She Became A Downfall Noble Lady
Chapter 388 - 387 We didn’t say anything

Chapter 388: Chapter 387 We didn’t say anything

Jinrong stood up and pushed the window open a crack. From his position, he could clearly see the workshop.

Recently, Wong Qiao had been working in the workshop with Zhou Biyao, but today, having gone out for a bit, Wong Qiao returned to learn that Ye Xinyan had gone out without any attendants, accompanied by Jiang Yifan. After that, Wong Qiao did not linger in the workshop. Even when Zhou Biyao had questions to ask, Wong Qiao would only stay for a brief while with the door half-open before leaving. Moreover, he was very silent for most of the day.

Could it be that when Ye Xinyan spoke of her unease, it was related to Wong Qiao?

Jinrong turned around and asked Jiang Yifan, "Father-in-law Qi said that Ye Zi was restless staying at home. Having spent such a long time alone with her today, did she mention what was causing her unease?"

When Jiang Yifan and Ye Xinyan had left earlier, he anticipated facing Jinrong’s questioning upon returning. Jinrong was a prince, a noble lord, and very possibly the future Crown Prince or Emperor. The requisite respect and deference had to be there, as well as stepping back when necessary. However, when it came to pursuing the woman he fancied, it was a different matter entirely; it all depended on one’s own abilities, irrespective of status.

As a friend who fancied the same woman, Jiang Yifan knew he should answer Jinrong’s question with full transparency, "She didn’t mention it, and I didn’t ask. I also felt there was no need to ask. The thoughts of a woman, especially one like Ye Zi, are not something she would easily disclose to others. Moreover, it would be extremely impolite to inquire."

Jinrong watched Jiang Yifan for a long while. They had been close friends since childhood, and despite long periods of separation, they still shared everything with each other. Could it be that when it came to Ye Xinyan, this lad was lying to him? Ye Xinyan was not his wife now but a divorcee eligible to remarry. He hadn’t asked anything too intrusive, had he?

Hesitating, Jinrong asked, "Then what did you talk about all this time when you went out?"

Jiang Yifan spread his hands, "Given her usual attitude towards me, what does Sixth Master think we could possibly talk about?"

"She said she wanted some peace, so I just accompanied her in the deserted wilderness for some quiet time. No one spoke to her, no one bothered her, she didn’t have to pay attention to anyone, and didn’t need to care about others’ opinions or thoughts about her—that’s all it was."

Jiang Yifan spoke candidly, and indeed that was exactly what had happened. He asked nothing, including the detail he very much wanted to know about the past life Ah Yan had mentioned as if she had truly experienced it. And Ah Yan said nothing, just singing to herself for two Shichen Chinese Time as if no one else was present.

Yes, it was singing. Unlike the lengthy and penetrating singing styles of performers and songstresses meant to entertain an audience, Ah Yan’s singing was clearly for her own enjoyment—her voice soft, gentle, and beautiful, which people just a few steps away might not even be able to hear.

He was startled and moved when he first heard Ah Yan sing. Although he did not understand the lyrics of the first song she sang, its melody was beautiful, and combined with Ah Yan’s soft voice, he could still feel the melancholy and subtle sadness that flowed through it.

After that, Ah Yan’s singing lacked a fixed style. She seemed to sing whatever came to mind, dictated by her mood. There were songs with stirring pride, some bright and uplifting, some meandering, and each one, though not particular about rhythm and rhyme, better expressed her emotions.

The last few songs had an even deeper connotation, their subtle sadness like clouds drifting gently with Ah Yan’s soft singing over the deserted wilderness, immersing one inadvertently deep into it. Even he, who considered himself an outsider, could feel that ineffable sense of sorrow—the passersby, the events that had transpired, the parting of a mentor. All the pleasures and displeasures flocked to him, and the nostalgia and melancholy within nearly made him forget where he was.

Before that, his intention was merely to seize the opportunity to be alone with Ah Yan. If she was willing, they could discuss her experiences and observations from that other life. But as he listened to Ah Yan singing song after song, he couldn’t put into words the shock in his heart. He couldn’t imagine what kind of transcendent circumstances Ah Yan must have been in to have such profound knowledge and such exceptional sentiment.

At that moment, all he could do was suppress his emotions and awe, not making a sound for fear of disturbing this beautiful woman and that beautiful moment.

It seemed that Jiang Yifan’s long silence, coupled with the too-obvious nostalgia on his face, was irritating Jinrong. Displeased, he called out, "Yuanfan?"

"Sixth Master." Jiang Yifan looked up, meeting Jinrong’s seemingly amused gaze, and then explained, "Born into the imperial family, the Sixth Master inherently possesses a status above that of ordinary people and can’t understand the emotions of us common citizens. To be alone with the person one admires, even without speaking a word, is a rare and beautiful time. I am content with that."

His words made Jinrong’s expression grow even uglier. If only he could take Ye Zi out to relax his mind, he would be content as well.

"You truly didn’t speak at all?" Jinrong asked, brooding.

"Other than asking where we were headed at the start, and then if it was time to return, we didn’t exchange a single word in between."

"You swear?" Jinrong asked again for confirmation.

Jiang Yifan replied helplessly, "Indeed, we did not talk. She said she wanted to be alone in silence. I didn’t dare utter a word during that time, for fear of disturbing her and eliciting her displeasure. Things need to be taken one step at a time, don’t they? I do understand that."

Jiang Yifan paused, then looking seriously at Jinrong, he said in a low voice, "In my opinion, Ye Zi is not suitable for the Sixth Master. With the Sixth Master’s status and her temperament, the Sixth Master cannot indulge her for a lifetime. The Sixth Master should prioritize his own grand endeavors, and as for Ye Zi, she will always manage the business well, that’s it."

Jinrong’s face darkened as he coldly said, "You worry too much."

"Yes." Jiang Yifan said no more.

After a while, Jinrong spoke again, "Wong Qiao went out this morning and, after returning and learning Ye Zi had gone out to ease her mind, seemed troubled and barely touched his lunch. Hong Wu mentioned that Ye Zi had spoken alone with Wong Qiao for a while. When you went out this morning, did you see Wong Qiao?"

Jiang Yifan did not give his opinion on this matter but said, "In a few more days, the weather will warm up, and then Wong Qiao will follow the old master to Yuyuan City to work on the construction of the other mansion’s courtyard. He won’t be here, so His Highness need not worry."

"That is true," Jinrong mused darkly, glancing at Jiang Yifan. The biggest threat was right before him. Jiang Yifan understood Ye Xinyan better than anyone here. Even though Ye Xinyan had changed a lot after leaving Duke An’s Mansion, her actions still carried traces of her past wild and unrestrained nature.

Take the events of today, for example. If it had been him accompanying Ye Zi, he definitely wouldn’t have been as cautious as Jiang Yifan. He would have bombarded her with questions or found topics to cheer her up. Who knew if that would have made her even more irritated?

Compared to Jiang Yifan, Wong Qiao really was no threat at all.

The Qi family kept a young man like Wong Qiao, who was gentle and ambitious, and yet Ye Xinyan refused to address him as Uncle Wong. Jinrong had long felt that something was not right about this. Although he had received Nanny Liu’s reassurances that Ye Zi and Wong Qiao interacted only through work and nothing else, he could not be certain. Young men and women working together every day couldn’t guarantee that some subtle feelings wouldn’t develop.