Lady of Fortune, Jiao Niang

Chapter 51

In Ye Ping Rong's mind, he had imagined many times what kind of person Qi Yun actually was.

Some said he was terminally ill, some said he was hideous-looking, and others said he was born deformed and naturally disabled. In short, he didn't seem like a normal person.

But Ye Ping Rong also knew in his heart that once words started spreading, they naturally lost their original form.

However, it was true that this person was naturally weak, and it was also true that he constantly drank medicine. Ye Ping Rong had assumed he should be a thin, withered consumptive ghost.

He didn't want his sister to live with someone hanging on the edge of death. Coming to find Ye Jiao quietly this time, he had never planned to let Ye Jiao return. Ye Ping Rong had originally intended to go to the Qi family himself to negotiate, forcing them to sign divorce papers. Princess Consort Meng had also agreed to let his little sister stay by her side.

But now, the moment Qi Yun appeared, all previous fantasies were completely shattered!

It must be said that although Qi Yun was born with illness, it didn't delay his growth. His height alone looked tall and straight. When Ye Jiao first saw him, if Qi Yun hadn't collapsed on the ground during the wedding ceremony and couldn't get up, Little Ginseng probably wouldn't have been able to tell that this tall, slender man was terminally ill.

Now Qi Yun had been well cared for by Little Ginseng. His dark circles had been slept away, and although his face was paler than ordinary people, it no longer showed any sinister color.

He was born handsome, and good-looking people always gave different impressions.

Previously when his complexion was poor, his silence and few words seemed gloomy and ruthless. But now that his complexion had improved and his handsome features could be seen, such a quiet person became calm and steady.

Even the faint coldness between his brows became like jade-like nobility.

However, after many people marveled at Second Young Master Qi's beauty rivaling Pan An, they muttered in their hearts:

Who said Second Young Master Qi was dying? Where did he look like someone about to die!

They also said he could stop children from crying at night. Come on, with this appearance, who could he frighten?

It was said that previously the Qi family had approached many families about Second Young Master Qi's marriage, but they all refused, and finally it benefited a farm girl. Now looking at him, they really didn't know what the Qi family was thinking. Why didn't they let this Second Young Master Qi out for people to see earlier? If they had known earlier, the people wanting to marry their daughters to him could probably line up to the alley entrance!

Especially when Qi Yun got out of the carriage, the brocade white robe showing from under his fur coat inevitably made people wonder how graceful and handsome this person would be if he took off the heavy fur coat.

But Qi Yun paid no attention to others. After getting off the carriage, he only focused on searching for his Jiao Niang with his eyes.

Qi Yun didn't care how others viewed him. After all, if rumors really could destroy someone, he would have been talked to death long ago, rather than dragging on until now.

But Qi Yun valued his wife.

Even though Second Young Master Qi didn't know how his Little Ginseng had cured him, Qi Yun knew that only after marrying Jiao Niang did he gradually improve.

Whether it was because Jiao Niang brought good fortune, or for some other reason, in any case, Qi Yun had set his heart on Ye Jiao, and there was no one else in his eyes.

Just now having Tie Zi get off the carriage first to find Ye Jiao was because Qi Yun was somewhat worried about her.

Actually, this wasn't Ye Jiao's first time out. Whether it was previously going to find Dong Shi or later going to see the flower lanterns, Ye Jiao always just took Little Su and left, completely without need for worry.

Although Qi Yun gave careful instructions each time, with the carriage driver watching on the road and Dong Shi taking care of her at the destination, Qi Yun wouldn't interfere much. After all, he wasn't the type to constantly watch his wife and deprive her of freedom.

But this time was Qi Yun's second time leaving the Qi family. Last time Ye Jiao had accompanied him, and the road felt so short. But now by himself, the same road to town felt so long.

Moreover, Qi Yun became increasingly worried, afraid Ye Jiao wouldn't eat well, dress warmly, or get along well with others.

So before even reaching the destination, he had Tie Zi hurry down to check. Even after Tie Zi returned saying Ye Jiao was fine, Qi Yun still wanted to see his wife first thing.

At the medicine shop entrance, Ye Jiao had already pushed through the crowd.

Ye Ping Rong was staring at Qi Yun, and in a daze remembered he had seen this fur coat before, but couldn't recall where for the moment. Lost in thought, he didn't notice his sister had already run toward Qi Yun.

Ye Jiao wore a red cloak with a circle of white fur around the collar that bounced as she ran, looking very endearing.

Qi Yun instinctively opened his arms and caught Ye Jiao as she threw herself at him, his body swaying slightly.

Fortunately, Little Ginseng remembered her husband's weak constitution and quickly helped him steady himself, then looked up at him and said: "Husband, why aren't you wearing a hat?"

Last time when she and Qi Yun went out, she had prepared everything for Qi Yun, wrapping him up tightly and completely. But now Qi Yun wasn't wearing that rabbit fur hat.

But Tie Zi's eye twitched when he heard this.

That hat was of excellent quality, just a bit too airtight. When worn, except for the eyes and mouth, nothing else could be seen clearly.

Tie Zi had always admired his Young Master. Whether Qi Yun was healthy or not, previously Tie Zi admired his ability to persevere and seek survival despite illness, though with some fear. Now he admired his ability to manage shops so successfully, with some respect.

But regardless, Tie Zi felt that a big fur ball was really quite strange.

This time they came to support the medicine shop's Fang Li. If Qi Yun was wrapped up like the fluffy ball from the lantern viewing day, it might backfire.

Hearing this, Qi Yun couldn't help reaching out to touch his Jiao Niang's head and said gently: "It's fine. The weather has warmed considerably, there's no wind today, and I wanted to be a bit more comfortable."

If it were someone else, Ye Jiao would listen to these reasons, but when it came to Qi Yun, she inevitably became more nervous.

Holding Qi Yun's hand in her palm to warm it, Ye Jiao said softly: "Then let's go inside early. Don't delay outside. Spring Orchid has prepared red bean paste that's very warming. I know you don't like sweet things, but this time you must eat some to warm your body."

Hearing this, Qi Yun's lips curved slightly, like ice and snow melting: "Alright, I'll listen to Jiao Niang."

Ye Jiao also didn't linger by his side. It was usually like this at home, whenever Qi Yun had shop business to handle, Ye Jiao wouldn't disturb him.

Qi Yun carefully instructed Little Su to take care of Ye Jiao, then released her hand to let Ye Jiao leave. He went to find Manager Fang Li and also to meet the merchants who had come to congratulate the medicine shop's opening.

When Ye Jiao returned, she didn't see Ye Ping Rong and was somewhat puzzled, but she soon encountered Meng and returned to the main hall with her.

Now the room was no longer as calm as before, but lively and bustling.

Just now when Ye Jiao and Qi Yun were talking, they had all seen it.

Qi Yun was born graceful and handsome, different from the rumors, but this wouldn't make them pay much attention.

No matter how good-looking, he was still someone else's husband and had nothing to do with them. At most it was additional gossip material, verifying that rumors couldn't be entirely trusted.

But seeing that he truly cherished Ye Jiao, and thinking that the daily eyebrow-drawing talk was true, this made these back-residence women take notice.

One by one, they all wanted to ask Ye Jiao about husband-controlling techniques, wishing they could learn immediately and go back to properly manage their husbands who constantly thought about taking concubines.

Dong Shi could see their intentions and hurried to sit on Ye Jiao's left and right with Meng before they could speak, talking about seemingly discussing flowers and plants but actually blocking others' mouths to prevent them from bothering Ye Jiao.

Fortunately, most of the women here were tactful. Although curious, they wouldn't pester with questions. Before long, the room returned to its previous atmosphere.

But among them, Madam Qian's eyes kept staring straight outside, motionless, making everyone else feel tired for her neck.

Madam Zhang was actually somewhat annoyed too. After all, she had used Qi Yun's poor health to attack Mother Liu for many years, but now seeing Second Young Master Qi in person as such an excellent gentleman, Madam Zhang's frustration was natural.

She had thought that although she was inferior to Mother Liu in everything, at least she could win in terms of her children's health.

Who would have thought that now even this couldn't compare? Madam Zhang was naturally stifled.

But no matter how stifled she was, she didn't lose composure. Instead, it was her daughter-in-law Madam Qian who seemed bewitched, staring outside. Madam Zhang pulled her several times but couldn't call her soul back.

Finally, Madam Zhang had no choice but to pinch Madam Qian hard before managing to bring her back to her senses.

Madam Qian felt pain from the pinch, with tears spinning in her eyes, but ultimately her tears weren't because of this pinch.

When she was an unmarried maiden, she knew that Second Young Master Qi was getting married. At that time, everyone said Second Young Master Qi was fierce and evil-looking, not human-like. Madam Qian naturally looked down on him. Moreover, others said the Qi family was looking for someone for a fortune-bringing marriage. How could the proud Madam Qian be willing to become such a bride?

Actually, many people had the same thoughts as Madam Qian. Now others just marveled at Second Young Master Qi's good luck in pulling through and having such good circumstances, perhaps also praising Ye Jiao for taking good care of him, being a virtuous wife.

If there was real regret, probably no one regretted it.

After all, at that time Qi Yun was truly dying, and who would rush to marry someone half-buried in yellow earth?

Now that he was much better was because Qi Yun was blessed and Ye Jiao was fortunate. If it were someone else, they would probably have become widows long ago.

But Madam Qian was different. She was naturally pretentious but thought about things in a petty way. What others found reasonable, she felt she had been wronged.

All she could think about was: if she had agreed to the Qi family's marriage proposal back then, wouldn't that jade-like man now be her husband?

The more she thought, the more wronged she felt, tears streaming down and wetting the gauze on her face.

Madam Zhang didn't know her daughter-in-law had become infatuated, but she also felt she was crying inappropriately. With people around watching and laughing, Madam Zhang had no choice but to drag Madam Qian away, knowing there would inevitably be a scene when they returned home.

But their seats were far from Ye Jiao, so Little Ginseng didn't even look, just enthusiastically said to Dong Shi: "You want to open a garden for growing medicinal flowers in the back? That's excellent. I'd like to come see it then. You should definitely plant some good varieties."

Dong Shi naturally agreed: "Even if you didn't mention it, I would invite you over. Jiao Niang, whatever you plant lives, it's truly amazing."

Meng smiled and said: "Jiao Niang was also accurate with every draw at the gambling stall before. One can tell she has good fortune."

At this moment, they heard commotion outside.

Dong Shi stood up and said: "It's almost the auspicious time. The firecrackers and dragon and lion dances outside should be ready. Let's all go watch."

The women in the back hall also stood up and went to the windows to watch the excitement and share in the good fortune.

In the front, Qi Yun was also getting along very well among the various merchants. Just based on his wine shop alone, quite a few people came to chat and make connections.

But when the firecrackers were lit, Qi Yun didn't join the excitement outside.

Although his constitution was no longer as fragile as before, he was still quite weak. The smoky smell of firecrackers would make him uncomfortable after smelling it, so he avoided it early and went to the back courtyard.

As soon as he reached the back courtyard, he saw a tall, large man standing there.

Qi Yun stopped and met the man's complex gaze. Second Young Master Qi smiled faintly, his voice calm: "Jiao Niang is in the back hall. Are you here to find her?"

Hearing this, Ye Ping Rong couldn't help raising his eyebrows: "You recognize me?"

"I was outside the tea shop before." Qi Yun didn't hide it from him and spoke directly, meaning he had seen the siblings' reunion.

Only then did Ye Ping Rong remember that he had also seen Qi Yun, but at that time Qi Yun was wrapped up tightly with his face invisible, almost merging with the night. No wonder he hadn't recognized him just now.

But this time Ye Ping Rong hadn't come to find Ye Jiao, but specifically to find him: "I just found Jiao Niang and wanted her to divorce you."

Qi Yun's expression didn't change, only a flash of coldness passed through his eyes.

Ye Ping Rong then continued: "But she said she wants to spend her whole life with you."