012 I Am a Tiny, Tiny, Tiny Little Bird

Returning to the courtyard, Yu Zi Qi instructed Shuni to go to the main kitchen and prepare a pot of sobering soup. By then, Ning Qian had already lain down on the bed, feeling miserable. The liquor of this era was even stronger than the modern spirits. How could she, with her limited tolerance, handle it? Nian Yu anxiously wiped Ning Qian’s forehead with a damp cloth. “Madam, are you alright?”

Ning Qian weakly lifted her hand and waved it. “I’m fine, I… I could still drink more.” Most people who are drunk never admit to it.

“But, Madam, you…” Nian Yu was truly worried.

“Let me do it. You go brew some tea,” Yu Zi Qi said, taking the cloth from Nian Yu and ushering her out. Gently, he wiped Ning Qian’s cheeks, speaking softly, “Bear with it a little longer. Once you’ve had the sobering soup, you’ll feel better.”

Ning Qian waved her hand vaguely. “Why? Why? I don’t want to be wiped. I want more wine.” In her drunken haze, she began to mutter nonsense. “I am a little, little bird, wanting to fly but unable to soar high.” She even started singing.

Yu Zi Qi moved her hand aside and helped her lie properly. Hearing the strange tune, he couldn’t help but shake his head. This woman, at times, truly baffled him.

After a while of odd singing, Ning Qian fell asleep, snoring softly. She didn’t know how much time had passed before she heard someone calling her at her ear. Struggling, she opened her eyes to see Nian Yu. “Nian Yu?” Speaking, she realized her throat was hoarse and sore. “Ah—” she couldn’t help but moan lowly.

“How are you feeling?”

With Nian Yu’s help, Ning Qian sat up against the bed. After drinking a full cup of tea, she finally caught her breath. “What time is it now?”

“It’s almost the hour of the Dog. I’ll bring you some warmed sobering soup. The young master especially instructed it when he went out this afternoon.”

“Alright, bring it over.”

Nian Yu brought the soup, feeding Ning Qian a bowl with a spoon herself. “How do you feel? Should I ask someone to fetch the physician?”

Ning Qian quickly shook her head. “No need, I just drank too much. What could happen? Huh? Isn’t he here?”

“He left after you fell asleep, only after drinking sobering soup. Do you want dinner? You barely ate at noon and drank so much—be careful your stomach doesn’t act up.”

“Did he say if he’d be back for dinner?”

Nian Yu thought for a moment and shook her head. “No.”

“Let’s wait a bit longer. This identity as a wife is really tiresome; everything must be for the man first. Why is ‘the husband is the wife’s compass’? Why must they stand above us? Women can do it, too. Daughters must strive for themselves; women can hold up half the sky.”

Nian Yu quickly covered her mouth. “Oh dear, quiet down a bit. Don’t say things like that carelessly.”

Ning Qian widened her eyes and blinked hard, signaling she wouldn’t speak anymore. Once Nian Yu released her, she sighed. “I just won’t say it. But everything I said is true.” Seeing Nian Yu throw her another disapproving glance, she hurriedly covered her mouth. “Not another word, not another word.”

“Would you like some pastries first?”

After thinking, Ning Qian nodded; she was indeed hungry. Nian Yu called out, “Shuni, go to the main kitchen and bring some pastries, make sure they’re warm, and also some soup.”

Shuni lifted the curtain and walked in. “Is Madam awake?”

“Yes, hurry up.”

Seeing from afar that Ning Qian was sitting up, Shuni smiled and left. After a while, she returned carrying a food box. She took out two plates of pastries and brought them to Ning Qian’s bedside, while Nian Yu had already placed a small table there. Shuni grinned, “Madam, I’m glad you’re alright.”

“You all saw me drinking. Why worry so much?”

“Hehe, just drinking isn’t worrying. But what about singing?”

Ning Qian groaned, holding her head. “I sang again? What song?”

“Something about a little bird, I think.”

Her groans grew louder. “Why didn’t you wake me up? Letting me sing such an embarrassing song.”

Nian Yu and Shuni exchanged innocent looks. “Madam, you were so drunk; even if we tried to wake you, it wouldn’t have worked.”

Ning Qian waved her hand dismissively. “Well, I sang and that’s that. He didn’t understand anyway. Let’s eat together; there’s too much for me alone. Shuni, I remember you like chestnut cakes?”

Shuni touched her head shyly. “Yes.”

Ning Qian used her chopsticks to move two pieces of chestnut cake and osmanthus cake onto a plate, then pushed the remaining pastries out. “Shuni, take them and eat.”

Shuni took the plate and pulled Nian Yu aside to eat slowly. The three chatted idly as they ate, and the atmosphere grew lively.

Just as they were enjoying themselves, Xiao Liu called out from outside, “Madam, the young master has returned.”

“Alright, I know.” Responding, Ning Qian rose with Nian Yu’s help, tidied her appearance, and stood at the doorway. Soon, someone lifted the curtain—Yu Zi Qi walked in.

“Master, you’re back?” She helped him take off his outer robe. “Master, would you like to wash your face and hands first?”

“Mm.” Yu Zi Qi silently washed up, then said, “Wife, tell them to serve dinner.”

“Oh, yes.” Ning Qian turned and instructed Nian Yu to call for the meal.

When the dishes were set, Ning Qian said, “Nian Yu, Shuni, you two may leave. I can handle things here.” Once they departed, she served Yu Zi Qi the dishes. “Master, you drank quite a bit at noon, so I asked them to prepare lighter fare. I hope it suits your taste.”

“It’s fine, anything will do. Eat up. By the way, are you alright? Did you have the sobering soup?”

“Yes, I did. I’m fine.”

“That’s good.”

After that, neither spoke much as they quietly ate. When dinner was finished and Nian Yu and Shuni had cleared the dishes, Yu Zi Qi went to a cabinet and took out a wooden box. He pulled Ning Qian to sit and pushed the box before her. “Open it and have a look.”

Ning Qian glanced at him and opened the box. Inside were three account books. Upon inspection, she realized these were the household ledgers for the courtyard’s expenses. “Master, this…”

“Now that you are my wife, it is only right for you to manage these affairs. Each month’s allowance, you may have Nian Yu collect from the accounting room. I’ll also give you a household fund monthly; you are free to allocate it as you see fit.”

“Isn’t it too soon for me to handle the accounts, just after marrying in?” It wasn’t that she didn’t want to, but she was reluctant.

Yu Zi Qi sipped his tea lightly. “It should be handed to you. The sooner you take over, the better for you.”

After pondering, Ning Qian closed the box and placed it beside her. “Since Master trusts me so much, I will give it a try. But, having just taken over, I’ll need your guidance.”

“That’s no problem. If there’s anything you don’t understand, just ask. Now, look over them for a bit—I’ll be in the study handling some matters. I’ll likely be busy late into the night. Go ahead and sleep; no need to wait for me.”

“Master, shall I have them bring you some pastries and tea?”

“Yes.” Yu Zi Qi left with his hands behind his back.

Ning Qian opened the ledgers and glanced through them, noticing that the monthly allowance was quite substantial. After all expenses, there was always a surplus. She wondered whether this was due to Yu Zi Qi’s skill in managing the household or some other reason. Regardless, it was a good thing for her; in any era, money makes everything easier. Though she had never lacked money in her life.

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