She Became A Downfall Noble Lady
Chapter 481 - 479: Careless When Choosing People

Chapter 481: Chapter 479: Careless When Choosing People

Yin Xiaocheng was well aware of his niece’s past conduct; there were very few aspects of her behavior that one could commend. In this life, earning praise and compliments is extremely difficult, but to destroy someone’s reputation is quite simple.

He, too, let out a long sigh. After all, Ah Yan had returned for only a short while, not nearly enough time to change people’s opinions of her. It was Prince Yu’s recent treatment of Xinyan that had startled him, prompting him to act with undue haste.

"Then let’s put this aside for now, take some time and talk it through with your sister."

Madam Sun agreed and stood up to leave. "General, you haven’t eaten yet, have you? I’ll instruct the kitchen to prepare a bowl of noodles for you to eat while we continue our discussion."

......

Meanwhile, Prince Fu quickly learned of Shen Yongzhen’s injury, and Shen Qixiang did not dare to hide the details from Prince Fu, whispering the whole incident to the visitor from Prince Fu’s Mansion.

Upon hearing this, Prince Fu immediately kicked over the table. This useless scoundrel! He actually let himself be deceived by the pretentious veneer of Shen Yongzhen, entrusting such an important matter to such a person.

This was not at all as Shen Qixiang claimed—that his son should not have spoken such words. Rather, he should never have entertained such intentions in the first place. The Shen Family, which Prince Fu’s Mansion sought to bring under its sway, had not even taken a bride, yet they were already contemplating how to disgrace her.

Even without this incident, once Ye Xinyan became married into the family and discovered Shen Yongzhen’s thoughts, can she wholeheartedly serve Prince Fu’s Mansion, which relies on the support of the Shen Family? And could Duke An, Marquis Zhongyong, and Yin Xiaocheng look upon him favorably?

He was in need of good people now, not fools like Shen Yongzhen. Pillars of the state like Duke An and Marquis Zhongyong were particularly vital to him; at the very least, he could not afford to antagonize them.

He had originally hoped that Shen Yongzhen truly admired Ye Xinyan, would treat her with wholehearted devotion, and that this would earn the gratitude of the Ye and Yin families toward Prince Fu, making them willing to serve his interests.

But now... what a fool!

Liu Yu continued, "Lord Shen said he wanted to come and apologize to Your Highness personally, but he feared that if he came to the mansion right after his son had been injured by the Protectorate General, it might lead to wild speculation. So, he asked the person who came to question him to apologize to Your Highness on his behalf."

Prince Fu laughed coldly, "He’s clever now, isn’t he? I didn’t see him being so sensible when I told him to control his son earlier," he said, turning to sit back down in his chair.

Seeing Prince Fu calm down, Liu Yu quickly directed the servants to right the table and clean up the broken porcelain on the floor, comforting him, "Your Highness, please calm your anger. It’s no use getting upset now that it has come to this."

"Ha!" Prince Fu was so angry he hardly knew what to say, "Shen Qixiang’s son sure has guts. Even if Ye Xinyan is unworthy, does he think it is his place to find fault with her? He should look at his own status! He probably envies the Heir of Duke An very much, but he’d need to have a father who is just as capable. Does he really think he can cut off Xinyan’s lineage? Is he not afraid that if Xinyan realizes, she might rage and bring ruin upon the Shen Family and all its kin?"

Liu Yu brewed a fresh cup of tea and brought it to Prince Fu’s side. "Being angry now is useless; we should think about how to rectify the situation."

Prince Fu laughed coldly once more, "Rectify? What can be done now? With Shen Yongzhen’s blunder, any hope of winning over Ye Xinyan through marriage is certainly lost. The railway project was waiting on Xinyan to take charge, and after all the trouble we went through, even the princess consort was involved, but Shen Yongzhen managed to ruin it all."

Prince Fu picked up the teacup and took a large sip before asking coldly, "How severe are Shen Yongzhen’s injuries?"

Liu Yu replied, "Lord Shen, fearing to alarm too many people, dared not summon the imperial physicians and instead found two eminent local doctors to examine him. They say that Shen Yongzhen has multiple injuries, with several broken ribs; both his leg and arm also sustained damage. All are bone injuries without any internal damage, so his life is not in danger. However, without three or four months of recovery, he won’t be able to get up."

Liu Yu paused and then added with a somewhat complex tone, "The Protectorate General, having no military background, strikes quickly and ruthlessly. Such severe injuries, yet sparing his life, shows the General’s restraint."

"Though the marriage engagement is off, Shen Qixiang’s wife didn’t come for nothing after all, since she can care for her son’s injuries," Prince Fu remarked sarcastically. "He’s missed this spring’s imperial examination, hasn’t he?"

"Yes," said Liu Yu, "he definitely won’t make it. Not only this time, but it’s doubtful for the next one as well. Shen Yongzhen has always had a smooth-sailing life, not having weathered much. This setback, it’s uncertain how it will affect his morale."

Prince Fu coldly said, "What’s this little setback to him? How significant is our railway transportation project? He’s disrupted our plans, and we have to reassign people."

Prince Fu fell silent for a long while and then sighed, "I, too, oversimplified matters, not considering candidates carefully enough. If Ye Xinyan indeed has the capability to revitalize an industry, or even several industries, she is worth cherishing by a man and a family. Furthermore, she has the support of two prestigious clans behind her. I was too hasty in choosing people."

Hearing Prince Fu’s self-reflection, Liu Yu felt even more ashamed, and, standing up, he bowed and said, "Your Highness mustn’t say that. If there’s fault, it lies with us subordinates, for not gathering information thoroughly. If Your Highness has to worry about everything, then what are we subordinates for?"

Prince Fu waved his hand dismissively, "Enough about that, the gap that Ye Xinyan left needs to be filled. The capital and the Ministry of Works are just those few people, and you still need to assign personnel. Visit more places, recruit skilled craftsmen from the common folk. If the railway construction begins, in such a large project, we can use as many people as possible."

Liu Yu hurriedly assured his compliance.

......

The next day, after the court session, Duke An took slow steps, waiting for Marquis Zhongyong, and the two men, avoiding others, walked out together.

Duke An asked, "Is that Shen lad beaten to that state by Xiaocheng?"

"Mhm," Marquis Zhongyong responded vaguely. The matter indeed infuriated him, and he couldn’t blame his son for striking; if not for the constraints of the law and various factors, truly, that lad’s life should have been taken.

Duke An nodded and praised, "Brother Yin, you’ve raised your son well. In situations like this, words are useless. Action speaks louder, leaving a lasting impression. Xiaocheng did the right thing."

When Marquis Zhongyong heard Duke An’s words, he immediately thought of the poorly raised heir of Duke An’s Mansion and his mood soured, as he coolly said, "With Ye Hongyang as a father-in-law setting such an example, it’s no wonder others entertain absurd thoughts and are oblivious to danger."

Ah, Duke An felt awkward. So many years had passed, yet whenever his son was mentioned, Yin Long still harbored hard feelings, showing him no kindness.

Duke An chuckled awkwardly, then said, "About that, Xinyan told me yesterday that she wants to return to Yuyuan Prefecture with Hongyang’s wife at the end of the month. Do you know about this?"

"Is that so?" Marquis Zhongyong was taken aback, "You old man, not knowing the seriousness of matters! Did you tell Xinyan about Shen Yongzhen’s incident?" Otherwise, why would Xinyan be in such a hurry to leave, even taking her mother with her – it’s clearly because she’s angry.