She Became A Downfall Noble Lady
Chapter 405 - 404: Meeting Each Other

Chapter 405: Chapter 404: Meeting Each Other

Upon entering the city, Lian Gui and the steward sent by Duke An’s Mansion to greet them bowed to Jinrong again, expressing gratitude that His Highness Prince Yu was able to escort Lady Qi to the capital.

This time Jinrong actually said a few more words. He pulled aside the carriage curtain, leaned out slightly, and waved his hand, "There’s no need for such formalities. Lady Qi’s arrival in the capital is to assist me with my affairs. If anyone should be thanked, it should be me thanking Duke An. The old master has done me a great favor by having Lady Qi brought to the capital. After resting for a day or two, I will personally visit Duke’s Mansion to offer my thanks to the old master."

The steward from Duke’s Mansion responded repeatedly, but cast a glance at Lian Gui, filled with puzzlement. He couldn’t make sense of what Prince Yu was saying. There were indeed rumors in Duke An’s Mansion that Lady Qi, who closely resembled the young lady of the house, was incredibly capable. The rules of Duke’s Mansion were strict, and even though everyone knew that Lady Qi must be the young lady, no one dared to acknowledge it openly.

The mere suggestion that the young lady was capable already had many people half in doubt. Now, with Prince Yu adding such puzzling remarks, it truly baffled them.

Even if the young lady had faced hardships and could genuinely take care of things, what kind of place was the capital? It was a hub for all kinds of talented individuals and eccentric experts. If Prince Yu wished to employ someone, they would eagerly vie for the opportunity. There was no need to go to the trouble of specifically inviting someone from such a remote place, and that someone being the young lady of his own household at that.

Lian Gui did see the steward’s questioning look, but he didn’t react, merely bowed to Jinrong to say goodbye and expressed his gratitude once more. Then he escorted the procession of carriages carrying Ye Xinyan towards Duke An’s Mansion.

When they entered the city, Ye Xinyan called Qi Sanshun and Qi Jiaer into her carriage to sit down. At that moment, the carriage was proceeding along the main streets of the capital, and it was only natural for the two boys, wanting to catch a glimpse of the city’s excitement, to be left to their own devices by Ye Xinyan.

So, they each leaned against a side of the carriage window, peering outside. The splendor of the capital was something unmatched by those northern cities. The young boys were dazzled, barely turning their heads to respond to each other, intermittently exclaiming in hushed tones.

"There are so many pedestrians here, where do they all come from?"

"Look at those two towers, they’re so tall, and they even have birds and beasts on them!"

"That young master’s horse looks outstanding, so pure and white."

"That shop has so many lanterns; it must look beautiful when they’re all lit up at night."

...

It wasn’t until they turned off the main street and onto the lane leading to Duke An’s Mansion that the number of idlers lessened and the hustle and bustle faded away, and the two boys finally calmed down. Ye Xinyan called them back to their seats inside the carriage.

Qi Sanshun and Qi Jiaer sat on either side inside the carriage. Qi Sanshun asked Ye Xinyan in a low voice, "Big Cousin, my grandparents said that Duke An’s Mansion is one of the richest and grandest households in the Great Xia Dynasty, very large and with many rules. When we go to Duke An’s Mansion, does that mean we can’t speak or move around freely?"

Although Ye Xinyan herself was nervous, she didn’t want to put pressure on the two youngsters. She smiled and said, "Noble families naturally have their own set of rules, but we are simple rural folk; we won’t compare ourselves to them. All we need to do is be polite to our hosts and courteous to their servants. We will have our own courtyard, and we can be more relaxed there. When venturing out, we should ask Nanny to accompany us, to prevent us from going where we shouldn’t."

Hearing what Ye Xinyan had to say, Qi Sanshun’s expression relaxed considerably.

Ye Xinyan then patted Qi Jiajia’s head and smiled, "Our Qi Jia is still young, but has always been polite. Just treat the masters of the house the same way you treat Sixth Master and Lord Jiang. Hasn’t Lord Jiang always said you’re a well-mannered child? Just be yourself, and that will be fine."

Reassured by Ye Xinyan’s advice, the children committed to behaving courteously and settled down, no longer worried.

Duke An’s Mansion was just as austere as Ye Xinyan remembered, and although there were quite a number of servants coming and going, to Ye Xinyan, those people seemed almost non-existent in the eyes and heart of the original owner.

They entered through a side gate. The carriage didn’t stop, but continued into the yard and went straight through the side, heading towards the Second Gate.

Ye Xinyan restrained Qi Sanshun and Qi Jiajia, telling them to sit still. She herself lifted a corner of the cotton curtain, peering out. Of the seven carriages that had left Clear Water Village, only hers and another carrying servants from the village were heading towards the Second Gate.

The others did not follow, probably stopped outside, waiting to be rearranged by Anshun’s Household before being brought in.

The servants they encountered along the way did not stop their steps, but all cast covert glances at their two carriages. It was likely known amongst the household’s servants that those seated within must be Lady Qi, the young lady strictly forbidden by the Duke and Duchess to be mentioned.

Ye Xinyan’s gaze did not rest on the passing servants; instead, she looked towards the direction of the Second Gate. Turning a bend in the road, indeed, she could see a crowd of people bustling about near the Second Gate.

Ye Xinyan let the curtain fall back into place and returned to her seat. Judging by the dress and attire of the people at the Second Gate, they should be Madam Yin and her attendants, perhaps even people from Duchess An’s entourage.

Within this household, the only one who would wait for the original owner like this was her mother, Madam Yin. As for the people from the Duchess’s attendants, they were probably there especially to watch Madam Yin and to remind her not to lose her composure publicly.

Ye Xinyan felt the carriage turn the bend in the road and halt after just a few more steps.

Noise from outside grew louder as it neared.

The first thing heard was Madam Yin’s trembling voice, "Ah... is it my daughter? Is it you?"

Then came numerous voices in low tones, urging calm; one voice was particularly distinct, "Wife of the heir apparent, please, do not rush. This must be Lady Qi from the Qi family. My Lady, do not rush, lest you frighten her."

Followed by Madam Yin’s voice again, "Yes, yes, Nanny is right. Ye Zi, isn’t it? You’ve had a hard journey. Come in quickly, come in and rest."

According to Ye Xinyan’s estimation, there was still a distance to the Second Gate, but from the sound of Madam Yin’s voice, she was already walking towards them, so naturally, Ye Xinyan couldn’t continue sitting.

The moment she heard Madam Yin’s voice, she began to get up, lifting the curtain ahead of Nanny Jin. She saw Madam Yin had already approached near the carriage, and hurriedly gathered her skirts to jump down.

Madam Yin, too impatient to wait for her daughter to alight from the carriage herself, pushed aside the maidservant by her side and hurried forward. After scarcely a glance at Ye Xinyan, she flung herself upon her, embracing her and crying out, "My daughter, you have returned, you are about to cause your mother’s death from longing."

The one incessantly consoling Madam Yin just now was Nanny Qian from the Duchess’s retinue. Seeing Madam Yin unable to control her emotions, and fearing she might become even more uncomposed, Nanny Qian again stepped forward to console her, "Wife of the heir apparent, do not cry. The Young Lady has just arrived; please do not frighten her."

Turning back to Ye Xinyan, she gave her a meaningful look and said, "Young Lady, please also console the wife of the heir apparent. Seeing the Young Lady is a good thing. How can the wife of the heir apparent behave like this? The Duke and Duchess are waiting in the hall; we should not delay here any longer."