She Became A Downfall Noble Lady
Chapter 406 - 405: A Good Omen

Chapter 406: Chapter 405: A Good Omen

Although Ye Xinyan had been anxious about what it would be like to meet Madam Yin, seeing her as she was filled Ye Xinyan with a heavy heart, her throat constricted, and she could hardly speak.

Gently, she embraced Madam Yin, soothingly patting her back, and after a long while, whispered, "Wife of the heir apparent mustn’t be sad, haven’t we met now? There will be plenty of opportunities to talk and be close in the future. Let us not lose our composure in front of others, lest they see and gossip behind our backs."

It had to be said that Madam Yin’s feelings for her daughter were different from others. Despite the multitude of maids and old woman servants around them, and all the words they had spoken, none compared to what Ye Xinyan had just said.

The moment Ye Xinyan finished speaking, Madam Yin reluctantly let go of her arms, wiping her tears with a handkerchief, all the while nodding repeatedly, "What Ah Yan says is right. We can’t lose our composure and be laughed at, we cannot give those wicked people a chance to talk behind our backs."

Although Madam Yin’s words were unpleasant, Nanny Qian breathed a sigh of relief. It was only when the young mistress spoke that it mattered.

She gave Ye Xinyan another lingering look, her heart filled with amazement. The young mistress was indeed different from before, not just in demeanor but also in the way she spoke, which was unlike her former thoughtless self. Just now, with only a suggestive glance, Ye Xinyan had actually gotten the hint, to the fortune of the wife of the heir apparent.

Nanny Qian praised, "The young lady is truly courteous and sensible; the wife of the heir apparent hasn’t missed speaking about you these past days. Let’s go inside, the elders from Marquis Zhongyong’s Mansion are also waiting in the hall, you ought to see them."

Ye Xinyan nodded, then said to Madam Yin, "There are also my younger brother and cousin here, should they come along to meet the elders?"

Upon hearing this, Madam Yin quickly turned to look. In her heart, the Qi family who had taken in Ah Yan were her great benefactors. Since they were the younger brother and cousin mentioned by Ah Yan, she naturally wanted to treat them well.

"Certainly, the children of the Qi family should indeed come meet the elders. They are all good children; come here, let your aunt have a look at you."

Madam Yin’s gaze shifted, and she saw not only Qi Sanshun and Qi Jiaer but also a nervous Nanny Jin. Her eyes immediately took on a very complex expression.

When she had learned that Nanny Jin and Ah Yan had run away, she was extremely worried for Ah Yan but despised Nanny Jin to death, wishing she could immediately capture her and beat her senseless. However, now she realized, had it not been for Nanny Jin’s protection back then, she shuddered to think what might have become of Ah Yan, unsure if she could have returned at all.

Qi Sanshun and Qi Jiaer, knowing their manners, had already stepped forward to bow respectfully to Madam Yin, saying, "We pay our respects to the wife of the heir apparent."

Madam Yin hurriedly helped them up, looking them over one by one. Having only a daughter of her own, she was very pleased to see two boys close to her daughter, first praising Qi Sanshun incessantly as a good child, then pulling Qi Jiaer over to look at him closely, exclaiming, "Indeed a clever child, so adorable."

Nanny Qian was getting anxious on the side, wondering when they would go meet the Duke and Duchess with Madam Yin dwelling on this so long. Thinking that the young mistress was now sensible, she kept throwing significant glances towards Ye Xinyan, hoping she would sense the urgency.

Ye Xinyan was to stay here for a while, and Madam Yin intended to stay even longer. Wishing to leave a good impression for the future with Nanny Qian, to smooth the way for later actions.

Supporting Madam Yin’s arm, Ye Xinyan softly persuaded her, then motioned for Qi Sanshun and Qi Jiaer to follow her, as the group headed towards the Second Gate.

The closer they got to the main hall, the more hesitant Ye Xinyan’s steps became. As a woman, the original owner of the body had not frequented the main hall, and moreover, she was no longer the pampered and fearless young mistress of the past, harboring a unique nervousness in her heart.

Ye Xinyan’s mood must have shown through her demeanor, for Madam Yin ceased to inquire about her travel accommodations, instead offering words of comfort. Taking hold of Ye Xinyan’s hand, Madam Yin led her slowly toward the main hall as they conversed.

Before entering, Ye Xinyan glanced back at Qi Sanshun and Qi Jiaer who were following closely behind and meekly stepped into the main hall with Madam Yin.

Not everyone was present in the main hall of Duke An’s Mansion, but all who should be there, were. Not only were Duke An and his Wife along with the Princely Heir, Ye Hongyang, there, but also the elders from Marquis Zhongyong’s Mansion, including General Zhenyuan Yin Xiaocheng seated next to Duke An.

On the side of Duchess An, there sat Ye Hongyang with a gloomy expression.

The young maids and old woman servants who attended to Duchess An stood in various places around the main hall. Even behind Yin Xiaocheng stood an attendant, but Maternal Aunt Liu and the two sons of Ye Hongyang were nowhere to be seen.

Ye Xinyan quickly surveyed the room and felt a slight relief. The absence of Maternal Aunt Liu and Ye Hongyang’s sons probably reflected Duke An’s stance, and particularly with the two illegitimate sons missing, it was indeed a good sign.

Whether it was because Duke An valued the current Ye Xinyan, or if the old man was giving face to Marquis Zhongyong’s Mansion, this act was certainly a show of goodwill.

Duke An watched as Madam Yin and Ye Xinyan entered, his eyes narrowed with urgency, but his face remained stern and indifferent as he watched his granddaughter step by step.

Upon seeing Ye Xinyan clearly, General Zhenyuan Yin Xiaocheng’s face showed a trace of hidden anger, but at the same time, he let out a great sigh of relief, his tensed body relaxing.

Madam Yin first bowed to Duke An and his Wife before saying to Ye Xinyan, "Child, come pay your respects to Duke and Duchess An."

Ye Xinyan paused briefly, then turned to pull Qi Jiajia closer, gesturing to Qi Sanshun to join her, before they all knelt and greeted Duke An and his Wife.

"Qi Ye, wife of the heir apparent, pays her respects to Duke An and his Wife."

Qi Sanshun and Qi Jiajia followed Ye Xinyan, and also bowed and spoke their greetings.

Duke An, with a severe expression, remained silent and did not instruct Ye Xinyan and the others to rise, but glanced over at his Wife.

Duchess An seemed to take a liking to Qi Jiajia and Qi Sanshun, and with a smile, reached out to the children, "Look at these smart and adorable kids, truly endearing. Come here, let me get a closer look at you; you must be tired from the long journey." She turned to instruct a maid, "Fetch two stools over here, place them by my side, and let the two boys sit and rest a while."

Qi Jiajia looked at the extended hand of Duchess An and then at the two small stools beside the elderly lady. He hesitated, looking to Ye Xinyan. Was this elegantly dressed elder calling him over? Why were only he and Brother Sanshun being called, and not sister?

Ye Xinyan smiled at him and nodded gently, then whispered to Qi Sanshun, "Take your brother over there, sit quietly, and don’t move unless you’re addressed. Go on, and first thank Duchess An."

Qi Sanshun nodded, and after thanking Duke An and his Wife, he rose with Qi Jiajia to sit on the two stools. They cast glances at Ye Xinyan and quietly responded to Duchess An’s questions.