Lady of Fortune, Jiao Niang

As the two were waiting in the side room, two people stepped into the store from outside. They seemed to be from a nearby academy as their attire resembled that of the common scholars. They were soon received by the young attendants in the shop.

The two were chatting while looking around the store, when the sounds of gong echoed twice from the outside.

The deafening sounds were loud and clear, making everyone around impossible to ignore.

A sharp voice followed the gong sounds, “The battle at the border witnessed triumphant victory. Extremely pleased, the Emperor has granted amnesty across the nation and has reduced the taxes by 20% for all!” Thereafter, two more deafening gong sounds echoed, repeating the same words from before!

The two scholars, who were busy chatting and looking around just a few seconds ago, dashed to watch the excitement outside. Even the shopkeeper, who was settling the accounts, trotted to the shop entrance, and listened with rapt attention. Once he had listened to the announcement clearly, to Ye Jioa’s astonishment, knelt right then and there with a loud cry, “The heaven’s grace is vast and mighty as the ocean!”

The utterly dumbfounded subconsciously reached out to grab hold of Liu pozi’s wrist.

Liu pozi immediately comforted her,“Second Young Madam, don’t panic. The shopkeeper’s gratitude is not due to heaven’s grace, but because of the last part of the announcement. ”

For common folks, the emperor is high above and far away. Even though victory in the battles at the border was joyously celebrated, their contentment was but superficial. Only the families, who have one of their own serving in the military, were genuinely delighted over the victory from the bottom of their hearts. While to the rest of the masses, the benefits granted at the end were what delighted them the most.

Granting amnesty across the nation and reducing the taxes by 20% for all!

For businessmen, 20% tax reduction meant significantly higher profits. The shopkeeper’s prostration wasn’t his appreciation towards the Emperor’s amnesty, but towards his future business prospects.

Upon listening to Liu pozi’s words, a bright smile bloomed on Ye Jiao’s face.

Her husband was also in business, and thus was truly a joyous event for them. She couldn’t wait to share this news with her husband upon return.

At the same time, a not-so-distant memory resurfaced within Ye Jiao’s mind: Ye Dalang ,who seemed to have also gone to serve in the military many years ago, was yet to return. His whereabouts were unknown to her. However, if he was stationed at the border, with the recent victory there, she wondered if he would come back alive.

Amid the clamorous sounds of gong and hubbub, Ye Jiao tried to recall any memories within the depths of her mind pertaining to Ye Dalang’s new, but to no avail.

Once the yamen workers had walked past them, the shopkeeper got on his feet and dusted off his pants before happily walking back to settle Ye Jiao’s bills.

He placed two strings of copper coins, and headed to Ye Jiao. He didn’t forget to send them off with a few auspicious words, hoping that the latter would patronise his store again in the future.

With the fur coat neatly wrapped in a package, Ye Jaio walked out of the store, and stepped into the ox carriage. This time, the ox carriage made its way back to the Qi residence without stopping anywhere again.

When Ye Jiao reached Qi residence, Qi Yan was sitting in his study. A wrinkle appeared in between his brows, as he read through the letter passed by Steward Song to him via an errand boy.

Qi Yun was acutely aware of the person who was behind the incident at the store earlier that day. Thus, he had already made the necessary preparations way ahead of the time. The group he had hired was a trained one and was quite expensive. However, considering the incident, it was a worthwhile investment, proving all those people, who had thought it was a waste of money, wrong.

However, the hired trained group coming in handy this early was beyond Qi Yun’s expectation. He dreaded that he would have to make these people stay longer, for more and more similar troubles would pop up in future with the growing business.

At the end of the letter, when Qi Yun read through the part Steward Song praising Ye Jiao, a slight smile unconsciously appeared on his lips.

He understood his wife’s personality well – simple, pure and straightforward. He believed Steward Song had miscomprehended Ye Jiao’s words. She simply must have wanted to get rid of those people, nothing more. However, he didn’t plan to clear Steward Song’s misunderstandings. He wanted his subordinates to respect Ye Jaio from the bottom of their hearts, even if it was the result of misunderstandings. The more they revered her, the more obedient they would be to her.

Qi Yun grabbed a pen and wrote a reply back to Steward Song before handing it to the errand boy. Just then, Tiezhi entered the study room and reported, “Second Young Master, Second Young Mistress has returned.”

The solemn expression adorning Qi Yun’s face quickly transitioned to a gentle smile. He quickly grabbed a thick robe and put on himself, as he hurriedly left the room with Tiezhi closely following him.

Just like his usual routine, Tiezhi followed Qi Yun till the courtyard and departed. Walking into the courtyard, when Qi Yun gently pushed the door open, he was greeted by warm air, gentle and cozy as spring.

Usually, when no one was in the room, the burning charcoal in the room would be extinguished to avoid any unforeseen accidents. However, perceiving the warmth in the room, it was evident that someone had come and warmed the room.

Having spent many years alone, Qi Yun thought he had become accustomed to it. However, after marrying Ye Jiao, he realised he was also but an ordinary person.

He craved warmth, enjoyed living, and above all else, enjoyed being in someone’s company.

Just a mere thought that someone was waiting for him in the house was enough to make him stand at the door and enjoy the feeling.

Closing the door and blocking the cold air from seeping in, Qi Yun placed the hand warmer on the table. Just then the basket and the package placed on the table caught his eye.

When going out today, Qi Yun had asked Ye Jiao to take some silver along with her. Thus, he presumed that these were something she had bought.

Qi Yun didn’t look at them again and walked towards the charcoal stove to warm his chilled hands before entering the inner room.

At the moment, Ye Jiao was moving the folding screen. Hearing the footsteps behind her she turned around to see Qi Yao walking in.

When the Little Ginseng caught sight of Qi Yao’s figure, she trotted to him. With a cheerful smile on her lips and bright gleam in her eyes, she excitedly exclaimed, “Husband, I have good news for you!”

The corners of Qi Yun’s lips curved into a light smile,”What good news?”

Ye Jiao immediately told him about the announcement made at the street today.

In fact, Qi Yun was already informed about the announcement by the errand boy. And tax reduction truly had a great impact for him.

Just a while ago, he had made a series of calculations, and 20% tax reduction truly saved a significant amount. With the opening of a new store under his management, this extra 20% money can be used to deal with a lot of affairs that might have been difficult otherwise.

Nevertheless, after hearing Ye Jiao’s words, Qi Jiao, pretending to have not known about it. With a smile, he replied, “This is truly joyous news. Not only has our new store opened today, but we also received news about the imperial court’s victory, symbolising a double happy occasion. Just the pigeon soup that was initially prepared will not suffice. I will have someone cook eggs.”

Ye Jiao followed, “I don’t want boiled eggs, I want fried ones.”

Qi Yun pinched her earlobe softly as he turned around and beckoned Xiao Su to the window, saying: “Go ask the small kitchen to prepare fried eggs, chicken soup….”

Xiao Su’s heart skipped a beat. The look Qi Yun had when gazing at her Xiao Hei as he wished to have it stewed was still fresh in her mind.

She had a premonition that this time for the chicken soup it was certainly her Xia Hei’s turn to go into the pot!

The feathers on Xiao Hei’s tail haven’t fully grown back yet!

Ye Jiao softly interjected Qi Yao while shaking his hand, “We already have pigeon soup, and will not be able to drink another chicken soup.”

A gentle smile yet again resurfaced on Qi Yao’s lips as he gently replied, “Alright, we will do as you say.” Turning his head to Xia Su by the window, he continued, “Then add sugar cakes. We should celebrate this happy occasion with a sweet.”

Relief washed over Xiao Su’s anxious heart, feeling grateful to have kept her Xia Hei’s life. She thought though the Second Young Master was quite scary, the Second Young Mistress was kind-hearted, a stark contrast to the former, growing her fondness for the latter.

Ye Jiao added in whisper, “ Husband, I also want to eat magnolia slices.”

Qi Yun immediately added: “Let the small kitchen also add magnolia slices.”

Xiao Su noted all the dishes, and once making sure that there were no further additions, she trotted to the small kitchen to pass on the menu.

Though Ye Jiao couldn’t wait to have a fulfilling supper, she didn’t forget about the pending task she had to do.

She let go of Qi Yao’s hand and asked him with a smile, “Husband, Can you help me to bring the basket on the table?”

Ye Jiao seldomly asked Qi Yao’s help, thus he promptly went to get the basket.

However, earlier when he had placed the handstove, he had accidentally placed it on the corner of the cloth covering the basket. Thus, when he picked the basket up, the cloth was pulled off, unveiling the contents in it.

The petals were carefully chosen by Dong-shi after much deliberation and were known for their delightful aroma. As soon as the cloth fell off, a delicate fragrance wafted in the room.

Qi Yun, who had no idea what they were for, asked her, “Jiao Niang, what is this basket of petals for?”

However, as soon as he turned sound, to his astonishment, Qi Yun turned around with the basket in hand, the sight of Ye Jiao, who had already removed her outer coat, and was in the middle of unfastening the belt on her skirt, entered his sight, followed by her crisp and clear reply, “To use in the bath. ”