She Became A Downfall Noble Lady
Chapter 104 - One Hundred and Three: A Visitor Arrives

Chapter 104: Chapter One Hundred and Three: A Visitor Arrives

Ye Xinyan lowered her eyelashes, waiting for Jinrong to speak.

Jinrong glanced at Jiang Yifan with a warning look before he said, "About the cow farm you mentioned, Lord Jiang and I have discussed it and believe it to be feasible, benefiting both the nation and the people. Since your small eatery requires an abundant supply of cow’s milk, we’ll leave the management of the cow farm to you. We have come this time to inquire about your specific thoughts."

Ye Xinyan composed herself and said, "Raising cows requires land. I haven’t been to other places, and I don’t know if there are better locations. But to me, there is a large expanse of wasteland to the north of Clear Water Village that is filled with gravel, unsuitable for farming, which could be used to build cattle pens. Of course, if Sixth Master has a better location, that would also be acceptable."

"The rest of the matters will need to be carefully planned. I have never before considered raising such a large number of animals, and even if I start planning now, it will take some time. This is not something that can be accomplished overnight."

Jinrong nodded and said, "Alright, begin your planning now, and by the way, calculate how much silver will be needed for investment. With a figure, we can also allocate the silver to you."

Ye Xinyan looked up at Jinrong, but kept silent. His words made it sound so easy, to let her plan such a big matter without clarifying anything. Was she expected to work for free?

Seeing Ye Xinyan’s indifferent expression, Jinrong remembered that he had not discussed with her the details of running the cow farm. Although it wasn’t necessary to involve Ye Xinyan in this matter, apart from wanting to establish a cow farm, he was also curious to see how capable Ye Xinyan truly was, and what this woman, who had become a laughingstock in the capital, could achieve if provided with adequate resources.

Ye Xinyan had a fine background. If she indeed possessed outstanding abilities, becoming a reliable assistant was not out of the question.

"Hehe, it is my oversight. Lady Qi, please feel free to put forward any thoughts and requirements, and both of us will certainly try our best to fulfill them," Jinrong said with a laugh.

Both of us? Ye Xinyan gave Jinrong a cold slanting glance. Could you truly speak on behalf of both?

"Responding to Sixth Master’s words, the work has not yet started, and I have not thought of any specific demands. It would be good enough for Sixth Master to remember what was said today." Since it was so, it was better to agree for now, and having some silver to practice with was also desirable.

Jinrong said with a smile, "I naturally trust Lady Qi’s character, and I hope Lady Qi will also trust in me and Lord Jiang. If Lady Qi needs help with manpower, I can also send a capable manager to come over with some workers."

A capable manager? A manager who could be considered capable in front of Prince Yu, how could people like us afford such services?

Ye Xinyan wasn’t interested in Jinrong’s offer and declined, "There is no need for now, and as for later... Well, Sixth Master, if you decide to let me manage the cow farm, once the first sum of silver arrives, you might send one or two people to oversee the accounts then. We will find our own workers and managers."

Jinrong laughed upon hearing the stringent conditions proposed by Ye Xinyan and looked at Jiang Yifan triumphantly. See, his judgment was not wrong. Just by the demands she made, this woman was efficient and decisive in her work.

Jiang Yifan, however, furrowed his brows. Since when did Ye Xinyan have such a shrewd mind? If she had been this clever before, she wouldn’t have been manipulated and ended up in such a disgraceful predicament.

At that moment, Nanny Jin came in from the back hall with a tray.

On the tray were four kinds of small pastries, two each of apple pies and egg tarts, two checkerboard scallion pancakes—one sweet and the other savory—and also two servings of red bean paste and two small bowls of stir-fried cow’s milk.

When Jinrong saw the two plates of checkerboard scallion pancakes on the table, he asked in surprise, "Are these also considered scallion pancakes? They are far too small, aren’t they? It seems there are two different types on the plates."

Nanny Jin replied with a curtsey, "To answer Sixth Master, these scallion pancakes are made to be petite, called checkerboard scallion pancakes. There are two flavors, the sweet ones are made with rose petal jam and the savory ones are made with sesame paste. Sixth Master, please try them, they taste quite good."

Ye Xinyan saw that the snacks had been served, and it would be impolite to stare at others while they dined, so she backed away and went over to the counter to watch Qi Jia count.

Before Jinrong had a chance to ask again, Nanny Jin placed the fried cow’s milk in front of the two men and introduced it, "This is fried cow’s milk, fresh in taste, smooth in texture, and savory. Sixth Master and Lord Jiang, please try it and see if it suits your palate."

After hearing Nanny Jin introduce the apple pies and red bean sweet soup as well, Jinrong picked up a small soup spoon and said to Jiang Yifan with a smile, "Looking at these dishes, they are clearly made for women and children, but us men are getting a taste of something new today."

Having said this, he didn’t stand on ceremony with Jiang Yifan, taking the lead in spooning some sweet soup into his mouth.

"Mmm, the sweet red bean flavor is rich and delicious. Try it, Yuanfan, it’s really good," Jinrong praised repeatedly.

Jiang Yifan disliked Ye Xinyan’s past character, but if he put on airs and refused the food before him, that would seem too pretentious. Hearing Jinrong’s praise, he followed his lead and tasted the sweet soup.

Indeed, it was good. His family also made red bean paste at home, but it was just a coarse texture, lacking the thick, sweet richness of this one.

Jinrong asked at the right moment, "How is it? Not bad, right?"

Jiang Yifan wasn’t so lacking in taste as to deliberately belittle the culinary delights, and he nodded, "Mmm, very good. It’s different from the red bean paste we make at home, there’s a unique sweetness."

The two of them then tried each of the four snacks. Compared to the others, the apple pies they had ordered tasted somewhat inferior, while the two types of checkerboard scallion pancakes, stacked with layers of sesame paste and rose jam, each had their own flavors.

The most novel and also the most delicious was the fried cow’s milk, just as Nanny Jin had said, smooth in texture and fresh in taste.

Jinrong asked the old woman servant standing by, "The fried cow’s milk Nanny mentioned, that’s made from cow’s milk, right? But how can this milk be fried? Yet, it indeed has a rich milky fragrance. How is it made?"

After speaking, he seemed to think it might be inappropriate, "If it’s inconvenient to say, then never mind. I’m just curious and asked casually, not that I must know the recipes."

Nanny Jin quickly replied with a smile, "Not at all, Sixth Master. If you’d like to know, there’s nothing we can’t share. It is indeed made from fried cow’s milk, but it has some added egg whites and cornstarch, along with various other ingredients and seasonings, to create this solidified fried cow’s milk."

Jinrong exclaimed, "It’s impressive that your household has come up with such a variety of snack recipes, each more novel than the last. It’s just a shame to be tucked away in such a small place."

As he spoke, he spooned another serving of fried cow’s milk into his mouth.

Nanny Jin was about to reply when the curtains of the small shop were pushed aside.

First came two maid-like girls. Although dressed as maids, the fabric of their clothing and the jewelry they wore were extraordinary, clearly belonging to maids from a wealthy household.

As the curtain lifted, the one who followed was a delicate and fragile-looking young lady. If the maids’ attire was not ordinary, then the young lady’s attire and accessories were even more outstanding - Ye Xinyan felt her eyes dazzled for a moment by the young lady’s gilt-edged emerald ornament on her head and the light gauzy dress she wore.

Following closely behind the young lady and the two maids came another old woman servant and two married women. These five servants each wore bright clothes and carried themselves with a distinguished air.