Lady of Fortune, Jiao Niang

Chapter 47

Early that morning, Manager Song came to find Qi Yun.

He first went to the study but didn't find anyone, so Manager Song went to Qi Yun's courtyard. As soon as he entered the courtyard gate, Tie Zi led him to the small room.

When Manager Song entered, he saw Qi Yun flipping through several account books in his hands.

Ordinary people needed an abacus to check accounts, but Qi Yun only needed to go through them once in his mind to know the exact figures, accurate to the penny. Usually when checking accounts, he only needed to bring his brain and eyes.

Seeing Manager Song arrive, Qi Yun put down the account book in his hands and said to Manager Song: "Sit down. What brings you to find me so early?"

Manager Song first looked around: "Manager Fang didn't come?"

"The medicine shop will reopen in a few days, so he's busy with things." Qi Yun said, then told Manager Song: "If you have nothing else to do, you should go take a look when the time comes."

Manager Song could hear the implication in Qi Yun's words. He wanted him to bring people over to give Fang Li some support. After all, Fang Li's medicine shop wasn't like the wine shop with abundant income, and he mostly hired shop assistants. Finding people who could handle troubles was indeed difficult.

But Manager Song's wine shop kept quite a few such people. The local ruffians that the Cai family had hired before were also subdued by them.

If someone else had asked Manager Song to lend people, he definitely wouldn't have agreed. Those people had high monthly wages, and paying to help others with his own money didn't seem worthwhile no matter how you looked at it.

But Qi Yun had only started to hint, hadn't even finished speaking, when Manager Song smiled and agreed: "I understand. In a couple of days when the medicine shop reopens, I'll bring people over and make sure everything goes smoothly."

This surprised Qi Yun somewhat. Manager Song was usually shrewd but stingy. He had thought he would need to say a few more words, but who knew Manager Song would be so generous this time.

His face showed satisfaction as Qi Yun had someone serve tea, while Manager Song wore a faint smile.

Actually, during these days when several managers gathered privately, they naturally compared themselves to each other.

Manager Song was undoubtedly the most pleased among them, but now Manager Dong wasn't doing badly either. His medicine garden had caught Qi Yun's attention, and his daughter and son-in-law's medicine shop was clearly about to expand and rise.

The other managers all figured that Manager Song, being old and cunning and particularly petty, would inevitably feel jealous.

But Manager Song had always appeared particularly peaceful, getting along well with Manager Dong and giving much guidance to Fang Li.

Others couldn't see through it, but Manager Song had followed Qi Yun the longest and naturally could see things more clearly.

His Second Young Master would definitely have great achievements in the future, so why should he cling desperately to one wine shop? Moreover, the things Qi Yun had him handle now weren't just shop matters, but many other things as well.

Manager Song thought to himself that if he, Song, became Qi Yun's chief manager someday, any wine shop or medicine shop would pale in comparison to future comfort!

Thinking of this, Manager Song finally remembered his purpose for coming: "There's progress on the merchant caravan matter. Manager Sun seems willing to cooperate with us."

Qi Yun wasn't surprised by this. When Manager Sun had straightforwardly invited him to his residence last time, he had already anticipated this step.

But the consistently cautious Second Young Master Qi didn't nod easily: "Did you find out what grudge they have with the Cai family?"

Manager Song nodded and said: "The two families were neighbors before they made their fortunes. Thirty-some years ago when building houses, the Cai family occupied their land and cut down an old banyan tree. They've held a grudge since then."

Perhaps to the current Sun and Cai families, a patch of land measuring one or two zhang didn't matter much, but to them back then, it wasn't just land, it was face!

Moreover, the Cai family had cut down the Sun family's tree, which was blatantly undermining their foundation. It wasn't strange that this grudge had lasted until now.

Private grudges were hard to resolve, a fight to the death. These two families seemed to have no room for reconciliation.

But for Qi Yun, this was good news. He looked at Manager Song: "The conditions the Sun family proposed last time, do they still count?"

"They count, but this time they've added the merchant caravan into it. Manager Sun previously hinted that he wants more benefits." Manager Song spoke while watching Qi Yun's expression.

Second Young Master Qi's expression remained as usual. Seeing Manager Song hesitating, Qi Yun couldn't help saying: "If there's something to say, just say it."

Manager Song immediately replied: "Manager Sun said he's willing to help with the Cai family matter, but if we want to participate in the merchant caravan, we must promise that all Qi family shops in town will conduct silver note exchanges through the Sun family money house in the future."

Since this wasn't a small matter, Manager Song had been extremely hesitant.

Having the Sun family as an ally was naturally good, but promising to entrust all this to the Sun family money house was equivalent to giving the Sun family benefits for free. As for how much benefit, no one understood the future prospects of these shops better than Manager Song.

This was a piece of fat meat. Manager Song grumbled inwardly that Manager Sun's appetite was really big, wasn't he afraid of choking on it?

But just then, he heard Qi Yun say: "I agree to their conditions."

Manager Song was startled: "...Second Young Master, shouldn't you consider it more?"

"No need." Qi Yun's expression was calm as he looked at Manager Song: "He only mentioned wanting the Qi family's business in town, and didn't mention other places, correct?"

Manager Song nodded.

Qi Yun's voice was steady: "The profits from merchant caravans are immeasurable. Manager Sun is willing to share profits with us, so naturally I should promise him some benefits. It's just the shops in town that don't matter. After all, our shops won't only be opened in town in the future. Manager Sun can see this point too. He's leaving room for both of us."

Hearing this, Manager Song's eyes lit up: "Young Master, are you saying..."

But Qi Yun didn't elaborate. Some things weren't suitable for painting grand visions for subordinates before they were actually done. Qi Yun changed the subject: "I have something else I need you to handle."

Manager Song immediately stood up: "I wouldn't dare. Song will listen to Young Master's instructions."

Qi Yun's fingertip lightly tapped the table surface, then said: "Did Third Young Master previously arrange to meet with some young master at the wine shop?"

Manager Song recalled: "Was it on the second day? Yes, that day I was at the shop. About six or seven people were waiting for Third Young Master. Third Young Master called the leader 'Third Prince.' That person brought his wife and household servants, and looked like someone from a wealthy family."

But Qi Yun didn't think that was just some young master. Even though it had only been a brief encounter, Qi Yun could see that person's extraordinary bearing.

Often, clothing could be easily changed, but people's temperaments were very different. Some people, having lived in luxury for a long time, naturally carried an air of nobility.

In other words, you could tell at a glance whether someone was accustomed to being served or someone who toiled for a living.

Moreover, Qi Yun had seen him at the gambling stall before. That person's speech and actions were all distinctive.

Although the woman beside him hadn't spoken throughout, she was particularly cautious and thoughtful.

As for the household servant following that person, since Qi Yun had been wrapped up tightly at the time, he hadn't paid attention. But just from the appearance of that couple, Qi Yun knew his third brother had made a friend of significant background this time.

This made Qi Yun necessarily cautious.

He didn't reveal this, only saying to Manager Song: "Those people should be somewhere near town. Have your people pay more attention, not too deliberately. Just report back if they see anything."

Manager Song agreed.

After Manager Song left, Qi Yun glanced at the shadow clock in the courtyard. Seeing it was still early, he got up and went to get his hand warmer while asking: "Tie Zi, where is Jiao Niang?"

Tie Zi poked his head in from outside the door: "Young Master, Madam Dong Shi from the medicine shop just came over. She's currently talking with Second Young Mistress in the room."

Qi Yun stopped in his tracks.

Qi Yun knew that Dong Shi and Ye Jiao had a good relationship, so it was normal for her to come chat.

But Qi Yun remembered the gift Dong Shi had given Ye Jiao last time. That colorfully illustrated book had indeed been very educational.

Qi Yun silently put down the hand warmer and said to Tie Zi: "It's good for them to have private conversations. Have the small kitchen make some pastries and send them over, remember they should be hot."

Tie Zi immediately ran off.

In his young master's household, even the smallest matter concerning the young mistress was a big deal and couldn't be delayed!

Meanwhile, Ye Jiao was having a particularly frank conversation with Dong. The two were studying several pots of flowers spread on the table together.

"Jiao Niang, you can actually keep this plant alive. It's truly remarkable." Dong Shi said while smiling, her words particularly sincere.

She was naturally obsessed with medicine, and usually growing various flowers and plants was common. Now many medicinal flower plants that couldn't survive before could thrive when placed with Ye Jiao, so Dong Shi was naturally delighted.

Ye Jiao smiled and said: "If you have the method, it's not difficult. Spring Orchid, if you like it, take it back with you. After all, you gave me several plants before, so taking this one back would be good too."

Dong Shi didn't stand on ceremony with Ye Jiao and collected it with a smile.

At this time, Little Su came in carrying a food box. Ye Jiao smelled the fragrance and immediately looked over: "What's this?"

"These are water-flour dumplings. Second Young Master instructed the small kitchen to make something hot for Second Young Mistress to have ready." Little Su said while taking out the bowls.

Hearing this, Dong Shi couldn't help saying: "Your husband and wife relationship is really good."

Ye Jiao smiled and took a spoon, also serving Dong Shi a bowl.

The hot water-flour dumplings went into her stomach warmly. Little Ginseng smiled with her eyes narrowed.

After eating several, Ye Jiao put down her spoon and contentedly rubbed her stomach.

Dong Shi also put down her bowl and took out a handkerchief to wipe the corners of her mouth.

Ye Jiao's eyes examined Dong Shi's complexion, tilting her head slightly: "Your color looks really good, much better than before New Year." Before Dong Shi could answer, Ye Jiao asked: "How is that pot of Auspicious Flowers?"

"They're blooming beautifully, especially these past few days. I've been keeping it in the room to nurture it. It grows prettily and smells fragrant, very pleasant." Speaking of this, Dong Shi looked around curiously: "Jiao Niang, you love flowers and plants so much, why do you only have one plant in your room?"

Ye Jiao smiled as she looked at the Stone Sprout Grass basking in the sun by the window: "My elder sister-in-law's son likes to come over, and children are active. When they see flowers, they like to grab them."

She usually kept the Stone Sprout Grass high where he couldn't see it, but if she switched to something prettier, it would probably be pulled up by the roots.

Little Ginseng held her water-flour dumplings and said: "Flowers and plants can grow back if damaged, but those flowers all have medicinal properties. If he ate them and felt unwell, that would be troublesome. Children have delicate constitutions, so it's better to be careful."

Dong Shi blinked, her eyes showing some envy.

She had never had children, but her nature was lively and cheerful. She wasn't one of those with dark hearts who became resentful upon seeing others with children. Instead, she particularly enjoyed hearing about such liveliness.

Dong Shi looked at Ye Jiao with some anticipation: "Does that child still come often?"

Ye Jiao shook her head, her soft voice carrying some regret: "He doesn't come often anymore. He'll be two after New Year, and my elder sister-in-law is teaching him to read."

Dong Shi was somewhat surprised: "So early?"

Reading and writing wasn't easy. Ordinary families usually waited until children were four before sending them for elementary education. Having a two-year-old baby learn to read was indeed early.

Ye Jiao also thought it was early. She had gone to see Little Shi Tou before and saw that chubby little baby looking pitiful while reciting the Three Character Classic, probably not even understanding what it meant.

But Ye Jiao was optimistic: "Learning early is also good. My husband said that Third Brother started elementary education when he was two, with my husband helping to teach him. Since Third Brother could do it, Little Shi Tou should be able to as well."

Dong Shi couldn't help sighing: "The master's brotherly harmony is also enviable."

Little Ginseng answered with particular sincerity: "Yes, they have a great relationship. My husband said that when he was bored with nothing to do and Third Brother was being particularly mischievous, he had Third Brother memorize books, saying it could cultivate one's character."

Dong: ...

Something seemed off.

No wonder Third Young Master seemed like a little old man at such a young age. So this was the root cause.

But Ye Jiao didn't find anything strange about it. She was thinking that since Little Shi Tou was studying diligently recently and didn't come often, moving the Auspicious Flowers inside wouldn't matter. Whether she used them or not, having them to perfume the room would be good.

Thinking of this, Ye Jiao said to Little Su: "Bring the flower pot from the side room."

Little Su responded and left.

Dong Shi couldn't help smiling: "You always had me keep those Auspicious Flowers with me, but you yourself don't care about them. Instead, you treasure this useless Stone Sprout Grass like it's precious... oh."

Ye Jiao was just putting a dumpling in her mouth when she saw Dong Shi's voice stop. She couldn't help but follow Dong Shi's gaze.

Then she saw that under the sunlight, the Stone Sprout Grass remained slender and delicate as usual, its branches and leaves spread out, looking no different from normal.

But the petals on it were slowly falling.

Three flowers dropped completely clean in just a few breaths.