She Became A Downfall Noble Lady
Chapter 196 - 195: Can’t Write Nor Allowed to Read

Chapter 196: Chapter 195: Can’t Write Nor Allowed to Read

Hu Jing knew exactly who he was dealing with when he saw Ye Xinyan’s expression, and then noticed the empty spot in the courtyard where Wong Qiao and the tables had been. He understood what had happened.

He couldn’t help but sigh to himself, thinking that for a small village to produce a figure like Qi Younian was already extraordinary, and now with the addition of Miss Ye, a rare specimen, no less. And now, they had also gained a brother and his son, both of whom seemed to be no ordinary individuals.

Within three years, this village would likely see the rise of a great landholding family, turning an unremarkable village into a bustling center of attention.

As Sixth Master’s collaborator and the future Chief Steward, it was better for everyone if Miss Ye conducted herself with a bit more propriety. Pretending not to notice Ye Xinyan’s mood, Hu Jing exchanged pleasantries with Qi Younian before they each bowed and took their leave.

After sending off Hu Jing and his two companions, Ye Xinyan turned and asked Nanny Liu, "Where did Wong Qiao go? How come he and the table have both vanished?"

Nanny Liu composed herself and replied respectfully, "Third Master Wong said that space was tight at his house, and it was inconvenient for him to be here all the time, so he had people move the desks and equipment to the Dairy Products Store workshop area. Third Master Wong said that it’s easier to plan on paper when you have ample space, and being closer to Xie Chun and the others at the Dairy Products Store is convenient in case anything comes up."

Convenient, my foot, Ye Xinyan silently criticized. Could the work Xie Chun does be any different from what Wong Qiao was doing? It would be no exaggeration to say they were as different as chalk and cheese.

Qi Younian returned and, hearing Nanny Liu’s explanation, added, "Ah Qiao’s right, too, doing the work itself is the same anywhere. Ye Zi, if you have instructions for us just let us know. We will do our best, and if there’s anything we don’t understand, we can always ask you. It’s the same as us working together."

Ye Xinyan rolled her eyes at Qi Younian and retorted, "Asking me is more convenient and time-saving than discussing and working together?"

Qi Younian, with a stern look, chastised, "You child, Nanny Jin has been nagging since last night till this morning. You agree so willingly, shouldn’t you at least take a bit of her advice to heart? Alright, both you and Ah Qiao are not children anymore. In the future, we both do our work and consult together when necessary."

Waving his hand, Qi Younian turned and left. He was busy; he had promised to bring some craftsmen back from the town today, and couldn’t afford to miss the agreed Shichen Chinese Time.

"I’m... I’m just trying to get our work done faster," Ye Xinyan defended herself to Qi Younian’s retreating figure.

Without looking back, Qi Younian dropped a line, "It’s better to work slowly than to let people gossip about you." Then, the old gentleman called for the carriage and left.

Ye Xinyan stared straight as Qi Younian walked away. It took her a while before she turned toward Nanny Liu.

Nanny Liu had already dived into the shed built in the courtyard before Ye Xinyan turned around, busying old woman servants with adding firewood to boil tofu cheese.

"Where are my Construction Regulations and drafts? Surely you can’t expect me not to read my books!" Ye Xinyan called out to Nanny Liu.

Nanny Liu hurried out again, her face brimming with smiles as she said, "They are here, they are indeed. I have put them away for the Young Lady. I will fetch them for you right now."

After lunch, Ye Xinyan took advantage of a moment when Qi Younian and Cheung Wusi were digesting and chatting to ask Wong Qiao, "Did someone say something to you? Is that why you’re not working in the yard anymore?"

Wong Qiao replied with a bitter smile, "Does it even need to be said by someone? These past few days were busy, and since we didn’t have outsiders coming by our place, I worked alongside Ye Zi. From now on, with more people coming and going in the household, I must be more mindful of propriety. The idle gossip of meddlesome people can be enough to slander someone to death."

Ye Xinyan frowned and muttered, "It’s not that serious." It was already a rush to handle the affairs at home and the workshop, yet now there were even more trivial matters to deal with.

Wong Qiao, resigned, said, "Ye Zi is an extraordinary woman. Truth be told, in many ways, even we men cannot match her. Despite this, Ye Zi is still a woman and must abide by the societal constraints and the moral teachings directed at women. A person, no matter how outstanding, can’t fight against the whole world, can they?"

Continuing on that thought, Wong Qiao paused for a moment before adding, "The people who came today, just from their speech and behavior, it’s apparent they are not from ordinary families. If such people were to question or look down upon your conduct, it would not be good. After all, you are the one who will deal with them in the future. It’s important that you gain respect from others."

Wong Qiao’s words were not at all mistaken, and Ye Xinyan was somewhat annoyed. She changed the subject and said, "Alright, let’s not talk about these vexing matters anymore. I’ll take some time this afternoon to write the construction document for the Dairy Products Store, and you can review it for me in the evening. As for that drawing, you decide what to do with it. Also, please mark the dimensions of those pulleys clearly as soon as possible, so we can have the blacksmith custom-make them."

I detest these ancient customs the most. We could have cooperated and quickly finished the task at hand, yet they had to impose so many restrictions, preventing people from working properly.

Our cooperation over the past few days took place only because I insisted repeatedly. Wong Qiao, being new and shy, didn’t want to lose face by rejecting me outright, so he ended up working side by side with me. If it weren’t for that, why would Wong Qiao risk being subject to criticism and doing things that go against propriety?

Qi Younian, with the autumn harvest around the corner, employed an attractive policy to recruit a batch of craftsmen, pressing them to build the Qi family’s second compound and the Dairy Products Workshop.

The year’s crops had done fairly well, and the harvest was set to commence a little later this year, after the Mid-Autumn Festival. The peasant families would hastily celebrate Mid-Autumn before starting the harvesting work in their fields.

Mid-Autumn Festival is considered a major holiday, and although it was a tight schedule, it was essential to complete the symbolic procedures. Members of the Qi family’s three main branches, following the Qi Family’s traditions, had to gather in the eldest branch’s ancestral home for the festival.

Even though Qi Yougui had informed Qi Younian well in advance that the family’s fortunes were sound this year and that the eldest branch had everything prepared—stating that Qi Younian’s family need not bring anything—when Qi Younian, with Ye Xinyan and Qi Jia, arrived at the eldest branch’s home, Nanny Jin and Nanny Liu had still sent over a variety of meats, vegetables, and other items ahead of time. This contribution to the Qi family’s Mid-Autumn banquet added a touch of opulence and liveliness, avoiding much potential chatter and criticism.

With the solemn presences of Nanny Liu and Nanny Zhou standing by, the people of the Qi Family Third Branch, despite their sidelong glances, ultimately found no opportunity to strike up a conversation with the two adults of the Second Branch family. Even Qi Jia was kept under close watch by Nanny Liu, unapproachable to the onlookers of the Third Branch.

Qi Liang’s young son, Qi Conghui, had begun walking around on the ground. Madam Pang watched over her son, casting envious and resentful glances toward Qi Jia.

Her own son, so smart and adorable, yet he could only eat coarse meals every day and wear old clothes made of rough linen. Meanwhile, that lowborn child, who grew up neglected and feeding on leftovers, now lived a life of luxury day in and day out, and now even had servants looking after him, becoming the most precious and vile thing in the whole village.