Lady of Fortune, Jiao Niang

Chapter 39

If someone said that Second Young Master Qi had never seen such illustrations before, that would be a lie.

Ordinary studies usually kept a few such books on their shelves. Qi Yun had already read through all the books in the house, so seeing them wasn't particularly surprising.

Moreover, most current spring palace fire-prevention illustrations were rather vague and obscure, rarely used for entertainment, but mostly to educate newly married couples about intimate matters between men and women through pictures, serving as enlightenment books.

When placed there alone, even if Qi Yun saw them and flipped through them, he wouldn't have any emotional reaction.

After all, there were too few that were well-drawn. When Qi Yun actually saw them, he would only find them offensive and toss them aside.

But now that he had developed feelings for Ye Jiao, there were some things he only dared think about in his heart. Suddenly having his wife thrust a spring palace illustration in front of him made the meaning vastly different.

Qi Yun knew that Ye Jiao was completely ignorant about these matters. Probably only she would mistake spring palace illustrations for flower catalogs.

But for a moment Qi Yun didn't know how to explain to Ye Jiao, especially when facing those beautiful, clear eyes. Many words got stuck in his throat.

Originally these should have been explained by her natal family before marriage, but now this task had fallen on Qi Yun's head.

Inexplicably, he felt like he was corrupting her...

But if he never spoke about it, that wouldn't work either. Having no choice, Qi Yun could only pull Ye Jiao's hand, have her close the book and set it aside, then begin explaining to his wife yet another thing married couples needed to do.

Ye Jiao couldn't help muttering in her heart that marriage was quite nice, just that there were rather many things to do.

Little Ginseng was innocent, true, but the more innocent someone was, the bolder they tended to be.

Others might feel shy discussing such matters, but Ye Jiao was exceptionally calm. After listening to Qi Yun's explanation, she asked directly: "What's the purpose of doing these things?" As she spoke, she picked up the book again, casually flipping through it.

Qi Yun tried to make his voice gentler, explaining warmly: "To deepen our feelings, I suppose."

Little Ginseng blinked: "Eating together can also deepen feelings. This looks rather uninteresting."

Qi Yun: No, I think it's very interesting.

But the man changed his approach: "Perhaps we could try it in the future? Whether it's interesting or not, you have to try it yourself to know."

Ye Jiao tilted her head: "Why wait for the future? We're already married. Can't we try now?"

These words were direct and simple, yet carried some curious eagerness to try.

This curiosity made Qi Yun's ears fill with the sound of his heartbeat, but he still controlled himself, saying quietly: "Jiao Niang, wait two more days. We need to wait until after the doctor examines me."

Ye Jiao couldn't help looking at the illustrations in the book again, flipping through them with sudden understanding: "You're right. This looks quite strenuous. Since your health has just improved somewhat, we should be more cautious." At this point, Little Ginseng looked at Qi Yun considerately: "Don't worry, I'll definitely help you."

What Ye Jiao meant by "help" was helping him take good care of his health, but in someone else's ears, it took on a different meaning.

Qi Yun coughed lightly, trying to hide in the shadows to conceal his face that had turned completely red.

Now Ye Jiao also understood that Dong Shi hadn't given her this book to study flowers and plants.

But Little Ginseng had now discovered another wonderful aspect of being human.

Opening the book again, Ye Jiao thought she should study it carefully.

But Qi Yun closed the book and set it aside: "It's getting late. Let's rest."

Seeing him keep trying to take the book from her hands, Ye Jiao couldn't help asking: "Husband, is this book not good?"

Qi Yun looked into Ye Jiao's eyes and said slowly: "No, it's good. Very good."

Early the next morning, after all the managers had finished speaking with Qi Yun, he only kept Manager Dong behind.

Today Manager Dong had originally just wanted to ask Qi Yun whether the wild ginseng was good, and if so, he could send more.

But before Manager Dong could speak, he heard Qi Yun say: "Next year's medicine garden expansion should be postponed for now."

These words made Manager Dong's heart sink halfway.

But immediately, Qi Yun continued: "Early in the year is a good time. Rather than expanding the medicine garden, it's better to free up the time and manpower to first expand the medicine shop."

Manager Dong's face immediately lit up with joy. This was truly a case of finding light after darkness.

He was indeed the manager of the medicine garden, but what really made money was the medicine shop.

The Qi family medicine garden specifically supplied the medicine shop. Actually, Manager Dong's current garden wasn't small. Expansion would just be icing on the cake.

But the Qi family medicine shop's space was indeed somewhat cramped.

Even if the medicine garden were expanded eightfold, whether the medicinal materials could ultimately be sold would still depend on the medicine shop's capability. Moreover, his only daughter was now the medicine shop's proprietress. If the medicine shop could be expanded, Manager Dong would naturally be even happier.

Qi Yun had already made plans: "There was news before New Year that the silk shop next to the medicine shop wants to move. Taking it over and combining two shops into one would be convenient. But if they're combined, the interior arrangements and connections between the back courtyards would take over ten days to complete."

Manager Dong immediately said: "The medicine garden can be expanded anytime. Second Young Master, let's focus on the medicine shop first, so we don't miss the good opportunity."

Qi Yun felt the same way. Though his original plan hadn't included immediately handling medicine shop matters, now Qi Yun felt this matter should be put on the agenda.

Even if Second Young Master Qi refused to admit that yesterday's "Six Wonders of the Flower Formation" had played a role, people are always contradictory in their words and hearts.

Manager Dong probably didn't know that this windfall was actually because his daughter had given Ye Jiao a spring palace book.

Qi Yun's expression was calm, showing no emotion. His fingertips lightly tapped the table: "Then you go back and arrange things. Tell the medicine shop manager Fang Li to come by another day."

"Yes."

Qi Yun hesitated, then added: "Also tell Doctor Li that in the next couple of days, please have him come examine my pulse." Toward the end, Qi Yun couldn't help coughing lightly.

Manager Dong pondered the implications. For his son-in-law he said "another day," but for Doctor Li he said "the next couple days." Clearly Doctor Li was more urgent.

They needed to arrange for Doctor Li to visit as soon as possible, while his son-in-law's matter could wait.

Even though Manager Dong was eager to begin expanding the medicine shop immediately, as a manager, everything had to prioritize the master's wishes. He smiled and agreed.

Before leaving, Manager Dong also said with concern: "Second Young Master, you look like you haven't rested well. Though there are many matters recently, you should still sleep properly at night."

Qi Yun nodded indifferently, thanked him, and watched Manager Dong leave.

But in his heart, the Qi family's second son sighed.

Only last night had he learned that there really was such a thing as spring dreams in this world.

But today Qi Yun didn't continue staying in the study to look at account books. Instead, after eating lunch with Ye Jiao, he remained in their room helping Ye Jiao select clothes.

Though the fifteenth day of the first month was when flower lanterns were most beautiful, the streets had already become lively starting from New Year.

Usually the court strictly forbade games except in gambling houses, but every year from the first to the third day of the first month, these three days were official exemption days. As long as they didn't exceed the court's regulated limits, people could play a round or two on the streets.

These days were also when curfew was lifted. After nightfall, the flower lanterns on the streets would be lit early, creating a brilliant and beautiful scene.

Qi Yun had previously said he would take Ye Jiao out to play on the streets. This time he planned to go to town with Ye Jiao.

This was Ye Jiao's first time going out with Qi Yun, so naturally she was happy.

But amid her happiness, Ye Jiao was still extremely cautious, spending a whole morning arranging the carriage. Just the windproof felt pieces alone, she put several layers, and spread soft wool blankets, wishing she could seal every gap in the carriage, afraid that Qi Yun might catch wind and cold.

Right now Ye Jiao was holding clothes against herself, muttering: "Husband, you still shouldn't expose yourself to night wind casually. Wear that fur coat properly, and the hat too. You must wear it, understand?"

Qi Yun looked somewhat helplessly at the outfit Ye Jiao had prepared for him on the rack.

The fur coat was the one Ye Jiao had bought him, black and fluffy, looking very warm.

The hat was rabbit fur, also black, larger than ordinary hats. Once he put it on, probably only his eyes and nose would be visible...

Imagining his appearance after dressing up, Qi Yun couldn't help saying: "Jiao Niang, are you trying to wrap me up like a coal ball?"

Ye Jiao puffed her cheeks at him: "What does looking good matter? Besides, others don't know us anyway. Your health is most important."

Qi Yun immediately nodded without a moment's hesitation.

Since Jiao Niang had chosen it, he would wear it. He couldn't disappoint his wife's good intentions.

Ye Jiao looked at the clothes in the cabinet. Liu Shi had made quite a few for her last time. Since this was her first time going out with Qi Yun, Ye Jiao wished she could find the most beautiful one.

Putting down the water-blue set, she picked up a lake-green set. Ye Jiao said: "Didn't Third Brother say he wanted to come with us?"

Qi Yun sat sideways, resting his arm on the table to support his head while watching Ye Jiao: "Third Brother told me he has an appointment with that newly met Third Young Master, and that Third Young Master is probably bringing the warrior who saved him before. Third Brother also wants to bring some gifts to express his gratitude."

Ye Jiao seemed quite satisfied with this lake-green set, smiling with curved eyebrows, her voice soft and gentle: "If we're going the same way, it would be good to give him a ride in our carriage."

"He's going to the mountains first to discuss literature with them, leaving early in the morning. But they should go to town to see the lanterns in the evening, so we'll probably meet then. He'll come back with us." At this point, Qi Yun's voice paused.

If he remembered correctly, the warrior who saved Qi Ming was also surnamed Ye.

But Qi Yun didn't dwell on this matter. After all, Ye wasn't a particularly uncommon surname. Just nearby there were two Ye family villages, with countless people sharing the surname. It wasn't strange at all.

Qi Yun just said quietly: "That would be good. We can meet that Third Young Master and Warrior Ye."

Even though Qi Yun didn't think Qi Ming was a confused fool who made friends carelessly, his younger brother was still young after all. From Qi Ming's description alone, those two clearly weren't ordinary common people. Qi Yun felt he should meet them.

At this moment, Ye Jiao had already chosen her clothes.

But she didn't pick the lake-green ones. Instead, she chose a moon-white dress and skirt she had previously set aside, paired with a padded jacket, looking especially bright and fresh.

Moon-white wasn't pure white, but had a faint blue tint.

When worn, it made the woman's skin appear white as snow. When she turned back with a smile, it made even Qi Yun lose focus.

"Husband, does it look good?" Ye Jiao said, raising her arms for Qi Yun to see completely.

In Qi Yun's view, his wife was beautiful, so she looked good in anything.

But saying this would sound like empty flattery. Even if it was the truth, saying it directly wouldn't sound pleasant.

So Second Young Master Qi nodded very definitively: "Beautiful. Jiao Niang has excellent taste."

Ye Jiao smiled brilliantly, stood on her tiptoes to peck the man's cheek, then went to apply makeup.

Qi Yun breathed in the faint osmanthus fragrance and took a deep breath, thinking that he should have arranged for Doctor Li to come immediately instead of discussing it with Manager Dong...

"Husband."

At this moment, Ye Jiao's voice pulled back Qi Yun's consciousness.

Then he heard Ye Jiao's soft voice say: "Come help me draw my eyebrows."

Qi Yun immediately got up and went over to complete this daily ritual.

Now Second Young Master Qi could already draw beautiful distant mountain eyebrows. It wasn't really technique, just familiarity from practice.

Drawing them every day, he had naturally gained some insight.

In the early evening, just as the sky was getting dark, the two got into their carriage with Little Su and Tie Zi, heading toward town.