Lady of Fortune, Jiao Niang

Chapter 67

After Qi Ming returned, Liu Shi no longer worried constantly, so Ye Jiao often visited Liu Shi's quarters.

When she came today, as soon as she lifted the curtain she saw Fang Shi was also there.

Ye Jiao instinctively looked left and right, seeming to search for something. Seeing this, Fang Shi smiled: "Shi Tou didn't come along. He didn't recite his book yesterday and went to bed late, so I didn't wake him today, letting him sleep more."

Liu Shi doted on her grandson. Hearing this, she couldn't help but stop turning her prayer beads and said: "Shi Tou is still young. If he can't memorize it, just let it be. Don't push him too hard. The child isn't very old anyway, his memory is good, just teach him slowly."

Fang Shi naturally knew Shi Tou didn't like reading. Actually, what child this small liked reading?

Reading required sitting there and cramming things into your head. Nobody liked learning, always remembering slowly and forgetting quickly.

Children this small were lively and naturally loved playing.

But Fang Shi knew that books should be memorized as early as possible. Though she was a daughter, when she was small her father had urged her to read and recognize characters.

It was just that young Fang Shi loved playing and acting spoiled. Father Fang thought daughters didn't need to take imperial examinations anyway, so he let things slide and didn't push too hard.

But now Fang Shi thought that she had read too few books when young, which was why she always suffered losses.

Some principles she clearly knew, but just couldn't remember them.

Fang Shi endured her heartache and supervised Little Shi Tou to study diligently. No matter how her son acted spoiled or threw tantrums, it was useless. What needed to be memorized had to be memorized, with no mercy shown. When Shi Tou cried, she would cry along, seeing whose tears were more.

But Shi Tou took after his father's temperament, always accommodating his mother. When Fang Shi cried he would behave, and afterwards he showed some stubbornness. Once he promised something he would do it. The small child already understood keeping promises. Yesterday he stubbornly insisted on memorizing that text, which was why he slept late.

Actually Fang Shi felt sorry for him too. This morning she didn't have him woken up, letting her son sleep more.

But these things couldn't be said to Liu Shi. Older generations were always softer-hearted. Fang Shi was afraid Liu Shi would feel sorry for him, so she only said: "Shi Tou quite enjoys reading. Recently we don't need to push him. This child knows to recite and recognize characters on schedule. He's very well-behaved. Mother needn't worry."

Hearing this, Liu Shi felt somewhat hesitant.

Based on how she'd seen Shi Tou before, he had an overly lively temperament, loving to talk and play. For such a child to sit quietly and recognize characters was truly too difficult.

But with Fang Shi saying this, it seemed like she had been mistaken...

Ye Jiao was helping Little Su sit down when she heard Fang Shi's words and unconsciously nodded: "Yes, my husband also says Shi Tou is a rare good seedling, intelligent and studious. He's bound to have great achievements in the future."

Hearing this, Liu Shi said no more.

The last one Qi Yun had praised like this was Qi Ming, and Qi Ming's studies were supervised by Qi Yun, which resulted in first place in the county examination.

They weren't some wealthy noble family after all. They had no way to use ancestral merit to seek official positions. To advance further, they only had the imperial examination path, and this road was inherently difficult. Suffering early was better than suffering late.

Shi Tou's future would depend on himself. Children and grandchildren have their own fortunes.

Thinking this, Liu Shi said no more.

But Fang Shi thought of another matter: "Mother, Third Son has been back for three days. In a few more days, shouldn't the results be posted?"

Liu Shi had been keeping track of the days in her heart. Hearing this, she nodded: "Yes, soon. I'm not worried though. Third Son has learning, he'll definitely pass this time..." But speaking to here, Liu Shi suddenly stopped and said instead: "Even if he doesn't pass, it doesn't matter. He's still young, just a half-grown child. There will be many opportunities in the future."

Fang Shi could hear that Liu Shi was consoling herself, but as sister-in-law she couldn't dampen his spirits, so she said: "Mother, rest assured. Third Brother has outstanding talent and learning. In these ten li and eight villages, you couldn't find someone so clever. If he doesn't pass, I'm afraid no one could."

Speaking thus, Fang Shi gave Ye Jiao a meaningful look.

Jiao Niang was looking around, waiting for Nanny Liu to bring snacks. Seeing Fang Shi's glance, she immediately said: "Right, he can pass."

Liu Shi smiled, understanding both daughters-in-law's intentions, but didn't mention the prefectural examination anymore. After all, the more they talked, the more nervous she became. Talking about other things was more relaxing.

And this topic naturally turned to Ye Jiao.

Fang Shi reached out to touch Ye Jiao's lower abdomen, her movements very gentle, her voice unconsciously slowing: "Jiao Niang, this is four months now, right?"

Ye Jiao calculated in her heart and nodded.

Liu Shi said: "At four months there should be fetal movement."

Little Ginseng didn't quite understand: "Mother, what is fetal movement?"

Liu Shi knew this was her first time and she probably didn't understand these things. It was good to explain now, saving her from being frightened when it happened: "It's the child moving inside your belly. You'll feel it."

...It would move?

Ye Jiao was stunned for a moment, then realized she was carrying a child, a small, gradually growing little baby.

Previously Ye Jiao actually had no concept of this. She only felt her belly was a bit protruding and heavy. Perhaps because morning sickness wasn't obvious, she sometimes even forgot she was carrying a little one inside.

Now being reminded like this, Little Ginseng realized she was carrying a small life, and in the future she would have a milk baby like Shi Tou.

Moreover, this child in her belly would also move.

Ye Jiao suddenly became nervous, reaching out to touch her lower abdomen, seeming to study how exactly it wanted to move and whether the movement would be big.

Until she returned to the courtyard, Ye Jiao kept both hands on her abdomen, touching here and there.

This made Qi Yun, who was waiting for her in the room, look somewhat strange: "Jiao Niang, what are you touching?"

Ye Jiao sat at the table, not even looking at Qi Yun, only staring at her lower abdomen and mumbling: "Mother said it will move. I want to feel when it moves."

This answer made Qi Yun somewhat helpless.

Though he was a man who knew little about women's childbearing matters, he also knew that women's fetal movement wasn't something where the child would move just because you wanted it to: "Jiao Niang, don't be anxious. Wait a bit and it will move eventually."

Ye Jiao still didn't look up at Qi Yun, only staring silently at her lower abdomen, mumbling: "So lazy."

Hearing this, Qi Yun felt even more helpless, but this time he didn't speak. Instead, he walked over to sit beside Ye Jiao, reaching out to place his hand over hers.

This made Ye Jiao look up at him: "The child isn't moving. It's useless for you to touch too."

Qi Yun looked at her and said softly: "I don't really care whether the child moves or not. What I care about is that Jiao Niang hasn't looked at me since entering the room."

Hearing this, Ye Jiao looked at him strangely: "Husband, don't we see each other every day? What's important about looking or not looking for a moment?"

It wasn't important, but Qi Yun just didn't like it.

In front of Ye Jiao, he wouldn't hide his feelings, saying straightforwardly: "Usually Jiao Niang looks at me first, but now the child isn't even born yet and you're only looking at the child, not me."

Hearing this, Ye Jiao blinked: "What do you mean?"

Qi Yun answered calmly: "I'm jealous."

Little Ginseng didn't quite understand what jealousy meant. For her, everything followed her heart. When she was ginseng, she thought about becoming human every day. After becoming human, she thought about eating and drinking every day, never having any unhappiness.

Naturally she wouldn't know about Qi Yun's inexplicable jealousy at this moment.

But Ye Jiao's curiosity about the child was only momentary, while her feelings for Qi Yun were wholehearted joy. Even though she didn't understand why Qi Yun was sulking now, Little Ginseng still obediently squeezed into his embrace, looking up at him intently, her voice soft: "Alright, then I'll only look at you now. Is that good?"

These words Ye Jiao spoke very sincerely, but Qi Yun could hear that his wife didn't understand at all what he was sulking about.

Actually Second Young Master Qi didn't quite understand what he was sulking about either, especially now being faced with Ye Jiao's clear eyes, all other thoughts flew to the clouds.

Embracing Ye Jiao in return, Qi Yun was about to say something when he heard Little Su's voice from outside: "Second Young Mistress, the water is heated. Should we bring it in now?"

Ye Jiao called out: "Bring it in." Then she looked at Qi Yun again: "Husband, why don't you stand by the bathing tub and let me look at you properly?"

Actually Little Ginseng spoke these words sincerely. Since he wanted her to look, she would look. Anyway, her husband was handsome, so looking more would make her feel good too.

But Qi Yun felt he probably couldn't withstand the temptation of watching his wife bathe. He coughed lightly and said: "Look tonight. I'll go to the study first and come back shortly." Then he left.

But Qi Yun clearly underestimated his wife's attraction to him. Even sitting in the study with account books open, he couldn't read a single line.

His head kept conjuring images of Ye Jiao's bathing, particularly the undergarment she liked to hang on the screen.

That tie, thin and long, swaying gently...

"Second Brother."

This call brought Qi Yun's consciousness back. He immediately looked toward the door and saw Qi Ming watching him with curious eyes.

Qi Yun only liked having Jiao Niang look at him, but didn't much like others staring: "What are you looking at?"

Qi Ming was still young after all, with heavy curiosity and unable to hide his words well. He pointed at his face: "Second Brother, are you cold or hot? Your face is a bit flushed. Should we call a doctor to examine you?"

This blush couldn't be cured by a doctor, only by his wife.

But he'd have to wait several more months for treatment.

Qi Yun coughed lightly, his expression returning to its usual calm, looking at Qi Ming: "What do you want with me?"

Qi Ming stepped forward and placed a box in front of Qi Yun: "My sworn brother just had someone deliver something. This is for you."

Qi Yun opened the box and saw a map inside.

This map was different from ordinary maps, made of lambskin with extremely detailed drawings. Just touching it, you could tell from the feel that it was costly.

Chu Chengyun's meaning in sending this was obvious: reminding Qi Yun not to forget what he'd promised him before.

Qi Yun couldn't help curving his lips slightly.

Though this Third Young Master was exaggeratedly generous with money, he wouldn't forget even half of what should be remembered.

Qi Yun calmly put away the map, looking at Qi Ming: "I'll thank him in person when I see Third Young Master another day." Finishing, seeing Qi Ming still standing motionless, Qi Yun raised an eyebrow: "Something else?"

Qi Ming nodded, placing another box on the table: "My sworn brother gave me this, but I can't tell if it's good or bad. Help me look, Second Brother."

This was a small matter. Qi Yun naturally wouldn't refuse, just asking one more question: "Why not have others look at it for you?"

Actually Qi Ming had many schoolmates from the academy. Recently he'd been going out frequently with them to relax, so if he had good things to show them, they'd naturally recognize them. No need to find him specifically.

Qi Ming looked at Qi Yun and said quietly: "My sworn brother's identity is probably unusual. Better to be careful."

Hearing this, Qi Yun couldn't help looking at his third brother.

In his impression, Third Brother had always been straightforward, with nothing in his heart except "I want to make the court better" and "reading brings joy." He never thought about things with too many twists and turns.

Such a temperament was fine for being a scholar, but for official career and politics, without protection he would surely suffer.

Qi Yun had originally thought Third Brother was still young, these things could be accumulated slowly later.

But now hearing this, Qi Ming seemed to have had his own realization.

Qi Yun couldn't help nodding: "How did you discover this?"

Qi Ming looked at him seriously: "My sworn brother is probably from an extremely wealthy family, but doesn't want to be tainted by money, so he left home to travel. He truly has noble character. I certainly can't casually expose his whereabouts."

Qi Yun: ...Pretend I didn't ask.

Withdrawing his gaze from his disappointing third brother, Qi Yun opened the box and saw an inkstone inside.

This inkstone appeared deep purple in color, feeling warm and smooth to the touch.

Taking it out, Qi Yun gently tapped it and could hear clear, distant sounds.

His expression becoming slightly serious, Qi Yun said quietly: "This is a superior Duan inkstone made from Duanxi stone. Looking at this quality, it's probably extremely precious."

Hearing this, Qi Ming blinked: "Very valuable?"

"Very valuable." So valuable that Qi Yun suspected this inkstone alone could probably support a merchant caravan's costs.

Qi Ming hesitated: "Then should I put it away and not use it?"

Qi Yun gently placed the inkstone back in the box. Hearing this, he immediately said: "No, you should use it, and use it every day. Since this was given to you, it's meant for your use. Don't disappoint such kind intentions."

Qi Ming always listened to Qi Yun's words. Hearing this, he nodded and put away the inkstone.

Qi Yun watched Qi Ming's departing figure, thinking that in this world, truly foolish people had foolish fortune.

Seeing it was about time, Qi Yun returned from the study to his courtyard. Ye Jiao had already changed clothes and was sitting at the dining table waiting for him to have dinner.

But Qi Yun ate somewhat absentmindedly. He almost habitually served Ye Jiao food while looking at her: "Jiao Niang, did you change hair oil?"

Ye Jiao swallowed what was in her mouth before having time to answer: "I changed it. This is what Mother gave me. Does it smell good?"

It smelled good.

The previous osmanthus scent was sweet, while the current orchid scent was subtle. On his wife, both seemed very fragrant.

After bathing, Ye Jiao particularly liked having Qi Yun hold her while sleeping. This time was no exception.

Qi Yun used almost all his effort to close his eyes and not let his mind wander.

Ye Jiao fell asleep before him, but when the moon hadn't yet set, she woke up.

On her lower abdomen, there was suddenly a slight touch, like butterfly wings fluttering, but this feeling came from inside out, extraordinarily strange, making Ye Jiao suddenly open her eyes.

She was currently being held in Qi Yun's embrace, and when she startled awake, Qi Yun didn't wake up.

Second Young Master Qi used to sleep lightly, sometimes even restlessly.

But now with Little Ginseng beside him, he slept particularly deeply and sweetly every day, becoming someone who slept soundly as a rock.

Now, even when Ye Jiao gently withdrew from his embrace, Qi Yun showed no movement.

Ye Jiao propped herself up on the bed board to sit up, not using her hands to touch, just sitting there quietly feeling these intermittent touches.

The baby that had been well-behaved before was now suddenly lively. Though it was only gentle, Ye Jiao felt it very clearly.

She unconsciously smiled, but the moment her lips curved up, Ye Jiao inexplicably touched her face, as if she didn't understand why she was smiling.

But just then, when Ye Jiao temporarily recovered from the novelty of fetal movement, she suddenly smelled a strange fragrance.

This scent was extraordinarily distinctive, not strong but rather light, yet this faint fragrance couldn't be ignored.

Especially since they were still using heavy bed curtains, yet this elusive fragrance could penetrate the curtains for Ye Jiao to smell.

Ye Jiao's first reaction was to grab her own hair and smell it, feeling it wasn't quite the same, then suddenly remembered...

This scent, Ye Jiao was actually very familiar with.

She had been accompanied by this fragrance for a thousand years.

What could produce this scent was something that could save lives at critical moments.

First stunned for a moment, then Ye Jiao suddenly protected her belly, using hands and feet to climb over Qi Yun, carefully pulled open the bed curtains, put on embroidered shoes and got off the bed.

Taking a nearby garment to put on, Ye Jiao didn't care whether this clothing was hers or not, gathering it around herself and pulling open the inner room door to walk to the outer room.

Then she saw, by the window, moonlight streaming through the window lattice like spilled mercury, illuminating a square wall table placed by the window.

On the wall table sat Ye Jiao's most treasured Stone Sprout Grass.

But from far away, Ye Jiao couldn't see clearly.

She slowly approached, and when she reached the Stone Sprout Grass, she finally saw clearly that the three small fruits originally wrapped in layers of green leaves had quietly loosened their leafy garments and shyly revealed white tender fruits.

At this moment, three White Rainbow Fruits hung there prettily, their fragrance rich and refreshing.