She Became A Downfall Noble Lady
Chapter 489 - 487: Onlookers

Chapter 489: Chapter 487: Onlookers

Lady Han, as Qi Sanshun’s mother, stood at the front of the crowd, in a position just behind that of Lady Wang of the principal branch, regarded with envious eyes by the villagers, feeling an indescribable sense of triumph in her heart.

Ever since she had received the news yesterday that Ye Zi from the Second Branch family would return today, her excitement had not subsided until now. She had tossed and turned all of last night, and although her eyes were tightly closed, she hadn’t dozed off even for a moment.

Today, having gotten up early, she and Lady Xu busied themselves with the family’s meals, but she was so distracted that she kept making mistakes, one after another.

Her Sanshun, the youngest child of the principal family, had never left her side before. This long journey had lasted more than two months, and she, as a mother, could not begin to describe how much she missed him.

Although traveling to the capital was an unimaginable opportunity for others, she couldn’t help but worry—worrying about whether he would be safe on the road, whether they would look down on her child in the Duke’s Mansion, a place where wealth and splendor converged, and whether Sanshun would be forced to cower in a corner every day... Her worries were endless.

At this moment, hearing suddenly that her son was coming back, the heart that had been lifted in anxiety was finally put at ease in her stomach. Standing in front of everyone now, she felt only pride, relief, and joy.

As for her previous conflicts with Ye Xinyan, after Lady Zhang had been slapped last year, Han was so frightened that her scheming had dissipated like smoke in the wind. The sight of Lady Zhang getting struck was shocking enough for Lady Han, but seeing Zhang’s swollen face, so frightening to look upon, and hearing her agonized wailing, made it clear that she was in no position to stand against Ye Zi from the Second Branch family.

All the scheming might at best cause Qi Ye a bit of displeasure, but the outcome of such petty displeasure from Qi Ye could cost them half their lives.

This realization had led Lady Han to be much quieter over the past year, much to the relief of Qi Yougui and Lady Wang. Their daughter-in-law from the Second Branch family finally stopped causing trouble for their principal family. They knew all too well that provoking Ye Zi could have consequences far worse than causing trouble outside.

During the time Qi Sanshun was in the capital, Qi Yougui and Lady Wang even wondered if their Sanshun would not have had the chance to go to the capital if Lady Han hadn’t calmed down that year.

Madam Yin looked through the carriage window at the unchanging desolate land and the occasionally visible dilapidated houses in the distance. Thinking that these remote and barren places were where her daughter had lived for two years brought a fresh sense of novelty as she faced a different kind of life, but mostly, she felt a pang of sorrow for her daughter’s past hardships.

Ah Yan, who had been pampered since childhood, had made a living in such poverty for two years. How difficult must it have been for her? Every time she thought about it, her heart ached terribly. Thankfully, she had accompanied her this time, and she was determined to take good care of Ah Yan, not allowing her to suffer the slightest grievance again.

Madam Yin was so absorbed in her thoughts while looking out that she was suddenly startled by Qi Jiaer’s voice, "We’re here, we’re here, sister, look, we’ve really arrived home."

The excited voice then fell a bit, and she mumbled, "Why are there so many people? I don’t know if Grandpa is in there; I hope they haven’t pushed Grandpa away."

Ye Xinyan chuckled, "Without Grandpa standing in front, what are these people here for? Don’t worry, you’ll definitely be able to see Grandpa."

Madam Yin followed Qi Jiaer’s pointing direction and indeed saw a large crowd bustling ahead, behind which lay a village made of old houses. She could vaguely see that these people, with tiptoes and stretched necks, were all watching eagerly towards their direction.

Jiang Yifan had anticipated this kind of scene; in such a remote village, someone returning after a trip to the capital was a big deal. For such a major event, the villagers were sure to come out and see.

He had Shi Yu lead a team of men on swift horses to pass on a few words to He Quantai, Qi Younian, and Qi Yougui, then he turned to the villagers and made a deep bow, telling them that there was a noble lady from the capital city coming back with the Young Lady. He asked the villagers to accommodate them and to refrain from being loud and bustling, so as not to startle the lady.

The villagers already knew from the conversations between Qi Younian and Qi Yougui that Qi Ye’s mother in the capital city was a noble lady and she was coming to Clear Water Village with Qi Ye. They had originally half-doubted the words of the Qi family’s two old masters, but now that the Magistrate Sir’s entourage reiterated it, there was no longer any doubt.

A few of the more well-off women exchanged looks and were extremely excited. They had seen the wealthy ladies and young misses from the county town from a distance a few times, and knew indeed they were not comparable to these peasant women. They wondered what kind of astonishing grace and elegance the lady from the capital could possess.

The fact that the Magistrate Sir’s entourage was willing to bow and greet the poor peasant families represented a recognition of the villagers’ dignity. Although people were still talking about it, the opinions that were meant to be heard by others had turned into whispering.

The advance notice given by Shi Yu was very effective. When Ye Xinyan and her group arrived, the villagers did not swarm forward to inquire and greet as they normally would have, but instead stood still, craning their necks curiously, but refrained from any further action.

As the carriage approached, before it could come to a complete stop, Ye Xinyan lifted her skirt and jumped down, then turned and lifted Qi Jiaer out, causing Jiang Yifan who had already taken a few steps forward to miss his chance, left with nothing to do but to stare helplessly.

Ye Xinyan, with the two children, didn’t look anywhere else and, together with Qi Sanshun, approached Qi Younian and Qi Yougui. When they were two or three steps away, Ye Xinyan led the two children to kneel on the ground and kowtow to Qi Younian and Qi Yougui as a form of greeting.

The onlookers, seeing the three distinctly differently-dressed people, especially Qi Ye, who had been acknowledged by her original family in the capital, were still willing to bow to Qi Younian, opened their eyes wide in surprise. It seemed that Qi Younian hadn’t lived his life in vain, for he was able to recognize such a loving and righteous granddaughter. She had been kind to the old master in the past, and now, after reclaiming her noble status, she still treated him the same way as before, which was truly a stroke of great fortune.

Qi Younian could not care less about what the villagers were thinking; his grandson and granddaughter, whom he had been missing for the past two months, had returned. An uncontainable excitement swelled in his heart, and his eyes brimmed with moisture.

He hurriedly stepped forward to lift the children, "Good children, good children, we don’t need this, all rise." He took a long look at Ye Xinyan and Qi Jia, holding on to them fondly.

Qi Yougui had just touched Qi Sanshun’s head when he heard Lady Han’s voice choked with sobs calling out "Sanshun."

After Qi Sanshun called out "Grandfather" to Qi Yougui, hearing his mother’s voice, he immediately rushed towards Lady Han, crying out, "Mother."

Lady Han held Qi Sanshun’s shoulders and repeated ’good’ several times, then couldn’t stop asking him if he was tired, hungry, or thirsty.

Ye Xinyan also paid her respects to Cheung Wusi and Wong Qiao.

Qi Yougui reminded Ye Xinyan, "Ye Zi, the messenger who came yesterday said there was another lady accompanying you. We should hurry back home and not keep the lady waiting here for too long."

Ye Xinyan nodded and said, "It’s my mother, the wife of the heir of Duke An. Let’s head back first; there are too many people here. We’ll meet everyone together at home."