novelraw Chapter 171
Chapter 171
Little Shi Tou was beaten?
Hearing this, Ye Jiao immediately stood up and hurried toward Little Shi Tou's courtyard.
Since the Qi family had bought the Wen family's mansion, the residence had doubled in size and become much more spacious.
Not only had they planted additional peach and plum trees and built a cool house with running water, they had also rebuilt several courtyards for the children to live in.
Ning Bao and Ruyi were still small and not urgent for now. Xu Bao still clung to Qi Yun and Ye Jiao's courtyard every day, unwilling to leave, preferring to sleep in the side room rather than go away, so his own small courtyard remained empty. But Little Shi Tou would turn seven after New Year and should have his own courtyard, so Ye Jiao had people arrange his courtyard comfortably early on.
Outside Little Shi Tou's courtyard grew green bamboo, where cool breezes created a pleasant atmosphere. Inside the courtyard, instead of too many beautiful flowers, they had transplanted a few medicinal flower plants beneficial to health for decoration, with the rest arranged with small ornamental trees, quite elegant.
These arrangements were all decided by Qi Yun, and Ye Jiao felt her husband had good taste.
Little Ginseng wasn't like scholars and poets who could articulate the subtleties of what they saw, but Ye Jiao understood beauty and ugliness and could naturally see it was attractive.
But this time Ye Jiao had no mind for admiring scenery, rushing into the room.
As soon as she entered, she saw Little Shi Tou sitting obediently upright in a chair.
Seeing Ye Jiao, Little Shi Tou hurriedly avoided the doctor, covering his cheek with his small hand, lowering his head and saying quietly: "Second Aunt, good health."
Usually when Ye Jiao saw him, she was extremely kind and affectionate. This child was the first baby Ye Jiao had held after becoming human. She still remembered how Little Shi Tou as a small child had said in his baby voice that Ye Jiao wearing flowers looked pretty. Now she treated him exactly the same as Xu Bao and the others.
But this time Ye Jiao didn't respond. Instead, she walked over directly, crouched down, and carefully pulled Little Shi Tou's wrist to make him lower his hand.
Then she saw the redness at the corner of Little Shi Tou's mouth and the bruise on his cheek.
Little Shi Tou was no longer as round as before. He had grown taller and sturdier, and his originally chubby face had taken shape, but Little Shi Tou's appearance had always been fair and adorable. Ye Jiao had never seen him in such a pitiful state.
Ye Jiao felt heartache at first sight, then anger flared up. Her eyes looked directly at the servant attending to Little Shi Tou, wanting to ask the reason.
Her eyes were usually sparkling like water, smiling, like two clear springs.
But now they seemed ignited by fire, making people afraid to breathe heavily.
Since Ye Jiao had always appeared tolerant and never angry, no one in the entire household knew what the mistress looked like when angry. But this gentle temperament, now showing annoyance, was particularly frightening.
Even though Ye Jiao didn't frown and glare like others, and her expression showed no change, her lack of smile was enough to make the servant's heart pound.
The servant following Little Shi Tou immediately prostrated on the ground. Without Ye Jiao needing to ask, he spilled everything like beans from a bamboo tube: "Mistress, forgive me. This humble one has always followed the young master, but there were truly too many opponents, and I couldn't protect him, which led to the young master being beaten. This humble one knows his fault." After speaking, he knocked his head on the ground, his body trembling.
Ye Jiao hadn't expected that just one look could frighten someone like this, leaving her somewhat bewildered.
Little Shi Tou was characteristically understanding, knowing this servant had signed a contract and could be sold if he made any mistake, which was why he was afraid.
Little Shi Tou's nature followed his father Qi Zhao, being tolerant and kind. He reached out to gently pull Ye Jiao's sleeve, saying softly: "Second Aunt, don't blame him. Just now he was protecting me. He was also injured, just on his body where it's not as obvious as mine."
The servant didn't dare speak, only prostrating while feeling grateful to Little Shi Tou in his heart.
Ye Jiao gestured for the doctor to also examine this servant, then looked at Little Shi Tou and reached out to touch his face.
With one touch, Little Shi Tou hissed, but quickly closed his mouth and endured it.
Ye Jiao immediately withdrew her hand, not daring to touch again. Instead, she stood up and sat beside Little Shi Tou, having people bring cotton cloth and medicine jars. While applying medicine to the cotton cloth, she asked: "How did this happen?"
Little Shi Tou looked at Ye Jiao, his face reddening, then said: "I saw someone bullying my friend at the academy, so I went to protect him, but there were too many of them, and I... I couldn't protect him."
Hearing this, Ye Jiao's first concern wasn't asking who did the beating, but rather she smiled and touched Little Shi Tou's head: "Little Shi Tou is so good, making friends so quickly. In a few days, invite your friend to visit our home. Auntie has set up a swing frame, and you can play together then."
Seeing Ye Jiao smile, Little Shi Tou also breathed a sigh of relief, nodding repeatedly in agreement.
But this movement pulled at his injury, making Little Shi Tou gasp, which made Ye Jiao reluctant to ask more questions. She just carefully placed the cotton cloth with medicine on Little Shi Tou's face.
One piece on his cheek, one piece at the corner of his mouth. The black medicine showing through the cotton cloth left round marks, making the little one look somewhat amusing.
Only then did Ye Jiao ask softly: "Little Shi Tou, tell Second Aunt who beat you?"
Little Shi Tou's eyes looked at Ye Jiao. He knew in his heart that Ye Jiao cared for him and wanted to help him get revenge, but Little Shi Tou shook his head: "Thank you, Second Aunt, but what I did was right. If we seek revenge now, it would become my fault instead. Being injured is because I'm not strong enough. If I lost the fight, then I lost. Next time I'll definitely win. I want to handle this matter myself. May I?"
Ye Jiao didn't force him to say, touching Little Shi Tou's head and nodding at him with a smile.
The doctor came over to examine Little Shi Tou again, then said to Ye Jiao: "Young Master Zhuo shouldn't get wet these days, shouldn't eat spicy food, and should change the medicine daily. This injury will heal quickly."
Little Shi Tou obediently agreed. Ye Jiao blinked, only then remembering that though she was used to calling him Little Shi Tou, his full name Qi Zhuo was also very nice-sounding.
Seeing the doctor about to leave, Ye Jiao said: "Please also examine him. We'll pay extra for both the consultation fee and medicine costs."
The servant carefully raised his head and saw Ye Jiao pointing at him.
Just from raising his head and looking once, the servant was stunned. If Little Su hadn't cleverly gone over to pull him, he probably wouldn't have remembered to stand up. Even after standing, he couldn't remember to speak, seeming dazed.
The doctor had a benevolent heart as a healer, seeing no distinction between high and low status, so he was naturally willing to treat him. He was just somewhat surprised as he glanced at Ye Jiao.
He was a renowned doctor in the Capital who often treated wealthy families, but he had never encountered a master who paid for servants to be examined, especially for bought servants, who were usually dismissed casually with life and death not mattering much.
But Little Ginseng's sense of right and wrong was more straightforward than most people's. Since she knew this servant had protected Little Shi Tou, he was good to Little Shi Tou, so he should be treated well.
Looking over, Ye Jiao asked: "What's your name?"
The servant finally remembered to speak, hurriedly saying: "This humble one is called Qing Feng."
Ye Jiao nodded, then whispered a few words to Little Shi Tou. Seeing Little Shi Tou nod, Ye Jiao said to Qing Feng: "Then from now on you'll stay by Little Shi Tou's side. This time is forgiven, but if you can't protect Little Shi Tou well next time, I'll..." Little Ginseng paused, really unable to think of any punishment measures, so she said: "I'll hand you over to my husband to deal with."
Little did she know this threat was more effective than anything else. Second Young Master Qi always appeared gentle and warm in front of Ye Jiao, but in front of others, he was never associated with warmth.
That cold and distant Qi Yun had always been there; it's just that he gave all his tenderness to Ye Jiao alone.
Hearing this, Qing Feng immediately became serious, kowtowed again to Ye Jiao and Little Shi Tou, then left.
But when leaving, Qing Feng could clearly feel the envious looks from others.
He could transform from a tea-serving, water-carrying servant into a page boy beside a young master. If his luck was good in the future, he might even be able to read and write like Liu Si, naturally making others envious.
But Qing Feng was an honest person who hadn't had time to be happy before being made to grimace in pain from his injuries, looking quite pitiful.
Ye Jiao had no more mood to look at the swing frame. After leaving Little Shi Tou's small courtyard, she returned to her own courtyard but couldn't sit still, pacing back and forth in the room, still worried at heart. She always needed to understand the whole story, fearing Little Shi Tou couldn't handle it. Ye Jiao said to Little Su: "Later, call Qing Feng over. I have questions for him."
"What does Jiao Niang want to ask?" At this time, Qi Yun's voice came through.
Ye Jiao was standing by the window. Hearing the voice, she walked over and reached out to prop open the window, seeing Qi Yun outside.
She couldn't help but smile, seemingly forgetting how anxious she had been just now, her voice becoming soft: "Husband."
Qi Yun also softened his expression. Originally planning to enter through the door, hearing the voice he withdrew his foot that was about to step through the door and instead walked to the window, gazing at Ye Jiao through the window.
Then Second Young Master Qi took out an object wrapped in blue cloth from his bosom and handed it over: "For you."
Ye Jiao was somewhat curious, properly supporting the window before reaching out to accept the cloth package. Opening it, she saw a pair of green earrings inside.
They weren't ordinary jade stones, but a water-like emerald green color. Ye Jiao held them up to the sunlight, and the dazzling brilliance made Little Ginseng instinctively squint her eyes, then smile.
They were truly beautiful. Little Ginseng could never resist pretty things, whether jewelry or clothing, she loved them all.
Seeing her reaction, Qi Yun knew Ye Jiao liked them: "These were brought back by the merchant caravan. The emeralds on them are extremely rare, so I kept them to give to you."
Little Ginseng nodded upon hearing this. Instead of finding a mirror herself, she extended her hand toward Qi Yun, smiling: "Husband, help me put them on."
Qi Yun reached out to take them, leaned close, and carefully put the earrings on Ye Jiao.
Probably afraid of hurting her, Qi Yun leaned very close so he could see clearly. Ye Jiao also obediently tilted her head slightly to let him approach, quietly murmuring: "Are they on yet?"
Qi Yun tilted his head, about to say they were on, but this one glance left him speechless.
Ye Jiao was beautiful, something Qi Yun had known since their wedding night when he lifted her veil. Back in their hometown, Qi Yun had enjoyed staring at Ye Jiao.
The more he looked at this person, the more beautiful she became.
But after they came to the Capital, Qi Yun rarely got this close to look at her.
During the day there were often people around, and even intimate gestures wouldn't be excessive. Not that Qi Yun didn't want to, but he held respect for his wife. In private, anything was fine, but with others present, he would naturally restrain himself.
At night, physical intimacy was common. They had always been uninhibited, doing whatever felt good, but even with candlelight, it wasn't clear to see.
Unlike now, with sunlight pouring onto the woman's face, as if covering her with a layer of soft radiance. Skin like white porcelain, features like a painting, and he could faintly smell the light osmanthus fragrance.
Qi Yun just stared like this, somewhat mesmerized.
Seeing him silent for so long, Ye Jiao found it strange. She tilted her head and met Qi Yun's direct gaze.
The moment their eyes met, despite their extremely intimate relationship, Qi Yun still instinctively wanted to look away.
But Ye Jiao reached out to cup his face. The woman also studied Second Young Master Qi, suddenly showing a smile, and Little Ginseng said softly: "Husband is so handsome." Then she firmly kissed Qi Yun's lips.
She spoke from the heart, and the kiss was also from emotion, just a touch before separating.
But Qi Yun's ears turned completely red. After Ye Jiao released him, he stopped this window gazing and entered through the door instead.
Tie Zi and Little Su both tactfully stood outside the door. Qi Yun felt the heat on his face had dissipated somewhat before entering the inner room, looking at Ye Jiao who was admiring herself in the mirror, and smiled: "These earrings really suit Jiao Niang."
Ostensibly praising the earrings, he actually wanted Ye Jiao to praise him, since he had found them and deserved some commendation.
Ye Jiao never disappointed him, smiling as she turned to him: "Husband is so good."
These four words made Qi Yun feel completely comfortable. No matter how much effort it took, as long as his wife was happy, it was worth it.
But after Ye Jiao's happiness, she remembered Little Shi Tou's matter. She immediately lost interest in the mirror and quickly stood up, pulling Qi Yun: "Husband, Little Shi Tou was bullied."
Thinking Second Young Master Qi had just returned home and should know nothing about this, who knew Qi Yun nodded: "I know. I just went to the academy and also saw Little Shi Tou."
Little Shi Tou might hide things from Ye Jiao, but seeing Qi Yun, he told everything.
For Little Shi Tou, if Second Aunt was like a bodhisattva, Second Uncle was like an asura. His courage wasn't great enough to dare deceive Qi Yun.
Ye Jiao, who had been anxious and worried just now, suddenly seemed to have a backbone, clasping Qi Yun's hand: "Then what does husband plan to do?"
But Qi Yun was much calmer than Ye Jiao. He led his wife to sit on the soft couch before saying: "Jiao Niang, rest assured. Little Shi Tou isn't a child without sense. Since he wants to handle it himself, we shouldn't interfere too much. Just watch from the side. Nothing serious will happen."
Hearing this, Ye Jiao first nodded, then worried: "But I'm afraid Little Shi Tou is too young to handle it. Should we really not intervene at all?"
Qi Yun smiled: "We can stay out of children's affairs, but I will definitely intervene in matters beyond children."
Conflicts between children were common at their young age. Playing and quarreling without proper limits was normal. When Qi Yun went to the academy, the master said that with many children together, there were often incidents without proper control. Most were settled peacefully, with no adults getting involved over children's conflicts.
But Qi Yun took this matter seriously.
Children's scuffles also had distinctions. Some were play, some were bullying. But they were still small and couldn't distinguish between these two or understand the consequences. The proper limits needed to be determined by adults.
This time Little Shi Tou was rescuing someone, showing both courage and righteousness. Qi Yun naturally wouldn't stop him but would encourage it, so Little Shi Tou could establish himself properly and distinguish right from wrong.
But Qi Yun could also see this incident was deliberately orchestrated, so he wouldn't stand idly by.
Second Young Master Qi put his arm around Ye Jiao, saying softly: "The child Little Shi Tou rescued this time is the young master of the old man you saved on the street before who was buying things. She's called Wu Miao'er and is a girl."
Ye Jiao was slightly stunned: "I remember the school Little Shi Tou attends doesn't admit female students."
Qi Yun nodded, pinching Ye Jiao's fingertips: "That's right. But this Wu family are hereditary porcelain makers with skills passed down through generations. Now only Wu Miao'er remains in the family. She wants to study but doesn't want to accept my favor, so she dressed as a boy, took the name Wu Miao, and went to the academy herself."
Ye Jiao's first reaction was that this child had quite a temper. Being able to stay with Little Shi Tou, probably not very old in age, but with much bigger ideas than her peers.
Then she looked at Qi Yun: "How do you know all this so clearly?"
Qi Yun didn't hide it from her: "I want Wu family porcelain. The kiln they were deprived of by the Wen family was also something I reclaimed. Even the Wu family old man's life was saved by me. Naturally I know their family affairs clearly."
Hearing this, Ye Jiao thought for a moment: "Then who bullied Miss Wu?"
Qi Yun said slowly: "The Sun family, nothing to worry about."
Ye Jiao had encountered few families surnamed Sun. The only one she could remember was the concubine Sun Shi from the Wen family before, and the Sun family seemed to have sheltered someone who was supposed to enter the palace.
Obviously Little Ginseng had completely forgotten about the Sun family sheltering the currently missing Shen family girl who had entered the palace. She didn't want to remember this either: "Husband is so good, knowing everything."
Qi Yun pinched her fingertips again, smiling: "Doesn't Jiao Niang blame me for being too indulgent with the child?"
Ye Jiao shook her head, looking at him with clear eyes: "No, I think you did right. It's me who still has much to learn."
Little Ginseng wasn't the first time feeling that being human wasn't easy, but each time she was grateful to have a good husband by her side, making all difficult things become easy.
Qi Yun was somewhat curious: "If I hadn't come back just now, what would you have wanted to do?"
Ye Jiao looked at him, then answered very frankly: "I would find Qing Feng to ask clearly, then bring people to get revenge for Little Shi Tou."
Qi Yun was stunned: "How would you get revenge?"
Ye Jiao replied without hesitation: "Whoever beat him, I'd beat them back. I couldn't let Little Shi Tou suffer alone."
At these words, Qi Yun laughed.
But this laugh looked very gentle. He didn't think there was anything wrong with Ye Jiao arguing with children, instead finding his wife admirably straightforward.
But seeing him like this, Ye Jiao reached out to cover Qi Yun's mouth. Both of them fell back onto the soft couch, Ye Jiao muttering: "Don't laugh at me."
Qi Yun kissed her palm once, then pulled her hand down, smiling: "How could such a precious person as Jiao Niang fight anyone?"
Little Ginseng wanted to say that though she had originally been a ginseng spirit buried halfway in the earth, she had lived for a thousand years and did have some magic.
But soon Ye Jiao realized she was now human and usually had trouble even carrying water, let alone fighting anyone.
Seeing Ye Jiao frown, Qi Yun thought she was taking it seriously and quickly said: "Wife, rest assured. You have me and three children. Whether now or in the future, Jiao Niang will never need to lift a finger. We'll help you."
These words were obviously meant to coax, since they now had many servants, where would she need to do such things herself?
But Ye Jiao had a gentle temperament that was easily coaxed. Hearing this, she immediately smiled, genuinely happy.
This appearance made Qi Yun reluctant to tease her anymore, just holding her in his arms for quite a while of tender affection.
A few days later, after Little Shi Tou's injuries healed, he returned to the academy.
But now Little Shi Tou didn't come and go alone, often attending school with Wu Miao'er.
Ye Jiao had also seen her, and she liked the Wu family girl at first sight.
Wu Miao'er was a pretty little girl about the same age as Little Shi Tou, though a head shorter than him. Dressed as a boy, she didn't look like a girl. Though sometimes her speech carried a girl's softness, most of the time she was very straightforward, and her mind was quick, appearing very clever.
Little Shi Tou was particularly close to the Wu family girl. With his honest and steady nature, fearing those people would bully his Wu brother again, he studied hard daily, learning riding and archery to gain more skills, wanting to live up to Wu Miao'er's call of "Brother Shi Tou."
Though so many people called him Brother Shi Tou, Little Shi Tou felt Wu brother's call sounded better than others'.
But before Little Shi Tou could train his body well enough to fight the Sun family child, the Sun family had already disappeared without a trace, as if they had vanished from the Capital.
Conversely, Wu Miao'er had been cheerful these past days.
She had lost her family at a young age, had her family property taken by the Wen and Sun families working together, her parents driven to death, leaving only the loyal old man to care for her.
Probably children who suffered hardships matured early. Now only seven years old, this girl had long lost the usual female interests in needlework and music, her mind full of thoughts about preserving her family's reputation.
Now the Wu family shop could reopen and even got orders from the Qi family, business could naturally start up again.
The Wen family was obviously declining, and the Sun family couldn't even be seen anymore. Little Wu Miao'er felt her great revenge was complete and was naturally happy, walking with a spring in her step.
Little Shi Tou looked at Wu Miao'er with some puzzlement, holding back for a while before saying: "Wu brother, if you're walking, then walk. Why are you bouncing?" Like a little girl.
Wu Miao'er's steps paused slightly. This form of address was actually something she had agreed to. Probably feeling guilty about dressing as a boy, Wu Miao'er had defaulted to Little Shi Tou calling her "Wu brother," as if this would make even herself believe it.
But Wu Miao'er was still a child after all. Hearing this, her face reddened, and she immediately put on an angry expression, saying to Little Shi Tou: "Dummy, what's wrong with bouncing? There were stones on the road just now, and I was afraid of falling."
But she was young, and her mock fierceness obviously couldn't scare anyone.
Little Shi Tou turned to look at the smooth, flat stone-paved road with a confused expression: "What stones? There aren't any."
Wu Miao'er huffed and walked ahead by herself. Little Shi Tou hurried to catch up, thinking Wu brother was good in every way except for having a bit of a temper.
When they were almost at the Qi residence, Wu Miao'er stopped and said to Little Shi Tou: "You go back. Tomorrow I'll wait for you here again to go to school together." Then she turned to leave.
Little Shi Tou hurriedly said: "Won't you come in with me? My aunt said she wants to invite you for refreshments."
Wu Miao'er hesitated, then shook her head.
She naturally knew Qi Yun was her benefactor, but precisely because the Qi family had shown kindness to her family, Wu Miao'er didn't want to visit the Qi family so soon. She should wait until she finished firing this batch of porcelain before repaying Qi Yun. Only then would it be proper to visit and express gratitude.
Wu Miao'er knew she was overthinking, but her circumstances forced her to think one step ahead.
So Wu Miao'er smiled at Little Shi Tou: "No thanks, my grandfather is still waiting for me. Goodbye, Brother Shi Tou." Then she turned and left.
Little Shi Tou watched, waving his hand. Only after Wu Miao'er turned the corner and disappeared did he turn back to prepare to enter.
But as soon as he turned around, he saw three little children standing in a row at the gate.
Ruyi was holding her cloth tiger, Ning Bao was holding his yarn ball, and Xu Bao was behind them protecting the two, with nannies watching over the little masters nearby.
This formation startled Little Shi Tou. After being stunned for a moment, he said: "What are you doing here?"
Ning Bao and Ruyi were still small. After learning to walk, they liked following Xu Bao everywhere, going wherever big brother went, without any particular purpose.
But Xu Bao's eyes, like black pearls, looked at Little Shi Tou. Children's eyes were always bright, making Little Shi Tou feel strange, when he suddenly heard Xu Bao say: "Brother Shi Tou, who was that little sister just now?"
Hearing this, Little Shi Tou smiled and went over to pinch Xu Bao's face, seriously saying: "Wu brother isn't a girl. He's just sometimes a bit... delicate. Don't say that about him. You should call him brother."
Xu Bao blinked again and said "Oh."
But after Little Shi Tou left for the study to read, Xu Bao crouched down and asked Ning Bao: "Little brother, do you think that was a little sister or little brother?"
Ning Bao was holding his yarn ball, wondering when he could sneak away from the nanny to gnaw on it. Hearing the question, without lifting his head, he said: "Sister."
Xu Bao nodded and looked at Ruyi, his voice unconsciously becoming gentler when addressing his sister: "What does Ruyi think, sister or brother?"
Little Ruyi replied clearly: "Brother."
Xu Bao was stunned and about to argue when he saw Ning Bao, who had been listlessly holding his ball, suddenly look up and waddle over to Ruyi's side, then say: "Right, brother."
Xu Bao: ...Little brother, could you have some principles?
Ruyi, seeing Ning Bao support her, giggled and casually threw away her cloth tiger, turning to hug Ning Bao with both arms.
Ning Bao let her hug him, but the two little ones weren't steady on their feet, swaying precariously and looking like they were about to tumble together.
The nearby nanny quickly came to support them, holding them from behind and placing cushions on the ground, afraid they might fall while playing together.
At this moment, a servant walked over. Nanny Mo was holding the twins, one on each side. Afraid the servant might startle the little masters, she asked before he approached: "What is it?"
The servant immediately stopped and replied: "Nanny Mo, Third Young Master and Master Ye have arrived. The mistress says to bring the little masters over."