She Became A Downfall Noble Lady
Chapter 443 - 441

Chapter 443: 441

Madam Yin smiled and said, "You leave early and return late every day, tired from your endeavors, yet still you inspect their studies and literacy. Nanny Jin repeatedly warns against allowing the little ones to bother you with things; how could you possibly be aware of these matters?"

Ye Xinyan was taken aback. Had she done that? Brought someone else’s children to a strange place, then just busied herself with her own affairs, leaving the two children to the side? And only to oversee their studies... This was exactly the image of the parent she had deeply despised as a child.

"I’ll go check on them," Ye Xinyan said, immediately rising to her feet. It wasn’t good to leave the lads with Zi Ning and Guan He; she had to make amends.

Madam Yin quickly pulled her back, "There’s no need to go; Righteous Guan took them out early this morning. He said it had been busy for many days and there had been no chance to take the kids out for a stroll. He left a message yesterday asking Lian Gui to prepare a small horse and a carriage to take the two children out for fun today."

"Did they take guards?" Ye Xinyan asked anxiously. The capital was not like Clear Water Village; if they got lost, it would be terrible. Such adorable children, anyone would cherish them if found.

"Yes, they did. Lian Gui arranged it following the number of attendants you take when you go out. Zi Ning went along as well, you can rest easy," Madam Yin explained.

Upon hearing Madam Yin’s last remark, Ye Xinyan bit her lip. She had just felt moved, thinking Guan He was more attentive to the children than she was as their sister. Who would have thought he actually took Zi Ning out for fun?

"Oh, then I’ll ask them at noon," Ye Xinyan said sullenly, sitting back down.

Madam Yin smiled and said, "Righteous Guan mentioned they would eat lunch outside. Today’s lunch will just be the two of us, mother and daughter. I’ve already told the small kitchen to prepare your favorites: steamed pork with rice flour, sweet and sour spareribs, and crispy fried yellow croaker."

"Oh, thank you, mother," and then Ye Xinyan forced a smile, saying, "Guan He is too inconsiderate. He should have at least told me, shouldn’t he? I had no idea he took the two lads and Zi Ning out like that."

Madam Yin’s face showed a hint of helplessness. She reached across the small kang table, patted Ye Xinyan’s arm, and said, "What is there to worry about when Righteous Guan takes the kids out? Zhao Gang says Righteous Guan’s martial skills are very good, he’s nice to the kids, and despite being busy, he never forgets to arrange their martial training. Mother has always known you’re a well-mannered and sensible child. You should show more respect when dealing with Righteous Guan to live up to his kindness in teaching our children."

Ye Xinyan’s expression became awkward at Madam Yin’s words. Everyone knew that one’s own children were the best, but wasn’t this an exaggeration? Which of mother’s eyes saw her daughter as always so polite and sensible?

Thinking thus, Ye Xinyan still agreed readily, though her face was embarrassed, "I understand, mother. I’ll remember."

"Yes, mother always says, ’Our Ah Yan has always been a good child.’" Madam Yin couldn’t be prouder of her own daughter. In the past, her heart and eyes were filled with the belief that her daughter was the best, but this time upon returning, her Ah Yan was even more admirable, without needing any reasons at all.

Madam Yin lived her most yearned-for happy life, talking with Ah Yan, chatting, pouring her tea, and occasionally offering a couple of snacks and fruits.

As they talked, it was still a while before noon, a message arrived from Song Ping’s Household, and Maternal Aunt Zhao from the mansion came, saying she was looking for the wife of the heir apparent and the young mistress.

Ye Xinyan looked at Madam Yin. How had Maternal Aunt Zhao found this place? Madam Yin, on the other hand, furrowed her brows.

Nanny Huang, standing nearby, discerned Madam Yin’s reluctance to meet Maternal Aunt Zhao and took a step forward to persuade, "Listen to what she has to say, wife of the heir apparent, and just ignore her afterwards. This is the young lady’s courtyard, after all, and the young lady will have to move around in the mansion in the future. Even if you do not wish to be on good terms with Maternal Aunt Zhao, it’s not worth provoking her."

Ye Xinyan had only met Maternal Aunt Zhao once, on the second day after her return to Duke An’s Mansion, during a family banquet. Naturally, Maternal Aunt Zhao did not have the status to sit at the table and dine, but she was currently managing the provisions at the mansion alongside the Duchess’s personal nannies, which meant she needed to show her face when supervising the meals.

Maternal Aunt Zhao did not possess the soft and beautiful appearance of Maternal Aunt Liu but still presented an above-average charm. Moreover, she was quite young, merely about twenty years old. It was said that due to successive deaths of family elders, her marriage had been delayed. Eventually, Duchess An took a liking to her and brought her into the Duke’s Mansion to become one of Ye Hongyang’s decent concubines.

Though Madam Yin had long given up on Ye Hongyang, seeing the women around him did nothing to improve her mood. However, for her daughter’s future sake, having one less adversary was always better, so she suppressed her impatience and allowed Maternal Aunt Zhao to enter.

Maternal Aunt Zhao was dressed in a light blue gown embroidered with bright silver threads and wore several exquisite pieces of silver jewelry. Her fair complexion, coupled with her attire, made her look fresh and elegant without appearing ostentatious.

Apparently, Maternal Aunt Zhao had left her maids outside, entering alone. Upon entering, she first curtsied to Madam Yin and Ye Xinyan, stating, "This humble concubine greets the wife of the heir apparent and the young lady. I hope both the wife of the heir apparent and the young lady are well."

All Madam Yin wanted was for her to state her business and leave promptly, so she did not make it difficult for her and replied indifferently, "Rise. You said you had business to discuss?"

Maternal Aunt Zhao quickly responded, "Yes, the young lady has returned for some days now, and this humble concubine has not yet formally paid my respects. Hearing that the young lady was resting today, I figured this might be a time when the young lady is not too busy. Therefore, I came to pay my respects and also to discuss the meals planned for the New Year period. I hoped to find out if the young lady has any food aversions or particular preferences, so I might make adjustments early on."

As she spoke, Maternal Aunt Zhao took out a menu and handed it to Nanny Huang, her intentions of goodwill very apparent.

Although Madam Yin did not care for the women around Ye Hongyang, she felt somewhat at ease, seeing as this woman had come with the intention of ingratiating herself with her daughter.

Madam Yin accepted the menu, glanced through each item, and then handed it to Ye Xinyan, saying, "Take a look and see if there’s anything you want to add or subtract."

Ye Xinyan had little to say; the meals during New Year celebrations at Duke An’s Mansion were naturally lavish and meticulous. Besides, with the mansion housing so few people, and in the absence of guests, everyone dined at the same table. Faced with the Duchess, whom she was not very familiar with, and Ye Hongyang, whom she greatly disliked, even the most exquisite dishes would hardly whet her appetite.

"It looks quite good; each meal includes a couple of dishes I enjoy. I think it’s fine," Ye Xinyan returned the menu to Madam Yin.

Madam Yin showed a smile to Maternal Aunt Zhao, "It looks good to me too, Maternal Aunt Zhao. You’ve put in an effort."

Since Madam Yin had not offered a seat, Maternal Aunt Zhao remained standing but showed no intention of leaving. She spoke with a smile to Madam Yin, "Thank you to the wife of the heir apparent and the young lady. Since the young lady’s return, the mansion has included an allowance for her. During these busy days, the young lady’s daily expenses have been managed by the wife of the heir apparent. This humble concubine heard from the Duchess that the young lady might have finished her pressing duties. I wonder how we shall arrange the young lady’s future expenses?

Furthermore, both the young lady and the two young masters have extra allowances for the New Year. The two masters’ allocations follow last year’s arrangements, with new clothing, accessories, and room decorations. Here for the young lady, Nanny Jin always says to wait, so this humble concubine has not touched the allocated portion for the young lady. Once the young lady gives her instructions, I shall have someone rush to make the arrangements."