Lady of Fortune, Jiao Niang

Qi Yun didn’t realize that Ye Jiao had been following behind him on the way to the study.

Her husband’s body didn’t have an ordinary minor illness, but a fetal deficiency from the mom’s womb.
If not paid attention to, a minor illness could become a serious disease.

Although she checked his pulse and felt that the inner heat in Qi Yun’s body had dissipated, she still wasn’t completely at ease.
Thus, she followed him. 

From Qi Yun’s yard to the study, she had to pass through a small garden.
Ye Jiao stood by the arch of the garden and leaned her head out to look.
After seeing Qi Yun enter the door, she turned around to head back.

A head turn away showed Fang Shi holding Stone and smiling to herself.

The sun was nice today, so Fang Shi went on a stroll with her son dressed in layers as a small bun.
Standing next to the garden, she saw Qi Yun with a small tail.

Fang watched with curiosity, but didn’t step forward to say hello.

Everyone in the family was scared of Qi Yun [1] , including Fang Shi.
Even if she treated Qi Yun kindly as a sister-in-law, if she could hide from him, she would.

After Qi Yun entered the study, Fang Shi walked out and greeted Ye Jiao face-to-face.

Ye Jiao stopped and said with a smile: “Sister-in-law.”

Fang Shi also nodded to her, and Stone directly waved to Ye Jiao: “Second Auntie!”

The child’s voice sounded particularly crisp, and the small round body in layers of clothes was twisting around.
It reminded Ye Jiao of the panda that used to chat with her before (when she was a ginseng).

They were both round and made you want to take care of them. 

Ye Jiao patted his hair and didn’t hug him.

When the Little Ginseng held him before, Stone was barely in her arms when he cried out because of her internal heat.
Thus, Ye Jiao no longer held him since then and didn’t go near other people.

Her husband had a weak constitution; as long as she’s close enough that he doesn’t flare up, it would be okay. 

But in the case of other people, much less a small child with strong internal heat or even an ordinary person in good health, they might have a nosebleed if the Little Ginseng hugged them.

What did the Little Fox always say again…

Oh yeah, for a match made in heaven, isn’t it just about yourself and your husband?

Fang Shi didn’t notice Ye Jiao getting distracted.
She rocked her son and smiled at Ye Jiao: “Is Second Younger Sister visiting Second Brother?”

Ye Jiao nodded: “Mm.”

“Why don’t you go in?” Fang Shi glanced towards the study.

Ye Jiao honestly replied: “Xiang Gong has things to do.
I’ll just go back and wait for him.”

Fang Shi guessed that Ye Jiao was worried about Qi Yun and followed, but didn’t point it out.
Everyone knew that Second Brother’s body was in poor health, and it wasn’t polite to vocalize it.

There were many superstitious people everywhere.
If you don’t have anything nice to say, don’t say it.

It was cold outside and the two sister-in-laws didn’t say much, so Fang Shi returned to her yard first, holding Stone.

When Fang Shi was far away, Ye Jiao realized she didn’t properly greet her goodbye.
Although she said it orally, she wasn’t able to perform the action she just learned (from her husband). 

The Little Ginseng had a look of regret on her face.
After glancing at the study, she turned back to the yard.

When Fang Shi returned to the house with the child in her arms, she seemed to be in a good mood.

As soon as she walked in, she saw Qi Zhao drinking tea.

Fang was a little surprised: “Eldest Son, why did you come back so early today?”

Qi Zhao’s frame was large, different from Second Brother’s frailness and Third Brother’s literary temperament.
Qi Zhao’s skin was a little darker and he looked exceptionally strong.
He spoke with vigor: “The village steward’s leg is in pain.
His legs hurt every time it’s windy and rainy.
I came back to pack my things.
If it rains, I’ll stay in the village to look over them.”

Hearing this, Fang Shi was distressed.
She hurriedly handed Stone to him and went over to prepare clothes for Eldest Son Qi.
She asked: “Isn’t it enough for the steward to do these things? Why do you need to go for everything?”

Qi Zhao teased his son and answered indifferently after listening: “Second Brother isn’t in good health and Third Brother is studying in school.
I’m the only one who can take care of the village’s affairs.
Although we have the family’s shop, we rely more on the village’s harvest.
We should do our best.”

Fang Shi was originally distressed, but after hearing Qi Zhao’s words, she became proud again and said: “Yes, you have to run the village well and not let your parents find any mistakes.”

Qi Zhao took Fang Shi’s words at face value and nodded, but he didn’t know that Fang had other plans in her heart. 

She’s the daughter of a talented scholar; even if as a daughter she never went to college, many ideas were deeply rooted.

The imperial court now encouraged business, so the merchants had no worries.
Once the businesses made it big, they even donated money to officials.
Still, Fang Shi’s heart looked down on them.

It’s true that the shops at home were given to Qi Yun, but what’s so good about them? They don’t make much money and couldn’t be compared to the family’s Eldest Son’s village.

Besides, with Second Brother’s bones and body… they were given in vain.

Just, Fang Shi can’t say these things now.
She used to talk (about this) in front of Qi Zhao and that made him unhappy.
He wasn’t the type to let Fang Shi destroy their brotherhood.
Fang Shi never said it aloud anymore, but always thought it in her heart.

The more she thought about it, the happier she was.
Only when there’s a comparison can she be proud. 

A moment ago, she complained that Qi Zhao was going to visit the village.
Now, Fang Shi was rushing to help him pack. 

Currently, Ye Jiao, who had been talked about by Fang Shi, was sitting on a bamboo chair.
Wrapped in a jacket, she looked at the sky and softly spoke: “It must be about to rain.”

Xiao Su looked up but couldn’t see past the doorway. 

Ye Jiao has seen the clouds roll in and out for thousands of years.
Even if she was now an ordinary person with no cultivation skills, she still knew the subtle changes in the weather when she looked up.

Rain was common in autumn, but Ye Jiao remembered that Qi Yun didn’t bring an umbrella.

Standing up from the bamboo chair, Ye Jiao went to get an oil-paper umbrella.
She was ready to greet him in the study.

Coincidentally, Qi Yun was stepping into the courtyard gate and the two of them bumped into each other!

Qi Yun didn’t expect that as soon as he entered the door, he would be greeted by a turbulent little lady and knocked her back two steps.
After stabilizing her, he stretched out his hand as support and said in surprise: “What’s wrong, Jiao Niang?”

When Xiao Su saw Qi Yun, it was like a mouse meeting a cat.
She turned her head and ran out of the side door.

Ye Jiao was holding an umbrella, which fell to the floor after the collision.

Because her waist was being held by Qi Yun, she couldn’t pick up the umbrella.
Instead, she looked up at Qi Yun and said: “It’s going to rain – I was about to pick you up.”

Qi Yun patted her on the back and curled the corners of his mouth.
“Thank you Jiao Niang.
Next time, it’s okay to call Xiao Su or Tie Zi to pick me up.”

“Okay.” Ye Jiao responded.
Her eyes then looked behind Qi Yun.

A man stood in the distance; he looked a bit old, had wrinkles on his face, and was decently dressed.
The man was looking at something in his hand that made him happy.
At times, Ye Jiao could even hear him laugh. 

Qi Yun touched her head and whispered: “That’s Steward Song from the wine shop.”

Ye Jiao pulled him into the house and couldn’t help asking: “What’s he laughing at?”

Actually, men rarely talked about external affairs to the people in the household.
For example, Qi Zhao didn’t tell Fang Shi about everything he did.
After all, women couldn’t help much and knowing it may even cause trouble.

However, Qi Yu was willing to talk to Ye Jiao: “I have some ideas to make money for the wine shop.
He’s in charge, so naturally he’s happy.”

Ye Jiao blinked: “Xiang Gong, are you going to be as busy as your big brother?”

Qi Yun nodded and entered the house with her.
He closed the door and slowly said: “I still need to rest more this year and I won’t go out until next year, but I’m afraid I’ll have much less free time now.”

Qi Yun knew that he couldn’t go to the shop in person.
His body was not as weak as before, but because of the coming winter, he was still uncomfortable and stayed at home.

However, compared to spending time waiting for death, in the future Qi Yun will have a lot of things to do.

Qi Yun thought that Ye Jiao would drag him to recuperate and not let him go.
In fact, as soon as Qi Yun went to see Liu Shi, Liu Shi told him that she didn’t want him messing around.
It wasn’t until Qi Yun made a promise that she let him go.

Who knew that Ye Jiao would nod and say to Qi Yun with a smile: “If Xiang Gong likes it, you should do it.”

This made Qi Yun a little surprised: “You’re not going to persuade against it?”

The Little Ginseng doesn’t have too many complicated thoughts: “Do what you like.
Besides, you don’t go out.
A winter is almost enough (to get better).”

Although Qi Yun’s body won’t heal completely after the winter, it should be no problem to go out for a walk.

Moreover, Ye Jiao still had the stone bud grass.
It’s been growing well recently and should bear fruit next year.
At that time, there will be white rainbow fruit and Ye Jiao won’t need to worry about Qi Yun’s life being in danger.

Most importantly, Ye Jiao felt that Qi Yun really wanted to be productive.

Although the Little Ginseng recently became human and was still studying different people, her eyes were much more transparent than others.

When she met Qi Yun for the first time, she could see that he was lifeless even while he was talking with a smile.
This made Ye Jiao risk sleeping in his arms all night for fear that he would take his last breath if he wasn’t careful.

But these days, when Qi Yun looked through those account books that Ye Jiao didn’t understand, the man’s eyes were alert.

There was no lifelessness, no gloom, but a breath of fresh air.

Since he liked to do it, then he should do it.
In Ye Jiao’s heart, her husband was the most knowledgeable among Heaven and Earth.
Naturally, she didn’t see anything wrong with what he wanted to do.

Qi Yun curled his lips and softly said: “Thank you, Jiao Niang.”

“But you also have to promise me to take your medicine and get a good rest.
If your body is still unhealthy next year, you have to put aside these important things.” Ye Jiao requested.

Qi Yun understood that she was thinking of him and immediately replied: “Okay, I promise.”

Even if Ye Jiao didn’t say this, he would do it.
For Jiao Niang, no matter how bitter the medicinal soup was, he would drink it clean.

Only then did Ye Jiao let go of him and poured tea with a smile.

Qi Yun stopped her and said: “No need to busy yourself.
I came back to retrieve the account book.
I still have to talk to Steward Song later.”

“You’re going to the study?”

“I won’t be going to the study.
Since it’s raining, I’ll just talk about it in the small room next to us.”

The small room was next to the bedroom, so Ye Jiao didn’t think about following him and only tightened the buckle at his collar.

Qi Yun wasn’t sure if it would actually rain.
After all, the sky was still clear.
Since it was what the Lady said though, he would listen.
No matter if she was right or wrong, in his heart she’s always correct.

In case it really didn’t rain, then it was God who accidentally forgot.

Qi Yun got the ledger and was about to leave, but heard the voice of his lady: “Xiang Gong, wait a moment.”

Thinking that Ye Jiao had more to say, Qi Yun immediately turned his head to listen.
Who knew that as soon as he turned around, Jiao Niang would be standing in front of him with a raised face.

Then, the woman stood on tiptoe, as if trying to pull herself up a little higher.

Ye Jiao wondered: Obviously this person wasn’t in the best shape, but he sure didn’t suffer a loss in height.
She just saw how long his legs were in the bathtub.

Mm, as expected of our house’s president, Xiang Gong.

Qi Yun was a little confused, but he didn’t ask anything.
He just hovered his hands around Ye Jiao for fear that she would accidentally fall.

Ye Jiao reached her hand out and grabbed his front flap.
With padded feet, she could only kiss the man’s chin embarrassedly. 

“Chu~”

This small sound stunned Qi Yun.

Although Ye Jiao left only a quick peck, Qi Yun felt a residual soft warmth on his chin.
Inexplicably, his heart beat a few times faster.

Ye Jiao was pressing on the man’s chest and was able to feel a strange effect under her palm.

The Little Ginseng began to reflect: so a kiss would make his heart beat faster? Xiang Gong’s body still needs to be taken care of.

Qi Yun subconsciously embraced the woman’s body and looked down at her.
He met Ye Jiao’s bright eyes that were waiting for his praise.

He tried to calm his breath and his voice was light: “Jiao Niang, what are you doing?”

Ye Jiao raised her face with a smile: “It’s the same as what you did.
Didn’t you just do this before you left? But you’re too tall and I can’t reach for a kiss.
I can only get it here (on the chin).”

Qi Yun: …

Well, he now knew that his wife had misunderstood.

Qi Yun really liked Ye Jiao’s positive attitude towards integrating into the family and found her learning style quite accurate.
Looking back on his actions, he wasn’t clear and caused Jiao Niang to misunderstand.

Fortunately, it’s not too late to explain this misunderstanding.

However, before Qi Yun could speak, he heard Ye Jiao say: “I forgot to do this when I saw eldest sister-in-law.
Don’t worry, I’ll make it up next time.”

Qi Yun: …

Qi Yun immediately coughed twice and, instead of rushing out, took Ye Jiao to sit at the table.
He held her hand and solemnly said: “Don’t do this in the future.”

It’s okay to do it to himself, but if she did this to Fang Shi or Liu Shi, he was afraid there would be chaos in the world.

Ye Jiao also noticed something was wrong and asked in a small voice: “Is it not right?”

Qi Yun immediately grasped her fingertips: “It’s fine, but we can only do it between ourselves in the future.”

Ye Jiao looked at him without understanding.

Qi Yun was solemn: “We are married.”

Getting married was a reason for so many things, Ye Jiao realized with a flash on her face.

Yes, she got married.
This wasn’t a habit for humans, but a habit for married humans.
Apparently there’s so many things to follow after getting married.
She really didn’t understand why the Little Fox was so enthusiastic about marriage.

Qi Yun felt a little guilty, but everything disappeared when the Little Ginseng kissed his face again.

Getting married – it’s so nice.

***

The author has something to say: 

Ye Jiao: What if they make me kiss mother-in-law and eldest sister-in-law?

Qi Yun: … [Staring at you]

***

Footnotes:

[1] Literal translation is: “No one in the family is not afraid of Qi Yun…” I got rid of the double negatives to keep the sentence flow.