She Became A Downfall Noble Lady
Chapter 331 - 330: Just in Case

Chapter 331: Chapter 330: Just in Case

Jinrong took the teapot from Hongzhi and poured her a cup of tea, smiling as he said, "So it was for this reason. Well, then we should praise something else. As the saying goes, ’knowing oneself is a true virtue.’ It’s rare for someone to have such self-awareness as Miss Ye does."

Ye Xinyan glared at Jinrong, realizing that the term ’trumped-up’ wasn’t only applicable in the context of framing someone for a crime.

Jinrong laughed when she glared at him, "Alright, alright. It’s not important what kind of person you are, what’s important is that you display your character without any disguise. I think it’s quite good. Certainly better than those who smile while scheming against others."

This was basically saying she was stupid.

It would be better to return to the main point, "Doesn’t Sixth Master always count on me earning large coins for you? How can you listen to such words and not feel the slightest bit downtrodden or worried? If my grandfather brings me back, as Duke An’s Mansion’s granddaughter, who was sent back to her mother’s home, I certainly won’t be allowed to work. Won’t that slow down your business expansion, Sixth Master?"

Ye Xinyan thought of another possibility, "Or have you already got everything figured out, believing that whether or not you have me as a manager is not crucial and won’t affect your business and earning silver?"

Jinrong instantly put on a smug look, "Did Zhao Gang not explain things thoroughly to you? You, a clever person, why don’t you think more deeply? Do you really need to ask others such questions?"

Ye Xinyan, looking at Jinrong’s annoyingly smug face, thought that if it were the era she grew up in, someone with his attitude would definitely have no friends.

She said coolly, "Please forgive this simple woman for her dullness; indeed, I don’t know how to alleviate this matter. I hope Sixth Master could enlighten this simple woman and broaden her horizons."

Hongzhi watched from behind as Miss Ye gave the prince a cold look, unable to help but click his tongue. This is the kind of arrogance that comes from being raised in Duke An’s Mansion and Marquis Zhongyong’s Mansion. If it were the sons or daughters of other noble houses, who would dare to show such an attitude to the Sixth Prince, His Highness Prince Yu?

Hongzhi was full of emotion, but he couldn’t do much since His Highness Prince Yu didn’t seem to mind. Seeing Ye Xinyan’s disapproving face, Jinrong immediately changed his expression and said, "It’s because the matter concerns you that you are too worried to think clearly. Otherwise, someone as clever as you would have understood the key point long ago."

Uh, even Hongzhi felt embarrassed for his lord.

Ye Xinyan’s eyes were filled with questions as she watched Jinrong. Flattery was useless, speak clearly and just say what you need to say already.

Jinrong said, "If Elder Master Ye is bringing you back because of your abilities, which surpass those of men, then why would he confine you to the back house to stir up trouble with those trivial women again?"

"Previously, I was worried that Elder Master Ye simply wanted to fetch you back as a runaway girl, but now I see there’s more to it," Jinrong said with a smile and a shake of his head. "It seems that Marquis Zhongyong and Elder Master Ye, being close friends, understand him better. Even the attendants of General Zhenyuan are able to grasp such matters."

"It’s an attendant," Ye Xinyan corrected. These wretched feudal aristocrats always refer to others in such a light tone, speaking of Zhao Gang.

"Right, an attendant," Jinrong smoothly corrected himself, then asked, "Did Zhao Gang mention whether this idea was there before he came, or if it arose in the past couple of days?"

Understanding Jinrong’s implication, Ye Xinyan hesitated slightly before answering, "It probably arose in the past couple of days."

Indeed, he then laughed and said, "It seems our cattle farm and dairy workshop are highly esteemed. Just like you mentioned, Zhao Gang, being an attendant of General Zhenyuan, has seen a lot. Yet, having seen the workshops and cattle farm under your management, the experienced Zhao Gang was still shocked. He probably never expected Ye Zi would be capable of managing such a promising business industry."

Ye Xinyan looked at Jinrong and then at the conflicted Hongzhi, feeling extremely surprised inside. Somehow, Jinrong was in such high spirits today, his words utterly off-beat.

She picked up the teacup in front of her and took a big gulp before saying, "I came to find the Sixth Master because I want to know if my grandfather truly captures me and takes me back, would the Sixth Master have a way to let me continue working outside. Since the Sixth Master thinks there’s nothing to worry about, I’m relieved. But there are always uncertainties, and if my grandfather is not as the Sixth Master has predicted, would you be able to stand up to him?"

Stand up to him, Jinrong nearly choked on his tea. Miss Ye certainly dared to ask the tough questions. He was just an idle prince, how could he have the power to suppress Duke An? Only His Majesty and the orders from the Ministry of War could suppress Duke An. And why would the Imperial Father and the Ministry of War get involved in the matters concerning Duke An’s granddaughter?

Seeing Jinrong’s expression, Ye Xinyan became anxious, "What? You’re a prince, aren’t you able to suppress him? When he planned to erase me before, didn’t you send someone to warn him and frighten him into backing off?"

Accepting the plain handkerchief that Hongzhi passed to him, Jinrong dabbed at the corner of his mouth and said, "That wasn’t a warning, merely taking advantage of the situation, telling Elder Master Ye that his actions wouldn’t benefit anyone. Plus, if he insisted on harming you while you were under my care, that might lead to multiple homicides, which would become a major case involving many lives, and there are many informants in the capital. The Elder Master wouldn’t stand a chance in such a case, which is why he showed some restraint."

"So you’re saying if my grandfather confines me to the inner courtyard and I have to spend my days gossiping with those women, you can’t do anything?" Then what was the point in going back? Living such a dull and boring life until death?

Rather than leaving her future to an uncertain stroke of luck, she would be better off trying to escape again. Ye Xinyan’s contemplative gaze turned to Jinrong; although Qingyuan County was now full of informants, if Jinrong helped her, she could possibly escape, right?

"If you help me escape from my grandfather’s grasp and those informants, what are my chances of a successful escape?" Ye Xinyan asked.

Jinrong "..."

Hongzhi also "..."

Seeing their reactions, Ye Xinyan immediately looked dejected.

It seemed that Duke An’s reputation was not for nothing, and even Jinrong couldn’t deal with him.

Her lucky escape that day had been due to the suddenness of the events, Duke An’s Mansion was unprepared, and they had attempted to capture her as if she were one of the pampered women from the inner courtyard. If precautions were in place, Clear Water Village and the county town weren’t like the bustling and crowded capital. In such a small place as Clear Water Village, even a stray cat wandering in would be noticed, let alone a family of four.

"Alas," Ye Xinyan sighed, "I guess I’ll have to think of another way."

Hongzhi watched as their master, the Sixth Master, was being given up on by Miss Ye.

"Sit down, let’s talk this through," Jinrong hurriedly stopped Ye Xinyan from getting up, "Look, I didn’t say it’s impossible, did I? What’s the rush?"

"Ah? It’s possible? Why didn’t you say so earlier? You had me worried there," Ye Xinyan complained, settling back down in the chair.

Jinrong said, "I believe your grandfather won’t even think about taking you back to the inner courtyard again. If he really does make you revert to being Miss Ye, we’ll find a way then. If I can’t even get a few people out and keep them hidden, as you would say, what’s the use of me hanging around?"

"This..." Ye Xinyan’s face showed embarrassment, despite being extremely careful, she still occasionally let slip those less refined phrases from her past.