She Became A Downfall Noble Lady
Chapter 201 - 200: The Auntie in the Duke’s Mansion

Chapter 201: Chapter 200: The Auntie in the Duke’s Mansion

After paying his respects to the Duke, Yan Zhixing, claimed his low status forbade him to sit in the Duke’s presence, he thus remained standing, and with clasped hands said, "Duke, His Highness Prince Yu is temporarily residing in Qingyuan County and happened to see a woman whose demeanor and appearance bear a striking resemblance to your granddaughter. Therefore, His Highness thought of you, Duke, and while sending some trifles to his nephews, he also brought some local specialties for you, Duke. These items from a small place aren’t worth much, but they represent a token of our Prince’s goodwill. I hope the Duke will kindly accept them."

Upon hearing about a woman resembling his granddaughter, Duke An felt a wave of discomfort. It was the Seventh Prince who informed Duke’s Mansion of the granddaughter’s whereabouts, so it wasn’t surprising that Prince Yu was aware of this matter. But, these princes, content with their own strife, now meddle in the affairs of his household—what are their intentions?

Are they disregarding Duke An’s Mansion already, even though they are far from their desired position?

Duke An, with downcast eyelids, slowly sipped his tea, said nothing in reply, and didn’t even glance at Yan Zhixing, as if the latter didn’t exist in the room.

Yan Zhixing still maintained a respectful demeanor and continued, "The woman from Qingyuan County surnamed Qi, when seen by His Highness Prince Yu, reminded him of your recent loss of your granddaughter, Duke. He inevitably felt your gloom and sent me to greet you. If not for Prince Yu’s presence in Qingyuan County, Lady Qi would have been just an ordinary civilian, living her life unnoticed, without causing any ripples."

The sharp gaze of the Duke, weathered from many a battlefield, suddenly lifted, his eyes like blades, fixed on Yan Zhixing. Was Prince Yu insinuating that he wanted to directly interfere with the Duke An’s family affairs?

Yan Zhixing remained unfazed, casually replying, "His Highness simply asked me to convey to you, Duke, that she is but a country girl who resembles your young lady—and being the noble Duke An’s Mansion, you need not concern yourself with her due to some ulterior motives by others."

Yan Zhixing smiled sincerely and added, "It’s not worth it for Duke’s Mansion to be troubled by unnecessary disputes and gossip for someone else’s secret agenda."

Duke An stared at Yan Zhixing for a long while before saying, "The people with ulterior motives Mr. Yan refers to, presumably do not include His Highness Prince Yu, right?"

Bowing, Yan Zhixing replied, "With Qingyuan County a thousand miles from the capital, if someone hadn’t deliberately spread the word, how would the Duke have heard of an ordinary woman there? Of course, you’re aware that person is not His Highness Prince Yu."

Setting aside his teacup, Duke An asked directly, "If His Highness Prince Yu has no other intentions, how would he be aware of what’s transpired in the capital from a thousand miles away, and what brings you to my mansion, Mr. Yan?"

With hands clasped, Yan Zhixing spoke earnestly, "Although His Highness has no interest in politics, self-preservation is necessary. If he isn’t aware of what’s happening around him, how can he protect himself?

As for my visit to Duke’s Mansion, it’s out of His Highness’ sincere loyalty. He cannot bear to see innocent people suffer because of him."

With a gaze steadfast with age, Duke An looked upon Yan Zhixing for quite some time before asking slowly, "Is that the only reason?" The tone of his voice heavy with implication.

Yan Zhixing laughed, "The Duke’s perception is indeed clear and sharp and is not easily fooled." Yan’s tone became more relaxed, "That Lady Qi from Qingyuan County has a bit of skill; she’s currently managing an estate for His Highness Prince Yu. The Prince is looking forward to profiting from that estate; how could he allow it to be disrupted by others?"

Duke An frowned slightly. He knew his granddaughter’s character and skills the best. With Xinyan’s intelligence and her temperament, could she really manage an estate?

Elder Master Ye had previously confirmed the identity of the woman from Qingyuan County surnamed Qi, but now, due to Yan Zhixing’s words, he was beginning to doubt again.

"In that case, since His Highness Prince Yu has had some contact with Lady Qi, is Granny Jin from our household, who is reportedly also in Qingyuan County?" inquired Duke An.

Yan Zhixing replied, "I only heard about it, that the Nanny who once served the Young Miss at the mansion encountered Lady Qi on her journey home and was astonished that there could be such a lookalike in this world. Out of nostalgia for her former mistress, Granny Jin has since been following Lady Qi. This is just hearsay, I do not know the specifics."

"Oh," the Duke settled back down. Yan Zhixing would have done better not to mention this, as these few sentences immediately convinced the Duke that Lady Qi must be that troublemaker. The fabrication in his words was too evident.

After Yan Zhixing took his leave, Duke An’s brows knitted tightly together as he pondered the various possibilities hidden in this matter.

Judging by the purpose of Yan Zhixing’s visit, it seemed that Prince Yu was ready to provide all kinds of excuses and justifications to protect that troublemaker. With someone from Prince Yu’s Mansion backing her, even if they were going after an ordinary peasant woman, it would be inappropriate for Duke An’s Mansion to lay a hand on her. Not to mention the potential scandal of an unresolved death, provoking a prince would also be unwise.

Although Prince Yu was known as a laid-back prince, who didn’t know that to be able to be a carefree prince, one must possess an extraordinary mind? It was best to avoid provoking such a person if at all possible.

Duke An’s thoughts were more on Ye Xinyan’s escape. It was inexplicable how the people of Duke’s Mansion, after pursuing a woman from the inner quarters for over a month, hadn’t found the slightest trace of her. Now, considering Prince Yu’s involvement, he couldn’t help but wonder if Prince Yu had assisted that troublemaker’s escape?

Duke An’s face turned ugly. If his granddaughter, who had been declared dead, was involved in an unclear relationship with Prince Yu, where would Duke An’s Mansion’s honor be placed?

As a result, when Duke’s Heir Apparent Ye Hongyang entered, it was at the moment his father, the Duke, was in the worst of moods.

The Duke’s Heir Apparent entered the room and, oblivious to the atmosphere, immediately asked, "Father, who was that man just now? How come he was brought straight to you?"

The Duke, with his back turned and facing a painting on the wall, radiated an anger that was beyond words. His son’s question tore a gap in that fury, through which it surged forth.

Elder Master Ye turned around and lashed out with a kick at his worthless son: "You worthless thing! Do you still have the nerve to ask?"

Though the Duke was advanced in years, he remained agile, delivering a kick without losing any speed.

But the Princely Heir had grown accustomed to such scenarios, having experienced them countless times; from the moment his father began to turn, Ye Hongyang instantly recognized that something was wrong.

Judging by the extent of his father’s turning and the angle of the raised leg, Ye Hongyang narrowly found the right spot to dodge, allowing the old man to graze his clothes without either the awkwardness of a missed kick or the pain of a direct hit.

"Father, your son did nothing wrong today. What’s with the anger?" Ye Hongyang asked, clutching the brushed part of his robe, his face a picture of aggrievement.

Duke An pointed a finger at Ye Hongyang, struggling to find words, and finally said viciously, "That Maternal Aunt Liu of yours, you do as you please with her behind closed doors in your courtyard. But from now on, she is not to emerge and make a fool of herself in any social gathering at home."

Ye Hongyang was not about to accept his father’s words and retorted, "Maternal Aunt Liu carries herself with propriety and respects etiquette. How does she bring dishonor?"

Duke An, snatching a teacup from the desk, flung its contents, cursing, "You clueless fool! It’s precisely because the concubines in Duke’s Mansion carry themselves even more properly than the legitimate ladies that our reputation is tarnished. Do you understand? All these years, you’ve indulged a lowly concubine to the point where she holds court in this house, causing the entire Duke’s Mansion to lose face with your foolishness. How did I ever father such a fool?"