Lady of Fortune, Jiao Niang

Chapter 17

Ye Jiao only glanced at it once but didn't take it to heart, her mind full of thoughts about the pork rib soup she was carrying, urging Tie Zi to go call Qi Yun to eat.

Qi Yun left that stack of papers on the desk in the small room, only taking them out again when Qi Ming came the next day.

As soon as Qi Ming saw them, his face scrunched up.

He was the youngest in the family. Whether it was Father Qi or Liu Shi, they all doted on and spoiled him. Eldest Brother Qi Zhao was much older than him and always protected his younger brothers, naturally indulging him, afraid Qi Ming might suffer any grievance.

But Qi Yun was different. His second brother had never really held or coddled him since childhood, either urging him to study and improve or forcing him to practice calligraphy and write essays.

Qi Ming had complained before, but as he grew older and learned that his second brother was weak in health and might not even live past thirty, that even with his literary talents he had no way to take the imperial examinations, he understood that Qi Yun was restraining him everywhere, hoping Qi Ming could distinguish himself.

Qi Ming was precocious. After understanding Qi Yun's good intentions, he became completely obedient to Qi Yun, turning docile as a little white rabbit in front of his second brother.

But right now, Qi Ming really couldn't control his expression. With drooping mouth corners, he said to Qi Yun: "Second Brother, I know I was wrong. Can I not copy characters today? I want to talk more with Mother."

Qi Yun picked up the papers to look through them, then set them aside before looking at him. But he didn't mention copying characters. Instead he said: "It's been a long time since we've seen each other, Third Brother. Shall we have a sword dialogue?"

Sword dialogue didn't mean the two would fight with actual swords. Although current academies required students to know the six arts and some did teach swordsmanship, even if Qi Ming could do it, Qi Yun's frail body couldn't withstand it.

What Qi Yun meant by sword dialogue was for each side to name a type of sword, and the other would recite related ancient poems or verses.

Ostensibly using sword names as a game, the real purpose was to test Qi Ming's learning.

Qi Ming loved reading, even to the point of obsession. Hearing this, he immediately straightened up: "Go ahead and test me."

A smile flashed across Qi Yun's lips, his voice calm: "Chi Xiao."

Without hesitation, Qi Ming immediately answered: "Strike the water to overturn the vast sea, wrestle with wind to pierce through Chi Xiao."

"What about Long Yuan?"

"Beautiful jade grows from bedrock, treasured swords emerge from Long Yuan."

"Now tell me about Yu Chang."

"Ancient qin with snake patterns valued beyond price, treasured sword Yu Chang holds spiritual power."

Qi Yun didn't stop asking, and Qi Ming didn't stop answering, without the slightest stumble. The satisfaction in Qi Yun's eyes grew more and more.

But Qi Ming became increasingly alarmed.

He had been studying away from home since age five, rarely returning but staying at the academy to study hard. Plus Qi Ming was someone who loved poetry and books, reading brought him joy. Over these years, his knowledge had far exceeded that of his peers.

But his second brother, who had to stay in bed eight out of ten days at home, could actually have such learning. Qi Ming first felt surprise, then admiration, and finally only submission.

But Qi Yun hadn't called him for sword dialogue to show off. He lightly tapped the table and said flatly: "Swords emphasize sharpness, while you are a scholar. The brush in your hand is no less than a treasured sword, and what it can bring you is much more than what a sword can bring. But look at this handwriting, is it worthy of your talent?"

Hearing this, Qi Ming's ears turned red, and he hung his head, answering quietly.

He also knew his handwriting wasn't attractive. Second Brother was doing this for his own good. More practice was the right thing to do.

Thinking about how he had just tried to avoid practice by pleading with Qi Yun, Qi Ming felt his face burn.

Qi Yun looked at him and softened his voice: "The county examination is approaching. Exam papers will be transcribed by others, so calligraphy practice can slow down a bit, but it can't be neglected. If you achieve great success in the future, your handwriting must be presentable."

Qi Ming immediately nodded in agreement, not daring to slack off in the slightest.

At this moment, Liu Shi sent someone to call Qi Ming over. Qi Yun didn't stop him and let him leave.

But as Qi Ming was going out the door, Qi Yun said flatly: "Remember in the future: a gentleman is cautious when alone."

Qi Ming immediately agreed.

How could he not remember?

He had written it over a hundred times yesterday and would never forget it in this lifetime!

After Qi Ming left, Qi Yun picked up Qi Ming's large characters again.

Although Qi Yun felt Third Brother's handwriting lacked backbone, to be fair, it was still much more attractive than his wife's.

But then Qi Yun thought, how many days had Jiao Niang been learning? Being able to write them out at all was already very good.

Besides, Jiao Niang's round characters were unique. Others couldn't write them even if they wanted to.

With a smile on his face, Qi Yun got up and went outside, only to find his wife wasn't wandering around with her flowerpot as usual. Instead, she was sitting at the stone table, looking at a dozen or so pots of flowers and plants of various sizes arranged on the ground, propping up her chin, lost in thought.

Seeing this, Qi Yun walked over and sat beside Ye Jiao, asking with a smile: "What's wrong?"

Ye Jiao withdrew her gaze and turned to look at Qi Yun, handing him the card that had come with them.

"These flowers and plants arrived early this morning. They were sent by Manager Dong from the medicine garden's daughter." Ye Jiao remembered Manager Dong, but she didn't know Manager Dong's daughter.

These weren't for Qi Yun either, but for Ye Jiao.

Ye Jiao had been staring at these flowers for quite a while, not because they were particularly beautiful, but because these were all medicinal plant flowers, and there were several that Ye Jiao recognized.

Some were nourishing, some expelled cold. In short, they were all good things.

But Qi Yun glanced at them once and said: "This Lady Dong married the medicine shop's head clerk, so she's family. Since she sent them, you should just accept them."

It wasn't unusual for managers and clerks to give gifts to their employers. A few pots of flowers weren't a big deal.

Ye Jiao blinked: "Isn't this gift too valuable?"

Qi Yun's expression was gentle: "They're just ornamental flowers, nothing serious."

Ye Jiao firmly believed her husband was learned beyond measure, and Qi Yun didn't seem to be putting on an act when he said this.

Thinking carefully, Ye Jiao felt it should be like that Stone Sprout Grass from before. She recognized it, but others didn't know what use these things had.

Then she heard Qi Yun say: "If you don't like them, we can return them now."

Ye Jiao quickly said: "I like them, I really like them." As she spoke, she directed Little Su and Tie Zi to carry the flowers into the side room. She would study them carefully later.

Qi Yun just thought Ye Jiao enjoyed tending flowers and plants, so he didn't ask more. He smiled and touched her hair. The afternoon passed peacefully and pleasantly.

But while life in the Qi family courtyard was peaceful, outside the courtyard, Second Master Qi had already become famous.

In these times, everyone was superstitious and somewhat resentful of the wealthy.

Although the Qi family was usually kind to others, whether to neighbors or to their tenant farmers, they were especially caring. But because they had money, there were inevitably people who were envious.

Of course, no one would do anything bad because of that jealousy. Even if they had the intention, they didn't have the courage. Although these were enlightened times, there was still a huge gap between wealthy households and small families. No one dared to provoke them.

But no one could stop people from gossiping behind backs when chatting, especially those with loose tongues who loved to spread rumors about others.

The news about Second Master Qi's poor health had spread this way.

Everyone said that Second Master Qi had a fierce and malicious appearance, with glaring eyes and an ugly face, pale as paper. Others would avoid him from far away. The Qi family had been smooth sailing for so many years and should have encountered some obstacles. This Second Master Qi not only looked like an evil spirit but was also a short-lived ghost.

They made it up with vivid detail.

Anyone who mentioned Second Master Qi would first sigh pitifully, then comfort each other:

Rich families don't have it easy either. Look, such a short life!

It seemed only by thinking this way could they feel their poor days weren't too bitter in comparison.

But as the Qi family wine shop sent out goods like flowing water, even fools could see the Qi family wine shop was doing well.

Manager Song always praised Second Young Master's capability and talent to everyone he met, praising Qi Yun to the skies!

This wasn't Manager Song deliberately flattering. It was just that the gleaming silver and shining copper coins were too eye-catching. At his age, this was the first time Manager Song felt so proud, so naturally he praised Qi Yun to the heavens.

But his words were too exaggerated, so not many people believed them.

But anyone with eyes could see that the Qi family wine shop was thriving, hiring many workers who all said it was very busy inside, with supply unable to meet demand every day.

Even if Manager Song's other claims weren't very credible, the statement that "Second Master Qi is capable and can make money" was believable.

Word spread from ten to a hundred, and the news reached Ye Family Village.

Ye Family Village wasn't wealthy, but gossips existed everywhere. Getting fresh news, they had to discuss it over and over, especially since the protagonist had some connection to their own village, making the talk even more lively.

By the river, several women washing clothes gathered together, chatting about the Qi family's affairs.

"It's really strange. Earlier this year they said Second Master Qi was in poor health, but look how much time has passed? Suddenly he's better."

"I don't know if he's better or not, but I heard that this Second Master Qi is weak and sickly because he opened his heavenly eye and has the god of wealth's abilities, that's why..."

"Come on, opened his heavenly eye? Do you think he's Erlang Shen?"

"If you ask me, it should be that the Ye family daughter is fortunate. Originally carried over as a fortune-bringing bride, now her days are so good. Look at the grand display when she returned home. Which girl in our village has such dignity?"

"Didn't Second Sister-in-law Ye always say behind people's backs that she was freeloading? Now she has good in-laws she can't reach up to. Wonder what she's thinking."

Speaking of this, one woman sighed: "If only my daughter had married there back then."

This drew laughter: "Come on, back then everyone knew marrying there was jumping into a fire pit. Would you have been willing to let your biological daughter jump?"

As they were talking, they saw Second Sister-in-law Ye approaching from afar.

Second Sister-in-law Ye had always been stingy and unfriendly to neighbors. She was always borrowing needles and thread from the east family or borrowing clay pots from the west family, but when others asked her for help, she wouldn't even give them a good face. She had offended quite a few neighbors.

Seeing her approach, one woman stopped washing clothes, harboring thoughts of provocation, and called out loudly: "Second Sister-in-law, congratulations! Your brother-in-law is so capable!"

Second Sister-in-law Ye had been feeling awkward lately. Hearing this, she nearly fainted from anger.