She Became A Downfall Noble Lady
Chapter 256 - 255: Easily Exposed

Chapter 256: Chapter 255: Easily Exposed

Jiang Yifan was not worried about the matter of the rail transport proposal, as the courtyard had been abuzz with conversation earlier, and the two petty clerks must have known that the visitor was the Prefect of Yuyuan Prefecture. If Jinrong’s subordinates couldn’t handle even this much, then what were those who followed him good for, waiting for death?

Therefore, as Ye Xinyan’s gaze flitted towards him, he smiled and said to Qi Younian, "It’s just a courtyard, after all. Even if it’s the courtyard of Sixth Master Rong’s Mansion, it’s merely a bit more innovative and intricate in design. There shouldn’t be anything that can’t be seen, right?"

Does that mean it’s no problem to take a look? Qi Younian felt relieved at once and, smiling, said to Zhou Bingyi, "Lord Jiang is right, it’s just a more novel style. If you’re interested, Sir, we can go over and have a look right now."

It was still the same room that Jinrong had visited last time, but it now contained additional furnishings. There were two more bookshelves, two cabinets, and the usual small tables and chairs for daily rest.

Additionally, there were two more desks for work, and the four large tables indeed made the drawing room seem much fuller.

At that moment, in the spacious drawing room with the four tables, two were unoccupied, only some sorted documents and papers on them, no one working. Behind the other two tables, two people were engrossed in writing.

The two papers that had been pasted on the wall were gone, replaced by two rough sketches of the courtyard construction. The lines and dimensions were clearly marked, seemingly describing the positions and layout of the pavilions and towers in the courtyard.

Qi Younian led the way, pushed open the door, and allowed Zhou Bingyi and Jiang Yifan to enter before following them in.

The two clerks looked up, and Qi Younian said to them, "These two gentlemen are Prefecture Governor Zhou and County Magistrate Jiang. They’ve come to have a casual look. Pay your respects to them and then continue with your work."

After speaking, he explained to Zhou Bingyi, "The construction of Sixth Master’s courtyard is quite urgent; they’ve been working overtime these past few days."

Zhou Bingyi waved his hand to the two clerks and said, "Dispense with the formalities. Since there’s a rush on time, continue with your work." Saying so, he walked over to the two empty tables and gave them a look, one for writing documents and the other for drawing technical drafts, with some scattered drafts and tools still uncollected on the table.

Zhou Bingyi was obviously not an official with a technical background; he glanced briefly at the tables before turning his attention to the two large sketches on the wall. Approaching closely, he began to examine them in detail.

After a few looks, he turned around and pointed to a spot on the sketch, asking Qi Younian, "Father-in-law Qi, what does this part say? It doesn’t look very regular; is it a lake?"

Qi Younian came over, had a look, and laughed, "It’s a lake, but as for what it says, this old man doesn’t know." He turned and called Wong Qiao, "Ah Qiao, come over and help the Gentleman understand this."

Wong Qiao stepped forward, looked at the spot Zhou Bingyi had pointed to, and said, "This marks the depth of the lake. A gallery bridge needs to be built here, and the span of the bridge is quite long, requiring several pillars for support, so it’s necessary to indicate the depth of the water."

"Ah," Zhou Bingyi said, now giving Wong Qiao a serious look. With someone knowledgeable to discuss with, Zhou Bingyi began to ask questions while examining the sketches, inquiring what this part was, what that marking meant. Eventually, he simply engaged in a discussion with Wong Qiao about the structure of the courtyard.

Zhou Bingyi might not have been familiar with construction, but he was very interested in courtyards and gardens. Once the discussion started, he spoke with authority on themes such as brightness and darkness, sparsity and density, concealment and revelation, suppressing the backdrop, and imitating nature, among others.

Wong Qiao was not idly contributing either, as Zhou Bingyi focused on the aesthetic appreciation, Wong Qiao offered support from the theoretical aspect of construction. After an extended and elaborate discussion, Wong Qiao, who came from a less formal background, did not fall short in the slightest.

Ye Xinyan watched with great admiration, feeling enlightened. Observing their professional level, she felt like someone who muddled through life just to get by. She could only provide a general impression of the scenery, lacking both Zhou Bingyi’s artistic cultivation and Wong Qiao’s theoretical foundation.

Indeed, one really should not compare people— the difference between the talented and those just scraping by was as vast as heaven and earth.

Jiang Yifan watched Ye Xinyan, whose eyes brimmed with admiration and longing, and felt extremely puzzled. He had heard from Jinrong that the basic structure of this courtyard was largely proposed by Ye Xinyan herself, with Wong Qiao perfecting it according to the rules of the construction industry.

Why then did she seem to completely lack understanding of its key elements? If she did not understand, how could she have proposed the plan?

Ye Xinyan noticed the gaze from the side and turned her head. Seeing Jiang Yifan and the confusion in his eyes, she raised an eyebrow and asked quietly, "Do you understand it?"

Jiang Yifan did not expect Ye Xinyan to initiate conversation with him and subconsciously shook his head, "I don’t understand."

Ye Xinyan then sent him a roll of her eyes and asked quietly, "Then why do you look at me with such a look?" Damn it, if you look at Missy here again, it’ll give the game away, you know? Her little skills couldn’t withstand scrutiny, and if this guy were to relentlessly question her, she had no idea how to explain the basis of her proposals for this courtyard’s structure.

Um..., Jiang Yifan immediately froze and shifted his gaze the next moment. Let it go, she was just being her candid self. Who doesn’t have quirks? Actually, it showed her intelligence that she could so quickly discern the meaning in his eyes.

Nanny Jin drew back her tense gaze from the two of them, feeling her heart still thumping violently. She truly feared they might squabble like before and then the Young Lady would cause trouble recklessly again.

The situation now was different from before. If the Young Lady and Lord Jiang were to make a scene now, she did not know how to face the Sixth Master and Lord Jiang in the future, nor if the Young Lady could even continue working with them.

Ye Xinyan, seeing Jiang Yifan back down, also dared not admire Zhou Bingyi and Wong Qiao with those admiring, inquisitive eyes of a seeker of knowledge. She stepped back and glanced at the chair next to the desk by the wall, then looked toward Nanny Liu.

In her capacity as a supposed young lady of the Duke’s Mansion, she wondered whether it would be improper for her to casually sit down and take a rest right now?

Nanny Liu met her eager gaze and couldn’t help but smile quietly, saying, "Young Lady, if you feel tired, please sit down for a while." Nanny Liu gestured toward a round stool farther inside.

A round stool it was. Ye Xinyan walked over and sat down, which was better than standing there dry and not being able to focus too much on what Wong Qiao was saying. Who could match those actors capable of perfecting such nuance? If she got too close and unwittingly displayed that idiotic look, it would not do.

Zhou Bingyi and Wong Qiao finished reviewing the two maps and also discussed the main styles of the Suzhou Gardens and the significance implicit in the architectural layout, almost a full shichen having passed.

Nanny Zhou came to check several times, seeing if they were ready to wrap up. It was almost noon, and she thought, how should lunch be arranged? Fortunately, she had made preparations for Prefecture Governor Zhou and Lord Jiang to stay for lunch; otherwise, waiting until this hour and then having to hastily arrange a meal for the guests would have been too late.