TNIBFT -Chapter 259 I Want To Learn Needlework, How Come I Didn’t Know?

What was her status?

Just a widow whose husband had died. In the city, ordinary families generally avoided her, thinking she brought bad luck—that she was a jinx, and anyone who got involved with her would be unfortunate.

Let alone the city lord’s daughter—Feng Jiaojiao didn’t even dare think along those lines.

Yet Ye Tian, knowing her status, was still willing to help her. That alone filled her with gratitude.

Feng Jiaojiao felt both terrified and uneasy. Seeing the troubled expression on Ye Tian’s face, she didn’t want to drag down someone who had helped her. She also didn’t want the sweet little girl from yesterday to become the subject of gossip because of her.

Ye Tian said, “This chaotic world is not something you choose, and neither is your fate.”

“Big sister, let’s just put it this way—my daughter likes embroidery, and I haven’t found a teacher yet. Could you, even reluctantly, help me out?”

Ye Tian’s eyes were pleading.

Feng Jiaojiao was anxious, her hands clasped tightly together. She looked around nervously, noticing the shocked expressions on the faces of the townspeople.

If she returned to Anmin Alley, life would hardly be peaceful again.

After thinking for a moment, she pressed her lips together and said, “Alright. I can’t be the young lady’s formal teacher—I’ll just be an embroidery lady. If the city lord finds someone suitable, I’ll leave immediately. Does that work?”

As long as she could stay for a while, that was enough!

A smile curved Ye Tian’s lips. “It’s settled!”

“Then it’s decided. Come back with me now. You don’t need to bring anything; I’ll arrange everything.”

With that, Ye Tian swung the bundle from his arm and slung it over his shoulder.

Zhao Kang followed behind, stealing curious glances at Feng Jiaojiao. Should he tell his junior sister? If he did, Ling’er would surely be upset. But if he didn’t, she would blame him. What a dilemma!

He shook his head and jogged alongside Ye Tian.

At this moment, Feng Jiaojiao followed behind Ye Tian, slightly raising her head to look at his back. Her heart was filled with gratitude. Ye Tian truly was a good city lord—he ensured the people lived in peace, built factories, invented medicine, provided housing and jobs for displaced people, and oversaw a city full of prosperity. He himself was approachable and caring. Who would have imagined a city lord would go to someone’s humble old shop to buy clothes?

Living in a noisy hotpot restaurant?

Standing up for a widow when witnessing injustice? Worrying about her having nowhere to turn and being bullied? Even agreeing to be a embroidery teacher for someone’s own daughter?

If she ever had the chance, she would repay Ye Tian.

Feng Jiaojiao quickened her pace, following Ye Tian back to the hotpot restaurant.

…

At that moment, inside the hotpot restaurant,

Old Yang rushed in hastily from outside, shouting, “Something bad’s happened!”

“The neighbors said the master got into a fight on the street—it’s really happening! You should hurry and see.”

“A fight?”

The staff and Duan Qingshan exchanged glances.

Ye Tian was now the city lord. Who would be foolish enough to fight him in public?

Duan Qingshan looked at Old Yang suspiciously.

Seeing Old Yang calm and composed, Duan Qingshan nonchalantly put down his sword. “Such a perfect opportunity—why aren’t you going?”

Old Yang looked guilty, his eyes darting around.

Duan Qingshan was Ye Tian’s personal guard. If he dawdled and went late to protect him, Ye Tian would never forgive him. But this guy—he was truly sly, refusing to fall for it.

“I’m protecting the kids.”

“You’re protecting the master—stick to your duty. Whether you go or not is your choice!” Old Yang raised an eyebrow and sat down to eat.

“Who dares bully my dad?”

“I’m going right now! Uncle Yang, lead the way…”

Ye Shuangxue slid off her chair, puffed up with anger. She grabbed a meat bun in one hand and a small wooden sword from the table in the other, ready to rush out.

Old Yang looked utterly helpless.

“Uncle Yang, let’s go!”

Ye Shuangxue frowned and shouted impatiently. Old Yang hurriedly swallowed the egg in one gulp, stood up flustered, and started choking, his eyes rolling—truly harming both himself and others.

Meanwhile, Ye Shuangxue, with Old Yang and Duan Qingshan, stormed out, radiating murderous intent.

On the other side, Ye Tian, carrying a bundle on his back, returned with Feng Jiaojiao.

Seeing his daughter holding a small wooden sword, her little face fierce, Ye Tian reached out and patted the top of her head. “Where are you going?”

“I don’t know! I thought maybe you were going out robbing the rich to help the poor?”

“Master!”

“Master!”

Old Yang and Duan Qingshan both cupped their fists in salute.

Ye Shuangxue waved her little arms. “Where’s the person who bullied you?”

“How dare they bully my dad! I’ll make them pay. I’ll split them in two! Let me go! Let me go, aoooh—”

Ye Tian pressed her head down, awkwardly glancing at Feng Jiaojiao beside him. “Uh… she’s not usually like this…”

Feng Jiaojiao smiled awkwardly.

It made the whole situation feel even more uncomfortable.

Ye Tian said, “Shuangxue, guess who’s here?”

“Who?”

Successfully changing the topic, Ye Shuangxue’s big round eyes lit up as she looked at Feng Jiaojiao, a sparkle of excitement flashing across them. Then she calmed down. “Auntie, why are you here?”

“Come for hot pot?”

“No, no, no hot pot in the morning.”

The little girl frowned. Ye Tian smiled, “Auntie is here to deliver clothes. Weren’t yesterday’s clothes dirty?”

“Auntie brought you new clothes.”

“New clothes?” Ye Shuangxue turned her head and looked at the bundle shaking on Ye Tian’s shoulder, a smile appearing on her lips. “Thank you, Auntie.”

Feng Jiaojiao’s face was full of affection.

Seeing this relatively normal scene, Ye Tian breathed a sigh of relief. Noticing Feng Jiaojiao staring at the small wooden sword in his daughter’s hand, he quickly said, “Ah, my daughter can be a little mischievous sometimes, but most of the time, she’s quite adorable, right?”

Ye Tian then looked at Old Yang and Duan Qingshan.

Duan Qingshan nodded numbly.

Old Yang nodded vigorously. “Yes, yes, yes!”

To avoid his room smelling bad, she would hide the chamber pot under his blanket. Most kids wouldn’t be this cute.

To pretend she was studying, she even drew eyeballs on her eyelids to make it look like she’d been working hard all morning.

The proper use of the wooden sword? Smacking other people’s bottoms daily. This little tyrant… just thinking about it brings tears.

Feng Jiaojiao nodded with a smile, gently patting Ye Shuangxue’s head. She looked like a child of the Bodhisattva—pure, adorable, sensible, and filial. Who wouldn’t love such a child?

Ye Tian looked down at his daughter. “Haven’t you always wanted to learn women’s handiwork?”

“From now on, Auntie Feng will be your handiwork teacher. Shuangxue must study hard and not disappoint Auntie Feng.”

“Handiwork?”

Duan Qingshan and Old Yang simultaneously widened their eyes, looking at Ye Shuangxue as if they’d seen a ghost.

Ye Shuangxue pouted, frowning at Ye Tian. “I wanted to learn handiwork?”

“How come I didn’t know?”

“What’s handiwork?”

Her little face was confused and cute. Duan Qingshan and Old Yang looked at her with sympathy.

Ye Tian laughed, “Of course you like handiwork. You must have forgotten, but dad hasn’t. So starting tomorrow, you’ll study half an hour of handiwork every day.”

“Handiwork is a skill for girls?”

“Does it involve horse riding?”

“Archery? And lightness skill?”