She Became A Downfall Noble Lady
Chapter 215 - 214: None Are Simple

Chapter 215: Chapter 214: None Are Simple

Qi Younian, upon being asked by Jinrong, was momentarily stunned. Duke An’s Mansion’s people were led here by Lord Jiang’s servant, something His Highness Prince Yu surely knew, yet now he was asking again.

He glanced at Jinrong and Jiang Yifan’s expressions, noticing that neither showed much reaction, so he simply told the truth, "Early this morning, several horse-drawn carriages arrived at our home, brought by Nanny Liu, who said that Duke An’s Mansion had heard of a girl in Yuyuan Prefecture who bears a striking resemblance to the young lady of the Duke’s Mansion, so they sent people to visit. Oh, they were talking about our Ye Zi."

"Oh, what else?" Jinrong asked nonchalantly.

Qi Younian took another look at Jinrong. It seemed that Sixth Master wanted him to repeat the purpose of Duke An’s Mansion’s visit in front of Young Master Zhou.

Qi Younian felt a lot more at ease and articulated the overt reasons and objectives of Lian Gui’s visit very clearly.

Indeed, Zhou Shuyu’s eyes widened in surprise. Such an incredible event? The young lady of Duke An’s Mansion had passed away, and the Duchess was grieving and longing, having heard of a girl who looked very much like her granddaughter, so she sent her servants to take care of her as a way to express her sorrow?

In that case, Qi Ye working for Prince Yu was not a coincidence, and the peasant woman’s identity was not simple. Not only did she have the protection of someone with the status of a Steward for Prince Yu, but now she also had the attention of a noble and prestigious individual from the court. Qi Ye was bound to prosper. No wonder she had so many followers and could hold her own against the Liang Residence and his own sister.

Jinrong glanced at Zhou Shuyu and silently praised Duke An’s quick wit. This was after Duke An had received a message sent by him and, feeling it was not advisable to make a move, decided to follow Nanny Jin’s example. Pretending a loving heart on the surface, he openly recognized Qi Ye’s identity, while in reality, he sent people to keep an eye on Ye Xinyan, to cope with any unexpected changes that might arise.

Jinrong said to Jiang Yifan, "Why not call the Steward from the Duke’s Mansion in for a meeting?"

Jiang Yifan naturally had no objection. Even though Jinrong was a prince, it was still proper for him to meet with people from Duke An’s Mansion on local grounds. Lian Gui had not requested an audience because he was unsure about the status of Sixth Master Rong.

Jinrong shouted toward the door, "Hongzhi, please invite Steward Lian from Duke An’s Mansion inside."

The wooden cabin was airy, and as soon as Jinrong raised his voice, Lian Gui could immediately hear. Since His Highness Prince Yu had not revealed his identity, it wouldn’t have been appropriate for him to approach. But now that His Highness had called for him, he quickly responded with alacrity.

As soon as Lian Gui entered, he bowed, saying, "Lian Gui greets Sixth Master Rong. May Sixth Master be well, and may Lord Jiang be well."

Jinrong raised his hand, "No need for formalities, Steward Lian, please sit and talk."

Lian Gui bowed respectfully several times, claiming he didn’t dare, "How could I take a seat in front of Sixth Master? It’s enough for me to stand and reply."

Jinrong waved his hand again, "We’re outside, and we’ve met in a foreign place, no need for such formalities, sit and talk."

Not daring to refuse any further, Lian Gui quickly thanked him and glanced around for a place to sit, finding a spot next to Cheung Wusi on the edge of a low bed. As he sat down, he smiled at Cheung Wusi as a form of greeting.

Lian Gui had seen it with his own eyes, watching two elders each instructing several craftsmen, and in the blink of an eye, a wooden cabin suitable for hosting guests was erected. Seeing how others could also sit steadily in front of His Highness Prince Yu, he could no longer look down on them with any confidence.

Zhou Shuyu surveyed the people around him and felt a bit apprehensive. He had originally thought this was merely a countryside trip, and that Prince Yu had returned here only because it was the location of one of his cattle farms. Where else would a cattle farm be if not in a remote rural place rather than a bustling area?

Therefore, on his journey here, the only one he had prepared to show respect to was a prince, even considering Qingyuan County’s magistrate Jiang Yifan to be just a minor seventh-ranked official, a subordinate to his father, not worth the effort. However, as it turned out, no one in this humble farmhouse was to be taken lightly.

This is the manor steward of the renowned Duke An’s Mansion in the capital, and it was expected that he would show respect to Prince Yu. However, what was surprising was that earlier, when he took his seat, he seemed to be cautiously handling a person who looked like an old farmer.

Jinrong saw Lian Gui taking his seat and asked, "Elder Qi has already told us the purpose of your visit, and you have seen the living conditions of the Qi family. If we wait for the new house to be inhabited, I’m afraid it will take another ten days or so. What does Steward Lian plan to do?"

By this time, Lian Gui was no longer in a hurry to leave. With the situation here so complex, he needed to understand the circumstances of the Qi family and Miss Qi, or rather Qi Ye, before he could return to the capital and report back to the Duke.

Lian Gui leaned in and replied, "Sixth Master, since our Duchess is concerned about Lady Qi, I must stay here for a few more days. First, to settle the four servant women, and second, to fully understand the Qi family’s situation so I can explain it to the Duchess when I return."

"As for accommodation..." Lian Gui looked at Qi Younian, then said, "I think finding a temporary place to rent in the countryside shouldn’t be difficult."

Jinrong turned to Qi Younian, "Is that possible?"

Qi Younian nodded, "If it’s only temporary, it should be possible."

Jinrong nodded and then said to Lian Gui, "It’s good to stay a few days to fully understand the situation of the Qi family and Qi Ye, and then report back clearly to Elder Master Ye and the madam, so the elder can be at ease."

"What Sixth Master says is true," Lian Gui secretly wiped off some sweat. It seemed that Prince Yu not only had no objection to Duke An sending someone over but also appeared quite willing for them to learn more about the Miss’s situation here.

Jinrong continued, "Clear Water Village is as busy as ever, and Qi Ye cannot leave. Otherwise, we could have sent Qi Ye to the capital to gain some experience and pay respects to Duke An and the Duchess along the way."

If it were not for Lian Gui sitting cautiously low, he would have slipped onto the floor after hearing those words from Jinrong.

Lian Gui stole a glance at Jinrong, thinking to himself, not only do you dare to say so, Your Highness, but with rumors about Qi Ye, who closely resembles Miss Qi, the Duke’s Mansion in the capital will be unable to avoid gossip, regardless of whether the Miss returns or not. And to bring the Miss back now? That wouldn’t let anyone live a peaceful life.

Taking advantage of Nanny Zhou leading the servants in preparing lunch, Lian Gui quickly excused himself. After taking a couple of steps back, he reached the door, turned, and saw someone from Anshun’s Household watching from the main house’s entrance.

Lian Gui nodded slightly towards the person from Anshun’s Household, signaling that things had gone smoothly with Prince Yu.

After lunch, Qi Younian and Cheung Wusi took their leave, leaving Jinrong and Jiang Yifan to talk in the wooden house, while Zhou Shuyu noticed the situation and immediately followed them out.

A few steps away from the wooden house, Qi Younian stopped, first bowing to Zhou Shuyu, and then asked, "How do you plan to rest, Young Master Zhou?"

Zhou Shuyu glanced at the cramped courtyard of the Qi family, looking somewhat distressed. "I have no arrangements myself; where do the two elders plan to go?"

Qi Younian simply stated, "If Young Master Zhou doesn’t mind, you could rest for a while in the tent. The tent is not exquisite, but it’s decent enough. What do you think?"

By then, Zhou Shuyu was agreeable to anything. If the esteemed prince could be content in a peasant’s home, what right did he have to be picky?