Chapter 196
After Ye Ping Rong's triumphant return, the capital became quite lively for a while. When this excitement passed, time had reached July.
The people in the capital began preparing again for the Qixi Festival.
On Qixi, not only did unmarried women pray for skill and marriage, but married women would also gather together for banquets and games. The newly launched Jinling Zui wine quickly became popular because of this, in short supply.
Manager Qin had been walking with a spring in his step these past few days. Even though he could maintain his usual scholarly gentleness in front of Qi Yun, his speaking pace was noticeably faster than usual: "Second Young Master's predictions were absolutely correct. The Qixi festival is truly wonderful."
Qi Yun was currently sitting in his study, fiddling with a wind wheel nearby, and upon hearing this said: "What good news?"
He had thought Manager Qin had found a woman he fancied, but Manager Qin blurted out: "Naturally it's that Jinling Zui is selling well. This is the greatest good news."
Qi Yun: ...
Very well, what had he been expecting? His manager's money-obsessed temperament probably couldn't be changed in this lifetime.
Tie Zi on the side struggled to hold back his laughter, reaching out to pull the rope beside him.
This rope operated the wind wheel that had been newly installed in the study these past few days.
Since they had previously annexed the original Wen family residence, Qi Yun's study had also changed locations. Green bamboo was planted in front, with running water channeled through. Although this couldn't compare to the coolness of a proper cooling room, it was still much better than the previous study.
Originally Qi Yun wasn't afraid of heat. Previously, his body had always been cold, and in summer he could even be used by Ye Jiao as a bamboo wife, always fearing cold but not heat.
But now Qi Yun's health was much better, with more warmth in his body, so in summer he inevitably felt the heat.
However, Second Master Qi still couldn't consume cold foods. Ye Jiao also watched him constantly, afraid of causing his condition to relapse, so she could only think of other ways to beat the heat. Therefore, Ye Jiao had specifically found craftsmen to install a wind wheel in his room.
Wide silk fans were hung from the ceiling in a row, with ropes extending down. When Tie Zi gently pulled them, these fans would slowly sway, naturally creating a breeze.
Tie Zi had originally been looking at account books with one hand while pulling the wind wheel with the other, but after Manager Qin entered, he focused his attention on Manager Qin.
Now seeing Manager Qin about to discuss Jinling Zui, Tie Zi looked toward Qi Yun: "Second Young Master, I'll go check if the almond milk is ready."
Qi Yun waved his hand, his voice calm: "You listen along, no need to go out."
Only then did Tie Zi settle down, straightening his back to listen attentively to their conversation.
Manager Qin didn't mind this and just smiled: "All 300 bottles of Jinling Zui have been sold. The buyers come from all walks of life, but quite a few high-born ladies had people queue up early for this Qixi festival. We sold the most to them."
Qi Yun wasn't surprised by this: "Jinling Zui originally has a lighter taste, sweet on the palate, not too harsh. It's normal for women to like it." Then Qi Yun's voice paused: "But we still need to be cautious. In business, seek profit but not trouble."
Manager Qin agreed, his face still beaming as he handed the account book to Qi Yun.
Qi Yun didn't immediately open it to look, but first set it aside, saying to Manager Qin: "About the matter I mentioned before of doing this business together with Princess Huaning, has there been any response?"
Hearing this, Manager Qin's expression became slightly more serious as he respectfully said: "Princess Huaning previously sent people to discuss this. Because General Ye is busy with affairs and temporarily cannot manage it, Princess Huaning wants to handle this matter personally. She has sent people twice already, and the arrangements have been drafted. After Princess Huaning has some free time in a few days, they will be finalized."
Qi Yun couldn't help but glance at Manager Qin: "You seem to have taken a particular interest in this matter?" Manager Qin had clearly been quite reluctant at first.
This man was habitually money-obsessed, and Jinling Zui brought huge profits with increasing revenue.
Joint management meant giving away earned benefits, watching silver that should fall into one's palm being taken away by others. Naturally Manager Qin wouldn't be happy.
Qi Yun was quite curious about what had changed Manager Qin's thinking.
Upon hearing this, Manager Qin smiled: "Previously I couldn't fathom the master's intentions, but now thinking about it, having Princess Huaning involved would only benefit this business."
He had only figured this out in recent days.
With Qixi arriving, Jinling Zui was selling extremely well. Some wanted it for personal consumption, some to give as gifts, and when there was no stock, quite a few people made a fuss.
Although the Qi family could be considered among the top merchants, the capital was full of powerful families. If they really earned someone's resentment, it probably wouldn't end well.
Just these past two days, the number of people coming to the Qi family wine shop to cause trouble was much higher than usual.
Although Manager Qin loved money like life, he also understood right and wrong.
With Princess Huaning's backing, this business could be sustained long-term. Anyone wanting to cause trouble would have to consider whether they had the courage to offend Princess Huaning.
Giving up profits was for greater future profits. Using money to buy peace was extremely worthwhile. Understanding this point, Manager Qin was naturally willing.
Seeing him speak so clearly, Qi Yun nodded and looked toward Tie Zi.
Tie Zi also nodded, taking all their words to heart for future use.
However, regarding Ye Ping Rong, Qi Yun didn't say much more. He had suspicions in his heart, but these suspicions couldn't be known by outsiders.
Others might not know, but Ye Jiao often visited Princess Huaning's residence and cared greatly about her elder brother, so she could learn that Ye Ping Rong had recently gone to the palace again to request battle, seemingly wanting to reinforce Liu Rong.
But in the end, Chu Chengyun hadn't sent him, instead having another older, more experienced general lead the troops.
When Ye Jiao heard this, she felt nothing unusual about it and didn't mind, but when Qi Yun heard it, he took it to heart.
Now Ye Ping Rong had already reached the rank of Great General, and being ennobled was a matter of time. Having just returned from the frontier, it should be time for rest, yet he wanted to request battle for reinforcement. The only reason Qi Yun could think of was that he and Liu Rong had a close personal friendship, and Liu Rong was probably already in trouble.
As for what this trouble was, just looking at Ye Ping Rong's anxiety showed it was serious.
But Qi Yun would choose silence. Even with Ye Jiao, he never said an extra word.
Not only because this was just his personal speculation that couldn't be taken as fact, but also because the matter between Liu Rong and Dong Shi was known to those close to them. Dong Shi had even gone to find Shi Tianrui to discuss it, making that Master Shi black-faced for several days. Presumably as long as Liu Rong returned, the two would marry.
Now that Liu Rong's situation wasn't going well, ordinary people didn't know, but those with connections certainly understood.
Ye Ping Rong was a general, and Shi Tianrui was responsible for military administration as a Bureau of Military Affairs Scholar. They should both know clearly, yet both chose to hide it from Dong Shi for their own reasons.
When leading troops to war, no amount of worry from those behind would help. Better to avoid mentioning it, sparing that worry and preventing distraction for those at the front.
This kind of news could be hidden as long as one wanted to hide it, just by keeping one's mouth shut. Anyone who went out of their way to tell Dong Shi either had a grudge or had problems.
Qi Yun wouldn't do this thankless task that would earn hatred, so he didn't think about it further and just picked up the account book to look through.
Manager Qin sat to the side, occasionally speaking, all about Jinling Zui matters.
After Qi Yun listened carefully and finished with the accounts, he set them aside again.
Manager Qin was about to take his leave when he heard Qi Yun say: "There's a matter I need to discuss with you in detail."
Usually when Qi Yun said this, it meant he had another money-making idea.
Manager Qin's eyes lit up, his smile remaining refined and elegant, his voice gentle: "Please speak, master. This humble person is all ears."
Qi Yun beckoned to Tie Zi, who released the wind wheel rope and ran over to stand nearby. Only then did Qi Yun say: "Now that we've done all we can with the waterway business, even though the court is preparing to open new ports, it will still take a very long time. So I'm thinking we should look further ahead."
Manager Qin was puzzled, seeming not to understand.
Tie Zi, however, remembered what Qi Yun had said to Chu Chengyun before and stared straight at Qi Yun.
He heard Qi Yun say: "If we could open sea routes and send ships to try maritime transport, would that work?"
Sea routes were something no one had touched until now. Ordinary people's awe of the ocean was like their awe of the sky. Even though some were curious about what lay beyond the sea, normal sea voyages only went to nearby areas, with no one daring to go far.
If it were anyone else, hearing Qi Yun's words, they would say he was fantasizing.
But Manager Qin was different.
Qi Yun was certain this man was money-obsessed, an extraordinary money-grubber. As long as there was silver to be made, Manager Qin could have unlimited courage and imagination.
Qi Yun had always felt that being somewhat money-obsessed was quite good, at least it gave one courage.
Indeed, Manager Qin not only wasn't shocked but slightly lowered his head to consider the feasibility of this matter. After thinking for a while, he said to Qi Yun: "If it could succeed, there would naturally be great profit, but there are also considerable risks. Just relying on our shipyard's current capabilities, we probably couldn't build ships capable of long-term ocean navigation."
Qi Yun said coolly: "What if the court supported it?"
Manager Qin's eyes lit up, his face showing great joy as he stood up: "That would be excellent. With court support, this matter is feasible!"
Qi Yun's lips curved slightly, while Tie Zi looked at Manager Qin in amazement, seemingly not expecting this usually scholarly-dressed manager to have such courage.
But thinking about it carefully, Manager Qin knew martial arts. Previously at the Qi family entrance, to drive away Miss Shen, Manager Qin could easily handle ten opponents at once. His scholarly appearance was probably just a facade.
With a new goal suddenly in sight, Manager Qin took his leave and departed to prepare for his maritime dreams.
Qi Yun looked toward Tie Zi: "Remember everything we just discussed."
Tie Zi knew Qi Yun was cultivating him and said very seriously: "Yes, I've remembered it all."
Only then did Qi Yun nod, picked up the nearby teacup for a sip, then said: "This milk tea tastes good. Where is Jiao Niang?"
Tie Zi replied: "Dong Shi has come. They should be in the garden now."
"Prepare a pot of this milk tea and send it to Jiao Niang."
"Yes."
In the garden corridor, Ye Jiao was holding Ruyi while Dong Shi held Ning Bao. Both were smiling as they watched Xu Bao chasing butterflies all around.
Today was the Qixi Festival. Dong Shi had held a banquet at her orchard, but the banquet wouldn't begin until the sun set.
It was still the hottest part of summer with scorching sun, so people rarely went out during the day. Qixi activities were all arranged from evening to night when the air was cooler for everyone to gather.
Dong Shi held the yawning Ning Bao, who was hugging his ball of yarn, a bit tighter and smiled at Ye Jiao: "Though it's rather hot today, the weather is excellent. The recent rains have stopped, the clouds have cleared, naturally creating bright clear skies."
Ye Jiao didn't much care about rain or shine. She wasn't even particularly focused on the Qixi Festival. Little Ginseng wasn't like ordinary women who had prayed for marriage. When she came of age, she was already sitting in the wedding sedan heading to marry Qi Yun. She didn't need to pray, her marriage was already decided.
However, she still liked the Qixi customs. Now Ye Jiao stretched out her hands, looking at her fingernails covered with crushed flower and grass paste, somewhat curiously shaking them as she asked Dong Shi: "Will there really be color?"
Dong Shi smiled and nodded, gently pulling her wrist: "You need to wait a bit longer for the color to set. Don't be impatient."
This nail dyeing was a Qixi custom, though Dong Shi couldn't explain exactly what it represented. She just found dyeing nails interesting and came to play with Ye Jiao.
Ruyi was still small and knew nothing about these feminine matters, only eating her pastries.
Seeing her mother's fingertips look pretty, she grabbed them to put in her mouth.
Ye Jiao quickly fed her a piece of milk cake, finally stopping Ruyi's intention. Ruyi's attention was also quickly drawn to her twin brother holding his ball nearby, laughing as she reached out to pinch Ning Bao's little chubby leg.
Ning Bao was the least fond of being touched among the children. Except for close people, no one else was allowed to touch him. Plus his strength was indeed greater than other children his age, and his kicks really hurt.
But Ruyi was an exception. Whatever Ruyi wanted to do, Ning Bao wouldn't object. Even now when Ruyi pinched his leg and rubbed his belly, Ning Bao just looked, then lay flat and let her do as she pleased.
Dong Shi found them amusing, covering her mouth in laughter, her eyes showing fondness.
Ye Jiao had seen this often and knew her children's temperaments, so she didn't restrain them. She just held Ruyi steady so she wouldn't fall, while looking toward Nanny Mo: "Go call Xu Bao in to eat some melon and cool down. Don't let him keep running around outside in the sun."
Nanny Mo agreed and went down the steps to speak with Xu Bao.
Although little Xu Bao hadn't caught the butterfly yet, he obediently followed Nanny Mo into the corridor. Since this child usually sat indoors reading, today's activity was already quite a lot of exercise for him. As soon as he sat down, he began panting.
But Ye Jiao could see Xu Bao had played happily and was also smiling. She wiped his sweat with a handkerchief, pointed to the plate of melon, and said gently: "Here, they've all been cooled in the well."
Xu Bao took a piece and bit into it, his mouth bulging. After swallowing, he asked Ye Jiao: "Mother, don't we have fruit chilled in the ice storage? This isn't cold enough."
Ye Jiao pinched Xu Bao's little chubby cheeks: "You can't eat too much from the ice storage, or you'll get a stomachache."
Xu Bao agreed and didn't ask further, just continued eating melon.
This made Dong Shi beside them quite amazed. She quietly asked Ye Jiao: "You've raised this child so well. He's particularly reasonable, listening as soon as you explain. It's truly rare for a child this age to be so obedient."
Ye Jiao didn't feel she had taught Xu Bao too much and didn't take credit: "Xu Bao has been reading since he was small. He remembers everything the books say. If the books say something is right, he thinks it's right." Then Ye Jiao looked at Xu Bao: "What do you think, Xu Bao?"
Xu Bao was gnawing on melon and had been listening to their conversation but hadn't had time to interject.
Seeing Ye Jiao ask him, he set aside the cleanly gnawed melon rind, wiped his mouth with a cloth, then said crisply: "A loving mother's care for her child expects no reward. Mother naturally loves Xu Bao. What she says is always for Xu Bao's good, so of course I should listen."
Hearing this, Dong Shi's eyes showed both amazement and envy.
Xu Bao being so well-behaved was naturally excellent, but how many children this young could casually quote poetry?
She really didn't know whether to envy Ye Jiao or envy Xu Bao's exceptional intelligence, as if the God of Literature had descended to earth.
Ye Jiao smiled and touched her child's head, checked the time, and asked: "Usually at this time you'd go find Master Feng to read. Why didn't you go today?"
Xu Bao was holding his second piece of melon but hadn't bitten it yet. He looked up at Ye Jiao: "Master said he's airing out books today and won't have lessons."
Airing books?
Ye Jiao was puzzled. Dong Shi beside her explained: "Today is not only the Qixi Festival but also the legendary birthday of Kuixing, the God of Literature. Scholars will air out their books on this day and worship Kuixing. I imagine many scholars have gone out to gather today."
Hearing this, Xu Bao forgot about eating melon. He sat up straight and asked softly: "Auntie, what does worshipping Kuixing mean?"
Dong Shi smiled, slowing her voice when speaking to the child: "It means hoping Kuixing will bless them to achieve the top scholar position in the imperial examinations."
Hearing this, Xu Bao's mind immediately reacted.
Achieving top scholar meant becoming an official, a high official, a prime minister!
Xu Bao, who had made becoming an official and prime minister his life goal, immediately lost interest in eating melon. He got down from the stone stool, bowed to Ye Jiao and Dong Shi, then ran off to find Master Feng, planning to air books with him and later earn his own top scholar position.
Nanny Mo quickly followed behind to protect him, afraid Xu Bao might fall.
Ye Jiao didn't ask many questions, just smiled as she watched Xu Bao go, then looked down at her fingernails: "Can this be removed now?"
Dong Shi felt the timing was about right, so she had people take Ning Bao and Ruyi to a small bed nearby while she used a handkerchief to carefully remove the flower paste from Ye Jiao's nails.
Then Ye Jiao saw her fingernails had a layer of cinnabar color, not as intense as vermillion red, but this cinnabar layer on her nails was very beautiful.
Ye Jiao looked at them with delight, finding them fresh and interesting, playing with them endlessly.
Dong Shi said: "This color can last several days. It will fade with frequent washing. If you like this color, you can specifically buy more nail-dyeing flowers. The colors are all different."
Ye Jiao smiled and nodded, then took Dong Shi's hands to help remove her flower paste.
Since both used the same flower paste, when placed together, both pairs of hands had very similar nail colors.
However, Dong Shi's hands were no longer as delicate as a young girl's, while Ye Jiao's hands were still as white and smooth as satin.
Dong Shi didn't mind this comparison. When at the Wen family, her hands had been delicate, but she'd nearly lost her life. Now tending to the orchard, she'd grown fond of fishing and boating and other rustic pleasures. Living freely, she didn't care about her hands.
But seeing Ye Jiao's beautiful hands, Dong Shi couldn't help grasping them, squeezing them, finding them very pleasant to touch.
Ye Jiao let her squeeze them, smiling: "I think it's about time. Let's go to the orchard."
Dong Shi nodded, stood up, and walked toward the main gate with Ye Jiao to board the carriage.
Since today was the Qixi Festival, there were quite a few pedestrians on the street, with many vendors on both sides. Ye Jiao and Dong Shi didn't sit in the carriage the whole time but walked and stopped, getting out to look whenever they saw interesting items.
Whether street vendors or shops on both sides, they would go look. If they liked small items, they'd buy them for the accompanying maids and servants to carry. If they liked larger items, they'd buy them first and have the shop deliver them to their residence later.
When they were tired from shopping, they returned to the carriage, which headed toward the suburban orchard.
Dong Shi's orchard was in the suburbs, not far from the estate Qi Yun had bought. Passing by, Ye Jiao looked and saw it was almost finished with repairs. She thought about moving there for a while, as it would certainly be cooler than staying in the capital.
Arriving outside the orchard, they could see quite a few carriages parked nearby.
Although most families rarely hung their nameplates outside their carriages, wealthy households usually had custom-made vehicles with careful decoration inside and out, using different materials and patterns. Having seen them many times, one could recognize which family's carriage was which.
Ye Jiao didn't have the photographic memory of Qi Yun and Xu Bao, but having attended numerous tea parties and flower banquets in the capital, she could recognize most of them.
At a glance, she knew these families were mostly high-ranking households, with few merchant families.
Dong Shi understood the reason. Now Shi Tianrui was thriving in the court, firmly holding his official position. Previously everyone said the position of Bureau of Military Affairs Scholar was cursed, changing hands several times in three years. But now Shi Tianrui could control the Bureau of Military Affairs and gain the emperor's favor. Anyone with eyes could see Shi Tianrui's unlimited future prospects.
Master Shi didn't have many relatives. The Zheng family were nobles, too high to reach, but Dong Shi was his biological sister and enjoyed making friends. Now when she held banquets, naturally all families would come to show support.
Dong Shi had always been socially adept. Even when life was difficult at the Wen family, as long as she went out, Dong Shi was a regular at many tea parties, very familiar with such scenes.
Now she linked arms with Ye Jiao and smiled: "Come on, I've prepared lots of good fruit, and newly acquired lychee trees, very rare. They must be eaten while fresh."
Ye Jiao loved sweets and naturally liked lychees, so she smiled and entered with Dong Shi.
However, Ye Jiao didn't accompany Dong Shi to socialize with others. Little Ginseng wasn't someone who enjoyed such things. She came only for Dong Shi and this table of fruit.
When people spoke to her, she responded. When no one paid attention to her, she was happily left alone, peeling lychees and eating contentedly.
After Dong Shi made a round outside, she returned to Ye Jiao's side: "Those unmarried young ladies are doing Qixi activities. Some games are quite interesting. Though you and I don't need to pray for marriage anymore, it would be fun to watch."
Ye Jiao put a freshly peeled lychee into Dong Shi's mouth and smiled: "Good, let's go look later."
Just then, someone approached: "This old servant greets Lady Qi and Dong Shi. I wonder if the two ladies have time? My mistress would like to speak with you both."
Ye Jiao looked up and found this person familiar. After thinking carefully, she remembered this was the servant woman who had tied up Fourth Miss Zhu outside Qi Ming's door.
At that time, this woman had said her mistress was...
Dong Shi clearly recognized this servant woman and smiled: "We're free. Please ask your young lady to come."
After the woman left, Dong Shi quietly told Ye Jiao: "Her mistress is Fifth Miss Meng, Meng Zhilan."
Ye Jiao blinked. She remembered she had never met Fifth Miss Meng before. Would she finally see her now?
But before Fifth Miss Meng could come, a servant woman lifted the curtain and entered, quickly approaching Dong Shi and saying quietly: "Madam, please come out and look. Two young ladies outside are arguing."