She Became A Downfall Noble Lady
Chapter 385 - 384: That Life Also Named Ye Xinyan

Chapter 385: Chapter 384: That Life Also Named Ye Xinyan

With nothing to hold her back, singing came as second nature to Ye Xinyan. In her younger years, when she faced setbacks in her job search, she and her classmates, men and women alike, would belt out the "Crying Man" series. After getting a job, she competed with colleagues to be the king of karaoke with the "Above the Moon" series. In moments of passion, when she felt her spirit soar, she sang from the "Sword like a Dream" series.

By the time she finished singing "East Wind Breaks" and "Orchid Pavilion Preface," the sun had slanted westward, and the pile of branches she thought would provide enough warmth was nearly reduced to ashes. She adopted a relaxed posture, hugging her knees, wrapped in a thick and warm cloak. As for Jiang Yifan, she had long forgotten him.

Ye Xinyan, thoroughly enjoying herself, tilted her head in thought. It seemed she had sung all the songs she liked, and the somber mood that had weighed on her heart had dissipated with the songs she had belted into the wind. Singing in the vast wilderness was more satisfying, liberating, and emotional than in a KTV private room.

It was only when she turned her head that she noticed Jiang Yifan sitting on the other side of the sheepskin. Jiang Yifan maintained the same posture he had while eating meat and drinking wine, so quiet that it almost seemed like he wasn’t there at all.

Ye Xinyan was taken aback before she came back to her senses. Had she indulged in passionate singing? Indeed, there had been singing, and it had indeed been passionate. She had satisfied her craving for loud singing and eased the lingering sadness in her heart.

But what about Jiang Yifan? What could he be feeling? Could he sit there so long without saying a word, thinking her mad? Or did he think she sang well and deduce that she had been a singer or performer in her past life, possibly regretting having brought her along and spending such close time with her?

"Lord Jiang," Ye Xinyan called out.

Jiang Yifan then turned his head, his expression unchanged, showing utmost ease and composure. But his eyes, when they met Ye Xinyan’s, were exceptionally dark and deep, like two bottomless, secluded pools.

Ye Xinyan’s gaze swept over Jiang Yifan’s face without finding anything unusual. That was good enough, real or pretended, her identity was already scandalous enough, and Jiang Yifan had shown no change in demeanor after knowing it. Compared to that, singing a few tunes from her past life was no big deal.

Ye Xinyan pointed to the sun, now fallen to the right, and said, "Shouldn’t we head back? If we delay any further, it’ll be dark by the time we return."

Jiang Yifan murmured an "Oh" and lowered his eyes again, moving his body which seemed a bit stiff, giving Ye Xinyan the illusion that he had been sitting in that same posture all along.

Jiang Yifan moved a little to loosen up, shook the nearly empty water bag in his hand, then took a big gulp before standing up and quickly packing up his belongings.

Ye Xinyan stood up, wrapped in her cloak, stepped aside, and watched as Jiang Yifan silently cleaned up the site and stamped out the ashes.

Seeing Jiang Yifan’s expression and actions, Ye Xinyan couldn’t help but wonder if her uninhibited singing had frightened him. Perhaps he didn’t want to say anything and was just anxious to take her back to the Qi family and then stay far away from this madwoman.

In this era, women were expected to laugh without showing teeth, to speak in soft and gentle tones. Her screaming was starkly different from the women of this time. No, calling it screaming was not an exaggeration. Women here sang in a melodious and graceful manner, touching hearts without ever revealing distress or losing their composure as she had.

Ye Xinyan secretly curled her lips. If that was the outcome, it didn’t seem too bad. Perhaps it would be best if he also communicated with Jinrong to put their minds at ease, and then she would be left in peace.

For the past two or three months, not to mention Jiang Yifan, even Jinrong, when looking at her, had a gaze and demeanor that felt overly affectionate and attentive. This made her feel uneasy. Even if Miss Ye was somewhat attractive and she knew some common knowledge and lore from a thousand years later, she was still a woman abandoned by her husband and family. She couldn’t be that sought after, could she?

It seems that Grandfather’s words were more reliable after all, or it’s her occasional ideas that are playing tricks. Indeed, these ideas have too grand a scale and are of little reference value to the common folk. Yet for great families and ambitious contenders like Jinrong aspiring for the throne, they probably have immense utility and even a shocking effect.

For a woman with such capabilities, perhaps the most solid and effective use would be to marry her, no?

If Jinrong is interested in her for this reason, then, discouraging him from the notion isn’t a bad thing. The key issue is that this secret is too startling. If too many people come to know of it, it might greatly shock the values of the people of this era and, if it incites panic, it could be lethal.

Will Jiang Yifan continue to keep her secret?

Ye Xinyan rubbed her forehead in irritation, realizing that perhaps it was a little late to think about this matter. She had just relieved one anxiety only to be followed by another distressing issue. She had been in this time for over a year, and, inadvertently, she had lost a very good opportunity for settlement; it was inevitable that she would lose control of her emotions in front of the only person who knew the truth, to vent her long-suppressed feelings.

As for Jiang Yifan’s attitude after his disappointment... Ye Xinyan sighed inwardly. Perhaps she could hope that Jinrong also possessed Jiang Yifan’s formidable capacity to accept, to accept her explanation of living a lifetime in a dream, and to deal with it calmly.

As a prince contending for the position of Crown Prince, what he should care about most is her capability in handling affairs; as for the rest, those are minor details.

With another anxious heart, Ye Xinyan silently watched Jiang Yifan clean up the area where they had their outdoor meal, leaving no trace behind except a patch of extinguished ashes.

After Jiang Yifan had finished tidying up, he turned to look at her again and asked, "Shall we leave now?" Perhaps it was because he had been drinking all afternoon, but his voice sounded particularly deep.

Ye Xinyan had wanted to ask him whether he would tell Jinrong about what happened today, but after hesitating for a long time, she decided against it. Even if she obtained an answer of whether he would speak or not, what would it change? She was useful to Jinrong, and that should be enough to keep her safe.

Perhaps her scrutiny was too apparent, for before mounting his horse, Jiang Yifan looked into her eyes seriously and said, "I told you before that I would not speak of your matter to anyone, and that promise remains forever valid."

What an unexpected joy! Ye Xinyan was delighted, but facing Jiang Yifan’s composure, she didn’t show too much emotion and simply nodded in thanks, "Thank you."

"You’re welcome."

Jiang Yifan bent down, exerted his arm strength, and pulled Ye Xinyan onto the horseback to be seated securely. When he took hold of the reins, just as he had on the way here, and once again enclosed the woman in front of him in his arms, he felt immensely grateful that he hadn’t stayed at home chatting idly with His Highness that day but had seen her standing in the distance early enough; thus, he witnessed her desolate silhouette after the conversation with Wong Qiao.

He couldn’t help fearing retrospectively. If it had been His Highness who brought Ah Yan out today and he had seen Ah Yan’s extraordinary beauty, rather than simply admiring and wanting to win her over, His Highness might have fallen hopelessly in love. After spending close to a day together and returning side by side on horseback in full view of everyone, would he still have had a chance, given His Highness’s cunning?

Then thinking of Ah Yan’s scrutinous gaze just now, he wasn’t foolish enough to tell others about such a matter. The two of them shared an earth-shattering secret; it was this that made them more understanding of each other, closer.