She Became A Downfall Noble Lady
Chapter 235 - 234: Scholarly Pride Only

Chapter 235: Chapter 234: Scholarly Pride Only

Manager Chang, upon hearing Jiang Yifan’s words, was first shocked, then couldn’t maintain a pleasant face any longer.

The master of the house had told him that Jiang Yifan had offended a powerful family in the capital. That was why he had been relegated to Qingyuan County to be the Magistrate, despite his status as an Imperial Top Scholar. It was feared he would never have a chance to turn his fortunes around. With that being the situation, he still dared to exercise his official authority in the face of the Liang Residence, without considering who he was dealing with? That was the brother of the Prefecture Magistrate’s Wife, the highest-ranking official in all of Yuyuan Prefecture.

Manager Chang, irritated, gave Jiang Yifan no face and dismissively cupped his hands together. Without even looking at Jiang Yifan, he signaled to his subordinates and left, dragging his feet.

Jiang Yifan narrowed his eyes, watching the backs of the Liang Residence house servants. He called over a petty officer, "You return to the county government office, and order the constables to keep an eye on this street. If anyone comes looking for trouble, do not worry about the reasons, just take them into custody first."

The petty officer mounted his horse and left, and a few bailiffs, seeing the expression on Jiang Yifan’s face, dispersed the onlookers, "All right, disperse, there’s nothing to see here, move along."

Jiang Yifan watched as the crowd gradually dispersed, knowing the small eatery would likely suffer a hit to its business for a while because of the Liang family’s commotion.

He took a couple of steps closer to the storefront and looked around. Thankfully, everything inside and outside the store seemed as usual with no additional damage. He asked Nanny Jin, "Has the snack shop or Ye Zi had any recent contact with the Liang family?"

Nanny Jin shook her head, "No, it’s only that the Second Miss from the Zhou family, who frequently visits the Liang Residence, has been to our place before, but there’s been no interaction with the Liang family."

Jiang Yifan fell silent, then said, "I’ve already ordered the bailiffs to keep a closer watch on this street. If there’s any trouble that can’t be solved, come find me at the Yamen. Just mention the Qi family’s name. Even if I’m not there, someone will come to take care of it."

Nanny Jin, caught off guard, blankly agreed, feeling unaccustomed to her son-in-law speaking so amicably. Watching Jiang Yifan mount his horse and depart, she finally got over her confusion. She shook her head hard, realizing that Jiang Yifan was no longer her son-in-law.

Liang Qiyuan had initially been annoyed with Lady Liu for acting on her own, sending people to disrupt the Qi family’s business prematurely. However, seeing Old Chang returning, bent-over and disheveled, and upon hearing the account of what had occurred, his anger surged, completely forgetting he had just reproached Lady Liu for doing things rashly and that he should have found out more about the actual situation of the Qi family before taking action.

Liang Qiyuan abruptly stood up and went towards the courtyard door. He glared at several battered and bruised manservants supporting one another, anger climbing rapidly, "A newly prosperous farmer acting so arrogantly is simply courting death. And that Jiang Yifan, nothing but a down-and-out petty official, thinks he can bully the Liang family?"

With a sobbing tone, Manager Chang said, "That Jiang Yifan was incredibly rude. I’ve already told him we are from the Liang Residence, but he didn’t show any respect, even saying that if there’s another offense, he’ll flog and detain us. He really didn’t leave any face for our Liang Residence."

Liang Qiyuan, with a darkened expression, waved his hand dismissively, "Enough, go away! You’re of no use at all, you’ve completely disgraced the Liang Residence."

After sending Manager Chang off, Liang Qiyuan returned to the room and sat down, fuming with anger.

Lady Liu poured a cup of tea and placed it in front of him, hesitating before saying, "What’s the matter with this Jiang Yifan? He can’t possibly be unaware of the relationship between the Prefect of Yuyuan Prefecture and us."

Liang Qiyuan sneered, "What else can it be but the arrogance of a scholar? Thinking that because he is based in the county city, he can manage all the affairs of the county. There is a saying that even a powerful dragon cannot suppress a local snake. Even without my brother-in-law, Qingyuan County is not his to dictate alone!"

...

Jiang Yifan finished inspecting the two villages under his jurisdiction. Since the hour was still early upon his journey home, he sent his subordinates back to the county government office first and took a detour to Clear Water Village with two lads in tow. The trio circled around the outskirts of Clear Water Village, stopping directly at the construction site of the dairy product workshop to the north.

Qi Younian heard the sound of horse hooves from afar and recognized Jiang Yifan from a distance. Remembering what Ye Xinyan had told him after her return from the Yamen, that this young man was highly regarded by Prince Yu, who had his sights on the position of Crown Prince, he naturally held Jiang Yifan in greater caution and respect.

No sooner had Jiang Yifan stopped than Qi Younian welcomed him.

Jiang Yifan hastily dismounted and with a cupped fist salute said, "I hope the old master won’t mind my disturbance again."

Qi Younian was busy returning the courtesy and said, "This old man has seen the respected official. What is the official speaking of? Us country folk yearn for the official’s favour. It is we who should be thanking the official."

Jiang Yifan stepped forward quickly, steadying Qi Younian, "There is no need for such formalities, old master. I am truly bothersome for disturbing you so often. I have come this time to discuss a matter with the old master, may we step aside to talk?"

With Magistrate Sir asking so courteously, how could it be not good? Qi Younian glanced around and hesitated before saying, "There isn’t a suitable place for talking here, let’s go back to my home, and the official can also rest a bit."

Jiang Yifan shook his head, "It’s just a few words, no need to go back and forth, let’s just talk here, any spot will do." As he spoke, he spotted a straw mat not far away, "Is that a resting spot over there?"

Qi Younian waved his hands repeatedly, "That’s just a casual resting spot for us, how can I let the official sit there? We should head back home."

"Outdoors, anywhere can be a place to rest. This place is quite nice, it’s just a few words. Let’s talk here," Jiang Yifan insisted as he walked over.

Qi Younian hurried to follow.

Allowing Jiang Yifan to sit on the grass mat, Qi Younian picked up a bowl, rinsed it slightly with water from the pitcher, poured some water and offered it to Jiang Yifan, "There’s not much here for entertaining, only this plain water. The official might like a drink to moisten the throat."

Jiang Yifan accepted it, drank most of the bowl and then recounted the incident that had occurred in front of the breakfast shop that morning to Qi Younian. He concluded by saying, "Today, Lian Gui and the guards from the Duke’s Mansion were there. If they had not been present, should any sudden incident occur at home, I fear it would be difficult for you to handle."

Qi Younian nodded, "I am aware of this matter. I’ve been thinking, as we have no conflicts with the Liang Residence and no financial disputes, and with an official like yourself in charge in the city, there shouldn’t be any excessive incidents. So I didn’t take much notice. Hearing what you’ve said, it seems necessary to consider our staffing at home.

"I will discuss it with Ye Zi today after I return. Once the new house is well settled, we can hire a couple of reliable gatekeepers and hands for daily odds and ends. Normally, with me and Wusi around, we can handle things." Although they were of an advanced age, they had been through life and death under the sword, and could be useful when it mattered.

Jiang Yifan shook his head and said, "The old master has been back in the countryside for less than a year and has already established the family business on such a scale. In the future, the business is likely to grow even larger. Ordinary gatekeepers may not be sufficient. I once studied martial arts with a master for fitness, and I have a senior brother there who is extremely skilled and reliable. If the old master is willing and can come to an agreement with Ye Zi, I will write to my senior brother and ask if he can come to help out for a while. With him and a few of your men, you should be able to handle any sudden incidents."