Lady of Fortune, Jiao Niang

Chapter 50

Fang Li was indeed upright, but he had also seen many people from north and south.

Although Ye Ping Rong was dressed like a commoner, ordinary people didn't have this tall, strong appearance, especially the coldness between his brows that made Fang Li's first reaction be that this person came with ill intentions.

When the wine shop had opened before, there had been local ruffians causing trouble. Fang Li was afraid this person was also here to make trouble.

But he couldn't say this directly, so he could only remain somewhat silent, preparing to call for Manager Song's people to come forward and ask detailed questions.

However, at this time, Dong came out from the back hall wanting to help her husband, and she happened to hear Ye Ping Rong's words.

Dong stepped forward and smiled at him: "Who is your master?"

Actually, if Ye Ping Rong wanted to go in and see his little sister, he only needed to say "I'm your master's brother-in-law." But in Brother Ye's heart, Ye Jiao and Qi Yun couldn't be husband and wife for long, so he naturally didn't want to get involved with the Qi family. Thus he replied calmly: "My... proprietress, surnamed Meng. My boss wasn't at ease, so he sent me to take a look."

When Dong heard this, she immediately knew this person was indeed from the Meng family medicine shop and gave Fang Li a meaningful look.

Fang Li understood and smiled as he led Ye Ping Rong inside.

Dong arranged things for Fang Li and then returned to the back hall.

But just as she sat down beside Ye Jiao, she saw two people enter.

Ye Jiao was holding her teacup and looked up, recognizing the leader as Madam Zhang, whom she had seen praying at the temple before. Following behind her was a woman in water green, with gauze covering her face, looking frail and delicate.

This Madam Zhang had previously competed with Mother Liu at the temple. Although Ye Jiao herself didn't know she had helped Mother Liu slap this woman's face, Little Ginseng could still see that she and her mother-in-law didn't get along.

So after Madam Zhang entered, Ye Jiao pretended not to see her, neither standing up nor speaking.

Dong also didn't get up to greet her. Seeing Ye Jiao look at her, she smiled and said: "I don't need to greet just anyone. They don't rank highly among these people, and their family business isn't large either. I'll just go greet them later."

Ye Jiao didn't pay attention to Madam Zhang's family business, but looked at the veiled woman and asked: "Why is she covering her face?"

Dong glanced over and used her handkerchief to cover her mouth: "That's her daughter-in-law, Madam Qian. She's always considered herself beautiful and even uses fine gauze to cover her face when going out, afraid people will look at her."

Ye Jiao blinked and couldn't help being curious: "How beautiful is she?"

Dong didn't look at Madam Qian but examined Ye Jiao and Meng: "Not as good as you and Hui Niang."

Ye Jiao was naturally pretty and bright, while Meng was also graceful and lovely. Dong's words weren't just flattery.

But this made Little Ginseng even more confused: "If that's the case, then why is she covering up?"

Dong thought for a moment: "Perhaps she's afraid of attracting others' attention?"

"I'm afraid her intention is quite the opposite," Meng's voice was soft. "As the saying goes, the greatest hiding is in plain sight. Usually, the more ordinary something is, the less attention it attracts. Others are all relaxed and natural, but she alone uses gauze to cover her face. It looks like she's hiding herself, but actually draws attention. I'm afraid she's worried people won't notice her peerless beauty."

Hearing this, Ye Jiao tilted her head slightly: "But Spring Orchid said she's not as good as you and me."

Meng covered her lips and smiled without saying more, turning to chat with Ye Jiao about flowers and plants.

On the other side, Madam Zhang was also secretly grinding her teeth.

Her daughter-in-law Madam Qian was pretentious, but their family circumstances were ordinary, so she couldn't reach high branches and had to settle for marrying Madam Zhang's son.

But after marriage, Madam Qian continued to cause trouble, either crying during the day or playing the qin at night, putting on all the airs of those peerless beauties in storybooks. She wore nothing but white or plain colors, looking disgusting.

The Zhang family was in business - not a large enterprise, but they could make a living. Originally they had married Madam Qian because she seemed more clever than other women and could read and write, thinking she could help with family business.

Who could have thought this Madam Qian would rather cry at dead branches in broad daylight than manage even a penny of the household, and always wore depressing colors. Merchant families were most taboo about such things.

If she were a lady from a great family or from a wealthy household, then she could do whatever she wanted, since her family would pamper her anyway and she could have whatever she wanted.

But fundamentally, the Zhang family was small-scale, and the money they earned was all from hard work. Where did she get such ethereal airs?

Madam Zhang was angry and questioned her, but Madam Qian was self-righteous, saying something about not wanting to be tainted by the stench of copper and spoil her pure nature.

This left Madam Zhang confused. Without this stench of copper, where would your fine clothes and good paper and brushes come from? Did they blow in on the wind? It seemed like she had married a bodhisattva to keep at home.

But Madam Zhang's son liked her, and usually she couldn't be touched or criticized. For his wife's sake, he often got angry with Madam Zhang his mother. Since Madam Zhang loved her son, she could only accept it.

However, Madam Qian wasn't really a high-minded talented woman. Everything she did was just to put on airs so she could avoid doing household work and be lazy.

Since she could eat ready-made food, Madam Qian didn't want to rack her brains helping the family.

But she was truly proud of her beauty, always feeling no one could compare to her. This time before coming to the Qi family medicine shop, Madam Qian had put on beautiful jewelry and pretty clothes, coming with the intention of outshining everyone.

If Madam Zhang had known what her daughter-in-law was thinking, she probably would have thrown her back home.

But after arriving, Madam Qian immediately noticed Ye Jiao and Meng.

In terms of appearance, they were more lovely; in terms of jewelry, theirs was more exquisite. She couldn't match them in anything.

The effect of removing her gauze to receive everyone's admiration was no longer possible. Madam Qian actually secretly wiped away tears, making Madam Zhang's temples throb with anger.

But everyone around was watching the excitement with interest. Madam Zhang had no choice but to pull Madam Qian out of the main hall to the corridor by the garden and scold her in a low voice: "You can cry and wail at home all you want, but don't come outside and embarrass me!"

Madam Qian felt wronged, but she couldn't say where exactly she felt wronged. Being scolded like this made her even more upset.

Madam Zhang was so angry she wanted to hit her, but her son loved her like this.

Now Madam Zhang's eldest son was in front talking with other merchants. If he knew she had disciplined his wife, he would probably make a scene with her again, letting others watch the spectacle. Madam Zhang could only hold back her anger and console her: "Stop crying. Mother knows you wanted to come out and show some spirit, but there's no need to torment yourself like this. If Da Lang saw this, he'd probably be heartbroken."

Madam Qian looked at Madam Zhang pitifully and said quietly: "Mother, I'm just frustrated."

Frustrated about what? Frustrated that others are prettier than you?

That's because they were born that way. What's the use of being angry? She'd never seen anyone get angry about such idle things. How stupid.

Though she thought this in her heart, Madam Zhang said: "Da Lang at least came with you. What does that Ye woman have? Second Young Master Qi called for a doctor again during New Year, probably dying soon. No matter how pretty she is, won't she still become a widow?" The more Madam Zhang spoke, the more she believed it, especially remembering how Mother Liu had made her angry at the temple before New Year. She became more convinced that Mother Liu was being stubborn.

Hearing this, Madam Qian was startled, then actually smiled: "Really?"

"Would I lie to you?" Madam Zhang also wanted to take this opportunity to discipline her daughter-in-law. "As long as you're good to Da Lang in the future, there will be plenty of good days. Da Lang is healthy and strong with no illness or disaster. How wonderful is that? Why do you need to compete for momentary anger?"

Madam Qian nodded repeatedly, breaking into smiles, as if others living badly made her comfortable.

After their emotions settled, the mother and daughter-in-law left as if nothing had happened, not knowing that Ye Ping Rong in the shadows had heard every word clearly.

Brother Ye narrowed his eyes, clenched his fists tightly, and bit his back teeth until they hurt.

In the main hall, the Zhang mother and daughter-in-law weren't particularly valued anyway, so their departure and return didn't attract much attention.

Since there was still some time before the auspicious hour, Dong had people serve new pastries.

This time it was hot red bean paste, with soft red beans that had been strained to remove the skins, leaving only smooth bean paste. Fine sugar was added, along with white glutinous rice balls and chopped candied fruit for decoration. It tasted smooth, sweet, and fragrant, very warming.

Many people thought to themselves that the Qi family had indeed made a lot of money. Even they themselves wouldn't often eat such sweet things, yet the Qi family brought them out to treat guests.

But Ye Jiao didn't think much of it and didn't find it particularly novel.

She had eaten several meat buns in the morning and wasn't hungry now, so she only ate one bowl to try something new before putting it down.

Meng also just touched her lips with it. Her eyes caught glimpses of figures flashing outside the main hall, and she couldn't help looking toward Ye Jiao.

Seeing Ye Jiao put down her bowl, she also set down her spoon and said with a smile: "Jiao Niang, if you have nothing else to do, would you accompany me for a walk outside? The sunlight is just right, and I'm very curious about what those Auspicious Flowers you mentioned look like."

Hearing this, Ye Jiao looked toward Dong: "Spring Orchid, will you come together?"

Dong smiled and said: "You go first. When I finish up here, I'll come find you."

Ye Jiao smiled and nodded, standing up to take Little Su with Meng to the back garden.

But Meng hadn't come for the Auspicious Flowers, only to do Ye Ping Rong a favor.

When she saw Ye Ping Rong, Meng stopped walking.

Ye Jiao was somewhat surprised to see him: "Big Brother, why are you here?"

Previously at the gambling stall, Ye Jiao hadn't seen Ye Ping Rong, so naturally she didn't know he was a guard for Chu Chengyun and Meng. And Ye Ping Rong had no intention of involving his little sister in this, so he hadn't made it clear. He only bowed slightly to Meng: "Madam, may I speak privately with my little sister?"

Meng nodded. This had been her intention anyway, so naturally she wasn't surprised. She went on her own to look at flowers.

Ye Jiao walked toward Ye Ping Rong. Before she could speak, she heard Ye Ping Rong say: "Jiao Niang, these years have been hard on you."

Ye Jiao was slightly startled and couldn't help looking up, only to see Ye Ping Rong with tears in his tiger eyes, looking at her with pity.

Little Ginseng rarely cried. Except for crying once before when she was anxious about Qi Yun, she didn't shed tears at other times. After all, her daily life was comfortable and pleasant, so there was nothing to cry about.

Now seeing Ye Ping Rong, an eight-foot-tall man, actually cry at the drop of a hat, it left Ye Jiao somewhat at a loss.

She quickly handed over her handkerchief: "I'm not suffering, really. My days are very good. Big Brother, don't cry. The weather is cold, be careful not to hurt your eyes."

The woman's voice was soft, full of concern, but it made Ye Ping Rong even more emotional.

All these years on the battlefield, constantly on the edge of life and death, forget about eyes - even life itself wasn't worth much and could be lost at any time.

Who would think to care about him?

Only his little sister would worry about him, but when he left, he hadn't arranged things well for her, letting that wolf-like second brother harm her, making her suffer greatly.

Brother Ye, who had already imagined Ye Jiao as a pitiful winter cabbage, felt even more stifled, but his tears stopped.

He wasn't naturally given to emotional displays anyway. Just now was just a moment of excitement, but fortunately his mind remained rational.

Reluctant to use Ye Jiao's handkerchief, Ye Ping Rong just wiped his eyes with his fingers, then seriously said to Ye Jiao: "Jiao Niang, you don't need to fear the Qi family. I'm now a seventh-rank commander, and though it's not as good as civil officials, I do receive court salary. As long as I decide to have you divorced, the Qi family definitely won't dare force you to stay."

...Divorced?

Ye Jiao was slightly startled and instinctively shook her head: "Big Brother, I don't want a divorce."

But Ye Ping Rong had already formed the preconception that Ye Jiao's days were difficult, especially after gathering information about Qi Yun, which made him imagine several possible miserable scenarios Ye Jiao might be experiencing.

Now hearing Ye Jiao's words, Ye Ping Rong thought 'little sister is just soft-hearted and doesn't want me to worry' and said persuasively: "Second Young Master Qi's poor health is something everyone knows. Second Brother Ye is a bastard, but Big Brother won't harm you. If you're willing, I'll definitely take care of you for life. If you want to establish your own household as a female head, I'll help you too."

Ye Jiao didn't understand what a female head was, but she understood that Ye Ping Rong had misunderstood.

This person truly cared about her, just his concern was a bit misguided.

Misunderstandings needed to be cleared up. Little Ginseng didn't like being vague and never dragged things out when she had something to say.

She looked up at Ye Ping Rong and answered him seriously: "Big Brother, everything I've said is true, I'm not deceiving you. Although my husband was in poor health before, he's much better now. My mother-in-law treats me well, and his family has brotherly harmony. I truly haven't suffered any grievances."

Hearing this, Ye Ping Rong didn't speak, just looked at her.

Ye Jiao wasn't afraid he wouldn't believe her. After all, she was firm on only one point: "I won't divorce. I want to spend my whole life with my husband."

Little Ginseng's voice was usually soft and sweet, but this sentence was spoken with conviction, exceptionally clear, and it shook Ye Ping Rong's originally firm beliefs.

Just then, Little Su, who had been afraid to interrupt them, saw Tie Zi waving at her from far away.

She hurried forward and said to Ye Jiao: "Second Young Mistress, Second Young Master has arrived."

Hearing this, Ye Jiao seemed to have found someone to back her up. She immediately smiled and said to Ye Ping Rong: "Big Brother, let my husband talk to you. He always speaks very reasonably. Having him explain will definitely be clearer than my explanation."

Actually, hearing that Qi Yun had come already shocked Ye Ping Rong greatly. After all, according to outside rumors, Second Young Master Qi was already terminally ill, confined to bed daily, seemingly on the verge of death at any moment.

Yet here he was, quietly leaving the house?

Seeing Ye Jiao pull Little Su along as she ran toward the entrance, Ye Ping Rong hurried to follow them with long strides.

For others, Qi Yun's carriage arrival also brought considerable surprise.

What Ye Ping Rong could hear, they could also know. Moreover, Qi Yun had always hidden away in the Qi family home, not seeing outsiders. Even though the shop managers praised him to the skies, others didn't believe it.

And in the rumors about Qi Yun, besides saying he was dying, they also said he was hideous-looking, fierce and evil in appearance, able to stop children from crying at night.

This made quite a few people want to go out and see for themselves, to find out what this Second Young Master Qi actually looked like.

Even the women who had originally been chatting in the main hall exchanged glances and tacitly decided to go to the outside corridor, craning their necks to look.

Just as Ye Jiao ran to the entrance, Qi Yun's carriage stopped perfectly.

Tie Zi hurried forward to set down a low stool, lifted the curtain, and reached out to help Qi Yun. But Qi Yun said calmly from inside: "No need."

The man's voice was naturally pleasant, and now without the hoarse tearing of illness, it sounded like a stone dropping into a clear spring, clean and crisp.

When Qi Yun emerged from the carriage, the surroundings suddenly fell silent for a moment. Ye Ping Rong also suddenly stopped in his tracks, staring dumbly at his nominal brother-in-law.

Qi Yun stood there, with clear and handsome features, calm expression, as elegant as a jade tree standing before the wind.