Lady of Fortune, Jiao Niang

Chapter 187

Little Su could recognize Liu Rong at a glance, and Ye Jiao could naturally see clearly too, which was why she hadn't spoken up, but also hadn't moved forward, afraid of disturbing the two people over there.

Since they were far away, she could only see Liu Rong talking with Shi family's wife, but couldn't hear what they were saying.

Ye Jiao wasn't curious, just somewhat surprised as she looked at them.

Ye Jiao knew Liu Rong. He had always followed Ye Ping Rong closely, and Ye Ping Rong often mentioned that Liu Rong was upright in character, saying he was also favored by the emperor. His conduct was presumably good.

It was just that Ye Jiao didn't remember any connection between him and Shi family's wife...

In Ye Jiao's mind, Shi family's wife had always been a loner, particularly unwilling to interact with others. Previously, many people had seen Shi Tianrui rise to great heights and wanted to use the same strategy, seeking to marry Shi family's wife to curry favor with Shi Tianrui, which had annoyed her greatly.

At that time, Shi family's wife had even said she would remain unmarried for life and become a nun.

Now it seemed the Shi family's wife had changed her mind. Ye Jiao wasn't clear on the specifics, but Little Ginseng thought that Ying Xiu was strong and intelligent, always having her own ideas. Whatever she did, she would surely consider it carefully.

Since that was the case, Ye Jiao didn't feel she needed to worry about anything for her. If the Shi family's wife wanted her to know something, she would naturally speak up. Ye Jiao tugged at Little Su: "Come, let's go back first."

Little Su was extremely well-behaved and wouldn't pry into her master's affairs. She also knew this matter couldn't be spread around, so she kept her head lowered, not daring to look much. Hearing this, she agreed and prepared to follow Ye Jiao away.

However, when leaving, Ye Jiao accidentally stepped on some small twigs on the ground, making some noise, and her body swayed slightly.

Little Su quickly supported Ye Jiao: "Young Mistress, be careful."

Little Ginseng stopped in her tracks and looked around. Seeing that Liu Rong and Shi family's wife over there hadn't turned back, she breathed a sigh of relief. Looking to the side, she noticed only the parrot hanging in the tree had tilted its head to look at her.

This parrot had green tail feathers but a crimson chest, with a round head and round brain. Its bright little eyes darted around as it stared at Ye Jiao, its beak opening and closing.

Ye Jiao was afraid the parrot would make some noise. Though she wanted to look at it more in her heart, now wasn't the right time. She casually grabbed two sunflower seeds from a nearby porcelain jar and gave them to it, blocking the parrot's little beak. Taking advantage of the parrot cracking the seeds, she quickly pulled Little Su away.

In the distance, Liu Rong had heard the commotion but didn't act rashly.

He was a martial artist. Though his kung fu wasn't as formidable as Ye Ping Rong's, he had sharp ears and keen eyes, able to hear what Ye Jiao and Little Su had said even from far away.

Liu Rong knew about the close relationship between Ye Jiao and Shi family's wife. Since the other party didn't intend to expose them, naturally he wouldn't say anything inappropriate. Liu Rong also pretended not to know, just saying to Shi family's wife: "Why aren't you wearing the pearl hairpin I gave you last time? Don't you like it? If you don't like it, I'll go buy another one you're fond of."

Hearing this, Shi family's wife looked up and glared at him.

She was different from ordinary women. Even though she now had feelings for Liu Rong, she wouldn't lose her mind by throwing herself completely into this person.

Liu Rong had clearly told her before that gifts given were hers to dispose of as she pleased, but now he was being pushy. The implication was clear: he obviously wanted to draw closer to Shi family's wife.

If it were before, Shi family's wife would definitely have thrown the basket in his face and kicked him out.

But now Shi family's wife only glared at him without saying much else.

After all, Shi family's wife now viewed Liu Rong differently than before, no longer with that previous estrangement and distance. Even when angry, she couldn't bear to really hit him.

However, Shi family's wife's words still weren't pleasant: "If I don't want to wear it, I won't. Why so many questions?"

Liu Rong showed a smile with a few traces of foolishness, reaching up to scratch his head: "You know me, I'm quite stupid. I don't know what women like, so I just randomly picked something I liked to give you. If it made you angry, you must tell me."

But Shi family's wife looked at him and said slowly: "You're not stupid at all. You're quite clever."

During this time, Liu Rong had been eagerly doing things for her. Though he didn't send many gifts, he often ran to Shi family's wife's orchard. Since he had said last time he wouldn't disturb her, Liu Rong would just stand far away or help her out, always deliberately letting Shi family's wife know he was doing work, but never appearing in front of her.

Back and forth like this, it would be difficult for the Shi family's wife not to be moved.

She was long past the age of love at first sight and believed more in feelings that settled with time, developing slowly for lasting relationships.

But what Shi family's wife valued wasn't his little schemes, but rather that Liu Rong showed perfect discretion in advancing and retreating while being very attentive to her. The Shi family's wife wasn't really made of stone, and the warmth had warmed her heart.

In the Shi family's wife's view, Liu Rong definitely wasn't stupid, but very clever. It was just that this cleverness didn't involve crooked ways, which was excellent.

If he were truly dull and stupid, the Shi family's wife wouldn't think much of him either.

Liu Rong didn't mind his little thoughts being seen through by the Shi family's wife. He just smiled and said: "Then are you willing to teach me?"

Shi family's wife also curved her lips, asking knowingly: "Teach you what?"

"Naturally how to make you happy."

"So you want me to teach you how to pursue me? What a lovely thought."

Liu Rong was stunned, obviously not having thought of this, thinking he had made the Shi family's wife angry. But looking over, he saw the Shi family's wife had a smile on her face, so he knew this person was just teasing him. Only then did he relax, his voice carrying relief. He didn't mention it further, just saying: "Being able to encounter you by chance today makes me happy too. What a coincidence."

But the Shi family's wife tilted her head to look at him: "I don't believe it. Tell the truth."

Liu Rong immediately confessed: "I come every day, just wanting to see when you might be here."

This attitude satisfied the Shi family's wife somewhat, and the smile on her face became much more genuine.

Liu Rong stared at her and after a while said: "You've changed a lot compared to before."

Previously she was always cold and reserved, looking like ice and snow on a high mountain. But now she was much more cheerful. In Liu Rong's heart, she was still as beautiful as snow, but this snow was no longer as unreachable as that on mountain peaks, but had fallen onto flowers, alive and real.

Shi family's wife asked slowly: "What, do you find me disagreeable now?"

Liu Rong smiled: "No, I think you're wonderful now. Seeing you makes people happy, wonderfully so."

Shi family's wife didn't say that she had originally been like this, it was just that those days in the Wen family had worn away her joy and exhausted her spirit. If she hadn't met Ye Jiao and learned there was still hope, even her life might have been worn away completely.

Now that her days were comfortable, though she had been tempered into someone with countless schemes, she had regained much of her temperament.

But the Shi family's wife wouldn't let Liu Rong know these things. Not everyone had the habit of exposing their scars for others to see, and Shi family's wife wasn't the type of woman who would tell others about her tragic past to gain sympathy.

Now she just smiled and said: "You've changed too, become quite the smooth talker."

Liu Rong scratched his head again, just smiling without speaking.

The Shi family's wife then handed the basket she was carrying to Liu Rong: "Take this back to eat. They're all freshly picked, at their sweetest."

Liu Rong quickly took it, not knowing what to say. After saying "okay," he just stared at the basket happily, his eyes nearly disappearing from smiling.

Seeing this, Shi family's wife reminded him: "Make sure to eat them. Don't be like last time, letting them rot without touching them. Isn't that wasteful?"

Liu Rong gripped the basket tightly, mumbling: "I just couldn't bear to..."

The Shi family's wife couldn't hear clearly and took two steps closer: "What did you say?"

Liu Rong quickly answered: "I said I'll eat them, definitely eat them well, not disappoint Xiu'er's kindness..." At this point, Liu Rong's face changed color and he shut his mouth tightly.

Shi family's wife also paused in her steps, immediately stepping back those two steps she had just taken forward.

Seeing her like this, Liu Rong cursed himself for being stupid.

This "Xiu'er" was an endearment he had only dared to think in his heart before, never saying it aloud, afraid of being presumptuous with the lady. Now accidentally blurting it out, he was probably going to displease Shi family's wife again.

Since it was his carelessness anyway, he would accept being scolded.

But Liu Rong waited a long time without seeing Shi family's wife get angry. Looking over, he saw Shi family's wife standing there with pursed lips. When their eyes met, Shi family's wife finally spoke: "You... you should go back. You've been away so long, Commander Ye probably has business to find you for."

Liu Rong was stunned for a moment, then realized and nodded happily. He was particularly good at taking advantage of openings, his voice growing much louder: "Alright, Xiu'er, I'll definitely eat well."

The Shi family's wife pressed her lips together without speaking. Only when Liu Rong turned around did she say softly: "I like wood carvings."

Liu Rong heard clearly, so he turned around and nodded vigorously at Shi family's wife, giving her a big smile before carrying the basket away.

He was normally a steady person, but now he walked with bouncing steps like a little child.

The Shi family's wife couldn't help but smile, using her handkerchief to cover her slightly flushed cheeks, saying quietly: "Fool."

The servant woman standing in the distance hadn't come close, only approaching after Liu Rong left. Just as she stood still, she heard Shi family's wife's comment.

The servant woman had always followed Shi family's wife and naturally knew about her affairs. Hearing this, she was just happy for Shi family's wife in her heart, but wouldn't say an extra word, just saying: "Madam, shall we return?"

Shi family's wife was in a good mood now, with a smile on her face: "Let's go see that crimson-breasted parrot and teach it to speak. Princess Huaning hasn't had much appetite lately. If we can get it to say some auspicious words to make Princess Huaning happy, that would be good."

Then Shi family's wife led the servant woman toward the parrot, taking sunflower seeds from the porcelain jar nearby to feed it while coaxing it to speak.

This type of crimson-breasted parrot was very good at learning speech, extremely clever, and excellent at mimicking. Especially this one was a gift from Chu Chengyun to Princess Huaning, so it was naturally a carefully selected clever bird.

Just earlier when Liu Rong hadn't come, Shi family's wife had taught it a few phrases. Even if this parrot only remembered one phrase, it would be remarkable.

Now Shi family's wife wanted to teach it again. The parrot grabbed the sunflower seeds with its claws, used its little tongue to extract the seed kernels, and after eating them, crisply said: "Young Mistress, be careful. Young Mistress, be careful."

Upon hearing this, the servant woman didn't think much of it, but turning her head, she saw Shi family's wife's expression change slightly.

Then she heard Shi family's wife say: "Jiao Niang was here."

The servant woman was startled, then realized that someone who could enter here and be called Young Mistress was probably Second Young Mistress Qi. The parrot must have learned these words and was now repeating them.

Soon, the servant woman's face turned pale: "Madam, just now... it won't be spread around, will it?"

Although Shi family's wife was now alone and Liu Rong was also single, with neither having marriage contracts, even if they met it wouldn't matter much. But public opinion was fearsome, especially harsh toward divorced women. If this spread, it would definitely harm Shi family's wife's reputation.

However, Shi family's wife was very calm: "It doesn't matter. Jiao Niang appears simple but actually has good judgment. We're friends, and I trust she'll protect me."

The servant woman was still somewhat anxious. When accompanying Shi family's wife back to find Princess Huaning, the servant woman stood guard outside the door, listening intently to hear what was being said inside.

What she heard was just a bunch of ordinary matters.

Ye Jiao indeed hadn't taken the earlier incident to heart. When she saw Shi family's wife enter, she didn't even think to mention it, just smiling as she sat beside Princess Huaning, first inviting Shi family's wife to sit beside her, then reaching out to cover Princess Huaning's belly, chattering: "Just four or five more months before we can see the little aunt or uncle. Are you happy?" Just then feeling fetal movement, Ye Jiao smiled: "Happy indeed, how wonderful."

Princess Huaning watched Ye Jiao talking to herself and also smiled, placing her hand over Ye Jiao's, saying softly: "When I give birth, you must come too."

Hearing this, Little Ginseng looked at Princess Huaning with some confusion: "Hui Niang needed people to watch over her because of her poor health, but Princess Huaning, you're in good health and will surely have a smooth delivery. The one who should accompany you is Elder Brother. If you're too embarrassed to say so, I'll go tell him later to have him stay with you."

Princess Huaning touched her hand and replied: "I don't need him. Having you is enough."

For other matters, these words could convince Ye Jiao, but Ye Jiao knew of Princess Huaning's devotion to Ye Ping Rong. This matter of pregnancy was very important, and she didn't believe Princess Huaning wouldn't want Ye Ping Rong to accompany her.

Seeing some confusion in Ye Jiao's eyes, Princess Huaning pressed her lips together and said quietly: "In the next few days, Ping Rong will be sent by Imperial Brother to the frontier. I don't know what the specific matter is, but he probably won't be able to return in time for our child's birth."

Upon hearing this, Ye Jiao and Shi family's wife looked at each other.

Princess Huaning didn't need them to console her. As a princess, she had known since childhood that she had to compromise for the court. No one could enjoy luxury and comfort without cause. Now that the country was prosperous and the people strong, there was no longer a need to sacrifice women's happiness for peace. Just having Ye Ping Rong fulfill his duties, Princess Huaning naturally wouldn't stop him.

Leaning against her pillow, she said slowly: "To serve as an official is to benefit the people. He's a general and naturally has things he must do."

Hearing this, Ye Jiao knew Princess Huaning had already comforted herself, so she said nothing more. Shi family's wife said: "Don't worry, we'll all come when the time comes."

Princess Huaning smiled and nodded, and the several people passed over this topic.

When it was time for Princess Huaning's afternoon nap, Ye Jiao and Shi family's wife took their leave. Walking out the door, Ye Jiao only then remembered to pull Shi family's wife and ask: "Ying Xiu, are you going to have happy news?"

Shi family's wife looked around and saw that they were standing in the middle of the courtyard with only the servant woman and Little Su nearby, no other servants from the Ye residence. The others stood far away and probably couldn't hear. Only then did Shi family's wife smile: "Whether it's happy news or not is hard to say. It depends on his ability."

Ye Jiao had a clear mind and was straightforward in nature. Looking at Shi family's wife, she said: "I can see you're quite willing."

Shi family's wife's ears reddened as she linked arms with Ye Jiao, saying quietly: "You're seeing things."

Ye Jiao blinked without asking more. Seeing that Shi family's wife had her own plans, she was completely at ease, smiling as she left with Shi family's wife, then each took carriages home.

Just three days later, Ye Ping Rong received orders to suppress bandits.

The court maintained elite troops and capable generals. Ye Ping Rong was also very familiar with the frontier areas, so this trip wasn't very dangerous. What worried Ye Ping Rong was only Princess Huaning.

Unfortunately, it was Princess Huaning who pushed him to go, without a moment's hesitation. When Ye Ping Rong was reluctant to leave, Princess Huaning even found him too naggy, making Ye Ping Rong sigh that his wife was indeed Princess Huaning, with a mindset unlike ordinary people.

But as a husband, he still had to make proper preparations.

Before leaving, Ye Ping Rong specifically went to the palace to beseech the emperor to look after Princess Huaning more, and borrowed two experienced palace servants from Empress Meng to attend to her. Then Ye Ping Rong went to the Qi residence, hoping his sister and brother-in-law would take extra care.

Only after arranging everything properly did Ye Ping Rong accept his military orders and leave the capital.

After some more time, it was the season when peach blossoms bloomed in full splendor.

This year was cold, so the peach blossoms bloomed slightly later than usual. Previously Ye Jiao had planted many peach trees in the courtyard. Now the peach blossoms were magnificent, brilliantly beautiful. Ye Jiao had people set up a pavilion in the peach garden and often brought the children here to play.

These delicate peach blossoms were also picked by Ye Jiao's orders to make peach blossom pastries, which were most delicious when freshest.

This day someone from the palace brought word that Empress Meng was inviting Ye Jiao to enter the palace, specifically mentioning she wanted to see the three children. Ye Jiao went to have the servant women help prepare the children, while she returned to her room. Seeing Qi Yun, she pulled him over, smiling: "Husband, come draw my eyebrows."

Since today she had originally planned to just stay home looking at flowers and eating pastries, Ye Jiao had been lazy and hadn't put on elaborate makeup. Now that she was entering the palace, she naturally couldn't go looking so plain.

Qi Yun got up to draw Ye Jiao's eyebrows. When taking the spiral shell black, his eyes saw the flower ornaments in the box.

Now Second Master Qi was no longer the novice who couldn't draw symmetrical eyebrows. Though he only knew how to draw eyebrows for his own wife, with daily accumulated experience, Qi Yun could now coordinate flower ornaments with eyebrow drawing.

Now Qi Yun cupped Ye Jiao's face to look at her and asked: "Which flower ornament do you want? I'll help you apply it first, then draw."

Perhaps because Qi Yun was looking so intently, leaning in closely, Ye Jiao only had to lift her head slightly to kiss the corner of the man's mouth.

Qi Yun was stunned but didn't release Ye Jiao, instead preparing to embrace her.

But Ye Jiao pushed him away, smiling: "Don't mess up my hair arrangement. If it gets messed up, I'll have to redo it, which wastes time." Then Ye Jiao lifted her face again, her eyes smiling in crescents: "I won't use flower ornaments. I'm taking the children, and if they peel them off and eat them, that would be bad."

Upon hearing this, Qi Yun fell silent and nodded along.

Actually, their three children were all very easy to manage. Though young, they were very reasonable. Whether Xu Bao or the twins, they could all listen well.

It was just that the twins both loved to eat. Ruyi wanted to bite and taste everything, while Ning Bao was usually quiet but became particularly active whenever there was food. Saying they might secretly peel off flower ornaments and stuff them in their mouths was quite possible.

Children, after all, couldn't be understood by common sense.

Without flower ornaments, Qi Yun drew distant mountain eyebrows for Ye Jiao, which looked exceptionally beautiful. He also took rouge to apply a thin layer for her, using nothing else.

Ye Jiao chose hairpins to wear in her hair. When leaving, she said to Qi Yun: "Little Shi Tou is still at the academy. Usually when he returns, he studies with Xu Bao. If you can't find anyone, remember to help Xu Bao tell him."

Qi Yun nodded and saw Ye Jiao off to her carriage before returning to his study to review accounts.

After about an hour, Qi Yun thought Little Shi Tou should have returned and asked Tie Zi: "Where's Little Shi Tou?"

Tie Zi replied: "Young Master Shi Tou went to find Master Feng as soon as he returned. He should be doing his lessons inside now."

Qi Yun nodded and asked again: "Just him alone?"

"The Wu family girl came back with him. They're both with Master Feng now. Since Young Master Shi Tou didn't say anything, I didn't feel right asking too much. I just had someone send in some tea and refreshments."

Qi Yun still remembered the Wu family's little girl Wu Miao'er. Though Qi Yun couldn't recall what she looked like, he remembered she was a very determined and clever girl. He nodded: "It's good that they can play together. Having a companion at the academy is good too. No need to disturb them, let them be."

Tie Zi agreed and stood beside Qi Yun to help him review the accounts.

In Master Feng's study, two children sat at the table, each with a book spread before them, reading seriously.

Master Feng wasn't the type to make children memorize books by rote. Usually when teaching Xu Bao, he would have Xu Bao read and look first, picking out characters he didn't recognize and writing them down by their appearance. He would first teach the characters, observing their form to know their sound and understand their meaning, then have Xu Bao read through the text before explaining the article.

He treated Little Shi Tou the same way. Now they were supposed to look at books and find characters.

Master Feng hadn't been sitting here the whole time. Seeing the good sunshine outside, Master Feng took his little teapot and walked outside the study, found a bamboo chair to sit in, looking at the nearby peach trees while drinking fragrant tea, his expression particularly relaxed.

Inside the room, Little Shi Tou finished copying the characters he didn't recognize and turned to see that Wu Miao'er had long since finished and was reading the second page.

Little Shi Tou couldn't help saying: "Brother Wu, you read so fast. You'll definitely have great prospects in the future."

If it were another girl, hearing these words would definitely make her sad.

Having literary talent but being unable to take the imperial examinations would inevitably cause heartache.

But Wu Miao'er was different. Her purpose had been clear from the beginning: to revive her family's reputation and make Wu family porcelain flourish. This studying and literacy was just preparation she was making to better earn a living in the future.

Wu Miao'er had never thought about imperial examinations, so now she spoke carelessly: "I chose my future path long ago. I just need to follow it. But Brother Shi Tou, you need to work harder. Getting an official title later would put your parents at ease."

Little Shi Tou nodded in agreement, his smile deepening.

This made Wu Miao'er somewhat puzzled. She stopped reading and turned to look at him, asking: "Why are you looking at me like that?" Speaking, Wu Miao'er thought there was something on her face and reached for her handkerchief to wipe her face.

She used a handkerchief in the deep blue color that men preferred, but her movements still showed a girl's charm. In Little Shi Tou's eyes, this made his Brother Wu seem a bit effeminate.

But Little Shi Tou wouldn't dislike him for this, instead finding it cute.

Remembering the cloud slice cakes Wu Miao'er had stuffed in his chest when returning home, Little Shi Tou said: "Brother Wu, I've been thinking, you and I get along very well."

Hearing this, Wu Miao'er looked at him with some confusion, not knowing what Little Shi Tou was being so serious about.

Then she heard Little Shi Tou say: "Since that's the case, there's no day like today. How about you and I become sworn brothers?"