She Became A Downfall Noble Lady
Chapter 466 - 464 Past Events

Chapter 466: Chapter 464 Past Events

Fortunately, the day went quite smoothly. With Yin Lanxu accompanying them throughout, Qi Sanshun and Qi Jiaer, along with several children from other families, had a great time playing inside and outside the Marquis Zhongyong’s Mansion. Most guests were military generals, and their children rarely sought to outdo others in speech to gain advantage. Coupled with Qi Sanshun’s boldness and Qi Jiaer’s cleverness, the day ended without any conflicts, and they even made a few close friends.

After sending off the guests, the family gathered in the room of Marquess Zhongyong’s wife, Madam Cao, who asked with a smile how the two little ones enjoyed playing.

Qi Jiaer, still in high spirits, answered eagerly, "Grandma, we had so much fun, and everyone liked us. Sister was looking after us, and Brother Sanshun and I felt so secure. We didn’t worry at all about anyone daring to bully us."

Madam Cao nodded at Ye Xinyan, "Our Xinyan really has grown up and become sensible."

Qi Jiaer, rather curious, took a serious look at Ye Xinyan and whispered to himself, Sister has already grown up, hasn’t she? Grandma’s words are quite strange.

Madam Yin, after helping Madam Sun with the feast’s miscellaneous affairs, led Ye Xinyan and her two brothers back to the Duke An’s Mansion. In Madam Yin’s room, they surprisingly found two invitations awaiting Madam Yin and Ye Xinyan: the Princess Fu’s invitation to a banquet on the eighth day of the month. Since they were out visiting, the invitations were delivered to Madam Yin’s room. According to Nanny Huang, another invitation was already sent to the Duchess.

"Separate invitations, huh," mused Madam Yin, as she picked up and examined the invitations. She handed Ye Xinyan hers without a second thought.

Upon reading the content of the invitation, Ye Xinyan immediately felt overwhelmed. Was she that close to the Princess Fu? Was there such a need to word it this way in the invitation?

It wasn’t the invitation itself that troubled Ye Xinyan. Given the standing of Duke An’s Mansion in the capital, if a household of a certain rank held a large banquet or a flower viewing event, Duke An’s Mansion would always receive an invitation, whether they attended or not.

But this time, the invitation was not merely a formality or a matter of going through the motions. Where one invitation would have sufficed, the Princess Fu had sent three. Ye Xinyan didn’t know about the others, but hers, following the standard wording, had an extra line that read, "sincerely invites you to attend without fail."

Ye Xinyan peeked at Madam Yin’s invitation, which did not contain those words.

Pointing at those words, she asked Madam Yin, "What does this mean? Does it mean I must attend?"

Madam Yin, who had experience dealing with the high society’s female relatives, looked back and forth between the invitation and Ye Xinyan, "It seems the Princess Fu particularly wants you to attend the banquet, that’s why she sent separate invitations to your grandmother and the two of us."

Ye Xinyan was aware that the people from Duke An’s Mansion never attended banquets held by princes, but this invitation suggested she had to attend. Facing the princess consort’s invitation, she, as a woman of the inner courtyard, didn’t feel like she could easily decline.

"Are you and Grandmother still not planning to go?" Ye Xinyan asked.

After some thought, Madam Yin replied, "Your grandmother probably won’t attend. It’s definitely not okay for you to go alone, so I will accompany you."

"Alright, I’ll go ask Elder Grandfather what he thinks."

Duke An glanced at the invitation before setting it aside and said, "As a woman without rank, since the princess consort has spoken so, and it’s the first time, you should just go. You work for Prince Yu, and refusal might suggest you’re already in Prince Yu’s sphere of influence and can’t be involved with other princes, which would be bad for you and our mansion."

Duke An again gave her detailed instructions on what matters she should not discuss and which questions she should not answer clearly. At the end, he said, "The situation in the capital hasn’t changed much from the past two years; it hasn’t seen any significant fluctuations, and you are well acquainted with it. Now that you are working outside, you are even more aware of what is important, so just use your own judgment. As a woman, even if you feign ignorance, no one can do anything to you. Go back and have your mother prepare well; it’s time for you to take on the appearance of a legitimate granddaughter of Duke An’s Mansion."

What is the appearance of a legitimate granddaughter of Duke An’s Mansion?

Ye Xinyan gave Duke An an unhidden sidelong glance. After spending a month with her grandfather, she felt the burden on her shoulders growing heavier. She didn’t want to be the legitimate granddaughter of Duke An’s Mansion; she just wanted to be herself.

Duke An noticed her reluctance and smiled, saying, "A person must shoulder some responsibility. Only with a sense of responsibility can one accomplish things and gain respect. If one only seeks personal freedom and disregards parents and family, such a person, no matter where they go, cannot be dignified and upright."

Ye Xinyan blinked. Elder Master Ye, what you say is not wrong, but, as a young lady, I don’t feel obligated to shoulder any responsibilities for Duke An’s Mansion.

Duke An’s tone became gentler, yet his words remained serious, "Previously, as a pampered young lady, you were able to set up a street stall and make a living for the Qi family. Later, you even helped the Construction Industry of Old Master Qi by thinking of solutions and contributing effort, wasn’t that because you felt a sense of responsibility? You were willing to bear this responsibility for an old man you hadn’t known for long. So why can’t you willingly shoulder a share of responsibility for the Ye Family who raised you? Is it because of your father and Maternal Aunt Liu?"

Hmm, Ye Xinyan looked entangled as she gazed at Duke An. Could it not be because of Ye Hongyang and Maternal Aunt Liu? What about you, Duke An, and your wife; don’t you also bear some responsibility for the current state of Duke An’s Mansion? However, some things shouldn’t be made too clear, as clarity can sometimes damage relationships.

It was not yet too late in the day, still some time before dinner. Under the light of the candles, Duke An’s expression was somewhat heavy, "You have been back for some time now. At first, you were too busy, and these past few days have been the New Year celebration, so it wasn’t the right time to speak. That’s why I haven’t told you why I wanted you to come back."

Duke An looked towards Ye Xinyan.

Ye Xinyan followed up, "Yes, granddaughter is also curious. Why is that?" You already declared to the outside world that your granddaughter was dead, thus bringing me back now is blatantly like slapping your own face. Uncle Yin Xiaocheng said that no matter how capable she is, she is not a grandson.

Duke An shook his whiskers and laughed. His granddaughter was indeed much more sensible now and even knew how to add a touch of amusement to a conversation for an old man so he could continue smoothly.

"Initially, I was afraid that you, not knowing the depth of things outside, would cause another embarrassing incident and plunge Duke An’s Mansion into an awkward situation. You must know that while other matters can be managed, losing track of you, my granddaughter, is something this old man can’t justify to himself. Let alone the granddaughter who was lost continuing to roam about causing trouble outside."

Ye Xinyan looked displeased at Duke An, "The one causing embarrassing incidents is your granddaughter, not me."

Alright, that can’t be said.

"Yes, it is all granddaughter’s fault, for being young and ignorant," Ye Xinyan said, rolling her eyes in placation. "So, what made you think of bringing me back now that I am so well-behaved?"

"Are you sure that’s being very well-behaved?" Duke An asked in return. Then, with a sometimes somber expression, he said, "Later, it turned out that you had become quite accomplished. Your grandfather is nearing a venerable age, and I have regretted the future of Duke An’s Mansion for decades. My grandfather and father handed over a well-managed Duke An’s Mansion to me, yet I don’t even have a single decent descendant. Neither my son nor my grandsons are up to the mark, and it seems like Duke An’s Mansion will fall apart in my hands."

"This is probably the punishment from the heavens for your father and us two old men. Your father wronged your mother, and we two old men, simply residing in this mansion, were unable to prevent your mother from being plotted against. We too failed your mother. Perhaps it’s because of this, hence, in the vast Duke An’s Mansion, there isn’t a single legitimate child."

Hearing Duke An bring up the past, Ye Xinyan hastily seized the opportunity to ask, "My mother was the legitimate daughter of Marquis Zhongyong and was harmed by Maternal Aunt Liu to this extent. Why hasn’t Maternal Aunt Liu been punished?"