Lady of Fortune, Jiao Niang

Chapter 79

This money, if it were a few months ago, could have been repaid by tightening their belts a bit using the silver Ye Ping Rong had given them.

But now, the two who were penniless and in debt couldn't come up with even half a coin.

Second Brother Ye's wife had never known that Second Brother Ye still owed the Qi family silver, and immediately panicked. But with her mouth stuffed, she could only make muffled sounds, her eyes staring deadly at Second Brother Ye.

Second Brother Ye only remembered owing money to a wine shop, but back then the Qi family shop was just an ordinary small establishment, nothing significant. He'd owed money to many places then, so it was natural he might not remember everything at once.

Now that Qi Yun had produced the IOU, Second Brother Ye reached out trying to snatch it, but was slapped back by Tie Zi.

Qi Yun remained unmoved, not even glancing at them: "If you want to repay the money, pay it now. If you don't have money, go raise it quickly, otherwise this interest will keep accumulating, and you'll find it even harder to repay later."

With her mouth gagged, Second Brother Ye's wife couldn't speak. Without someone to stand in front of him, Second Brother Ye had to plead himself: "Brother-in-law, please, for little sister's sake, let this matter go. We're just poor folk, not like your wealthy household. I..."

"That's really strange talk," Tie Zi snorted coldly. "Our master's money was all earned bit by bit, without stealing, robbing, cheating, or deceiving. How does it sound in your mouth like being poor gives you the right? Repaying debts is natural and right. Four guan and more is quite a sum. We haven't forced you to repay immediately only because we believe in heaven's mercy. To put it harshly, according to current law, if you can't repay the silver and we report to the magistrate, selling your whole family to repay the debt would be perfectly legal."

A sharp-eyed woman heard this and immediately came over with a grin: "Tie Zi, this old woman knows a broker, very generous. Should I have her come take a look? She might give a good price."

Second Brother Ye completely lost his voice, his eyes even starting to glance toward Second Brother Ye's wife.

Just one look made Second Brother Ye's wife's heart go cold.

Though Second Brother Ye's wife knew she'd lost all face and dignity now, all this humiliation couldn't compare to Second Brother Ye's single glance.

Who was she working so hard for? Wasn't it all for him?

It wasn't that she didn't know Second Brother Ye used her as a shield, wasn't that she didn't know he hid everything from her. But Second Brother Ye's wife hadn't expected that at a time like this, he would look at her like that. From his expression, if the Qi family really brought a slave trader, the first thing he'd do would be check her teeth and sell her!

Second Brother Ye's wife's eyes reddened with rage. She asked herself if she'd wronged many people, but she'd never wronged Second Brother Ye.

In the end, the only person she'd never wronged wanted to sell her.

Qi Yun hadn't thought about selling or not selling, and was too lazy to care about these two people's on-the-spot performance of betrayal when disaster struck. He only said: "This debt stops at four guan and five qian. When you have the money to repay, bring it. If you have no intention of repaying, go back and live your own lives. Don't make noise and disturb people's sleep."

Tie Zi immediately said to those restraining them: "Let them go." Then Tie Zi waved to the gatekeeper, having them reopen the main gate.

As soon as Second Brother Ye's wife was released, she collapsed sitting on the ground, her hands bracing against the stone slabs, staring blankly not knowing what she was thinking.

But Second Brother Ye, hearing that Qi Yun didn't want to pursue the matter, quickly said: "Brother-in-law, could I see little sister? Just one look!"

Tie Zi clicked his tongue, thinking how this person was still being endless. So he couldn't get money and wouldn't leave?

Qi Yun's response was particularly concise: "Get lost."

Then he turned and went inside. Several women also followed in, preparing to collect their rewards. The gate closed tightly with no further movement.

Not long after, a woman went to Liu Shi's courtyard and said a few words to Nanny Liu.

Nanny Liu nodded, dismissed her, then entered the small Buddhist hall, saying softly to Liu Shi: "Those two have left."

Liu Shi's hand turning prayer beads paused, and she opened her eyes slightly: "How did they leave?"

Nanny Liu described what happened at the gate, finally saying: "After Second Young Master closed the door, that woman even beat Second Brother Ye quite severely. But no matter how they fought, it's their business and doesn't concern our family, and it won't disturb Second Young Mistress."

Hearing this, Liu Shi couldn't help smiling, though she quickly restrained her expression and sighed: "Those two aren't good people. Actually, I knew from the beginning."

At this point, Nanny Liu's face showed hesitation: "Madam, previously that Second Brother Ye's wife would do anything for money. This old servant wonders about the birth chart she brought..."

"What about it?"

Nanny Liu hesitated, not daring to speak.

Previously, Second Brother Ye's wife had been eager to send Ye Jiao to the Qi family. Besides praising her sister-in-law's looks and figure, she'd provided an excellent birth chart.

Usually, common people's birth charts were only known by themselves and family members. After all, birth date and time were each person's taboo. If others learned them, they might cast spells to harm you, which was never good. The magistrate would at most ask roughly which year and month for registration, nothing more detailed.

Ye Jiao's birth chart had looked excellent then, but seeing the Ye couple's character now, that birth chart was probably fake.

Liu Shi could guess what Nanny Liu was thinking.

But Liu Shi resumed turning her prayer beads, her voice calm: "Birth charts don't count for much in the end. Second Son's birth chart wasn't good, yet he's recovered now. Since Jiao Niang is good, we should protect and cherish her. Keep the birth chart matter in your stomach and never mention it again."

Nanny Liu nodded, saying no more.

Liu Shi closed her eyes again, saying softly: "Poor Second Son, to protect Jiao Niang, he could even think of having women scold people. But he did well. That family will probably avoid our people from now on."

Nanny Liu smiled along, then asked: "Should we withdraw our people too?"

"Withdraw them. When I heard them making trouble, I arranged people to watch, originally to teach them a lesson so they'd suffer some physical pain on their way back, preventing future annoyances. Since Second Son did better than I expected, these matters can be forgotten." Liu Shi turned her prayer beads, her voice indifferent.

Nanny Liu agreed and was about to leave when Liu Shi said: "It's late, but Second Son probably hasn't slept yet. Have someone prepare something light to send over, in case they're hungry."

"Yes, Madam."

When Ye Jiao returned carrying little Xu Bao, waiting for her besides Qi Yun reading a book were two bowls of plain noodles on the table.

These plain noodles looked simple but were actually difficult to make.

Mushrooms and bamboo shoots had to be boiled the day before to extract their essence, combined with shrimp stock, brought to a boil over high heat, then noodles added, finally garnished with vegetables.

The flavor mixed mushroom and bamboo freshness with shrimp's unique aroma. Though without much oil, it was more substantial than many meat dishes.

Xu Bao had already nursed to his fill. Ye Jiao's milk was nourishing, and little Xu Bao was stronger than his father in this regard, eating steadily and safely.

Previously when Qi Yun had tried a sip, he'd slept most of the day digesting it. But Xu Bao ate it daily without getting overfed, instead becoming more lively.

But now the little one with his full belly had fallen into deep sleep. Ye Jiao placed him on the bed with Little Su watching over him, then went to the table to eat the late-night snack with Qi Yun.

Qi Yun's bowl had only a few noodle strands, just for tasting. He spent more time propping his chin and staring at Ye Jiao.

When Ye Jiao noticed him watching her, her mouth was already bulging, her cheeks like a little squirrel's.

After swallowing and wiping her mouth with a handkerchief, Ye Jiao smiled and asked: "Why do you keep looking at me? Did I get something dirty while playing with Xu Bao?" She lifted her arms to check.

Qi Yun smiled and took her hand, gently shaking his head: "Not at all. Jiao Niang is perfect, everything about you is good."

Little Ginseng let him hold her hand while using her other hand with chopsticks, not interfering with eating.

Hearing this, Ye Jiao looked at him, studied him for a while, then leaned over and licked his lips.

Warm on the lips, swept over repeatedly.

Though Qi Yun could now sit calmly allowing Ye Jiao to "do as she pleased," he still couldn't stop his ears from reddening slightly.

When Ye Jiao sat back to eat noodles, Qi Yun found time to ask: "What was Jiao Niang just doing?"

Ye Jiao gave him a sweet smile, her eyes clear: "I heard husband's words were pleasant. Before, husband said my mouth was sweet as honey, and I tasted it for a long time. Now I'm tasting husband's to see if it's sweet too."

Qi Yun: ...

At this moment, Second Young Master Qi once again reflected on what exactly he'd taught Ye Jiao before.

After finishing the bowl of plain noodles, Ye Jiao and Qi Yun read together to aid digestion, then lay side by side in bed preparing to sleep.

But unlike usual, this time they placed Xu Bao between them.

Though mentally urging Xu Bao to become independent quickly, when it came to nighttime, Qi Yun couldn't bear to give his tiny son to others, so they let him sleep on the bed together.

Xu Bao was naturally sleepy, lying on his back with his little belly exposed, only staying still when wrapped in swaddling.

Ye Jiao lay on her side facing him, closed her eyes, and soon fell into deep sleep.

Qi Yun kept his eyes open looking at them both, soon curving his lips in a smile.

This was his wife, his son. They were together, and even if just within these small bed curtains, with them here, this was home.

Perhaps he couldn't completely protect them now, couldn't accomplish many things yet, but Qi Yun felt that with them here, he had motivation and purpose for everything he did.

Before, when alone, waiting to die was his only goal.

Now it was different. Protecting them for life was Qi Yun's purpose.

Leaning over, Qi Yun left a gentle kiss on Ye Jiao's forehead, then kissed Xu Bao as well.

The man thought to himself: Jiao Niang has given me so much, I should shelter her from wind and rain to repay this tender sweetness.

After Qi Yun closed his eyes, he felt a soft hand slip into his palm.

He instinctively grasped Ye Jiao's hand and opened his eyes to look, only to find Ye Jiao's eyes weren't open at all. She seemed to unconsciously reach for Qi Yun's hand in her sleep.

Even while sleeping, Little Ginseng remembered to nourish her husband's health.

Qi Yun's heart stirred, wanting to move closer, but was blocked by Xu Bao.

...Indeed, this child should grow up quickly.

Several days later, choosing a day with pleasant weather, the Qi family prepared carriages. Second Young Master Qi's family and Liu Shi were going to live at the mountain retreat.

Early that morning, Qi Yun went to the study, called several managers to give instructions, telling them to manage well during this time. If anything came up, they should go to the mountain to find him, not look in the wrong place.

Ye Jiao stayed in the courtyard preparing things. There weren't many people to bring, just Little Su.

Little Su prepared many things, especially since the Young Master was only two months old. His food, clothing, and necessities filled two large trunks. Combined with Ye Jiao's usual items, they needed a special ox cart to transport everything.

"Second Young Mistress, is there anything else to bring?" Little Su wiped sweat from her forehead, holding several shuttlecocks in her hand.

All made from Little Black's contributed feathers, particularly black and lustrous.

Ye Jiao was about to shake her head when she suddenly seemed to remember something and went back inside.

The silver box should be carried with her, since they were going out and wouldn't return for a month or two. Having the box nearby felt secure.

There was another item that needed to be kept close for peace of mind.

Ye Jiao took out a silk brocade pouch with no embroidery, looking quite plain. Opening it, she removed a piece of leather.

Inside the leather were wrapped three White Rainbow Fruits, round and white.

Whether she'd need them or not, carrying them brought peace of mind.

Ye Jiao placed them back in the brocade pouch, then put it close to her body in her clothing, before getting up and leaving the room.

That afternoon, carriages departed from the Qi family heading toward the mountain retreat.