Lady of Fortune, Jiao Niang

Chapter 54

Qi Yun was wiping his hands. Hearing this, his movement paused. He had Qi Ming sit down, his voice calm: "Which Cai family? Explain clearly."

Ye Jiao had Little Su add a bowl and chopsticks for Qi Ming. Qi Ming wasn't polite either, first picking up a sesame ball and eating it in two or three bites, then gulping down half a bowl of porridge. After feeling somewhat full, he said: "It's the Cai family in town that also runs a wine shop. The one who pushed me down the mountain was Cai Twelve from their family. He and I are classmates. When I came home with my arm in a sling, he was the first to report to our teacher."

Hearing this, Qi Yun felt there couldn't be too many coincidences in this world. Real coincidences were mostly man-made.

Although he and the Cai family hadn't directly confronted each other, just based on their previous troublemaking being exposed by the Qi family, and the Qi family wine shop squeezing out much of the Cai family's business, this grudge was already formed.

Although the business world had always been about ability, there was no shortage of people in this world who wanted to use underhanded methods to squeeze out others.

Whether Cai Twelve was motivated by jealousy of Qi Ming or revenge for family matters, the reason wasn't important.

What Qi Yun knew was that now two matters had become one, which was convenient.

Although Qi Ming didn't get involved in family affairs, he more or less knew that Qi Yun and the Cai family weren't on the same side.

This was easy to understand. They were all in the same town, you sell wine and I sell wine too. There were only so many customers. If more bought from you, naturally fewer would buy from me, leading to friction between the two shops.

Only between peers could there be the deepest hatred.

So Qi Ming had come early to tell Qi Yun, both to inform him and to ask Qi Yun for advice.

Ye Jiao hadn't spoken, just using her chopstick tip to pick at the egg. Hearing this, she couldn't help looking at Qi Yun with some surprise in her eyes.

Qi Yun was always honest with her. Seeing Ye Jiao like this, he dispelled his coldness, relaxed his brow, and said gently: "What does Jiao Niang want to say?"

Thinking Ye Jiao was also surprised that it was the same family, who knew Little Ginseng's focus was on: "Twelve? Does their family really have twelve children? That's so many."

Qi Ming: ...

Qi Yun: ...

But Second Young Master Qi reacted quickly, probably already accustomed to Ye Jiao's unique focus. He quickly smiled and said: "Ordinary families have clans, so ranking up to twelve in the grand hierarchy isn't unusual."

Qi Ming added: "But this Cai family has no clan ranking. They just married three concubines, so they have more children. But what's the use of having many children? Only two or three survived. The back residence is in chaos, and with family discord, how can there be any prospects?"

But soon Qi Ming saw Qi Yun's look and immediately knew better than to continue.

Qi Yun also knew Qi Ming was telling the truth, but sometimes the truth wasn't so pleasant to hear.

Currently, taking concubines wasn't easy. Apart from the imperial family, if wealthy families took concubines, the number couldn't exceed nine. For ordinary people, wanting to take concubines required buying them with money, ranging from 30 taels at minimum to several hundred taels at most. Average people simply couldn't afford this expense.

The Cai family had bought concubines and had many children, but the back residence struggles never stopped.

According to current law, concubines had no status and were often bought and sold. To fight for survival, they fought like wildcats.

With discord in the back residence and the man being muddled, out of over ten children, only three could survive.

Qi Yun disdained talking about those back residence conflicts, and likewise didn't want Ye Jiao to know about them.

Not out of pity for the Cai family, but because he was afraid speaking too clearly about these matters would frighten his Jiao Niang.

The Qi family was harmonious, and Ye Jiao was a good girl who knew contentment. Their beautiful life together was natural. Why listen to those messy back residence affairs and disturb her mood?

But Qi Yun still added: "Ordinary families don't casually marry concubines or take additional wives. Our family is just an ordinary family."

Qi Ming also knew he might have said something wrong, so he immediately followed up: "Right, and our Qi family going back three generations has never had anyone marry a second wife. Life has always been peaceful. Sister-in-law, don't overthink it."

Ye Jiao looked at these two brothers. Actually, she wasn't overthinking. She wasn't someone who liked to make herself uncomfortable. They were talking about other people's affairs, which had nothing to do with her. There was no need to apply other people's situations to herself.

But since they spoke clearly, Ye Jiao smiled and tore off a piece of sesame ball to put by Qi Yun's mouth, saying: "Ordinary families are quite good."

Qi Yun also curved his lips, opened his mouth to eat it, then picked up some bamboo shoots for his wife, his tone gentle: "Right, having Jiao Niang alone in this life is enough for me."

Qi Ming, who had inadvertently witnessed a scene of his Second Brother and sister-in-law's affection, pursed his lips, thinking that Mother had said when he could pass the imperial examination, she would arrange for him to meet a potential wife.

This was also Mother Liu's thoughtful consideration. Only after Qi Ming obtained the title of recommended scholar would it be appropriate to arrange meetings with suitable matches. Moreover, if he could pass the examination, he could become an official in the future. An official's wife was naturally different from ordinary people, so they needed to find someone understanding. That's why they hadn't arranged an early betrothal for Qi Ming.

Previously, Qi Ming had never cared about such matters, focusing only on studying the classics.

But now, seeing the loving couple before him, Qi Ming suddenly also wanted someone who could feed him sesame balls.

Third Young Master Qi resolved in his heart that he must study hard, do well in the imperial examinations, obtain a title, and marry a wife. That would be life's greatest joy!

Since he was determined to show the Cai family what was what, and his Second Brother supported him, Qi Ming postponed his return to school and stayed at the Qi family to discuss strategies with his Second Brother.

Ye Jiao didn't participate much. She preferred to spend more time caring for her medicinal flowers.

Especially the Stone Sprout Grass, which already showed signs of bearing fruit. Ye Jiao didn't dare slack off at all, taking it out to sun at regular times every day.

Qi Yun, seeing this often, would tease her, saying he'd seen people stroll with caged birds and walk dogs on leashes, but his wife was unique, walking around hugging pots of flowers.

Mother Liu also took advantage of the relaxed time after New Year to teach Ye Jiao some games, mostly ones played together in the back residence when bored. Today she brought Ye Jiao and Fang to play pitch-pot together.

This pitch-pot game used simple equipment: a narrow-necked, double-eared copper pot, several long thin wooden arrows with pointed heads and blunt tails. They filled the pot with red beans so the arrows would rattle when thrown in, then competed to see who could get the most arrows in.

Mother Liu had enjoyed these games when she was an unmarried young lady, but later had fewer opportunities due to household duties.

Now playing again, her aim was as good as ever.

Ye Jiao and Fang were still somewhat clumsy, but since it was just for entertainment and they didn't need to determine a winner, the talking and laughing was quite enjoyable.

After throwing several times, Mother Liu sat back down and wiped her forehead with a handkerchief, saying: "Being older just doesn't work. Before, I could throw twenty-some arrows without feeling tired, but now just three to five make me somewhat breathless."

Hearing this, Fang immediately stopped what she was doing, went over to pour tea for Mother Liu, her round face smiling: "Mother threw just a few wooden arrows and could get them through the pot's ears. Sister Jiao and I together threw over thirty arrows, and except for two that got in by accident, all the others went outside."

Mother Liu knew Fang was trying to make her happy. Just having this intention from her daughter-in-law was good enough, and Mother Liu's face also showed a smile.

Ye Jiao wasn't like Fang, who could say pleasant things, but Little Ginseng was sincere. She first put down the wooden arrows, went to wash her hands, then sat back at the table and placed the food box she had brought on the table.

While taking plates out of it, she said: "Usually I come to Mother's place to eat snacks. Today Second Young Master came home early and brought me osmanthus cakes from Feng He Zhai, still warm."

Mother Liu looked at Ye Jiao with a smile, not only because Ye Jiao thought of her, but also because Qi Yun bringing things home for Ye Jiao showed their harmonious marriage.

As a mother-in-law, Mother Liu wasn't like some older women who took pleasure in tormenting daughters-in-law. Quite the opposite, Mother Liu always treated her daughters-in-law well.

In her view, those who would accompany her sons for life were their wives and children. Treating Fang and Ye Jiao well was actually treating her own sons well.

What Mother Liu most liked to see was family harmony. Now seeing Qi Yun and Ye Jiao's marital harmony was enough to make Mother Liu happy.

Only after seeing Mother Liu take an osmanthus cake did Fang and Ye Jiao reach for them.

Ye Jiao held it gently, afraid of crushing the osmanthus cake. When she put it in her mouth, the sweet taste made Little Ginseng's eyes narrow.

Mother Liu then asked: "After New Year, it hasn't really warmed up outside yet. I know Second Young Master is busy with shop affairs, but Jiao Niang, you should still remind him to be more careful. His health is important."

Ye Jiao responded, her smile obedient: "It happens that my husband has been coming home earlier these days. I'll pass Mother's words to him."

Hearing this, Fang also said: "Eldest Brother hasn't had much to do at the estate lately and comes home early too. Why don't we find a time for the whole family to gather?"

Hearing this, Mother Liu nodded with a smile on her face.

Ye Jiao made note of this, planning to tell her husband when she returned.

The Qi Yun that Ye Jiao was thinking about was currently in Qi Ming's courtyard, and coincidentally Qi Zhao was also walking toward them.

Eldest Young Master Qi had come home early by chance today. Thinking there was still time, he wanted to call Third Brother out for some exercise. Although Qi Ming studied well, his body also needed to be healthy and strong. Always staying cooped up indoors wasn't good.

But just as he entered Qi Ming's courtyard, Qi Zhao heard Qi Yun's voice: "I've arranged things almost completely. When you return to the academy, you should know what to say and do. Don't be afraid of trouble."

"Second Brother, I have my own plans for academy affairs, but this Cai family, what do you prepare to..."

"In the future, there won't be a Cai family in town."

Hearing this, Qi Zhao strode in: "Second Brother, Third Brother, what are you two talking about?"

Neither Qi Yun nor Qi Ming expected Qi Zhao to come. The three brothers greeted each other, then Qi Zhao had them tell the truth.

In this family, although the three brothers each managed their own affairs, Qi Zhao as the eldest brother habitually looked after his two younger brothers with extra care. When he asked about things, Qi Zhao and Qi Ming wouldn't deliberately hide anything.

They hadn't mentioned it initially because they knew Qi Zhao's temperament was most upright, honest and kind, and he didn't like to provoke trouble. They had been hiding this from him, afraid he wouldn't allow it.

But now that he asked directly, Qi Ming looked pleadingly at Qi Yun, and Second Young Master Qi simply laid out everything.

After listening, Qi Zhao frowned tightly: "Third Brother really fell down the mountain slope? Why didn't you explain this clearly earlier?"

Qi Ming quickly said: "We were afraid Big Brother and Father and Mother would worry about me if we said it early, and I also didn't want Big Brother to..."

"Cough cough." Qi Yun coughed lightly, his cool eyes silently glancing at him.

Qi Ming immediately obediently lowered his head, putting away all explanations, looking particularly meek: "Big Brother, I know I was wrong."

Qi Zhao waved his hand: "Put aside the matter of admitting fault. Third Brother, you're alright now, aren't you?"

Qi Ming showed him his perfectly intact arm: "I'm fine now, Big Brother, don't worry."

Then Qi Zhao stopped looking at him and turned to Qi Yun: "How do you plan to deal with the Cai family?"

Since everything was already said, Qi Yun answered directly: "Finish them off in one stroke."

At these words, Qi Ming thought it was bad!

His big brother had a straightforward temperament. If he knew about these things, they probably couldn't proceed.

Who would have thought that Qi Zhao actually nodded directly: "Good. Second Brother, Third Brother, if there's anything you need Big Brother's help with, just speak up."

Hearing this, Qi Yun was stunned, and Qi Ming looked at Qi Zhao even more surprisingly: "Big Brother, you... you won't scold us?"

"Scold you for what?" Qi Zhao reached out to rub Qi Ming's head, his face somewhat serious. "In ordinary matters, being kind to others is the best outcome, but family is the bottom line. Now that they've bullied you, if I can't even protect my own family, how can I face anyone?"