She Became A Downfall Noble Lady
Chapter 399 - 398: Originally a Noble Person from the Capital

Chapter 399: Chapter 398: Originally a Noble Person from the Capital

The guests of honor took their seats and Lian Gui explained the purpose of his visit. He first apologized to Qi Younian repeatedly, saying that he had caused the Qi family trouble, and only then did he subtly inquire whether Qi Younian had received a letter from Duke An’s Mansion, and what arrangements Old Master Qi had made.

Ye Xinyan sat on the side, presenting herself as a well-behaved and gentle young lady, while Qi Younian answered, detailing Ye Xinyan’s travel itinerary and her accompanying entourage.

Lian Gui was overjoyed upon hearing this and quickly stood up, bowing incessantly to Qi Younian and Ye Xinyan. As for whom Ye Xinyan would bring, or how many carriages would be in the party, Lian Gui showed no concern.

Although the Duke believed that the young Miss would certainly accompany Nanny Jin back, Lian Gui had no such confidence. If the young Miss did not take the initiative to accompany Nanny Jin, he would then have to seek a solution with Anshun’s Household. It would undoubtedly be a hassle to persuade the young Miss to depart with them.

Now, all was well, not only was the young Miss willing to travel back to the capital with them but she was also to be accompanied by Prince Yu. With the protection of the prince’s guards, no matter how many people or carriages the young Miss brought, his task could be done without a doubt.

After resting for a few days, Lian Gui contacted Jinrong and, following the customs of the era, chose an auspicious date and hour to start their journey. They decided to depart early on the twenty-first of November, heading for the capital.

At Ye Xinyan’s end, Nanny Liu and Anshun’s Household had already been preparing for nearly half a month; everything was ready, just waiting for the day of departure.

As for Qi Sanshun, Nanny Liu had already sent word to Lady Wang. They had prepared everything needed for Qi Sanshun’s travel along with Qi Jia’s, and there was no need for the head lady of the main family to worry. They had even delivered the clothes for the day of departure and were just waiting to send Qi Sanshun over on the morning itself.

But Qi Sanshun was the youngest child in the main family, and everyone was cheered yet reluctant to see him set off for the faraway capital on his very first long journey.

Although Nanny Liu had told them there was no need to prepare anything, Lady Wang still got up in the middle of the night on the day of departure, stewed a chicken, baked several scallion pancakes, and fried some eggs. She wrapped these while they were hot in oiled paper, layered and bundled in cotton cloth, intending to give them to Qi Sanshun, Ye Xinyan, and Brother Jia for the road.

After Lady Wang had prepared the food, and before the sky had lightened, over a dozen members of the main family, except for Qi Ercheng who was not present, arrived at the second branch of the Qi family without a single absence.

By this time, the gates of the second house were wide open, with six horse-drawn carriages lined up from the entrance into the yard. Anshun’s Household and Nanny Jin were busy directing people to load the carriages.

Upon seeing the main family arrive, Nanny Jin put aside what she was doing to greet them, and then looking at Qi Sanshun who was dressed anew, she said with a smile, "Our Sanshun has also grown up to be a big child. I remember when we first returned, Sanshun was still leading a group of kids running wild in and out of the village. In the blink of an eye, he’s grown into a little adult."

Mentioning Qi Sanshun and the time when the three members of the second branch had just returned, Lady Wang was filled with emotion and held onto Nanny Jin’s hand, expressing her endless gratitude, "In the blink of an eye, two years have passed. Ever since your return, supporting our family, our days have only gotten better and better. Now Ye Zi is even taking Sanshun to the capital to see the world. My family doesn’t know how many lifetimes of good deeds it took to meet your family and to have such good fortune."

Nanny Jin responded with a laugh, "Madam is too courteous. Our good relation is also thanks to the old master, yourself, and the good nature of the children in your household. Look, even for this trip we’re making, isn’t it because Sanshun and Jiajia got used to playing and keeping each other company? In fact, we should be the ones thanking your family."

Lady Wang quickly demurred, noting that although Sanshun had indeed been playing with Brother Jia, the benefits her Sanshun had gained from this playtime were visible for all to see. In the past, whether it was food or toys, whatever Qi Jia had, Qi Sanshun could share.

Later, when Master Guan came to the Qi family, Sanshun didn’t even have to offer the ritual of becoming a disciple to start learning martial arts from him. Since the start of spring this year, Brother Jia went to school to study, and Sanshun began working in the fields. But when Brother Jia returned from school, the two brothers still played together, and Sanshun even learned quite a few characters from Brother Jia, and his writing developed a decent form.

The Jia brother from the Second Branch family hadn’t received much from us. Previously, Lady Xu had helped Ye Zi with Jiajia, and she could have slightly supported the Second Branch family’s efforts, but even that was disrupted by that wasteful Lady Han.

Lady Wang thought back to that incident, looking towards Qi Ershun with a complicated expression. Since learning that her eldest cousin and Nanny Jin were going to the capital, her Ershun had been downcast. It was all Lady Han’s fault, Ershun’s thriving business had been ruined by her interference. Otherwise, Ershun might have been a great help this time.

Nanny Jin also noticed Qi Ershun, who was following behind Qi Yougui. Qi Ershun glanced at his younger brother and then at the guards ready to depart with their tall horses and the six or seven carriages, envy filling his eyes.

Nanny Jin had always liked how clever and willing to work Qi Ershun was. Seeing the envy and the faint sense of loss on his face, she couldn’t bear it. The few children of the main family all had profitable businesses, but Qi Ershun was still at the village, working at the cattle farm with Cui Chengxi.

She waved to Qi Ershun and said, "Ershun, come over and see Sanshun off."

Qi Ershun hurried over, called her ’nanny’ with a voice full of emotion, at a loss for words.

Previously, he worked with Nanny Jin at the snack shop and enjoyed every day of it. Now that his older brother had gone to Yuyuan City, the snack shop was left in the care of a later-arriving lad. If he had stayed at the snack shop, would Nanny Jin have left it in his care? After all, he would be fourteen after the New Year, old enough to handle some responsibilities.

The young lad who had grown taller than Nanny Jin listened as she patted his shoulder and said, "Ershun is a smart child and still young. As long as we work hard, we’ll surely make a name for ourselves. Isn’t your elder brother working in Prefecture City? Ershun, if you work diligently, by the time you reach your brother’s age, you’ll surely be able to help your eldest cousin and manage the business."

Qi Ershun’s eyes brightened, and he softly asked, "Everyone says that our eldest cousin is already a significant figure in the capital. Eldest cousin and nanny won’t stay in the capital forever, they will surely come back, right?"

Nanny Jin smiled and replied, "That’s your eldest cousin, and with her you have Brother Jia and Sanshun. They are all part of the Qi family, of course they will come back."

Qi Ershun nodded vigorously, "I will wait for nanny and eldest cousin to return." With his eldest cousin around, he wasn’t afraid of anything. Manager Cui had said it, working with eldest cousin was the right choice; as long as one was willing to work hard and diligently, the eldest cousin would surely notice.

Over there, Qi Yougui and Lady Wang entered the courtyard, where they saw Ye Xinyan and Qi Younian. Apart from expressing gratitude, they had numerous words of caution for Ye Xinyan with well-wishes like take care on the road and to return early.

Lady Li and her sisters-in-law were also reluctant to see off Ye Xinyan. The New Year was approaching, and they had intended to prepare various pastries as a gesture of goodwill for the Second Uncle’s Family. Even though the Second Uncle’s Family didn’t lack anything, it would have been their way of showing they cared. By providing more themselves, the Second Uncle’s Family wouldn’t have to prepare as much. It wasn’t about the silver coins but saving time in the kitchen to make other foods.

The days were short in winter, and by the time they had all exchanged their polite farewells, a glimmer of light had just begun to appear in the sky.