She Became A Downfall Noble Lady
Chapter 209 - 208: Make a Good Impression on Sixth Master

Chapter 209: Chapter 208: Make a Good Impression on Sixth Master

Jinrong, upon seeing Hu Jing’s exaggerated expression, immediately said, "Why are you looking at me like that, sir? I don’t mean anything else. If Qi Ye gets involved with Yuanfan, and, you know, remarries... Once she becomes a family member of an official of the court, how can she continue to work outside?"

Hu Jing glanced at Jinrong, gave a noncommittal grunt, and looked away.

What does that mean? Jinrong was taken aback and quickly added, "I’m really thinking of our enterprises. If Qi Ye is not managing them, who knows what will become of the dairy farm and the Dairy Products Store? I’m even considering opening two more dairy farms in the neighboring county next spring. If Qi Ye is snatched away by Young Boy Jiang, where will I find such an effective person?"

Hu Jing turned his gaze back and spoke slowly, "I haven’t said otherwise, Sixth Master. You seem a bit anxious."

"..." Jinrong was taken aback; indeed, he seemed a bit anxious.

Turning into the village path, Jinrong and Hu Jing got out of the carriage and rode the horses along the field path.

The weather of this autumn day was quite favorable, with bright sunshine that was perfect for harvesting crops. Looking around, there was a buzz of activity in the fields of Clear Water Village, with oxen occasionally seen plowing and farmers laboring amongst light-hearted laughter and banter.

Jiang Yifan and his group were easy to spot from afar, with several figures whose simple clothing still clearly stood out from that of the ordinary farmers.

Jinrong and Hu Jing dismounted, followed only by two of Hongzhi’s servants, and walked along the ridges towards them. Jiang Yifan was listening to He Quantai when suddenly He paused and looked behind Jiang Yifan.

Jiang Yifan turned his head and saw Jinrong and the others approaching.

Jiang Yifan laughed and said, "Why has Sixth Master only just arrived? I thought you would be right behind me. I didn’t expect that it’d be this late in the day before you showed up."

Jinrong, looking leisurely around, replied with a smile, "Unlike Lord Jiang, who is busy with official duties and naturally has to be diligent. Sixth Master Rong here is an idler, so naturally, I come whenever it’s convenient for me."

As they conversed, they reached the others. He looked at an ox cart nearby and asked He Quantai, "Is this the ox leased from the dairy farm? It looks quite good. I thought being penned up would make the ox too weak to work."

He Quantai hurriedly bowed and then replied, "It’s quite alright. Although the dairy farm usually keeps the oxen penned, that pen is nothing like the ones in our farm. It’s quite spacious inside, allowing the oxen plenty of room to move around, and they don’t lack strength when it’s time to work."

Jinrong nodded and then asked Jiang Yifan, "Have all the cowherds from the dairy farm come out? The person leading the ox looks familiar. I think I’ve seen him at the dairy farm."

Jiang Yifan answered, "Aside from two or three who stay behind to look after the gates and handle daily matters, all the others have come out, each herdsman looking after two or three oxen. Fan Zhengyuan was worried that the farmers might overwork the beasts and exhaust them, so everyone is closely supervised."

At this, He Quantai couldn’t stop praising, "Uncle Younian has really seen the world outside; everyone in the family is savvy. Even Lady Qi, a young woman, is impressive. She manages the vast dairy farm so thoroughly; even men cannot compare to her."

Hearing a farmer talk about Qi Ye, both Jiang Yifan and Jinrong suddenly fell silent. After a while, Jiang Yifan spoke, "Let’s go and take a look ahead; that plot of land has been neglected all morning. I wonder whose it is."

He Quantai, completely unaware of why these two distinguished individuals had fallen silent for a moment, hurriedly led the group forward at Lord Jiang’s command.

Hu Jing had been watching dispassionately from the sidelines, but now he followed them too.

......

Earlier on, Jinrong’s carriage and horses had passed through the county town gates, and by chance, were seen by a servant from the Zhou Mansion named Shun Yi who was at the gate. Standing in front of a tea shelter by the roadside, Shun Yi watched as the procession headed toward Clear Water Village and did not return to the Liang Residence until after some contemplation.

After hearing Shun Yi’s report, Zhou Shuyu stood in the courtyard of the guest room and thought for a moment before seeking out his sister Zhou Biyao for a conversation.

The siblings settled in a pavilion in the back garden, and Zhou Shuyu opened the conversation by saying, "Shun Yi said he just saw Sixth Master Rong’s carriage heading towards Clear Water Village."

Zhou Biyao was surprised, "Brother, when did you and Shun Yi become so bold? Shun Yi just got punished and you dare to tail Sixth Master Rong?"

Zhou Shuyu immediately furrowed his brows and scolded in a soft voice, "What are you talking about, little sister? What tailing? When has Shun Yi ever dared to do that? Last time it wasn’t tailing, alright? It’s just that this morning he happened to pass by the county town gate and saw Sixth Master Rong’s servant escorting the carriage out of the city, and now you make it sound so dishonorable."

Zhou Biyao blinked playfully and said, "Oh, so it was a mere coincidence. Then brother, why bring this up to me?"

Zhou Shuyu glanced around, with only Nanny Zhong and Qian Yue standing guard nearby.

He lowered his voice slightly and said, "It’s getting late, and if Sixth Master Rong is going to Clear Water Village, he surely won’t make it back by noon and will stay at the Qi family’s home. Let’s take this opportunity to visit as well. I’ll escort you to visit Lady Qi in Clear Water Village. Seeing that we’re about to return to the government city, meeting Sixth Master Rong would mean our trip wasn’t in vain. If Sixth Master Rong knew you got along well with Lady Qi, perhaps it could leave a favorable impression on him towards you."

Zhou Biyao paused, she was not too keen on meeting His Highness Prince Yu; after all, he had seen all sorts of beautiful women, and even a face-to-face encounter would not necessarily capture his interest.

But, if it meant going to see Qi Ye at the Qi family...

Zhou Biyao stood up and said, "Alright, let’s go have a look. Maybe the Qi family’s new house has been built, and we can join in the fun. By the way, we’ll see if they’ve prepared any delicious snacks for us to bring back home."

The Zhou siblings arrived at the Qi family just as Jinrong and Jiang Yifan’s entourage had.

Jinrong looked at the bright and airy wooden grille house that had seemingly sprung up in front of the Qi family’s thatched cottage, wafting the scent of timber, and proudly said to Jiang Yifan, "I just had someone send a message ahead, stating that we’d stop at the second branch of the Qi family for midday. Look, in less than a shichen, such a wooden house appeared out of nowhere. How about that, does Sixth Master have clout or what?"

Jiang Yifan glanced at him sideways and coolly said, "Sixth Master truly is something, I thought you were going to praise the Qi family for their extraordinary ability to build such a novel wooden house in such a short time, but it turns out you were praising yourself."

Jinrong wasn’t the least bit embarrassed, laughing he said, "What I’m lauding is my foresight. You were also planning to stay at the Qi family, why didn’t you send word earlier?"

""

Jiang Yifan was speechless with him, turning his attention to Qi Younian and Cheung Wusi who were coming to greet them, he greeted with a clasped hand, "I’ve imposed on your hospitality, elder."

Qi Younian, overly eager, bowed, "Old Qi is honored to meet Lord Jiang and Sixth Master Rong, I hope you both are doing well. It’s just as you say, my humble home is rough, I hope you’ll forgive this old man for the inadequate reception."