Lady of Fortune, Jiao Niang

Chapter 192

Upon hearing this, Shi family's wife instinctively loosened her grip, and the bottle in her hand was about to fall to the ground.

Ye Jiao quickly caught it with sharp reflexes, while steadying Shi family's wife with her other hand, looking toward Princess Huaning and asking: "Really?"

"Imperial Sister-in-law sent me the message. There shouldn't be any mistakes." Princess Huaning said while sitting beside Shi family's wife to pat her back and help her breathe.

Actually, under normal circumstances, Princess Huaning would definitely not have spoken so urgently about such a major matter.

But leading troops to war was no ordinary affair. No matter how brave and skilled in battle someone was, going to the battlefield couldn't guarantee returning completely unharmed. Princess Huaning was Ye Ping Rong's wife and naturally knew how much worry and fear this involved.

The relationship between Liu Rong and Shi family's wife hadn't been made clear, but Empress Meng probably knew about it, otherwise she wouldn't have sent the news so quickly.

Even though Empress Meng only said Liu Rong had volunteered without saying whether Chu Chengyun had agreed or not, Princess Huaning thought he had probably agreed.

This was why she hurriedly came to tell Shi family's wife, afraid of delaying time. She lowered her voice: "The matter is urgent. Director Liu will probably go outside the city to muster troops today. Ying Xiu, if you hurry, you can still see him before he leaves."

Usually among the three of them, Shi family's wife was the most quiet and composed, but now she felt her ears buzzing and had no ideas at all. Even though she told herself to be calm and steady, her lips were trembling and her mind was blank.

After hearing Princess Huaning's words, Shi family's wife stood up and said hoarsely: "I'll go right now... Princess Huaning, I'll come see you again tomorrow..."

Princess Huaning nodded: "Go quickly."

But the servant woman attending Shi family's wife was somewhat troubled, saying quietly: "Madam, our family's carriage didn't come."

Shi family's wife was startled, only then remembering she had come with Ye Jiao. The two had shared a carriage, and Shi family's wife hadn't taken her own carriage.

Ye Jiao immediately placed the bottle she was holding on the table and said directly: "Take my carriage." Then Ye Jiao said to Little Su: "You go with Ying Xiu and tell the coachman to hurry, don't delay."

Little Su agreed. She had originally been standing beside Ye Jiao helping her with refreshments, but upon hearing this, she immediately set down the chopsticks in her hands and quickly walked to Shi family's wife's side.

Shi family's wife didn't say much, just gratefully curtsied to the two of them before hurriedly leaving with her people.

This commotion caught the attention of Madam Zheng sitting at another table. Today Shi Tianrui had official duties and couldn't get away, so Madam Zheng had come to Princess Huaning's residence to offer congratulations on behalf of the couple. Since she had been watching Ye Jiao and Shi family's wife talking, she hadn't come over to disturb them.

But she had only looked away for a moment, and when she looked back, she only saw Shi family's wife's departing figure.

Madam Zheng quickly stood up and walked over, first greeting Princess Huaning and Ye Jiao respectively, then asking: "Your Highness, Jiao Niang, I just saw Ying Xiu leaving. What happened?"

Princess Huaning didn't speak. Her relationship with Madam Zheng wasn't particularly close, so some things weren't appropriate to say directly. She looked toward Ye Jiao.

Ye Jiao had previously helped the Shi Tianrui couple pass letters to Shi family's wife, so she naturally knew of Madam Zheng's concern for Shi family's wife. She said directly: "Director Liu is going to war, and Ying Xiu went to see him."

Upon hearing this, Madam Zheng was stunned.

Actually, Madam Zheng wasn't completely unaware of the situation between Liu Rong and Shi family's wife. After all, they all lived in the capital, and Shi Tianrui cherished Shi family's wife in his palm, feeling guilty and always wanting to compensate his sister. Madam Zheng also followed him in caring for Shi family's wife.

Although she hadn't been watching constantly, Madam Zheng was still aware that Liu Rong and Shi family's wife had some interaction.

But Madam Zheng hadn't expected they had already developed to this stage.

Originally she had thought these two were just casual acquaintances, nothing different. After all, there were quite a few men eagerly courting Shi family's wife, including those of third and fourth rank. She hadn't expected Shi family's wife to favor Liu Rong, who had neither high official rank nor was particularly outstanding...

Thinking of this, Madam Zheng understood Liu Rong's intentions.

This time Liu Rong was probably trying to earn military merit to advance his prospects.

He was indeed a man with heart.

Seeing her silence, Ye Jiao linked arms with Madam Zheng: "Wan Ying, don't you know Director Liu?"

Madam Zheng smiled: "I know him. He's been coming to our residence frequently lately to bring things, and he often exchanges ideas with my husband. My husband often praises him for being honest and straightforward..." At this point, Madam Zheng's voice paused as she instinctively looked toward Princess Huaning.

When their eyes met, both showed some understanding.

Madam Zheng thought this Liu Rong had been laying groundwork early on. From the beginning when he sent potted lucky bamboo to Shi Tianrui, he had probably already taken a fancy to his sister-in-law. Yet Shi Tianrui always said he was honest... Come to think of it, if he were really a fool, how could he make Shi family's wife like him?

Princess Huaning just said softly: "He's put thought into it."

Madam Zheng also nodded, but was thinking about how to tell Shi Tianrui about this. Her husband now treated Shi family's wife like a treasure in his pocket, nervously thinking all men approaching his sister had ulterior motives. It would probably take some persuasion to make him accept this.

Only Ye Jiao said with clear eyes: "As long as he treats Ying Xiu well. Ying Xiu is intelligent and always knows what's best for herself."

At this time, Shi family's wife sitting in the carriage had already found the rationality she had thrown away earlier.

What Madam Zheng and Princess Huaning could guess, she could naturally guess too.

When she had accepted Liu Rong's wood carving before, she had also given him an embroidered pouch she had made herself. Although neither was particularly valuable, both were made with care. This way, the two had exchanged tokens of affection.

But Liu Rong, who had always been single-mindedly wanting to marry Shi family's wife, hadn't immediately gone to Shi Tianrui to propose marriage. At the time, Shi family's wife hadn't thought much about it, feeling it was still early and she wasn't in a hurry. But thinking about it now, Liu Rong obviously had his own calculations.

His official rank wasn't high. Although he was favored by Chu Chengyun, these things couldn't be eaten or worn. When it really came down to it, he and the Shi family were mismatched in status and couldn't be considered a good match.

As a military officer, he could only advance through military merit. Liu Rong was probably thinking of this when he wanted to suppress the rebellion.

Shi family's wife could understand all this. If it were another woman encountering such a man, Shi family's wife would congratulate her for finding a man of feeling, righteousness, and responsibility.

But when it came to herself, Shi family's wife felt her heart pounding, with no comfort at all, instead feeling inexplicably angry.

Since the journey from Princess Huaning's residence to Liu Rong's residence was quite long, Shi family's wife sat in the carriage without saying a word, getting angrier the more she thought about it. When she got out of the carriage and entered the door to see Liu Rong, her first words were: "Have you been planning to go to war all along?"

Her sudden appearance startled Liu Rong.

Since Liu Rong was going outside the city to muster troops, he was now dressed in full military attire, wearing silver armor and looking heroic and spirited.

He was tall with a solid build, looking particularly martial in armor.

But after being confronted by Shi family's wife like this, the previously heroic man's momentum immediately weakened. He casually threw the long spear in his hand back onto the weapon rack, ran to Shi family's wife's side, and said with a smile: "Xiu'er, you're here. I was just thinking of going to the orchard to wait for you. Come in and sit, this sun is quite harsh..."

"Don't talk to me about these things. You haven't answered my question yet." Shi family's wife didn't move, just reached out to grab Liu Rong's chest armor and looked up at him: "This time you want to suppress the rebellion, what exactly is it for?"

Liu Rong was naturally straightforward and had never spoken falsely in front of Shi family's wife. Now he obediently lowered his head and answered: "I want to earn some merit so I can come back and ask Master Shi for your hand in marriage."

Upon hearing this, Shi family's wife knew her guess was correct. The hand gripping Liu Rong's chest armor tightened, her fingertips turning white from the force: "You know my elder brother isn't someone who values fame and fortune. Even if you're not on the career path, as long as I'm willing, elder brother won't look down on you."

Liu Rong, who had been acting carefully just now, raised his head upon hearing this and said seriously to Shi family's wife: "Whether he thinks highly of me or not, I will marry you. But I also need to work harder and improve myself for you."

Shi family's wife was startled: "What do you mean?"

Liu Rong wanted to organize his words properly and say something touching, but he quickly realized he was just a rough man who didn't know the twists and turns of scholarly speech. He simply said directly: "I need to consider your reputation. Only when I'm better and then marry you will you have dignity. I like you so much my heart aches, Xiu'er. I don't want you to suffer any grievances."

Upon hearing this, Shi family's wife felt her nose getting sour.

Actually, in Shi family's wife's heart, she had been dragging her feet and not responding to Liu Rong, not only because she didn't want to give herself hope rashly when she hadn't determined her feelings, but also because Shi family's wife felt she was divorced and three years older than him, making them truly incompatible.

Even after their relationship became harmonious, Shi family's wife avoided talking about these matters.

Originally Shi family's wife thought Liu Rong also treated these things as passing clouds, too embarrassed to mention them. But what she hadn't expected was that this person had always kept them in mind, yet wouldn't have any prejudice against her because of this. Instead, he worked hard to give Shi family's wife dignity.

Liu Rong spoke very clearly. He had always known there were some gossips about Shi family's wife outside. What the world lacked least were people with long tongues. Whether men or women, they always liked to watch other families' drama.

The man understood this clearly. Usually he didn't speak of it for fear of making Shi family's wife sad, but his thoughts were clear. He wanted to climb up, preferably to earn Shi family's wife an official title in the future, to see who would still dare speak ill of Shi family's wife.

Shi family's wife had always been a rational person. Precisely because of this, Shi family's wife clearly knew Liu Rong could have turned a deaf ear to these things, said some sweet words about love, then coaxed her into believing love was above all else, and still peacefully marry her. Shi family's wife wouldn't have said anything either.

But this person hadn't done that. Instead, he saw all the obstacles between them clearly and spoke about them plainly, without any concealment.

Compared to glossing over everything, such an honest man who worked hard for their relationship was more precious.

Shi family's wife stared at Liu Rong, thinking he had always been considering her.

The anger from before had mostly dissipated. With her nose feeling sour, Shi family's wife's eyes immediately reddened.

This scared Liu Rong badly. The tall, strong man was at a loss, wanting to comfort her but unable to say anything nice, wanting to hug her but afraid of offending the lady. Finally, he could only slightly bend his legs, squatting like a horse stance to be at eye level with Shi family's wife, his voice cautious: "Xiu'er, did I make you angry?"

Shi family's wife didn't know how to answer him. She forgot to use her handkerchief and just wiped her eyes with the back of her hand, glaring at him: "Yes, you made me angry."

Liu Rong immediately lowered his head: "I'm sorry."

Shi family's wife was made to pause by this, irritably patting his chest armor once: "You don't even know what I'm angry about, what are you apologizing for?"

But Liu Rong was very straightforward: "It must be my fault. Xiu'er, don't hit my armor, this thing is hard. Be careful not to hurt your hand. Hit here if you want to hit something." Saying this, Liu Rong placed Shi family's wife's hand on the back of his own hand.

Shi family's wife wasn't really trying to hit him and couldn't bear to anyway. She glared at Liu Rong: "Then remember, I'm angry because you made such a big decision without discussing it with me. You scared me just now."

Liu Rong really wanted to say that military intelligence was urgent, and if he hadn't been proactive then, someone else might have gone to Chu Chengyun for the opportunity.

But Liu Rong also knew saying this now would make Shi family's wife even angrier, so he obediently nodded: "I understand. I'll definitely discuss with you first in the future."

"Do you promise?"

"I promise."

Only then did Shi family's wife's expression improve. She turned her wrist and clasped Liu Rong's fingers, signaling him to stand up: "Don't squat anymore, it looks tiring."

Liu Rong felt the softness in his palm and grinned widely, crisply agreeing and quickly standing straight.

Shi family's wife then looked up at him: "I won't delay your time either. Go early, but you must remember to be careful and protect yourself."

Liu Rong instinctively replied: "I can't promise that. Swords have no eyes..." Feeling Shi family's wife's glare, Liu Rong's voice gradually grew quieter.

Shi family's wife felt this person might occasionally be enlightened, but most of the time he was really frustratingly dumb.

Gritting her teeth, Shi family's wife gripped Liu Rong's hand tightly, her voice seeming to squeeze out from between her teeth: "Liu Rong, if you dare to die, I'll definitely find another good man to marry immediately, without a moment's delay."

Liu Rong became anxious upon hearing this: "Xiu'er, don't. I'll definitely come back safely. This time isn't that dangerous. Don't worry. When I come back, marry me, but don't marry someone else."

Shi family's wife looked at him and suddenly nodded: "Alright."

Liu Rong smiled at first, but gradually felt something was wrong. His steps slightly paused as he grabbed Shi family's wife: "You, you agreed to marry me?"

Shi family's wife's ears turned red, but her face showed no smile at all: "Marry. Did you hear clearly?"

Perhaps because his dream had finally come true, this pie falling from heaven left Liu Rong somewhat unable to recover. His eyes were confused, and he just instinctively nodded: "I heard clearly."

Shi family's wife then pushed his hand away and stepped back a few paces: "Since you heard clearly, go. I'll wait for you to come back and marry me."

Liu Rong came to his senses, the smile on his face unstoppable, looking silly. He just ran to retrieve his spear, then deeply bowed to Shi family's wife, boldly hugged her once, and released her before she could react. Carrying his long spear, he strode out the door, mounted his horse, and left without looking back.

Shi family's wife lifted her skirt and ran to the door to watch. As she watched, tears fell, but there was still a smile on her face.

This appearance of crying and laughing left the servant woman unsure what to say, only managing: "Madam, Director Liu will surely return safely from this trip."

Shi family's wife nodded, wiped away her tears with her handkerchief, and composed her smile, saying softly: "Let's go."

The servant woman quickly asked: "Are we returning to the orchard or going to Princess Huaning's residence?"

Shi family's wife took a deep breath, composed herself, then said coolly: "Go to my elder brother's place. I have something to tell him."

As for what Shi family's wife discussed with Shi Tianrui, no third person knew except for the siblings. Ye Jiao only heard that Shi Tianrui hadn't smiled for several consecutive days, even attending court with a stern face, obviously quite angry.

Whether he was angry at Liu Rong or not was unclear.

After Liu Rong left the capital, Shi family's wife didn't show any signs of distress. Besides close people, few knew about her relationship with Liu Rong anyway. Shi family's wife still had orchard business to handle, and outsiders couldn't see anything different about her.

However, since Liu Rong left the capital, Shi family's wife frequently visited Princess Huaning. Since both their loved ones were military officers and they were close friends, they had much more in common and became much closer than before.

Ye Jiao also often gathered with them and even gave Shi family's wife a parrot.

This parrot was also a crimson-breasted parrot. Although it couldn't compare to Princess Huaning's clever one, it was also quick at learning to speak. When the two parrots were together, they were particularly amusing.

Little Anhe, now a month old, was at his most playful age. With the current season of abundant water and grass, going out for spring outings was also enjoyable. Being together could reduce Princess Huaning and Shi family's wife's worries about their other halves, so they were all very enthusiastic about going out together.

However, going out so much inevitably made Qi Yun miss her.

Since their marriage, they had always been together. Because Qi Yun's health wasn't good, he had previously found it difficult even to go out. Counting it up, he spent most of each day with Ye Jiao.

Now with Little Ginseng only returning in the evening for several consecutive days, Qi Yun felt he really missed her desperately.

But Second Master Qi wouldn't voice these thoughts. He also didn't interfere with Ye Jiao's friendships, just particularly enjoying being with Ye Jiao when he had free time.

This morning, seeing Ye Jiao hadn't applied flower ornaments, Qi Yun asked while drawing her eyebrows: "No plans today?"

Ye Jiao obediently tilted her head up to let Qi Yun work, replying: "The peonies were blooming beautifully a few days ago. I went with Princess Huaning and Ying Xiu to see the peonies. Now that we've seen everything worth seeing, we won't go anymore."

Qi Yun used the spiral shell black to draw her other eyebrow, saying softly: "Perfect. The weather is nice today. Shall we walk around the garden later?"

Ye Jiao smiled and replied softly: "Good."

But going to walk in the garden inevitably meant bringing three little tails. Little Shi Tou had to study, but the three little ones were quite free. When they saw their parents going out, they would run over to follow, especially Ruyi, who directly hugged Ye Jiao's leg and stared at her expectantly. Who could bear to say "no"?

So the originally planned outing for two became a family excursion. When they reached the pavilion, Ye Jiao and Qi Yun sat at the table while the three little children ran to the grass to chase butterflies and Little Black, playing happily.

Ye Jiao propped her chin and watched, smiling: "Little Black really has lived long and become much smarter. Now he can play with the children."

Qi Yun also looked over. Although he had never really liked this black rooster that had nearly married his wife, he had to admit Little Black was indeed more intelligent than ordinary poultry and very sensible.

Now he strutted around at a pace that Ruyi could follow but never catch, walking back and forth while specifically avoiding areas with stones and steps, obviously playing with Ruyi.

Faced with such an intelligent rooster, Qi Yun temporarily gave up his thoughts of finding a day to stew it into soup.

However, with the weather getting warmer and clothes changing to thin shirts, children benefited from more sun exposure for growth, but too much sun inevitably caused sweating.

Calculating the time and feeling it was about right, Ye Jiao had people bring the three children into the pavilion to avoid catching cold from sweating in the wind. Then she took a cloth to wipe their faces, smiling: "Are you hungry?"

The three children said in unison: "Hungry!"

Qi Yun turned to Little Su: "Go bring up the milk cakes."

Little Su agreed and went to the small kitchen to pass on the message.

Soon, a plate of milk cakes was brought over.

These milk cakes were something the children had eaten since they were small, but as they grew older, the milk cakes also changed accordingly.

When they were little, the cakes were softer and would melt in their mouths without needing teeth, so even children without full sets of teeth could eat them.

But as they got bigger, the milk cakes were made somewhat firmer with more texture.

However, no matter which type, the little children loved eating them.

Xu Bao reached out first, took one and split it in half, keeping one piece for himself and putting one piece back.

Ning Bao sat obediently in his chair, looking at Ye Jiao with his mouth open, waiting for Ye Jiao to feed him.

Little Ruyi looked toward Qi Yun and showed a soft smile.

Although Ruyi wasn't as studious as her two brothers, she was very good at getting along with people and was extremely clever.

Needless to say among the children, whether Little Shi Tou, Xu Bao, or Ning Bao, they all doted on her dearly.

When with their parents, Ruyi could also figure out some differences between the two. She naturally knew both parents loved her, and she also loved daddy and mommy. But although Ye Jiao cherished and indulged her, she wasn't excessive, especially when it came to food and drink, never giving more than appropriate.

In Little Ginseng's view, having read medical classics extensively, health came first. How much to eat and what to eat should all be measured appropriately.

But Qi Yun would always give in when Ruyi acted cute, so Ruyi really liked having Qi Yun feed her.

However, Xu Bao, who was nibbling on milk cake nearby, unconsciously shook his head, feeling his little sister was still too young to distinguish importance.

Although Ye Jiao only ever let the little children eat half a milk cake, Ye Jiao would directly break off half and feed it to them, which was a solid half piece.

But Qi Yun would divide half a milk cake into four or five pieces, only giving Ruyi one piece when she asked for one.

It looked like he was giving more, but actually, it didn't add up to much.

Xu Bao couldn't help but say: "Sister is silly."

This was said very quietly, and neither Ye Jiao nor Qi Yun heard it. Only Ning Bao sitting next to Xu Bao heard.

Ning Bao turned to look at Xu Bao without speaking, just reaching toward Xu Bao's chubby little belly, wanting to pinch his big brother who spoke badly about their sister.

But just then, Xu Bao said again: "In the future, I must protect sister more and not let sister suffer losses... Eh, Ning Bao, why are you touching me?"

Ning Bao then raised his face, looking at Xu Bao with big eyes, replying softly: "There are crumbs. Ning Bao is patting them off for big brother." After saying this, Ning Bao gently patted Xu Bao's little belly twice and puffed out his cheeks to blow on it.

Whether there were actually crumbs, Xu Bao didn't know, but his little brother's puffed cheeks were really too adorable. Xu Bao couldn't help but love it, laughingly reaching out to hug Ning Bao fully, calling "little brother, little brother" non-stop.

Ye Jiao watched their close relationship and couldn't help but smile, kissing both little boys on their foreheads. Seeing Ruyi looking over, Ye Jiao also went to kiss Ruyi's cheek.

Perhaps hitting Ruyi's ticklish spot, the little girl giggled and dodged while tightly hugging Ye Jiao.

After eating and playing, it was time for the children's afternoon nap.

Nanny Mo led people to take the three children to rest. The pavilion immediately became much quieter, and the other attendants also tactfully withdrew to a distance.

Qi Yun reached out to hold Ye Jiao's fingertips, thinking finally he had a chance to speak intimately with his wife.

Ye Jiao felt Qi Yun moving closer and turned to smile at him, leaning over to nuzzle against her husband's face.

Qi Yun smiled slightly and embraced Ye Jiao's waist, preparing to kiss the corner of her mouth.

But just then, they heard footsteps approaching.

Ye Jiao dodged backward and pushed Qi Yun away. Qi Yun lost all his smile and turned to look, discovering it was Tie Zi deliberately making footstep sounds.

Seeing the two looking over, Tie Zi ran into the pavilion and bowed: "Master, someone is waiting for you in the front hall."

Hearing this, Qi Yun frowned slightly: "Who is it?" If it were just an ordinary person, Tie Zi wouldn't have let them in directly.

Tie Zi looked up at him and said quietly: "It's the Emper... it's Third Young Master, saying he has something to discuss with you."