Lady of Fortune, Jiao Niang

Chapter 85

As soon as he entered the door, Qi Yun saw Manager Song waiting for him.

Ye Jiao led the others into the courtyard first, while Qi Yun went to the study to speak with Manager Song.

Once the door was closed, Manager Song said: "Second Young Master, following your instructions, I've already secured all the family shops and told them to watch for anyone surnamed Meng. We're also keeping an eye on all strangers coming and going. You can rest assured, Second Young Master."

Qi Yun nodded, reaching out to gently cover his already healed arm.

His arm had no scar after just a few days, which even amazed Doctor Li.

But for Qi Yun, he wouldn't forget how this wound came about.

The assassins at that time weren't targeting him but the Third Prince. Logically, the Third Prince's troubles had little relation to his family, but Qi Yun didn't want to gamble.

In all matters, it was better to be prepared.

Though he didn't want to get involved in the Third Prince's affairs, since he knew about them, it wouldn't hurt to be more careful.

Steadying himself, Qi Yun said: "Send a few more people to the city. Third Brother still has several months before the academy examination. He'll be staying in the city for quite a while, far from home. Have people go guard him and protect him."

Manager Song agreed first, then said: "Sending people is no problem, but Third Young Master is at the academy, so he should be fine."

"It's always good to be careful. Even if this incident doesn't involve him, the Third Brother should have people watching over him." His voice paused, then Qi Yun said slowly: "After all, Third Brother has already qualified for the academy examination. Only one in ten thousand can succeed in that. Those scholars aren't all good people."

Qi Ming had already been pushed down a mountain slope before. That time he was only saved because Ye Ping Rong was there. But they couldn't rely on others' help every day. Qi Yun didn't want the same thing to happen a second time.

Hearing this, Manager Song straightened his expression and took note.

Manager Song then stood to take his leave, while Qi Yun returned to the courtyard.

In the courtyard, Ye Jiao was crouching in front of her flower bed, reaching out to touch flowers still bearing some dew.

This time upon returning home, Ye Jiao's first task was to check on her medicinal flowers in the courtyard.

These flowers were quite hardy to grow. They only needed some water and sunlight to thrive. The Stone Sprout Grass indoors was especially resilient, able to grow vigorously on its own after bearing fruit. When Ye Jiao left home, she hadn't tended them too carefully.

But the previous heavy rains made her worry whether these flowers could withstand it. However, in her heart, nothing was more important than Qi Yun, so she stayed by Qi Yun's side and didn't come back.

Now that she was home, Ye Jiao went to check as soon as she entered the courtyard.

Except for two plants broken by wind and rain, the others were all intact.

Secretly relieved, Ye Jiao smiled and bounced Xu Bao in her arms.

Xu Bao saw her smile and laughed along. When Qi Yun walked in from the courtyard gate, he saw the mother and son laughing together.

"What makes you so happy?" Qi Yun smiled and walked over.

Ye Jiao naturally lifted her head to kiss the corner of Qi Yun's lips when he approached, her lips curving slightly, eyes crescent-shaped: "Nothing much, just feels so good to be home."

Qi Yun embraced her. Though he couldn't use too much force with the chubby Xu Bao between them, the man still tried his best to gather his wife into his arms, holding her as they entered the house.

The couple wanted to close the door and have a private conversation, but after staying on the mountain for many days, everything in the house needed tidying and organizing. People also came from the shops, presumably with many matters requiring Qi Yun's decisions.

Qi Yun instructed Tie Zi to help in the courtyard, then returned to his study for business, while Ye Jiao entered the house and had people open those several trunks.

Inside, besides things taken to the mountain, there were many brought back from the mountain, including over ten pots of flowers and plants alone, all medicinal herbs Ye Jiao had found on the mountain, planning to plant in the courtyard.

There were also some maple leaves picked from the mountain, bright red in color, which would look beautiful when dried and used as bookmarks or pasted on lanterns.

From this trip, they brought back even more than they had taken.

Though Little Su and Tie Zi were busy, some things still needed to be organized by themselves.

Ye Jiao went to put away the jewelry box and the brocade pouch containing White Rainbow Fruit. Feeling through the pouch at the remaining two fruits inside, Ye Jiao didn't feel it was a waste.

This thing was grown precisely for her husband to eat. It was good that it could be put to use, otherwise just leaving it there would be truly wasteful.

This fruit wasn't eaten in vain either. Not only did it save Qi Yun, it also pulled the Third Prince back from death's door.

Of course, that person ate a bit of dirt with it, but being able to save his life was good. Presumably he wouldn't care about that earthy taste.

After putting things away, Ye Jiao heard commotion outside.

She turned back to ask: "What's happening?"

Hearing this, Tie Zi gave what he was holding to Little Su, ran outside himself, and soon returned: "Second Young Mistress, Elder Young Master and Elder Young Mistress have returned."

Hearing this, Ye Jiao nodded. After things were mostly tidied up, she held Xu Bao and went to Liu Shi's courtyard.

Upon entering, she saw Fang Shi with Little Shi Tou inside talking with Liu Shi.

Fang Shi had gone to the estate supposedly to accompany Qi Zhao, but she didn't have to do work there. Moreover, she was the highest-ranking person at the estate, so she lived comfortably and freely. Usually at home she had to worry about household matters, but at the estate she felt relaxed. Besides eating, she just played with Little Shi Tou, and she actually looked more prosperous than before.

However, as soon as she heard Liu Shi was departing, she pulled Qi Zhao back, afraid of missing anything. As soon as they reached home, she hurried to Liu Shi's courtyard early.

Now it was almost New Year again. At year's end, the family would distribute things to various households. Fang Shi naturally wanted to curry favor with Liu Shi, hoping to receive more when the time came.

She even specifically brought Little Shi Tou to ingratiate herself, talking and laughing quite freely.

Hearing the sound, Fang Shi turned to look at Ye Jiao, first startled, then smiled: "Jiao Niang is here. Come sit quickly. This tea I brought back is freshly brewed and still hot. Warm yourself up."

Liu Shi smiled warmly, but shook her head inwardly.

Her eldest daughter-in-law was still like this, always wanting to mention and take credit for whatever little thing she did, making her appear unsteady.

But Liu Shi thought again that this was also good. At least she still cared about her, which was better than not caring at all.

Ye Jiao held Xu Bao and walked over, sitting beside Fang Shi, smiling obediently at both Liu Shi and Fang Shi.

As soon as she entered, everyone's attention focused on Xu Bao.

Xu Bao had good features. Though only three months old, his eyes were always alert, looking around. He would laugh with just a little coaxing, which made him particularly endearing. Anyone would be happy to look at him more.

Only Fang Shi was secretly observing Ye Jiao.

She also had a child and had suffered plenty when giving birth to Little Shi Tou, but even with all that hardship, she didn't lose much weight. Instead, she seemed to gain weight as if growing fat just from breathing air.

But her Second Sister-in-law had everything go smoothly during pregnancy and had a longer confinement period than most people. Logically she should have gained some weight, but looking now, Ye Jiao was still slender with a small face. This flowing fairy dress looked especially beautiful on her.

This made Fang Shi particularly discouraged. She secretly pinched her own forearm, feeling it was smooth and elastic, but just round and plump.

She seemed to have gained even more weight than before.

With Ye Jiao beside her for comparison, looking at the jade belt cakes on the plate in front of her, Fang Shi temporarily lost her appetite.

Little Shi Tou had originally been happily eating jade belt cakes, but after Ye Jiao entered, he threw down the pastry in his hand and stared eagerly at Ye Jiao.

But this time Little Shi Tou wasn't trying to cling to Ye Jiao, but was stretching his neck to look into her arms, babbling: "It's little brother, want to see little brother."

Only then did Ye Jiao remember that because Liu Shi had been cautious before, always having her stay indoors during her confinement, Xu Bao had stayed with her in the room for a full 45 days. Then after her confinement ended, the weather gradually grew cold and she hadn't come to Liu Shi's place. Even up until going to the mountain, Xu Bao and Little Shi Tou hadn't met face to face.

Now this was actually their first meeting.

Probably small children are most attractive to other small children. Hearing Little Shi Tou's voice, Xu Bao looked over, and the moment their four eyes met, Xu Bao became interested, laughing as he reached to grab Little Shi Tou's hand.

Fortunately, Liu Shi had anticipated this scene and had already had people prepare the nearby soft couch, with charcoal braziers burning brightly. She smiled and said: "Put him over there. Let the two brothers get together and play, they can get familiar with each other."

Ye Jiao and Fang Shi both stood up, placing Xu Bao on the couch, while Little Shi Tou lay on the couch, eagerly watching this brother who could only struggle and flail about, finding it very interesting.

Just like that little turtle in the pond.

Xu Bao wasn't shy around strangers. He let Little Shi Tou watch him, just grunting as he flipped over from lying down to lying on his stomach, then laughed as he lifted his head. But soon his arms couldn't support him and he fell face-down on the soft couch. He didn't cry though, just hummed twice and persistently tried to lift his head again.

This series of actions made Liu Shi and Fang Shi nearby praise Xu Bao continuously for being blessed and hardworking. The more they praised, the bolder they became, saying things like "material for a top scholar" and "extraordinarily heroic."

This made Little Ginseng study her own son for quite a while, as if trying to find any trace of scholarly potential in this chubby little thing.

With two children there, the room immediately became lively with continuous laughter.

Just then, someone came running in from outside and whispered a few words to Nanny Liu.

Nanny Liu quickly walked over and said: "Madam, word came from the front that Young Master Ye has arrived and brought someone with him."

Ye Jiao knew all about the family division and had told Liu Shi and Father Qi everything. Previously, when Second Brother Ye had caused that scene at their door, everyone in the household knew about it. Liu Shi had specifically given orders that if they saw Second Brother Ye again, they shouldn't bother announcing him but should drive him away directly.

In the Qi family, there was only one Young Master Ye who could enter the door, and that was Elder Young Master Ye, Ye Ping Rong.

Hearing this, Ye Jiao stood up, her face showing some delight: "Where is he?"

"Waiting in the front hall."

Though Liu Shi didn't know exactly what Ye Ping Rong did, she remembered that Ye Ping Rong hadn't come for quite some time. Previously when Ye Jiao gave birth to Xu Bao and held the full-month celebration, Ye Ping Rong hadn't appeared, though he had sent many gifts. She presumed he was delayed by business.

Now hearing that he had come, Liu Shi smiled: "Go ahead. You siblings haven't seen each other for so long, you should have a good talk. Don't worry, Xu Bao and Little Shi Tou are getting along well. If he misses you, I'll send someone to find you."

Fang Shi also nodded: "Sister-in-law, hurry and go. These two children just met and are still excited, they won't want to be separated."

Ye Jiao knew they meant well, so she smiled and curtsied farewell, walking properly out of Liu Shi's courtyard. As soon as she was out of sight, she handed the hand warmer she was carrying to Little Su and lifted her skirt to make it easier to walk faster.

Speaking of her relationship with Ye Ping Rong, it actually wasn't as deep and intimate as her feelings for Qi Yun, but Little Ginseng remembered Ye Ping Rong's kindness to her. This big brother had done everything for her, so she always kept him in her thoughts.

Even though Meng Shi and Qi Yun both said he was fine, Little Ginseng could still see some clues.

Since they wouldn't tell her, she wouldn't ask, but she still worried in her heart.

Now hearing that Ye Ping Rong had returned, Ye Jiao naturally wanted to see him as soon as possible.

But when she reached the front hall and entered, the first person she saw wasn't Ye Ping Rong, but a woman standing there looking up at the calligraphy and paintings on the wall.

Dressed in brocade and silk, with jeweled hairpins and ornaments, just looking at her back gave an indescribable sense of nobility.

She had her back to Ye Jiao and hadn't seen Ye Jiao enter. She just saw the elaborately dressed woman turn and grab Ye Ping Rong's hand, saying to the man: "Da Lang, why hasn't our little sister come yet?"

Hearing this, Ye Ping Rong put down his teacup with a somewhat helpless expression: "Don't keep saying 'our,' Your Highness. That's my subordinate's sister, not yours. Besides, I'm only following Prime Minister Meng's orders to protect Your Highness's safety. I have no other improper thoughts..." His voice suddenly stopped as Ye Ping Rong saw Ye Jiao leaning against the door frame watching them.

He immediately stood up, his face showing uncontainable excitement.

Having walked through life and death situations, now being able to return whole and healthy to see the sister he cared about in his heart, Ye Ping Rong was naturally excited beyond control.

But Ye Jiao didn't immediately approach. Instead, she looked him up and down first, confirming that Ye Ping Rong was healthy and uninjured before feeling relieved.

Then Ye Jiao still didn't go over, but curiously looked at Ye Ping Rong, then made eye contact with the elaborately dressed woman who had turned around. Blinking, Little Ginseng's eyes finally fixed on their clasped hands.

Her husband had said that between men and women, only relatives or married couples could hold hands like that.

Her big brother's relatives seemed to be just herself.

So, had her big brother gone out on a trip and brought back a wife?

But his wife had a rather unusual name, called "Your Highness"... She wondered if this surname existed in the Hundred Family Names she had memorized before.