Lady of Fortune, Jiao Niang

Chapter 168

Ye Jiao still cared somewhat about the Wen family's affairs.

It wasn't that she cared much about their rise and fall. After all, Little Ginseng only cared about those around her and didn't have that much sympathy for others. What truly concerned Ye Jiao was when they would move away.

Now that the weather was getting hot, it was also time to allocate a new courtyard for Little Shi Tou.

Because of Ye Jiao's thoughts, Little Su and Nanny Mo paid more or less attention to the Wen family's affairs. Living so close, gathering information wasn't difficult, and they knew quite comprehensively.

However, hearing Nanny Mo's words, Ye Jiao knew the following topics probably weren't suitable for the children to hear, so she said: "Send them back first." Then Ye Jiao hugged Xu Bao, kissed his face, and smiled: "Would Xu Bao like to play with little brother and sister for a while?"

Xu Bao didn't care at all about the Wen or any other family's affairs. Hearing Ye Jiao's words, he immediately nodded, got down from the ground with a smile, and said to Ning Bao and Ruyi: "Come, big brother will read books to you."

Ning Bao said nothing, while Ruyi had just said "No..." when Xu Bao stuffed a ball into her arms.

Ruyi was lively and forgetful. Seeing the cloth ball, she forgot what she had wanted to say just now, happily hugging it to play, not noticing Xu Bao's squinting eyes.

Ning Bao, who was holding his yarn ball nearby, didn't speak, just looked at them a few times, yawned, and lazily closed his eyes to sleep in Little Su's arms.

After Little Su and several servants took the children away, Nanny Mo said: "Previously the Wen family was arranging a marriage, mentioning a family surnamed Zhang, not from the Capital, with a divorced Fourth Miss living at home. That Fourth Miss claimed she and Master Wen hit it off at first sight and pledged themselves to each other, so they were about to send betrothal gifts, but Concubine Sun found out and made a scene."

Ye Jiao blinked, feeling that all this talk of Master Wen and Fourth Miss sounded confusing. She didn't plan to sort it all out, just asking: "Are they going to move away?"

Nanny Mo nodded: "Yes, they're moving. Master Wen has already pawned many items for the betrothal gifts, probably within these few days."

Ye Jiao smiled upon hearing this, while Princess Huaning sitting nearby understood everything clearly, thinking to herself that the Wen family was truly stupid beyond measure.

Perhaps outsiders thought that being imperial relatives, they lived high and mighty daily, certainly looking down on ordinary market life and not understanding the affairs of common merchants in the Capital. But Princess Huaning knew much more than ordinary people.

She now had everything she wanted, her only concern being Ye Ping Rong's career prospects.

From the beginning, Princess Huaning had set her sights on Shi Tianrui.

Shi Tianrui would soon return to the Capital, and this person would definitely be put to important use. Princess Huaning had shown much care for Dong Shi, naturally wanting to understand the Wen family's background thoroughly, lest this household cause trouble for Shi Tianrui later.

Now hearing this, Princess Huaning said nothing outwardly, but inwardly thought she should investigate thoroughly after returning, to send the Wen family away early rather than let them be an eyesore every day.

At the Wen household, Wen Minsong didn't know he had long been targeted. He was now completely overwhelmed.

Having three sons already, Wen Minsong originally didn't care much about Sun Shi's current child, but because Sun Shi was pregnant, even though he knew she had privately embezzled household money, he couldn't lose his temper. That belly had become a shield, keeping Sun Shi there to disgust him.

Because of this, Wen Minsong was determined not to let Sun Shi gain power, and he indeed thought as Dong Shi had suspected, unwilling to go to prison for elevating a concubine to primary wife, so he had thoughts of marrying someone else.

Fourth Miss Zhang had entered his life at this time.

She was slightly younger than Wen Minsong but considerably older than Dong Shi. Previously married, she had divorced her husband's family due to incompatibility.

When they first met, this Zhang woman's carriage was stuck in a mud pit. Wen Minsong had people help, and gradually they became acquainted. Wen Minsong saw that Zhang spoke softly and gently, and though tall and sturdy, seemed quite simple and gentle. Seeing the Zhang family was wealthy, he had thoughts.

The Wen family was precisely when they needed money. He couldn't say he liked Zhang, but he never married for liking, instead valuing the benefits behind Zhang.

Even though he inwardly disdained that Zhang had been married before and lacked a graceful figure, he still pretended to be deeply in love, occasionally sending gifts, spending lavishly, appearing very generous before the Zhang family.

After their relationship progressed rapidly, Wen Minsong wanted to have someone propose to the Zhang family, borrowing Zhang family assistance to save his own shops.

His calculations were clicking away, but who knew Sun Shi would cause trouble at this time.

Sun Shi lay in bed, touching her already flattened abdomen, her face blank.

She had done foolish things and hated Dong Shi to death, but she had never harmed anyone's life or experienced any hardships.

Losing the child was probably the biggest setback of her life so far.

When Dong Shi was there, Sun Shi actually hadn't suffered much. Because Dong Shi was upright and not favored by Wen Minsong, Sun Shi could always gain benefits by acting coquettish and cute, living better than anyone. Who could have thought that after Dong Shi left and the big stone above her head was moved away, Sun Shi would discover that this Wen family without Dong Shi wasn't clear skies, but a gloomy haze.

Turning her head, she saw Wen Minsong's somewhat cold gaze.

Sun Shi instinctively softened her voice: "Master, I..."

"The doctor said you're fine, just rest quietly. Don't go out recently, lest you cause trouble for nothing." After speaking, Wen Minsong was about to leave.

Sun Shi quickly sat up, disregarding her physical discomfort and wanting to get out of bed to stop him. After being held down by a nearby servant, Sun Shi didn't dare move much, only able to call out pitifully: "Master, I know I was wrong. I'll never touch a penny of the household money again. I only ask you to consider the children..."

Wen Minsong frowned slightly, turned to look at her: "It's precisely because of the children that I haven't dealt with you. The money you embezzled was all sent to your natal family. If I report your family to the authorities, quite a few would be imprisoned."

Sun Shi immediately fell silent, scared speechless.

Wen Minsong continued: "My current treatment of you already considers our past affection, but you also caused me to lose my child. Having you reflect is appropriate."

Sun Shi felt cold all over. She opened her mouth, her voice somewhat hoarse: "Master, this child was also mine... I'm his mother, how could I not be heartbroken when he's gone?"

"If you were heartbroken, you wouldn't have been so careless with yourself. I'll be celebrating happy events in a few days, so just stay in your room." After Wen Minsong finished speaking, he left.

Sun Shi seemed to be meeting this man who had been with her for half her life for the first time, feeling cold from her bones.

Before, she only thought Wen Minsong only valued money, which was good. If not for this, someone like Dong Shi with good looks and temperament would have suppressed her long ago.

But now Sun Shi realized how terrifying it was to have such an iron heart.

In the end, Wen Minsong still married Zhang, but couldn't truly save his business.

Because only after Zhang entered the household did Wen Minsong realize that this Zhang was no easy target.

Zhang had originally been arrogant and domineering, extremely overbearing even in her maiden days. After marrying, this became even worse, until she divorced her husband's family without restraint. This time, the Zhang family originally wanted to use the Wen family's influence to enter the Capital, while Zhang thought Wen Minsong seemed gentle and easy to control, so she pretended to trick him into marrying her.

Who knew that after the wedding ceremony, in less than half a month, both their pretenses had completely fallen away.

The Wen family wasn't some wealthy Capital household, but rather owed debts everywhere.

The Zhang family also wasn't sincerely helping Wen Minsong get through difficulties. Seeing they couldn't use him, they stopped caring.

Zhang even more so hated that Wen Minsong had deceived her before. Even though she had also deceived this man, Zhang's temperament couldn't think of her own faults, only Wen Minsong's wrongs.

But she had already remarried. If she divorced again, even her natal family would be difficult to return to, so she could only acknowledge it first.

Acknowledging was one thing, but Zhang didn't want to endure anymore.

So the temperament she had previously suppressed emerged again. Zhang directly threw away all the gentleness she hadn't gotten used to pretending, daily finding ways to deal with Wen Minsong.

She wasn't like Dong Shi who had no natal family backing, nor like Sun Shi who was as stupid as a pig. Zhang had schemes and calculations, was ruthless and decisive enough, even able to slap Wen Minsong!

Zhang was strong, while Wen Minsong had lived in luxury and loved to play in his youth, ruining his health. He actually couldn't fight Zhang and often had bruises on his face.

But he didn't dare divorce his wife, because Zhang's dowry had been used to fill some of the Wen family's holes. Divorcing would probably forfeit this benefit, so Wen Minsong could only endure.

When Zhang shouted and made threats, he endured.

When Zhang tormented Sun Shi, who was locked up, to death, he also endured.

But when Zhang found several seductive women to entangle his three sons, Wen Minsong finally couldn't sit still and wanted to settle accounts with Zhang.

But just at this moment, Zhang became pregnant and used money to save the Wen family's last two shops. Wen Minsong suddenly lost the courage to fight her to the death.

He struggled for several days but still let it be.

But this mansion was uninhabitable, not only because the Qi family was pressing for debts and he had to sell the estate, but also because next door was Second Young Master Qi's family. Here was chaos and upheaval, while there was peaceful tranquility. Wen Minsong truly couldn't accept this disparity and just wanted to hide away early.

Ye Jiao didn't know about these matters. She was now absorbed in tending medicinal flowers and coaxing the twins to speak. The storms next door had nothing to do with her.

Instead, Dong Shi in the suburban orchard knew everything clearly.

On this night, a person wearing a black cloak hurried to the orchard. After removing the hood, it was revealed to be Wen Minsong's concubine Autumn.

Autumn had originally been a dancer, later becoming Wen Minsong's concubine. She had always been well-behaved, knowing she wasn't a favored concubine like Sun Shi. If she displeased the master's family, favored concubines would only be punished, but someone like her could be sold directly.

When Dong Shi was there, it was manageable, but after Zhang replaced her, Autumn feared she would also be tormented to death like Sun Shi. So she turned to grasp Dong Shi as her lifeline, telling her everything, big and small.

This time she also detailed the Wen family affairs to Dong Shi, then said: "Tomorrow the Wen family will move away, and that mansion will be given to the Qi family."

Dong Shi's expression was calm, holding her tea cup, watching the tea leaves float up and sink down inside, saying: "Find a way to have the Wen family postpone the date."

Autumn's face showed difficulty upon hearing this.

But before she could speak, Dong Shi shook her head: "Forget it, that Zhang woman is domineering. If you do something, she might resent you in her heart, making it even harder for you to leave in the future."

Autumn nodded repeatedly, her face showing some hopeful expression.

Dong Shi had a servant give her a wooden box, heavy in weight. Autumn looked and her eyes widened.

This was a box of silver ingots, held in hand, at least a hundred taels.

Dong Shi smiled at her: "Bank notes are difficult to exchange, not as useful as real silver. Just take it. Find a chance to cry to Zhang, saying you want a way to live, then give Zhang the account books I had you steal from Wen Minsong. She'll let you go. This money is enough for you to live on."

Autumn immediately smiled, then hesitated and asked: "Madam, will she... really let me go?"

Dong Shi nodded, soothing by softening her voice: "Sun Shi blocked her path, so she lost her life, but you're careful and cautious everywhere, and have no children. She has no need to make things difficult for you. No one is naturally fond of killing. As long as you're obedient, she'll agree."

Only then did Autumn feel at ease. She knelt down and kowtowed to Dong Shi before putting on her cloak again and leaving.

The servant went to close the door, then quickly walked to Dong Shi's side: "Master, that rotten-hearted Wen family won't cause us trouble again, will they?"

Dong Shi's face no longer had a smile, her voice light: "No, after tomorrow, everything will be settled." Then Dong Shi pulled at the corner of her mouth: "I still didn't see through him completely, thinking he might have some humanity left, not knowing he was such a beast."

His legitimate wife was treated as an outsider, his beloved concubine of many years could also be abandoned like worn shoes. That was one thing, but Wen Minsong could actually sit and watch all three children be led astray by Zhang!

For his own sake, Wen Minsong could even sacrifice his sons.

Even tigers don't eat their cubs, truly worse than beasts.

But the servant was puzzled psychologically, not quite understanding what tomorrow was, nor knowing how many knives Dong Shi had stabbed into the Wen family's back.

But this servant had followed Dong Shi for a long time. Even if previously foolish, she could now learn something, naturally knowing what should be asked and what shouldn't, so she suppressed all thoughts and served Dong Shi to bed.

When the next day came, the Wen family began preparing early in the morning to move.

Even though the Wen family had declined, they still had some accumulated wealth from these years. Since they were moving away, naturally they couldn't leave these things behind.

Moreover, Wen Minsong hated the Qi family so much his teeth itched. Because they had a princess and prince consort backing them, he didn't dare do anything, but Wen Minsong hated this house so much he wanted to dig up even the weeds and take the scraped wall paint, not wanting to leave anything for the Qi family.

Little did he know that when Ye Jiao next door learned this news, she wasn't angry at all, but happily said to Qi Yun: "Husband, what should we do after they leave?"

Qi Yun smiled and kissed Ye Jiao's face, embracing her and saying gently: "What do you want to do?"

Ye Jiao thought about it but had no plans in her mind.

Little Ginseng just felt particularly happy that the house could suddenly expand by double, but having her explain everything clearly was somewhat difficult.

So Ye Jiao could only count on her fingers: "We need to plant some trees, peach trees and plum blossom trees, we had them before at home, they looked nice, so we'll add them this time. I also want a cool house, summer's coming and the children are also afraid of heat. Oh right, and build courtyards for all the children, they'll move into them in a few years."

Qi Yun smiled and nodded, agreeing to everything, then turned to Tie Zi: "After they leave, find people to tear down the walls and anything inside that shouldn't be there, then rebuild."

Tie Zi wanted to say this was somewhat wasteful. After all, ordinary people buying houses would just change the interior decorations, not rebuild. This construction work would cost considerable money, something ordinary families wouldn't do.

But then Tie Zi thought that this cool house needed running water, these trees needed new courtyards, which sounded simple but required considerable effort. Might as well level everything and rebuild.

As for money... what Second Young Master lacked least was money.

So Tie Zi immediately bowed and agreed, then called people to bring tools, preparing to demolish the house after the Wen family left.

Ye Jiao suppressed her excited feelings somewhat, peeled a grape, wanting to put it in her mouth, then paused and offered the grape flesh already near her mouth to Qi Yun: "Husband, you eat it."

Qi Yun wasn't polite, opening his mouth to take the grape flesh, his tongue tip inadvertently touching the woman's soft fingertip.

Though Qi Yun was usually cooler than ordinary people, with hands and feet always cold, his lips were always somewhat warm. This grape had been soaked in cool water, making Ye Jiao's finger cool too. When this cold met hot, Little Ginseng instinctively shivered.

She immediately withdrew her hand, looking at her pale fingertip with some confusion, not quite understanding why she had shivered just then.

But when Ye Jiao looked up at Qi Yun, she saw the man's ears had already turned red.

Ye Jiao wanted to ask what was wrong with him. Qi Yun wanted to change the subject to drive away thoughts he shouldn't have during the day. But before they could speak, Tie Zi hurried back.

Before he could speak, he saw Qi Yun staring at him with an unclear expression.

Tie Zi was stunned, then saw Little Su making eye signals at him.

Unfortunately, though Tie Zi had a clever brain, he became stupid when encountering Little Su. Seeing Little Su looking at him, Tie Zi actually smiled foolishly, even forgetting what he wanted to say.

It was Ye Jiao who asked curiously: "Tie Zi, why did you come back?"

Qi Yun glanced at him and said flatly: "Speak."

One word made Tie Zi immediately restrain his smile and say seriously: "Second Young Master, Second Young Mistress, after the Wen family went out, they happened to encounter Magistrate Stone's carriage entering the Capital on the street, causing some delay. Later, the Wen family master's carriage horse was somehow startled and overturned, injuring people. Right now they're shouting for a doctor on the main street."

Ye Jiao had previously received letters from Zheng Shi, knowing that Shi Tianrui and Zheng Shi would be coming to the Capital soon, but hadn't expected it to be the same day.

The horse was even startled?

Little Ginseng still remembered Zheng Shi, so she said: "Are Magistrate Stone and Wan Ying alright?"

Before Tie Zi could answer, Qi Yun sitting beside Ye Jiao said: "Don't worry, they're definitely fine."

Ye Jiao was stunned, then seeing Tie Zi nod, she looked at Qi Yun with surprise: "How does husband know?"

Qi Yun smiled, thinking to himself, because he understood Shi Tianrui and Zheng Shi's characters, he could guess.

What startled horse, clearly they were venting anger for Dong Shi, deliberately causing trouble for Wen Minsong.

The one who could do this kind of face-to-face troublemaking was probably not Shi Tianrui. That person had brains and schemes, but was full of thoughts about the nation, acting uprightly and properly, too righteous to do this. It could only be Zheng Shi.

She had originally been a nobleman's daughter, now back in the Capital meant being on home turf, able to trouble whoever displeased her without any hesitation.

Qi Yun even felt he didn't need to trouble the Wen family anymore, since everything interesting about the Wen family had already fallen into his hands, and nothing else concerned him.

Anyway, Zheng Shi and Dong Shi had plenty of anger to vent on him. Second Young Master Qi wouldn't do anything more, letting the Wen family serve as their outlet was good too.

But Qi Yun didn't explain these things clearly to Ye Jiao, instead pretending to be profound and smiling: "I not only know they're fine, I also know they're about to come calling."

Tie Zi, hearing this, felt this wasn't hard to guess.

This was the eastern district, mostly merchant families. Magistrate Stone coming to the Capital for official business definitely wouldn't stay here, so coming over was naturally to visit the Qi family.

But Little Ginseng couldn't think of these things. She blinked: "Whose door?"

Qi Yun smiled lightly: "Naturally our door."

Just then, a servant ran over: "Second Young Master, there's someone outside surnamed Stone with his wife and child, saying they want to see Second Young Master and Second Young Mistress."

Ye Jiao's eyes lit up upon hearing this.

After the servant left, Ye Jiao grabbed Qi Yun's hand and shook it, her voice carrying joy: "Husband got it right again, so amazing!"

Second Young Master Qi enjoyed his wife's admiring gaze, then stood up and pulled Ye Jiao to the front hall.

Indeed, the visitors were Shi Tianrui and Zheng Shi.

Not having seen them for several months, Shi Tianrui looked quite different from before.

Serving as an official in the localities versus being an official in the Capital was different, very character-building. Capital officials mostly dealt with the wealthy and powerful, but after external appointments, one truly learned of people's hardships.

Shi Tianrui had come from hard times, but his temperament had changed considerably after becoming an official. Returning to the Capital this time, he still looked refined and upright, but had gained much more composure and restraint.

Seeing Qi Yun, Shi Tianrui had much to discuss with him. Ye Jiao had no interest in listening, pulling Zheng Shi to the back hall.

In the corridor, Zheng Shi linked arms with Ye Jiao, looked her over briefly, then smiled: "Not having seen you for months, Jiao Niang is still so fresh and graceful, truly enviable."

Ye Jiao gently gripped Zheng Shi's wrist, feeling this person was healthy, and also smiled: "You too, Wan Ying, very healthy, and you haven't gained weight."

These words were simple but direct, inexplicably making Zheng Shi feel close, thinking that Jiao Niang was indeed still the same Jiao Niang, unchanged at all. The slight unfamiliarity she had felt earlier disappeared, and Zheng Shi smiled, moving even closer: "I brought things this time too. Spring Orchid's medicine shop recently got several medicinal flower plants, she didn't know their effects, so she had me bring them as gifts."

Ye Jiao had known Dong Shi for a long time and naturally understood her meaning, nodding: "After I look at them, if there are any whose properties I recognize, I'll naturally write to tell her."

Zheng Shi hadn't thought Dong Shi had this intention either, first stunned, then laughing with curved eyes.

Then Zheng Shi asked about Empress Meng's health.

She had known Empress Meng in her maiden days. Though not close friends, they were acquainted. Previously recognizing at a glance the jade ruyi that Empress Meng had given Ye Jiao was how she could guess their relationship.

Now that Empress Meng was pregnant, Zheng Shi was happy for her but also worried, asking several more questions. Ye Jiao answered everything, even thinking about sending more medicinal flowers to Empress Meng later.

They were useful anyway, even if just for decoration.

Besides caring about Empress Meng, Zheng Shi was particularly curious about Ye Jiao's three children.

Previously, after the twins' full moon celebration, Zheng Shi often came to find Ye Jiao and enjoyed teasing Xu Bao. After Second Young Master Qi's family went to the Capital, they hadn't met again. Children change rapidly, and Zheng Shi missed them terribly.

Everyone loved babies, especially after Ye Jiao said the twins could walk and talk, Zheng Shi particularly wanted to see them: "Last time I saw them, they were still tiny. Now they must have grown, I wonder if they look like Jiao Niang or your husband."

Ye Jiao walked toward the side room while saying: "Can't tell yet, anyway they don't look much like each other."

Zheng Shi smiled: "I've seen twins who were identical, but boy-girl twins are usually not very similar, but they're certainly both beautiful children."

Little Ginseng immediately nodded, somewhat proudly raising her chin: "Naturally, my husband and I are both good-looking."

Zheng Shi looked at her and finally couldn't resist reaching out to pinch Ye Jiao's face. When Ye Jiao looked over with some confusion, Zheng Shi quickly dropped her hand, cleared her throat, and entered the side room with her.

At this time, Ruyi was sitting on a carpet, playing with toys in her hands.

These were mostly toys Xu Bao had finished playing with. Not because Qi Yun and Ye Jiao were reluctant to buy new ones for the children, but because these represented Xu Bao's kindness. He would share what he liked with his little brother and sister, happy to see them play.

Ruyi now held a cloth tiger, with a small flower dog on the ground. Ruyi poked the small flower dog with the cloth tiger, not knowing what she was thinking, giggled and babbled "meow meow woof woof, good good," making Zheng Shi's heart melt.

Then Zheng Shi turned and saw Ning Bao sitting on a small stool, with Xu Bao crouching in front of him.

Xu Bao held a milk cake, preparing to feed his little brother. He even considerately broke the milk cake into small pieces, knowing his brother's mouth was small and difficult to bite.

But every time before offering it, Xu Bao would smile and call: "Little brother, call big brother."

Ning Bao usually didn't like talking, but when there was food, he was willing to give Xu Bao this face, obediently calling: "Big brother." Then he opened his mouth to receive a piece of milk cake.

But if it were just one call, it would be fine, but Xu Bao was getting excited, smiling and raising his hand: "Little brother."

"Big brother."

"Little brother?"

"Big brother!"

"Little brother!"

"......"

Seeing Ning Bao stop responding, Xu Bao didn't give him milk cake. Little Ning Bao stared straight at Xu Bao, while Ye Jiao and Zheng Shi watching from outside the inner room didn't speak, instead watching with smiles and interest.

The next moment, they saw Ning Bao stand up, not even looking at Xu Bao, turning and walking away.

Xu Bao thought his little brother was angry and was about to chase, when he saw Ning Bao stand behind Ruyi and pat her.

Little Ruyi had originally been concentrating on playing with the cloth tiger. After being patted, she turned around somewhat bewildered and saw Ning Bao staring at her.

Then Ning Bao pointed at Xu Bao and said to Ruyi in his baby voice: "Little sister, call big brother."

Unlike Ning Bao, Ruyi loved talking and was lively. She immediately smiled and called out crisply: "Big brother!"

Ning Bao was very satisfied, reaching out to pull Ruyi to walk in front of Xu Bao. Under Xu Bao's bewildered gaze, Ning Bao poked Ruyi, and Ruyi sweetly said to Xu Bao: "Big brother."

This call made Xu Bao lose all his temper, obediently giving all the milk cakes to his little brother and sister.

Seeing this, Zheng Shi was already laughing so hard she couldn't straighten up, and Ye Jiao also curved her eyes.

Hearing their commotion, the three children all looked over, then pattered over.

Zheng Shi immediately hugged the little chubby Xu Bao, asking: "Does Xu Bao recognize auntie?"

Xu Bao immediately nodded: "I recognize you, auntie gave Xu Bao books."

Zheng Shi was first surprised. She had indeed given books, but this was already half a year ago. She hadn't expected Xu Bao to remember so clearly, truly extremely clever. Then she smiled and hugged Xu Bao, calling him all sorts of endearments, loving him tremendously.

Ye Jiao hugged her twins, touching their little bellies, preparing to have someone bring rice porridge to feed them.

Just then, someone came to the door: "Second Young Mistress, Madam Shi has arrived and is in the front hall."