Lady of Fortune, Jiao Niang

Chapter 181

Having not returned home for a long time, although Qi Yun knew that home was just outside, he felt somewhat timid about approaching his hometown.

For ordinary people, being away from home for less than a year wouldn't feel like much, after all, this period of time was neither long nor short, far from the time that would cause such timidity about returning home.

But Qi Yun was different. Because of his poor health, in the more than twenty years since his birth, he had never left this place. The farthest he had gone was to check on the shops in the city after marrying Ye Jiao and his health improved somewhat, and that was a journey that could be completed in a day.

Now having gone directly to the capital thousands of miles away and returning, Qi Yun felt some inexplicable timidity in his heart.

Even he himself couldn't clearly explain the reasons.

Ye Jiao, however, seemed much happier. Little Ginseng missed her family terribly, and now hearing that they had arrived home, she quickly put on her cloak and reached out to wrap clothes around her own Xu Bao, saying: "We're home, Xu Bao. Do you miss Grandfather and Grandmother?"

Xu Bao immediately nodded: "Miss! Want to eat milk cakes!"

Hearing this, Ye Jiao reached out and pinched Xu Bao's little cheeks.

Previously, because Liu Shi often wanted to see Xu Bao, she would bring Xu Bao to stay overnight in her own courtyard every few days. After all, grandparents dote on their grandchildren. While Ye Jiao wouldn't normally let people give Xu Bao milk cakes to eat, Liu Shi never restricted him. As long as Xu Bao asked, Liu Shi would have Nanny Liu make them.

Nanny Liu's skills were exceptional. She made excellent almond custard and excellent milk cakes too. Xu Bao still remembered them clearly.

After dressing Xu Bao properly, Ye Jiao picked him up, bounced him a bit, and said: "I'll take you to find Grandfather and Grandmother right now."

Then Ye Jiao looked toward Qi Yun, who was sitting there in prolonged silence.

At this moment, Second Young Master Qi was recalling in his mind all the bits and pieces of life at home.

When he was living in one place before, he didn't notice, but only after leaving home could he know just how much protection Liu Shi had given him.

When he was seriously ill as a child, his whole body burning with fever, it was Liu Shi who carried him dozens of miles through mountain paths to seek medical treatment.

Later, even when the doctor said he couldn't be saved, it was Liu Shi who watched over him day and night without rest, forcibly pulling him back from the brink of life and death.

Everyone said this was selfless maternal love, but in this world, no one's kindness to another is naturally ordained.

Second Young Master Qi was thinking about this when he suddenly felt someone tugging at his arm.

Looking up, he saw Ye Jiao holding Xu Bao and staring at him, then Little Ginseng smiled and said: "Husband, what are you thinking about?"

Qi Yun shook his head: "Nothing."

Ye Jiao didn't have so many feelings to express. She simply took the fur coat and draped it over Qi Yun, saying: "Put on your clothes, we're getting off the carriage."

Second Young Master Qi was startled. Usually his Jiao Niang would take care of him personally. When it was cold outside, she would always help him put on his fur coat properly. This sudden drop in treatment made Qi Yun somewhat uncomfortable, but when he looked up and saw Ye Jiao holding Xu Bao while also having to put hats on the twins with her other hand, Qi Yun had no other thoughts.

He couldn't very well let Ye Jiao handle everything herself. As a father, he naturally had to help.

The carriage was small after all. With a family of five plus Little Su, it was completely full. Dressing the children required both parents to help.

Qi Yun moved over to wrap the twins tightly, put on his fur coat, and was about to get off the carriage.

"Wait." Ye Jiao took out a black rabbit fur hat and put it on the man's head, then smiled and said: "Done."

Little Su looked and felt that her Second Young Master's outfit was the same as before, a black mass where you couldn't even see his face clearly. She wanted to laugh but held it in, carefully handing the twins to Nanny Mo who was reaching up from below, then jumped down from the carriage and helped Ye Jiao down.

Ye Jiao had originally wanted to carry Xu Bao down with her, but Qi Yun, afraid she might trip, took Xu Bao over.

The little chubby boy had been staring at Qi Yun the whole time. After falling into that furry Qi Yun's embrace, he finally spoke: "Daddy looks so black."

Qi Yun glanced at Xu Bao: "Doesn't look good?" Just as Xu Bao was about to speak, Qi Yun said flatly: "Your mother bought this."

Xu Bao immediately nodded repeatedly: "Looks good, looks good. What Mother bought must look good."

Even if it didn't look good, that was just because he was too young to appreciate its merits. Xu Bao nodded with particular certainty, looking at his father's all-black outfit with a kind of appreciative gaze.

Qi Yun calmly carried Xu Bao off the carriage, instructed Tie Zi to unload the carriage, and prepared to bring his wife and children through the door together.

However, Ye Jiao went to find Little Shi Tou first, wanting to bring him along. But before Ye Jiao could walk over, she saw Little Shi Tou's feet go soft, and he looked like he was about to fall.

The book attendant Qing Feng was quick with his hands and feet, ran over to serve as a human cushion for Little Shi Tou, but Little Shi Tou still sat down on the ground.

Little Shi Tou was wearing a dark blue cloak, but his clothes underneath were ivory white. With this fall, the hem of his clothes immediately had two black marks.

Ye Jiao hurried forward to help, but Little Shi Tou had already stood up by himself, looking somewhat embarrassed.

Looking up at Ye Jiao, Little Shi Tou said: "Second Aunt, I was reading for too long just now. My legs went numb, so when I got down... I didn't stand steady."

Ye Jiao patted his clothes for him. Not having the heart to scold him, she turned to Qing Feng who was attending nearby and said: "In the future, remember to remind your young master about his reading hours, understand?"

Qing Feng quickly said: "I've noted it down. Second Young Mistress, please don't worry."

Little Shi Tou also obediently nodded: "Second Aunt, I've remembered too."

Ye Jiao smiled and reached out to pull Little Shi Tou toward the door.

Little Shi Tou, however, looked up at Ye Jiao expectantly and said: "Second Aunt, let me go change clothes first." It wouldn't be proper to meet the elders with dust on his clothes.

Ye Jiao hesitated for a moment, then Qi Yun walked over and said to Little Shi Tou: "We're already home now. There aren't so many rules. Go rest well first, and after you've settled in properly, it won't be too late to meet the elders."

Little Shi Tou quickly agreed, took Qing Feng's hand and entered the door. Qi Er's family then walked toward the front hall.

Since Tie Zi had just run back to ask about Seventh Great-Uncle's matter, Liu Shi knew that Qi Yun was returning and was now waiting in the front hall.

When they entered, Qi Yun showed a smile, wanting to talk with his mother.

Who would have thought that Liu Shi didn't even look at him, heading straight for Ye Jiao, embracing Xu Bao in one swift motion, bouncing him in her arms, and saying with a smile: "Xu Bao has gotten quite a bit fatter."

Xu Bao first sweetly called "Grandmother," then hugged Liu Shi's neck and wouldn't let go. He still remembered what Ning Bao had said about him being too chubby to fly, so he mumbled: "Xu Bao isn't fat, Xu Bao just grew up."

Hearing this, Liu Shi laughed even more joyfully, saying repeatedly: "That's right, that's right. Our Xu Bao isn't fat, he just grew taller. Let Grandmother see how much Xu Bao has grown."

Xu Bao immediately stretched his neck happily, as if this could make him appear taller.

Ye Jiao smiled and said to Liu Shi: "Mother, where's Father?"

Liu Shi looked at Ye Jiao and smiled: "There's business at the estate. He went there yesterday. With the recent snow, there's a lot to handle at the estate. He probably won't be back until tomorrow. But Eldest Brother heard you were coming home and rushed back. He should arrive soon."

Qi Yun took the opportunity to step forward, about to speak, but saw Liu Shi's eyes turn toward the twins.

Although a year wasn't long or short, children always changed a lot, especially the younger they were.

Liu Shi first handed Xu Bao back to Qi Yun, then looked at the twins with a smile: "These are Ning Bao and Ruyi, right?"

Ye Jiao nodded and said softly: "The one in the blue jacket is Ning Bao, the one in the red jacket is Ruyi."

Ning Bao looked at Liu Shi, then at Xu Bao, then obediently said: "Grandmother."

Ruyi, who had been looking around at this unfamiliar new room with curiosity, heard Ning Bao's words and immediately looked over, showing a bright smile and calling out crisply: "Grand!"

Even just one word was enough to make Liu Shi beam with joy.

The two children were at their most adorable age, and the twins were especially well-behaved. Even though they didn't remember Liu Shi, after Ye Jiao introduced them, they didn't fuss or cry when Liu Shi held them. Since they had just learned to speak, they were also happy to talk, and their childish babbling was particularly amusing.

Liu Shi treasured this one and that one too, feeling she could never look at the two children enough.

This scene left Qi Yun, standing there, feeling somewhat helpless.

Just now in the carriage, he had felt timid, afraid that Liu Shi's longing would make him feel guilty. He had originally thought that when he entered, Liu Shi would surely ask about him first. Who knew that the children's appeal was much greater than his own? The things Qi Yun had been thinking about never happened, and Liu Shi barely paid attention to him.

But this not only didn't make Qi Yun jealous, it actually made his heart feel much more at ease.

Even after nearly a year apart, Liu Shi still treated them with such genuine care, never changing.

Qi Yun took off his fur coat and hat and handed them to Tie Zi, then joined Ye Jiao in gathering around Liu Shi to play with the children. The family was harmonious and happy.

Little Shi Tou didn't come to find Liu Shi, but prepared to settle his things first before paying respects to the elders.

Especially Fang Shi. Little Shi Tou was still a child after all, and after being away from home for so long, he missed his mother most, but he couldn't go directly to her now.

After the long journey, he was inevitably disheveled, and having just fallen when getting off the carriage and dirtied his clothes, he should change into clean clothes before going to see Fang Shi, otherwise she would surely feel distressed seeing him in such a state.

Qing Feng hadn't said anything, following Little Shi Tou through the door, then obediently went to find clean clothes from the chest and handed them to Little Shi Tou behind the screen, then stayed outside dutifully, looking around Little Shi Tou's room.

Since Little Shi Tou had turned seven, he should move out of Qi Zhao and Fang Shi's courtyard. The family had already arranged a separate small courtyard for him, with all the furnishings moved from Little Shi Tou's original room.

But all of this felt strange to Qing Feng.

Since Qing Feng was a servant the Qi family had bought from a human trafficker in the capital, he had never been to the Qi family's old residence before. If Little Shi Tou hadn't pulled him along just now, Qing Feng might have gotten lost himself.

Although Qing Feng knew that after the New Year his young master would return to the capital to study, since he was now Little Shi Tou's book attendant, he had to consider everything thoroughly for Little Shi Tou.

So while Little Shi Tou was still changing clothes, Qing Feng had already started opening chests to help Little Shi Tou organize things.

When Little Shi Tou came out from behind the screen in clean clothes, he saw Qing Feng busy at work. Two chests were already empty and much more organized than before, but there was an extra box on the table.

Little Shi Tou couldn't help asking: "Qing Feng, what's this?"

Qing Feng was putting clothes in the wardrobe. Hearing the noise, he quickly ran over and looked at the box before saying: "This wasn't something I put in the chest, but I saw there was a letter stuck on top, so I didn't open it."

Little Shi Tou blinked, thinking it was probably something Second Aunt had someone prepare for him, so he didn't plan to look. He turned around, wanting to organize his book chest.

Then he heard Qing Feng's voice again: "This servant doesn't know many characters, but I recognize a 'Wu' character on top. I thought it might be something from Young Master Wu..."

Before Qing Feng could finish, Little Shi Tou had already quickly turned around, ran back to the table, and carefully took the letter from the top of the box. Sure enough, he saw a Wu character on it.

After opening it and taking out the letter paper, it was Wu Miao'er's elegant handwriting, roughly saying that she was grateful in her heart for Little Shi Tou's protection and care, so she had found a few books to give him, and also bought a package of pastries for Little Shi Tou to eat on the road.

The reason she didn't give them in person was because Wu Miao'er was, after all, a girl, and being thin-skinned, couldn't say it out loud, so she just found an opportunity to stuff the things into Little Shi Tou's chest and be done with it.

Little Shi Tou felt a sense of pleasant surprise and opened the box with a smile, taking out both the books and the pastries inside.

The pastries were cloud slice cakes, which could be stored for half a year without spoiling. After just ten or so days, they were naturally still fresh. Little Shi Tou tore off a piece and put it in his mouth, finding it still sweet and soft.

Savoring the cloud slice cake in his mouth, Little Shi Tou couldn't help saying: "Brother Wu is really good to me. I want to take this for Mother to taste."

Qing Feng nodded along: "Young Master Wu is naturally extremely good to you, just like..." After thinking for a long time, Qing Feng finally managed to say: "Like real brothers."

Hearing this, Little Shi Tou immediately said: "You're absolutely right. Next time I see him, I must mention it to Brother Wu, become sworn brothers."

Qing Feng quickly said: "Young Master speaks truly."

By this time everything was organized. Little Shi Tou first went to Liu Shi's courtyard and was naturally kept there for quite a while with caring questions.

Liu Shi was concerned about Second Brother's three children, but she also remembered Little Shi Tou just the same.

In Liu Shi's heart, the most important thing for this family was to avoid favoritism. Even though everyone's heart naturally had preferences, what showed on the surface had to be fair and even-handed.

Since she was to be the matriarch, some things had to be remembered in her heart and not forgotten.

Little Shi Tou had, after all, grown up under Liu Shi's watch, so Liu Shi naturally loved him. She kept him there talking for quite a while before letting him go.

After seeing his grandmother, Little Shi Tou wanted to quickly go see Fang Shi, but on his way to Fang Shi's courtyard, Little Shi Tou saw Ye Jiao, who was also preparing to visit Fang Shi.

The current Ye Jiao had also changed clothes and looked quite different from before.

Because in the capital everyone wore gorgeous clothes and beautiful skirts, Ye Jiao was no exception. Every piece of clothing was extremely refined, every detail highly particular, not just for beauty, but also to maintain status.

After all, when the mistress dressed well, it was also a matter of the household's reputation.

But these clothes, beautiful as they were, each had their difficulties to wear, requiring binding here or constraining there. Ye Jiao spent considerable time getting dressed each time.

Now that she was back home, Ye Jiao didn't have so many concerns. She brought out her old dresses, wearing whatever was comfortable, and though they couldn't be called exquisite, they were much more comfortable.

At this moment, Ye Jiao was holding Ruyi while Little Su held Ning Bao. When they saw Little Shi Tou and his servant, before Ye Jiao could speak, Ruyi waved her hand first, laughing happily and saying: "Brother Shi Tou!"

Little Shi Tou was naturally familiar with Ruyi and immediately smiled, walking over to pinch Ruyi's little hand, saying softly: "Sister Ruyi."

Ye Jiao walked together with Little Shi Tou, looking at the basket Qing Feng was carrying with some curiosity: "What did you bring?"

Little Shi Tou replied: "Cloud slice cakes that Brother Wu gave me. They're very delicious. I wanted to take them to Mother."

Ye Jiao couldn't help but smile, saying: "Little Shi Tou still remembers to bring gifts for his sister-in-law. That's wonderful." After a pause, Ye Jiao said: "Perfect, Little Shi Tou will have a gift too. Come, let's go see."

This left Little Shi Tou confused and unclear about what she meant.

When they entered Fang Shi's room and saw the little baby sleeping peacefully in the cradle, Little Shi Tou finally understood Ye Jiao's meaning.

The young boy froze at the doorway, staring straight at the cradle for a while before looking at Fang Shi and hesitantly asking: "Mother, your child has returned... Is this a little brother or little sister?"

Fang Shi was startled and looked at Ye Jiao. Ye Jiao said: "I didn't tell him, afraid it would disturb his studies."

Little Shi Tou had already run over to the cradle with pattering steps, leaning over to look, then said: "It's a little sister." The little baby's hat was pink, and Sister Ruyi had this kind of hat too.

Little Shi Tou felt he was particularly clever and wise in distinguishing between boys and girls.

Fang Shi smiled and came over, quietly introducing Little Shi Tou to his biological little sister Yue'er. Little Yue'er was also very cooperative, yawning as she woke up, not fussing at all, just opening her bright little eyes to look around, even smiling, making Little Shi Tou not dare to breathe loudly, only daring to smile along.

Now that he had a little sister too, Little Shi Tou was extremely excited.

If only Xu Bao were here, Little Shi Tou would definitely want to show off to Xu Bao.

The twins also wanted to see the little sister, so Ye Jiao had Nanny Mo and Little Su each hold one to accompany them, while Ye Jiao herself went to sit on the soft couch with Fang Shi.

As soon as she sat down, Little Ginseng gently grasped Fang Shi's wrist, felt that her body was fine, and smiled: "Sister-in-law looks very well."

Hearing this, Fang Shi looked at Ye Jiao with a somewhat complex expression: "It's just having to lie in bed for over forty days. My bones have gone soft from lying down."

Hearing this, Ye Jiao remembered when she had given birth and Liu Shi had made her do confinement for nearly a month and a half, and nodded deeply in agreement.

Then Ye Jiao prepared to chat with Fang Shi about old times, but heard Fang Shi say: "I heard about Miss Shen's matter. Sister-in-law, don't take it to heart. That family has no shame to begin with. From now on, you should treat them however you see fit."

Hearing this, Ye Jiao was startled, feeling the name Miss Shen sounded familiar but couldn't quite remember.

Little Su was clever and, hearing this, turned around to remind: "Second Young Mistress, that's the one who tried to forcibly buy things from the Wu family old man on the street."

Only then did Ye Jiao remember. With that beginning, she could recall the rest. Ye Jiao couldn't help but look at Fang Shi, since the Shen family was Fang Shi's sister-in-law's family, so there was some connection after all.

Although Fang Shi was somewhat stingy by nature, she saw things very clearly and said: "Jiao Niang, don't look at me. It doesn't matter. Those people brought it on themselves. It's better to cut ties completely."

Fang Shi didn't say the harsher words, but she had been angry for quite some time.

Fang Family's eldest son had given all his money to Miss Shen, hoping that Miss Shen could enter the palace and gain favor, thereby helping to advance himself.

But after this money was given, Miss Shen disappeared like a stone dropped in the ocean, with no news at all.

The Shen family now wholeheartedly believed their daughter would have great prospects in the future and were extremely proud. In Fang Shi's view, such pie-in-the-sky dreams surely had no lasting future.

But after all, there was a layer of separation, and what the Shen family did was none of Fang Shi's business. Even what Fang Family's eldest son wanted to do was not Fang Shi's place to criticize.

The problem was that Fang Family's eldest son had sent out money that included quite a lot he had asked from Father Fang. Father Fang was a scholar, but having taken the imperial examinations his whole life without passing, he had no official position. Though called a scholarly family, the work he actually did was just bookkeeping, and the money he had worked hard to save half his life was all lost by his son.

If Fang Shi hadn't heard that Father Fang was seriously ill and wouldn't seek treatment, she would still be kept in the dark.

Originally, after a daughter married, her connection with her birth family wasn't so strong, and Fang Family eldest son's household affairs weren't her responsibility to manage. But now that her brother Fang Family eldest son was unfilial and her sister-in-law Shen Shi was a troublemaker, Fang Shi found people to look after Father Fang and Mother Fang, then turned around and had Qi Zhao completely cut ties with Fang Family eldest son's family.

Now Fang Shi had decided to completely break relations with Fang Family eldest son and the Shen family, naturally not wanting the Shen family to cause trouble that would affect the relationship between the two Qi brothers, which was why she found an opportunity to mention it to Ye Jiao.

While Fang Shi was telling these things, Ye Jiao took silk thread from the basket on the table to make tassels. When Fang Shi finished, Ye Jiao looked at Fang Shi and said: "Actually, I don't know how Miss Shen is doing."

This was Ye Jiao's honest words. The last time she saw Miss Shen, she was already a blackened person, and Ye Jiao hadn't thought at all about who was who, so naturally she couldn't remember.

It was just that the matter of Empress Meng giving birth last time made Ye Jiao convinced that the imperial palace was not a good place, and once you entered, it was hard to get out.

Fang Shi wasn't really worried about Miss Shen. Now she also took thread to make tassels, her voice clearly carrying anger: "It doesn't matter. Good or bad, it's all the path she chose herself. I gave advice, but couldn't persuade her back, so let her be. People can only eat as much as their belly can hold. Getting too full or too hungry are both disasters. The higher you climb, the harder you fall."

If Miss Shen would just stop here, it would be a good thing. This kind of temperament, once gaining power, would be a disaster, and any misstep would implicate the entire family.

Fang Shi's hand movements paused slightly, thinking she should mention to Qi Zhao later that they absolutely must not associate with them in the future.

Since this was Fang Shi's birth family matter, Ye Jiao didn't say much more, just said she'd noted it and would mention it to Qi Yun later. Then the two sisters-in-law stopped talking about those vexing things, watching the children while making tassels, creating a very pleasant atmosphere.

Speaking of which, Ye Jiao's tassel-making had already become quite good, and Fang Shi was also skillful with her hands. Both their tassels should have been presentable.

But they both devoted considerable attention to chatting and had to frequently check on the children, so they weren't that focused.

When they finished making the tassels and held them up to look, they discovered both tassels were crooked.

Good-looking tassels all looked similar, but these two were each ugly in their own way.

The two sisters-in-law looked at each other and tacitly chose to each stuff their tassels into their bosoms, passing over the matter without mention.

When Yue'er's feeding time came, Ye Jiao left with the children, and Fang Shi kept Little Shi Tou, carefully asking about Little Shi Tou's studies. Seeing that Little Shi Tou had made considerable progress, and hearing Little Shi Tou say that Qi Yun often tested him on his lessons, Fang Shi felt extremely grateful to her second brother-in-law and Second Sister-in-law.

After Little Shi Tou went back to study, Fang Shi sat on the couch calculating how to properly thank Qi Er's family.

At this time, Qi Zhao entered.

Qi Zhao had actually returned early, but he had been talking with Qi Yun the whole time, only coming back to his room with a food box when evening came.

Qi Family's eldest son had a smile on his face. He first went to look at his little daughter, then leaned over wanting to kiss Fang Shi.

But Fang Shi pushed him away, saying: "I have something to tell you."

"If it's about the Shen family matter, I already discussed it with Second Brother. Don't worry, they won't interfere with Second Brother." Qi Zhao said this while setting the food box he was carrying on the couch table and taking out the warm meat porridge from inside.

Fang Shi had always loved eating, but previously, to stay slender, she didn't dare eat much. Now, even if just for Yue'er's sake, she had to eat well, so she took the spoon while looking at Qi Zhao and saying: "As long as it doesn't disturb the brotherly affection between you two, that's good."

Qi Zhao took the opportunity to kiss Fang Shi's cheek, then dodged aside before Fang Shi could reach out to slap him, saying: "Don't worry, Second Brother has his own sense about it."

Fang Shi glared at him, then went to eat her porridge.

But as soon as she lowered her head, the tassel that had been in her bosom fell out.

Fang Shi hurried to pick up this ugly thing and hide it, but Qi Zhao was quicker, picked it up, and asked: "Did my wife make this for me?"

Fang Shi wanted to say no, but Qi Zhao had already proudly hung it on his waist, saying whatever he pleased about "what my wife made is good."

This made Fang Shi both angry and amused, feeling that her husband had become more lively since having a daughter. Right now Fang Shi really had no way to deal with him, so she just let him be.

The next day, when the whole family was eating lunch together, Fang Shi saw that Qi Yun also had a crooked tassel hanging on his waist, presumably the one Ye Jiao had made yesterday.

Fang Shi and Ye Jiao made eye contact, then tacitly looked away.

Just as they were setting the table, a servant came over saying: "There's someone outside making a fuss, demanding to see the master."

At this moment Father Qi hadn't returned yet, and Qi Yun didn't speak either, just looked toward Qi Zhao.

Qi Zhao also felt strange in his heart. The area around the Qi family was all the Qi family's own tenant farmers, and the matter of Second Brother returning home hadn't been spread around, so there shouldn't be visitors coming to the door so quickly. Then Eldest Master Qi asked: "Did you ask clearly who it is?"

The servant quickly said: "Asked clearly. Says he's the master's seventh uncle."