Chapter 34
Ye Ping Rong had not had peaceful days for several years.
He was originally called Ye Dalang. Children from farming families were mostly named according to their position in the family, combined with the surname to make a name.
His current name came after joining the army. Because he had merit in killing enemies on the battlefield, plus his martial arts skills were good, he was favored by the general and given this name.
The meaning was great victory in battle, pacifying the Rong and Qiang tribes.
Now with the great victory at the border, the army was returning triumphant to the capital. Ye Ping Rong no longer had to think about what posture he would die in on the battlefield, finally making it through.
When rewards were distributed based on merit, he was granted a seventh-rank official position as Commander.
But though he was officially a Commander instructor at the prefecture office, privately he worked under the current emperor's Third Prince, Prince Duan, just holding the title of Commander.
Being able to come to this town today was because he was following Prince Duan.
Ye Ping Rong was very happy to come here, as it wasn't far from the Ye family's original residence. Ye Ping Rong hadn't been home for a long time. Moreover, after several years, he didn't know what the family's situation was like and had long wanted to go back and see.
What he missed most were Second Brother Ye and Ye Jiao.
But the Ye family had long since moved elsewhere. Because Ye Dalang needed to protect Prince Duan and couldn't expose his whereabouts, he had no way to inquire around. For a while, he actually couldn't find his way home.
Who would have thought that from afar he would see a woman getting off the carriage who looked somewhat like his little sister.
Ye Ping Rong couldn't help saying quietly: "So alike, too alike."
Liu Rong, who had been following him, asked: "Commander, what's alike?"
Ye Ping Rong looked up again at the street corner where the carriage had disappeared: "That person just now looked exactly like my sister."
Liu Rong had heard about his younger brother and sister from Ye Ping Rong more than once. The two had fought together at the border. Ye Ping Rong was resolute and decisive, killing enemies without blinking, looking like he had a heart made of iron and stone. But whenever he mentioned his younger brother and sister, his face became completely gentle.
But Ye Ping Rong came from a poor family. How could his sister be sitting in a carriage wearing silk and satin?
At this moment, Ye Ping Rong shook his head: "I probably recognized the wrong person. After several years of not seeing each other, girls change a lot as they grow up. She probably doesn't look like she did as a child anymore. Besides, she should still be unmarried."
But saying this, Ye Ping Rong hesitated again.
Liu Rong found his homesick and timid appearance fresh, so he said: "You're probably always thinking about and missing them, so when you see someone who looks similar, you think it's your sister."
Ye Ping Rong nodded silently.
Liu Rong looked at him and suggested: "Commander Ye, you need to stay by the Prince's side at all times now and can't get away. Why don't I go help you inquire about your family's current address? You said last time that your family moved, but surely the local county officials should have records."
But Ye Ping Rong shook his head: "No good. The Prince hasn't alerted others each time he goes out. If we inquire, we might expose our tracks."
Liu Rong's heart tensed.
Though he didn't know why Prince Duan wanted to travel far from the capital, the current emperor was already 60 years old and hadn't established an heir. Since ancient times, succession struggles had been particularly brutal. Prince Duan had instructed them to avoid others on this trip. Everything naturally had to be careful and cautious.
If other people knew Prince Duan had privately left the capital, there would probably be another bloody storm.
Fortunately, his Commander had reminded him, otherwise if he had delayed Prince Duan's affairs, three heads wouldn't be enough to chop off.
But Liu Rong rolled his eyes and said: "Then let's have someone privately inquire about anyone surnamed Ye in this area who has brothers and sisters-in-law with a younger sister. It shouldn't be too hard to find out."
Ye Ping Rong thought briefly and nodded: "Don't expose our tracks, be careful about everything. If we can't find out, that's fine too. Put the Prince first in everything."
Liu Rong smiled and replied: "Commander Ye, don't worry." At this moment, Liu Rong nudged Ye Ping Rong with his elbow: "The Prince is coming out of the restaurant."
Ye Ping Rong stood up and followed behind the young man in blue robes with him from a distance, soon disappearing into the crowd.
Ye Jiao, who was being thought about by Ye Ping Rong, had already returned home by carriage and went to the study first to check on Qi Yun.
Little Su also followed Ye Jiao to the study but found that her Second Young Mistress didn't go in. Instead, she stood carefully by the window, motionless.
This made Little Su somewhat puzzled, so she went over to ask: "Second Young Mistress, why aren't you going in?"
Ye Jiao gestured for her to be quieter, then said in a low voice: "My husband said earlier that he had shop business to discuss all day today. Right now he should be talking with Manager Song. I came to listen to his voice and know he's alright, then I can be at peace. If I go in, I'll probably disturb him."
Little Su was somewhat confused: "How would that disturb him?"
Ye Jiao said seriously: "If my husband sees me come, he'll probably want to talk with me and also call for pastries for me. All that back and forth would waste too much time."
This made Little Su think about it and realize it had indeed been like this before, so her face immediately showed agreement: "Second Young Mistress is right, it really is like that."
Little Ginseng said very sincerely: "After all, my husband likes me so much, and I can't bear to make him too tired."
But these two didn't know that even though the window was closed, their words were heard clearly by the people inside.
The desk was right by the window. From Qi Yun and Manager Song's angle, they could clearly see the shadows reflected on the window, and their conversation entered their ears completely.
Manager Song tried hard to suppress his laughter, trying to appear composed. But when he heard Ye Jiao frankly state that Qi Yun was devoted to her, Manager Song finally couldn't hold back and had to cover his mouth.
He hadn't expected that at his age, he would have such an improper day.
Qi Yun, who was even closer to the window, tried hard to keep a straight face, telling himself over and over: don't laugh, can't laugh, can't let his Jiao Niang know he heard everything.
But the more he held back, the clearer he heard.
But Qi Yun was different from Manager Song. Manager Song had some voyeuristic thoughts, but Qi Yun felt no embarrassment at all. Instead, he felt a strange sweetness.
His wife liked him, not only liking him in front of him, but even when he wasn't there she could be so honest. Every word seemed to go straight to Qi Yun's heart.
Moreover, Ye Jiao was right. Qi Yun did indeed like her, liked her to the bottom of his heart.
This was his own wife. If he didn't like her, who else could he like?
But Qi Yun still remembered Ye Jiao's purpose for coming. He coughed lightly, his voice as low and steady as always: "Manager Song, regarding next year's new shop construction, I've already circled several areas. Go take a look."
Manager Song really wanted to say that they had just discussed this matter, but the old gentleman was still very perceptive and agreed, though he didn't move from his spot.
Sure enough, after hearing Qi Yun's voice, Ye Jiao outside carefully left.
But her shadow was reflected on the window, so no matter how careful she was, they could see clearly.
After she left, Qi Yun breathed a sigh of relief, then saw Manager Song stand up and bow to him: "Congratulations to Second Young Master, a harmonious marriage, a match made in heaven."
Hearing this, Qi Yun showed no shyness at all. Instead, he nodded very calmly: "Thank you, Manager Song. This is how it should be between Jiao Niang and me."
Manager Song smiled, speaking with genuine sincerity: "Family harmony brings peace in all matters and wealth from all sources."
These were both auspicious words and sincere words.
There were many wealthy people in business, but those who could truly last long were basically those with peaceful households.
Second Young Master had ability, but Manager Song had clear eyes and could see the love between Qi Yun and Ye Jiao. Such a principled master was reassuring.
Hearing this, Qi Yun smiled and had Manager Song sit down. The two resumed discussing the new shop.
Meanwhile, Ye Jiao quickly returned to Liu Shi's courtyard, preparing to make up for what she had missed today.
Recently she had been coming to Liu Shi's courtyard often, not just sitting briefly and leaving like before, but learning with Nanny Liu how to use rouge and lip balm.
But today, Ye Jiao had another matter.
Liu Shi invited her to sit down, fingering the prayer beads in her hands, saying gently: "Jiao Niang, starting today I'll teach you how to manage the household and keep accounts."
Hearing this, Ye Jiao was somewhat puzzled: "Mother, how does one learn household management?"
"These are methods for managing the household. You might not need them now, but there will always be a day when you'll use them."
This wasn't something Qi Yun had asked Liu Shi to do, but Liu Shi valued Ye Jiao and decided to teach her.
Usually household management was learned by girls in their boudoirs. Though common people couldn't compare to the precious training of great households, small families also had many things that needed careful consideration.
Just like in the Qi family, besides taking care of Father Qi and three sons in daily life, Liu Shi had to oversee all the affairs of the inner quarters.
The Qi family had never hired a steward. Using outsiders to manage family affairs was ultimately unreliable, and good stewards were hard to find. All sorts of things depended on family members.
Men managed external affairs, women managed internal ones. Liu Shi's usual worries were no less than Father Qi's.
Today it was how much vegetables and meat the kitchen had received, tomorrow it was how many firecrackers to use for New Year.
All sorts of miscellaneous matters needed Liu Shi's oversight.
Fang Shi had learned these things before marrying in, but Ye Jiao, Liu Shi could imagine, hadn't been taught by the Ye family.
Today Ye Jiao had made Liu Shi proud, plus Liu Shi thought that Second Son's business was growing bigger and bigger. In the future Second Son would have great success, and Jiao Niang wouldn't always stay in the inner quarters. She would inevitably need to go out, so these things had to be learned.
But household management required learning proper conduct, which might involve some hardship. Liu Shi said: "Learning more about dealing with people will benefit both you and Second Son in the future. But if you're not ready to endure hardship, the etiquette can wait."
Ye Jiao didn't refuse, even agreeing quite actively: "Mother, I'm not afraid of hardship."
Little Ginseng had always been willing to work hard to learn how to be human properly. Moreover, Liu Shi said it was to help Qi Yun in the future, which gave her even more motivation.
Her husband was good to her, so she naturally had to be good to him too. If Mother said it was useful, then it must be useful.
Seeing her attitude, Liu Shi curved her lips, very pleased with Ye Jiao's attitude, nodding secretly.
While they were talking, Nanny Liu came over and said to Liu Shi: "Third Young Master is on holiday and has reached the gate."
Liu Shi nodded, but she noticed Nanny Liu's expression was somewhat strange, so she frowned slightly: "When did you learn to speak in riddles?"
Nanny Liu immediately lowered her head: "Third Young Master did return, but it looks like... he injured his arm..."
"What?!"