My Naive Ginseng Spirit Wife and My Cultured, Scheming, Delicate Husband

chapter 7

Right now, only Qi Yun's mother Madam Liu and the eldest daughter-in-law of the Qi family, Madam Fang, are at home.

Madam Liu sent someone to call Ye Jiao over, and she herself didn't look anxious at all, but Madam Fang was coaxing her son while glancing out, seeming more anxious than Madam Liu, who was Qi Yun's own mother.

Seeing her appearance, Madam Liu couldn't help but ask: "What are you looking at?"

Madam Fang immediately turned to Madam Liu, a smile on her round face: "Mother, I am waiting for Second Brother and Sister-in-law."

Madam Liu glanced at her, put down her teacup, and said: "Yun'er needs to rest, don't keep talking about him."

Even though Qi Yun had wanted to hide the matter from Madam Liu, there was really nothing in this household that could truly be kept from her.

Before the doctor left, Madam Liu had specifically called him over to ask about Qi Yun's condition.

The result was that the doctor said Qi Yun's health was improving, this time it was only because his internal deficiency fire flared up a little, nothing serious.

In the past, Qi Yun was always falling ill with chills, even though having a flaring deficiency fire wasn't a good thing, Madam Liu could tell that her son was no longer hovering between life and death.

That was enough to make Madam Liu happy, but she didn't say it, afraid that speaking would jinx the good fortune Qi Yun had finally obtained.

She calmed herself deliberately, and said to Madam Fang: "Today Erlang is staying home. Right now, I only care about Erlang's health. Those empty formalities can be skipped. We are not some high-born noble family, we don't have that many rules. Just have someone keep Jiao Niang company."

Even though that was what she said, Madam Fang could tell that her mother-in-law was very satisfied with Ye Jiao.

She also went along with Madam Liu's meaning and smiled: "Sister-in-law has good fortune. Not only is Second Brother's health getting better and better, look, it was cloudy the past few days, but the sun came out today."

Hearing this, Madam Liu broke into a smile.

People always have a little superstition. Before Ye Jiao married into the Qi family, Madam Liu didn't think much of her, only thinking that later on it would just be one more mouth to feed. But now seeing that Qi Yun's illness hasn't flared up ever since Ye Jiao came, Madam Liu thinks Ye Jiao has great good fortune.

Today is her day to return to her parents' home, and the sun is so nice.

Even though she knew Madam Fang was deliberately saying nice things to please her, Madam Liu still loved to hear it.

As long as Qi Yun is well, Madam Liu is happy to treat Ye Jiao well.

Madam Fang saw her smile, knew Madam Liu was in a good mood, and seized the opportunity to say: "Mother, Shitou is growing so fast, it's time to make new clothes for him again." As she spoke, she jiggled Shitou, her son less than two years old, in her arms.

Madam Liu looked at her, didn't answer, just reached out and touched Shitou's hair.

When this child was born he was weak, so they didn't give him a formal given name, afraid it would diminish his good fortune, only gave him a pet name for the family to call him.

He was always doted on, but this time Madam Liu didn't agree immediately.

Madam Fang didn't dare to rush, just sat quietly.

After a while, Madam Liu said: "Shitou will never go without food or clothes. If you want something just have someone make it, you don't have to tell me specifically."

Hearing this, Madam Fang immediately smiled, undisguised joy on her round face.

Madam Liu didn't say anything about Madam Fang, just sighed helplessly.

The eldest daughter-in-law was originally the daughter of a scholar. Nowadays, even though there are many who purchase official positions through donations, and many who buy the title of juren by spending money, that scholar of the Fang family genuinely passed the examination himself. Even though he never passed another exam after getting his scholar title, a daughter from a family that can read and write is always more sought after.

Back when they were arranging this marriage between the Qi family's eldest son and the Fang family's daughter, Madam Liu spent money to hire an absolutely excellent matchmaker, and finally managed to get her married into the family.

Who would have thought that this Madam Fang has no cleverness at all, and is also extremely stingy.

Shitou is Madam Liu's only grandson so far, she has never shorted him of anything, yet Madam Fang still asks Madam Liu for everything, she doesn't want to spend any of her own money at all.

Fortunately, Madam Liu sees that she is usually pretty honest, and cares a lot about the family, so she lets it go, just considers it spoiling her grandson.

Having gotten what she wanted, Madam Fang smiled again, cheerfully holding her son, and took an apple from the table to tease him: "Shitou, come, smile for grandma."

Little Shitou didn't disappoint her, holding the apple and giggling, his big dark eyes rolling around, extremely cute.

Madam Liu dotes on her grandson, seeing Shitou smile, the little dissatisfaction she had with Madam Fang just now immediately vanished.

Just at this moment, Ye Jiao lifted the curtain and walked in.

Seeing them, Ye Jiao smiled gently: "Mother, Sister-in-law."

Madam Fang is afraid of Qi Yun, after all, most people would be afraid of the sickly and gloomy Second Master Qi.

But Madam Fang is particularly kind to Ye Jiao, even feels a little sympathy for her.

The more afraid she is of Qi Yun, the more she sympathizes with Ye Jiao.

But besides sympathy, there is also a little faint pride in Madam Fang's heart. Her eldest husband Qi Zhao is perfectly healthy, compared to Ye Jiao, Madam Fang thinks she is particularly lucky.

This makes Madam Fang take the initiative to go to Ye Jiao when she sees her, kindly pulling her hand: "Autumn is coming soon, it's cold outside. Why don't you wear more clothes, Sister-in-law?"

Ye Jiao lost the liveliness she has when she is in front of Qi Yun when talking to Madam Liu and Madam Fang, and replied extremely carefully and docilely: "I will remember it, I will definitely wear more next time."

A simple breakfast was placed on the table. When the three of them ate, most of the conversation was between Madam Fang and Madam Liu, Ye Jiao just held her bowl and drank porridge.

The porridge had eggs in it and a meaty flavor, Ye Jiao ate until her eyes narrowed in contentment.

After breakfast, a maid cleaned up the bowls and plates, wiped the table and served tea.

Madam Liu looked Ye Jiao up and down, waved her over, then said to the maid on the side: "Nanny Liu, bring the things to Jiao Niang."

Nanny Liu immediately brought over a bulging cloth bag. When it was opened, there were several sets of clothes inside, and a jade hairpin with good water quality.

Little Ginseng (Ye Jiao) couldn't tell the quality, but she just felt that these clothes were more exquisite than the ones she was wearing, and they were very light when held in her arms.

Madam Fang looked at it with envy, wanted to say something, but Madam Liu cut her off: "You just married in, you don't have many clothes prepared. When it gets colder in a while we can have more clothes cut. Just wear these today."

When she said this, Madam Fang also understood. Madam Liu was preparing clothes and jewelry for Ye Jiao's return to her parents' home, to show the Ye family that the Qi family values Ye Jiao very much, and I'm afraid it also has the meaning of a warning, telling them not to come bother Ye Jiao for no reason in the future.

Ye Jiao didn't understand all the twists and turns, but she remembered Qi Yun's instructions.

Her husband told her to speak properly in front of Madam Liu, so she wouldn't ask random questions in front of Madam Liu, just smiled and said: "Thank you, Mother."

This "Mother" was called so sweetly, it made Madam Liu feel comfortable.

Madam Fang cleared her throat, pouted and thought, this second sister-in-law is pretty, and her voice is nice too. I've called Mother so many times usually, I never saw Madam Liu this happy.

But then she thought again that Ye Jiao married Qi Yun, she doesn't know how hard her life will be in the future, and Madam Fang immediately felt comfortable again.

Madam Liu didn't know what her eldest daughter-in-law was thinking about, she didn't ask, just reached out and hugged little Shitou in her arms to coax him. The child's cute naive look made the atmosphere in the room lively.

Ye Jiao left the Qi family on an ox cart. The Qi family can afford mules and horses, but in the village, ox carts are much more convenient than horse-drawn carriages.

Accompanying Ye Jiao back, besides the driver outside, are Nanny Liu from beside Madam Liu, and Xiaosu sent by Qi Yun.

Xiaosu held the things in her arms tightly, afraid they would get knocked around when the ox cart bumped.

There was not only the gifts for the return visit, but also a food box.

Ye Jiao looked at the food box and blinked, curious: "Is this also to be given to people?"

Xiaosu has a lively personality normally, but she always gets scared stiff when she sees Qi Yun. Now that she's out of the residence, her voice is much crisper: "No, this is what Second Young Master told me to bring, said he was afraid Young Madam would get hungry."

When Nanny Liu heard this, a look of surprise appeared in her eyes. She has followed Madam Liu for years, she watched all three young masters grow up. This Second Young Master was always cold to everyone, now he can actually remember to bring food for his wife?

Ye Jiao's eyes lit up: "Pastries?"

Xiaosu nodded, and opened the food box.

There were six red bean cakes inside, the same as the ones Ye Jiao ate last night, except these still felt warm to the touch.

Ye Jiao ate a full breakfast, she wasn't hungry originally, but when she saw them she felt her mouth water, wanted to eat some.

But she held back and didn't reach for them, instead let Xiaosu close the food box again, and pulled aside the cloth curtain on the window to look out.

Little Ginseng doesn't care about going back to her parents' home. If Qi Yun hadn't insisted, she probably wouldn't have made this trip at all.

But Ye Jiao does care about the Qi family herb garden that they might pass along the road.

Little Ginseng is practically illiterate now. Human writing is different from what the spirits use, only a little similar. She can only recognize a few handfuls of characters at most, most of them she doesn't know.

When she left the gate, Ye Jiao specially turned her head to look at the Qi family plaque, memorized the characters like a picture, cramming them into her head, so that when she passed the Qi family herb garden later, she wouldn't not recognize it.

After riding the ox cart for not long, Ye Jiao saw a courtyard.

Not far from the side of the road, with a high wall, it looked like something was being boiled inside, thin white smoke curling up.

The sign hanging outside says "Qi Family Herb Garden", Ye Jiao doesn't recognize the characters, but she matched the first two characters, and can faintly smell the scent of herbs, so she knew this was the place.

She looked away, dropped the curtain, and her eyes fixed on the food box.

Before Ye Jiao could say anything, Xiaosu opened the food box and reached out to hand one to Ye Jiao.

Ye Jiao took a warm red bean cake from inside and took a bite. It was sweet and fragrant all over her mouth, and Little Ginseng couldn't help narrowing her eyes.

Delicious.

My husband still thinks of me.

Getting married is wonderful!

But six red bean cakes are a bit too much for her, she couldn't help but think. She originally planned to say she was hungry later, and rest for a while in the herb garden. If she eats all the red bean cakes now, what excuse can she use to go look around the herb garden later when we go back?

Then she looked at Nanny Liu and Xiaosu and asked: "Are you two hungry?"

Before Nanny Liu could speak, Xiaosu nodded repeatedly.

But Xiaosu isn't hungry, she's just craving it.

The Qi family is wealthy, they have good food and drink that's true, but Xiaosu is just a servant here. She's full usually, but doesn't get such delicate things, and sweet things are even rarer for her.

Nowadays, even salt is regulated by the imperial court, sugar is very expensive, ordinary families can't eat much of it at all.

Ye Jiao saw the longing in Xiaosu's eyes, directly pushed the food box towards them: "Divide them up and eat, don't leave any."

Xiaosu immediately reached out and took one, as if afraid Ye Jiao would go back on her word.

Nanny Liu also took one, but in her heart she thought Ye Jiao is a good person, and remembered Ye Jiao's kindness.

Not long after, the six red bean cakes were finished divided among the three of them.

Sweet things always make people feel good. By the time the ox cart stopped at the destination, Ye Jiao had a smile on her face the whole time.

She was born with nice features, and the essence of ginseng in her body has nourished her well, her complexion is fair with a rosy glow, she looks especially beautiful when she smiles.

The ox cart stopped right outside the Ye family's gate. Xiaosu jumped out of the cart, moved a low stool to step on, helped Nanny Liu down first, then the two of them helped Ye Jiao get down together.

When Ye Jiao lifted the curtain, she found that there were quite a few people watching from the side.

Actually, ever since the ox cart entered the village, people have been following behind to look.

There are no wealthy families in the village where the Ye family lives, only the village head has an ox at home. Naturally, they were curious to see someone traveling by ox cart.

When they saw the ox cart stopped outside the Ye family gate, they naturally remembered the lively wedding procession the Qi family sent a few days ago.

Counting the days, it should be the day for the Ye family's daughter to return to her parents' home.

Ye Jiao didn't go out often before, not many people knew her. Even those who had seen her only remembered a girl who always kept her head down, spoke in a quiet voice, they never got a good look at her face.

But now when Little Ginseng got out of the cart, she wasn't keeping her head down submissively anymore.

In her past life she was a little ginseng, used to being free. In this life she became human, and Qi Yun takes care of her in everything. The ginseng spirit doesn't even know what the word "inferiority" means.

Anyway, she just became human not long ago, she doesn't understand anything, she just listens to her husband in everything.

Her husband said, she only needs to be careful in front of Qi Yun's parents, she doesn't need to be afraid of anyone else.

When she got out of the cart just now, holding Xiaosu and Nanny Liu's hands, she looked extremely at ease.

The clothes Madam Liu made for her are not as gorgeous as those of noble ladies in the city, but they are still exquisite, the material is good, and Ye Jiao is naturally beautiful, so she looks extremely graceful and wealthy.

This appearance immediately shocked the watching villagers, they couldn't help looking at each other.

Is that the always timid Ye family daughter?

She's so beautiful. If they had known the Ye family daughter had such a good looks, matchmakers would have worn out the threshold of the Ye family's door proposing long ago!

Just then, Ye Erlang came back carrying vegetables. When he saw Ye Jiao, he barely recognized her for a moment. Only when he got closer did he say blankly: "Little Sister?"