. Hearing this, he immediately ran over, had someone lift him onto a chair, being extremely obedient.

Xu Bao walked more slowly, having short legs after all. He didn't like others helping him, so he walked to the chair himself, grabbed Ye Jiao's pants leg: "Mother feed me."

Qi Yun wanted to say he should eat by himself, but Ye Jiao had already picked him up first, smiling as she fed him.

Seeing this, Qi Yun said nothing, just spoke with Qi Zhao: "The luggage has been sent home and will be arranged. Elder Brother shouldn't rush back, stay in the Capital for more days." Seeing Qi Zhao hesitate, Qi Yun added: "The wine shop business in the Capital is good. That Golden Cup Wine I use comes from grain produced on our estates. Elder Brother, stay longer and get a better sense of things."

Hearing this, Qi Zhao nodded and agreed.

Qi Yun then introduced Manager Song and Master Feng to Qi Zhao, then had someone open a jar of new wine.

The wine's fragrance was rich and inviting. Just smelling it, the aroma was enticing, not like ordinary wine's harsh bite, but carrying some sweet intoxication.

Qi Zhao had originally wanted to say he wouldn't drink today, but smelling the aroma, he exclaimed: "What wine is this?"

Qi Yun poured a cup for Qi Zhao, then said gently: "New wine, Elder Brother try it."

Qi Zhao sipped it and felt the taste was lighter, less harsh but sweeter, and couldn't help saying: "This doesn't seem like something men would drink, more like what women would enjoy."

Second Young Master Qi looked toward Manager Song nearby. Manager Song immediately cupped his hands and explained about the wine to Qi Zhao.

While the adults discussed business, the children grew restless.

Both Xu Bao and Little Shi Tou were young with small appetites. After eating a little, they were full.

Ye Jiao wasn't strict with them, smiling: "Go play, just don't run around." Then she said to Nanny Mo and Little Su: "I don't need your service here, go watch them."

Both replied and each carried a child away from the dining table.

Just then, Tie Zi ran upstairs and said to Qi Yun in a low voice: "Second Young Master, there's someone downstairs wanting to see you."

"Who?"

"Sixth Young Master Wen, he says he knows our Third Young Master and insists on meeting you."

Qi Yun paused with his chopsticks, but immediately calmly placed food in Ye Jiao's bowl, saying: "Don't see him, throw him out. He can find whoever he knows, what's it to me?"

Tie Zi actually knew why Sixth Young Master Wen had come. The Qi and Wen families' antagonism was no longer news. The Wen family had a blood-sucking concubine who embezzled the husband's money and falsified accounts. With money running short and water routes blocked, cutting off supply sources, several shops had collapsed at once.

The family responsible for water transport was the Qi family.

The Qi family had made it clear they wouldn't get along with the Wen family. These neighbors had become a focal point in the Capital, with everyone curious, finding it strange that two families living so close would be mutually hostile.

The Wen family had previously been stubborn and refused to admit defeat. Now that Sixth Young Master Wen could follow the Qi family's carriage all the way here, they probably couldn't hold on anymore.

Third Young Master was now working at the Hanlin Academy where Sixth Young Master Wen couldn't see him, so he came to Second Young Master instead.

Though Tie Zi understood the situation, he was even clearer about the Wen family's past misdeeds, having ruined many innocent merchant families and even caused deaths. The Qi family had merely taken the lead, with countless others adding fuel to the fire. It was their own evil deeds coming back to them, and they deserved their current misfortune.

Getting Qi Yun's words, Tie Zi immediately cupped his hands and went downstairs.

This didn't attract others' attention. The table remained filled with the warmth of family reunion. Nearby, Little Shi Tou and Xu Bao were watching the twins.

Actually, Xu Bao wanted Little Shi Tou to read to him, but Little Shi Tou was fascinated by the little brother and sister. Xu Bao accompanied him to look.

They seemed to regard the two babies as some rare treasures.

Originally Ning Bao didn't know Little Shi Tou and was wary, not letting him touch Ruyi. But now that time had passed and Little Shi Tou had eaten with their parents, his wariness disappeared, returning to his usual lazy manner.

Ruyi was lively and quickly became familiar with Little Shi Tou, grabbing his hand and putting it against her own to compare, tilting her head as if wondering why their hands were so different in size.

After a while, Little Shi Tou's eyes turned to Ning Bao.

He liked Ruyi but also liked Ning Bao. Playing only with Ruyi seemed to neglect Ning Bao. Little Shi Tou moved beside Ning Bao and reached in to pick him up.

Now Little Shi Tou was nominally seven years old, had grown much taller, and had some strength in his hands. Lifting Xu Bao would be difficult, but carrying Ning Bao wasn't strenuous.

Ning Bao let him carry him, yawned, looking indifferent.

Nearby Nanny Mo quickly crouched with outstretched hands, thinking that if Little Shi Tou stumbled, she couldn't let her own Young Master Ning get hurt.

Little Shi Tou's face carried a smile as he gently rocked: "Ning Bao is so good. I wish my mother would give me such a good little brother or sister."

Xu Bao proudly raised his head: "Xu Bao has a little brother and a little sister!"

Little Shi Tou looked at him enviously and was about to speak when he felt something warm in his arms.

Somewhat bewildered, he looked down and met Ning Bao's innocent eyes.

Nanny Mo was first stunned, then suppressed a laugh as she took Ning Bao, looking at the large wet patch on Little Shi Tou's front: "Young Master Ning probably drank a lot of orange juice and milk porridge just now... It's fine, there are clothes in the carriage, just change."

When Little Su went to tell Ye Jiao, Little Ginseng was also stunned, then laughed, saying to Qi Yun: "Looks like Ning Bao likes Little Shi Tou, otherwise why would he specifically target you two?"

Thinking of his past experience being "mapped" by Ning Bao, Qi Yun coughed lightly, not wanting to discuss it further, and said to Little Su: "Take them to change clothes, remember to bring attendants, be careful of everything."

Manager Song stood up: "Second Young Master, let me accompany them."

Qi Yun nodded: "That would be good."

Then Manager Song picked up Little Shi Tou, Nanny Mo carried Ning Bao, with several people following behind, going down the back stairs to the carriage.

Once in the carriage and changed into clean clothes, they were about to go back when they heard a voice outside: "I don't know what evil the Qi family has fallen under, insisting on opposing my family!"

Nanny Mo was startled and instinctively looked at Manager Song.

Just hearing the voice, Manager Song knew the speaker was Sixth Young Master Wen. He realized this person had probably climbed over the wall into the back courtyard, which was how they encountered each other.

He thought he should mention to the proprietor later about adding more guards to the restaurant.

But for now, it was better to avoid trouble. The attendants were nearby, so nothing major would happen. Meeting face to face would actually be more troublesome. Manager Song gestured to Nanny Mo to stay quiet.

Little Shi Tou also understood and remained silent.

Outside, Sixth Young Master Wen continued complaining to his servant: "Isn't it all for Dong Shi? That woman had no children, divorcing her was appropriate. Just separating was already my father's benevolence, yet the Qi family still makes trouble over this woman. I really don't know what possessed them."

The servant said quietly: "Master, please keep your voice down, we're here to ask for help today."

Sixth Young Master Wen snorted angrily, squeezing words through his teeth: "My father is possessed too. Mother was just pressured by her family and momentarily soft-hearted, taking some money from her own home, yet he insists on investigating and won't elevate Mother to primary wife. What a confused old fool."

"Master, don't say any more..."

"What? We're outside the estate now, can't I speak freely? Later I'll have to hug that Second Young Master Qi's legs crying and kowtowing, can't I relax a bit now?"

At this point, Manager Song finally frowned.

He had initially thought to avoid unnecessary conflict, but this person was becoming more outrageous, even mentioning Qi Yun.

Manager Song originally looked down on the Wen family, and now wanted to go out and have people gag them and throw them out, sparing Second Young Master's family from hearing such filth.

But just then, someone moved faster than him.

Ning Bao liked quiet and usually no one bothered him except Ruyi.

Sixth Young Master Wen's voice was getting shriller and more grating. Ning Bao had always been pampered, when had he ever suffered such torment?

When Manager Song lifted the curtain, Ning Bao moved first, grabbing his just-changed wet pants and throwing them out.

His strength wasn't great and normally couldn't throw far, but Sixth Young Master Wen was standing right beside the carriage. Hearing the noise, he even turned to look, so the throw hit him right in the face.

Manager Song was stunned for a moment but didn't check on Sixth Young Master Wen's condition first. Instead, he turned to look at Ning Bao.

He met his own Young Master Ning's clear, innocent eyes, sitting quietly and even showing him a soft smile.

Then the little one turned to nestle in Nanny Mo's arms, closed his eyes, and went to sleep.