Lady of Fortune, Jiao Niang

Chapter 28

Ye Jiao used to dislike snow. Though Little Ginseng had the ability to nourish others, she was after all just a ginseng plant with leaves and roots. She needed sunlight, needed to absorb spiritual energy from heaven and earth, and needed to eat soil.

When it snowed, it was not only particularly cold, but the sky would turn gloomy and gray with no sun visible. The cold wind was biting, and the soil was especially hard. Little Ginseng could even crunch on ice chips when eating soil.

Previously during the first snow, Ye Jiao, having become human, was too lazy to go out. She stayed in the room huddled with Qi Yun, only going out routinely while holding the Stone Sprout Grass to find opportunities for sunlight. Otherwise, she stayed curled up indoors.

This time was different. Ye Jiao had agreed with Liu Shi to go over every day to learn how to apply powder and rouge. Since she had promised, she had to do it.

Even though Little Ginseng didn't like snow, she would go punctually and not leave Liu Shi waiting.

Liu Shi also felt sorry for her, specially giving her one of her own brocade cloaks. So Ye Jiao would hold her hand warmer and wear the cloak every day. During these few days from when the snow fell until it stopped, not only was she not blown by the cold wind, but she no longer feared wind and snow as she had before.

Anything becomes less frightening once you get used to it.

Today, because it was the day for stewards to report accounts, Qi Yun didn't go to his study to meet Manager Song. Instead, he had Manager Song go directly to the front courtyard to wait, while he stayed in the room to have breakfast with Ye Jiao.

Ye Jiao looked outside and saw the snow had stopped, smiling: "After several days without sun, today the sky finally cleared."

Today was overcast and very cold, so Ye Jiao didn't take the Stone Sprout Grass outside, afraid of freezing this delicate and fragile little thing.

Perhaps for other medicinal flowers, Ye Jiao was concerned, but only concerned about whether they needed watering or wind protection, nothing more. But Stone Sprout Grass was different. Just seeing how Ye Jiao always kept it pampered indoors showed how much she treasured it.

It wasn't because Stone Sprout Grass had particularly beautiful flowers or particularly fragrant scent, but because this thing could save lives.

Now the Stone Sprout Grass was blooming brilliantly. Usually it bloomed in winter and bore fruit in spring, but it needed constant nourishment from ginseng and sunlight. Ye Jiao naturally took extra care to have three White Rainbow Fruits.

Though her husband's constitution had improved somewhat, Little Ginseng wouldn't easily become careless. Life-saving things were more reassuring to keep in hand.

Qi Yun smiled and cracked a boiled egg for her, rolling it on the table while peeling it: "The scenery after snow is particularly beautiful. Our family garden has several plum trees planted. They should be blooming beautifully now, not far from the front courtyard. After we finish reporting accounts, I'll take you to see the snowy scenery."

Ye Jiao tugged his hand: "When snow melts, it's the coldest time. Husband, you'd better not go."

"Don't I have the fur coat Jiao Niang bought me? I'll wear that and bring a hand warmer, so I won't be cold." Qi Yun placed the peeled egg in Ye Jiao's bowl: "Besides, plum blossoms after the first snow, if we pick some, can be boiled into sweet water, and made into plum blossom cakes that taste very good. We'll have Tie Zi bring a bamboo basket and scissors. After picking them, we'll have the small kitchen make them for you to eat tonight."

Ye Jiao's eyes stayed fixed on Qi Yun's hands.

Toward boiled eggs, Ye Jiao felt generally indifferent. Compared to dry boiled eggs, she had always preferred fried eggs, or made into egg custard which also tasted good.

But Qi Yun said plain boiled eggs were more nourishing than those others, good for the body, so Ye Jiao obediently ate one every morning.

But eating every day didn't mean this thing tasted good. Each time she still had to steel herself to stuff it in her mouth.

However, Ye Jiao really enjoyed watching Qi Yun peel eggs.

The man's hands were beautiful, with long slender fingers and strong joints. No longer the bloodless pallor of before, now that Qi Yun had recovered somewhat, his face had some color, and his hands no longer showed that bluish tint, instead resembling jade.

Ye Jiao loved watching his hands. These hands did everything with exceptional elegance, even peeling eggs looked good.

After clearly hearing what Qi Yun said, Ye Jiao looked up.

Qi Yun said to wear the fur coat. Ye Jiao knew how thick that coat was, thinking this way he wouldn't get cold. She nodded in agreement to go see the snowy scenery together, and when she heard plum blossoms could be made into pastries, she smiled even more.

Actually, Ye Jiao had seen plenty of plum blossoms. Little Ginseng, who had lived for a thousand years, had seen a thousand years of post-snow plum blossoms in the mountains, but had never found them particularly beautiful.

But now hearing Qi Yun say plum blossoms could be eaten, she immediately became interested.

Even though Little Ginseng had never actually eaten anything made with plum blossoms, in her heart, Qi Yun was an all-capable person, and her husband's words had never been wrong so far. If he said it tasted good, it would definitely taste good.

After finishing breakfast, Qi Yun wrapped himself in the thick fur coat and went to the front hall, while Ye Jiao put on her cloak to prepare to go to Liu Shi's place.

Little Su helped Ye Jiao tie her cloak strings, saying: "Second Young Mistress, your previous cloak was such a bright color, it would definitely look beautiful with the snow outside. Why did you change to this red one?"

Not that the red one wasn't pretty, but in Little Su's view, this one's style was somewhat old-fashioned, not as flattering as the previous one.

Little Ginseng patted Little Su's head and smiled: "This was given by Mother. When Mother gave it to me, she said it was something she brought from her maiden family, so she must treasure it especially. Since she gave it to me, I should wear it, to let Mother know I genuinely appreciate her kindness. Just like if you gave me something, seeing me like it would make you happy, right?"

Little Su was just a child of about ten, but fortunately she was clever and bright, understanding immediately after a brief explanation.

This principle was taught to Little Ginseng by the little fox. The little fox had made a fox-hair brush for her scholar lover, using the little fox's own fur. Once when the scholar forgot to use it, the little fox grabbed his ears and scolded him for a long time.

At the time, Ye Jiao, still a Little Ginseng, watched in amazement and remembered it.

When others give you something, you should bring it out, use it when it should be used, wear it when it should be worn, only then do you not disappoint their kind intentions.

This matter had stuck with Little Ginseng from then until now. Her greatest virtue was knowing how to learn from experience and lessons.

Ye Jiao took her warm hand warmer and gathered her cloak as she walked outside.

Originally she didn't usually carry this, except when the snow was heavy before and Ye Jiao held the hand warmer for warmth. Other times she rarely took it.

Little Ginseng took good care of herself, never lacking food or drink and enjoying activity. Her body was very healthy, naturally not as sensitive to cold as Qi Yun.

Sometimes holding the hand warmer for too long actually made her feel overheated.

But today Fang Shi would also go to Liu Shi's place, and Little Shi Tou would certainly be brought along.

That child liked Ye Jiao and would insist on being held by her every time they met before settling down. Ye Jiao was afraid of bringing cold air from outside into the room and passing it to Little Shi Tou. After all, he was just a child, not as cold-resistant as adults, so Ye Jiao used the hand warmer to keep warm, keeping her embrace constantly heated.

Sure enough, as soon as she entered the door, before Ye Jiao could clearly see where Liu Shi and Fang Shi were, she heard a clear voice: "Second Auntie! Little Shi Tou is good, Second Auntie hold!"

Ye Jiao looked up to find them and saw Liu Shi and Fang Shi already sitting in the main room with teacups before them. Little Shi Tou was dressed in several layers with a little tiger-like hat protecting his head and ears, looking adorably chubby.

This outfit also made Ye Jiao smile with curved eyebrows.

Human cubs were just loveable, especially Little Shi Tou, who now looked like a plump round dumpling.

Ye Jiao removed her cloak, handed both the cloak and hand warmer to Little Su, then walked over and picked up Little Shi Tou, bouncing him: "Little Shi Tou is so good, Second Auntie will hold you." Then Ye Jiao smiled at Liu Shi and Fang Shi: "Mother-in-law, Elder Sister-in-law."

Liu Shi nodded at her while fingering her prayer beads, and Fang Shi smiled warmly, calling to her: "Jiao Niang, come sit. Was the road cold?"

If this question were asked of Fang Shi herself, she would probably elaborate at length about snowy scenery and cold winds, describing the journey as if there were great hardships and dangers, to show how difficult it was for her to come see Liu Shi on time and have Liu Shi remember her thoughtfulness.

Little Ginseng didn't have so many schemes. She shook her head and answered very honestly: "Not cold. My cloak is thick and I was holding a hand warmer. Not only wasn't it cold, it was actually a bit warm."

This statement made Liu Shi secretly curve her lips. The cloak was given by her, so naturally she was happy that Ye Jiao liked it.

Little Shi Tou nestled in Ye Jiao's arms seemed to verify her words, saying crisply: "Yes, Second Auntie is warm and cozy."

These childishly innocent and particularly crisp words made all the women laugh. Ye Jiao even used her warm hands to touch Little Shi Tou's cheeks, warming his plump face while also giving it a few pinches.

Mm, such a good feel.

Fang Shi was also pleased to see Little Shi Tou close to Ye Jiao. Family members should be inseparable. Though Fang Shi was stingy, her studies had made her somewhat rigid, but it was precisely this rigidity that made Fang Shi especially understand the meaning of family.

With parents alive, the family shouldn't split. Their family was bound together in prosperity and adversity.

Rivalry and quarrels within a family were normal, but relationships had to remain harmonious and peaceful.

Because the meaning of family was different from others. A person's entire life, whether in life, death, honor, or disgrace, was connected to their family, inseparably. This was stipulated by imperial law, unchangeable by anyone.

In Fang Shi's view, it was natural for Little Shi Tou to have a good relationship with Ye Jiao. They were all family, living behind closed doors. She couldn't be happier to have one more person treat Little Shi Tou well.

Especially as they approached year-end and New Year, if he could receive more New Year's money, that would be even better.

Liu Shi watched her two daughters-in-law with a slight smile, picked up her tea for a sip, then set it down and said to Nanny Liu: "Go get that pot of Snow Sea I'm raising." Then she told her two daughters-in-law: "This is a new pot of chrysanthemums I acquired. It's blooming nicely now. While we wait for news, we might as well look at it first."

Ye Jiao blinked. She had arrived late and hadn't heard what the two had discussed earlier, so she asked: "Mother, what news?"

Liu Shi said gently: "The father and sons are in the front courtyard listening to stewards' reports. We needn't get involved, but didn't we discuss before that for year-end expenses you should each contribute something? After they finish reporting accounts, news will come. We were just discussing that since we had nothing else to do, we might as well wait here rather than have you make another trip tomorrow to discuss."

Ye Jiao had nearly forgotten about the expense matter, only remembering now when Liu Shi mentioned it.

But Ye Jiao didn't care much about these things. After all, the money was there and couldn't run away. Qi Yun said they should give, and Ye Jiao also felt they should give. As for how much, Little Ginseng hadn't thought about it.

Though she was learning to manage money with Qi Yun, that was only for the money in her own hands.

In Ye Jiao's view, today's contribution to the family shouldn't go through her hands anyway, so however much they gave, Ye Jiao wouldn't feel bad about it.

Fang Shi had other thoughts, but didn't show them. She just smiled after Nanny Liu placed the flower pot on the table: "Mother has raised this Snow Sea so well. Pure white all over, when it blooms it looks like snowflakes. What a beautiful flower."

Liu Shi nodded with a smile on her face, then chatted about flowers with Fang Shi.

Inner quarters women usually had few entertainments, especially married women. Besides embroidering and managing households, there was flower appreciation and scenery viewing. Over time, they could see different flavors in flowers.

Ye Jiao was different. In her view, no matter how beautiful flowers were, they had no great use, but she wouldn't say this to spoil the mood. Holding Little Shi Tou, she nodded along on the side, very obediently, occasionally praising "Mother and Elder Sister-in-law know so much," praising with genuine sincerity. The atmosphere was quite harmonious.

Just then, someone lifted the curtain and entered.

The person handed a ledger to Nanny Liu, then withdrew. Nanny Liu handed the ledger to Liu Shi.

Liu Shi opened it, glanced through, her eyes showing an expression of "as expected."

But she didn't immediately mention what was recorded in the ledger. Instead, she said to Fang Shi: "Since you like it, I'll give you this Snow Sea."

Fang Shi immediately smiled brightly, thanking Liu Shi warmly.

Liu Shi nodded, seeing Ye Jiao also genuinely smile at Fang Shi, secretly nodding in approval, then reopened the ledger.

Turning to one page, Liu Shi read aloud: "Since Elder Brother's wife said to calculate together based on Second Brother's income, let's calculate together."

Ye Jiao nodded obediently, Fang Shi smiled.

She had calculated carefully. Qi Zhao's estate had an annual income of over 300 strings of cash. At one in twenty, that would be 15 strings. Second Brother's shop couldn't possibly exceed this amount.

But soon, Fang Shi heard Liu Shi say: "Then tomorrow you can each bring 30 strings of cash."

At these words, Fang Shi nearly fainted from shock.