She Became A Downfall Noble Lady
Chapter 421 - 420: Identity Limits Thinking

Chapter 421: Chapter 420: Identity Limits Thinking

Yin Xiaocheng nodded subconsciously as he listened to Ye Xinyan lay out her plan, exchanging a glance with the Marquis Zhongyong. When they had heard that Ye Xinyan had returned, and was even accompanied by two children of the Qi family, Yin Xiaocheng and his son had speculated.

According to Zhao Gang’s description of the current Ye Xinyan, the most likely possibility is that she still intends to return, and having the two children from the Qi family with her gives her, as Qi Ye, a more sufficient reason to go back.

Marquis Zhongyong, thinking of Duke An’s temperament, asked Ye Xinyan, "Have you discussed this plan with your grandfather?"

Ye Xinyan replied, "I mentioned it. Elder Master Ye didn’t say yes or no, he just put me off by saying we’d talk about it later."

Marquis Zhongyong chuckled, finding Elder Master Ye amusing for putting her off with such words. What does ’later’ mean? How long is ’later’?

Yin Xiaocheng laughed and said, "Did you ask when your grandfather’s ’later’ would be? Perhaps the Duke is thinking of delaying you for a while, hoping that over time, your desire to leave will fade, and you won’t bring up the matter again."

Ye Xinyan paused for a moment and explained, "I am employed by His Highness Prince Yu as a steward, and the terms of restriction are clearly written in the employment contract, which is not easy to delay. I think Elder Master Ye doesn’t mean that, he probably wants to wait until the railway project is operating normally before making a decision."

"Railway project, which railway project?" Marquis Zhongyong immediately sat up straight and asked seriously, "Could it be those messy digs in the capital city?"

"Yes, the one involving railway carriages to carry passengers and transport goods."

Ye Xinyan didn’t understand the significance. What was the issue with the railway project? The reaction from the Marquis Zhongyong was unexpectedly strong. Moreover, Marquis Zhongyong also described the capital’s conditions as messy, his tone similar to that of Duke An, looking down on the matter, or rather, his voice carried even more aversion.

Although Elder Master Ye of Duke An’s Mansion wasn’t optimistic about the project, he did not hinder her work; on the contrary, he said Duke An’s Mansion would do its utmost to assist her. What was Marquis Zhongyong implying? Surely the Marquis wouldn’t be so resistant to progress as to staunchly oppose her helping Jinrong operate the railway carriages?

Ye Xinyan glanced at Marquis Zhongyong and his son somewhat guiltily. The Marquis and his son had always been very good to her and Madam Yin, and she would definitely not compromise on these matters for anyone. If this led to a falling out... what would she do? She felt like she was letting down all these people who had been kind to her.

Perhaps due to Ye Xinyan’s overly cautious look, Yin Xiaocheng felt it amusing. He chuckled and said, "It’s just a question, it’s not that serious. What’s with that expression?"

Was her expression really so inappropriate? Ye Xinyan thought to rub her cheeks, but instantly remembered that such a common action was highly indecorous among the ancient female relatives of the inner court, so she could only force a smile.

Marquis Zhongyong softened his tone and said, "I did hear something these last couple of days, that the official in charge under Prince Yu took on two sections of the railway carriage project. Prince Yu’s men are quite competent; these two sections were built quickly, it’s said they’re already completed, and now they’re finishing up. You’ve been working all this time in Yuyuan Prefecture; this project has nothing to do with you, right? But how come, just coming back for a short visit, Prince Yu thought to put you in charge?"

Marquis Zhongyong absolutely did not believe that his granddaughter possessed such extraordinary abilities that she could do everything better and more effectively than others.

He looked at her suspiciously, giving her another once-over. She seemed like an ordinary girl, nothing out of the ordinary, right? At most, she seemed more robust from exposure to the sun and wind, unlike the frail sheltered ladies of noble families.

Answering Marquis Zhongyong proved to be quite difficult, and Ye Xinyan blinked several times. Why should she do it? Of course, it was because she understood the operations of the railway carriage better than anyone else, and she led the team that developed the construction regulations and documentation for it.

But that wasn’t something she could just say, was it?

Marquis Zhongyong disliked her grimacing and eye-squinting, and he scolded, "Speak properly."

"Oh," Ye Xinyan hurriedly composed herself, "Well, Grandfather, do you know that the Qi Family Construction Business was the first to use rails to transport heavy materials?"

Marquis Zhongyong nodded, "I know, there were such rumors when the court discussed rail transport last year. And then? Are you suggesting that because you were with the Qi family, you have a good understanding of all this?" Marquis Zhongyong eyed Ye Xinyan intently. If it were that simple, would craftsmen still need to spend decades learning their skills? Couldn’t they just look and learn?

Ye Xinyan felt slightly embarrassed under Marquis Zhongyong’s gaze; the truth was, she did indeed understand all these things very well.

"Grandfather Qi’s construction business only began taking jobs since last year’s first half, starting with His Highness Prince Yu’s cattle farm and dairy workshop projects. Those two projects were urgent, and the construction business was short-staffed, so Grandfather Qi and Wong Qiao racked their brains to use various tools for assistance.

Back then, the rail pushcart used to transport bricks, tiles, and stones was something Wong Qiao and I discussed and made. I understand the situation with rail transportation better than Prince Yu’s Mansion’s Steward, and that’s why His Highness Prince Yu hired me."

Marquis Zhongyong frowned even more, shaking his head, he said, "You’re thinking too simply. Using railway carriages throughout the entire capital is different from your small-scale usage at construction sites. In towns and especially in the capital, those are places for government administration and for the common people to make a living. The railway installation in the capital has been under construction for nearly a year without any clear progress, and the simultaneous start of many sections has already affected the daily trade and tax revenue of the capital.

In this past year, the complaints from both the government and the people have only grown. It’s one thing for His Highness Prince Yu to be involved in such matters; after all, he is a royal prince, and even if there are mishaps, not many would say anything. You’re a young girl; how could you not inquire more and rashly agree to such a duty? It would have been wise to ask your elders before deciding."

Ye Xinyan was stunned; if it weren’t for Marquis Zhongyong’s words, she truly wouldn’t have considered all this. In ancient times, with low productivity, a project would consume a lot of manpower and time. To carry out projects all over a prosperous major capital city, like at the feet of the Son of Heaven, would affect the prosperity of the capital and even tax revenue...

Alright, her thinking was limited by her previous identity as an ordinary salaried worker; she hadn’t been as comprehensive in her thinking as someone in a high position.

However, this project couldn’t be stopped. Once halted, restarting it would be next to impossible. Not to mention the lack of courage to bring it up again, the lessons learned this time would discourage anyone from responding.

Ye Xinyan didn’t wait for Marquis Zhongyong to continue, she hurriedly spoke up, "Since things have already come to this, and so much manpower and money have been spent, it’s most important to complete the work soon. If you’re thinking of persuading me to give up this task, that... is highly unlikely.

I took on this task for Prince Yu, and although there’s no written contract, it was still a formal verbal agreement. Once the work is done, I will earn two thousand taels of silver from His Highness Prince Yu. Earning silver is important to me, but His Highness Prince Yu’s project can’t afford any delay; this is no trifling matter."