She Became A Downfall Noble Lady
Chapter 369 - 368 Still Not Going Home

Chapter 369: Chapter 368 Still Not Going Home

Anshun’s Household was mulling over matters as they looked around the inside and outside of the Second Branch family’s courtyard. Within less than a year, the Young Lady and Old Master Qi had brought such wealth to the family. It was all due to the Young Lady’s capabilities.

Actually, there’s nothing wrong with the way the Young Lady is now. Those accustomed to wearing fine clothes and dining extravagantly soon find it nothing special, devoid of interest. But the Young Lady currently does as she pleases. At home, everyone is supportive and accommodating, and even outside, not to mention the employees and hired workers, even Sixth Master, as a prince, often gives leeway in front of the Young Lady. And Lord Jiang, who has always been on bad terms with the Young Lady, is now especially careful around her.

Thinking of Jiang Yifan, Anshun’s Household recalled the scene of the Young Lady and Lord Jiang talking in the courtyard the previous evening. Observing their expressions, they noticed the Young Lady was quite direct with Lord Jiang, not nearly as receptive as she was with Master Guan. On the other hand, Lord Jiang spoke carefully, always mindful of the Young Lady’s reactions.

Still, no one knew what they discussed. The Young Lady occasionally checked her surroundings, which suggested the topic at hand was not for others to hear. Could it have been about their past?

These matters should be reported to the Duke so that he can make early arrangements.

Anshun’s Household followed Ye Xinyan back to the rear courtyard, deep in thought. Just as they were about to enter the main house, Ye Xinyan turned around in surprise, "Nanny Qiao, aren’t you going to rest?"

That’s when Anshun’s Household snapped out of it, stepped back with a smile, and said, "Look at this foolish servant, lost in thought and not even aware of it. Young Lady, please go and rest. I will also take a short nap."

Madam Song pushed Qi Dong into their house. As soon as the door closed, Qi Yourong sat up straight on the kang and asked, "How much silver did you bring back?"

Madam Song, clearly irritated, retorted, "What silver? If we keep pushing our luck, we’d be risking our lives!"

Before Qi Yourong could voice his surprise, Qi Liang, who had been listening in, came into the room. He didn’t hear what his mother said but asked the same question as his father: "Mother, did they refuse to give us more silver?"

Seeing his mother’s displeased expression, Qi Liang realized she hadn’t managed to get any silver back and urgently said, "The county magistrate is allied with their family; we can sue them! Just because the little one said something, they had someone beat up Third Sister-in-law like that, everyone saw it, they can’t even deny it!"

Madam Song glared at Qi Liang, wondering how she had given birth to such a disappointing son.

"Sue? Even if you want to sue, you and your wife need to be irreproachable and not have done any disgraceful deeds. Hoping for silver? It would be lucky if you two don’t end up in jail!"

Madam Song raised her hand in anger but ultimately couldn’t bring herself to hit her youngest son, so she turned and slapped Qi Dong instead.

Qi Dong received a firm slap on his back and angrily asked, "It was the two of them who stirred up the trouble, and it was he who talked about suing. Why are you taking it out on me?"

"Why am I taking it out on you? Tell me, how foolish can you two be to utter such trouble-invoking words? You’re just inviting disaster upon our family."

Qi Dong gave Qi Liang an intense glare and said irritably, "If Qi Liang’s family hadn’t acted that way, would our mother have said those things? Mother, be fair. Those who don’t work never run into trouble, but it’s always us you confront for merely speaking out."

Madam Song scolded, "At a time like this, you still talk so lightly. You tell your wife, you almost got our whole family thrown into jail. Don’t forget, that includes you and your wife too; you are guilty of abetting."

"Jail, jail?" Qi Yourong asked in alarm, "We were just asking them for some silver to see a doctor during the New Year. How did this turn into talk about jail?"

Sighing, she said, "You have no idea, your two idiotic sons and daughters-in-law..."

......

Afterward, life became more leisurely for the second branch of the Qi family, and Jinrong and Jiang Yifan had a rather fulfilling time, either getting up early to watch Guan He and the two youngsters sparring over basic skills or lazing in bed before running their horses around the open field for a few laps.

They had even inspected the cattle farm and the Dairy Products Store for Xinyan a few times.

Everything went smoothly until the fifth day of the new year, when Xinyan thought that they had stayed at her home for quite some time and probably should return to their own place soon, right?

To her surprise, that was not what they had in mind at all. On the fifth day, instead of preparing to leave, they packed some belongings, and Xinyan learned from Hongzhi that it was Guan He who had lured them into planning a visit to the large mountain to the north, to see if there was any game to hunt.

Heavens! Were they kidding? That place was said to be very far; even riding non-stop, it would take the better part of half a day to reach, and it was already beyond the jurisdiction of Qingyuan County.

Xinyan’s eyes were filled with disbelief, but Hongzhi nodded solemnly, "Master Guan has prepared overnight gear; we plan to stay there for a few days."

"..." Stay for a few more days! Xinyan couldn’t help holding her forehead, but she could only find reasons to console herself.

Well, at least they wouldn’t be causing a ruckus in her house for the next few days, and her grandfather wouldn’t have to cater to these two esteemed guests, so they could enjoy some peace.

Before dawn on the sixth day, Jinrong and the others were ready to set off. To Xinyan’s surprise, Wong Qiao was also coming along.

Xinyan looked at Wong Qiao, who was geared up and extremely surprised. When did they manage to convince him to join their party? Hunting in the wild during winter was a luxury sport for the rich and idle, something that ordinary people like us simply couldn’t afford to play.

"Wong Qiao, are you really going with them?" asked Xinyan. They’re just idle and full of quirks, but we don’t have that luxury, do we?

Wong Qiao was dressed in a thick fur coat with his belt tightly fastened and sleeves cinched to prevent cold air from entering while riding. He wore a fur hat on his head and new boots on his feet, snug and warm.

Wong Qiao said with a smile, "I’ve never seen hunting before. I begged Big Brother Guan for several days, and he finally agreed to take me. I want to go and see for myself; maybe I can even catch some small game on my own."

Xinyan eyed him skeptically, saying, "But you don’t know how to hunt; you don’t understand it, and it’s very dangerous to go into the mountains."

Cheung Wusi came over, giving Wong Qiao’s arms a hearty slap and laughing, "No worries. Our Ah Qiao is a strong and robust man. With such an opportunity, of course, he should seize it. That’s what real men do. It’s okay to follow Master Guan and just heed the calls. Don’t worry about the game; consider it a chance to broaden your experience."

Was it that easy? According to the saying that ’oppressive governments are fiercer than tigers,’ the only thing that could be as harrowing as oppressive governments in this world was hunting, right?

Qi Sanshun arrived early today too, looking glum as he stared at Guan He mounted high on his horse, mumbling, "I want to go too."

Xinyan slapped him on the head irritably, saying, "You too want to go! What do you know, you little brat? It’s dangerous, you know that, right?"

Qi Sanshun suddenly reeled from the slap, holding his head as he turned to face Xinyan. Stepping back two paces and speaking indignantly, he said, "I’m grown up now, I’m a boy, not a woman. Why should I be afraid of danger?"