Lady of Fortune, Jiao Niang

Chapter 63

Ye Jiao saw that Ye Ping Rong seemed to silently say something, but just looking at his mouth shape, she couldn't make out any clues. Little Ginseng was somewhat puzzled: "Elder Brother, what's wrong?"

But Ye Ping Rong didn't say directly, especially when facing his sister's clear eyes, he said no more, only smiling: "Nothing, Jiao Niang, your pregnancy is a big matter and also joyful news. I came to see you."

Everyone who saw her said it was a big matter, but Ye Jiao felt everything was just natural.

But she wouldn't say this to dampen others' good intentions. While going to get her cloak, she said: "Elder Brother, you came quite quickly. I just found out myself."

Since this was Ye Jiao and Qi Yun's bedroom, Ye Ping Rong wouldn't go in, only standing at the door and answering gently: "I came with Boss Lady." He kept the rest to himself.

Whether facing Ye Jiao or Qi Yun, Ye Ping Rong had never hidden his identity. His position as Commander wasn't big but wasn't small either. A seventh-rank military official was still respectable, and even if it was to support Jiao Niang, this identity couldn't be kept secret.

But Ye Ping Rong had never told anyone about Chu Chengyun and Hui Niang's identities.

Even though Chu Chengyun had never directly mentioned it, just from the several assassination attempts they'd experienced after leaving the capital, Ye Ping Rong knew that things around this Prince Duan could never always be peaceful.

Chu Chengyun said he wanted to be a carefree prince, and Hui Niang seemed to agree, willing to wander around with him. But Ye Ping Rong understood in his heart that if he were just a carefree prince, Hui Niang wouldn't need to go to such great lengths to win him over.

In terms of status, one was a prince and one was a princess, with Prime Minister Meng behind them. No matter what, they should be able to live carefreely.

To spend so much effort on him, they could only be planning for the future or have some concerns.

Whatever the planning or concerns, they weren't things Ye Ping Rong could inquire about. All he could do was protect his relatives.

After severing ties with Second Brother Ye, he only had Ye Jiao as a relative.

To protect her, he couldn't expose Prince Duan's identity, otherwise if something unexpected happened in the future, his little sister would be implicated.

Fortunately, Ye Jiao didn't ask further. She took her cloak and put it on, tied the sash, and led Ye Ping Rong to a side room.

Little Su poured hot white water and brought a bowl of congee, placing it in front of Ye Jiao and saying softly: "Second Young Mistress, this was made by Nanny Liu on Madam's orders. She was afraid you hadn't eaten enough earlier, but also afraid that making something too meaty or greasy would make you nauseous and unable to eat, so she made congee to fill your stomach."

Ye Jiao really wanted to say she didn't feel nauseous, she could eat, she was hungry.

But with the congee in front of her smelling fragrant, and it being Liu Shi's thoughtfulness, Ye Jiao naturally wouldn't refuse.

Fortunately the congee tasted good. The minced chicken inside was very fine, as if it could dissolve, and eating it had a clear fragrance. It wasn't much worse than the dishes she'd just eaten.

Seeing Ye Jiao eating happily, Ye Ping Rong's tiger-like eyes also softened.

He was tall and large, sitting there still a head taller than others, especially compared to Ye Jiao, he was several sizes bigger.

But now when looking at Ye Jiao, he was extremely cautious and careful, even softening his voice, afraid of startling his little sister with too much force: "Little Sister, I came to find you for another matter as well."

Ye Jiao looked up at him, put down the empty bowl she was holding, wiped the corners of her mouth with a handkerchief, then said: "What matter?"

Ye Ping Rong took out a bundle of silver from his chest and placed it in front of Ye Jiao: "This is what Elder Brother saved over these years outside. This portion is for you."

Ye Jiao was no longer the person who didn't recognize money when she first became human. Qi Yun's earnings were all with her, and Little Ginseng learned some money management every day to share her husband's burden. She had an estimate of how much this bundle of silver was.

But the more it was, the more unwilling she was to accept it: "This is what you saved. You should keep it. Why give it to me?"

But Ye Ping Rong wouldn't take it back: "This is what I'm giving you to make up for your dowry."

Actually, Ye Ping Rong had given Second Brother Ye about the same amount, but that was to sever ties with Second Brother Ye, also to settle the fault of not teaching his younger brother well. That's why he gave him the silver, so from then on they'd have nothing to do with each other.

But Ye Jiao was his good sister. He couldn't dote on and protect her enough, so he didn't want to break ties.

That silver couldn't be called compensation for severing ties, so he'd give it to her as dowry.

This was actually an excuse, but saying it out loud, Ye Ping Rong felt somewhat sad: "When you married, Elder Brother wasn't there, letting you suffer unfairly. Now that Elder Brother is back, I can't let you taste that kind of hardship again."

Even though Qi Yun was a good man and the Qi family was a good family, Ye Ping Rong wouldn't be like Second Brother Ye, thinking that because his sister married into a better situation, his heart felt better, hypocritically whitewashing everything.

On the contrary, Ye Ping Rong had never felt better about it.

Ye Jiao usually spoke straightforwardly, and this time was the same: "Elder Brother, being a Commander isn't easy either. I asked my husband about it, your monthly salary is only three taels of silver. I have my husband, and he said he'd give me all his silver to spend. I don't lack anything."

Little Sister, is it appropriate to say this so directly?

For a moment Ye Ping Rong didn't know whether to cry or laugh, but in the end he was gratified.

Qi Yun treating her well was what put him most at ease as an elder brother.

But he still insisted: "I'm your elder brother, I should naturally protect you. Giving you this dowry is already late. Just consider this Elder Brother's sincere heart and accept it."

Ye Jiao blinked and nodded in agreement, but thought she couldn't accept it for nothing and should give Ye Ping Rong something.

Her eyes turned and Ye Jiao had an idea: "I have something to give you. Wait, I'll go get it."

Little Su quickly said: "Second Young Mistress, whatever you need, I'll go get it."

But Ye Jiao insisted: "No, I have to give it personally."

Just as she was about to go out, she saw Qi Yun returning.

Qi Yun hadn't gone to the front hall, but was called away by Liu Shi.

Liu Shi knew that Qi Yun and Ye Jiao were first-time parents, and it was their honeymoon period, so some things naturally needed to be carefully instructed and explained.

The most important point was that intimate relations should be stopped for several months, so as not to disturb Ye Jiao.

In Liu Shi's view, it must be her son always pestering Jiao Niang. Now that Jiao Niang was pregnant, Liu Shi naturally had to explain things clearly to her son, lest something happen later and hurt her good daughter-in-law.

She didn't know that Little Ginseng was actually more enthusiastic about this matter, especially that picture book. She couldn't wait to try it page by page.

But Qi Yun didn't dare be careless at all, remembering everything in his mind before returning to the courtyard.

As soon as he entered the courtyard gate and saw her walking out, Qi Yun went to meet her: "Jiao Niang, what are you going to do?"

Ye Jiao first grasped his wrist, and after confirming her husband was fine, she showed a smile and answered firmly: "I'm going to give something." After saying this, she left with Little Su.

Qi Yun then entered the room and sat down after exchanging greetings with Ye Ping Rong.

But Second Young Master Qi discovered that this time Ye Ping Rong didn't have the gentle manner from before, but had the seriousness from when they first met.

This surprised Qi Yun, but he didn't ask directly, wanting to talk about something else.

But Ye Ping Rong didn't give him this opportunity, saying directly: "What have you been teaching my sister?"

Qi Yun seemed somewhat puzzled: "I don't know what you're referring to?"

Ye Ping Rong also found it hard to say, hesitating before saying: "Just now, at the door, Jiao Niang said you taught her. Aren't you leading her astray?"

Qi Yun thought for a moment before remembering. Oh right, that was something he had taught, and something he was reluctant to correct after teaching.

After all, who could have expected his Jiao Niang would really believe it and remember it until now, making Second Young Master Qi's heart melt into a puddle of water every time.

Now being questioned directly by her elder brother, Qi Yun could still maintain a calm expression, replying with composure: "How can this be called leading her astray? It's just a little pleasure between husband and wife, very ordinary."

Ye Ping Rong originally wanted to warn him a bit, lest he fool his sister again in the future.

But Qi Yun's expression was too righteous, and with Qi Yun's naturally steady and calm voice, what he said sounded like the truth.

Ye Ping Rong, who had originally wanted to question him, also became hesitant: "Don't try to deceive me."

Clearly, when he'd seen the Prince and Princess before, they hadn't acted like this.

Qi Yun remained calm: "What I said is naturally the truth. Elder Brother just doesn't know about it, but it's normal for Elder Brother not to know these things since you haven't married yet."

Ye Ping Rong, who was still single: ...

Suddenly feeling a bit attacked, Ye Ping Rong coughed twice, thinking he had probably misunderstood, and naturally accepted Qi Yun's explanation.

Meanwhile, Second Young Master Qi calmly picked up a nearby teacup, lifted the lid and brought it to his mouth, using the steaming tea to hide his suddenly relaxed expression.

At least he'd gotten through this hurdle. Qi Yun breathed a sigh of relief.

At this time, Ye Jiao had already returned with Little Su.

Little Su was holding a box, and as soon as Ye Jiao entered the room, she took the box and smilingly placed it on the table.

But she didn't say anything to Ye Ping Rong first, instead looking at Qi Yun: "Husband, can I give this to Elder Brother?"

Qi Yun didn't even ask what was inside, just nodded: "You can decide about our things."

Ye Jiao smiled with her eyes squinting, then gave the box to Ye Ping Rong.

Ye Ping Rong put down his teacup and took it, asking while opening it: "What is this?" When he opened it and saw, he was slightly stunned.

Ye Jiao sat next to Qi Yun, took her husband's hand, gently interlaced their fingers, her voice soft and deliberate: "Wild ginseng," then she looked at Qi Yun and said quietly, "it should have been sent out long ago."

This kind of ginseng that didn't sound like a good person just by its name should be sent away.

Although Qi Yun didn't know why Ye Jiao always disliked this wild ginseng, since he didn't need it now, giving it to Ye Ping Rong as a gift was good, so he nodded in agreement with a smile: "Right, it should have been given to Elder Brother long ago."

This sentence made Ye Jiao smile, looking at the wild ginseng in Ye Ping Rong's hands with satisfaction.

Ye Ping Rong didn't stay long either, as he still had to escort Hui Niang back, so he stood up to bid farewell to the couple and left.

Ye Jiao then opened the cloth bundle on the table and showed Qi Yun the silver inside: "This is what Elder Brother gave me, saying it's my dowry."

Qi Yun wasn't surprised by this. He had even expected it long ago. Ye Ping Rong felt both guilt and protectiveness toward Ye Jiao, and sooner or later he would make up this dowry for her.

Looking at the several dozen taels, it wasn't a small amount.

But Qi Yun didn't look much, only saying to Ye Jiao: "Since Elder Brother gave it, you should accept it. Dowry should be your private money, remember to keep it safe."

Ye Jiao was somewhat puzzled: "Husband, what is private money?"

Qi Yun thought that Ye Jiao had lived in hardship before, without much silver, and the Ye family had probably treated her poorly.

After marrying into his family, she usually managed money for him and never had her own silver, so not knowing about private money was normal.

Thinking of this, Qi Yun explained in detail. Ye Jiao listened and summarized it in one sentence: Private money was one's own money, to spend as one pleased, without telling others.

But this sounded somewhat familiar.

Ye Jiao blinked and asked Qi Yun: "Then according to this, didn't you give me your private money?"

When Qi Yun had given her his earnings before, he had said the same thing, and Ye Jiao never felt any psychological burden when spending it.

Qi Yun also thought of this point, feeling it was somewhat redundant to talk about private money.

Originally, he had given everything to Jiao Niang, holding nothing back.

But before he could speak, he heard Ye Jiao's soft voice: "Then let's put it together. Husband's private money is for me to spend, so my private money is for husband to spend. Put it all in the box, yours is mine, and mine is yours."

Hearing this, Qi Yun couldn't help but look at her. Seeing Ye Jiao's strange expression, he heard Qi Yun say: "Jiao Niang, did you eat something sweet just now?"

Ye Jiao actually recalled and looked at the man with bright eyes: "No, I just ate at the banquet, came back and had a bowl of chicken congee, didn't eat anything sweet."

But Qi Yun leaned over and said softly: "I don't believe it. If you didn't eat anything sweet, why does Jiao Niang's mouth taste like honey?"

It looked sweet and soft, every word and sentence hitting his heart like a hammer, warming him greatly.

But Little Ginseng blinked, and before Qi Yun could lean over, she leaned over first, pressing against the man's lips, her voice muffled: "I really didn't eat any. If you don't believe me, taste for yourself."

Hearing this, Qi Yun smiled, remembering Liu Shi's instructions. He was careful not to touch Ye Jiao's abdomen, gently holding her and smiling as he lifted her face.

After a while, Ye Jiao's muffled voice sounded: "Isn't it not sweet?"

"I couldn't taste it."

"Then husband, taste again?"

"Alright."