She Became A Downfall Noble Lady
Chapter 322 - 321: Forget the Chief Steward

Chapter 322: Chapter 321: Forget the Chief Steward

Despite Cheung Wusi’s boorish nature, he couldn’t help but feel embarrassed when Ye Xinyan spoke so candidly. Everyone knew about Guan He’s capabilities. With Guan He still sitting in the East Wing Room, Ye Zi dared to speak of him in such a manner, truly not fearing that Guan He would become angry and leave on a whim.

Cheung Wusi kept making eyes at Ye Xinyan, feigning nonchalance, "Whether it’s a gift or not, Ye Zi isn’t entirely wrong. Master Guan surely doesn’t care for such things. However, to invite Master Guan out for a meal and drinks is permissible. Master Guan is generous and open-hearted, and if you brothers sit together and have a drink and a chat, it wouldn’t only be fulfilling the etiquette of a first meeting, but also bring the brothers closer together."

This suggestion was very much to Zhao Gang’s liking, so he laughed heartily, "That’s a great idea! We coarse folks from the military mostly enjoy drinking and jovial talk. With Old Master Cheung’s word, after we’ve taken a short rest, I’ll invite Righteous Guan to the county town to find a tavern to drink at."

They were chatting so pleasantly that they nearly lost track of time. As the sky began to darken, Nanny Liu came in to remind everyone about dinner, "Young Lady, you don’t take into account Master Zhao’s exhaustion. You’re still chatting here. Hurry and invite Master Zhao and the gentlemen to dinner. They’ve been traveling in the cold winter for so many days; they surely haven’t rested well. It’s proper to let them eat early and rest."

Though she complained about Ye Xinyan, she turned to Zhao Gang and said, "The old woman servant in the kitchen has already heated the brick beds in three rooms, they are nice and warm. After eating, they’re perfect for resting."

Cheung Wusi promptly stood up and laughed, "Don’t blame Ye Zi, it’s the old man’s oversight for only caring about talking with Master Zhao." He then turned to invite Zhao Gang, "Let’s go eat. There’s not enough time today, and the kitchen couldn’t prepare a feast on short notice. We’ll just have a simple dinner to fill our stomachs for now. Tomorrow, we can get up early and arrange some special food, and have the kitchen make a couple of unique soups and dishes for Master Zhao and the young gentlemen to taste."

Although the dinner arranged by Nanny Liu wasn’t very lavish due to time constraints, the dishes, especially the meat and hot soup, were steaming and comforting for those who had traveled in the winter.

At the table of grown men, Ye Xinyan naturally could not sit and accompany them. Zhao Gang, his two subordinates, Cheung Wusi, and Guan He sat at one table, while Zhao Gang’s five attendants sat at another. The two tables managed to have a couple of jugs of alcohol, and the ten men ate jovially in the dining hall of the outer courtyard.

Although Guan He did not get along with Ye Xinyan, he struck up a particularly good conversation with Zhao Gang.

Zhao Gang, of course, admired Guan He, an Eccentric Expert from Jianghu known for his superior martial arts. And with Guan He’s extensive experience in Jianghu, he could naturally sense a murderous aura in Zhao Gang that one acquires on the front lines between armies. Even though Zhao Gang was sincere and upright, this murderous aura, ingrained in his bones, could not be concealed.

The saying "birds of a feather flock together" probably explained it, as the two of them hit it off within a few exchanges.

Considering Zhao Gang had traveled from afar, Ye Xinyan, out of etiquette and respect from a junior to an elder, came over to pour them wine. She found it strange that Zhao Gang and Guan He, having just met, were already getting along so well.

Why did she find Guan He’s arrogant and insufferable demeanor so unappealing, whereas everyone else seemed to consider it natural, and even managed to get along with him harmoniously? Was it really because she was being too sentimental?

They say the workings of a woman’s heart are complex, yet in her view, the perspectives of men were equally bizarre. What commonalities could there be between Zhao Gang and Guan He? Ye Xinyan shook her head and went back to the rear courtyard to rest.

Zhao Gang was a steady man, not without sense of propriety. Seeing that the wine was half drunk and the meal nearly finished, he put down his chopsticks. Cheung Wusi, understanding that Zhao Gang and the others had traveled through the cold winter and had just arrived at their destination, also brought the meal to a close.

Nanny Liu called for the maids and old woman servants, arranging washing amenities for Zhao Gang and his men, settling them down to wash up and rest.

Without a word throughout the night, early the next morning, Ye Xinyan finished her breakfast in the back courtyard, intending to go for her daily inspection at the cattle farm and the dairy product workshop. Stepping out of the back courtyard, she saw Zhao Gang and his seven men had already taken a ride outside, leading their horses back.

Seeing Ye Xinyan, Zhao Gang handed the reins to his subordinate and advanced two steps, planning to greet her, but was preempted by Ye Xinyan with a smile, "Uncle Zhao, good morning, did you sleep well last night? Was there anything you were not accustomed to?"

Though they had met and spoken at length just yesterday, encountering the smiling and pleasant Ye Xinyan again still evoked a strong sense of dissonance in Zhao Gang. A girl with such light and leisurely talk, so clear and simple, was actually his young lady cousin.

This recognition once again delighted Zhao Gang.

Zhao Gang still stepped forward to pay his respects, and said with a smile, "Nanny Liu of the residence indeed takes things to heart, the kang was warm enough, and the room was cozy. After being on the road these days, last night’s dinner and sleep really made me feel relaxed. It’s as comfortable as being at home, very comforting."

Ye Xinyan’s eyes crinkled with her smile, "Uncle Zhao, that sounds like flattery. This remote and rural place can’t be as comfortable as home. But your words still make me happy. Haven’t you had breakfast yet? Hurry up and wash your hands and face. For today’s breakfast, the nannies have made tofu pudding and pancakes, and there are also congee and vegetable meat buns. They taste pretty good, and I think you and the young masters will like it."

"It does sound appetizing," said Zhao Gang, seeing Ye Xinyan all set to leave, and asked, "Ye Zi is up so early, where are you planning to go?"

Ye Xinyan stopped with some pride in her stride, and answered, "Nowadays I have responsibilities, of course I’m going to the cattle farm and dairy workshop for my daily routine inspection. Don’t you think I’m quite accomplished, Uncle Zhao?"

"Indeed, very accomplished," Zhao Gang agreed, shaking his head with a smile. Setting other matters aside, just young lady cousin’s current cheerful disposition was indeed heartening. He saw two maids and two old woman servants following behind Ye Xinyan but said nothing.

Just as the young lady cousin stated, she now had responsibilities and naturally needed to work to live. Great Aunt had mentioned that the Qi family’s current situation relied entirely on the young lady cousin’s good planning. Working for others naturally couldn’t demand the same rules as those for women in the inner household; as long as the young lady cousin knew moderation and was happy, that was what mattered.

Zhao Gang, seeing Ye Xinyan about to leave after greeting him, hastily stopped her, "Ye Zi, could you delay your inspection a bit? Wait for me to finish my breakfast, and I’ll accompany you to see how big a business you’ve taken charge of. Everyone says Ye Zi is now the Chief Steward."

Chief Steward... Ye Xinyan paused her steps, stopping to smile, "You can look, but Chief Steward is too much. I’m only managing a few workshops, where’s the big deal in that? All that flattery can’t be taken seriously."

"Even if it’s flattery, it comes from some truth; otherwise, why wouldn’t they flatter others? Find a place to sit, Ye Zi, I’ll be quick," Zhao Gang said, getting Ye Xinyan’s consent and immediately headed to the dining room for breakfast.