She Became A Downfall Noble Lady
Chapter 413 - 412: Sorted Out

Chapter 413: Chapter 412: Sorted Out

Maternal Aunt Liu, having heard Ye Hongyang speak with such intensity, quickly wiped the corners of her eyes and counseled, "Princely Heir should really consider the broader picture. Even if the elder sister is lacking in understanding, she is still the Princely Heir’s own flesh and blood. As long as the elder sister does not intend to usurp the entire Duke An’s Mansion, we must ensure that she has a place to live and some family property to rely on."

"Wishful thinking! Let her go to that capable mother of hers. Isn’t she herself impossibly capable?"

The two of them talked about these matters until well into the night before resting.

The next day, Maternal Aunt Liu attended to Ye Hongyang early and made sure he had his breakfast. As soon as Ye Hongyang set his chopsticks down, he hurriedly made his way to the Duchess’s courtyard. He went to pay his respects to his mother and also to see if he could catch his father before he left, to discuss the matter of those two wild boys in his mother’s room. Having his mother mediate could increase the chances of success for this matter.

Ye Hongyang estimated the time, thinking he had arrived quite early, yet he still missed Duke An.

Duke An had left for the study in the outer courtyard without even having breakfast. By the time Ye Hongyang arrived, the Duchess had only just finished her meal, and the table had not even been cleared.

Seeing her son come so early, the Duchess asked, "Have you had breakfast? Shall I have Nanny Qian ask the kitchen to prepare another meal for you?"

"Mother, there’s no need to trouble yourself, I’ve eaten," Ye Hongyang first paid his respects to the Duchess, then glanced around the room and asked, "Father isn’t here?"

"Take a seat," the Duchess pointed to a chair below her and motioned for him to sit, saying, "Your father went to the outer courtyard early this morning and ate breakfast there. Did you come over so early to see your father about something?"

Ye Hongyang paused for a moment, hesitating before saying, "I wanted to ask about that... that Xinyan who has returned. Does father have any plans for her?"

"That’s fine when we’re by ourselves, but in front of others, you must remember she is Lady Qi," Duchess An corrected him, "Remember, as long as your father has not officially declared Xinyan’s return, you too must not reveal her identity."

Ye Hongyang spread his hands and said, "Is there a need to say it? Isn’t it obvious? No one’s a fool."

The Duchess patiently explained, "Let others think what they will. Your father can handle it. You just need not to acknowledge it explicitly. Of course, don’t deny it either; just play for time. Your father said he would ask for Xinyan’s own intentions first."

Ye Hongyang immediately became agitated, "What? Ask for Xinyan’s intentions? What is she? A thing that has lost all face and been cast out by the world, what right does she have to express her intentions?"

"Look at you, still so impatient. If your father heard you talk like this, you would surely be in for another rebuke. You don’t need to worry about these things. You didn’t come to talk to your father about this, did you? If you did, then go back; your father has his own plans for this matter."

Ye Hongyang recalled the true purpose of his visit here, and if he could persuade his mother to drive out those two wild boys, it would be even better.

He glanced at the people in the room, all of whom were close attendants to the Duchess, and without avoiding the topic, he said, "I just wanted to ask, with Xinyan’s reputation, and since our mansion has already announced her death, wouldn’t it be bad for our mansion if she were to appear in public?"

The Duchess didn’t respond; she also felt it was not good, but she couldn’t very well oppose it. The old Duke liked bold and forthright children, yet none of his own sons or grandsons were like that. It was rare for a granddaughter to be bold and tough, and yet she acted without thinking. Now that this granddaughter had changed her ways, the old Duke naturally wouldn’t ignore her.

"Moreover," Ye Hongyang continued, "if she has come back, let her come back. At most, we provide for her well and make sure she doesn’t meet with outsiders. But she also brought back two country boys with her, what’s the meaning of that? Mother should quickly arrange for someone to send those two boys back. If you are too busy, I can send someone to do it, just let Madam Yin know." Madam Yin was now incredibly arrogant, and if he sent someone over, he feared that the foolish woman would have them beaten and thrown out.

The Duchess frowned and said, "The New Year is upon us, and it wouldn’t look good to send children back to their families right after bringing them out. They’re just two country boys, our mansion isn’t short of provisions. Even if we have to support them for a few more years, it wouldn’t matter much, after all, they did take Xinyan in."

"Mother, you’re being naive. Precisely because they are country boys, who have never seen wealth, they are more likely to have improper thoughts. Those boys are still young, especially the younger one, who is just starting to understand the world. If he truly lives in the Duke’s Mansion for ten or twenty years, he might even start to see himself as the master of this house, and seek fortune from us. You’re nurturing a future problem."

The more the Duchess listened to Ye Hongyang’s words, the more she felt something was wrong, "What are you thinking? There are plenty of children who were orphaned when their soldier fathers died under your father’s command, and none of them inverted the relationship and took over the family assets. Moreover, we are Duke An’s Mansion, one of the noble and prestigious in the court, not a place where others can behave recklessly. Is this Maternal Aunt Liu filling your head again? If keeping her confined in the yard doesn’t quiet her down, where else can she be placed?"

When the Duchess asked the last question, her tone gradually became more severe.

"No, not at all, you’re thinking too much," Ye Hongyang quickly waved his hands, denying vehemently, "I just think it’s not appropriate for those two kids to stay permanently in our mansion. Madam Yin and Xinyan have been antagonistic toward me in the past. With only Madam Yin, she already disregards me. If we add Xinyan and those two kids, who knows what will happen in a few years when the children grow up, they might see me as an enemy."

The Duchess looked at Ye Hongyang skeptically. Although her son’s thoughts were a bit far-fetched and biased, it wasn’t impossible that such a situation could happen. She knew how Ye Hongyang treated his first wife, and it wasn’t strange that Madam Yin and Ye Xinyan harbored resentment against him.

The Duchess, feeling slightly irritated, waved her hand and said, "It’s not as serious as you say. Between husband and wife, father and daughter, how can there be so much enmity? Even if they don’t like you, it’s because you have been cold towards them over the years and haven’t treated them as wife and daughter. If you’re worried about this, just treat them better from now on."

Ye Hongyang glanced at the Duchess with displeasure. It wasn’t his fault that Madam Yin wasn’t likable, was it?

Ye Hongyang instinctively shook his head, deciding not to get entangled in the affairs of Madam Yin and that calamity anymore. These things, he and his parents had never been able to clarify or agree upon.

"Since Mother feels it’s improper to send the boys back before the New Year, then let’s send them away after it. No one can tell what the future holds, but fewer troubles and potential problems are always better. Remember to have them sent away after the New Year," said Ye Hongyang.

After pondering for a moment, the Duchess nodded reluctantly and said, "Let’s see after the New Year. What you’re saying makes sense. There are many ways to repay a favor; it’s not necessary to keep someone’s children in our mansion. They have their own relatives, and separating them from their kin isn’t right. After the New Year, let them have a few more months of fun, and when the novelty has worn off for the children, we can send them back. We’ll send some generous gifts along to express our thanks to the Qi family as well."