She Became A Downfall Noble Lady
Chapter 372 - 371 Minor Injuries

Chapter 372: Chapter 371 Minor Injuries

Ye Xinyan endured repeatedly but ultimately couldn’t help herself. She dismissed the maid and the old woman servant and looked at Zhou Biyao, who was drafting a chart, and asked, "You are not familiar with Sixth Master Rong and the others; they haven’t returned on time, yet you are extremely worried. What exactly are you worried about?"

Zhou Biyao could feel Ye Xinyan’s concern, and she was very nervous herself. When Ye Xinyan asked her this question, without thinking, she answered, "But I am very close to Third Brother Wong. Didn’t sister tell me yesterday that there would be no problems? Then why does it seem that sister is even more worried?"

Ye Xinyan gripped her forehead forcefully, realizing that Zhou Biyao was indeed worried about Wong Qiao. This young girl, aren’t the women in their chambers supposed to abide strictly by social decorum? Where were these thoughts coming from? As women from families like theirs, shouldn’t they yearn for gentlemen as fair as jade, elegant young masters? Yet, Wong Qiao was merely a craftsman.

Zhou Biyao saw that Ye Xinyan had asked a question but didn’t respond further, so she peered over cautiously and tentatively called out, "Sister?"

Ye Xinyan calmed down a bit before lowering her hand, saying, "It’s nothing, I’m just preoccupied with some heavy thoughts. Don’t worry, carry on with your work, I’ll go check the workshop."

"Oh," Zhou Biyao looked at Ye Xinyan with some suspicion as she got up and continued to bow her head to her task.

Her brush hadn’t yet touched the paper, and Ye Xinyan had only reached the doorway, when sounds of commotion came from outside. Zhou Biyao abruptly looked up, just in time to see Ye Xinyan also turn her head back towards her.

Zhou Biyao exclaimed joyfully, "They have returned." As she spoke, she threw down her brush, slid to the edge of the kang bed, and put on her shoes.

Ye Xinyan paused for a moment, but stopped to wait for Zhou Biyao to put on her shoes and cloak, and the two headed out to the outer courtyard together.

In the quiet country village, devoid of many sounds and different from the bustling and vibrant modern cities, the faint commotion Ye Xinyan heard from the back courtyard was actually still some distance from the second branch of the Qi family’s residence. By the time the two hurried to the front courtyard, Jinrong and his group had just arrived at the entrance.

In just over three days’ time, a group of men who had left in high spirits and fine attire, now returned covered in dust and dirt, their clothing no longer bright, almost merging into a single dull color. Each horse, besides its rider, was laden with a variety of game, adding to the disheveled and unruly appearance of what should have been a sleek troop of riders.

The same group of people who had left as idle men out for amusement, now returned as rough-looking men covered in grime. Despite the roughness, they now carried a different aura. The masculine vibes flowed quietly in the noise, mixed with the neighing of horses and calls of greeting between Qi Younian, Jinrong, and the others.

When Ye Xinyan approached, Qi Younian greeted Jinrong, who had just dismounted, "We agreed you would be back yesterday. Why did you delay by a day? You had us quite worried."

Qi Sanshun and Qi Jiaer followed Qi Younian, drawing close to them.

Jinrong turned back, glanced in Jiang Yifan’s direction, and replied, "Yuanfan was clawed by a leopard. After treating the wound, we rested last night before starting the journey back."

Upon hearing this, Qi Younian inhaled sharply, quickly apologizing to Jinrong before turning to check on Jiang Yifan.

Ye Xinyan, too, was startled upon hearing this. There were leopards in those mountains? A leopard attack was not a trivial matter. She shifted her gaze in search of Wong Qiao; among these men, it was Wong Qiao who lacked martial prowess. Would he be alright?

Jinrong also turned, following Qi Younian toward where Jiang Yifan was, Shi Yu reaching out to help Jiang Yifan dismount. From Ye Xinyan’s perspective, Jiang Yifan seemed okay, his clothing still fairly neat, only his complexion was somewhat pale. Wong Qiao had already dismounted and was standing in front of Jiang Yifan’s horse.

When Ye Xinyan looked over, Jiang Yifan was also turning his gaze toward Ye Xinyan. Seeing her eyes fall on Wong Qiao, his look swept over Ye Xinyan, then he dismounted and paid his respects to Qi Younian.

Qi Younian hurriedly stepped forward to support him, repeatedly saying, "At a time like this, you still mind the formalities, this old man hasn’t even paid his respects. Quick, come inside the house. How’s the wound? Should we find a doctor from the county to take a look? It’s safer."

Jiang Yifan waved his hand and said with a smile, "It’s nothing, just a minor injury, all treated already. The way my senior brother deals with wounds, he’s even better than a doctor at this."

Qi Younian’s heart eased a little before he said, "How did it happen to let a leopard get so close? Leopards move extremely fast, it’s too dangerous."

Wong Qiao, who had been standing by Jiang Yifan’s side, said with a full face of shame, "I am the one who dragged us down. It was Lord Jiang who struck with great force, and I escaped by a fluke, but Lord Jiang got clawed by the leopard."

Ye Xinyan and Zhou Biyao, standing behind them, both changed their expressions and simultaneously shifted their gaze back to Wong Qiao.

Cheung Wusi hurriedly pulled on Wong Qiao, inspecting him from head to toe, "How are you?"

Wong Qiao gently pushed Cheung Wusi away and said in a low voice, "Haven’t I already said it’s nothing? Lord Jiang is the one who’s injured." Cheung Wusi then looked toward Jiang Yifan, "This old man would like to express gratitude on behalf of Wong Qiao once again. For someone of your esteemed status to risk their life to save a commoner, your nobility, Lord Jiang, is commendable."

Only then did Ye Xinyan feel slightly relieved, her eyes full of gratitude as she looked at Jiang Yifan. Yet, when Jiang Yifan saw the gratitude in Ye Xinyan’s eyes, his face remained expressionless, shifting his gaze away indifferently, blocking back the words of thanks that Ye Xinyan was about to say.

Ye Xinyan was stunned. This guy, he just can’t be given a pleasant look, huh? She was wholeheartedly planning to thank him, and this is the attitude she gets?

Because of Jiang Yifan’s injury, nobody paid attention to the dozen or so game animals that had been brought back on horseback. The servants of the Qi family were too busy to be concerned with anything else, hurrying to tend to everyone as they returned to their respective rooms to change and wash up.

People came and went out of Jiang Yifan’s room, until at last Qi Younian came out of Jiang Yifan’s room and said to Ye Xinyan, "It’s fine, the injury is not serious. According to the guards, Lord Jiang is agile and was also wearing thick clothes. The leopard’s claw didn’t hit directly, it just grazed him. And it’s also because the leopard was quick and forceful—if not, perhaps Lord Jiang wouldn’t have been injured at all."

Ye Xinyan thought of the way Jiang Yifan had looked at her and felt very uncomfortable inside. Since the injury was not a concern, why such a look, as if he had suffered a huge grievance but had nowhere to complain about it?

Qi Younian looked at Wong Qiao, gently patted his back, and said, "Were you not expecting to encounter such a large beast and got scared? Go and wash up and change clothes too. Later, come out to have a bowl of noodles. Tonight, we’ll all gather together and have a good dinner."

Wong Qiao hesitated for a moment then said, "Alright, I’ll go wash up and change clothes first, then come see Lord Jiang." He then spoke with lingering fear, "If it weren’t for Lord Jiang’s quick reaction, striking the leopard, with just myself, I fear I wouldn’t have survived."

Zhou Biyao hastily said, "It does sound truly dangerous. We’re fortunate that everyone is safe. Lord Jiang is indeed noble; we should properly thank Lord Jiang."

Qi Younian gave Zhou Biyao a look while Wong Qiao vaguely nodded and turned to go back to his room.

Ye Xinyan’s gaze swept over Zhou Biyao and then the retreating figure of Wong Qiao, feeling an even greater sense of unease.