She Became A Downfall Noble Lady
Chapter 189 - 188: Attitude Quite Correct

Chapter 189: Chapter 188: Attitude Quite Correct

Clear Water Village was much like many of the impoverished mountain villages she had encounterd several times before while accompanying her father on his official duties, with dilapidated, scattered, and crumbling houses, rugged, narrow, and dusty paths, and vast expanses of farmland. At this time of year, the crops had already begun to turn yellow, lacking the vibrant green vitality.

Inside Zhou Biyao’s carriage sat two maids and Nanny Zhong, with four robust house servants following before and after the carriage.

Shun Yi had already aroused suspicion and been dealt with once. Zhou Biyao dared not ask Shun Yi to lead the way, so the group had to walk and ask for directions as they went. They set off at the Chen Hour, spurring their horses on at a fast pace, and it wasn’t until three quarters past the hour of Si that they finally found themselves outside the courtyard of the second branch of the Qi family.

Zhou Biyao lifted the curtain of the carriage window a bit more and took a glance outside, immediately stunned by a large expanse of neatly spaced fences and pens. What was this, the cattle farm that Lady Qi managed on behalf of His Highness Prince Yu, requiring such a vast space? How many oxen had to be raised?

Turning her gaze, she saw a courtyard that was as dilapidated, or perhaps even more so, than the other houses in the village, and within the courtyard, there were two thatched cottages. Next to this courtyard, a house was under construction, which seemed to be a complex of three rooms.

Within that area of construction, about a dozen people were busy at work; craftsmen stood atop scaffolding, laying bricks on walls that were nearly reaching their peak. It was clear that the house being built was already taking shape.

Ye Xinyan heard the sound of carriages and horses approaching from outside the courtyard, but as there had been many things happening at home lately, with Qi Younian and Fan Zhengyuan busy every day, and the two carriages bought for the household and the cattle farm constantly coming and going, she didn’t pay much attention.

It wasn’t until Nanny Liu’s voice sounded. "Are you looking for someone?" Shortly thereafter, Nanny Liu’s tone changed, becoming more familiar. "Oh, it turns out to be Second Miss Zhou. What brings Second Miss Zhou to such a remote and impoverished place—are you passing through for some business?"

Ye Xinyan turned her head and looked over, meeting Zhou Biyao’s gaze, who was standing at the entrance of the courtyard and staring at her blankly.

Zhou Biyao’s eyes were filled with such shock and focus that Ye Xinyan was extremely surprised. She looked down at herself; there was nothing wrong. Then she looked around and saw Wong Qiao, who had just lifted his head from his stooped position over the desk.

Oh, there was the problem. Second Miss Zhou, born into an official family, probably had never seen such an outlandishly behaved woman, brazenly spending time with a man so closely under the broad daylight.

So, what was Second Miss Zhou, of such noble status, doing in a place disregarding social norms like this impoverished land?

Ye Xinyan raised her eyebrows, looking towards Zhou Biyao.

It was perfectly fine to interact like this in broad daylight; if one were to skulk around, secretly staying close to a man, that would be far more dangerous, wouldn’t it?

Under the double questioning of Nanny Liu and Ye Xinyan, Zhou Biyao snapped back to reality. She hurriedly tugged at the corners of her mouth, saying, "I have long wanted to visit Elder Sister, and today I finally had some free time. Just like that, here I am."

Nanny Zhong also laughed and said to Nanny Liu, "Our Second Miss greatly admires Lady Qi and has always wished to interact more with her. Second Miss said that if she could learn even a little bit of Lady Qi’s skill in making pastries, that would count as one more artistry for us women, wouldn’t it?"

Having voiced the initial pleasantries, the rest came out much more smoothly. Zhou Biyao, with a familiar smile on her face, walked towards Ye Xinyan. "My visit is rather impromptu, and I hope Elder Sister won’t mind my rudeness."

Seeing her approaching, Ye Xinyan thought of Wong Qiao still at the other side of the table, realizing that this distance was already too close for a well-bred, rule-abiding lady of the household. Could Zhou Biyao really set aside all those back-house rules?

Indeed, after just two steps, Zhou Biyao’s progress halted, and with great difficulty, she took a third step before coming to a complete stop.

Ye Xinyan watched Zhou Biyao with a smile that was not quite a smile, without uttering a single word from start to finish.

Immediately, the atmosphere turned somewhat awkward, with Nanny Liu admiring Ye Xinyan’s composure and poise to the utmost. Faced with a female guest, it seemed that Miss Ye was completely unaware of the existence of distinctions such as time and the proper distance between men and women.

No wonder Miss Ye had such a poor reputation back in the capital, with such arrogance that blatantly disregards the rules for women. If she had a good reputation despite that, would there be any justice in the world?

But this great-aunt was stubborn, and Nanny Liu could only give Wong Qiao a meaningful look before instructing Bi Ning, "Bi Ning, please tidy up the room and invite Second Miss Zhou to sit inside."

Seeing this delicate lady’s familiarity with Ye Xinyan, Wong Qiao thought she was an old acquaintance of Ye Xinyan, just like Sixth Master Rong. Because of the laissez-faire attitudes of Sixth Master Rong and Lord Jiang towards Ye Xinyan, it never occurred to Wong Qiao to excuse himself.

Only when he caught Nanny Liu’s signal did he realize, and he quickly said, "Since we have guests at home, I’ll take care of the hospitality. I’ll go and watch over the construction site for Uncle Four."

"There’s no need," Ye Xinyan finally spoke up, "Our construction schedule is tight; we can’t afford any delay. You go ahead as we’ve planned. I’ll be done here in no time."

Wong Qiao frowned. Ye Zi made sense, but it seemed that rules were also important for her. He glanced at Nanny Liu, uncertain.

Ye Xinyan smiled at Nanny Liu and said, "Us country folks, if we fuss over all those rules, we won’t be able to get on with life. Wouldn’t you agree?"

Nanny Liu sighed quietly to herself and said to Nanny Zhong, "Nanny, you must understand the difficulties we poor country folks face in making a living. Please, Second Miss, come inside for a talk."

Ye Xinyan then said to Wong Qiao, "Keeping up the construction schedule is what’s important," then turned to Zhou Biyao with a smile, "Please come inside, Second Miss."

Although Zhou Biyao had heard from her brother that the living conditions at the Qi family were tight and cramped, she hadn’t imagined them to be to this extent.

The two rooms at the Qi family appeared rather small, and while the conditions of the inner room were unknown, the outer room was crammed full with various household items and belongings, leaving only a bit of empty space on the kang bed where a few could sit.

Ye Xinyan said to Zhou Biyao, "Life in the countryside is tough, and our living spaces are not lavish. I hope you will forgive us, Second Miss."

Zhou Biyao hesitated for a moment before walking toward the edge of the kang.

Nanny Zhong hurried forward, dusting off the edge of the kang with a handkerchief.

Zhou Biyao approached and said to Nanny Zhong, "Nanny, don’t be rude. We are guests, after all, and it is proper to follow the host’s rules. Even though my sister’s home is cramped, if she can live here, can’t we sit too?"

Turning back, she apologized to Ye Xinyan, "My sister is concerned with important affairs; don’t mind us."

Ye Xinyan wasn’t in the mood to spend time on small talk with an idle lady of leisure, so she told Zhou Biyao, "Please take a seat on the kang, Second Miss. Although our furniture and household items are old, they are at least clean, and it won’t dirty your clothes."

Zhou Biyao said with a smile, "You jest, sister," while actually taking off her shoes to sit on the kang, sitting upright next to the kang table.

Ye Xinyan was momentarily stunned but also sat on the kang opposite Zhou Biyao. This approachable attitude was indeed proper.

Tea and snacks were served, and though they weren’t fine porcelain, they were clean and refreshing.