She Became A Downfall Noble Lady
Chapter 389 - 388: No Wonder He’s So Capricious

Chapter 389: Chapter 388: No Wonder He’s So Capricious

Later, a young girl from Zhou Bingyi’s family got involved, with Zhou Biyao pestering Ye Xinyan, and Ye Xinyan, finding it annoying, actually sent her off to Wong Qiao, which gave Jinrong some relief.

What Jinrong did not expect was that Zhou Bingyi really had the guts to go through with it. Just after the fifth day of the new year, Zhou Bingyi sent his second daughter to the Qi family.

Zhou Bingyi’s thoughts were beyond Jinrong’s concern, but what was interesting was Zhou Biyao. Clearly, judging from the past couple of days, Zhou Biyao had her own ideas. Isn’t there a saying that goes, "A girl chasing a boy is separated by a mere layer of gauze"? Considering the Second Miss Zhou’s bright and brash vigor, if she took a liking to Wong Qiao, it would only be a matter of time before Wong Qiao ended up in the young girl’s hands.

By comparison, Ye Xinyan’s confused handling of affairs between men and women meant that even if she had any ideas, she stood no chance in front of the forthright young lady of the Zhou family.

At this thought, Jinrong felt a stir in his heart. He asked Jiang Yifan, "Do you think Ye Zi has feelings for Wong Qiao, and she is feeling jealous because of Zhou Biyao’s arrival, which is why she wants to be alone to clear her mind?"

Jiang Yifan had originally thought so too, but after listening to Ye Xinyan sing so many songs, none of them contained the plaintive self-pity of women. Although many exuded a sense of melancholy, the faint, leisurely sentiment seemed to be more of a lament for the passage of time and a yearning for the carefree days gone by rather than for heartache over romantic attachment.

Perhaps there was some sense of loss regarding Wong Qiao, but that was just a part of it, not the whole.

Jiang Yifan did not answer Jinrong’s question. It was not his place to suggest, nor did he want Ye Xinyan to set her heart on another man.

It was fortunate that Jinrong did not expect to find an answer from him, and went on speaking, "I just cannot see it as possible. What kind of person is Ye Xinyan, what status does she have, and what kind of family could possibly match her generosity and stature? If Wong Qiao had any sense of self-awareness, he would stay far away from Ye Zi."

Jinrong stood again in front of the window, gazing through the open pane at the yard outside, where most were busy coming and going, preparing dinner. The daily life of an ordinary family isn’t so bad after all; though not very luxurious or prominent, it has a certain tranquility and comfort.

If Ye Xinyan became accustomed to such a simple life, would she not want to return to the capital? Or even less, to re-enter a grand residence?

Without turning around, Jinrong asked Jiang Yifan in an indifferent tone, "You and Ye Zi were never on good terms before, and moreover, it was you who openly gave her up in front of everyone. Having come to this point, why bother to go to such lengths to court her a second time? Wouldn’t it be better for you to find a suitable lady from a noble family?"

Jiang Yifan fell silent for a moment, uncertain how to comment on the divorce. Although he did not regret it, if it hadn’t been for one thing leading to another back then, perhaps there wouldn’t be the current Ah Yan. While the divorce led to the presence of Ah Yan, the actions he took nearly brought her to ruin, and wouldn’t Ah Yan have always been the one to get hurt?

"I’ve told Sixth Master before, it’s every man for himself in this matter. When it comes to courting Ye Xinyan, I won’t back down, regardless of whom. If Sixth Master can win her affection, I will have no complaints. As for advising me to give her up voluntarily, Sixth Master better dismiss that thought. And besides, I know Ye Xinyan’s character; she would never allow anyone to force her hand in such matters."

Jinrong’s expression turned slightly sullen, annoyingly glaring back at Jiang Yifan. Where did the kid get this confidence from? His relationship with Ye Xinyan had been so stiff back then, and even now, Ye Xinyan hadn’t shown him much kindness. Shouldn’t he be feeling uncertain?

But the trouble is, this young man really has his ways.

Jiang Yifan continued, "I met the Sixth Master when we were young, and now I am wholeheartedly assisting him. I can give my life for the Sixth Master, but Ye Xinyan, that’s not possible. If she willingly chooses the Sixth Master, I have nothing to say. However, if she ultimately chooses me, I will not concede to anyone, even if it means giving up everything to take her away to a distant land, I shall do so without looking back."

To be with such a woman, even if it meant living secluded in the wild mountains, would be worthwhile.

...

Jiu Yue and Jiu Mei accompanied Ye Xinyan to the back yard. Ye Xinyan hadn’t even entered her own room when Zhou Biyao dashed out of hers, hastened over with quick, short steps, and grabbed Ye Xinyan’s sleeve to pull her inside, all the while speaking hastily, "Where did Sister go? You didn’t tell me, didn’t come back for lunch, do you know how worried everyone in the courtyard was? Third Brother Wong was so concerned he didn’t get any work done all afternoon, I was so distracted I couldn’t concentrate on my tasks either."

"Didn’t I say I was just going out for a walk? Since I was already out, of course, I took the chance to stay out a bit longer. You’re all worrying over nothing."

Nanny Jin came out a step behind Zhou Biyao, just in time to meet Ye Xinyan as she entered.

Nanny Jin nudged Zhou Biyao aside while ushering Ye Xinyan inside, starting to nag, "Look at you, even if you want to go out for a walk, you should have had lunch first, not to mention bringing a couple of maids with you. Going out with a man like that, what does that look like? It’s lucky that it was Lord Jiang who went with you, and the people in the courtyard understand his character. But if others knew you were alone with a man for such a long time, what would you have to say for yourself?"

She called the maids over as soon as they were inside, "Hurry, get some hot water, no, warm water, just not cold. Jiu Yue, go get some casual and comfortable clothes for the Young Lady, and a softer jacket as well."

While Nanny Jin was instructing the maids, she wasn’t idle herself, helping Ye Xinyan take off her cape, then pulling up her sleeves to look her over from head to toe. Seeing no harm done to her, she finally relaxed.

"The old Master too, he should have informed me earlier that you were going to be outside for so long. If I had known sooner, I would have gotten you a longer jacket, a hand warmer at least. Look, your face is all red from the cold, it will take some time to recover. Lord Jiang was also reckless..."

Zhou Biyao, listening to Nanny Jin’s ongoing chatter, saw her eyes grow increasingly wide. Sister Qi was definitely the young lady of Duke An’s Mansion, right? Hearing Nanny Jin speak, it was as if no matter what she did, everything would be fine when she got back, and she’d be dearly cared for. No wonder Sister Qi was so carefree in her actions, doing whatever she wished, without having to consider the consequences.

Zhou Biyao couldn’t get a word in with Ye Xinyan and just listened to Nanny Jin’s chatter, helping Ye Xinyan to wash up simply and change clothes before sitting on the kang. It was then that she had a chance to get close to Ye Xinyan, and she sneaked a glance around before whispering, "Sister Qi, you’re so bold, just going out with a young man like that. Aren’t you afraid of people gossiping?"

Ye Xinyan, holding a cup of hot tea in her hand, took sips and replied, "In our courtyard, aside from a young girl like you who loves to pry into these things, where are there people who gossip?"

Zhou Biyao sat up straight from leaning forward, speaking wearily, "Sister always looks down on me, always saying things like that. Alas, I wonder when I’ll be able to do whatever I want just like Sister, without anyone talking or punishing me."