She Became A Downfall Noble Lady
Chapter 230 - 229: Are There Still Women Who Dare to Refuse?

Chapter 230: Chapter 229: Are There Still Women Who Dare to Refuse?

Jiang Yifan suppressed the torrent of emotions within him and said to Jinrong, "Just remember what you said, let her make her choices based on her own true feelings, and never coerce her at any time."

Jinrong let out a sneer, "As if Ye Xinyan could be coerced? Even when she was in the capital behaving without thinking, she never bowed her head to anyone. Now that she possesses significant skills, you really think she can be controlled? I don’t understand your thinking."

However, Jiang Yifan countered, "That’s not the same. The Ye Xinyan of the past had the backing of Duke An’s Mansion; even if she caused trouble, someone would always clean up after her. The Qi Ye of now has nobody capable of protecting her at her back. In today’s matter, if it weren’t for the Qi family’s old and young, she might have made a different choice."

Jinrong remained silent for a moment. When he saw Ye Xinyan standing there, hesitant and full of conflict, he knew what she was concerned about.

"Isn’t it a good thing for a person to have some concerns? Her abilities are grand and significant; it’s fine if they’re kept hidden and unused, but revealing them as a common girl would only bring trouble for her and the Qi family. Relying on a powerful influence is the obvious choice. Surely you don’t want her choosing someone else?"

As he spoke, he reached across the table to pat Jiang Yifan’s shoulder, stood up, and said, "Alright, I understand your thoughts. There’s a saying, ’A daughter of one’s own is courted by a hundred families,’ especially for a woman as outstanding as her. Our friendship started in our youth, through life and death. A woman shouldn’t cause us to harm that bond, but we also shouldn’t let a coveted woman slip through our fingers. As long as it doesn’t hinder important matters, let’s each rely on our own abilities."

Jiang Yifan silently folded his hands in acknowledgement. This ’relying on one’s own abilities’ seemed fair, but in reality, he was already at a disadvantage.

It was no idle remark when Jinrong spoke of relying on one’s own abilities; just after noon the next day, a carriage stopped in front of the Second Branch family’s gate in Clear Water Village.

Qi Sanshun, leading a group of children including Qi Jia and others, burst in like the wind, jumping up and down as he called out, "Big cousin, big cousin, there’s a guest looking for you!"

Nanny Liu hurried out to greet them, saying, "Brother Shun, slow down. Come, tell me slowly, who has come?"

Qi Sanshun took a breath and answered crisply, "Don’t know, they just said they were looking for Lady Qi of the Qi family." As good as saying nothing.

Just as Qi Sanshun finished speaking, a familiar voice rang out from outside the door, "It’s been a good few days, how have you been, Nanny Liu?"

Nanny Liu looked up and it really was an acquaintance, a tailor from the mansion, whom everyone called Sister-in-law Yan.

"Sister-in-law Yan, oh, come inside and we can talk," Nanny Liu quickly invited her in.

Upon entering, Sister-in-law Yan greeted her with a smile, "The folk customs here are pure and simple. Look at this group of kids; as soon as I mentioned who I was looking for, they led me here in a flash."

Nanny Liu patted Qi Jiaer’s head and said, "This is Brother Jia, the young master of the Qi family. This is his cousin, Brother Shun. A mischievous bunch, very lively."

"This servant greets the two young masters," Sister-in-law Yan hastily bowed and said, "Look at my poor eyesight, actually having the young masters run to show me the way, I really deserve blame."

Laughing, Nanny Liu waved her off, "No matter, the Qi family doesn’t coddle children. The two boys are treated just like the village kids, playing in the dirt with the village children every day, without much fuss."

As Nanny Liu finished speaking, Zi Ning slowly sauntered into the courtyard.

Sister-in-law Yan expressed her surprise, "Where were you just now, Miss Zi Ning? I didn’t see you."

Zi Ning said with a smile, "I am in charge of looking after Brother Jia. I was watching from a distance. Sanshun told me that as a girl, I shouldn’t get too close, or it would hinder their play."

At this moment, other people in the courtyard also came over, exchanging greetings one after another. Sister-in-law Yan responded one by one and pulled Nanny Liu aside to say, "I am here under orders to tailor a few garments for Lady Qi. I wonder if Lady Qi is available?"

Nanny Liu was taken aback. The Young Lady didn’t have any decent clothes, and just this morning, Nanny Jin mentioned that, after taking care of the snack shop, she would go and get some fabric for the Young Lady to make clothes. The fabric from Nanny Jin hadn’t arrived yet, but the tailor from their own mansion had.

"The Young Lady is in the room. I should see the Young Lady first and hear what she has to say," Nanny Liu hesitated, uncertain. The clothes provided by their Duke’s Mansion were, in fact, given by the Duke, and she was unsure if the Young Lady would accept them.

Sister-in-law Yan asked, "There are also a few bolts of silk on the carriage. Should I fetch them now and bring them in as well?"

Nanny Liu paused and then shook her head, "Wait a moment. It won’t be too late to fetch them after explaining everything to the Young Lady." This was not a decision she could make on her own; it was better to discuss it with the Young Lady first.

The people from Anshun’s Household watched Nanny Liu and the women who had come speaking in low voices and did not ask too many questions. They merely speculated about the entanglements between Prince Yu and the Miss. When dealing with the family servants of the Duke and the Qi family, they could only hope they would not do anything inappropriate or disrespect the Duke’s face.

Ye Xinyan heard the ruckus in the courtyard, but she was busy with her work and generally too lazy to bother with it, as it was usually handled by Nanny Liu.

When Nanny Liu led the people in, Sister-in-law Yan paid her respects, and after the two had seen each other, Sister-in-law Yan explained the purpose of her visit, "Our Sixth Master said Lady Qi has retreated to the countryside and lacks a proper tailor, so he sent me here to make a few outfits for Lady Qi to wear when going out. The tailors in our mansion may not be the best, but they are definitely better than the ones in village or county shops. I hope Lady Qi won’t mind."

Ye Xinyan’s mind, which had just emerged from pondering extensive explanations, was still struggling to catch up with what Sister-in-law Yan had said, "A tailor from Sixth Master’s Mansion? What does that have to do with me?"

Sister-in-law Yan was startled, and Nanny Liu quickly stepped forward, pouring tea for Ye Xinyan, saying, "The Young Lady has been working hard. Please have some tea and rest first. What Sister-in-law Yan has to say is not urgent."

Ye Xinyan also felt her mind wasn’t fully back yet. As she sipped tea, she began to think over what Sister-in-law Yan had just said. This is...

Ye Xinyan’s eyes flashed as she immediately thought of the way Jinrong and Jiang Yifan looked at her when she entered the county government office’s back hall yesterday. Was Jinrong despising the shabbiness of her outdoor clothes? But the shabbiness was hers to bear, as well as the Qi family’s—what did it have to do with him?

She turned her gaze to Sister-in-law Yan. Could this be Jinrong’s way of flirting, having taken a fancy to her?

The thought sent a shiver down Ye Xinyan’s spine, and she felt an intense chill.

After a moment, Ye Xinyan said, "Sister-in-law Yan might not know this, but as a modest woman, I need to work and I have no use for fancy clothes. My nanny has already gone to purchase fabrics today, and I have my own arrangements for clothes to wear when meeting guests. Please rest and then return, and let Sixth Master know that I am grateful for his generous offer. I will certainly treat him with due respect when I see him next time and will not take his kindness lightly."

Ye Xinyan’s plan was to send this woman back for now, and as for what Jinrong was really thinking, that could be dealt with later.

Sister-in-law Yan’s eyes widened in disbelief, staring at Ye Xinyan. Did this woman from the Qi family even realize who the Sixth Master was? The Sixth Master’s generosity was actually being refused, and daringly so, by a woman? It was said that the reason the Sixth Master had left the capital was that the women who pursued him there were too tenacious—those women were all distinguished young ladies from the capital.

And this country woman... Sister-in-law Yan looked toward Nanny Liu, wondering what was going on.