She Became A Downfall Noble Lady
Chapter 321 - 320 The Reason for the Discord

Chapter 321: Chapter 320 The Reason for the Discord

Ever since Ye Xinyan learned of Guan He’s keen hearing and sharp eyesight, she felt utterly disrupted. This was just too much! Having such a person stay at her home meant she would no longer have the liberty to speak ill of others in secret, right?

"Really?" Ye Xinyan’s words startled Zhao Gang, who instinctively looked around, somewhat embarrassedly saying, "Lucky that you and I didn’t say anything else, otherwise, if Righteous Guan had heard it, wouldn’t it be impossible for us to face each other again?"

Ye Xinyan pursed her lips and smiled. In the original host’s memory, she had never seen Zhao Gang like this before. Zhao Gang was usually serious and solemn, with a touch of helplessness. Seeing such surprise and embarrassment on his face was truly delightful.

Cheung Wusi couldn’t stand it anymore, and set down his cup of tea, chiding Ye Xinyan, "Ye Zi is still as mischievous as ever. Master Guan has always been open and honest—we shouldn’t talk about him like this, understand?" Then turning to Zhao Gang to explain, "Master Guan’s martial arts skills are indeed very high, but not as Ye Zi described, using his skills to eavesdrop on others’ conversations. Somehow, though Ye Zi generally has a good temperament, she always clashes with Master Guan. When the two meet, neither shows a good face, and their conversations are filled with barbs."

Miss Cousin has a good temperament? Zhao Gang looked at Ye Xinyan seriously, then turned back to listen to Cheung Wusi continue, "Master Guan is used to the life of wandering in Jianghu, and speaks his mind, never feeling awkward about sharp words. And Ye Zi is stubborn on this matter, refusing to listen to advice. As a result, the two of them have been at odds since Master Guan arrived and remain so to this day."

Zhao Gang chuckled, Miss Cousin’s temper indeed made her unreceptive to advice, but this Guan He was also interesting. How could someone who roamed Jianghu take a young woman so seriously?

With an air of helplessness, he said to Ye Xinyan, "Righteous Guan is here at the request of Lord Jiang to help, and since he has come to your residence, he is a guest in your home. As the host, you shouldn’t treat him like that."

Ye Xinyan glared sideways, very reluctantly turning her eyes to Zhao Gang, saying, "Uncle Zhao, you’re not right to speak like that. When Guan He that fellow came out earlier, he put on such a pompous and arrogant air. Don’t think I didn’t see how Uncle Zhao’s eyebrows shot up in surprise, practically flying off your forehead. Yet now you come to lecture me."

Zhao Gang’s brows furrowed as he listened to her uninhibited words tumbling out, and layers of worry piled on his face.

Who said that Miss Cousin understood propriety and was sensible? Wasn’t she just the same as before? Just now she said others might hear their speech due to keen senses, and now she’s speaking without restraint, saying whatever comes to mind. If she were in the capital interacting with those pampered women in the inner quarters, it would be yet another round of verbal disputes, and if they got angry, who knows what trouble she might stir up.

Miss Cousin’s understanding, it seemed, was only acquired from enduring hardships outside, learning a bit about the ways of the world, yet whenever she would forget to control herself, she’d revert to her old self. Listening to Miss Cousin insult a Jianghu expert with words like that fellow, pompous, and putting on airs—even though he didn’t quite grasp their meaning—he knew they weren’t complimentary.

Zhao Gang decided to retract his previous disrespectful speculations about Righteous Guan. Considering how smoothly Miss Cousin slandered others, the fact that he maintained composure and continued to stay with the Qi family showed his ability to not take offence like a woman.

Zhao Gang spoke with resignation, "What are you saying? I wasn’t aware of who Righteous Guan was then, and naturally, I found your interactions with him surprising. But I certainly didn’t have any dissatisfaction toward Righteous Guan as you’re implying."

Cheung Wusi also joined in, trying to persuade her, "Ye Zi, you can’t be like this. You shouldn’t be unreasonable to Master Zhao. Master Zhao has traveled from afar in the bitter cold just to see you. You should respect him as your elder."

Ye Xinyan snorted twice and couldn’t be bothered to speak further.

Alright then, she thought, she’s dealing with ancient people, who believed one should not say anything about someone to their face, and that gossiping or grumbling behind someone’s back was simply wrong.

She hadn’t mentioned the reason for her discord with Guan He, for if she did, her discomfort at having no privacy in front of him would probably lead to even more intense schooling. She worried that the lessons might be saved up for when Nanny Jin returned, giving her another reason to nag.

Zhao Gang observed Ye Xinyan’s expression and knew she was discontented, but how could he have the confidence to counsel and admonish Miss Cousin...?

"Sigh, Ye Zi, you should think about it from another angle. Righteous Guan’s arrival at the Qi family isn’t just about overseeing workshop affairs. Having such a skilled person around spares the household much trouble; it’s also to your great advantage. If you ever find yourself in trouble one day, with Righteous Guan around, he surely won’t let you suffer, right?"

Hmm? Ye Xinyan’s eyes lit up at this thought. It was indeed true. She remembered how the original host had caused so many problems in the capital largely due to the lack of support. If she had people on her side...

She wondered how long Guan He could stay at her place. If Guan He didn’t have other matters, could he possibly live at her place indefinitely, lording over it?

There’s a saying, ’One who takes from others is short of hands; one who eats from others is short of speech.’ In Qingyuan County, a small place, it might not be obvious, but what if the family’s business expanded to larger places or even the capital? When encountering bullies or malicious forces, could she have Guan He deliver a bloody pig’s or horse’s head and place it at the bully’s bedside?

The mere thought of such a possibility was exhilarating.

Indeed, that’s what she would do. Zhao Gang did understand her well. It seemed she would have to foster a better relationship with Guan He and win him over thoroughly. If Guan He truly cooperated with her, her words and actions would have so much more authority, wouldn’t they?

Ye Xinyan touched her nose, thinking perhaps she should find a jar of grape wine tomorrow, and pair it with some cheese for a midnight snack for Guan He? Yes, groveling a little was nothing compared to the benefits she would gain.

Cheung Wusi watched as Ye Xinyan’s dissatisfaction vanished with Zhao Gang’s persuasion, and he was dumbfounded. Could it be that because they were old acquaintances from the capital, his words struck home in a way that made Ye Zi particularly receptive?

Some days ago, over the matter of using maids and servants in Ye Zi’s room, Nanny Jin and Nanny Liu exhausted their words to no effect, yet when Lord Jiang came, it didn’t take long for Ye Zi to listen, and the results were astonishing.

Zhao Gang himself hadn’t expected his words to be so effective. While he was surprised, he didn’t let it show and said to Cheung Wusi with a smile, "Your Ye Zi listens well to others; she’s a good kid."

"That’s true, she’s a good kid," Cheung Wusi nodded eagerly. Ye Zi of the big brother’s family indeed was a smart and capable child who also understood things well, able to alleviate the worries of the family elders. The only flaw was her refusal to listen to others without caring for their opinions.

Listening to the conversation between the two youngsters outside, Zhao Gang felt regretful and said to Cheung Wusi, "Before we set off, Great Aunt gave many instructions but forgot to mention anything for Righteous Guan at the mansion. Look, we brought so much, yet not a single item for Righteous Guan. Ah, it’s truly embarrassing."

Although Ye Xinyan was considering mending her strained relationship with Guan He, his annoying abilities were still very displeasing. Hearing Zhao Gang mention the embarrassment of not having a gift for Guan He, she couldn’t help but laugh and say, "It’s alright. Uncle Zhao, tomorrow please take Big Brother Guan to the largest restaurant in the county town, order a few good dishes, and bring out two pots of fine wine to enjoy a hearty meal. As long as Big Brother Guan is satisfied with the meal, gifts or no gifts don’t matter. He doesn’t care about such things."