Lady of Fortune, Jiao Niang

Chapter 33

Madam Zhang had always felt an inexplicable sense of superiority in front of Liu Shi.

Previously when they were all unmarried, because their family circumstances were similar, though not from great households, they were still wealthy families, so they often gathered together.

Liu Shi had seemed particularly outstanding at the time, whether in appearance or character, she was the best in their circle.

Later when they married, except for Liu Shi who chose an ordinary wealthy family, the others either married scholarly gentlemen or chose local gentry and wealthy merchants.

They had all privately laughed at Liu Shi's low standards back then. What was good about the Qi family?

They were just small landlords with some farmland. Though the family had no clan constraints, they likewise had no one to help them. If you talked about having prospects, it had to be scholarly men who could take the imperial examinations. Even merchants who could make money were better than the Qi family.

Madam Zhang had also laughed at her then, but who knew that within two years she couldn't laugh anymore.

Those who married merchants, if their husband's families didn't prosper, inevitably felt uncomfortable inside. If they did prosper, they inevitably had to watch their husbands take concubines and mistresses.

As for those who married scholars, if the men never passed the examinations, a weak scholar who couldn't carry on his shoulders or lift with his hands would probably need his own wife to earn money to support him instead, making a poor life normal. If he did pass the examinations, it was even more troublesome. Looking at men who were about to become officials, if they were still young it was one thing, but after enduring for several years, how many could stand their already aged and faded original wives?

As life went on, among them all, Liu Shi had the best life.

Madam Zhang had often felt jealous of Liu Shi in her heart, always feeling that she had gotten all the good fortune.

When she herself was gritting her teeth watching her husband take concubines, Liu Shi was comfortably being the Qi family's wife, with no worries about food and drink and no troubles.

When concubines on her side gave birth to son after son, Liu Shi herself had three children, and Father Qi was honest and decent, treating her with mutual respect. Forget about concubines, he had never even been to brothels.

But Madam Zhang became comfortable later, because Second Son of the Qi family was in poor health.

Qi Yun's poor health was famous. From birth, he had learned to drink medicine before he learned to drink milk. Even though he was more precocious than other children, that broken body clearly wouldn't live many more years.

For Liu Shi, this was the only sadness in her happy life. Though Liu Shi had never truly favored anyone, she worshipped Buddha for Qi Yun's sake, sought doctors and medicines for Qi Yun's sake, doing everything a mother could do.

But her suffering became entertainment that others could seize upon.

Madam Zhang had actually sympathized with her, but sympathy ultimately couldn't compare to the jealousy in her heart. The more beautiful the concubines at home became, the more she envied Liu Shi, so she always used Qi Yun's illness to stab at Liu Shi's heart.

This made the year-end prayer rituals Madam Zhang's favorite event. Just seeing Liu Shi unhappy could give her some vain pleasure.

But usually Liu Shi never left her house, and Madam Zhang wasn't willing to visit as a guest either, so the only place she could encounter Liu Shi was in temples.

Madam Zhang had been here for three days, waiting for today.

Her asking about Ye Jiao was also because she had heard that Ye Jiao's maiden family was unreliable, didn't even have a dowry, clearly a fortune-bringing bride who couldn't be presented properly.

Though no one said these things openly, they had been spreading privately quite a bit.

But later someone said the Qi family supported Ye Jiao, giving her a share in everything. Madam Zhang was unwilling to believe this, only willing to listen to news of the Qi family's misfortune to feel better, so naturally she turned a deaf ear to news about Qi Yun's recent situation.

Madam Zhang had just seen the Qi family's eldest daughter-in-law but hadn't noticed Ye Jiao, who was still far away and slow to come over, so naturally she thought Liu Shi despised this fortune-bringing second daughter-in-law and therefore didn't bring her out.

That would be even better. The more despised she was, the more unpresentable she became. Madam Zhang naturally wanted to ask about it.

Who knew that Liu Shi wasn't afraid of her asking at all. In fact, Liu Shi was hoping she would ask.

Turning around, Liu Shi said to Ye Jiao: "Jiao Niang, come here."

Ye Jiao immediately stepped forward, giving Liu Shi a sweet smile: "Mother, did you call me?"

Liu Shi nodded but didn't say what the matter was, just looked sideways at Madam Zhang and said slowly: "This is Jiao Niang, just married recently. What do you want with her?"

What do I want? Don't I just want to use her to anger you!

Madam Zhang wanted to say this in her heart, but the smile on her face couldn't hold up.

She had originally wanted to mock Liu Shi, saying she was desperately seeking medical help and could only use fortune-bringing marriage methods, and the bride she married must be an unsightly, long-suffering daughter-in-law. But as soon as Ye Jiao stood there, Madam Zhang felt blood rushing to her head.

Where did this look like a poor family's child? Even saying she was a noble lady's daughter would be believable!

The moment Madam Zhang saw Ye Jiao, she lost her voice, shut her mouth, and stared until her eyes were red.

Ye Jiao had a lovely appearance, with delicate eyebrows and eyes, lips like painted rouge. Especially the distant mountain eyebrows that Qi Yun had drawn for her this morning made her look even more charming.

She wore the new clothes that had been tailored before, blue satin with a red cloak, looking particularly elegant and charming.

Just standing there, so pretty and lively, anyone who came would praise her good looks.

Moreover, Ye Jiao was especially respectful toward Liu Shi, looking obedient, and spoke pleasantly, soft and crisp, comfortable to listen to.

Comparing this to her own troublemaking, difficult daughter-in-law at home, Madam Zhang immediately bit her back teeth until they hurt.

But Madam Zhang wasn't ready to give up. She asked Liu Shi with apparent concern: "I wonder if your Second Son's health has improved? With the weather getting cold, you must take extra care, don't be like previous years, constantly calling doctors and using medicines."

Liu Shi didn't speak, just glanced at Ye Jiao.

Little Ginseng thought her mother-in-law wanted her to answer on her behalf, thinking it made sense. After all, she was the one who spent day and night with her husband, so she should be the one speaking now.

So Ye Jiao smiled at Madam Zhang: "Thank you for your concern, Madam. My husband's health has improved greatly now. By the time our new shop opens next year, my husband should be able to go and see it."

After this sentence, Liu Shi curved her lips, and Fang Shi couldn't help covering her mouth.

Actually, they both knew that Ye Jiao was speaking the truth. Second Brother's wife always said whatever she thought, never scheming or being underhanded.

Qi Yun's health had indeed improved, he had gained ability, could open shops, could make money, and was worshipped by those managers like a god of wealth.

But it was precisely this truth that was most hurtful.

Moreover, being able to convey so much meaning in one sentence, Liu Shi felt her second daughter-in-law was quite capable.

Sure enough, Madam Zhang's complexion immediately became ugly.

Liu Shi didn't need to guess to know what she was thinking.

At their age, with grandchildren already, the beauty of youth had been replaced by years. Even if they had some talent, there wasn't much to display. What they compared with each other was just a few fixed things.

Whether concubines were obedient, whether sons were filial, whether daughters-in-law were satisfactory.

Liu Shi wanted to tell Madam Zhang: My family has no concubines, my sons are excellent, my daughters-in-law are even better, so stop showing off your nonsense in front of me in the future.

But Liu Shi wouldn't say these words herself. Quarreling always lowered one's status. Even ordinary village women wouldn't easily curse on the street, much less would a wealthy family's wife like Liu Shi want to do such embarrassing things.

Liu Shi only needed to have Ye Jiao stand there and speak, and she could slap Madam Zhang's face swollen!

Though Liu Shi had been calm for many years and never bothered with people like Madam Zhang, seeing this person who always annoyed her now looking so embarrassed that she could drip ink, her heart felt much more comfortable, and her face showed a smile.

People, after all, still preferred to vent their anger when they had it. Indeed, nothing was more satisfying than a direct slap in the face.

Having eaten a bellyful of anger, Madam Zhang couldn't stay any longer. She had originally wanted to come see Liu Shi's misfortune for entertainment, but ended up becoming the entertainment herself!

She hurriedly found an excuse and left. Liu Shi didn't call her back, slowly turning the prayer beads in her hands, saying indifferently: "That person just likes to meddle in others' affairs. She left without even saying goodbye, very rude. You two must not learn from her. Come, let's go inside."

Fang Shi knew Liu Shi was mocking Madam Zhang but didn't expose it, just smiled and followed. Ye Jiao didn't feel she had done anything remarkable just now. Little Ginseng just said whatever she thought, simply following behind Liu Shi as they entered the Main Buddha Hall together.

In previous years, Liu Shi had donated quite a bit of incense money to this temple. When they came, a little novice monk came out to follow them, helping to arrange prayer cushions or pass the fortune stick container, indirectly teaching Ye Jiao what to do.

For example, when entering, you should walk through the left door. Men should step with their left foot first, women with their right foot first. All these rules, if he hadn't said them, Ye Jiao wouldn't have known any of it.

It sounded complicated, but Ye Jiao followed behind Liu Shi and complied with everything.

But Ye Jiao was different from Liu Shi. She came only to accompany Liu Shi, also as a way for Little Ginseng to test the results of her being human. She didn't really have anything she wanted to wish for.

For Little Ginseng, her current life was already more carefree than that of immortals.

She had food and drink, and her husband's company. Compared to her previous days of wind and sun exposure while eating dirt, her current self had simply reached the peak of her demon life.

But soon, Ye Jiao thought of something she could pray for.

Taking a few steps forward, Little Ginseng lifted her skirt and gently knelt on the prayer cushion, adjusting to a more comfortable position. She imitated Liu Shi's manner, placing her hands together in front of her.

Ye Jiao closed her eyes and silently recited her wish in her heart.

Her own life was very good. If there was anything unsatisfactory, she just needed to tell her husband, no need to trouble others, so she had no wishes that needed Buddha's help to fulfill.

But she wanted to pray for her husband's blessings, only hoping that her husband could get better, that in the future he could be free from illness and disaster, free from injury and pain, living to a hundred... no, he should live to 150 years old.

She said many good things about Qi Yun in her heart, praising Qi Yun like a flower, as if trying to convince Buddha: Look, he's so good, he should live well, right?

When she stood up, the little novice calculated the time and thought this female benefactor had probably made more than ten wishes...

Then Liu Shi gave some incense money, about five qian of silver. Fang Shi gave one qian, and Ye Jiao also gave one qian.

After burning incense, the women didn't have vegetarian food at the temple and soon left.

With New Year approaching, each family had their own affairs to handle. Liu Shi was thinking of Father Qi, Fang Shi was thinking of Little Shi Tou, and Ye Jiao also wanted to see Qi Yun early, so they didn't delay long and quickly took the carriage back.

Each of them held a protective amulet.

Though Ye Jiao didn't know if her little wish could be heard by Buddha, she still carefully kept this protective amulet, planning to put it in Qi Yun's brocade pouch when she returned.

The brocade pouch with hair from last time should still be hanging on Qi Yun's body. Ye Jiao planned to stuff the protective amulet in there when she got back.

But when passing through town, the carriage took a detour to the shop where Liu Shi had previously ordered clothes.

By coincidence, this was the same shop where Ye Jiao had bought the fur coat.

But previously, when taking measurements for the Qi family, it was the shopkeeper's wife who did it. Nanny Liu usually didn't go out much, so the shopkeeper didn't recognize Ye Jiao when she came last time.

Now hearing his wife mention it, the shopkeeper knew this was a major customer and poured out compliments without cost.

Especially regarding Ye Jiao, the shopkeeper praised her vigorously: "Madam, you really found a good daughter-in-law. Last time she came to my shop specifically to pick out a fur coat for Second Young Master. You could tell at a glance she's a good daughter-in-law. Madam is blessed."

Liu Shi had originally been satisfied with Ye Jiao's unconscious confrontation with Madam Zhang just now, and hearing these words made her even happier, looking at Ye Jiao with increasing kindness.

When leaving, Liu Shi even said to Ye Jiao: "Second Son is well-off now, so don't be too restrictive with yourself. Spend when you should spend, don't try to save money for him."

Ye Jiao obediently agreed, not saying anything about being frugal or putting Qi Yun first, instead saying: "I'll listen to Mother. My husband also says I should live well, and however much I spend, he can earn it."

This one sentence made Liu Shi laugh heartily, patting Ye Jiao's hand, feeling she had truly married a blessed and straightforward girl into the family.

The women didn't delay much. After getting the clothes, they got on the carriage, and with a flick of the reins, the carriage soon disappeared around the street corner.

But a man stood motionless in the distance, looking this way until the carriage left.

He was very tall, looking like someone who practiced martial arts, with thick eyebrows and big eyes. If he were in a crowd, he would definitely stand out.

But he had been standing in the shadows, so those three women hadn't noticed at all.

"Commander Ye, what are you looking at?" A man dressed as an attendant stood beside him, also looking.

But the carriage had already gone far, so there was nothing to see now.

The tall, sturdy man didn't answer, just frowned tightly, thinking that the married woman just now looked so much like his little sister.

Little sister... shouldn't she still be unmarried?