novelraw Chapter 72
Chapter 72
In midsummer, everyone was lazy.
But after the beginning of autumn, the heat gradually dispersed. Though the autumn tiger still remained, it wasn't as unbearably hot as summer.
Ye Jiao was now eight months pregnant. With her advanced pregnancy, she was no longer drowsy, didn't like afternoon naps, and was actually more lively than before.
Her appetite remained as good as ever. Eating different things every day, she never got tired of it. She just ate without gaining weight, but her complexion was always good, fair and clean.
Sometimes when Liu Shi looked at her, she'd think to herself that judging by complexion, her daughter-in-law should be carrying a daughter, but looking at the shape of her belly, she felt she was carrying a boy. For a while she couldn't figure it out.
But Liu Shi wouldn't voice these thoughts. She'd previously asked Qi Yun, and her second son said whether boy or girl, he'd love them both, it didn't matter. Naturally Liu Shi wouldn't deliberately ask Ye Jiao.
After all, there was only one child. If she asked too much, it might make Ye Jiao overthink, and talking too much might spoil the child's fortune. Liu Shi only pondered it in her heart, never revealing half a word to Ye Jiao.
Seeing Ye Jiao come over for a walk, Liu Shi smiled: "It's sweltering outside today, come in quickly to cool off."
Ye Jiao entered and saw melons on Liu Shi's table.
Sweet melons were usually common in summer, quite rare at this time. Usually when getting sweet melons, people would soak them in wells to cool them, then pull them up when wanting to eat, enjoying cool melon to beat the heat.
But today's melon was cut directly without cooling. That's why Liu Shi dared set it out waiting for Ye Jiao.
Ye Jiao supported her belly and sat down, then saw Shi Tou looking at her eagerly.
She hadn't seen Little Shi Tou for quite some days. Because Ye Jiao wanted to sleep every day and Shi Tou was constantly reciting and learning characters, both had their own business, rarely meeting.
Now seeing him, Ye Jiao calculated in her heart and realized it had been almost a month since she'd seen him.
Ye Jiao couldn't help smiling at him. Fang Shi patted her son: "Shi Tou, this is Auntie. Do you still remember?"
Usually small children were forgetful. Not remembering someone they hadn't seen for a month was normal.
Last time when it rained heavily, Qi Zhao stayed at the estate and didn't return for ten or fifteen days. When he came back, Shi Tou completely forgot his own father. Seeing Qi Zhao, Shi Tou cried earth-shakingly.
Fang Shi brought Shi Tou today without expecting to meet Ye Jiao. She held her son tightly, not letting him randomly touch her sister-in-law's belly, speaking coaxingly, afraid Shi Tou wouldn't recognize people again.
Fang Shi knew her sister-in-law was good to Shi Tou, and having been pregnant herself, she knew women during pregnancy were prone to sentimentality.
If Shi Tou said the wrong thing and made Jiao Niang cry, it would be bad for the baby in her belly too.
But this time Shi Tou didn't show the coldness he'd had toward Qi Zhao last time. Instead, he looked at Ye Jiao with a bright smile, calling out crisply: "Auntie, Shi Tou missed you so much."
One sentence made Ye Jiao smile and Fang Shi flick his little head.
Last time he didn't even recognize his own father, but now seeing Jiao Niang he recognized her. The little thing, who knew where his heart had grown.
Recognizing Ye Jiao, Shi Tou squirmed in Fang Shi's arms, fussing to have Ye Jiao hold him.
Fang Shi didn't dare let Ye Jiao hold Shi Tou, quickly giving him a piece of sweet melon.
Little Shi Tou grabbed the sweet melon and stuffed it in his mouth. The crisp, sweet taste made Shi Tou quiet down. With food in his mouth, he stopped fussing.
Ye Jiao also looked at the sweet melon, then looked at Liu Shi hopefully: "Mother..."
Liu Shi knew she was asking if she could eat it, and smiled as she handed her a piece: "Pregnant women just can't eat cold things. I didn't have this melon soaked in cold water, so you can eat it. Just don't eat too much."
Ye Jiao nodded, took it and put it in her mouth. The sweet taste made her smile with squinted eyes.
Liu Shi wiped her hands with a handkerchief, her voice gentle: "I called you both here today because there's something to discuss."
Fang Shi immediately perked up her ears to look at Liu Shi. Ye Jiao was eating melon with bulging cheeks, her bright eyes also looking toward Liu Shi.
Liu Shi fanned herself, her voice calm: "You should both know about the recent household income."
Hearing it was this matter, the smile on Fang Shi's face became somewhat forced.
Though Fang Shi didn't know the details of Qi Yun organizing a merchant caravan, she knew how big Qi Yun's recent activities were.
The wine shops in town all came from the Qi family wine shop. The medicine shop business was also booming. Not only that, Qi Yun had also acquired several restaurants, with income flowing like water.
When managers reported accounts, the estate remained stable as before, but the managers on Qi Yun's side were all riding high, wanting to hold their heads high every day.
Fang Shi was anxious inside, but anxiety was useless.
Ye Jiao took another bite of sweet melon, listening to Liu Shi's words, but her thoughts were on Little Shi Tou, thinking her own child's pet name hadn't been chosen yet. Her husband said neither Shi Zi nor Shi Kuai would work, so it was hard to decide.
Liu Shi continued: "Now Third Son has passed two first-place exams and become a scholar. If he wants to continue with the academy examination, he has to wait until next spring. In between, I'm thinking of sending Third Son to study in the city and find a teacher, which will require expenses. I called you here to ask how these expenses should be divided."
Hearing this, Ye Jiao instinctively looked at Fang Shi.
Actually for Ye Jiao, money was now just numbers. Even though her money box was somewhat empty now, Ye Jiao wasn't particularly stingy at heart.
After Little Ginseng became human, the first person to teach her how to use silver was Qi Yun. Afraid she'd be reluctant to spend, Qi Yun always told Ye Jiao it didn't matter how much she spent, they could always earn it back.
Ye Jiao hadn't developed spendthrift habits. After all, Little Ginseng only liked eating and drinking. At home with a small kitchen satisfying everything, as for gold and silver jewelry she didn't care much. The most money she'd spent was buying fur coats for her husband.
This silver had gradually become just numbers. More or less didn't matter much to Ye Jiao.
Previously, though most of the merchant caravan money came from Chu Chengyun, many details still had to be smoothed over bit by bit by Qi Yun.
The originally full silver box was more than half empty, but Ye Jiao didn't feel too bad about it.
Anyway, her husband would refill the box. Little Ginseng wasn't worried at all. Even if it was completely empty, it wouldn't matter. With her husband there, any kind of life would be good.
But she knew Fang Shi was different.
She had no ambition, but Elder Sister-in-law cared greatly about these things.
That time last year before New Year when they had to contribute silver, Ye Jiao didn't understand then, but thinking about it afterward, she knew Fang Shi had suffered a loss, otherwise she wouldn't have been so upset.
Now talking about silver again, Ye Jiao naturally first looked to see what her elder sister-in-law planned.
Liu Shi was also watching Fang Shi. Actually if it weren't for Qi Ming's need to study, she wouldn't have brought this up today.
Turning the beads in her hand, Liu Shi said: "Now, Elder Son manages the family estates, Second Son manages the shops, and they're both doing very well. Third Son studies hard, but Third Son has good prospects. If he succeeds someday, it would be a blessing for the whole family. However, Third Son's study expenses have always come from the family fund before. This time the expenses are large, so I need to ask your opinions before deciding."
Ye Jiao still didn't speak, taking another piece of sweet melon.
Fang Shi seemed to steel herself for some decision, looking up at Liu Shi: "Mother, whatever you say."
Liu Shi paused in turning her prayer beads, then said: "Based on this accounting period's numbers, each family contributes half a percent of their income, one in twenty."
Little Ginseng blinked, feeling this sounded the same as last time.
Shops with high income would contribute more, estates with low income would contribute less.
Ye Jiao didn't mind these things and nodded in agreement. But before she could speak, she heard Fang Shi say: "Mother, why don't we do it like last time - whatever Second Brother contributes, Elder Brother and I will match."
Hearing this, Liu Shi looked at her with some surprise, and Ye Jiao also looked over.
Last time Fang Shi had suffered a loss this way. Ye Jiao still clearly remembered how Fang Shi looked then. Why was she doing this again?
But Fang Shi was very insistent. Though you could see it pained her, once she'd spoken, she had no intention of changing her mind.
Liu Shi waited a moment, realizing Fang Shi was serious, then nodded: "Then we'll do as you say."
After the two daughters-in-law left, Nanny Liu said quietly: "Madam, has First Young Mistress improved?"
Liu Shi turned her prayer beads and suddenly smiled: "Improvement isn't quite right, but her heart is good."
Nanny Liu was somewhat puzzled: "What heart?"
"She still remembers that studying leads to advancement."
Liu Shi saw through Fang Shi completely.
Her eldest daughter-in-law was stingy, true, but she wasn't unreasonable, and having studied, she had the convictions that only educated people possessed, deeply rooted.
Liu Shi said softly: "She's convinced studying is useful, otherwise she wouldn't be watching Little Shi Tou recite every day now. This time it's pooling silver for Third Son. Third Son got first place twice. At worst, he'll get a scholar's title in the future. If he's fortunate, a jinshi degree isn't impossible either."
If the Qi family could produce a jinshi, or even an official, it would bring honor to the whole family.
Previously not wanting to contribute to household expenses would at worst earn a stingy reputation, but this time was money for Third Son's studies. Fang Shi naturally wouldn't be stingy, and couldn't be.
Thinking this way, though Fang Shi was somewhat tight-fisted, she was someone who cared for family and understood brotherly harmony.
But remembering how readily Fang Shi had agreed just now, Liu Shi couldn't help shaking her head: "I don't know how she's calculating Third Son's prospects in her heart to be so generous."
She as a mother only hoped Third Son could get a scholar's title and live comfortably without want. But looking at this situation, Fang Shi seemed to have high expectations for him.
Could it be she was expecting Third Son to become the top scholar?
At this moment, the person being talked about as potentially becoming top scholar, Qi Ming, was preparing to go to a bookstore to pick some books to read.
For Third Young Master Qi, his heart contained nothing but reading. Today having rare free time to walk the streets, he just wanted to buy some books to read.
Even if some books weren't classic works, reading more would always lead to understanding more.
Though after reading for so many years, Qi Ming still hadn't found better ways to deal with his Second Brother.
Adjusting the book bag on his shoulder, Qi Ming slowly walked toward the bookstore.
But on the road, he encountered several people dressed as scholars coming toward him.
Now that the prefectural examination was over, and the academy examination was held twice every three years with the next one probably waiting until next year, some of these scholars were studying while others who hadn't passed were taking it easy, going out to play in small groups.
The ones Qi Ming encountered now were his schoolmates from the academy, though he didn't recognize most of their faces.
After all, for a diligent student like Qi Ming, he couldn't remember anyone who wasn't at school reciting before dawn.
But they recognized Qi Ming.
Since ancient times, those who came first in county, prefectural, and academy examinations were called "top candidates," and someone who got all three was said to have achieved the "minor three yuan."
People who achieved the minor three yuan were so few they could be counted. Qi Ming having gotten two was already enough to be household names in these ten li and eight villages.
Moreover, the Qi family was wealthy, and both banquets had been grand. It was normal for others to know.
However, Qi Ming didn't think being suddenly embraced by a shoulder by a former schoolmate was a good experience.
"Isn't this our top candidate? Do you remember me? Lin Wu Lang, I used to sit behind you at the academy."
Qi Ming stared at this person called Lin Wu Lang for a while before confirming: "Don't really recognize you."
Lin Wu Lang wasn't surprised either. This Third Young Master Qi was famous for loving books but not people. He himself wasn't someone who could discuss poetry and literature with him. On the contrary, he was most impatient with studying. It was normal for him not to be recognized.
But since he'd encountered him, Lin Wu Lang planned to get friendly with him.
After all, everyone now said Third Young Master Qi had considerable learning and would definitely pass the juren and jinshi examinations in the future. Though Lin Wu Lang himself wasn't a good student and couldn't memorize texts, if he could get familiar with Third Young Master Qi and establish connections, it would benefit him in the future.
Thinking this, Lin Wu Lang said: "You're now a scholar and will definitely take next year's academy examination."
Qi Ming said "Mm" and looked around, seeming to confirm he wouldn't miss the bookstore.
Lin Wu Lang looked at him and suddenly asked: "You're sixteen this year?"
Qi Ming nodded once. Counting by traditional age, he should be sixteen.
Lin Wu Lang couldn't help showing a mysterious smile: "Then you're not young. Third Young Master Qi, want me to take you to see the world?"
See the world?
Qi Ming looked at him strangely: "What do you mean?"
Lin Wu Lang revealed a smile: "Do you know about the newly opened Spring Night Tower up ahead?"
Qi Ming didn't know about Spring Night Tower, but anything with such a name definitely wasn't an ordinary place.
Most likely a house of ill repute.
Frowning slightly, Qi Ming said: "I never go to such places." He tried to break free.
But Lin Wu Lang just thought he was shy and held on tighter: "You're already sixteen, you should have your first taste. Just looking won't cut your flesh. Whatever it costs, I'll cover it."
It wouldn't cut flesh, but it would kill him!
If Second Brother found out he'd gone to such a place, the consequences would be unthinkable!
Only a carter had come with him, and he wasn't around now. Qi Ming felt he should try hard.
Powerful survival instinct made Qi Ming immediately push him away and run.
But he didn't get far before running into Chu Chengyun head-on.
He had seen from afar that Qi Ming was being dragged away. Seeing the two seemed to be arm in arm, Chu Chengyun originally didn't want to interfere, but seeing Qi Ming push the person away and run, he knew Qi Ming was in trouble. That's why he waited not far away, catching Qi Ming when he ran over, then glancing at Lin Wu Lang.
Lin Wu Lang liked frequenting houses of ill repute. His speech and behavior carried some dissoluteness. He could rely on being older to control Third Young Master Qi, but being glared at by Chu Chengyun, he didn't dare approach.
Usually Chu Chengyun was always smiling, looking very amiable.
But when his face turned cold, those phoenix eyes perfectly inherited from his father emperor seemed covered in ice and frost, chilling people to the bone.
Lin Wu Lang stopped. Chu Chengyun pulled his worthy brother's arm and left.
This made Lin Wu Lang grind his teeth. He had wanted to treat Third Young Master Qi to fun and pleasure, but Third Young Master Qi gave him no face, instead acting like he disdained him.
"Bah, little brat, why don't you go home and drink milk." Lin Wu Lang turned and left, planning to go to Spring Night Tower to vent his anger.
Qi Ming looked at Chu Chengyun, his expression calming as he breathed out: "Fortunately I met sworn brother, otherwise I'd be in trouble."
Hearing this, Chu Chengyun asked what had happened. Learning that person wanted to drag Qi Ming to seek flowers and ask willows, Chu Chengyun immediately frowned and cursed: "He's at least from a scholarly background and should know propriety and shame. In broad daylight dragging you to... to such places, his heart is black!"
Qi Ming saw Chu Chengyun stumble and looked at him: "What kind of places?"
Chu Chengyun couldn't help coughing lightly: "Just that we know is enough. Don't say more - it wouldn't do for my wife to know."
Hearing this, Qi Ming smiled and said no more, following him into a tea house.
After this commotion, Qi Ming lost interest in going to the bookstore. He sat steadily across from Chu Chengyun, first picking up tea to drink, then opening his book bag and taking out its contents to arrange on the table.
Chu Chengyun closed his paper fan, watching him arrange ink, paper, and inkstone one by one, and couldn't help smiling: "Carrying so many things when you go out, aren't you tired?"
Qi Ming was rummaging in his book bag for books and answered without looking up: "It's fine."
Chu Chengyun looked at what Qi Ming had laid out and soon saw the inkstone.
The Duan inkstone he'd given him.
This made Chu Chengyun pause: "Third Son, you carry it with you?"
Qi Ming thought he was still worried about whether it was tiring, so he looked up and smiled at Chu Chengyun: "Not tiring. These are all things I need to use anytime, so naturally I should carry them properly."
These words warmed Chu Chengyun's heart. He thought his newly recognized worthy brother was truly good, remembering his kindness. This inkstone was heavy but he still carried it, not wasting his care.
Qi Yun didn't know he'd moved Chu Chengyun. He took out a stack of paper and diligently began copying.
This was a task Qi Yun had assigned him - twenty pages daily, not one less.
Most were copying the Four Books and Five Classics, which Qi Ming could recite fluently, but he still had to take out copybooks to follow when writing, standardizing his characters.
Chu Chengyun fanned his paper fan, watching Qi Ming work hard, and couldn't help saying: "Are these assignments from academy teachers?"
Hearing this, Qi Ming felt aggrieved, muttering: "No, my Second Brother made me write them." Really didn't know where he'd offended Second Brother. Did he look down on him lately... Qi Ming pouted.
But Chu Chengyun had heard too many good things about Qi Yun, mostly from Qi Ming.
Now knowing it was Qi Yun's assignment, Chu Chengyun immediately found an appropriate reason: "Second Brother must have his own ideas. Having you write more will benefit your future... That's right, if you reach the palace examination in the future, there's no transcription. If your calligraphy isn't good then, you'll suffer greatly."
Current imperial examinations, to avoid cheating, required anonymous copying to prevent identifying through handwriting and test marks.
But for palace examinations, standard court calligraphy was required, and final rankings would be circled by the emperor.
So the quality of calligraphy largely determined the emperor's impression.
Qi Ming hadn't thought that far. He'd never expected to take palace examinations, but hearing Chu Chengyun's words, he looked enlightened.
So I misunderstood Second Brother. Second Brother was still doing this for my good.
Thus, his recent complaints immediately turned to regret. Qi Ming felt very guilty, thinking he'd misunderstood Qi Yun's good intentions. He immediately straightened his back, raised his wrist, and focused on writing.
Chu Chengyun, seeing this, also nodded inwardly. Such diligence and hard work was truly admirable. This Third Son should have the talent of a top scholar.
One writing, one watching, time passed quickly.
After finishing twenty pages of large characters, Qi Ming packed up his things before having time to discuss poetry and literature with Chu Chengyun.
The two were naturally compatible and always had endless things to say. When they parted, the sun was already setting.
Qi Ming shouldered his book bag and returned home. As soon as he entered, he prepared to find Qi Yun to turn in his homework.
When he reached Qi Yun's courtyard, the sky wasn't completely dark, but candles were already lit inside. From the shadows on the window, you could see two people inside.
Ye Jiao was touching her belly while Qi Yun leaned against her belly listening. Just looking at the shadows cast on the window was particularly harmonious.
This made Qi Ming immediately stop, not going in to disturb them. Instead, he handed the stack of papers to Tie Zi to deliver, then quietly left, occasionally looking back.
His eyes showed undisguised envy. Qi Ming wondered when he could marry and have a good wife too.
But inside the room, the topic Ye Jiao and Qi Yun were discussing was far from as warm as Qi Ming imagined.
"I've been thinking, the baby must look like you."
"Naturally."
Ye Jiao sat on the couch, looking down at Qi Yun who was lying on her legs with his ear against her belly listening, fanning herself and suggesting: "Husband, you're so fair, why don't we call the child Little White?"
Without thinking, Qi Yun replied gently: "Only if we stew Little Black can the child be called Little White."
Ye Jiao looked at Little Su and decided to temporarily set aside this good name.
Qi Yun didn't hear any movement from the child and didn't insist. He straightened up to sit beside Ye Jiao, taking her hand: "The pet name isn't urgent. You said earlier you wanted to discuss something with me. What is it?"
Ye Jiao told Qi Yun about what Liu Shi had said earlier.
Hearing this, Qi Yun smiled: "It's rare for Elder Sister-in-law to be generous, but Third Son doesn't need that much. No need for half percents - fifteen guan per family is enough for Third Son for two years."
Ye Jiao put a piece of red bean cake in her mouth, speaking unclearly: "Then why did husband insist on contributing thirty guan last time?"
Qi Yun still played with his smile, his voice gentle: "That was Mother's intention, naturally I had to go along."
Liu Shi had intended to teach Fang Shi a lesson that New Year. Qi Yun understood and naturally contributed exactly thirty guan without discount, cooperating with Liu Shi to give his elder sister-in-law a lesson.
But this time was different. Fang Shi intended to benefit Qi Ming, so Qi Yun would certainly give her this face.
Seeing Ye Jiao was choking, he took a cup and poured white water to hand over: "Third Son is still young and can't hold onto money. However much you give him, he'll spend on books. He'd just develop spendthrift habits. Better to be restrained and not give him everything."
Ye Jiao drank water from Qi Yun's hand, smoothed it down, then said: "Then I'll tell Mother tomorrow."
At this moment, they saw Tie Zi knock on the window outside. Little Su quickly went over. After a while, she returned, first placing the characters Qi Ming had submitted on the table, then smiling: "Second Young Master, Second Young Mistress, someone just came with a message. The medicine shop proprietress gave birth at only seven months to a son. Fortunately, mother and child are safe."