Lady of Fortune, Jiao Niang

Chapter 189

Qi Ming had never expected that while simply returning home, he would be stopped at his own doorstep.

He didn't get out of the carriage, but first lifted the curtain and said quietly: "Liu Si, what's happening? Who is that person?"

Through this long period of training, Liu Si's stuttering had improved considerably, but he still tended to stumble over his words when urgent matters arose. Now he tried to slow his voice as he replied: "Third Young Master, that woman says she's your friend... friend, and with nowhere else to turn, has come to seek your help."

Upon hearing this, Qi Ming broke out in a cold sweat.

After a year as an official, Qi Ming was no longer the rash young man he had once been.

In the court, he had the emperor's protection ahead and the chancellor's favor behind. Qi Ming's official career went much more smoothly than most people's, but he could still see many of the disputes and entanglements in court, which always helped people mature quickly.

Regarding court affairs, Third Master Qi was becoming increasingly mature. As for matters between men and women, he was also particularly careful because he held the jade flower romance close to his heart.

At ordinary gatherings, Qi Ming was very careful to maintain distance from other women, not even lifting his eyes when speaking.

Although Qi Ming still didn't know that his sworn brother the emperor had long since communicated with the Qi family, and had even confirmed the marriage with his parents during the New Year, in Qi Ming's heart, he was determined on Meng Zhilan. He would marry no one but Fifth Miss.

All the Qi family sons had the temperament of recognizing one girl and stubbornly sticking to that choice.

Even when some court officials who didn't know the inside story wanted to arrange marriages for Qi Ming, and some even wanted to send beauties to serve as his maids or concubines, Qi Ming refused them all, maintaining strict moral conduct.

Now that he could finally stabilize his relationship with Fifth Miss Meng, and his position at the Bureau of Military Affairs had also stabilized, suddenly this great "gift" fell from heaven, with a woman lying in front of his carriage. How could this not make people think the worst?

Liu Si could also see that this person had truly frightened his master, so he said: "Third Young Master, I'll go take a look..."

"Wait." At this moment, a somewhat cool voice spoke up.

Qi Ming turned his head and saw Xiao Yuanbai sitting across from him, looking at him with an indifferent expression.

Perhaps because he had just been startled and lost his composure, Qi Ming only now remembered why he was riding in a carriage instead of a sedan chair today. It was because he had deliberately invited his colleague Xiao Yuanbai to be a guest at his home, which was why they were sharing a carriage.

Previously, when Qi Ming had been selected as Third-Place Scholar, Xiao Yuanbai was the First-Place Scholar from the same examination.

Speaking of relationships among the top three candidates, Qi Ming was closer to Second-Place Scholar Guo Chengji, not only because Scholar Guo had a cheerful temperament, but also because the Guo family was the uncle's family of Princess Huaning, so there was some kinship relationship with Qi Ming. Both men also firmly supported the emperor, so close interaction was natural.

However, Xiao Yuanbai was different. He came from the Xiao family, an extremely prestigious household, and Xiao Yuanbai himself was always aloof and proud, rarely associating with others, so Qi Ming's relationship with him wasn't deep.

But now Xiao Yuanbai was Bureau Director, and Qi Ming was Deputy Bureau Director. Their relationship was close, and they often interacted when handling official business at the office. Qi Ming thought he should become closer with him so they could work together better in the future.

Who would have known that just when he had finally taken this step and mustered the courage to invite him home as a guest, this scene would unfold at his doorstep.

Qi Ming felt somewhat embarrassed and said: "I've made Director Xiao laugh. I'll go down and handle this immediately." As he spoke, he was about to push open the carriage door.

But Xiao Yuanbai suddenly grabbed him and forcefully pulled him back.

Qi Ming was naturally on the thin side, and caught off guard, he fell back onto the soft cushions, looking at Xiao Yuanbai with some bewilderment.

Then Qi Ming heard Xiao Yuanbai say: "This woman definitely has requests of you and most likely has ill intentions. If you show yourself, regardless of whether there's any conflict between you and her, it will inevitably lead to gossip, which won't be good for your reputation."

Qi Ming hadn't thought of these things and was slightly startled, instinctively asking: "How does Director Xiao know this so clearly?"

Xiao Yuanbai glanced at him and said coolly: "In the capital, this kind of thing isn't uncommon. When you encounter it often, you get used to it."

This was honest, Xiao Yuanbai was just telling the truth.

He came from the Xiao family, which was a rare high-ranking household even in this expensive capital city. Someone like Xiao Yuanbai, talented from childhood, had to face all kinds of women throwing themselves at him. Having seen many schemes, he naturally became familiar with them and thus particularly alert.

Today he was just offering a reminder without thinking much of it.

But in Qi Ming's view, Xiao Yuanbai's action made him extremely grateful, and also made Qi Ming feel that this Scholar Xiao wasn't truly as arrogant and insufferable as people said, just somewhat aloof and unsociable. He was actually a good person.

So Xiao Yuanbai saw Qi Ming give him a grateful smile and say with genuine sincerity: "Thank you."

It was just a small matter of lending a hand, yet it made this person so genuinely grateful. Xiao Yuanbai was truly somewhat surprised.

He stared at Qi Ming for a moment, then cupped his hands toward Qi Ming: "It's just a small matter, no need to worry about it." Then he looked out through the carriage door and said coolly: "It's more important to resolve the matter at hand first."

Qi Ming nodded and said a few words to Liu Si. Liu Si agreed several times before walking toward the woman in moon-white dress.

Fourth Miss Zhu, lying on the ground, felt her body was about to stiffen.

She could vaguely hear voices from inside the carriage. Although the conversation between Xiao Yuanbai and Qi Ming couldn't be heard completely clearly, even scattered words were enough for Fourth Miss Zhu to make associations.

Obviously Qi Ming didn't remember her at all, which made Fourth Miss Zhu somewhat panicked.

Actually, Fourth Miss Zhu couldn't be said to be infatuated with Qi Ming, she just felt Qi Ming was a good support after weighing the pros and cons.

Her father served in the Bureau of Military Affairs and held a somewhat higher position than Qi Ming, but anyone could see that Qi Ming now enjoyed the emperor's favor. Coming from a merchant family yet being directly appointed to the Bureau of Military Affairs, his future was naturally limitless.

Fourth Miss Zhu had found ways to interact with him several times, mostly brief encounters at poetry gatherings or tea parties, but each time Qi Ming acted as if he'd just met her, completely unfamiliar.

Fortunately, Fourth Miss Zhu was patient, thinking that gradual contact would eventually lead to attachment. She was also quite confident, feeling that with her conditions, Qi Ming had probably already remembered her but was just pretending not to know her, playing hard to get.

Originally Fourth Miss Zhu had planned to scheme slowly, but who knew her family would have an incident.

The matter of the Zhu family's collusion with the two princes was exposed. Master Zhu was dismissed from office, and it looked like the disaster would affect his family members.

The imperial family didn't immediately deal with them but gave them some time to find their own way out. The Zhu family daughters who were already married stayed behind closed doors, while those unmarried were all hastily betrothed, hoping to escape early.

Fourth Miss Zhu heard that her family had arranged for her to marry a minor official being sent to a remote post. Once the marriage was settled, she could leave the capital early to avoid the troubles.

Although it couldn't compare to the luxurious life of before, the current emperor was benevolent and never involved family members excessively. As long as she kept a low profile, women usually wouldn't be implicated too much. Moreover, this official being sent out had old ties with the Zhu family, so after marrying him she wouldn't be mistreated for being a criminal minister's daughter, and could still be the main wife and mistress. These were already extremely good conditions.

But she wasn't willing to accept this.

She was the legitimate daughter of the main wife, accomplished in music, chess, calligraphy, and painting, with first-class beauty. If sent to a remote place, when could she return to the capital? How could she endure the poverty and hardship of remote areas?

So Fourth Miss Zhu's attention fell on Qi Ming again. While her family wasn't paying attention, she secretly ran out and crouched at Qi Ming's doorstep to intercept his carriage.

According to her thinking, Qi Ming was someone without much experience. As long as she could softly plead and speak of past friendship, she would surely succeed.

Even if Qi Ming couldn't make up his mind now, Fourth Miss Zhu wasn't afraid. As long as she could cause some commotion, he would have to marry her whether he wanted to or not.

But Qi Ming's current coldness left Fourth Miss Zhu without ideas. She lay on the ground, and even though it was spring, this position still made her feel cold all over, but none of this could compare to the chill in her heart.

Fourth Miss Zhu's head was in chaos. Regardless of what thoughts she'd had or what determination she'd made when coming, in the end she was just a teenage girl who had come alone. How could she have so many schemes?

So before Liu Si came over, Fourth Miss Zhu had already gritted her teeth and made a decision:

Even if she couldn't become the main wife, being a valuable concubine would be acceptable, as long as she didn't have to leave the capital she would be willing.

Thinking of this, Fourth Miss Zhu felt extremely wronged. She couldn't think at all about how embarrassing her interception of Qi Ming was for him, only feeling that lowering herself to be someone's concubine was particularly unfair.

Before Liu Si could speak, she supported herself up and called out to the carriage as if every word drew blood: "Third Brother, I'm Fourth Miss Zhu! You and I have met several times before, gazing at each other across curtains at poetry gatherings, sitting together drinking tea by West Pool. Have you forgotten it all?"

Qi Ming was somewhat bewildered. He truly didn't remember, and when Xiao Yuanbai looked at him with suspicious eyes, Qi Ming vigorously waved his hands to show his innocence.

Liu Si at this moment didn't stutter at all. In critical moments, he forgot his speech impediment, fearing that Fourth Miss Zhu's random shouting would stain his master's reputation. Liu Si also raised his voice a degree: "Miss, I can see you speak with full vigor, so your body seems fine. Please move aside and don't block the road."

But Fourth Miss Zhu used her handkerchief to dab at her tears, not even looking at Liu Si, and said to herself: "Now my family is about to fall, my parents in the house have abandoned me, and my future is uncertain." She raised her head, her voice carrying a crying tone: "I only ask that you take me in, whether as wife or concubine, I'd even be willing to serve as a maid."

Upon hearing this, Liu Si frowned, obviously never having seen someone who couldn't understand human speech like this.

Qi Ming inside the carriage was frightened into a daze, clearly never having encountered such a scene. The women he'd had contact with weren't many. Whether his mother or his sisters-in-law, they were all extremely reasonable and dignified people. Fifth Miss Meng needn't be mentioned, in his heart, Fifth Miss was made of jade, the most precious thing.

Fourth Miss Zhu's current behavior truly opened Qi Ming's eyes.

Xiao Yuanbai, who had been silent beside him, frowned slightly and said quietly: "Debasing herself willingly, not knowing propriety."

Qi Ming quickly looked over and asked like seeking help: "Brother Xiao, what should I do?"

Xiao Yuanbai didn't notice that this person had already changed how he addressed him, just saying: "Don't show yourself. Find someone to gag her and drag her away, send her as far as possible."

Qi Ming quickly agreed and had someone pass on the message.

When Fourth Miss Zhu saw people coming to grab her, she immediately backed away.

The tears just now had been shed to evoke pity, but now seeing that Qi Ming was unmoved by either soft or hard approaches, Fourth Miss Zhu's eyes were truly red with anger and anxiety.

Already unsettled by Qi Ming's attitude, she also knew the words she'd just spoken were beneath her station and would be laughed at if they spread. Her heart was also afraid, so she lost her composure, her voice rising in pitch: "Qi Ming, you're truly heartless!"

Qi Ming finally couldn't help but mutter quietly: "She's said all the good and bad words herself, what real ability."

Xiao Yuanbai glanced at Qi Ming and also felt Qi Ming's misfortune was quite severe. But Second Master Qi's aggrieved appearance was completely different from his usual serious demeanor at the office, making Xiao Yuanbai's lips curve slightly, though he immediately suppressed his smile and sat upright, looking straight ahead.

Liu Si was afraid her shouting would attract people, so he immediately said to the servants on both sides: "Go over, cover her mouth, and drag her away."

Fourth Miss Zhu crawled up from the ground, not bothering to dust off her clothes, just glaring and saying: "I'd like to see who dares touch me."

The servants were men after all and couldn't easily lay hands on her, so they hesitated while looking at each other.

Just then, Ye Jiao walked over with Little Su.

The previous events took long to describe, but because Fourth Miss Zhu had been talking to herself the whole time, it actually didn't take much effort. When Ye Jiao walked over, she could hear a sentence or two and roughly understood this person's intentions.

Fourth Miss Zhu's name finally awakened Ye Jiao's memory. She had seen Fourth Miss Zhu before at Shi family's orchard, the woman who had asked her to teach her pot-throwing.

At that time, Ye Jiao had felt this person had ulterior motives and didn't like her much. Now seeing this person had probably been targeting her Third Brother early on.

But Ye Jiao knew about the marriage arrangement between Third Master Qi and Fifth Miss Meng, so naturally she wouldn't let anything interfere with their relationship.

Usually Little Ginseng definitely wouldn't meddle in other people's affairs, but Qi Ming was family, and she always protected her own family. Walking forward, she said: "Little Su, go help."

Little Su agreed and rolled up her sleeves before walking over.

The current Little Su was no longer the bean sprout-like little girl she'd once been. She was young, had recently grown taller, and with good food, her figure had become much more graceful and her strength had increased considerably.

Previously she could use a rattan whip to chase away maids trying to seduce Qi Yun, and now she could roll up her sleeves and grab Fourth Miss Zhu.

Fourth Miss Zhu also recognized Ye Jiao and appeared somewhat flustered, but when Little Su grabbed her hand, Fourth Miss Zhu was in tears and couldn't break free, only able to say to Ye Jiao: "Let me go, let me go..."

Ye Jiao didn't speak. She was always too lazy to say much to people she didn't care about. Little Su, however, glared and said: "If you could have left by yourself just now, why would I need to drag you?"

Fourth Miss Zhu hadn't expected even a maid to scold her, and her throat immediately tightened. Moreover, today's events were completely contrary to common sense, leaving Fourth Miss Zhu somewhat at a loss.

Her appearance was good, her learning was excellent, and she was even willing to be a concubine. Which man wouldn't be moved?

But Third Master Qi not only wasn't moved, he even wanted to join with his sister-in-law to drag her away. What kind of logic was this! Why were the Qi family people different from others!

Fourth Miss Zhu struggled while shouting loudly: "I'm fighting for my own future, what's wrong with that?"

Ye Jiao finally looked at her. Little Ginseng's always clear eyes held some puzzled incomprehension as she asked: "You're fighting for your future, but why must you block Third Brother's carriage? What wrong has Third Brother done? He's never done anything, so why must he be with you?"

Fourth Miss Zhu: ...

This question hit the point and left Fourth Miss Zhu unable to think of how to respond. She could only continue pushing against Little Su while crying continuously.

Ye Jiao somewhat regretted not bringing more servants today, but visiting Empress Meng in the palace didn't warrant bringing many people, so now she seemed somewhat inadequate.

Just then, suddenly six or seven older women rushed over, swarmed up to grab Fourth Miss Zhu's hands and feet, stuffed a handkerchief in her mouth, and pressed her directly to the ground!

The sudden change startled Ye Jiao, and she instinctively was about to call for help when she saw one of the women smile and approach her, saying quietly: "Mrs. Qi, we're from the Meng residence." As she spoke, the woman showed Ye Jiao the Meng residence's token.

Ye Jiao blinked and asked: "Who sent you?"

"In reply to Mrs. Qi, this servant's mistress is Fifth Miss." The woman paused slightly, her voice growing even quieter: "Today's matter isn't convenient for Fifth Miss to handle personally, so she hopes Mrs. Qi won't tell Third Master Qi."

Upon hearing this, Ye Jiao nodded and stepped back.

In her view, the marriage between Fifth Miss Meng and Qi Ming had already been approved by the emperor. Now that Fifth Miss was coming out to protect Qi Ming, Ye Jiao naturally wouldn't interfere.

The woman who had been smiling turned around and lost her smile, saying coldly: "Take her away."

Someone quickly brought over a soft sedan chair, and several women tied up Fourth Miss Zhu with rope, threw her into the sedan chair, and strode away.

When everything was settled, Ye Jiao looked toward the carriage and saw Qi Ming poking his head out.

Third Master Qi thought those women were brought by Ye Jiao, so naturally he didn't ask many questions, just jumped down from the carriage and bowed to Ye Jiao: "Thank you, sister-in-law, for the rescue."

Ye Jiao didn't take credit, wanting to explain clearly, but remembering what the woman had just said, she swallowed her words.

Xiao Yuanbai also got down from the carriage and greeted Ye Jiao.

Seeing that Qi Ming had a guest here, Ye Jiao didn't linger, just smiled at Qi Ming: "When you have time later, come back for a meal. Your brother and the children all miss you."

Qi Ming immediately agreed with a brilliant smile.

Ye Jiao then returned to her own carriage with Little Su and headed toward the Qi residence.

When they arrived home, Ye Jiao had people carry the three sleeping children to the side rooms to be watched, while she returned to the bedroom.

As soon as she entered the room, she saw Qi Yun sitting at the table with a copper pot set up on it, surrounded by many plates containing various meats and vegetables of different colors, looking particularly lively when arranged together.

Ye Jiao had originally been somewhat preoccupied, but seeing the copper pot immediately broke into smiles, her eyes sparkling. Without time to speak, she ran over to wash her hands with scented soap.

Qi Yun set down his book and walked over to hand Ye Jiao a cloth towel, saying: "I just got some fresh donkey meat. I remember you love it, so I had them slice some for hot pot."

Upon hearing this, Little Ginseng turned her head to kiss Qi Yun's face, her eyes smiling, then remembered to ask: "Can the children eat it?"

Qi Yun pulled her to the table, his voice gentle: "Donkey meat is hot in nature and hard to digest. They can't eat it cooked this way. I had them chop it finely and stew it into porridge. They can drink some porridge."

Hearing this, Ye Jiao nodded, but her eyes kept staring at the copper pot. After sitting down, she held her chopsticks and waited excitedly for the broth in the copper stove to boil.

After eating several chopsticks full of meat, Ye Jiao remembered to tell Qi Yun: "Just now Hui Niang told me the emperor intends to give you ten shops."

Qi Yun was placing mushrooms in the pot when he heard this, turned to look at Ye Jiao, and asked: "Shops in the capital?"

"Yes."

Qi Yun was quiet for a moment, then said softly: "This is a thank-you gift."

Ye Jiao was somewhat puzzled: "If it's a thank-you gift for saving Hui Niang, there's already that life-saving iron certificate. Why give these shops too?"

Qi Yun put the mushrooms in Ye Jiao's bowl and said coolly: "This is a thank-you gift for helping him send people away."

Previously Chu Chengyun had said he would send a golden plaque to the Qi family, so he sent 20 guards to protect them along the way. Not long after those guards left, the two princes and their families all died by falling off cliffs. Combined with these ten shops that had appeared from nowhere, it wasn't hard to imagine there was a connection.

However, Qi Yun never concerned himself with imperial family affairs and wouldn't mention it to worry Ye Jiao, so he said nothing about it, just saying: "Try this, freshly made shrimp balls from fresh shrimp meat that was just pounded and shaped."

Ye Jiao picked up one and put it in her mouth, finding it fresh, fragrant, and bouncy, eating with smiling eyes.

This dinner was particularly enjoyable. Although hot pot wasn't as refined as ordinary dishes, it had exceptional flavor.

After clearing the table, Ye Jiao rubbed her belly and let out a satisfied breath, saying: "When elder brother returns, we should eat hot pot with him too. By then Princess Huaning should be able to leave her confinement."

Hearing her mention Ye Ping Rong, Qi Yun knew Ye Jiao was still concerned about him and said: "Don't worry, with elder brother's abilities, he'll definitely return victorious."

Ye Jiao smiled: "Hui Niang said the same thing."

Qi Yun added: "Before he left, I gave him quite a few of the pigeons I'd been raising. I imagine they'll be useful."

Upon hearing this, Ye Jiao looked at her husband with some surprise.

Those pigeons were ones Qi Yun had specifically trained to communicate with trading caravans. Each pigeon was extremely precious, fast, and accurate in flight. Training them had cost Qi Yun considerable effort.

Now being able to give them to Ye Ping Rong was much more reassuring than empty words of comfort.

Ye Jiao couldn't help but reach out to link arms with Qi Yun and lean over to kiss his face.

Qi Yun tilted his head slightly and said softly: "This side too."

So Ye Jiao obediently leaned over to kiss the other cheek as well, then laughed, embracing the man's neck and refusing to let go.

The two snuggled together for a while before someone came to report that the children had woken up. Ye Jiao had them brought over to feed them porridge, then played with the children. By the time she coaxed them back to sleep, the moon was already above the willow branches.

When the Qi Er couple lay in bed, they were both somewhat tired. Ye Jiao yawned and said: "I don't know when Third Brother will come for dinner. Fifth Miss Meng is watching him quite closely."

Qi Yun heard something amiss and put his arm around Ye Jiao's shoulder, asking softly: "What happened?"

Then Ye Jiao told Qi Yun in detail about the drama that had unfolded in front of Qi Ming's door.

After listening, Qi Yun's brow first furrowed, then relaxed, then quickly furrowed again.

Seeing him remain silent, Ye Jiao said: "Is there something wrong?"

Qi Yun shook his head and said gently: "No, nothing wrong. Fifth Miss Meng was quick-witted to gag the person and take her away early. I imagine Fourth Miss Zhu was thrown back to the Zhu family."

Ye Jiao was puzzled: "Given to the Zhu family? They'll certainly protect their own daughter. Won't they still find excuses to push her back to Third Brother?"

"They won't." Qi Yun said decisively. "The Zhu family is now fallen, relying on the emperor's benevolence to have time to find their own way out. The daughters to be married aren't just Fourth Miss Zhu. If they dare implicate Third Brother, then Fourth Miss Zhu's words today about being willing to be a concubine will definitely spread. At that time, the other Zhu family daughters will have trouble marrying. They won't dare."

Ye Jiao hadn't thought of this layer. Now that Qi Yun explained it, she suddenly understood and nodded, thinking that being human was truly not easy. There was new knowledge every day.

But seeing Qi Yun still looking thoughtful, she supported herself slightly and used her finger to press between the man's brows, smoothing out his slightly furrowed eyebrows before smiling: "Since there's nothing wrong, what is my husband still worried about?"

Qi Yun pulled Ye Jiao into his arms and covered her with the quilt before saying: "I'm thinking that Third Brother is still young. Next time he comes back, I need to talk to him about how to conduct himself in the world. He can't always rely on others."

Ye Jiao lay on her side against the man's chest, yawned, and said sleepily: "This time was also lucky. Fifth Miss's people suddenly appeared and gave me quite a fright... Speaking of which, how did the Meng family people come so quickly?"

So quickly? Fifth Miss Meng probably had people watching Qi Ming's residence continuously without a moment's relaxation.

If it were someone else, they might be wary of Fifth Miss Meng having such schemes at such a young age. But Qi Yun felt this marriage was well-arranged. His future sister-in-law not only had intelligence but also means. Having such a wife was truly a blessing his foolish younger brother had cultivated in a previous life.

But just as Qi Yun was about to speak to Ye Jiao, he looked down and saw that Ye Jiao had already fallen into deep sleep. He said no more, hugged Ye Jiao, and closed his eyes, quickly entering sweet dreams.

The following days were quite peaceful. Peach blossoms bloomed magnificently, apricot flowers flourished, and the Qi family courtyard was particularly lively.

Ye Jiao had people save many peach blossom petals, not only for making food but also crushing them to mix into hair oil. The fragrance was delightful and Ye Jiao liked it very much.

By the time the peach and apricot blossoms had all fallen, it was already early May.

That night, Qi Yun and Ye Jiao had just gone to bed when Little Su came running over urgently and said through the window: "Second Young Mistress, someone came to report that Princess Huaning has gone into labor."