She Became A Downfall Noble Lady
Chapter 511 - 509: Speculative Glances

Chapter 511: Chapter 509: Speculative Glances

Ye Xinyan had already started walking back, and Jiang Yifan had no choice but to follow. He was still trying to grasp and digest that ethereal, miraculous world Ye Xinyan had mentioned, pondering whether it was the Immortal Realm of legends, when Ye Xinyan threw him back into reality with her very substantial question.

Jiang Yifan was genuinely stunned for a moment, listened to Ye Xinyan repeat the question, then gathered his thoughts before shaking his head and answering, "This place falls under the jurisdiction of Pingshui County, essentially bordering Qingyuan County. Why do you ask about this? As for this area of wild peach trees, they don’t bear peaches. The mature wild peaches are only the size of a thumb, consisting of a shriveled, furry peach skin wrapped around a pit and are inedible."

Ye Xinyan looked around—this place was indeed quite large and would be a good buy. "Such a vast forest, thriving in this manner, is rare around here. I’m thinking of purchasing this area of wild peach trees and the surrounding land with better soil. The Yamen should be willing to sell, but I wonder how much silver it will cost?"

"This is barren land, and quite far from any inhabited areas, so it shouldn’t cost too much silver," Jiang Yifan said. "But what do you need such land for? The surrounding soil is very poor and doesn’t hold much agricultural value."

Pointing at a wild peach tree with a patchy trunk, Ye Xinyan explained, "Not for planting, but for these peach trees. This peach grove formed naturally in the wilderness and may have taken decades or even a century to reach its current size. This saves the effort and time of cultivation. It’s worth it to spend the silver for wasteland on a landscape."

Jiang Yifan also looked around, then laughed incredulously, "Given your experience, you shouldn’t be so taken with this peach grove. Ever since you got out of the carriage, this peach grove hasn’t managed to impress you at all. Why suddenly decide to buy it? Are you doing this just for a few days in spring, to provide a view for the wife of the heir apparent and for Wong Qiao and the others?" The problem was, according to Jinrong’s plan and Ah Yan’s future development, Madam Princely Heir and Wong Qiao wouldn’t be staying here forever.

Ye Xinyan also smiled. The reason this peach forest was so lush was not only because of its age, but also likely because it wasn’t lacking water—there must be an abundance of groundwater.

Buying this land and drilling a few wells to grass-feeding cattle around here should be good. The future mechanical workshops could also be set up here.

With more and more people traveling through, livestock trodding and manuring the soil, building up human activity and water and soil resources, perhaps a new village could emerge in a few years. For the local Yamen, having an additional village naturally form would be very beneficial.

If they could indeed create a new village with its own community and complemented by the vast peach blossoms, this burgeoning settlement might become a prime spot for spring outings and certainly attract more business opportunities.

Ye Xinyan shared her thoughts, "Anyway, we need a place to set up the mechanical manufacturing workshop and expand cattle farming, so we might as well do it here. Surrounded by natural scenery, it would be delightful to build a manor in the sparse areas of the forest."

She stomped on the somewhat loose soil under her feet and said, "Try the soil underfoot. Even though it’s infertile, it’s different from other places. The cycle of flowers blooming and withering, leaves decomposing and returning to the roots; the soil must have received some nourishment. The accumulation of fallen leaves over the years makes excellent compost. This land, used for growing grass and raising cattle, will be just right."

Jiang Yifan stared at Ye Xinyan, speechless, then followed her advice and stomped on the ground. Eventually, he had to admit that he certainly didn’t have Ah Yan’s imagination and leap in thinking.

He was the one who had spotted this forest last autumn, and when he drew close and realized it was a wild peach forest, he only thought of bringing a woman he adored to see the scenery next spring. He had none of Ah Yan’s ideas. He lacked Ah Yan’s grand planning, yet...

Looking back at Ye Xinyan, Jiang Yifan felt a mix of amusement and helplessness. With Ah Yan’s experience from her previous life, it seemed the romantic nuances of flowers and snowy moonlit nights were somewhat lacking. In this respect, it appeared that he, a man, was the one fussing over trivial matters instead of getting things done.

Jiang Yifan thought about the gap in planning between him and Ye Xinyan, feeling conflicted, but it led to Ye Xinyan misunderstanding him. She asked in surprise, "What’s wrong? As an Imperial Appointed Official, Lord Jiang should embrace the well-being of the entire land, shouldn’t he? Do you not wish to give the benefits of establishing the dairy farm and the new village to Lin County?"

Ye Xinyan felt puzzled in her heart; considering Jinrong’s ambition and Jiang Yifan’s aspirations, they should indeed embrace the well-being of the entire land. Concerning the establishment of a new administrative village that would give the court more vitality and tax revenue, the achievement this administrative village brought should not be an issue of preoccupation for these people. But what was this expression on Jiang Yifan’s face?

Jiang Yifan couldn’t help but laugh at Ye Xinyan’s puzzled expression, "Ah Yan underestimates me too much. The prosperity of the world always benefits the court and the people. How could I be so narrow-minded? Moreover, this year marks my third in office, and the operation of the newly built roads in Qingyuan County is enough to keep me busy throughout the year. When I am transferred next year, can I even take Qingyuan County’s achievements with me?"

Ye Xinyan raised an eyebrow. If that is the case, then what is with that expression?

Jiang Yifan smiled and shook his head, ultimately too embarrassed to say that he was conflicted because Ah Yan, as a woman, had sharper wits and better planning skills than he did, an Imperial Appointed Official. He felt somewhat like a failure.

But it was no wonder, Ah Yan had once lived in a land as wondrous as the Immortal Realm and had been taught in a school of the Immortal Realm. According to what Ah Yan said, the time she spent in school was not less than his, no wonder she had such skills.

Madam Yin watched her daughter and her prospective son-in-law return in harmony, feeling nothing but joy in her heart and eyes. From afar, the young pair approached side by side, a delightful sight to behold, a match seemingly made by heaven.

During her time in Clear Water Village, she had witnessed firsthand how much care Yuanfan took with her daughter. Compared to the past, when Jiang Yifan would show her, his mother-in-law, proper rituals and courtesy, Yuanfan now added a sense of closeness and carefulness to his impeccable etiquette.

Having lived for nearly forty years, Madam Yin only now realized the kind of attention a man should pay to a woman he admires.

The people who were familiar with the Qi family knew to some extent about the feelings of Lord Jiang, the Prefect of Qingyuan County, for Lady Qi, now known as Miss Ye. People like Wong Qiao and Zhou Biyao even knew that Jiang Yifan was once Ye Xinyan’s former husband.

Now that they saw the two returning together, their glances carried a certain peculiarity, and although there was no lack of goodwill, the speculation and probing were unmistakably evident.

Zhou Biyao was straightforward in nature, and Sister Qi had been discussing serious matters alone with Lord Jiang. She had witnessed it herself. What did all these people mean by sneaking glances this way and that?

"Sister Qi, how did your discussion with Lord Jiang go?"

Although Jiang Yifan was going to marry Ah Yan and bring her into his household, he did not appreciate being speculated upon at this moment. Hearing Zhou Biyao’s inquiry, he felt it was quite timely and responded with a smile, "Miss Ye likes the beautiful flowers and scenery here. She asked me to look around to see if this land is unclaimed, hoping to buy it if it is. In the future, simply building a courtyard here would make it more convenient to enjoy the sights each spring."