Lady of Fortune, Jiao Niang

Chapter 190

Upon hearing this, Ye Jiao immediately sat up, but didn't call out to Qi Yun. Instead, she prepared to step over Qi Yun, who was lying on the outer side, and quietly get out of bed by herself.

But because it was pitch black inside the bed curtains, Qi Yun couldn't see Ye Jiao's movements. When she leaned over him, Second Master Qi, who hadn't fallen asleep yet, sat up, and then felt his forehead hit something. Caught off guard, he was pressed directly back onto the bed board.

Little Ginseng hadn't expected Qi Yun to be awake either. She only felt her chin hurt and instinctively fell down, landing solidly on top of her husband. Her hand unconsciously swung to the side, hitting something unknown.

"Thud!"

This sound was particularly clear. Ye Jiao thought Qi Yun had hit his head and quickly rubbed her hands together before placing them on the man's face, asking urgently: "Did you bump yourself? Does it hurt?"

Qi Yun wrapped his arms around the woman's waist and smoothed her back to comfort her, saying: "It's nothing. The bedside table was probably pushed down."

Only then did Ye Jiao remember that before sleeping, she had been looking at accounts by candlelight on the bed and had casually placed them on the bedside table when going to sleep. They had probably been pushed down just now, causing the commotion.

Seeing Ye Jiao wasn't speaking, Qi Yun held her and sat up, pulled open the bed curtains, and lit the candle with a fire stick.

Little Ginseng peeked over and indeed saw the overturned bedside table on the floor, along with the account books scattered on the ground.

Ye Jiao wanted to pick them up, but Qi Yun first took the outer garment from the side and draped it over her, saying gently: "Don't rush. Put on your clothes first before going. It's been cooler these past few days, don't catch cold."

Although anxious in her heart, Ye Jiao still nodded and quickly dressed. After getting off the bed, she ran to the dressing mirror to put up her hair, not carefully selecting hair ornaments. She just used whichever familiar white jade hairpin to secure it.

But when she turned around, Ye Jiao saw that Qi Yun was also dressed properly and was lighting a lantern with a fire stick.

Ye Jiao was startled, then said: "Husband, you don't need to go."

Qi Yun put away the fire stick and, holding the lantern, looked at Ye Jiao through the dressing mirror with gentle eyes: "It's too late. I'll escort you there."

Little Ginseng blinked. Originally she had thought that childbirth would probably take all night, and with Princess Huaning being a first-time mother, it would take even more time. Qi Yun's health had never been good, so he should rest well.

Now hearing Qi Yun only say he would escort her, Ye Jiao thought she would have him return to continue sleeping after the escort, so she smiled and nodded in agreement.

Tie Zi had already hitched up the carriage, and Little Su had arranged the carriage interior properly, surrounding it completely. Since it had been suddenly cold these past two days, she had also prepared thick cloaks and warming stoves in the carriage. When departing, they called four servants to carry lanterns on both sides of the carriage as escorts, then the carriage slowly headed toward Princess Huaning's residence.

Since it was nighttime now, there weren't many people on the streets, but there were still vendors open along both sides of the road, mostly selling warm foods with soup and water like wontons or noodle soup, steaming hot and good for warming the body. You could see the steam rising, and late returners would go over to pay for a bowl, chatting in twos and threes, creating their own liveliness.

But when they entered the alley where Princess Huaning's residence was located, everything around became quiet, with only scattered sounds coming through.

Ye Jiao couldn't help but look toward Qi Yun, somewhat uncertain: "Why is there no movement?"

Even though the area where the Ye residence and the princess's residence were located mostly housed high-ranking households, there would usually be some sounds. This kind of silence was the first time she'd encountered it.

Qi Yun said quietly: "The people living here are all extremely shrewd, each trained to have sharp ears and keen eyes. They can know about any disturbance in other families. Now that the Princess is giving birth, those with sense will make their households quieter and not disturb her. Moreover, Elder Brother said before that he requested capable palace servants from Empress Meng to attend to her. I imagine they have everything well organized, and not being chaotic is actually a good thing."

Ye Jiao felt Qi Yun made sense and nodded.

At this time, the carriage stopped. Ye Jiao stuffed the hot tea in her hands to Qi Yun and said: "Hurry back to sleep, don't delay." Then she supported herself on Little Su's hand and got out of the carriage.

Before entering the door, Ye Jiao saw another carriage parked nearby. The decorations on the carriage exterior were very familiar, it was Shi family's carriage.

"Ying Xiu is here too. Come, let's hurry." Then Ye Jiao led Little Su hastily through the door.

At this time inside the residence, although there were many servants, they were exceptionally quiet.

Originally Ye Ping Rong had only asked Empress Meng for one palace servant, but Empress Meng's relationship with Princess Huaning was extraordinary, and Chu Chengyun also particularly cherished this sister. In the end, over 30 palace servants were sent.

These were all personally selected by Empress Meng, the most reliable ones. Many of them were palace veterans extremely experienced in childbirth matters. Now everything was arranged in an orderly fashion without any panic.

It wasn't until outside Princess Huaning's bedroom that Ye Jiao could faintly hear some cries of pain.

Ye Jiao didn't rashly go in. Although she had life-saving items, Little Ginseng didn't understand midwifery. Going in wouldn't help and would only add to the chaos.

She looked around and saw Shi family's wife sitting outside the inner room.

Shi family's wife also saw Ye Jiao and stood up: "Jiao Niang, come sit."

Ye Jiao nodded and walked over to sit beside Shi family's wife.

A palace servant nearby didn't recognize Ye Jiao and looked somewhat hesitant, wanting to inquire. Another servant who attended Empress Meng pulled her aside and whispered a few words. That palace servant was startled, then said in shock quietly: "This is the legendary Lady Ye?"

Although she had never seen Ye Jiao, the story of this Lady Ye saving Empress Meng and receiving an iron certificate had spread throughout the palace!

Even without a formal title, this lady had much more prestige than ordinary titled ladies. Now seeing the real person, this palace servant couldn't help but look a few more times.

This made Ye Jiao look over with some bewilderment, really not understanding how she had become a legend.

The palace servant didn't dare say much more, afraid of offending Ye Jiao. She just carried the copper basin and quickly left to replace the hot water.

Ye Jiao had no mind to look at her, instead pulling Shi family's wife's hand and asking: "How is Princess Huaning?"

Shi family's wife smiled and patted the back of Ye Jiao's hand: "Don't worry. There's a medical woman inside, and the midwife says the Princess is having a smooth birth. Everything is very well prepared."

Only then did Ye Jiao breathe a sigh of relief.

Perhaps because she didn't have much experience with this. Even though she had three children herself, watching others give birth was different from giving birth herself. Adding up everything, Ye Jiao had only witnessed Empress Meng's childbirth.

That time had been a matter of life and death. Without the White Rainbow Fruit to save her life, Empress Meng would have ended up as one corpse, two lives.

Although Little Ginseng knew Princess Huaning was in good health and wouldn't have major problems, Empress Meng's previous experience had left too harsh an impression on her. Ye Jiao inevitably overthought.

Fortunately, Shi family's wife was also here, so the two could comfort each other.

In comparison, Shi family's wife appeared much calmer.

She had no children, but Wen Minsong's concubine Sun family had given birth, and Shi family's wife had personally witnessed her childbirth. Other families in the capital also frequently had women giving birth. Having experienced it often, she could grasp some of the patterns.

For ordinary families, this was like walking before the gates of hell, with life and death left to fate.

But for someone as precious as Princess Huaning, during pregnancy there would be countless experienced servants and palace attendants by her side to serve and guide her. What she could and couldn't eat, what she should do daily to help with pregnancy and prepare for birth, all these matters had people specially instructing and managing.

Ordinary people all thought high-born noble ladies were delicate and weak, inferior to common people's physical strength. But in fact, unless they were particularly frail, with such careful body maintenance and appropriate exercise, the danger was much less.

Just now seeing those palace servants weren't nervous, and the medical woman also appeared very calm, Shi family's wife knew Princess Huaning wouldn't have major problems this time.

However, Shi family's wife didn't offer words of comfort to Ye Jiao. First, it wasn't good to speak carelessly before the child was born. Second, at this moment, no matter what she said, Ye Jiao probably couldn't listen. It was better to wait quietly.

Shi family's wife just let Ye Jiao cling to her, occasionally looking at Ye Jiao with increasingly gentle eyes.

She was well aware of Ye Jiao's character. Pure-hearted and simple in nature, her current urgency and worry appeared particularly touching. Being remembered and cared for by this person was itself a heart-warming thing.

Shi family's wife couldn't help thinking that she had made many mistakes before. Being deceived by Wen Minsong was one mistake, not trusting her brother and sister-in-law was another, and later still holding hope for the Wen family was yet another. Thinking carefully, what helped her escape from layers of mistakes was that day when she visited the Qi family.

After seeing Jiao Niang, it seemed like heaven and earth changed color.

Moving closer to Ye Jiao, sitting nearer, Shi family's wife's lips curved slightly.

But the cries of pain from the inner room brought Shi family's wife back to her senses. She quickly threw all the thoughts in her head away and focused on worrying about Princess Huaning inside with Ye Jiao.

Originally Ye Jiao had thought the first birth would take considerable effort, but after less than two hours, they heard the sound of a baby's first cry from the inner room.

Ye Jiao and Shi family's wife stood up simultaneously and walked forward a few steps. They saw a palace servant push open the door and come out from the inner room. Seeing them, she smiled and curtsied: "Mrs. Qi, Mrs. Shi, Her Highness has given birth. It's a boy, and both mother and child are safe."

Ye Jiao didn't care whether it was a boy or girl. What she wanted was those words "both mother and child are safe."

The previous anxiety vanished completely. Ye Jiao's face showed a smile as she quickly asked: "Can we go in to see Princess Huaning?"

This palace servant respectfully said: "This servant came out precisely to invite the two ladies. Her Highness is awake and wishes to see both ladies."

Ye Jiao immediately pulled Shi family's wife into the inner room.

As soon as they entered, they could smell the metallic scent of blood.

Although incense had been used, it still couldn't completely mask it. Since the windows couldn't be opened for fear of letting in cold air, they could only endure it.

But neither Ye Jiao nor Shi family's wife paid attention to these things. They went around the screen and, seeing Princess Huaning with a headband tied around her head and a small baby lying beside her, both smiled.

Especially Shi family's wife, who was usually extremely composed, now appeared particularly excited. She even forgot about propriety, directly squatting on the ground with her eyes on the little baby, her voice filled with joy: "Look, what a truly beautiful little fellow."

Upon hearing this, Princess Huaning curved her lips, though her face showed fatigue, and her speaking voice was also small: "Whether he's handsome or not, we'll have to wait for him to grow a bit more. But he's quite energetic."

Ye Jiao asked softly: "Are you still uncomfortable?"

Princess Huaning looked at her and said quietly: "I can't really describe it. A bit sore. After the pain peaked, I don't feel the pain anymore." As she spoke, Princess Huaning inexplicably felt wronged. Her eyes looked at the little fellow sleeping soundly with closed eyes, and she couldn't help muttering: "Anhe, if you don't treat Mother well in the future, I definitely won't let you off."

Hearing this, Ye Jiao smiled, but also knew Princess Huaning had suffered. She reached out to touch her arm.

Shi family's wife was surprised: "You've already chosen a name so quickly?"

Princess Huaning nodded, her eyes still looking at little Anhe: "Before Ping Rong left, he and I decided on names. If it was a boy, we'd call him Anhe. If it was a daughter, we'd call her Ling'er."

Hearing this, Shi family's wife thought carefully and discovered the deep meaning within.

When parents usually named their children, there were some implications.

Some emphasized that cheap names were easier to raise, while others used characters representing good meanings to place their hopes in their children.

This "Anhe" probably meant peace and harmony.

Shi family's wife felt Princess Huaning ultimately couldn't bear to part with Ye Ping Rong. Even though as a Princess, she actively encouraged Ye Ping Rong to protect the country, go to battle, and fulfill his responsibilities as both a general and a prince consort, in her heart, she ultimately felt sorry for Ye Ping Rong.

If the world were peaceful with no more wars, military generals like Ye Ping Rong could also live in peace and harmony.

But Shi family's wife didn't voice these thoughts explicitly. She just smiled and listened to Ye Jiao and Princess Huaning talking. After Princess Huaning closed her eyes and fell asleep, the two quietly left the inner room.

After leaving, they weren't asked to leave immediately but were kept by palace servants to rest, saying this was Princess Huaning's intention.

After all, both were women, and coming at night was already troublesome. Now it was close to midnight, and returning in the darkness would inevitably be somewhat inconvenient. Staying at the residence temporarily was more appropriate.

Ye Jiao and Shi family's wife didn't refuse this kindness. The two went together to rest in a side room. Perhaps because they had been worried and tense for a long time, they didn't say much more and slept in their clothes.

When they woke up, it was still before dawn, but Ye Jiao felt somewhat restless and couldn't lie still. She supported herself on the bed board and sat up.

Seeing her get up, Shi family's wife also got up and asked: "Is Jiao Niang going back?"

"I'm somewhat worried about my husband." Ye Jiao was concerned about Qi Yun in her heart. The two rarely slept in separate rooms. Even during her confinement, they lived separated by only a wall. Now being apart, Ye Jiao always felt uneasy.

Shi family's wife could see Ye Jiao's thoughts and got up with her. After the two tidied their clothes and hair, they pushed open the door and asked the maid at the entrance: "Is Princess Huaning awake?"

"In reply to the two ladies, the mistress is still sleeping."

"Then we'll go back first. When she wakes up, please give her our regards."

After saying this, the two had people carry lanterns and walked toward the main gate one after the other.

While passing through the corridor, Ye Jiao inadvertently turned her head and saw someone standing behind the artificial mountain.

Little Ginseng's eyesight was quite good. Even in the dim night, she could recognize that the person over there was Liu Rong.

This person was probably here to find Ying Xiu.

She was about to tell Shi family's wife, but heard her say: "I went to the temple before to draw a fortune slip for Princess Huaning. Now that Princess Huaning and her child are safe, I should go fulfill my vow."

Hearing this, Ye Jiao smiled: "I'll go with you when the time comes." She paused slightly: "But I noticed you seemed to have guessed it would be a boy long ago?"

Shi family's wife smiled faintly: "It's always been 'sour for boys, spicy for girls.' I sent Princess Huaning two full baskets of sour kiwi fruit, and she ate every single one. It wasn't hard to guess."

Ye Jiao also recalled the kiwi fruit that had nearly made her teeth ache from sourness before. Even just thinking about it now made her mouth feel sour.

But this saying about "sour for boys, spicy for girls" had never been mentioned to Ye Jiao before, so she was somewhat curious: "But when I was pregnant, I ate everything and never avoided anything."

Shi family's wife smiled: "That's why you had Ning Bao and Ruyi."

Ye Jiao nodded with sudden realization, feeling Shi family's wife made sense.

Little Su, carrying a lantern nearby, thought to herself that even when the mistress was pregnant with Young Master Xu Bao, she hadn't avoided anything. She could only say the mistress was someone who ate everything, very different from ordinary people.

Soon, they reached the main gate.

When Ye Jiao walked out, she saw her family's carriage still parked in the original spot, with Qi Yun lifting the curtain to look outside.

At a glance, she could tell this person had probably never left and had been waiting for her outside.

Ye Jiao's steps suddenly stopped, and she said quietly: "I told him to go back..."

Shi family's wife also looked over there. After seeing Qi Yun's face, she understood the situation and couldn't help but smile as she pinched Ye Jiao's wrist, using her handkerchief to cover her mouth and saying softly: "Jiao Niang, hurry over. Your husband is probably anxious from waiting for you."

These words were said by Shi family's wife to tease her, expecting to see Ye Jiao's face turn red.

Who knew Ye Jiao would directly nod and say: "Mm, then I'm going. Ying Xiu, be careful on your way."

Shi family's wife was startled, then smiled again, feeling that having such a simple and straightforward friend was truly interesting.

But just as Ye Jiao had taken two steps out, she turned back to Shi family's wife: "I just saw Director Liu wanting to speak with you. I'm afraid he'll go to the orchard to find you later."

The smile on Shi family's wife's face immediately disappeared. She wanted to say she had nothing to do with him, but somehow couldn't get the words out.

Originally wanting to tease Ye Jiao, who could have thought she'd end up making her own face red instead.

Looking up again, Ye Jiao had already boarded the Qi family carriage.

Shi family's wife used her handkerchief to cover the corners of her mouth, also hiding the smile there, and walked toward her own carriage with the servant woman.

After Ye Jiao got in the carriage, the first thing she did was pounce toward Qi Yun, lying in the man's arms and reaching out to pinch his ears while muttering: "You promised to go home and sleep. Why didn't you listen? What if you get sick from the delay?"

Qi Yun let her pinch him, even slightly lowering his head to make it easier for Ye Jiao to move. His face was completely gentle: "It's very warm in this carriage. I won't get cold. Besides, even if I went back, I couldn't sleep."

Ye Jiao thought he was unwell and quickly released her hands, instead grasping Qi Yun's wrist and asking: "Why? Why couldn't you sleep?"

Qi Yun slightly lowered his head to kiss her between the brows, saying coolly: "I'm already used to being with Jiao Niang. If I can't see you, even if you gave me a golden house with soft pillows, I still couldn't sleep."

Ye Jiao pressed her lips together and asked: "Really?"

"Of course it's true. Since we married, you and I have never been apart. Even when you were in confinement, I had to look at you more before I could go sleep by myself. Now if you leave me alone, how could I fall asleep? It's better to wait outside, where I can sleep more peacefully."

These words were honest and factual. For Qi Yun, he was most comfortable only when staying by Ye Jiao's side.

Not only physically comfortable, but also mentally at ease.

Second Master Qi could grit his teeth and endure illness, working hard to live. At first it was for his parents, then for Ye Jiao, and later adding several children. Among all these, what Qi Yun missed most was his own wife.

He wanted to create a world for Ye Jiao, to be her protection, but in his heart he also made Ye Jiao his greatest support. Only when seeing his own Jiao Niang did he feel comfortable.

But Qi Yun had also quietly changed the subject. Originally Ye Jiao had been somewhat angry, but now she was smiling, reaching out to hug Qi Yun's neck and saying in a soft voice: "Husband treats me so well."

Qi Yun smiled and slightly loosened his hold on her, looking to the side: "I just had someone buy wontons. The taste might not compare to our household's cook, but the broth is fairly fresh, and it's still hot. Eat some to fill your stomach."

"What about you?"

"I already ate. This is what I saved for you. Don't go hungry."

It was fine when he didn't mention it, but once Qi Yun spoke, Ye Jiao felt somewhat hungry.

Perhaps because just now her mind and eyes were full of Qi Yun, she hadn't noticed other things. That bowl of wontons was sitting right on the low table, but Ye Jiao had never seen it.

Now seeing it and smelling the fragrance, Little Ginseng released Qi Yun and sat over to pick up the spoon. She first drank a sip of broth, feeling it was very hot, so when eating the wontons she blew on them, waiting for them to cool slightly before putting them in her mouth.

These wontons indeed couldn't compare to those the Qi family made themselves. The filling was much smaller, but when hungry, everything tasted good. Even these simple little wontons made Ye Jiao happy to eat, and soon she had finished the entire bowl.

Wiping the corners of her mouth, Ye Jiao set down the spoon and sat back beside Qi Yun.

Qi Yun placed his hand on her back and gently patted: "Are you full?"

Ye Jiao nodded and smiled: "Full, and very warm." Qi Yun was about to speak when he heard Ye Jiao say: "But you still didn't listen to me. I'm not wronging you by pinching you."

Qi Yun: ...

In the future, whoever said his wife had a bad memory would have to answer to him.

But one thing was one thing. Ye Jiao still reached out to help Qi Yun rub his ears, asking quietly: "Did I pinch you too hard?"

Qi Yun didn't say whether it hurt or not. After all, Ye Jiao never bore to use force. He just tilted his head slightly: "What does Jiao Niang think?"

Ye Jiao saw it was somewhat red. After thinking, she leaned over and blew gently near Qi Yun's ear.

She was caring for him the way she cared for Xu Bao. Sometimes when Xu Bao fell while walking, regardless of whether it hurt or not, he wouldn't cry, but would always run over to hug Ye Jiao's leg, asking her to "blow blow, make the pain fly away."

Over time, Ye Jiao felt that blowing gently was useful.

But what Little Ginseng found strange was that usually when she blew gently on Xu Bao, he would calm down. But now when she blew gently on Qi Yun, his ears became redder and redder.

Just as Ye Jiao was puzzled, she was embraced fully by Qi Yun.

Then she heard the man say in her ear: "Jiao Niang, stop blowing, or you won't be able to sleep later."

Hearing this, Ye Jiao smiled: "I'm not sleepy. Princess Huaning's baby came quickly. I slept for a while inside with Ying Xiu before coming out."

Then she felt the man's hand around her waist tighten, his voice almost a murmur: "Perfect. I also slept in the carriage and I'm not sleepy either."

Ye Jiao didn't quite understand what this meant. Qi Yun didn't explain either. The two just embraced like this on the way home.

After entering the door, when this person gently pressed her onto the bed, Ye Jiao finally understood why he had asked if she was sleepy.

It turned out they were going to do something that required effort.

Ye Jiao was also quite happy right now. With just a little coaxing, she was interested. She reached out and pulled down the bed curtain ties. Even though Little Black was calling cheerfully outside, it couldn't stop the warmth of the red quilts and curtains inside.

News of Princess Huaning and her child being safe also quickly reached the palace. The emperor and empress were overjoyed and sent people to deliver the good news to Ye Ping Rong.

Usually when generals were away, family matters were rarely specifically sent to inform them, to avoid disturbing military morale.

But this was happy news. If they didn't tell him, it would make Ye Ping Rong worried. Now that mother and child were both safe, of course they should let him know early.

But less than half an hour after Chu Chengyun sent out the person to deliver the good news, probably before they had even left the capital, an urgent military dispatch from the frontier arrived at the palace: "Reporting to Your Majesty, General Ye led 3,000 light cavalry in a great victory over the enemy bandits. The first battle was successful!"