Lady of Fortune, Jiao Niang

Chapter 90

Early in the morning, Qi Yun and Qi Zhao went to the front courtyard together to distribute year-end winter bonuses to the managers.

This winter bonus was the red envelope that wealthy households gave to their subordinates at year's end, usually distributed in the twelfth lunar month as extra reward money beyond their monthly wages.

Now that business was good, whether estates or shops all had better income than previous years, and the managers and shop proprietors under them had worked harder than before. As masters, Qi Zhao and Qi Yun increased the winter bonuses by a full three times, letting their subordinates also have a good New Year.

Because this year's winter bonuses were generous, every manager and proprietor's face beamed with joy.

After all, working was ultimately about earning money to eat. Usually they competed with each other over how much silver their shops and estates could earn, but getting their own share when accounts were settled was what really mattered.

Now receiving abundant winter bonuses was cause for celebration. Added to being near year's end when everyone preferred to be cheerful, even those who usually liked to quarrel and bicker were now harmonious, speaking auspicious words.

For a moment, it was quite pleasant and harmonious.

In the back courtyard, Ye Jiao had Little Su carry clothes early in the morning while she carried Xu Bao, going together to Liu Shi's courtyard.

The seamstress was already waiting inside. Seeing them enter, Liu Shi beckoned Ye Jiao over: "Jiao Niang, come let the seamstress measure you. These clothes can be altered if needed, and we can still finish them before New Year if we hurry."

The seamstress quickly agreed, her face smiling and looking very amiable.

If it were someone else asking her to work overtime like this at year's end, she definitely wouldn't be willing.

But the Qi family was different. They were wealthy, the richest family within ten li, and with Second Young Master Qi's shops opening everywhere recently, others wanted to curry favor but couldn't. The reward money they usually gave was enough for meals.

The seamstress's shop had prospered from taking the Qi family's business, and other respectable ladies also liked to have clothes made at her shop.

Now when the Qi family said to hurry, the seamstress would mobilize all the embroiderers in her shop to prioritize the Qi family's work.

Ye Jiao walked over, removed her fluffy cloak, stood on the low wooden stool, and tilted her head slightly to let the seamstress measure, asking: "Mother, has Sister-in-law been measured?"

Liu Shi smiled and turned the Buddhist prayer beads in her hand: "She's been measured. She remembers even more clearly than you."

Last year, Fang Shi had sulked with herself and missed the tailoring appointment, which pained her greatly. Since then, she always firmly remembered when the seamstress came.

Fang Shi was generally fine except for loving to take advantage and being particularly stingy. Since the tailoring money came from Liu Shi and missing out meant losing a bargain, she naturally remembered clearly.

From then on, whenever the seamstress came, Fang Shi seemed to smell it coming and would rush over anxiously, afraid of missing out again.

Liu Shi turned her beads again: "She just brought Little Shi Tou earlier. They've both been measured and left not long ago. Now only you and Xu Bao are left."

Ye Jiao turned around, extending her arms to let the seamstress measure with her ruler: "I think Xu Bao has enough clothes and won't need any made for a while."

Liu Shi picked up her tea cup and smiled: "You don't know since you just gave birth, but children grow like the wind, changing daily. If clothes are too small, they'll be restrictive, and babies have delicate skin so wearing small clothes isn't good. If they're too big, there might be accidents. Naturally, they should fit just right."

Ye Jiao listened and nodded, memorizing this advice, then watched the seamstress.

The seamstress had just put away her ruler, mentally noting Ye Jiao's measurements, and smiled: "Madam, Second Young Mistress, it's no problem. Children always grow quickly. I'm used to making children's clothes and can tell the measurements just by holding them."

Xu Bao was currently in Nanny Liu's arms, awake and gnawing on his finger.

Hearing this, Liu Shi had Nanny Liu bring Xu Bao for the seamstress to hold briefly.

Nanny Liu went over and handed the child to the seamstress but didn't leave, keeping her hands cupped nearby in case the child was bumped.

The seamstress steadily bounced him gently twice before returning him to Nanny Liu, still smiling: "I've noted it. The clothes will be delivered in a few days."

Liu Shi nodded with a gentle voice: "Thank you for making this trip. Take this reward money." Then someone handed over a pouch.

The seamstress felt it and realized there were three small silver ingots inside. Her face immediately bloomed with smiles as she said more auspicious words before leaving.

Ye Jiao took back her Xu Bao and sat at the table, reaching for a piece of sand cake to eat.

Xu Bao, watching his mother eat, was obviously just a baby who could only drink milk, yet he took his finger out of his mouth and opened his little mouth wide, as if he wanted to eat too.

Ye Jiao looked down at him, smiled at Xu Bao, then gently pressed the little one's face into her chest so he couldn't see, quickly putting all the sand cake in her mouth.

Liu Shi found this strange: "Jiao Niang, what are you doing?"

Ye Jiao repositioned Xu Bao properly and touched his forehead, explaining to Liu Shi: "Xu Bao always likes watching my husband and me eat. If we eat without giving him any, he gets unhappy."

Nanny Liu said: "Second Young Mistress, little Young Master is almost four months old now and can eat some egg yolk and vegetable paste."

Ye Jiao knew this and nodded, reaching for more sand cake: "We are giving him those, but this child just likes staring at sweets. Once he sees them, he wants to eat them, so I simply don't let him see them." Then Liu Shi saw Ye Jiao gather Xu Bao in her arms, making him lie against her chest to block his view, while she seized the opportunity to stuff the sand cake in her mouth.

The movement was swift and fluid, clearly well-practiced.

Liu Shi watched, feeling something was off but couldn't pinpoint it, so she let it be.

Just then, a servant boy ran over: "Madam, Second Young Mistress, there's someone outside looking for Second Young Mistress."

Since today was the day Ye Ping Rong said he'd bring Qi Ming home, Ye Jiao assumed it was Ye Ping Rong.

But Liu Shi asked: "Did he say who he was?"

The servant said: "No, but I saw him. He looks like that man Second Young Master had the servant woman deal with last time."

At these words, Liu Shi understood.

The person Qi Yun had sent a servant woman to handle could only be Second Brother Ye.

After all, there weren't many people who could make Qi Yun use such methods. Most people in this world still cared about face, and people like Second Brother Ye were very rare.

Though Liu Shi knew Ye Jiao had severed relations with him, ultimately this was Ye Jiao's affair, and she shouldn't interfere or it would embarrass Ye Jiao. She picked up her tea cup and smiled: "Jiao Niang, it should be Second Brother Ye outside. Handle this matter as you see fit."

Liu Shi said this to preserve Ye Jiao's dignity.

But for Ye Jiao, she didn't know about things Liu Shi knew.

The reason Qi Yun had used harsh methods last time to drive Second Brother Ye and his wife away was to prevent them from disturbing Ye Jiao. Naturally, he wouldn't tell his wife about this incident afterward to save her worry and effort.

But regarding Second Brother Ye, even without knowing about the previous conflict, Ye Jiao had no good feelings toward him. Moreover, since Ye Ping Rong had divided the family and severed relations with him, he was a stranger.

Little Ginseng didn't have ordinary people's concerns and was direct in all social matters.

In her mind, worldly affairs were simply black and white, quite clear.

Hearing Liu Shi's words, Ye Jiao didn't hesitate at all: "If it's him, I won't see him. Now that he and I have no relationship, husband mentioned he owes money. If he's coming to repay debts, go tell husband. If not, don't bother with him."

Seeing Liu Shi remain silent, the servant knew she acquiesced. He agreed and ran to the front to relay the message.

Liu Shi nodded approvingly at Ye Jiao, her gaze becoming warmer.

Besides teaching Ye Jiao proper behavior and etiquette, she had also taught her much about household management. Now seeing Ye Jiao make good decisions, Liu Shi felt gratified.

It was like carefully nurturing a flower bud and now seeing it bloom beautifully.

However, Liu Shi always felt sorry for Ye Jiao, afraid she might be sad thinking about Second Brother Ye again.

Setting down her tea cup, Liu Shi smiled and changed the subject: "I ordered several hand warmers earlier. The seamstress delivered them too. Since you're here, pick some out, and choose one for Second Young Master too."

Ye Jiao hadn't heard of hand warmers before. Looking over, she saw a nearby table covered with cloth displaying a row of fluffy sleeves.

Ye Jiao had seen Liu Shi use these before, tucking hands inside with a hand warmer being the warmest possible.

Though Ye Jiao wasn't afraid of cold, she knew her husband still couldn't withstand wind and the warmer the better.

Thinking of this, she stood up holding Xu Bao and walked over, carefully examining each one to find the warmest for Qi Yun.

Outside the Qi family gates, Second Brother Ye left somewhat disappointed.

He had originally wanted Second Sister-in-law Ye to accompany him, but since returning from the Qi family last time, she rarely went out, only managing to pick up and drop off Ye Bao and supervising his studies, seeming uninterested in anything else.

Moreover, since then Second Sister-in-law Ye had gripped their money tightly, not giving him an extra copper coin even through fights and arguments.

Second Brother Ye was neither scholarly nor martial, having previously relied on Elder Brother Ye, then on Second Sister-in-law Ye. When truly asked to work, he could accomplish nothing.

But some things, once touched, became impossible to quit, and gambling was one of them.

Unable to get money from home, and with Second Sister-in-law Ye ready to scratch his face at any mention, Second Brother Ye had no choice but to come seek Ye Jiao again.

The result was being driven away without even seeing her face.

Second Brother Ye sighed deeply, sometimes sad that big brother didn't want him, sometimes grieving that little sister disowned him, sometimes angry that Second Sister-in-law Ye controlled him.

Sighing like this, Second Brother Ye didn't want to go home. He hired a cart to the city, thinking that since the town gambling houses wouldn't let him in, he'd see if city gambling houses might extend credit.

But just entering the city, he saw a crowd ahead blocking the street.

Second Brother Ye was curious and went over to ask: "Brother, what's happening up there?"

"Someone's being hassled. That person is Ding Ba, a famous scoundrel who often makes trouble and scams people. This time he's probably targeting another outsider."

Someone else watching the commotion said: "This time is different. That outsider looks wealthy and refuses to settle privately. He wants to drag Ding Ba before officials."

"To court? Why take such a small matter to court?"

"Who knows, but I think he's just tough-talking. He might not really trouble the authorities. After all, Ding Ba is local and such a scoundrel. If he really gets officials involved and Ding Ba deceives them, these outsiders might get beaten."

Second Brother Ye listened with interest.

Nowadays there were many merchants and traders, with many traveling to foreign places. Visiting merchants usually sought harmonious business, afraid of offending locals, especially scoundrels like these. When encountering them, they typically paid to avoid trouble, not wanting to be hassled.

Those who would take such matters to court at the first disagreement were rare.

Second Brother Ye was curious and squeezed through to look, but as soon as he got close, he saw the person at the front.

Leading a horse, wearing heavy robes, with bright, spirited tiger eyes, he stood a head taller than others.

But Second Brother Ye instinctively stepped back.

This was Ye Ping Rong, the big brother he'd just been thinking about.

Just now when Second Brother Ye was refused at the Qi family gates, he had thought of Ye Ping Rong, remembering the good times when the family was together, the harmony among the three siblings, and thinking that if big brother were still there, he certainly wouldn't be in such straits.

But seeing him now, Second Brother Ye was thinking that Ye Ping Rong had gotten into trouble, especially with this kind of scoundrel, which was most troublesome.

If people discovered he was related to him, he'd be implicated for no reason in the future.

It wasn't worth recognizing him now.

As for whether Ye Ping Rong was in the right, Second Brother Ye didn't care.

He remembered Ye Ping Rong was just a medicine shop guard. What medicine shop didn't matter, it was just a shop anyway.

Working as a guard there was just selling physical labor, certainly without prospects or connections.

A guard, Second Brother Ye felt, surely had no ability to win a lawsuit.

Thinking this, Second Brother Ye turned to squeeze back out of the crowd, afraid of being seen by Ye Ping Rong at such close range.

But just then, a voice called: "Make way, make way! County Magistrate is here!"

In the eyes of people here, they hadn't seen great officials. An eighth-rank County Magistrate was already a very high official. Though they didn't need to kneel upon seeing officials now, the onlookers still held deep reverence for officials. Hearing this, they immediately made way voluntarily, letting the County Magistrate's sedan through.

This created more crowding on both sides, and Second Brother Ye couldn't escape, only able to stand in place temporarily, covering his face with his hand, regretting watching this commotion.

The County Magistrate didn't wait for his sedan to settle before hastily lifting the curtain and stepping out, pushing away attendants who wanted to help him.

The magistrate appeared older and seemed to have come in great haste, his hat slightly askew.

Straightening his hat and wiping sweat from his forehead, the County Magistrate strode forward, bowing deeply to Ye Ping Rong: "Not knowing Your Honor had arrived, this humble official failed to greet you properly. I beg Your Honor's forgiveness."

...Your Honor? Who was Your Honor?

Those standing far away couldn't hear, but those close like Second Brother Ye heard clearly.

He was first stunned, then followed the County Magistrate's gaze.

Seeing Ye Ping Rong calmly help the magistrate up with a slight gesture, Second Brother Ye was thunderstruck, frozen in place.

How had he become "Your Honor"...

What happened to being a medicine shop guard?