Lady of Fortune, Jiao Niang

Chapter 88

When Ye Jiao saw Hua Ning, the little princess was flying paper kites.

It was autumn with clear, crisp air. Though there had been heavy wind and rain before that made the weather much colder, after the wind and rain, the weather became exceptionally refreshing. With gentle breezes and high, pale clouds, it was perfect weather for playing.

Hua Ning wore light, practical clothes. Though not the luxurious dress she'd worn yesterday, it still looked neat and exquisite.

She was laughing as she tugged the string, able to laugh whether the kite flew high or low, her voice clear and crisp.

Seeing Ye Jiao approach, Hua Ning handed the spool to a maid beside her and walked toward Ye Jiao: "Jiao Niang, you've come. Was the journey tiring?" As she spoke, she led her to the hall behind.

Ye Jiao entered with Little Su, remembering Qi Yun's instructions not to reveal identities. As they walked, she said: "It's no trouble. I came with my husband, and he took care of me on the road."

Hua Ning didn't know her brother had invited Qi Yun to the residence for discussion. She thought he was just worried about Ye Jiao and personally escorted her, coming and going by carriage. She couldn't help linking arms with her and laughing: "Your husband really dotes on you. I heard from Hui Niang that he even paints your eyebrows?"

"Yes, I can't do it well myself." Ye Jiao said this very honestly.

She had only recently become human, and many things had to be learned bit by bit, done piece by piece. Little Ginseng simply couldn't do everything perfectly.

Moreover, human hands were indeed extremely intricate and not easy to control.

Ordinary tasks were fine, but when it came to delicate work like writing or painting eyebrows, Little Ginseng really had no way to manage it.

Even now, Ye Jiao's handwriting was still round and lumpy, and her eyebrow painting was always asymmetrical.

Fortunately, Qi Yun was there. He had gradually practiced drawing beautiful distant mountain eyebrows and had gained considerable experience, able to make improvements based on the makeup Ye Jiao chose each day.

If previously Second Young Master Qi had considered eyebrow painting a chore, now he found joy in it.

Each time he painted eyebrows, he could take the opportunity to stare at his wife longer. If Ye Jiao was happy, she might even lean over for a kiss. Wasn't this a wonderful thing?

However, hearing this in Hua Ning's ears, she imagined an entire scenario of intimate bedroom pleasures.

Husband and wife painting eyebrows - this was something Hua Ning had never heard of or seen before. Even though her mother consort held favor throughout the harem, her imperial father had never painted eyebrows for her.

She couldn't help thinking that if her future husband could paint eyebrows for her, that would be wonderful.

Hua Ning's cheeks reddened, but her smile remained bright as she said to Ye Jiao: "Yesterday when I visited your home, I saw a double-eared copper pot for pitch-pot games in your hall. I thought you might like it, so I prepared one today too."

Ye Jiao had played pitch-pot with Liu Shi, though she wasn't particularly good at it.

But Little Ginseng's greatest virtue was being eager to learn. Everything could make her happy, so hearing Hua Ning's words, Ye Jiao immediately agreed.

Soon someone set up the copper pot.

This pitch-pot game was originally entertainment for idle moments. When women in the inner quarters had boring days, they would gather together to play.

Because Hua Ning's mother consort came from a military family, she had been skilled in riding and archery since childhood, with extremely accurate aim. She was unbeatable in the capital, and all the noble ladies combined couldn't match her.

But today, Hua Ning carefully watched Ye Jiao. When Ye Jiao missed, she also missed. When Ye Jiao hit, only then would she hit.

This was because Ye Jiao was Ye Ping Rong's sister, and Hua Ning had called her here to become more familiar. If she kept winning, their relationship might become distant before it grew close, so she was being considerate.

Little Ginseng was pure-hearted but also sharp-eyed. She could see that Hua Ning was letting her win, so she said: "Sister Hua Ning, games should be played seriously. I'm not afraid of losing, and I feel happy when I see you hit your targets too."

Hearing this, Hua Ning relaxed and hit every single shot. She even had someone bring a copper coin, tied it with string and hung it over the pot opening. Hua Ning could throw arrows directly through the coin's hole, making Ye Jiao clap her hands in amazement.

This completely put Hua Ning at ease, and her face showed pride: "Speaking of pitch-pot, I've played since childhood. There's also riding and archery - my accuracy is excellent. No one can beat me except him."

Ye Jiao had been out of confinement and was being carefully cared for by the whole family, making her quite lazy. After throwing less than 30 arrows, she was already sweating.

Taking a handkerchief to wipe her forehead, Ye Jiao asked curiously: "You're already so accurate. Who could still beat you?"

Hua Ning's smile became even brighter than before: "It's your big brother! He might not play pitch-pot, but in archery, he's truly a master marksman who can hit a willow leaf at 100 paces. He's incredibly skilled."

Ye Jiao didn't detect the affection in Hua Ning's tone. She was just happy that others spoke well of Ye Ping Rong.

In Little Ginseng's heart, Elder Brother Ye was a good person who treated her well, so Ye Jiao was pleased when others praised him: "Big Brother's skills are naturally excellent. He once saved my husband's third brother. According to Third Brother, when he fell from a mountain slope, Big Brother leaped up and caught him directly."

Hua Ning's eyes lit up immediately. She became interested and pulled Ye Jiao to tell her more.

So one wanted to praise her beloved, while the other sincerely complimented her dear brother. The two could chat enthusiastically for nearly an hour, becoming increasingly animated in their conversation.

When Meng Shi had someone bring pastries over, she saw Ye Jiao applying floral decorations to Hua Ning's forehead.

Usually these floral decorations were cut by oneself, and many shops sold them, but applying floral decorations was something only close people would do.

Hua Ning had a straightforward personality and rarely wore these delicate feminine ornaments. But today, seeing Ye Jiao wearing a lovely orchid-shaped decoration, she found it increasingly beautiful and had someone find decorations, begging Ye Jiao to help apply them.

When Meng Shi arrived, Ye Jiao had just finished applying it. Using fish bladder glue, the crimson decoration on her forehead made Hua Ning look left and right in the mirror with a smile: "So beautiful."

"Hua Ning is naturally beautiful like a celestial being, so naturally everything looks good on her." Meng Shi had people arrange the pastries, her face showing a gentle smile.

Hearing this, both turned to look, then the three exchanged greetings. Meng Shi specifically glanced at Ye Jiao.

Actually, after the assassination incident, she had urgently transferred many people over because she was worried about Qi Yun's safety. Ye Jiao had seen all of this at the time. According to Meng Shi's thinking, even if Ye Jiao couldn't see through their identities, she could guess they weren't ordinary people.

But Little Ginseng wasn't ordinary either. Things that others would fear, she didn't fear at all. She was quite comfortable now.

After sitting down, Ye Jiao reached out and picked up a pastry she didn't recognize, putting it in her mouth.

Soft, sticky, with a rich fragrance.

Ye Jiao couldn't help looking at Meng Shi, who smiled and said: "This is coconut glutinous rice cake. I recently obtained some coconut flakes. Seeing they were fresh, I had them made into food."

Little Ginseng was generous with her praise: "Delicious. Hui Niang, have some." As she spoke, she also served one to Meng Shi.

Seeing that she treated her no differently than before, Meng Shi smiled inwardly and didn't refuse, eating the glutinous rice cake bit by bit.

Hua Ning, however, didn't like sweets. She was still fascinated by the floral decoration.

Just then, Ye Ping Rong walked over. He didn't enter but bowed respectfully outside the door: "Madam, Third Prince requests your presence." Then he looked at Ye Jiao, his voice softening: "Brother-in-law has finished talking with our master and is waiting by the carriage outside. Jiao Niang, you can go find him shortly."

Ye Jiao nodded in agreement. Though there were many pastries on the table, Ye Jiao didn't hesitate to put down her chopsticks.

Nothing in heaven or earth was more important than her husband.

After delivering the message, Ye Ping Rong prepared to leave. Normally, he wouldn't come to the rear courtyard.

However, when Ye Ping Rong's eyes looked toward Hua Ning, they suddenly stopped.

He had always been proper and never stared directly at Meng Shi, keeping his head slightly lowered when dealing with other women as well.

For Commander Ye, women weren't as attractive as swords and knives. If he had that time, he'd rather practice swordsmanship.

But the crimson decoration on Hua Ning's forehead made Ye Ping Rong unable to look away.

For a moment, Ye Ping Rong couldn't understand why those familiar features suddenly seemed so vivid.

He didn't know if it was because the decoration was beautiful or because Hua Ning's smile was brilliant, but he actually froze there, forgetting even to speak.

Ye Jiao looked at them curiously, while Meng Shi covered her lips with a handkerchief, smiling meaningfully without saying a word.

Hua Ning reacted extremely quickly. She immediately stood up and ran over, but instead of talking to him as usual, she directly blocked Ye Ping Rong's path, preventing the man who had come to his senses from sneaking away. She leaned her head toward Meng Shi: "Hui Niang, I want to practice swords. May I have him accompany me?"

Meng Shi put down her handkerchief and naturally wouldn't object, gently nodding: "Commander Ye, please watch over Hua Ning. Swords and weapons are dangerous - you must help her be very careful."

Hearing this, Ye Ping Rong agreed, then was dragged away by Hua Ning, his expression somewhat helpless but also carrying a hint of a smile.

Ye Jiao also prepared to stand and take her leave, wanting to find Qi Yun early, but just as she stood, Meng Shi gently took her hand: "Jiao Niang, wait a moment."

Little Ginseng couldn't help looking at her, blinking: "Hui Niang, what is it?"

"I know you like sweet things. These were made specifically for you. Why don't I pack them for you to take home?" As she spoke, Meng Shi gestured, and a maid immediately came forward to put the dishes that had just been arranged back into food boxes.

But they didn't linger in the hall. Instead, they withdrew.

Once everyone had left, Meng Shi took out something she had prepared early from her chest, wrapped in a handkerchief, and placed it in Ye Jiao's hands: "Jiao Niang, this is a gift for you."

It seemed that every time she met Hui Niang, she always wanted to give her something.

Ye Jiao didn't refuse and took it. Opening the handkerchief, she saw a golden hairpin inside.

Meng Shi softened her voice, smiling: "This golden hairpin is my promise to you." Meeting Ye Jiao's clear eyes, Meng Shi's voice became even gentler: "You have shown kindness to my husband. I keep this in my heart. In the future, as long as the Meng clan doesn't fall, if you hold this hairpin, no matter what you request, the Meng family will help you."

Ye Jiao looked at the hairpin, then at her: "I saved Third Prince for my own sake and for my husband's sake. I never thought of having you repay me for anything."

For Little Ginseng, having once been a spirit creature, she understood matters of cause and effect best.

Where there's a cause, there's an effect. Cyclical retribution comes from this.

She had saved Chu Chengyun only to protect herself and her family, without any thought of bestowing kindness, so now she didn't need Meng Shi's repayment.

But Meng Shi smiled: "That you don't seek repayment shows your pure goodness, Jiao Niang. But the kindness you've shown me and my husband must be repaid before I can feel at peace."

Meng Shi was thinking that her whole family had boarded Chu Chengyun's ship and couldn't easily get off. They would prosper together or fall together.

But Ye Jiao thought of the Stone Sprout Grass leaf she had given her, feeling this was also a form of cause and effect.

Now seeing that Meng Shi looked much better, her originally thin body had become more plump, presumably because it had been effective, she deserved this gratitude.

Little Ginseng wrapped up the golden hairpin and placed it in her chest, accepting it.

Meng Shi smiled and had someone follow with the food box to escort Ye Jiao out.

After Ye Jiao got in the carriage with Little Su's help, Meng Shi stood at the door watching the carriage disappear before turning back to Chu Chengyun's room.

As soon as she entered, she saw Chu Chengyun holding a black pill in his hand, turning it over and over.

"What is this?" Meng Shi walked over and sat sideways on the bed, skillfully reaching out to massage Chu Chengyun's shoulders.

Chu Chengyun leaned into her embrace and smiled: "Second Young Master brought this, saying it's good for the body."

Meng Shi looked up at Liu Rong, who nodded gently, indicating it had been tested and was non-toxic.

Meng Shi trusted Qi Yun and Ye Jiao even more. Besides, Meng Shi knew clearly that Second Young Master Qi had medicine shops under him, and she had personally seen those medicinal flowers in Ye Jiao's courtyard. It wasn't strange for his family to have nourishing pills.

Her hands massaged Chu Chengyun's shoulders, but she didn't rush to have him take the pill. Instead, she said slowly: "Did you explain everything clearly to Second Young Master Qi?"

"I explained it clearly." Chu Chengyun's face still showed a smile, and some pride: "I told him I was Prince Duan. I seemed to have startled him. That person always has such a calm and composed demeanor - it wasn't easy to see him surprised."

Meng Shi's hands paused, her tone amused: "Really? He wasn't just pretending to humor you, was he?"

Chu Chengyun was completely confident: "No, he's always been honest. I can tell."

Meng Shi didn't understand Qi Yun well, but she knew Jiao Niang. Thinking that someone who could have such a pure and charming wife must also be a person whose character could be seen through at a glance, she nodded along: "That's right, both husband and wife are extremely good people."

Liu Rong, standing to the side, hesitated for a moment but ultimately didn't mention the incident of Second Young Mistress Qi feeding dirt to his prince.

After all, Commander Ye was such an upright person, so his family members must also be straightforward without any ulterior motives. What happened before... he must have seen wrong.

This gave Chu Chengyun confidence. He turned the pill over again and put it in his mouth.

After chewing and swallowing, Chu Chengyun smacked his lips to taste it: "Second Young Master's pill is quite unusual. It has a distinct red bean flavor, quite sweet, and seems to have a hint of osmanthus fragrance too."

Meng Shi was somewhat surprised, while Liu Rong looked sympathetic.

Had the prince eaten so much dirt that his sense of taste was affected...

Meanwhile, in the carriage, Ye Jiao, who had made the red bean pill, was happily enjoying a plate of pastries that Meng Shi had packed for her.

Taking a bite, she found it neither too sweet nor too bland, just perfect. She handed one to Qi Yun: "Husband, try some too."

Qi Yun opened his mouth to take a bite, tasting the rich milky fragrance, soft and smooth. Even without knowing the name, he could tell this was a pastry that ordinary families couldn't make.

He couldn't help thinking of what Chu Chengyun had just told him.

That person had been like pouring beans from a bamboo tube, revealing his identity completely. Though Qi Yun had guessed most of it correctly, he still put on a surprised expression to satisfy the Third Prince and let him feel proud.

But Qi Yun was also happy to humor him, because Chu Chengyun had considered many things for Qi Yun's sake.

Whether it was the merchant caravan, the Qi family, or Qi Yun himself, Chu Chengyun had thought of everything for him, even clearly telling Qi Yun how to distance himself in the future.

Being able to do all this was enough to make Qi Yun grateful to him.

However, Qi Yun wouldn't share these matters with Ye Jiao. His Jiao Niang was a big-hearted girl who might not take these things to heart even if he told her, but Qi Yun didn't want to worry her.

Jiao Niang had already given him far too much. He should shield her from wind and rain.

Moreover, Chu Chengyun's affairs involved conflicts between immortals, which had little real connection to his family. It would be more comfortable not knowing anything and just living their own lives.

Thinking of this, Qi Yun's face showed a smile again as he said softly: "Everything else is trivial. There's only one thing I need to tell Jiao Niang."

Ye Jiao's mouth was stuffed with half a pastry. Hearing this, she puffed her cheeks, and Qi Yun handed her water.

After swallowing, Ye Jiao asked: "What is it?"

Qi Yun put the water cup back and embraced her, saying: "Third Prince said that when Xu Bao grows up, he'll choose Xu Bao's courtesy name."

Ye Jiao looked up at him: "What's a courtesy name?"

Qi Yun had guessed Ye Jiao wouldn't know. Ordinary farming families didn't give their children courtesy names. But his Xu Bao would definitely study in the future, or at worst go into business and inherit the family enterprise, so a courtesy name was definitely needed.

As for courtesy names, one could choose one's own to express aspirations, or have elders choose one to interpret the given name or express good wishes.

After he explained clearly, Ye Jiao nodded: "Husband can make the decision."

Qi Yun lowered his head to kiss her forehead, thinking clearly in his heart.

Chu Chengyun was granting him a favor, though whether this favor could be realized was unknown to anyone.

If he succeeded, he would become the supreme ruler. In the hierarchy of heaven, earth, ruler, parents, and teachers, having one's courtesy name chosen by him would be a great honor.

If he failed, by the time Xu Bao grew up, he would probably already be buried in the earth, and this matter would naturally not count.

Qi Yun didn't want to speculate about the future, nor could he. He just felt somewhat emotional.

His fat son - if he really received a bestowed courtesy name, who would have thought this little guy almost got called "Big Head"...