Lady of Fortune, Jiao Niang

Chapter 58

Seeing them arrive, Dong Shi immediately retreated to the back hall.

This was the master's private affair. Dong Shi hadn't dared leave earlier because she was afraid Second Brother Ye might harm Ye Jiao. Even though Little Su was there to protect her, Dong Shi ultimately couldn't feel at ease, which is why she had stayed.

Now that Qi Yun had come and Ye Jiao had support, it was better for her to avoid hearing about family matters.

Even though she now had a good relationship with Jiao Niang, Dong Shi knew she was ultimately an outsider. She was eager to avoid suspicion and almost ran away.

Ye Jiao didn't notice that Dong Shi had slipped away. She also hadn't expected these two to arrive so quickly, and Little Ginseng's first reaction was to sit up slightly and look at Qi Yun expectantly.

Qi Yun had originally come with anger, especially after hearing Second Brother Ye's words before entering, which made him even more furious. But when he saw Ye Jiao's clear, bright eyes watching him, Qi Yun immediately stepped forward and gently grasped Ye Jiao's fingertips.

The woman turned her wrist, and their fingers interlocked. Her face also showed a smile.

Ye Ping Rong watched them, thinking that he should be happy to see his sister and brother-in-law's harmonious relationship. But clearly he had entered first, yet Jiao Niang could only see Qi Yun...

The burly man felt somewhat helpless for a moment.

But Ye Jiao soon stood up and curtsied lightly to Ye Ping Rong, her voice gentle: "Big Brother."

Ye Ping Rong nodded at her without much pleasantries, then quickly turned his gaze to Second Brother Ye.

Second Brother Ye had originally come to town to wander around precisely to find Ye Ping Rong, hoping to have him take back the documents and tell him he didn't want to divide the family, didn't want to separate, and wanted to continue living well together in the future.

He could say these things to Ye Jiao because he believed in his heart that Ye Jiao was soft-hearted and kind, and would help him for the sake of blood kinship.

But now when Second Brother Ye faced Ye Ping Rong's expression, all his words got stuck in his throat.

Ye Ping Rong was no longer the same as before. His face was resolute, his body strong and powerful. Although he wore coarse cloth clothing to hide his identity, the aura of killing and determination from his battlefield experience couldn't be erased.

Previously, regarding Second Brother Ye, he might have just wanted to sever their relationship and be done with it. He was a decisive person: regardless of how much he had cared before, if he no longer wanted it now, then he no longer wanted it. Since they would be strangers in the future, he felt neither attachment nor hatred.

But from the moment Liu Rong's messenger told him that Second Brother Ye had actually approached Ye Jiao, Ye Ping Rong felt only disgust.

Taking three steps as two, Ye Ping Rong approached and pulled Second Brother Ye away from Ye Jiao, saying grimly: "Have you signed that document?"

Second Brother Ye hurriedly said: "I haven't signed it. I don't want to sign it. Big Brother, you and I are brothers, blood brothers. How can we just sever our relationship like that?"

Ye Ping Rong's response was extremely decisive: "When I left, I instructed you to take care of little sister, but you broke your word." Seeing Second Brother Ye about to speak, Ye Ping Rong waved his hand: "This matter is also my fault. I entrusted little sister to you, but I failed to see your wolf's heart. I can't be your big brother anymore, and you don't need to be my Second Brother. Severing our relationship is good for everyone."

Qi Yun whispered in Ye Jiao's ear: "I'm fond of you, and you're fond of me. Just listen to their words."

Ye Jiao blushed and punched him lightly.

Second Brother Ye clenched his fists, his face turning bright red.

He wasn't good with words. Many thoughts in his heart couldn't be expressed, and now he struggled for a long time before squeezing out one sentence: "Big Brother, these were all things my wife did. I myself was unwilling..."

"If you were unwilling, could Jiao Niang have gotten into that wedding sedan?" Ye Ping Rong's eyes held mockery. "It looks like she did the evil deeds, but if you had stopped her even once, little sister couldn't have married!"

One sentence stripped away Second Brother Ye's last layer of skin, exposing his petty thoughts completely.

Second Sister-in-law Ye wouldn't let Ye Jiao eat her fill: he knew, but he didn't intervene, because he ultimately felt sorry for his son. His sister would eventually be an outsider, but his son was the apple of his eye. If there was food to eat, of course it should go to his son first.

Second Sister-in-law Ye sold Ye Jiao to the Qi family: he knew, but he only sighed without stopping her, because his debts could no longer be delayed. Without this money to save their lives, if creditors came to the door, the whole family would be finished.

He had always told himself it wasn't his fault, that it was all his wife's ignorant deeds.

Second Brother Ye even thought that if one day big brother could return and little sister could meet him, he could use these words as an excuse.

But what Second Brother Ye hadn't expected was that when Ye Ping Rong returned, his big brother saw through everything more clearly than anyone. His petty schemes couldn't fool him at all.

A wolf's heart wearing sheep's clothing would eventually be exposed.

Second Brother Ye felt embarrassed and afraid, his body trembling, but he still mumbled: "Big Brother, I don't want to divide the family. I don't want to sever our relationship. I won't sign the documents, I won't sign..."

Ye Ping Rong was too lazy to argue with him, but he also wouldn't cause a scene in the medicine shop.

This was, after all, the Qi family's business. His little sister had married into their family and was living well. He couldn't randomly cause trouble for her in-laws.

From the beginning, Ye Ping Rong hadn't planned to tell Ye Jiao about this matter, and now he similarly didn't want to say much in front of Ye Jiao.

Their marital relationship was harmonious. Perhaps the starting point hadn't been good, but now they were a talented man and beautiful woman. The past didn't need to be brought up and criticized.

But Ye Ping Rong not wanting to discuss details in front of the Ye Jiao couple was only to avoid making them uncomfortable, not because he would let Second Brother Ye off.

Reaching out, Ye Ping Rong grabbed Second Brother Ye by the collar and said through gritted teeth: "If there's business, we'll discuss it at your house. Don't disturb people's business here." After saying this, Ye Ping Rong easily lifted Second Brother Ye, but his eyes looked at Qi Yun: "Brother-in-law, I have matters to handle. Take good care of Jiao Niang and don't let her be frightened again."

Qi Yun nodded. Even without his reminder, he would take good care of his wife.

Just then, medicine shop manager Fang Li hurried in.

Fang Li had originally planned to go to the medicine garden to check on things, but halfway there he heard a shop assistant rush over to report that many people had come to the medicine shop, including his wife Dong Shi. He was afraid his wife might say something wrong or suffer some loss, so he turned his horse around and hurried back.

As soon as he entered, he saw Ye Ping Rong dragging Second Brother Ye toward the exit.

Fang Li had met Ye Ping Rong when the medicine shop reopened last time, so he said: "Isn't this gentleman the guard from the Meng family medicine shop? Are you here because Manager Meng has some business?"

Last time Ye Ping Rong had only said he was a guard for the Meng family because he had been thinking of having his little sister divorce Qi Yun, so naturally he had no relationship with the Qi family. There was no need to reveal his connection as Second Young Mistress's big brother.

But now that his little sister and Qi Yun were in love with each other, he no longer hid things. However, his real name still couldn't be told to outsiders: "Manager Fang, I'm called Ye Da. Today I came to see my little sister and incidentally take away this scoundrel who disturbed my sister. If I've caused any trouble for Manager Fang, please forgive me."

Fang Li followed his gaze and saw Ye Jiao. His heart jumped, realizing this was Second Young Mistress's natal family member. He immediately became much more respectful: "So it's Hero Ye. My apologies, my apologies." Then Fang Li quickly went over to greet Qi Yun and Ye Jiao.

Ye Ping Rong didn't exchange more pleasantries with Fang Li. Dragging Second Brother Ye by the collar, he left.

From beginning to end, Ye Jiao hadn't said a word. She gripped Qi Yun's hand tightly, and only after the two left did she say softly: "Husband, he didn't frighten me."

Qi Yun's voice was calm, revealing no emotion: "But Second Brother Ye coming to find you is unacceptable. He's letting you handle their affairs, clearly wanting to make you suffer either way. That coward who bullies the weak and fears the strong."

His voice paused, and Qi Yun pulled Ye Jiao into his arms slightly, but his eyes looked at Little Su.

Little Su immediately paled, but this time she didn't look for someone to protect her. Instead, she said directly: "Second Young Master, I was wrong. I accept punishment."

Qi Yun raised an eyebrow slightly, seeming somewhat surprised, and said coolly: "Where did you go wrong?"

Little Su twisted her fingers together, thought for a while, then said: "When I saw that person come, I didn't tell Second Young Master, and I couldn't help Second Young Mistress either."

Hearing this, Qi Yun's expression softened somewhat, and he nodded slowly.

Little Su was a half-grown girl, young, and it was natural for her to be at a loss when encountering situations. If it were before, Qi Yun might have kept her and slowly found someone to teach her, but now that business was growing and Ye Jiao often went out, the people around her couldn't be too inexperienced.

Since he had already planned to discipline Little Su this time, Qi Yun naturally wouldn't let it go lightly like before: "When we get home, go find Nanny Liu and receive ten hand strikes, and have Nanny Liu explain some principles to you."

Little Su's face was still pale, but she didn't plead for mercy. Instead, she lowered her head and agreed.

Tie Zi, who had been nervous nearby, breathed a sigh of relief.

Logically, children like them from tenant farmer families who came to work for the master were just hired help, not sold into service. The master wouldn't casually beat or scold them, but they often couldn't get important positions either. Most would be sent away when they got older: men would farm, women would marry. After all, they were children from ordinary families with no other prospects.

Previously, when Little Su had some unruly behavior, the master didn't intervene, not because he truly tolerated her, but because he never planned to keep her as a permanent servant, so naturally he didn't think about teaching her.

Now that Qi Yun was willing to have Nanny Liu discipline Little Su, he truly wanted to keep her as a servant.

Being able to have the Qi family as backing in the future meant Little Su's life wouldn't be difficult. Suffering some hardship now was actually a good thing.

Although Ye Jiao couldn't figure out these complications, whatever Qi Yun said would naturally have his reasons. Ye Jiao wouldn't object, but she touched Little Su's head to comfort her, then looked up at Qi Yun: "Do you think big brother can succeed in dividing from him?"

"If your big brother can't succeed, I also have ways to make them divide. You don't need to worry about these things. I'll handle them properly for you." Qi Yun's face showed a faint smile as he spoke. "Jiao Niang's flower ornament today is beautifully applied. Is it a new style?"

Ye Jiao nodded obediently, her face smiling: "Spring Orchid has many beautiful ones there. I was looking at them halfway through when the incident happened. Now that it's resolved, I'll go look some more."

"Then I'll wait for you."

"Alright."

They spoke warmly, sounding like a harmonious married couple, but Fang Li, listening nearby, broke out in a cold sweat.

Although others might not know about what Qi Yun had done to the Cai family, as manager of the Qi family medicine shop who had contributed to it, he naturally knew some inside information.

Without Fang Li making connections in the middle, the Sun family wouldn't have so easily obtained the Cai family accountant's address.

Fang Li felt he had only done something minor, but who knew that overnight, the Cai family would suddenly collapse completely!

If before he had looked at Qi Yun as a god of wealth, now in Fang Li's eyes, this god of wealth not only glowed with golden light but also carried bright red.

Revealing a heart-trembling ruthlessness.

Of course, Fang Li was very glad his master was Qi Yun. Having a master who could make decisions and earn money was a blessing for him as a manager.

But in his heart, Fang Li still prayed that Second Young Mistress's natal family matters would be handled properly, and that Second Brother Ye had better be sensible and do whatever he was told. Otherwise, if it really came to Qi Yun forcing him to submit, it probably wouldn't be as easy as just being dragged around by the collar.

Second Brother Ye, who had been dragged home by Ye Ping Rong, couldn't speak at all. He was panting and wheezing, coughing so hard he almost coughed up his lungs.

Ye Ping Rong was naturally tall and large, with long legs, walking fast, strong, and capable of traveling a hundred li daily without difficulty. But Second Brother Ye had always been lazy and looked frail. How could he have the strength to speak while being dragged and pulled along?

Even breathing was difficult.

When they reached home, Second Brother Ye was thrown into the courtyard and immediately supported himself against a wooden frame in the yard, dry heaving.

Because Ye Ping Rong had used considerable force when pushing the door, making a loud noise, Second Sister-in-law Ye hurriedly came out of the house.

Seeing Second Brother Ye pitifully collapsed against the frame, she quickly ran over and hugged him, calling out twice. Seeing he was too busy dry heaving to talk to her, Second Sister-in-law Ye looked at Ye Ping Rong.

She hadn't been the one to arrange Second Brother Ye's marriage, and when she married into the Ye family, Ye Ping Rong had already been away for two years. Regarding Brother Ye, she had only heard Second Brother Ye and neighbors mention him occasionally. She knew nothing else.

Now seeing Ye Ping Rong, she couldn't recognize who he was. But although Second Sister-in-law Ye usually criticized Second Brother Ye for being useless, she truly protected him in her heart. Even seeing Ye Ping Rong's tall and strong build, she wasn't afraid.

The woman directly blocked Second Brother Ye's front, pointing at Ye Ping Rong and scolding: "What kind of thing are you! In broad daylight, breaking into my household and, beating up Er Lang, you're not planning to commit robbery in broad daylight, are you!"

Ye Bao had originally wanted to come out and watch the excitement, but after peeking out the door and looking around, he got scared and shrank back his neck, not daring to look anymore.

Ye Ping Rong closed the courtyard gate behind him, looked Second Sister-in-law Ye up and down, his face showing neither joy nor anger, and pulled Second Brother Ye over: "Since I've brought you home, Second Brother, there are some things we should still clarify."

Second Brother Ye had finally caught his breath by now. His face showed pleading as he grabbed Ye Ping Rong's arm: "Big Brother, Big Brother, you've finally come back. It's so hard for us two brothers to reunite, why do we have to divide the family? Can't we not divide?"

Hearing this, Second Sister-in-law Ye immediately widened her eyes.

This was Ye Da? Wasn't he supposed to have died on the battlefield long ago? How could he come back?

Ye Ping Rong was too lazy to waste words with him. Everything that needed to be said and done had been completed. Now saying even one more word felt tiring.

He simply reached into Second Brother Ye's chest and pulled out that document, shook it open, and slapped it in front of Second Brother Ye: "You don't need to write. Just press your fingerprint." After saying this, Ye Ping Rong also took out a package of silver and threw it in front of him: "This, you can take it away once you press your fingerprint."

This package of silver had been prepared by Ye Ping Rong for Second Brother Ye, or rather, he had prepared it very early.

Back then, when the three siblings were all unmarried, Brother Ye had sworn before their parents' grave to protect his younger siblings and raise them well.

But ultimately Ye Ping Rong failed to fulfill his promise. His younger brother became a wolf in human skin, and although his younger sister was living well now, he still hadn't been able to watch his sister get married.

As the eldest brother, he had failed his little sister and their parents. Similarly, he felt that Second Brother becoming what he was now was due to his poor guidance.

Since they were severing family ties, it should be done cleanly.

The fraternal bond that was being ended naturally also needed to be settled.

"This is silver I earned while fighting. I divided it into three parts. This was originally meant for you. As long as you press your fingerprint, this package of silver will be yours." After Ye Ping Rong finished speaking, he opened the cloth bundle.

The silver inside made Second Brother Ye stop his pleading and made Second Sister-in-law Ye's eyes go straight.

If Second Sister-in-law Ye hadn't cared about dividing the family before and didn't want to deal with it, now in her view, they absolutely had to divide!

Why not take silver when it was available?

What use was an eldest brother who appeared out of nowhere?

But Second Sister-in-law Ye was naturally petty and particularly calculating. She pressed further: "Well, why is it divided into three parts? You only have two brothers. My husband is your only relative now."

Ye Ping Rong said coldly: "I still have a little sister."

Second Sister-in-law Ye pursed her lips: "She's already married. How can she still count as part of your Ye family?" The implication was that this silver should be divided in two, not three.

Ye Ping Rong sneered: "This is my silver. I can dispose of it however I want. If you don't want it, I'll just take it back." He made as if to retrieve it.

Second Sister-in-law Ye could act tough with Ye Jiao, but she didn't dare with this burly Ye Da. She quickly smiled: "We want it, we want it." Then she slapped Second Brother Ye, signaling him to accept the document.

But Second Brother Ye hesitated to extend his hand. Thinking of how medicine shop manager Fang Li had addressed his elder brother earlier, he tried to appear sincere: "Big Brother, since you're working as a guard at that Meng family medicine shop now, life isn't easy for you either. You should take this silver back. I can't accept it."

These words were clearly polite refusal while secretly hoping to receive it.

Hearing this, the bit of guilt Ye Ping Rong had originally felt completely disappeared, leaving only coldness.

Second Sister-in-law Ye became anxious and grabbed Second Brother Ye, whispering: "Your big brother is just working as a guard now. What do you have to worry about? The Meng family medicine shop is unknown and unremarkable. It's probably not a big business either. Moreover, he's just working as a guard there, doing manual labor under others. Anyone can see he has no prospects. Why are you clinging to him?"

Second Brother Ye seemed to still hesitate: "But he's my big brother..."

"He doesn't even want to care about you anymore. What are you hesitating about! What about your debts? What about your son? Are you not thinking about them anymore!"

Second Sister-in-law Ye's words seemed to convince Second Brother Ye. He looked at Ye Ping Rong, almost choking up: "Big Brother, is there really no other way?"

Ye Ping Rong looked at him like watching a skilled actor, his expression cold as he threw over a box containing vermillion ink pad.

Perhaps due to excessive urgency, neither Second Brother Ye nor Second Sister-in-law Ye carefully examined the material of this box.

If they had retained any rationality, they would have seen that this box was made of fine blue porcelain that ordinary families simply couldn't afford.

But now their minds were full of that package of silver. Where would they have time to look at an ink pad box?

Second Brother Ye dipped his thumb in the ink pad and hesitated without pressing it. It was Second Sister-in-law Ye who grabbed his hand and pressed it down.

The moment his finger left the print, Ye Ping Rong snatched back the document, folded it, and put it in his chest. He also picked up the ink pad box, his eyes looking at Second Brother Ye indifferently: "This silver is yours now. Take it."

Second Brother Ye looked mournful, as if grieving over this severed relationship. Second Sister-in-law Ye, however, happily took the silver, thinking this was truly a blessing from heaven.

She was also laughing inwardly at Ye Da's foolishness. He was just a guard selling his labor to others, yet he still wanted to give money to other people. Wasn't that foolish?

But Ye Ping Rong didn't leave immediately. Instead, he looked at Second Brother Ye: "Since from now on you and I have nothing to do with each other, there's one matter I can also clarify with you."

Second Brother Ye instinctively asked: "What matter?"

The next instant, Ye Ping Rong had already stepped forward and punched Second Brother Ye in the face.