She Became A Downfall Noble Lady
Chapter 226 - 225 Annoyed

Chapter 226: Chapter 225 Annoyed

Jiang Yifan returned to his seat slowly after Ye Xinyan sat down. Ye Xinyan instantly reverted to her normal state, even apologizing, which left him filled with confusion and compelled him to take several more glances at her.

That’s it? Was she really not considering the railway track as a means to make money? Or was her mind so broad that she could instantly come to terms with the whole situation?

Ye Xinyan subconsciously rubbed her forehead and asked the two people who were staring blankly at her, "Didn’t you say there was another matter? What is it?"

"Oh, it’s about the usage and methodology of the railway track..." Jinrong quickly composed himself and prattled on, trimming down their thoughts before sharing them.

Although Jinrong had already made cuts to his explanation, Ye Xinyan still felt something was amiss. After giving both men a look over several times, she said with full-hearted doubt, "Just clearly state the advantages and disadvantages of using the railway track in the memorial to the court, and the rest will be planned by those specifically tasked with the matter. Why write policy documents? If the court really plans to use the railway track, there are too many things to consider, which can’t be handled just like that."

Jinrong did not expect Ye Xinyan to grasp the crux of the matter so directly, and he was unable to tell her his real intention to claim all the credits for this significant achievement for himself.

"It’s like this," Jinrong carefully chose his words, "This is a matter that requires huge capital, and the majority of people have not witnessed how the railway operates. Attaching detailed implementation documents after the memorial will make the deliberations more persuasive."

Ye Xinyan’s look grew even more doubtful; Jinrong’s explanation couldn’t withstand scrutiny. For him, a prince dedicated to a life of leisure, getting involved in such sensitive transportation affairs was very provocative and unwise.

She shook her head and said, "Sixth Master is thinking too simply; this matter is not a simple one. The railway my family uses is not very long, and it was needed urgently, so we did not fuss over details. Even without fussing, the wooden tracks still consumed a lot of labor and materials. They were made by bonding woods of different grains together; otherwise, it’s impossible to control the deformations due to humidity.

If, as Sixth Master suggested, the court were to use it on a large scale for longevity and to reduce the friction between the carriage wheels and the tracks, then iron tracks would need to be used. Casting would be a matter closely related to military and political affairs. Moreover, the use of iron tracks would also require manpower and resources for maintenance and upkeep.

If it were to be used within towns, the issues would multiply. Regarding the use of road surface, restricting other pedestrians and horses and carriages from using the tracks, what to do if Imperial Relatives wish to use the surface of the tracks, and even regulating horse-drawn carriages and horse manure are all big issues.

Sixth Master, I cannot undertake this task."

Ye Xinyan’s long dissertation left Jinrong and his companion with wide eyes, taking a long time to come back to their senses. Jinrong regretted not bringing along Mr. Hu, for an additional person might have remembered more and understood better.

Jiang Yifan, however, could remember what Ye Xinyan had said, but... he furrowed his brow tightly, mulling over what she had just mentioned. Such things could not have been thought of or spoken by a woman raised in the seclusion of the women’s quarters.

Where did she get those ideas?

"Lady Qi, what do you mean by ’friction’? Isn’t it non-existent since the wheels are rolling on the tracks?" Jinrong asked.

Ye Xinyan was stunned for a moment, blinking her eyes. Damn, emotional instability really wasn’t a good thing; just like that, she had inadvertently spilled the beans.

"Friction? There’s always contact between the carriage wheels and the tracks, and where there is contact, there is wear..." The weight of the vehicle on the track is like applying force to the track, also causing wear. This is what the little woman meant." That’s essentially what it comes down to in mechanics.

Jiang Yifan wasn’t worrying about how to phrase his words anymore, but about Ye Xinyan’s entire way of thinking. He slowly asked, "Ye Zi, how do you know so much? These aren’t things just anyone can know. Even if you brought out an experienced craftsman, he might not understand these matters."

Ye Xinyan glanced askance at Jiang Yifan. Was he suspecting her just like that? "Lord Jiang, I am not just anyone, but the granddaughter of a very outstanding old craftsman. My family also has a very outstanding young craftsman with a talent for construction and an understanding of the Construction Regulations. It’s not strange that I know a bit about these things, is it?"

"And also," Ye Xinyan said with a straight face, "There’s nothing between Lord Jiang and this humble woman. It would be better for Lord Jiang to address me as Lady Qi. I dare not presume to familiarity with that address." Him, Jiang Yifan, and the original owner were in an estranged relationship. What was he trying to pull by changing the form of address, thinking he could extract some vital information from her? What a dream.

Being rebuffed by Ye Xinyan was something Jiang Yifan had anticipated, so he did not feel embarrassed. Jinrong, on the other hand, was greatly surprised. Jiang Yifan really had the gall, addressing a lady by her given name just like that.

"Hehe," Jinrong chuckled, breaking the ice with an undertone, "There’s nothing wrong with Yuanfan addressing her in such a way, as both Yuanfan and I frequently deal with the Qi family and Lady Qi. It’s more convenient to use given names."

Jiang Yifan continued from where he had left off, "You really are different from before, proud to highlight a grandfather who was an old craftsman."

Ye Xinyan took that comment with a hidden intention, as if he was saying she used to only boast about grandfathers like the Duke. She didn’t pick up on that point, but turned back to the previous topic, saying to Jinrong, "Sixth Master has no interest in the Imperial Court, there’s no need to take on such complicated matters. It’s just a suggestion to the court, after all. Just present a simple petition, outline the situation, and explain it clearly."

Ye Xinyan watched Jinrong’s reaction without missing a beat.

Jinrong met her gaze for a moment before asking abruptly, "When Yuanfan mentioned the use of the railway just now, was it because we adopted a concept you wanted to use for profit that you suddenly became so despondent? Is that also why you are so vehemently deflecting it now?"

Jinrong’s incisive way of questioning was a drastic departure from his usual demeanor. She remembered the saying that aberrant behavior indicated something was amiss.

Ye Xinyan laughed coldly, "Sixth Master really thinks too highly of this humble woman. Do you think I don’t value my life? It’s a matter concerning the entire world’s method of transportation, related to logistic supplies for the court. Such a huge affair, and you think I, a woman in the construction industry, would want to monopolize it? Am I seeking death that eagerly?"

Jinrong’s expression turned cold.

Her words were too blunt, lacking any courtesy. Jiang Yifan coughed, attempting to defuse the suddenly escalating tension.

Ye Xinyan lowered her eyelids, picking up a teacup. It wasn’t her being arrogant, but rather, Jinrong’s actions were highly suspicious.

Just as she said, changing the method of transportation for the entire empire, affecting the court’s logistic supplies, was a sensitive issue in ancient times and a threat to imperial power. If Jinrong were truly an idle prince, he would never have taken such a keen interest in this significant matter.

The reason she had come to the attention of the powers in the capital was also because of Jinrong. In other words, she and the Qi family were already entangled with the Sixth Prince. If he was indeed scheming for the position of the Crown Prince...

Ye Xinyan was growing annoyed.