Chapter 52
Qi Yun was stunned for a moment, his brow relaxed, and his lips curved slightly.
For him, Ye Ping Rong was Ye Jiao's elder brother, so he naturally had to treat him with courtesy. Moreover, just looking at Ye Ping Rong, he could tell he wasn't an ordinary person but someone steady and capable.
Qi Yun knew well that Second Brother Ye wasn't a good person, that whole family was rotten through. Now that Brother Ye could return, Qi Yun was happy. After all, this person was his Jiao Niang's natal family. In the future, regardless of his own life or death, Jiao Niang would have support, which should be a good thing.
But when Ye Ping Rong suggested divorce upon meeting, Qi Yun's entire heart sank.
Previously when Ye Jiao had said in the tea shop that this marriage wasn't her wish, Qi Yun had only been shocked and saddened, but not the least bit angry.
Because that was Jiao Niang, the person he treasured above all else, and he would protect her no matter what.
But now when Ye Ping Rong brought it up, Qi Yun's first reaction was thinking about how to shut his mouth. In an instant, he had thought of several methods.
Fortunately, Ye Ping Rong followed with the latter sentence, which made Second Young Master Qi's heart, which had already grown cold, feel like clouds parting to reveal the sun, turning from overcast to clear.
But after this great joy and sorrow, there was also some helplessness in Qi Yun's expression: "No wonder you and Jiao Niang are blood siblings."
Hearing this, Ye Ping Rong snorted before asking: "What do you mean by that?"
Qi Yun wasn't angry, just smiled lightly: "Your speech is all over the place, scaring people to death."
Hearing this, Ye Ping Rong was also stunned.
Then he thought of that time in the tea shop when Ye Jiao had left him hanging, and without thinking he knew this convenient brother-in-law had probably been scared into a cold sweat at that time.
Especially seeing how this person had been dignified and composed in front of others, but mentioned Ye Jiao and was no longer steady, he knew Ye Jiao held significant weight in his heart.
Thinking of this, Ye Ping Rong also couldn't help curving his lips.
Actually, Brother Ye no longer had the confusion and anger from when he first arrived. He wasn't an unreasonable brute. His previous dissatisfaction with Qi Yun mostly came from outside rumors. Now that rumors couldn't be entirely trusted, and Ye Jiao was deeply attached to Qi Yun, he had no reason to make Ye Jiao divorce him.
After all, Ye Ping Rong's starting point for everything was cherishing Ye Jiao and not wanting her to suffer any loss.
Now seeing Qi Yun's dignified appearance, proper speech, and loving relationship with Ye Jiao, he naturally had no need to be the villain who broke up lovebirds.
But Ye Ping Rong quickly composed his expression, the smile faded, and he returned to a serious look.
Seeing this, Qi Yun knew that although this person no longer planned to separate him from Jiao Niang, as natal family, Ye Ping Rong giving him a warning was inevitable.
After all, originally the Ye and Qi families weren't well-matched, and Jiao Niang was equivalent to having no natal family support.
But now that Ye Ping Rong had returned, even though Qi Yun still wasn't clear about Ye Ping Rong's status, he could see he was no longer the same person. Naturally, he would need to make things clear with himself so the Qi family would know Ye Jiao also had support.
Brother Ye's tiger eyes looked at Qi Yun and said in a deep voice: "I've been away for many years and know little about my little sister's recent situation. I wonder if brother-in-law has time to tell me about it?"
Qi Yun also needed an opportunity to make things clear with Ye Ping Rong, so he naturally agreed: "Alright, let's find a quiet place to sit and talk." He turned to Tie Zi and said, "Don't follow."
Tie Zi had originally wanted to follow, but hearing Qi Yun's words, he stopped in place and watched helplessly as Ye Ping Rong and Qi Yun walked away together.
He stood there for a while, then turned toward the back hall.
At this time, most of the ladies in the back hall had left, with only those who had business dealings with the Qi family medicine shop remaining, preparing to take the opportunity to talk more with Dong Shi.
Anyone could see that this Qi family medicine shop was extremely prosperous now. Just the merging of three storefronts into one was enough to show they would expand business in the future. Wanting to discuss trade with them now was the best opportunity.
Dong Shi usually didn't get involved in the front business. Shop matters were mostly handled by Fang Li, and she only managed medicinal material imports and exports.
After all, the medicine garden manager was Dong Shi's father, so it was convenient for her to handle these things.
But nowadays, exchanges between these ladies were mostly like this. When back-residence women got along well, it was mostly beneficial to their husbands' business, so naturally it couldn't be neglected.
But these rules and regulations couldn't constrain Ye Jiao and Meng.
Meng was because she was originally a princess consort. Even though she was now forced to hide among common people, she ultimately didn't really want to be a merchant's wife. Coming out to walk around was just to relieve boredom.
For Ye Jiao, Qi Yun was currently very successful, and as Qi Yun's wife, others would curry favor with her before it was too late. Naturally, Ye Jiao didn't need to think about those complications.
But today's protagonist was Dong Shi, so she would be busier, making Ye Jiao and Meng seem more leisurely.
Meng held a small hammer to crack walnuts, removed a whole one, picked it up, and handed it to Ye Jiao beside her.
Ye Jiao took it with some amazement: "Hui Niang, your hands are so skillful. How can you shell this completely intact? Every time I do it, I smash it to pieces."
Meng smiled faintly, took a handkerchief to wipe her hands, and said: "Practice makes perfect. Sometimes when life is too boring, I study these things, so naturally I gained some experience."
"Teach me when you have time." Ye Jiao split the walnut in half, gave half to Meng, and put the other half in her mouth.
But Meng didn't eat it. Instead, she looked at Ye Jiao and asked with a smile: "Jiao Niang, I'm curious how you and Young Master Qi usually get along to have such harmony now?"
Ye Jiao blinked and seemed to seriously recall: "Eat well, sleep well, and my husband's health improved, so naturally life is good."
Ye Jiao spoke sincerely, as Little Ginseng was always busy thinking about what to eat for lunch in the morning, what to eat for dinner at lunch, then carefully cultivating the medicinal flowers at home, and treating her husband's illness by holding his hand every day.
Qi Yun's health had always been what Ye Jiao worried about. As for other things, she didn't feel she had done anything special.
But hearing this in Meng's ears made her face flush.
Little Ginseng looked at her strangely: "Hui Niang, are you hot?"
Meng shook her head gently, used her handkerchief to wipe her face, and said: "It's fine. Perhaps I got a bit heated from the red bean paste just now, so I feel a bit restless."
Hearing this, Ye Jiao smiled: "But if you ask what I usually do, Spring Orchid actually helped a lot."
Dong Shi had just finished dealing with those ladies and finally returned to drink tea and catch her breath. Seeing them mention her, she smiled: "What are you saying about me? If you're speaking ill of me behind my back, I won't stand for it."
Little Ginseng smiled and turned her head: "We're talking about the things you gave me before. They've been very helpful and can pass time. Didn't Hui Niang say she was bored? Why don't you give her some too, so she can have something to do normally."
This left Dong Shi stunned.
The things she had given her?
And things that could relieve boredom...
Dong Shi immediately thought of the "Six Wonders of the Flower Formation" she had given her before New Year.
This book was quite interesting and could relieve boredom, and was also helpful for marital relations, but...
Dong Shi couldn't help coughing lightly: "Jiao Niang, that's not something you can give to just anyone."
Ye Jiao was somewhat surprised: "Really? We've recently grown a large patch of medicinal flowers, and some are quite easy to grow. It would be good to look at them."
Oh, she was talking about that.
Dong Shi coughed twice and mentally criticized herself for thinking of inappropriate things in broad daylight. But she smiled on the surface: "You mean medicinal flowers. I was already planning to give these as gifts to today's guests. Hui Niang, if you like them, you can pick some that are easy to care for later. Although they're not as brilliant as roses or peonies, most are beneficial to health. Growing them can be a pleasure."
Meng smiled and nodded, stood up to thank her, then sat back down and picked up the small hammer to crack walnuts again.
At this time, Ye Jiao saw Tie Zi walking in.
But Tie Zi always followed Qi Yun around. Now seeing him alone, Ye Jiao beckoned him over and asked: "Why are you by yourself? Where is my husband?"
Tie Zi answered honestly: "Just now Young Master met a tall, strong man in the back. He said it was Second Young Mistress's elder brother. Young Master said he had things to discuss with him and wouldn't let me follow."
Hearing this, Ye Jiao knew it was Ye Ping Rong and Qi Yun who had met. Little Ginseng compared Ye Ping Rong and Qi Yun in her mind and immediately became anxious.
She didn't know that Ye Ping Rong had already accepted Qi Yun. Little Ginseng's mind was full of her big brother's determination when talking about divorce earlier, and Ye Ping Rong's tall, strong, imposing appearance.
Her husband was good in every way, just physically weak, his illness wasn't completely healed, and now was when he was most vulnerable.
Big brother being good to her was true, but if they had a disagreement and something happened, big brother naturally wouldn't be hurt, but wouldn't her husband suffer greatly?
Ye Jiao hurriedly said: "Go quickly, go check on them, make sure nothing happens."
"But Second Young Mistress, Young Master told me not to follow..."
"I'm telling you to follow. Take good care of him, hurry."
Tie Zi was stunned. In his view, what could happen when relatives got together?
But seeing Ye Jiao say this, Tie Zi immediately turned and ran.
After all, Young Master always listened to Young Mistress. Young Master was quite scary, but if he didn't listen to Young Mistress, Young Master would be truly scary when he found out.
But Tie Zi had just run out and returned shortly after.
Ye Jiao hurriedly asked: "Why are you back again?"
Tie Zi pointed outside: "Young Master sent me to call Young Mistress. He said it's getting late and time to go home. The carriage is waiting outside."
Dong Shi could see Ye Jiao was worried about Qi Yun and stood up: "Jiao Niang, I can see it's getting late indeed. I won't keep you today. I'll come find you in a few days."
Although Meng didn't speak, she also stood up and patted Ye Jiao's hand to reassure her.
Fortunately, Ye Jiao remembered Mother Liu's teachings and properly said goodbye to both before hurrying away.
Dong Shi watched Ye Jiao's retreating figure and smiled: "Nowadays, couples as harmonious as them are truly rare."
Meng nodded with a smile on her face and said softly: "Yes, such purely good girls are also rare. How wonderful."
Ye Jiao ran all the way out of the back hall, with Little Su barely able to keep up.
When she saw the carriage ahead, Ye Jiao didn't need help getting up. She directly supported herself on the carriage step, lifted the curtain, and dove inside.
Only when she saw Qi Yun sitting there perfectly fine did she breathe a sigh of relief.
Seeing her running so urgently with sweat on her forehead, Qi Yun quickly dropped the curtain and took out a handkerchief to wipe her sweat, saying: "Why such a hurry? What if you caught a chill?"
Ye Jiao simply leaned sideways into Qi Yun's arms, gently placing her hand on his wrist, and replied softly: "I was a bit worried. Did big brother say something to you?"
Hearing this, Qi Yun first smiled and tapped the inside of the carriage. When the carriage began moving slowly, he embraced Ye Jiao and said gently: "Your big brother told me to take good care of you in the future. Otherwise, we just talked about your recent situation. Don't worry, I only said good things. Of course I have to praise my Jiao Niang properly."
Ye Jiao showed a smile and clasped her arms around Qi Yun's waist, thinking that her husband was indeed capable.
Previously, she had met with big brother twice and said everything, but he still didn't believe her. Yet her husband convinced big brother not to talk about divorce after just one meeting.
She tightened her arms.
Such a good husband, she definitely wouldn't divorce.
And her voice carried joy: "I told big brother a whole bunch of things, but he didn't believe me. When you spoke to him, he listened."
Qi Yun lowered his head and gently kissed the woman's smooth forehead, then looked at her: "Since you said you'd spend your whole life with me, I told him we had already made vows to never separate. I would protect you for life, and if I violated this oath, heaven and earth wouldn't tolerate it."
Even though Ye Jiao had previously been a spirit, she understood the importance of oaths.
She couldn't help sitting up straight, supporting herself on the man's legs, and said puzzledly: "You could have just explained things to him properly. Why make such a serious oath?"
Qi Yun's clear eyes looked at her: "I meant it. You promised me a lifetime, so I should promise you a lifetime. That's only fair."
Hearing this, Ye Jiao smiled and nodded at Qi Yun, clasping his hand.
But for others, such words should be sweet nothings to savor for a long time.
But for them, it was just speaking honestly. Having said it now, there wasn't much to contemplate, nor any need for special emotion.
Soon Qi Yun mentioned another matter: "But before he left, he mentioned something to me. Around the time we leave the first month, he'll need to formalize it. Originally he told me not to tell you, but I thought since it's your natal family's business, you should know."
Ye Jiao asked: "What matter?"
Qi Yun reached out to gently touch Ye Jiao's hair and said softly: "He said he wants to divide the family."