novelraw Chapter 65
Chapter 65
This time Third Young Master Qi tested faster than before. The prefectural examination had two fewer sessions than the county examination, but the testing location was far from home. Qi Ming didn't wait for the results to be posted this time, instead sending a letter saying he would return home to await news.
Everything at home remained as usual. Perhaps because he hadn't returned after the results were posted this time, their mentality was still relatively calm, without the excitement and panic that followed getting top honors last time.
Only Liu Shi, as a mother, would still worry.
Others worried about whether Qi Ming could pass, but Liu Shi worried about whether Qi Ming's health was good during this back-and-forth journey, and whether his mood was cheerful.
Perhaps even Qi Ming himself had forgotten about returning with his arm in a sling before New Year. He had done that to trick out whoever was harming him. After learning it was Twelfth Young Master Cai, plus the Cai family's downfall, he naturally threw the matter to the back of his mind.
But Liu Shi wouldn't forget easily. Even knowing it was fake, she would unconsciously worry about whether her son would really get hurt outside, going to the small Buddhist hall from time to time to chant sutras. A loving mother's heart was always especially fervent.
Ye Jiao also didn't disturb Liu Shi these past few days, only staying in her own courtyard.
At four months, her belly began to show. People's constitutions differed, some showed a protruding lower abdomen at two months, while others would show pregnancy much later.
Ye Jiao was naturally slender, so she showed later than others.
Now her lower abdomen was only slightly rounded. With a slightly larger robe to cover it, it wasn't noticeable.
But Ye Jiao herself would unconsciously place her hand on her lower abdomen, touching it from time to time, as if finding it very novel.
The weather was good today, so Ye Jiao came out for a walk holding the Stone Sprout Grass, and could also weed the medicinal herbs and flowers in the courtyard.
However, this weeding required squatting down to do. Previously Ye Jiao only found it interesting and did it very happily without feeling tired, but now her getting up and down was somewhat clumsy. Little Su didn't dare let her squat, running over to support Ye Jiao: "Second Young Mistress, just rest. I'll do it."
Ye Jiao looked at her and said: "I'm fine."
But this time Little Su didn't listen to her: "Doctor Li said before that you can't overexert yourself at this month, and Second Young Master also said... to listen to Doctor Li."
Moreover, Qi Yun had told Little Su that if she didn't take good care of Ye Jiao, he would pluck Little Black's feathers and stew him.
Little Su sighed inwardly, thinking that the big black rooster she raised had survived until now without becoming chicken soup or diced chicken was already a miracle.
Ye Jiao didn't insist, giving the small hoe to Little Su while she sat at the stone table, looking at the Stone Sprout Grass placed on it.
Originally there was no stone table in the courtyard, but Qi Yun saw that Ye Jiao always liked to carry flower pots around, afraid she might fall, so he had people move a stone table and stone stools in, specifically placed where sunlight shone, so Ye Jiao could sit while watching the Stone Sprout Grass and basking in the sun.
The stone stool was specially covered with thick soft cushions, blocking the cold and making it soft and comfortable to sit on.
Ye Jiao focused intently on the Stone Sprout Grass on the table, occasionally reaching out to lightly touch it.
The three red flowers on the Stone Sprout Grass had all fallen, and now that spring had come, it should be bearing fruit.
However, when Stone Sprout Grass bore fruit, it wasn't as relaxed as ordinary fruits. Because White Rainbow Fruit was highly nourishing, could save lives, and cure all diseases, it naturally attracted many creatures' covetousness.
To avoid being eaten by birds or insects before fully growing, White Rainbow Fruit would carefully wrap itself with leaves during the fruiting process.
From the outside, nothing unusual could be seen. One had to look carefully to see the three small balls wrapped in layers of leaves, swaying gently.
Little Ginseng had spent a thousand years accompanied by such fruits in her memory. Usually, this appearance meant fruiting was about to happen.
When bearing fruit, it would emit a strange fragrance, extremely enticing.
At that time, it had to be picked immediately, otherwise it would wither before long.
But all this would only go smoothly when she was still ginseng.
But now she was human, merely possessing ginseng essence. Ye Jiao wasn't sure in her heart how big this fruit could grow.
Watching and watching, Ye Jiao felt bored.
She said to Little Su: "Bring a plate of melon seeds. I want to eat some."
Little Su agreed, went to wash her hands, then brought out the plate placed in the side room.
Cracking melon seeds was Little Ginseng's newest learned skill. The melon seeds were sunflower seeds, roasted, and seemed to have sugar added, fried to a sweet and burnt taste, and the seed kernels also carried fragrance.
But they easily caused internal heat, so Ye Jiao only ate within a hundred per day, not more.
However, ordinary people enjoyed the process of cracking melon seeds, but Little Ginseng only liked eating the taste.
Instead, she found the step of cracking open melon seeds very troublesome.
Looking at the melon seeds placed before her, Ye Jiao couldn't help but stretch out her finger to stir among them, as if wanting to find a seed kernel that had shed its shell and jumped out by itself.
Just then, Qi Yun sat down beside her.
Ye Jiao looked at him somewhat surprised: "Husband, why did you come back so early today?"
Qi Yun smiled and said: "Third Son is returning home tonight. Father and Mother said we'd gather together for dinner in the evening, so Elder Brother and I came back early."
Ye Jiao put her soft hand into the man's palm: "You seem to go out with Elder Brother recently."
Qi Yun grasped Ye Jiao's hand in return and nodded: "This year we'll use grain from Elder Brother's estate, so we need to look more often."
"You're going to the estate?" Ye Jiao was somewhat worried.
The Qi family's estate wasn't small, and the tenant farmers were honest, but the road inevitably had bumps. Ye Jiao didn't like bumpy carriage rides, so she didn't want her husband to suffer.
Qi Yun said: "It's no problem. We'll just have people bring the grain to look at. I don't need to go myself."
Ye Jiao agreed, her eyes looking toward the melon seeds in the plate again.
Qi Yun could see she wanted to eat them, and knew Ye Jiao was impatient with shelling melon seeds. He pulled the plate toward himself, had Little Su bring over an empty small dish to place beside it, picked up a melon seed, gently cracked it open, then peeled the shell and placed the kernel in the small dish.
Ye Jiao watched eagerly, hearing Qi Yun's voice by her ear: "Sleepy?"
"Sleepy." Ye Jiao's eyes were still staring at the melon seed in Qi Yun's hand, her gaze following his movements back and forth.
Qi Yun placed another seed kernel in the dish: "If you're sleepy, go take a nap later. I'll call you before dinner."
Ye Jiao now couldn't hear what he was saying, almost instinctively answering: "I want to eat snow flower cake."
Of course Qi Yun wouldn't refuse her request: "Alright, there will be some."
By this time, there were about twenty-some seed kernels in the dish, neatly arranged inside.
Then Qi Yun silently shelled about forty more, all properly arranged inside.
The pointed ends of the seed kernels all faced the same direction, arranged in four rows, looking neat and square.
Then Qi Yun picked up the dish, but his eyes kept looking at Ye Jiao.
This was originally shelled for his wife to eat, but Second Young Master Qi wanted to tease her a bit, pretending not to give it, to see what reaction Ye Jiao would have.
But as soon as he picked up the plate, Qi Yun saw Ye Jiao's mouth open.
Her lips had no rouge applied, only their natural pink color. When slightly opened, her clear eyes stared eagerly at Qi Yun, looking especially sincere.
This made Qi Yun immediately reluctant to tease her, naturally handing the dish to Ye Jiao: "For you."
Ye Jiao took it and directly poured all the melon seeds into her mouth, finished eating and drank a sip of white water, contentedly squinting her eyes in a smile.
Qi Yun took the opportunity to lean over and lick her lips once, but Little Ginseng didn't dodge, even leaning toward Qi Yun herself, licking his lower lip.
For a moment, Qi Yun couldn't tell who was teasing whom...
But Little Ginseng didn't think there was anything wrong with this. When Qi Yun held her hand again, Ye Jiao rubbed her eyes and yawned.
Qi Yun then pulled her inside for an afternoon nap, but while sitting on the bedside, Qi Yun took the opportunity to give Ye Jiao the bank notes he'd earned these past two months: "Keep these, our private money."
Ye Jiao took them and looked. One hundred taels per note, five notes total, making five hundred taels.
This number was definitely a large sum. This silver was probably what ordinary families couldn't save in a lifetime.
But Ye Jiao was used to managing money for Qi Yun. The shop business was thriving with high income, so this silver seemed just a number to her, nothing shocking.
Opening her money box to put them in and lock it, Ye Jiao turned and pecked Qi Yun's lips: "Husband is really capable."
Qi Yun smiled while holding her, rubbing her forehead with his face, then pulled the brocade quilt to cover her properly, coaxing her to sleep.
Originally Ye Jiao's afternoon naps didn't need managing, she would sleep as soon as she lay down.
But after her belly got slightly bigger, Little Ginseng became a bit afraid to turn over, fearing she'd press on her stomach. But often the more careful one was, the harder it was to fall asleep. After Qi Yun learned of this, he often came back to coax her.
He didn't need to do much, just lean by the bed and pat her until she fell asleep.
Today Qi Yun had a medical text in hand, preparing to read to her to help her sleep. He happened to turn to the ginseng page.
The man's voice was always low and pleasant, like wind through bamboo forests after rain, peaceful: "Ginseng, also called yellow ginseng and divine herb, sweet in taste, slightly cold in nature, non-toxic. It treats the five organs, calms the spirit, stabilizes the soul, stops palpitations, removes evil qi, treats all deficiency symptoms in men and women, brightens the eyes and opens the heart..."
This "opening the heart" originally meant opening the heart's apertures, but Ye Jiao was half-asleep and half-awake, hazily hearing what seemed like ginseng and what seemed like being happy, so she mumbled: "Mm, it is quite happy..."
Hearing this, Qi Yun thought she was talking in her sleep, so he smiled while gently patting her, his voice continuing.
Until he felt Ye Jiao's breathing become even, then he stopped.
Qi Yun carefully looked at Ye Jiao, confirming this person was truly asleep, then gently placed the medical text on the nearby low table, carefully got off the bed, lowered the bed curtains, saw it was still early, and went out.
Today's Second Young Master Qi, although still paler than ordinary people, was getting better day by day.
Previously he could only stay home, listening to the managers who came to report on shop matters. Now Second Young Master Qi could go out on the streets himself, walking around the shops.
Today he specifically went to the wine shop to find Manager Song, preparing to discuss matters regarding the merchant caravan with him.
When he entered the wine shop, as soon as Qi Yun sat down, Manager Song began complaining.
Among these, the merchant caravan matter was what troubled Manager Song most.
Manager Sun had given Qi Yun considerable help. He was quite old and could see that Qi Yun was someone with seven apertures of wisdom, and what was even rarer, this person was much more decisive than others.
Actually there were many capable people, but those who were capable and also had ideas were few.
Previously the Sun family had indeed hated the Cai family, but never thought the Cai family could really collapse overnight, even uprooted with nothing left.
Qi Yun had done it, and done it cleanly and decisively. Manager Sun knew this wasn't a fish in a small pond.
Originally he only wanted to invite Qi Yun to join a merchant caravan, now he suggested Qi Yun organize one himself.
Organizing a merchant caravan wasn't something you could do just by talking about it. Besides needing experienced leaders and goods attractive enough to covet, most importantly you needed sufficient silver.
Once a merchant caravan set out, they wouldn't return for a year and a half. If going overseas, returning once every three or four years was commonplace.
This required massive monetary investment, and whether it could pay for itself was unknown.
Ordinary families felt that eight hundred or a thousand taels was enough to last a lifetime, but for merchant caravans, this eight hundred or thousand taels couldn't be silver, but had to be converted to gold to ensure formation.
Qi Yun was somewhat moved by this suggestion. After all, having a merchant caravan in his own hands was more secure. Borrowing others' could never compare to having his own for freedom.
But where exactly this money would come from, Qi Yun hesitated.
Manager Song sighed: "Manager Sun says he can lend to us, but the interest he wants isn't low. And whether the merchant caravan can make or lose money is unknown. If we lose everything, we'd probably have to pay our entire fortune to repay it."
Qi Yun shook his head: "If we ask Manager Sun to lend silver, he would certainly agree, and even if we can't repay it he wouldn't say anything. But we can't open this mouth."
Manager Song didn't quite understand: "Why?"
Since asking him to lend means he would lend, and whether we can repay doesn't matter, then why not borrow?
Qi Yun's tone was calm: "In this world, money is easiest to repay, favors are hardest to repay." His voice paused, explaining the matter clearly to Manager Song: "Previously when we asked Manager Sun for merchant caravan access, that was exchanged for our help in bringing down the Cai family, mutually beneficial. But now Manager Sun is eager for us to owe him favors."
Manager Song thought about it and figured out this angle.
Manager Sun didn't lack money. He ran a money house, money was never difficult for him.
But he was so proactively helping the Qi family, it couldn't be sudden kindness.
If Qi Yun really opened this mouth now and borrowed this money, once the debt of gratitude was owed, regardless of whether the money could be repaid in the future, this favor would be impossible to repay.
Just then, Qi Yun saw someone enter the wine shop.
Third Young Master Qi had returned together with Chu Chengyun after the prefectural examination.
Actually, Chu Chengyun saying he was traveling the same route was just an excuse. Prince Duan was indeed extremely bored now with nothing to do. Having finally made a worthy brother, he naturally wanted to walk and look around with him more. Especially since Qi Ming and Chu Chengyun saw eye to eye on many political views, the two had endless things to discuss.
Going there they talked all the way, returning they talked all the way again. Just discussing agricultural and commercial reforms was a high-spirited discussion, very enjoyable.
Getting excited from chatting, Qi Ming suggested going to the wine shop to sit.
He was still young and couldn't drink alcohol. Chu Chengyun also rarely drank, because Hui Niang's health was weak and she couldn't stand the smell of alcohol, so Chu Chengyun seldom drank.
The two went to sit only because they were discussing political matters, and commoners discussing politics was taboo. The Qi family wine shop was the Qi family's own property, so it could be more discreet.
Who knew that as soon as they entered, they saw Qi Yun discussing business with Manager Song.
Originally when Chu Chengyun saw there were people, he wanted to leave.
Who knew his golden silk fan pouch at his waist suddenly fell, containing the fan he'd won from the chance Ye Jiao had given him previously. Prince Duan wore it as daily reminder not to neglect fortune.
Seeing it fall, Chu Chengyun went to pick it up.
But just as Chu Chengyun bent down to pick it up, Qi Yun had already stood up and walked toward the door. Seeing someone coming, Chu Chengyun couldn't just turn and leave, as that would be rude, so he stood there.
Qi Yun had heard Ye Jiao mention their affairs before, so now seeing Ye Ping Rong, he knew the person before him was Third Young Master. He looked carefully and could see Chu Chengyun's clothing was not ordinary.
Previously because it was night and Qi Yun's mind was full of Ye Jiao, he hadn't looked carefully at Chu Chengyun.
Looking now, this Third Young Master, though seemingly wearing just ordinary robes with nothing special, the fabric wasn't cheap, and there was dark pattern embroidery, not the skill of ordinary embroiderers.
This person was indeed surnamed Chu.
The imperial surname.
His heart's thoughts became more certain. Qi Yun stood up and first said to Qi Ming: "Why aren't you hurrying home? What are you doing here?"
Qi Ming was most afraid of Qi Yun at home. Just now he'd been lively, but now seeing Qi Yun, he immediately fell silent and stood straight to answer obediently: "I was traveling with my sworn brother and thought to find a place to rest."
Only then did Qi Yun look at the other two, standing and cupping his hands: "Third Young Master, I am Qi Yun." Then he looked at Ye Ping Rong: "Elder Brother."
Ye Ping Rong nodded, knowing he was calling him elder brother following Ye Jiao, and returned the greeting.
When Chu Chengyun saw Qi Yun, he felt somewhat emotional.
Actually, Qi Ming had mentioned his two elder brothers at home to Chu Chengyun more than once, especially Qi Yun, whom Qi Ming praised to the heavens.
There were many geniuses in this world, but often geniuses had troubled fates. In Chu Chengyun's eyes, Qi Yun naturally carried tragic colors.
Born weak, with a sickly body, yet possessing seven-aperture exquisite thoughts, well-read and knowledgeable, but always hovering on the edge of life and death.
Such a figure would evoke sighs in any dynasty or generation.
Now, looking at this jade-like gentleman before him, Chu Chengyun felt even more emotional, smiling and saying: "This must be Second Young Master Qi. Third Son often mentions you."
Qi Yun nodded to Chu Chengyun, his expression remaining as calm as always, as if he hadn't particularly elevated his view of Chu Chengyun despite his heart's guess about his identity. His voice was peaceful: "My Third Son has received much care from Third Young Master, for which I am infinitely grateful." Then he said to Manager Song: "Bring some tea."
Since Qi Yun had said so, Chu Chengyun and Qi Ming sat at another table, preparing to chat more.
Ye Ping Rong stood at the door, his expression calm.
But before Chu Chengyun and Qi Ming could speak, they heard from the other table Qi Yun's voice ring out lightly: "Regarding the merchant caravan matter, I only lament that timing is unfortunate. I have a passionate heart but cannot accomplish the deed."
Originally Manager Song thought that with strangers present, they should pause and stop this matter, not urgently discuss it.
But seeing Qi Yun had no intention of stopping, Manager Song sat back down and said: "Second Young Master needn't worry too much. There will always be a solution."
But Qi Yun didn't mention the silver matter, only speaking in a calm voice: "I originally thought that opening a merchant caravan could bring our dynasty's calligraphy and paintings out to educate barbarians, and could also connect trade routes. I even planned to hire painting masters to sketch the terrain along the way. If the court needed it, I would also willingly provide it free of charge, truly achieving multiple benefits. But unfortunately..."
Speaking to here, Qi Yun suddenly stopped, sighing lightly. It was just a short sound, but one could hear the helplessness within.
Instead, Manager Song looked completely confused.
When did we talk about calligraphy and paintings? Weren't we selling wine?
When did we talk about making maps? We didn't hire any masters.
How come I can't understand what Second Young Master is saying?
But just as Manager Song didn't know how to respond, Chu Chengyun had already stood up.
Qi Yun's words were all heard by him, and what Chu Chengyun thought was obviously much more than Manager Song.
Currently, there were many merchant caravans, but most were tools for commoners to compete for profit, without other uses.
On the contrary, many merchant caravans came and went secretly, never paying taxes, instead becoming the court's concern.
But now hearing Qi Yun's words, Chu Chengyun suddenly had other thoughts.
If they could really act this way, it would benefit the court greatly, spreading culture, benefiting the people, and preparing in advance for military conflicts. Wouldn't this be a great good deed?
Once this thought arose, Chu Chengyun said to Qi Yun: "Second Son, could you tell me about the merchant caravan matter?"
Qi Yun turned to look at him, seeming somewhat hesitant.
But finally he stood up and walked to sit in the chair opposite Chu Chengyun.
Qi Yun's demeanor was always excellent, every movement carrying gentlemanly bearing. But in Qi Ming's view, today's Second Brother seemed more... elegant than usual?
Before he could figure it out, he heard Qi Yun discuss the merchant caravan matter.
Originally Qi Yun had planned thoroughly for the merchant caravan, with comprehensive preparations. Plus, having been sickly since childhood with no other entertainment at home besides reading, having read extensively, when he quoted classics and cited sources, it increasingly pleased Chu Chengyun, this bookworm's, ears.
After hearing Qi Yun finish, Chu Chengyun couldn't help but clap and laugh: "Excellent, Second Son's idea is excellent."
But what Qi Yun returned was a smile.
But this smile was bitter, carrying helplessness: "It's just that the silver expenditure would be countless."
Hearing this, Chu Chengyun said: "For money, I have it."
Chu Chengyun didn't lack money. As royalty, the money he had far exceeded what was in his hands.
Since being enfeoffed as prince with his own territory, silver flowed like water. What Chu Chengyun lacked least was this.
But this idea was someone else's, not his own. Chu Chengyun hesitated. He couldn't use his own money to steal Second Young Master Qi's idea, could he?
How could he, a dignified prince, compete with commoners for profit?
Qi Yun looked at him and said lightly: "This is just an idea of mine. Young Master's hesitation is normal. After all, I'm just a sickly person. My thinking is somewhat too naive and will inevitably have omissions."
Qi Ming: ...
As someone raised by Qi Yun's discipline since childhood, Qi Ming could somewhat guess what his elder brother wanted to do.
This was clearly using words to trap Third Young Master!
His sworn brother's character, Qi Ming knew all too well. He was extremely straightforward and very passionate, most unable to bear others' suffering.
And Qi Ming had previously said many good things about Qi Yun to Chu Chengyun, mostly truthful, but that didn't include that his Second Brother was skilled at deceiving people...
It's just that Qi Ming couldn't decide. Third Young Master was his sworn brother, true, but Qi Yun was his real brother. The priority was clear at a glance.
But watching his newly recognized sworn brother about to be ensnared by Qi Yun, Qi Ming still hesitated.
While he hesitated, Chu Chengyun had already spoken: "Sir misunderstands my meaning. This is a good plan and should be implemented."
Chu Chengyun preconceived that Qi Yun was the most elegant and wise person. Previously when Qi Ming mentioned him, perhaps there was still some disbelief. After all, no one could imagine how capable a man who was always sick could be. But truly seeing him, especially Qi Yun's behavior just now, was particularly pleasing to the eye. Anyone would think this person was trustworthy, the most sincere type of remarkable man.
Facing Qi Yun's face, no one could imagine he had other thoughts.
Plus every word Qi Yun said struck his heart, and Chu Chengyun didn't care about silver, so naturally they hit it off.
When Chu Chengyun changed how he addressed himself, Qi Yun knew the matter was more than half successful.
When Qi Yun looked at Chu Chengyun, he already had comforting intent: "Sigh, the plan is good, but ultimately I am impoverished and cannot support this idea. It's truly that heaven doesn't follow human will, and I can only cry out helplessly. Young Master, just listen and don't take it to heart."
Sure enough, hearing this, Chu Chengyun agreed: "Since sir has such aspirations, I naturally must assist you. Let's discuss this further. If it's truly feasible, I'll provide the money. If we profit, we'll split fifty-fifty..."
Qi Yun sighed lightly, neither heavy nor light, paired with that slightly pale face looking somewhat desolate.
Chu Chengyun's words at his lips changed: "A seventy-thirty split will do. I take thirty, you take seventy."
Thinking to himself, he was royalty. Competing with commoners for profit was inappropriate to begin with. Now a seventy-thirty split was still a helpless measure to avoid exposing his identity.
Qi Yun showed a surprised expression, then gradually it became a smile.
He stood up and respectfully bowed to Chu Chengyun: "Third Young Master, someone who serves country and people like this, who doesn't compete with commoners for profit, is truly rare in the world, truly the court's blessing."
Chu Chengyun didn't care about this money anyway. Moreover, no matter how much he wanted to be a carefree prince in his heart, ultimately this dynasty was surnamed Chu, was his family's. Being able to do something for his own family naturally made Chu Chengyun happy.
Hearing this, Chu Chengyun also stood up, supporting Qi Yun: "Second Son is the true talent. Positioned in commerce yet without merchants' crafty habits, instead thinking of the country this way. Merchants like you are truly the court's blessing."
"Too kind, too kind."
"How dare I, how dare I."
Qi Ming looked left and right, feeling his mouth corners were about to twitch uncontrollably.
How exactly did his Second Brother practice this skill of getting something for nothing? How come, though we were born from the same mother and raised by the same father, I didn't inherit even half this ability?