She Became A Downfall Noble Lady
Chapter 291 - 290: Too Unrestrained

Chapter 291: Chapter 290: Too Unrestrained

Jinrong spoke and, with an unconscious chuckle and shake of his head, said, "We also don’t have enough people for the dairy farm and the Dairy Products Store. Forget it, for now let’s focus on doing things well here in Qingyuan County. If the workers aren’t skilled, expanding too fast might lead to an unstable foundation."

Jiang Yifan replied, "Sixth Master is right to think this way. The dairy farm and Dairy Products Store have been operating for less than half a year; not having skilled workers is the biggest issue, and there’s absolutely no condition for expanding to another place. This is also how the Qi family and Ye Zi do things—if we had given these industries to other stewards from the start, I’m afraid we’d still be in the planning phase."

"That’s true," Jinrong nodded, Ye Zi’s speed in doing things is remarkably fast, and it influences the Qi family’s business to be just as swift.

Jiang Yifan continued, "We should try to expand on the current scale. At least during these three years that I’m in office, I will solidify the foundation of the dairy farm and Dairy Products Store. After Sixth Master returns to the capital, he can choose a location in the Suburbs of the Capital or a bit further away to build another dairy workshop and farm. By then, selling the calves as a byproduct of cow’s milk won’t attract much attention."

As Ye Xinyan listened to the two men dreaming about the future, she pondered whether there was a role for her in this vision they were outlining. When the construction of Prince Yu’s Mansion’s garden was mentioned earlier, she still held onto a sliver of hope. As long as the preparation work was adequate, with detailed plans, materials, and documents ready, and with Wong Qiao overseeing the craft, along with Qi Younian and Cheung Wusi handling the construction, her presence was entirely unnecessary.

But as for the dairy farm and Dairy Products Store... Ye Xinyan unconsciously frowned, her thoughts drifting off to who knows where. Returning to the capital meant having to face Duke An’s Mansion, and for her, whether it was the capital or Duke An’s Mansion, it was a huge trap.

The appearance of a completely different Ye Xinyan in the capital was something she hardly dared to imagine. Even with the identity of Qi Ye, it probably wouldn’t help at all; it was something everyone knew but left unsaid. She was afraid that even now, without having shown her face, many forces in the capital attentive to Jinrong’s activities already knew her true identity.

"Ye Zi."

"Ah?" Ye Xinyan looked toward Jinrong.

Jinrong chuckled and asked, "If we were to build another dairy farm and Dairy Products Store on the same scale near the Suburbs of the Capital, when could you gather enough workers here?"

"How about this," Ye Xinyan thought of a way to extricate herself, "why don’t Sixth Master or Lord Jiang dispatch two trustworthy stewards and the necessary workers here? It’s just for a year. After one year, they should be familiar with everything about the dairy farm and Dairy Products Store, and they can take people to the capital to manage the industry. What do you think? Anyway, since the dairy farm is also a property of yours, using your own workers should make things more convenient and flexible."

She could then stay nestled in Yuyuan Prefecture, leading the development of a new type of dairy product, using her modern knowledge to give directions to her grandfather’s Construction Industry, and enjoy the prosperity—just getting by in this life.

Jinrong was taken aback and said, "The capital is the most prosperous place in the entire world, and dairy products there are definitely easier to grow on a large scale with many conveniences nearby. If the Qi family’s Construction Industry wants to be among the top in the industry, developing in the capital is the best choice. Why aren’t you sitting in charge there, staying here instead? We’re also not at ease leaving you alone in such a remote place."

"What is there to be uneasy about? With so many industries and workers here, as well as my grandfather working in the capital and a distinguished employer, it would already be good if I didn’t bully others. Could there be anyone as blind as Liang Qiyuan, actually attempting to bully me?"

Jinrong was left looking a bit embarrassed by Ye Xinyan’s words. Fortunately, he had a thick skin, and the embarrassed look was just a fleeting trace on his face before it disappeared. He continued, "That’s because it’s the capital city after all, where you can make full use of your abilities. Yuyuan Prefecture, being a remote area and not a strategic hub, would only limit your talents, Ye Zi."

Watching from the side, Jiang Yifan chimed in, "Considering Ye Zi’s unique identity, it’s understandable that she doesn’t want to return to the capital city. Sixth Master, you should consider Ye Zi’s proposal. The most urgent matter is to bring over the entire team first; other issues can be discussed later."

Jinrong was not pleased and said, "What about her identity? Elder Master Ye has acknowledged her, so what’s there for others to say? And there’s me—am I just for show? If I’m happy enough, I could directly declare Ye Zi to be the young miss of Duke An’s Mansion. Who would dare do anything to her then?"

"Ha," laughed Jiang Yifan sarcastically, "And then have her return to Duke An’s Mansion to continue playing the young miss? With your cattle farm and dairy products store? In that case, Your Highness will have to figure it out yourself. Even if you are a prince, could the legitimate granddaughter of Duke An work for you as a steward?"

Ye Xinyan’s eyes widened, watching the two of them talk so brazenly. Weren’t we always in tacit agreement, striving for a clear understanding without stating things outright? They hadn’t even done anything yet, and they were already revealing her identity.

She turned her eyes towards the ceiling, thinking that no matter what they said, she would never admit to it. They could talk all they wanted; they were surely talking about someone else, not her.

Jinrong glanced at Jiang Yifan, then at Ye Xinyan, who looked as if she wanted to peer through the ceiling and said grudgingly, "It’s just a thought I had. Anyway, no one dares to question Ye Zi’s identity." He waved his hand dismissively, "Alright, let’s talk business, focus on the main issue now. Ye Zi, I plan to send a batch of fermented cheese to the capital before the new year, leaving in about a month. What do you think?"

That’s doable.

"It’s possible," Ye Xinyan withdrew her gaze and said seriously, "Currently, it seems that the longer the fermentation time for the cheese, the better the quality and flavor can be maintained. As long as the weather isn’t overly hot, transportation shouldn’t be a problem. Once we arrive, proper storage will allow it to be kept for a long time."

Jinrong nodded, "Hmm. After the cheese is delivered to the capital, it will be sold in the stores I own, so storage won’t be a problem." He suddenly remembered the wife of the heir of Duke An and frowned.

"The wife of the heir apparent has already purchased two shopfronts in the capital, both are exquisite two-story stores," Jinrong said to Ye Xinyan, "However, Duke An has instructed that aside from the cheese, everything else is up to the wife of the heir apparent. If this fermented cheese doesn’t get sold in her stores and is instead taken by other merchants, I’m afraid the Pastry House would not be able to achieve the finest quality."

Ye Xinyan pondered briefly and understood Duke An’s intentions. He probably did not wish to get involved with Jinrong.

Jiang Yifan was smirking at the side, enjoying the calamity. The cheesecake desserts Jinrong sent to the palace had won His Majesty’s favor, but Jinrong was still determined to let Ye Xinyan give the recipe for the cheesecake desserts to the wife of the heir apparent, hoping to create some ties with Duke An. Unfortunately, Duke An, the sly old fox, simply didn’t take the bait.

Ye Xinyan glanced at Jinrong and couldn’t help but find the situation amusing. She said, "Then and now are different. Back then, only the palace and Sixth Master had cheesecake desserts, so anyone else’s introduction would stand out. If Sixth Master decides to sell the cheese as an ingredient, and the wife of the heir apparent’s shops simply go there as regular customers to buy it, I don’t think anyone can object to that."