Lady of Fortune, Jiao Niang

Chapter 75

Qi Yun also heard the child's cries, one after another, like strikes to his heart, making his originally straight back suddenly collapse.

Leaning against the chair back, the man breathed heavily, cold sweat having already soaked his back, feeling chilly.

Liu Shi came out of the room, then closed the door again. Seeing the sky just beginning to brighten outside, she smiled and said: "This child clearly has good fortune. Just born and the sky is already bright."

Qi Ming really wanted to say that the sky brightened about the same as yesterday, not early or late, so it probably wasn't his nephew who brought the dawn.

But Third Young Master Qi was very tactful and didn't speak, obediently stepping aside to let Liu Shi approach Qi Yun.

Seeing Qi Yun drenched in sweat, Liu Shi first felt heartache, then her face filled with smiles.

Taking out a handkerchief to wipe him, Liu Shi said: "I have a grandson, Second Son, you have a son too. You should be happy, why are you still scowling?"

Qi Yun looked at Liu Shi, his voice somewhat hoarse: "Is Jiao Niang alright? I just heard her cry out in pain."

"She's fine. This birth was quick, the child was good and didn't cause trouble, came out smoothly. Jiao Niang is tired and sleeping now, the child cried for a while and is also sleeping." Liu Shi looked at Qi Yun: "Why don't you go rest too? Don't let Jiao Niang worry."

Of Liu Shi's long speech, Qi Yun only heard a few words.

Jiao Niang was fine, that was good.

He stood up, his body swaying slightly, but quickly steadied himself.

Qi Ming hurried over to support him: "Second Brother, are you alright?"

Liu Shi said: "Why don't you sit down? I'll bring the child for you to see?"

Qi Yun waved his hand and took a deep breath.

In the air, there was still a faint smell of blood, but Qi Yun felt peaceful.

He wanted to go see Ye Jiao, to check if she was well, but women who had just given birth were most vulnerable to drafts. Qi Yun restrained his thoughts, thinking he'd wait until noon to go. No matter how much he missed Jiao Niang, he had to consider his wife's health.

He thought again of that crying voice that had drowned out Little Black, that was his son, born through Jiao Niang's great suffering...

Really capable, even crying so loudly.

Inexplicably feeling proud, though Qi Yun wasn't eager to see him: "Let the child sleep beside Jiao Niang. I'm not in a hurry, I can see him later."

Now that it was autumn, Liu Shi also didn't want to bring the child out so early, afraid he'd catch cold. Hearing Qi Yun's words, she nodded: "That's good too. Second Son, you should take this time to rest a bit, don't tire yourself."

Someone else might not understand what was so tiring about waiting outside.

But Qi Yun now looked like he'd been pulled from water, clearly showing he'd been anxious for as long as Ye Jiao had been in labor. Looking at him, it seemed he wished he could have labored alongside Ye Jiao.

Qi Yun didn't force himself, rubbing his forehead as he stood up to go lie down in the nearby small room.

Qi Ming followed him. Actually, he hadn't slept half the night either, constantly helping lift curtains and boil hot water. Even without Qi Yun's anxiety, he'd expended quite a bit of energy.

Now that Qi Yun was going to lie down in the small room, Qi Ming simply didn't return to his own courtyard either. He set up a kang table in the middle of the soft couch, Qi Yun lying on the left side, him on the right, and they both fell asleep in a jumble.

When they woke up, the sky outside was fully bright.

Qi Yun sat up first. He hadn't slept much last night, and though he'd slept for a while this morning, it still wasn't his normal schedule. Even now that he was awake, he felt dizzy and disoriented.

Confused enough to make him feel like his wife giving birth was like a dream.

Instinctively looking to the side, instead of seeing Ye Jiao, he saw his third brother.

When Qi Ming opened his eyes, he happened to meet Qi Yun's direct stare.

Every time Qi Yun stared at him like this, it was usually because Qi Ming had done something wrong. Third Young Master Qi, already accustomed to being scared by his Second Brother, immediately got up, his first words being: "Second Brother, I was wrong!"

This stunned Qi Yun: "What did you do wrong?"

Qi Ming didn't speak, looking innocent.

Actually, he often didn't know what he'd done wrong, but admitting fault first never hurt.

Fortunately, this time Qi Yun wasn't in the mood to pursue it. His eyes surveyed the surroundings, recognizing this as the small room in his own courtyard, but still asking Qi Ming for confirmation: "Jiao Niang, gave birth?"

Qi Ming obediently nodded: "Yes."

Only then did Qi Yun confirm it wasn't a dream. He breathed a sigh of relief, then seeing the sky was fully bright outside, thought he could go in to see her. Qi Ming quickly rolled off the couch to follow.

But as soon as they opened the door, they saw Manager Song standing outside.

Actually, Manager Song had come early in the morning, originally wanting to discuss business with Qi Yun. But upon arrival, he heard that Second Young Mistress Qi had given birth to a Young Master, and Qi Yun was currently sleeping and hadn't gotten up, so Manager Song didn't disturb him.

The matter was quite important though, and he didn't want to make a wasted trip, so he went to wait in the study first.

Seeing it was nearly noon, Manager Song couldn't sit still and came to wait in the courtyard.

Manager Song was studying the medicinal flowers in the courtyard to pass time when he saw the small room door open. He immediately hurried over: "Congratulations to Second Young Master."

Qi Yun's steps paused as he returned Manager Song's bow.

But he didn't ask about Manager Song's purpose, instead looking at Tie Zi who was standing guard outside: "Is Jiao Niang awake?"

Tie Zi shook his head.

Qi Yun hesitated. If he went in, he might wake Ye Jiao, so he pulled back his foot that had stepped toward the door.

Manager Song was well aware of Qi Yun's devotion to Ye Jiao and hadn't spoken earlier. Now seeing an opportunity, he immediately said: "Young Master, I have something urgent to discuss with you."

Qi Yun's heart was on Ye Jiao, but since he was waiting anyway, he said to Manager Song: "Come in and speak."

"Yes."

"Have you had lunch?"

"Not yet." Not only lunch, he hadn't even eaten breakfast before coming, and Manager Song's stomach was already empty.

Qi Ming also touched his own stomach, he was hungry too.

Then Qi Yun said to Tie Zi: "Set out the meal, something simple is fine." Only then did he step aside to let Manager Song in.

Qi Ming looked hopefully at Qi Yun: "Second Brother, I want to eat too."

Qi Yun reached out and patted his head: "Alright." Qi Ming had worked hard earlier too, Qi Yun wouldn't begrudge him a pair of chopsticks.

Third Young Master Qi immediately smiled and happily ran to sit at the table.

The food came quickly. Qi Yun only took a couple bites before putting down his chopsticks. Having something on his mind made it hard to swallow. But Qi Ming ate happily, adding rice twice.

Manager Song was older and felt half-full after two bowls of soup. He ate slowly and methodically, but this didn't stop him from talking to Qi Yun: "Second Young Master, the merchant caravan sent word earlier that they've already crossed the border without any obstacles. As for personnel, except for one guard who was ill for a while, everyone else is fine."

Qi Yun nodded, settling his mind somewhat, his voice also becoming more steady: "Good. Tell them not to break contact and to speak clearly about what needs to be said."

"I'll remember that." Manager Song's voice paused before continuing: "There's another matter that might not be appropriate to bring up today, but it happened urgently and needs your decision."

Qi Yun handed a steamed bun to Qi Ming while looking at Manager Song: "Speak freely."

Manager Song organized his words before saying: "Some of the pottery jars for our wine shop are supplied by the Lin family, but yesterday I heard that Fifth Son Lin got into trouble, he's fallen ill."

Qi Yun frowned slightly. If it were an ordinary illness, Manager Song wouldn't bring it to him: "What kind of illness?"

Manager Song glanced toward the bedroom, thinking of Second Young Mistress and the newborn Young Master inside, his face showing some difficulty in speaking. He could only say vaguely: "It seems to be a dirty disease."

What could be called a dirty disease nowadays was mostly foul ailments contracted from houses of ill repute.

Even if it wasn't from visiting brothels, his lifestyle was quite questionable.

For Manager Song to know about it, the commotion must be significant. Qi Yun frowned slightly: "Don't buy jars from his family anymore. Find another supplier."

Manager Song hadn't expected Qi Yun to decide so quickly and was somewhat surprised.

Qi Yun's expression remained calm: "Fifth Son Lin's illness has nothing to do with our business, but if such matters can't be kept quiet, they probably can't control much else either. Once this gets out, the Lin family's reputation is ruined. There are so many pottery jar vendors, no need to get involved with them."

Venereal disease was different from ordinary illness.

Even when Qi Yun was deathly ill before, no one spoke ill of the Qi family.

But having such a shameful disease in the family would bring disgrace to the whole household. They should be trying to cover it up, yet somehow the matter spread, showing they probably weren't reliable people. In an era that valued reputation, once reputation was ruined, many paths were blocked.

The Qi family's relationship with them was just business, so cutting ties was nothing to hesitate about.

Manager Song immediately agreed, while Qi Ming, who had been listening nearby, blinked.

Previously, what Qi Yun told him was mostly book knowledge, what he learned in school was also just Confucian teachings. But the real human world couldn't be entirely governed by books, and Qi Ming didn't understand much about social interactions.

Now hearing the conversation between Qi Yun and Manager Song, Qi Ming's eyes turned, seeming to gain some understanding.

But the next second, Qi Yun tapped his head with chopsticks.

Third Young Master Qi was somewhat confused, covering his head as he looked at Qi Yun.

He saw his Second Brother looking at him with a cold expression: "You can listen selectively to these matters, don't learn everything. Third Son, you'll be in official circles in the future, everything must be upright and honest. Scheming about people's hearts is just a small path, what you need to do is more than that, so you don't need to learn these things."

But there was another half-sentence Qi Yun didn't say.

The ups and downs of officialdom were far more treacherous than the business world.

Ordinary scheming was nothing in official circles, Qi Ming had never seen truly life-and-death situations.

But Qi Yun didn't let him have too much contact with these things, to avoid corrupting him.

His current third brother was young, his reading had made him upright and rigid, which was good. Having a foundation of character would help him face the potentially turbulent court in the future.

As for the skills of being an official, Qi Yun admitted he didn't understand them and couldn't teach them, so he simply ignored and didn't mention them.

For now, he just needed to stabilize his fundamental character, let his Third Brother grow up properly. If he could really pass the imperial examinations in the future, he could naturally find an official academy to learn from then.

If he learned about social relationships too early, it might corrupt his foundation and harm his future path.

But Qi Yun wouldn't tell Qi Ming any of this, only saying calmly: "Eat your food properly. You still need to practice calligraphy later, don't forget."

Qi Ming agreed and obediently ate from his bowl, extremely focused.

Manager Song found their brotherly interaction interesting, his voice carrying some sentiment: "That Fifth Son Lin was actually Third Young Master's classmate, but looking at their different circumstances now, it's really due to different family upbringing."

Qi Yun heard Manager Song's flattery and just nodded.

But Qi Ming's chopsticks paused.

Classmate?

It seemed a month ago there was someone surnamed Lin who claimed to be his classmate, trying to drag him to brothels. He seemed to be fifth in his family...

Suddenly feeling a chill down his back, Qi Ming instinctively said: "Fortunately..."

Fortunately he didn't go, fortunately he ran fast then, fortunately his sworn brother helped scare off Fifth Son Lin.

Otherwise, who knows which family would be disgraced now!

Qi Ming was still young after all, and thinking about it made him feel waves of fear.

Qi Yun glanced at him: "Fortunately what?"

Qi Ming immediately said: "Nothing, I mean, fortunately... there's plenty of food today, not worried about not having enough." After speaking, Qi Ming added another bowl of rice, and even though he was already full, he still forced it down.

He definitely wouldn't tell the truth.

If his Second Brother knew he'd almost gone to such a place, even if he didn't actually go, he'd probably be finished.

At times like this, life was more important.

Manager Song smiled and said: "Third Young Master clearly has a good constitution, eating more helps you grow stronger."

Qi Ming kept his head down, looking like he was eating happily but actually wanting to cry.

Just then, Tie Zi called from outside: "Second Young Master, Second Young Mistress is awake!"

Hearing this, Qi Yun immediately stood up and went out. Qi Ming could finally put down his chopsticks and prepared to go out to digest his food.

Inside the room, when Ye Jiao opened her eyes, she saw the sky was bright outside.

The room had been cleaned up, the smell of blood covered by a faint fragrance, and though Ye Jiao still felt sore from the waist down, it didn't hurt much anymore.

Little Ginseng turned on her side, feeling the soreness return, so she lay flat again, staring straight up at the bed canopy.

She could hear someone smacking their lips beside her. Ye Jiao turned her head to look at the small bundle, reaching out to poke it.

He had just nursed in Ye Jiao's arms and should be full, but his mouth still pouted, occasionally suckling, as if even in sleep he was thinking about eating.

Probably because she gave birth to him, nursing him directly wouldn't make him too robust.

Ye Jiao examined him carefully.

This was her own child, carried in her belly for several months.

Little Ginseng had greeted her belly when she was pregnant, and now that he was finally out, she should look closely and remember his appearance.

Mother-child connection might exist, but ultimately Ye Jiao still felt recognizing his face was most important.

The child lay there with eyes closed, still pink and very soft, with chubby cheeks. Ye Jiao couldn't tell who he resembled, only noticing his lips were like his father's.

Thin and soft, very pretty.

While staring at him, Ye Jiao saw someone push the door open.

She couldn't move freely yet, and there was a screen by the window, so she couldn't tell who it was at first. Ye Jiao simply called out: "Who is it?"

"It's me." Qi Yun spoke as he came around the screen.

He sat on the bamboo stool beside the bed, looking at Ye Jiao without speaking.

Ye Jiao saw he wasn't talking and didn't speak either, letting him look.

But as the man looked, he began to smile, and as he smiled, he covered his eyes with his hand.

Ye Jiao was puzzled and reached out to pull his hand: "Husband, what's wrong?" Then her voice paused: "Do I look bad now?"

Qi Yun gently rubbed his eyes with his thumb, then grasped Ye Jiao's hand in return, looking at her: "No, Jiao Niang looks beautiful. I just... got dust in my eyes from rushing over."

Ye Jiao beckoned to him: "Come here."

Qi Yun didn't ask what she wanted to do and leaned over.

Then he felt his wife's soft hands cupping his face, blowing gently on his eyes.

"Still have dust?"

Qi Yun lowered his head slightly, then closed his eyes: "A little still, Jiao Niang blow on them."

Little Ginseng obediently blew for him, very seriously.

After blowing, Qi Yun, who hadn't actually had anything in his eyes, sat back on the stool, finally noticing his son: "Is that him?"

Ye Jiao also very solemnly introduced him to Qi Yun: "Yes, that's him, our son."

Qi Yun stared at him, though he couldn't make out much, still said: "He's handsome. Jiao Niang worked hard." As a father, he was very satisfied.

Then Qi Yun saw Ye Jiao put her hand into the swaddling, seeming to feel around for something.

This made Qi Yun curious: "What's wrong?"

Ye Jiao answered seriously: "I'm checking." Checking if there were any extra grass or tendrils growing out.

If there were, she'd just pluck them off.

Fortunately, besides the natural equipment, there was nothing else.

Finally at ease, Little Ginseng brought up naming again: "Husband, have you thought of the formal name?"

"Just as we discussed before, the single character Ce. Haven't thought of a pet name yet."

Ye Jiao poked the little baby again: "For a pet name, I see his head is big, why don't we call him Big Head?"

Qi Yun: ...

Thinking that Jiao Niang had worked so hard to have this child, directly rejecting it seemed unkind. Qi Yun could only find another way.

Looking around, his eyes fell on the window outside.

This child was born at dawn, with morning light breaking, the first rays appearing, the sun rising in the east.

So Qi Yun said: "What about calling him Xu Bao?"

Xu Bao?

Ye Jiao thought about it, repeating it twice in her mind, then nodded with a smile: "Good, that sounds nice. Husband chose well."

Qi Yun smiled and picked up the still-tiny Qi Ce, thinking to himself:

Little Xu Bao, father doesn't have much to give you, so this paternal love will start with not calling you Big Head.