She Became A Downfall Noble Lady
Chapter 461 - 459 Nonsense

Chapter 461: Chapter 459 Nonsense

Yin Xiaocheng frowned as he looked at Ye Xinyan. What did she mean by telling him to be at ease? He was far from at ease. He knew all too well that his troublesome niece would not act according to common sense. Judging by her behavior, it seemed she no longer wanted her family meddling in her affairs.

"This is no child’s play, and cannot be left to your whims. While there are not many rumors now, it’s best to settle your marriage arrangements as soon as possible," Yin Xiaocheng said.

"Wait a moment, wait a moment, Uncle," interrupted Ye Xinyan, almost leaping from her seat. "Didn’t you just say that after Prince Yu’s actions the other day, no one dares to marry me?" And now they’re talking about settling a marriage?

She suddenly remembered the words Jiang Yifan had said to her when they left Qingyuan County. Could that guy actually have had such foresight to predict what would happen in the capital over a month later?

Yin Xiaocheng was almost amused by her reaction. "Look at you. Seems you are quite pleased that no one dares to marry you," he said without leaving any room for discussion. "That’s exactly why we need to settle your marriage arrangements before matters become more serious."

Ye Xinyan helplessly looked at Yin Xiaocheng. It seemed that having someone care about you isn’t always a good thing. Looking at her uncle, it was as if there was no room for negotiation.

Feeling that the matter was settled, Yin Xiaocheng stood up and said to Ye Xinyan, "I will tell your mother and your aunt to keep an eye out for a suitable match for you."

Ye Xinyan immediately stood up and blocked Yin Xiaocheng’s way, "Uncle, this is an important matter. Let’s discuss it further. We can’t rush into this."

Yin Xiaocheng stopped in his tracks and frowned, "Precisely because it’s an important matter we should start looking early. It’s not like we’re setting anything in stone right away; we are merely looking. How can you call that rushing?"

In this era, matchmaking meant that if the parents liked each other, it was done. In her current situation, it meant if her uncle and mother liked each other, it was done, without seeking the person’s agreement. The original owner of this body insisted on getting married against all advice, which was an act of not adhering to the virtues expected of unmarried women and was spurned by others. And the ultimate outcome proved that such actions did not have good results.

With the warning from Jiang Yifan in mind, Ye Xinyan dared not agree to anything rashly.

Her tone filled with pleading, she said, "Uncle knows that my reputation isn’t good. Now, after His Highness Prince Yu has made such a scene, you can imagine how the people of the capital view me. If you try to arrange a marriage for me now, what decent household would agree? Anyone who agrees is likely after the status of Duke An’s Mansion and Marquis Zhongyong’s Mansion. If your niece marries into such a household, will she have a good life in the future?"

Speaking from experience, Yin Xiaocheng said, "Success is in our own hands. With your current wisdom, all sorts of affairs at Prince Yu’s Mansion have to listen to your orders. Should you be willing to put your heart into it and win over a few key people in your husband’s family, what’s the problem? I will instruct your mother and your aunt to choose a family with a simple background to consider for marriage, you just be at ease," he said, stepping around Ye Xinyan and walking away with long strides.

Ye Xinyan rushed to follow behind him, "Uncle, is it not good the way I am now? If I continue to do things properly and earnestly earn silver, supporting myself in old age won’t be an issue. Isn’t living a life like this quite good?"

Upon hearing this, Yin Xiaocheng immediately stopped and turned around, shouting sternly, "Nonsense! Do you think life is so easy? When we, the older generation, are gone, and you are a solitary woman without any brothers to support you, all you’ll have are covetous half-brothers and your ungrateful father and concubine mother. By then, you may have earned money, but you might also lose your life."

After finishing, Yin Xiaocheng turned and left, "I’ll speak to Duke An. No matter how capable you are, you cannot become a man, nor become his grandson. You are ultimately a daughter. He should think of other means for Duke An’s Mansion to flourish and not plan your entire life for it."

Ye Xinyan followed Yin Xiaocheng out of the study, dejectedly watching as he strode away. No matter the era, once one surpassed the age to start a family, they would be pressured into marriage. Almost all elders would force the younger generation to follow in their predecessors’ footsteps, living life with squarely set rules according to their own standards.

Even in the modern world a thousand years later, there are numerous people nagged by their parents daily because they are of age and yet unmarried, childless. How much more for the women of this era.

Ye Xinyan looked up at the sky, bemoaning her fate. It was her misfortune to be pressured into marriage in two lifetimes. Moreover, with the original host so actively getting married last time and ending up with such a tragic ending, this time, it must be her destiny to have no say in the matter, right?

This time coming out with her were Nanny Jin and Bi Ning. Nanny Jin saw the Protectorate General come out with a stern face, and then the young miss’s expression wasn’t any better. She asked, "What did the general say? Why do both your faces look so displeased?"

Ye Xinyan glanced at Bi Ning and decided not to say anything.

Jinrong indeed treated her somewhat differently, and she had felt it herself. But what exactly his different treatment stemmed from, who knew? Besides, she had no confidence in her feelings for a prince who coveted the throne and was ambitious for imperial power.

She would rather Jinrong’s difference in attitude towards her was solely based on her ability, because it brought him great benefit, or perhaps, like the railway transportation, it could make the Great Xia Dynasty prosper and strengthen.

So far, Jinrong had not shown any intention of summoning back the maid servant of Prince Yu’s Mansion, but Bi Ning was after all from Prince Yu’s Mansion. Regardless of whatever Jinrong’s thoughts were, having someone pry at his path before his thoughts became clear or understood, would presumably not please his highness the prince.

"Let’s not talk about it. Speaking of it only brings tears," Ye Xinyan said, her interest waning as she waved her hand and headed straight for the back courtyard.

Nanny Jin thought it was because of the incident involving Brother Jia getting into a fight that the Protectorate General scolded the young miss. She didn’t have any complaints and, in fact, was quite pleased.

The Protectorate General was wholeheartedly looking out for the young miss’s well-being. This was also where the wife of the heir apparent wouldn’t listen to advice. If she had heeded the Protectorate General’s advice to properly manage the young miss when her age was still tender, the young miss would have definitely grown into an intelligent and elegant lady of the chambers.

There would have been no need to endure so much suffering to end up with the current result; divorced and sent away.

Even though Nanny Jin only thought about it, Ye Xinyan, who knew her personal maid very well, could tell what Nanny Jin’s expression meant.

Ye Xinyan walked back listlessly, sneering at Nanny Jin as she said coolly, "Nanny, you seem to disapprove of me more and more. Look how happy you are seeing Uncle scold me. In my view, it’s like your eyebrows are blooming with your smile."

This left Nanny Jin at a loss for words. "Oh my, what are you talking about, miss? Since you were little, the general has invested so much heart in you, always wanting only the best for you. Even if he scolds you, it is for your own good. Brother Jia getting into a fight with someone indeed was quite improper; someone really needed to talk to you about it."

Ye Xinyan argued with her eyebrows raised, "Then what should be done? Did I bring Qi Jia to the capital just to let him experience the coldness of the world and be despised? Besides, it’s not as if it was our child who was in the wrong. Should we offer the other cheek when someone slaps one side?"