She Became A Downfall Noble Lady
Chapter 529 - 527: Marry Me

Chapter 529: Chapter 527: Marry Me

Jiang Yifan held the rough sketches of bolts and nuts Ye Xinyan had drawn for him and gradually furrowed his brows as he recalled what Shi Yin had said.

Watching the unexpected change in Jiang Yifan’s expression, Ye Xinyan had no idea why he seemed displeased. Threaded fasteners were something that would be found in every corner a thousand years later, and she could not understand how such a vastly significant invention could be displeasing to Jiang Yifan. Yet, Ye Xinyan didn’t ask further and simply waited for Jiang Yifan to speak up.

Of course, if Jiang Yifan chose not to speak up, she had no objections and was content with the quiet.

However, Jiang Yifan didn’t grant her that wish and the words he spoke were quite overwhelming for her.

"When do you estimate Mr. Shi will be able to research and produce the lathe you mentioned?" Jiang Yifan asked, his tone rather strained.

Ye Xinyan gave Jiang Yifan a surprised look. Was there a need for such strong emotions over this matter?

"I reckon it should be rather soon. Mr. Shi is very experienced, has a good imagination, and strong practical skills. We haven’t discussed this matter for long, but he already has some ideas taking shape, truly incomparable. All of us tied together probably don’t match up to him alone."

Jiang Yifan gazed at the young woman, straightforward and clear-eyed in her beauty, and the thought that she might become another family’s daughter-in-law made his heart clench. He was silent for a moment before saying, "Upon reflection, Mr. Shi is right. If such fasteners could be made in different sizes, they would certainly be immensely useful."

"Indeed," Ye Xinyan nodded. Wasn’t this a good thing? As Lord Jiang, a talented young official at the court, why the long face?

"Sixth Master has sent so many people to your place, and he’s very aware of the work being done here. If your set of fasteners is successfully made, it might quickly be brought into the capital city, perhaps alongside the Chain Inversion Device, possibly causing quite a stir." As Jiang Yifan spoke, he looked towards Ye Xinyan. "If the court enlists your skills for mass production of bolts and nuts, what will you do then?"

Thinking of this possibility, Jiang Yifan felt a profound sense of crisis. Ah Yan’s return to the capital before the New Year was something many had not yet fully realized, and those not yet understanding likely included Jinrong.

If the threaded fasteners were made and caught the eye of the court, more people might take an interest in Ah Yan. And he wouldn’t complete his term until the following spring. Her natural beauty and demeanor were already exceptional, and now, with a rare skill added, Jiang Yifan felt entirely insecure about letting her return to the capital city alone.

Ye Xinyan didn’t grasp Jiang Yifan’s point, and rolling her eyes at him, she said, "I have plenty to deal with here; how could I have the time to leave all this behind to do something else? If the court wants to make bolts and nuts, just taking the lathe blueprints back should suffice. With so many skilled people in the Ministry of Works and the Imperial Workshops Bureau, following the designs, there won’t be an issue."

Jiang Yifan did not feel reassured at all. If His Majesty and the court felt only she could be trusted to return, they would not consult her opinion or whether she could be spared from Clear Water County. And furthermore...

"When do you plan to go back?" Jiang Yifan asked softly.

Ye Xinyan answered, "I... There’s still a lot to handle here." The best would be not to return at all or at least to delay it until there was no other choice.

Jiang Yifan’s eyes flickered. If she agreed to marry him, it wouldn’t matter when she returned or where she was, he trusted her commitment. But without a commitment, without even a hint of affection, he felt utterly unsure.

Ah Yan being touched by someone like Wong Qiao proved she coveted not the glory and riches, high office, or hefty salary, but sought tranquility and peace. That was what truly frightened him, as many could offer a sense of peace and quiet, far more than high-ranking families. Who knew when a gentle and peaceful man might appear by Ah Yan’s side and move her heart again?

By then, he would have nowhere to cry.

"What are you planning for your lifelong matter?" Jiang Yifan bit his teeth and finally posed the question.

Madam Yin had once instructed those serving Ye Xinyan to allow the young mistress and Lord Jiang to spend time alone together as much as possible, as long as it did not harm her reputation.

It was the end of summer, and the weather was still hot. The doors and windows of the parlor were wide open, so there was no concern about harming the reputation while the two of them talked inside. After the maids and Song Ping’s Household had served tea, they waited outside, leaving no one else inside the room.

When Jiang Yifan asked this question, he had to overcome his own psychological shyness and embarrassment, but he bore no other psychological burden.

Ye Xinyan couldn’t help but look up. What was happening? Was Jiang Yifan throwing caution to the wind and deciding he didn’t care about face anymore?

"I," Ye Xinyan hesitated for a moment, "I haven’t planned anything." She truly hadn’t planned anything; she lived one day at a time, hoping that someday she might meet someone to her liking, and then she would marry. If not... with her abilities and wealth, there was no need to force herself, right?

However, her response genuinely shocked Jiang Yifan, "But, you must make plans. You are still young, and your family will certainly arrange a marriage for you."

Ye Xinyan looked at Jiang Yifan, shaking her head calmly and openly.

If she disagreed with marrying, with the original mistress’s fierce spirit, who could force her? If she resolved not to marry and decided to help Old Master Ye Tang with his grandchildren in Duke An’s Mansion, the old master would probably be very pleased, wouldn’t he?

Ye Xinyan didn’t speak, and although her shake of the head was slight, it conveyed a very firm meaning: she hadn’t planned anything, at least not yet. In the absence of her plans, she wouldn’t accept anyone’s coercion.

This caused an unexplainable panic in Jiang Yifan. Ah Yan meant that, so far, apart from Wong Qiao, she hadn’t taken a liking to any man. Despite the long time they had spent together and several private, intimate conversations, he still wasn’t the best choice in her heart.

"Ah Yan, marry me," Jiang Yifan said, trying to relax as much as possible, but his tone still couldn’t hide the nervousness and anticipation.

Although Ye Xinyan did not harbor any romantic feelings for Jiang Yifan, his question and earnest gaze still made her face turn red, and she was extremely embarrassed.

"I, as Lord Jiang knows, do not have a good reputation. Lord Jiang will serve at the court, and with your abilities, you might very well become an Ultimate Minister one day. A woman like me really isn’t worthy of Lord Jiang." Ye Xinyan stumbled slightly as she finished these words, finding them insubstantial and loathsome herself.

Jiang Yifan was not discouraged, especially seeing the blush that added a different kind of beauty to Ye Xinyan’s face, a glimmer of hope arose in his heart as he said, "You don’t have to worry about that. As my wife, as long as I am pleased with you and I know what kind of woman you are, that’s enough; we don’t need to care about what others think."

"But I don’t like it," Ye Xinyan said softly.

She didn’t like the life in the capital, the life of large families and official households, or carrying herself with restraint every single day.

"Ah Yan," his eyes full of hope, "everyday life isn’t that simple. Think it over carefully, and you’ll see that marrying me is quite appropriate."

Ye Xinyan looked up at him again, curling her lips. How could she not see where the suitability lay?