She Became A Downfall Noble Lady
Chapter 414 - 413: Jealousy

Chapter 414: Chapter 413: Jealousy

"Exactly, exactly, Mother is right," Ye Hongyang nodded repeatedly. Having dealt with those two wild boys, he eased his mind substantially, only then remembering bits and pieces of conversation he overheard yesterday while accompanying that down-and-out boxer.

At the time, he felt impatient and not only engaged little in the conversation, but also did little to listen to what they were saying. Now, with his burden somewhat lifted, he recalled they had mentioned a few times the person traveling with Ye Xinyan, whom they addressed as Sixth Master. From what he heard, that person must hold some sort of status.

Ye Hongyang asked the Duchess, "Father was speaking with Righteous Guan yesterday, and he mentioned the Sixth Master, saying that Xinyan came back with the Sixth Master. Who is this person? Xinyan’s travel companions were all female relatives. Isn’t it a bit improper for this man to travel with them, somewhat lacking in decorum?"

Hearing this, the Duchess of Duke An couldn’t help sighing, "You’re not that young anymore, how come you never pay attention to serious matters? When you’re together, you chatter idly, dine, and drink, for nearly two shichen, yet you can’t even understand this? They were talking about His Highness Prince Yu. Do you think you are qualified to judge him?"

Ye Hongyang was greatly shocked and his eyes widened. He hadn’t expected that a casual inquiry would reveal such a fact.

"Isn’t His Highness Prince Yu supposed to be in Yuyuan Prefecture? Besides, His Highness is known for traveling fast with a light entourage. How could he have the patience to travel with a bunch of women and children? You must have heard wrong, Mother," he retorted.

The Duchess didn’t know the details of Ye Xinyan’s journey to the capital very clearly, but she was certain that the person traveling with Xinyan was indeed Prince Yu. Duke An had returned home late yesterday, and after exchanging only a few words, they had both retired for the night. Early this morning, Duke An said he had matters to attend to and went directly to the front courtyard. She was unaware of the specifics.

"Isn’t Xinyan working as Chief Steward for His Highness Prince Yu? Since she had to come to the capital before the end of the year, it’s feasible that they traveled together," the Duchess speculated.

Ye Hongyang’s unease deepened. Never had he heard of a master accommodating a steward or bodyguard on a long journey. The very notion of them traveling as companions was even more inappropriate. She was a disgraced Abandoned Wife; how could a prince travel as her companion? Could it be that the wretched woman has already engaged in some unseemly dealings with the prince?

If this shameless creature truly gained the prince’s favor, once Father passed away and their backing was gone, what would become of him, Maternal Aunt Liu, and their two sons?

The more Ye Hongyang thought about it, the more he felt restless. "I’ll go ask Father what this is all about," he declared, promptly standing up. He gave a cursory bow to the Duchess and then hurriedly strode out of the room.

......

When Duke An was chatting and dining with Guan He yesterday, he only briefly inquired about their journey. Most of the time, he discussed martial arts and various anecdotes from the Jianghu with Guan He. He didn’t ask a single question about Ye Xinyan’s specific circumstances.

It wasn’t until after dinner, when he had sent Guan He and Yin Xiaocheng on their way, that Duke An found Lian Gui and the steward who welcomed them to ask about the situation. Only then did he learn that Ye Xinyan was still handling clerical tasks for Prince Yu during the journey.

What was more significant was the information from the steward that Xinyan, upon entering the capital, still carried duties for His Highness Prince Yu.

Duke An felt a heavy weight in his heart. Prince Yu had been absent from the capital for over two years; what business could he have in the city? And what could possibly necessitate the involvement of a woman like Xinyan?

He had always been careful to maintain a distance from the Crown Prince and the other royal princes, not wanting to get involved in the succession struggle. If Xinyan unwittingly got mixed up in it, it was not a good sign.

Therefore, Duke An had come out early in the morning, instructing Lian Gui to hurry to Xinyan’s courtyard to tell her to come and have breakfast with him in the outer courtyard study so they could discuss matters.

Ye Hongyang rushed all the way to the outer courtyard study only to find Ye Xinyan had already had breakfast with Duke An and had roughly explained the Railway Carriage matter.

Ye Hongyang, standing in the courtyard of the study, nearly exploded with anger when the attendants mentioned that Father had actually invited Xinyan to the study to dine with him.

Father must have really lost his senses. Even on ordinary days, he seldom visited this study, and his two sons had never even stepped foot in this courtyard. And yet Father had allowed such a person to come and dine in the study!

After the attendant announced his arrival, as he entered, he saw Father and Ye Xinyan seated as host and guest, speaking with serious solemnity; the atmosphere was akin to colleagues discussing official matters.

Ye Hongyang was now truly red with anger, having never received such treatment himself as a son.

Upon seeing Ye Hongyang enter, Ye Xinyan stopped talking.

Duke An waved him in, gesturing for him to sit down by the side and asked, "You’ve come so early to this place, is there something you need?"

Looking at the seat Duke An had indicated, Ye Hongyang’s face was filled with indignant rage as he challenged, "Hengheng and Yiyi are your grandsons, yet you don’t allow them into this courtyard. Even I seldom come here. But you let your granddaughter dine here. Are you not sparing any dignity for me, your son, at all?"

The expression on Duke An’s face turned stormy. If Xinyan wasn’t there, to save face for him as a father, he would have kicked him out with a single blow.

Duke An glared at him for a long time before he sighed, "When you were younger, I did try to bring you here to teach you how to handle affairs. Didn’t you dislike the atmosphere here? Every time you went back, you complained to your mother, saying you didn’t enjoy staying here discussing those violent affairs."

...

Ye Hongyang was left speechless by the retort and, after pausing to collect himself, replied, "But what you’re discussing with Xinyan now isn’t about those violent matters."

Duke An waved his hand dismissively, "Enough, don’t say any more. What Xinyan and I are discussing are indeed serious matters. If you’re willing to listen, you can stay. Sit down quietly, or otherwise, leave."

Ye Xinyan pursed her lips, finding the old master quite amusing. He was only concerned whether his son was willing to listen, not even inquiring whether she was willing to speak.

Duke An didn’t truly believe his son had suddenly taken an interest in serious affairs, but he still harbored a sliver of hope. No matter what his son’s motives were for staying, letting him know of his daughter’s accomplishments was beneficial. Perhaps this could change his attitudes toward his wife and daughter. If their relationship could be eased, even slightly, it would be a welcome surprise.