She Became A Downfall Noble Lady
Chapter 297 - 296 A Few Important Words

Chapter 297: Chapter 296 A Few Important Words

Nanny Jin didn’t know why Jiang Yifan would ask such a question, but she still answered properly, "Our Young Lady never said that, but indeed, it’s been a long time since she managed the small eatery’s affairs, at most, she would just inquire about how the business was doing."

Jiang Yifan fell silent for a moment before saying, "If I’m not mistaken, the silver coins from the small eatery transactions are also kept on a separate ledger, and Ye Zi hasn’t touched it for quite some time either."

Nanny Jin looked at Jiang Yifan with some surprise, since that was actually the case. She said, "The businesses our Young Lady oversees have always been accounted for separately, whether it is the family’s own business, the products from various workshops, or the inventory transactions, everything is recorded clearly, not just for the small eatery."

"Hmm, that’s a more rules-abiding way to do it." Jiang Yifan replied noncommittally, not dwelling on the issue.

He had already been curious about the small eatery’s management style for some time. In the past few months, Ye Xinyan had basically not involved herself in the eatery’s matters, and even when offering guidance on business or new pastries, she would simply convey her ideas to Nanny Jin, leaving the final decisions to her.

According to his thoughts, Ye Xinyan probably intended to separate the eatery out as Nanny Jin’s own private property, so that if she ever renounced her registration, she could still live a well-off life with a small family business.

Since Ye Xinyan did not make things clear herself, his were mere conjectures, so naturally, he didn’t comment further.

"Yuyuan City is bustling, and middlemen often sell servants there. Nanny should keep a close eye out in Yuyuan City, and if there are suitable maids, boys, and strong adult servants available, you can buy a few more to serve as a foundation for Ye Zi." Jiang Yifan suggested.

No sooner had he mentioned this when Nanny Jin became filled with melancholy, shaking her head, she said, "Alas, Ye Zi still dislikes having too many people around her. Although those servants are settled in her quarters, she doesn’t allow many to serve her. They are still assigned to do various chores around the courtyard."

Jiang Yifan frowned upon hearing this and said, "Isn’t she supposed to take your advice seriously? Talk to her more; her status is different now, and there will be more matters to handle in the future, the loyalty of the servants is very important."

Nanny Jin wore a wry smile and said, "Ye Zi only listens to me to some extent, but that doesn’t necessarily mean she takes it all in. She often agrees readily, then still goes her own way. Let’s just leave it, now that the child has become so reasonable and understanding, it’s truly not good to pressure her too much and make her uncomfortable."

Both Jinrong and Jiang Yifan knew about Ye Xinyan’s identity, and now with the addition of maids and old woman servants assigned by Prince Yu’s Mansion and Duke An’s Mansion to the Qi family, even though it was not openly discussed, Nanny Jin’s words still carried less caution.

Jiang Yifan was silent. If Ye Xinyan’s identity were seamless, such changes compared to her past as the young miss of Duke’s Mansion, would indeed be nothing but a blessing. Yet, the trouble was, things were not as they seemed.

"Nanny, go ahead with your business. I’ll have someone take care of the small eatery, you just put your mind at ease." Jiang Yifan paused, then continued, "As for Ye Zi, I’ll go and persuade her. Things are different from before; it’s better to have more of her own people around her."

Jiang Yifan was going to persuade his own mistress? Nanny Jin was stunned. Why was Lord Jiang so insistent on the matter of using servants for the mistress?

Compared to the old times when the mistress was surrounded by a large group of noisy maids and old women, yet acted willful and unruly, today’s Ye Zi was so much more well-behaved and endearing. Disliking too many servants attending to her wasn’t really a big issue, right?

After having a servant escort Nanny Jin out, Jiang Yifan contemplated for a bit and instructed Shi Yu and Shi Shu to prepare horses as he was about to head to Clear Water Village.

There were many things that Jiang Yifan could only discuss privately with Ye Xinyan. Precisely because it was to be private, it was better to find Ye Xinyan before Qi Younian and Nanny Jin and others set off. Although he was Ye Xinyan’s ex-husband, he was just the ex-husband after all. Seeking a private conversation with a young lady while her guardians were away, regardless of the reasons, was ultimately not something that could be openly justified.

......

The Qi family was busy preparing travel arrangements for Qi Younian and Wong Qiao, while Ye Xinyan was assisting Wong Qiao in verifying all documents and records. Upon hearing of Jiang Yifan’s arrival, Qi Younian and Cheung Wusi quickly went out to greet him.

From a distance, Jiang Yifan clasped his hands and smiled, "I’m afraid Old Master Qi and his family are busy with travel plans, and my arrival is truly presumptuous, causing inconvenience to Old Master Qi."

"Not at all, not at all. Lord Jiang’s visit is a delight and far from troublesome," Qi Younian hurried to respond with a return gesture.

Three people settled in the parlor, and Jiang Yifan got straight to the point, "This morning I saw Nanny Jin, who mentioned that Ye Zi is somewhat reluctant to be served by servants. I wanted to speak to her privately about the serious implications of that. It’s better for her reputation if I come over while Old Master Qi is at home. What do you think?"

Qi Younian thought that Jiang Yifan’s persuasion pertained to old incidents in the capital, and he didn’t give it much concern, simply saying, "Lord Jiang is a man of honor, having considered everything so meticulously and thoughtfully, how could this old man have any reason to refuse? I’ll call Ye Zi over immediately."

Cheung Wusi took his leave, and Qi Younian went to find Ye Xinyan, while Jiang Yifan stepped out to look for Guan He.

"I have a few important words to say to Ye Xinyan, help me keep watch, brother, and ensure no one comes near to overhear."

Guan He gave Jiang Yifan a look, he must have ridden hard to get here, right? Since he needed him to stand guard, it must be a very covert matter that outsiders shouldn’t know about.

"Alright. You handle clearing out the parlor and the rooms next to it yourselves; I’ll take care of the outside. No one outside will be able to get close," Guan He promptly replied.

Seeing Guan He sitting leisurely in the courtyard in such cold weather, Ye Xinyan asked with extra concern, "Isn’t Big Brother Guan resting inside?"

"Mhm, I came out to keep watch for Yuanfan," Guan He answered casually.

"..." Well, the man is an enigmatic figure from the Jianghu; one shouldn’t expect him to conform to common sense and manners.

When Jiang Yifan saw Ye Xinyan come in, he didn’t even rise, simply saying indifferently, "Take a seat. While Old Master Qi is here, I have a few words for you."

Ye Xinyan had indeed heard from Qi Younian that Jiang Yifan wanted to see her privately and discuss the matter of employing servants. But how the Qi family used its maids and old woman servants, that wasn’t something he should be concerned with, right? And such a matter, did it need to be discussed behind closed doors?

Luckily, Lord Jiang conducted himself properly and, in full observance of etiquette, had even rushed over while the Head of the Qi Family was present to advise her... She found it unbelievable no matter how she thought about it; there was simply no need for it.

The table in the parlor was bare, nothing on it, with Jiang Yifan looking calm, with no sign of anything unusual.

Ye Xinyan didn’t speak either, merely offering a slight bow before she walked over and sat across the table from Jiang Yifan, quietly waiting for him to speak.

"This morning when Nanny Jin went to the county government office, she asked me to look after Qi Ercheng. I told Nanny Jin to keep an eye out in Yuyuan City, and if there are suitable servants to be had, to buy a few more for you," Jiang Yifan said.

Buy more servants? She had plans for those people to do other things. Ye Xinyan looked up at Jiang Yifan and then averted her gaze.

Since coming to this world and encountering so many people, the person who made Ye Xinyan feel the most pressure was Jiang Yifan.

Jiang Yifan was a smart man, and since he and the original hostess were husband and wife, it was precisely because of their discord that he scrutinized the original hostess more rationally, without the blind spots someone like Nanny Jin might have. His awareness of the original hostess was clearer and more specific, and he was definitely more deeply struck by her differences. This was what Ye Xinyan feared the most; the more contact they had, the less she knew whether she could keep her true identity hidden from Jiang Yifan.

Jiang Yifan spoke in an even tone, "When Sixth Master visited your home to settle in my senior brother, my senior brother and I had a private conversation, where he asked me, ’Is your wife possessed by an Immortal?’"

Ye Xinyan’s heart tightened, and she looked away, this was exactly what she had feared might happen.

"Although my senior brother’s words were tinged with ridicule, it also shows that your behavior has caught the attention of those with interest and is quite suspicious."