Lady of Fortune, Jiao Niang

Chapter 86

Though Ye Jiao had her suspicions, she didn't voice them directly. Instead, she first smiled at Ye Ping Rong and said: "Big Brother, you've finally returned."

This was just an ordinary sentence, nothing unusual about it, but it nearly brought tears to Ye Ping Rong's eyes.

His trip to the capital had indeed been full of dangers. He was ambushed by people before even reaching the capital. Though Ye Ping Rong's martial skills were decent, he was no match for multiple opponents and was severely injured. If Princess Hua Ning hadn't happened to pass by and taken him in, this life would likely have been lost.

Even later when he was sent to Prime Minister Meng's residence and the best physicians were called in, they all marveled that Ye Ping Rong was blessed with great fortune and life. Ordinary people would have died from such severe injuries long ago, but he managed to hold on until Princess Hua Ning arrived, and relied on the spiritual medicine the princess carried to save his life. It was truly a case of being pulled back from death's door.

Now, having completed the tasks Chu Chengyun had assigned him and returning to see his own sister, it felt like a lifetime had passed.

Ye Ping Rong just stood there, straight and upright, his lips trembling slightly before he called out in a hoarse voice: "Jiao Niang..."

Ye Jiao blinked, lifted her skirt and stepped inside, slowly walking to stand before Ye Ping Rong, smiling as she looked up at him: "Big Brother, you've been away so long. Xu Bao has played with the cloth tiger you bought him until the stitching came loose, and he hasn't even had a chance to thank Big Brother yet."

Ye Ping Rong actually had many things he wanted to say, but these matters involved imperial secrets that he couldn't speak of directly. Fortunately, Ye Jiao brought up other matters, which could redirect his attention: "Who is Xu Bao?"

Ye Jiao imperceptibly and gently encircled Ye Ping Rong's free wrist, feeling that his body was healthy before quietly releasing her hand. Hearing his question, she smiled: "My child. He's three months old now. His formal name is Qi Ce, nickname Xu Bao."

Jiao Niang... already has a child.

Ye Ping Rong felt somewhat dazed for a moment, feeling that ever since returning from the battlefield, his meetings with Jiao Niang had been few, and each time she was different.

The first time, Jiao Niang had gotten married. The second time, Jiao Niang was pregnant.

This time was even better, the child was already three months old.

But these were all joyful occasions, great joyful occasions. Ye Ping Rong's face showed a smile, and those tiger eyes now looked very gentle: "Good, very good. My nephew has a good name. Xu Bao sounds like an obedient and sensible child."

In his emotional state, Ye Ping Rong didn't notice that his hand was still being tightly grasped.

The elaborately dressed woman holding his hand firmly was the current emperor's Seventh Princess, with the title Princess Hua Ning.

She was of imperial blood, and being favored by the emperor from childhood, she had lived freely, doing whatever she pleased, quite willfully. She had been granted a fief, and her mother Consort Guo's brother was the current first-rank General of Agile Cavalry. Among all the princesses, she lived the most carefree life.

Now, Princess Hua Ning had taken a fancy to Ye Ping Rong. Taking advantage of her imperial father's longing for Chu Chengyun, and knowing that the old emperor was aware his several princes were restless and his ministers were divided into various factions with deep-rooted connections, Hua Ning seized the opportunity to request permission to leave the capital to find him.

Officially, she was accompanying the Empress Dowager on a tour, but in reality, after leaving the capital with the Empress Dowager, they separated, and she came straight to this place carrying her father's imperial decree to find her Third Imperial Brother.

The only difference was that Prime Minister Meng hadn't actually sent Ye Ping Rong to accompany Princess Hua Ning. She had made up this excuse to fool Ye Ping Rong.

Otherwise, anyone with sense could figure out how a prime minister could possibly encourage a seventh-rank military commander under Prince Duan to escort a princess out of the capital. This wasn't something he should be doing. Only someone as straightforward and somewhat naive as Ye Ping Rong would believe it.

After all, she had saved Ye Ping Rong's life, so presumably Ye Ping Rong wouldn't imagine that a precious and noble princess would take a fancy to him.

But Hua Ning just liked his straightforward manner. Moreover, Ye Ping Rong was her Third Brother's military commander. With him, it would be easier for Hua Ning to find people. She even followed when Ye Ping Rong wanted to return home.

Seeing Ye Ping Rong's closeness with Ye Jiao now, she also felt much more favorable toward this young woman, examining her carefully.

It must be said that Ye Jiao was extremely beautiful, with bright eyes and white teeth, almond-shaped eyes and peach-blossom cheeks. Her eyes were especially lovely, clean and transparent, like two pools of spring water.

Having grown up in the deep palace, even someone as straightforward as Hua Ning had seen much intrigue and scheming. This made her fall in love at first sight with the heroic and upright Ye Ping Rong, not only appreciating his character but also valuing his genuine nature.

Now seeing Ye Jiao with her clear, transparent eyes, Hua Ning liked her even more, feeling somewhat pleased with herself.

Indeed, she was Da Lang's sister. One could tell at a glance she was a good person.

While Hua Ning was examining Ye Jiao, Ye Jiao was also observing them.

Though Little Ginseng had watched the clouds roll and unfurl for over a thousand years, the people she'd had most contact with were the little fox and her scholarly husband. She hadn't interacted deeply with other people or demons, so she didn't really understand how to read faces and judge character.

But her mind was truly pure, and many things that others couldn't see through, Ye Jiao could perceive clearly at a glance.

Her brother was an upright person, clear and straightforward about everything, otherwise he wouldn't have resolutely divided the family after learning that Second Brother Ye had "sold" her to the Qi family, leaving no room for compromise.

Such a straightforward person couldn't do anything false or deceptive, yet now he was allowing this elaborately dressed woman to pull and tug at him.

Little Ginseng felt that even if Big Brother didn't say it aloud, in his heart he had probably already... what was that phrase the little fox used... right, he had probably already "submitted."

The woman dressed in rich attire displayed a bright, radiant smile. She released Ye Ping Rong, strode over, and firmly grasped Ye Jiao's hand, her voice clear and crisp: "I can tell at a glance that you're Da Lang's sister. Like him, you're straightforward and truly likeable."

Ye Jiao felt her temperament was refreshing, and she could sense her genuine friendliness, so she smiled back, gripping her hand in return, saying softly: "Your Highness, greetings."

Ye Ping Rong's face showed surprise, then regret, thinking he must have accidentally revealed Hua Ning's identity just now.

He didn't want to involve his sister in these matters, but now it seemed he had let something slip.

But Ye Jiao simply thought that was her name and called her accordingly.

What ordinary citizen would casually meet any noble personage? Little Ginseng had only recently become human and naturally didn't know what this meant. Hearing her big brother address her this way, she simply followed suit.

Hua Ning wanted Ye Jiao to directly change her address to "sister-in-law." After all, though the little princess was domineering, she was sharp-minded. Ye Ping Rong might be verbally stubborn, but his heart had probably already softened.

For Hua Ning, once she set her sights on someone, that was settled. Those complex etiquette rules were meant to constrain ordinary women, but at the princess level, she could do as she pleased, and no one could control her.

However, Hua Ning also knew that Ye Ping Rong, though heroic in appearance, was slow to catch on and thin-skinned. She didn't plan to push too hard, so she smiled and said: "Good sister, just call me Hua Ning. I'm two years older than you, so this 'older sister' title is fitting."

Little Ginseng thought she had guessed correctly and smiled, curtsying to her: "Sister Hua Ning, greetings."

"Sister, greetings to you too."

Then Ye Jiao found a small gold ingot in her hand. Ye Jiao was somewhat bewildered, but Little Su knew this was a meeting gift from this woman to her Second Young Mistress.

It was unusual to give gold ingots on a first meeting. This was even more than the usual fee for changing forms of address.

Being so generous and beautiful, Little Su couldn't help but glance at Ye Ping Rong, thinking that Second Young Mistress's brother had found himself a formidable wife, so wealthy and so beautiful, standing together with Young Master Ye they made a perfect match.

Ye Jiao also thought this sister had a good temperament, and her smile became more genuine.

Ye Ping Rong, who had been blocked from speaking, finally came to his senses. Hearing them address each other as sisters, his heart jumped in alarm.

This Princess Hua Ning was good, no doubt about it, but she wouldn't be kind to people for no reason. Acting this way now, wasn't she just trying to win over Jiao Niang?

In the blink of an eye, they were already addressing each other as sisters.

If he didn't speak up, his simple and unworldly Jiao Niang might be completely won over.

Ye Ping Rong feared Ye Jiao might misunderstand, so he hurried over and took the gold ingot from Ye Jiao's hand: "Jiao Niang, we haven't even... we're not..."

Ye Jiao looked puzzled as the gold ingot in her hand came and went, and Little Su was equally confused.

Hua Ning, however, took out another gold ingot and gave it to Ye Jiao, looking at her somewhat apologetically: "It's fine, sister. I'll give you another one." Then she turned to look reproachfully at Ye Ping Rong: "Don't be so stingy with our sister."

Ye Ping Rong: ...

If it came to fighting on the battlefield, Ye Ping Rong had never feared anyone, but when it came to verbal sparring instead of physical combat, he found himself at a loss for words.

Still holding that small gold ingot in his hand, his mind was in chaos.

Previously, when Hua Ning was caring for him during his injury, she always liked to get close, claiming she was afraid he was severely hurt and wanted to help support him, forcing Ye Ping Rong to become accustomed to it.

So accustomed that he couldn't change the habit now.

Logically, he and Hua Ning hadn't spent much time together. She was a golden branch and jade leaf, while he was just a rough man, too far above his station. But to say he had no good feelings toward Hua Ning at all would be a lie.

Ye Ping Rong had never learned to lie in his life.

Feeling confused and unable to think clearly, despite the cold winter weather, sweat appeared on the man's forehead.

Finally, Ye Ping Rong chose to put the small gold ingot back in Ye Jiao's palm, then stood silently behind Hua Ning without a word, his heroic face set rigidly, making it impossible to guess what he was thinking.

Hua Ning smiled, took Ye Jiao's hand and sat down with her, beginning to chat.

Ye Jiao wanted to talk with her big brother's sweetheart, and Hua Ning also wanted to get close to her, so they quickly became familiar.

Ye Ping Rong fell silent, sitting to one side, apparently still unable to figure out what the current situation was.

Just then, a servant entered the front hall and bowed to them after seeing them.

Ye Jiao turned to look at him: "What is it?"

"Reporting to Second Young Mistress, someone delivered a card saying it should be given to Second Young Master."

Usually there were quite a few people who delivered cards looking for Qi Yun. Ye Jiao said: "He should be in the study. Go look for him there."

The servant bowed again and ran toward the study to deliver the message.

When the card reached Qi Yun's hands, he opened it and his brow furrowed slightly.

Manager Song had been reciting this period's income, but seeing Qi Yun's expression, he stopped speaking, waved the servant away, then asked quietly: "Master, is there some troubling matter?"

Qi Yun closed the card, his voice gentle: "Third Prince sent a card inviting me to visit his residence."

Hearing this, Manager Song didn't think it was strange.

Now that Qi Yun's health had improved considerably, he didn't need to be as cautious and careful when going out as before. Though Second Young Mistress worried every time and made Qi Yun bundle up like a big fur ball before allowing him out, since his health had improved significantly, visiting Third Prince's residence wasn't difficult.

Thinking of this, Manager Song smiled: "Perfect timing. The merchant caravan sent back news. It would be good to inform Third Prince as well."

But Qi Yun didn't nod. After experiencing the assassination several days ago, Qi Yun knew that anything related to Third Prince required caution and careful consideration before deciding whether to go.

Calmly placing the card aside, Qi Yun continued discussing shop matters with Manager Song.

When evening came and Manager Song took his leave, Qi Yun picked up the card, put on his outer garment, and returned to his own courtyard.

As soon as he entered, he saw Ye Jiao gently rocking a small cradle. Inside, Xu Bao was lying on his back, wearing a tiger-head cap, his chubby arms and legs spread wide, sleeping very peacefully.

Seeing him return, Ye Jiao had Little Su take over rocking the cradle while she quietly left the room. After closing the inner room door, she smiled at Qi Yun: "Husband, you're finally back."

Qi Yun's mind was actually still uncertain about Third Prince's invitation, but seeing Ye Jiao instantly softened his heart, and his face showed a smile: "Did Jiao Niang miss me?"

"I missed you, and I'm hungry too. I was waiting for you to eat." As Ye Jiao spoke, she went to have Tie Zi tell the small kitchen to set the table.

Qi Yun reached out and gently placed his hand on Ye Jiao's small abdomen, rubbing it: "Next time if I come back late, you should eat first. Don't let yourself go hungry."

But Ye Jiao shook her head, her voice soft: "That won't do. I have to wait for you. I can't eat when I can't see you."

Qi Yun wanted to say, did eating really require looking at him to work up an appetite?

But soon the man put himself in her position and thought about it. Actually, if Ye Jiao was delayed and didn't return, he would probably be too anxious to eat as well.

He shouldn't demand of his wife what he himself couldn't do.

His expression became even more gentle, and Qi Yun pulled her to sit nearby.

From telling the small kitchen to preparing the meal would take some time, so Qi Yun took the pastry box that was always kept in the room, picked out a piece of osmanthus cake and handed it to Ye Jiao, preparing to say something to distract his wife's attention: "I see Xu Bao's tiger-head cap is new. Did Mother give it to him?"

Ye Jiao opened her mouth, letting him feed her the cake. After the osmanthus cake dissolved in her mouth and she drank some warm water, she replied: "Big Brother went to buy this."

Originally, Ye Ping Rong had come just to see Ye Jiao and hadn't thought about anything else. Only after arriving and being reminded by Ye Jiao did he realize his nephew was already three months old.

Then he rushed out in a hurry, running to buy a beautiful, soft tiger-head cap as a meeting gift.

Only Ye Ping Rong would do something like buying a gift on the spot. Though Hua Ning found it amusing, Little Ginseng didn't mind, so no one thought anything was wrong.

Hearing this, Qi Yun was somewhat surprised: "Big Brother came today?"

"Yes, and he brought someone with him." Seeing Qi Yun stop moving, Ye Jiao proactively pulled Qi Yun's hand over, bringing the remaining half of the osmanthus cake in his hand to her mouth and taking a bite. The sweet taste made Little Ginseng close her eyes with pleasure.

Qi Yun was thinking that last time Third Prince had said Ye Ping Rong would bring someone back with him, so hearing this now wasn't strange.

At this moment, the dishes had been set on the table, and Little Su had also left after Xu Bao fell asleep, making the room quiet again.

Qi Yun and Ye Jiao sat at the table, and only then did he remember to ask: "Jiao Niang, who came with Big Brother?"

Ye Jiao was concentrating on using the fine tip of her chopsticks to pick up a quail egg. Hearing his question, she answered without thinking: "It's a young lady who was holding hands with Big Brother. She said her father is gravely ill and misses his children on his sickbed, so she came to find her brother who ran away from home to bring him back. But she has two names - she's called both Hua Ning and Your Highness. I think Hua Ning sounds nicer."

Qi Yun: ...

Ye Jiao didn't hear Qi Yun respond and looked over in confusion.

But Qi Yun had already adjusted his emotions, helping Ye Jiao pick up the quail egg and placing it in her bowl, saying softly: "Let's eat first. As for what 'Your Highness' means... I'll tell you later."