She Became A Downfall Noble Lady
Chapter 543 - 541: Not Treating Her Like a Daughter

Chapter 543: Chapter 541: Not Treating Her Like a Daughter

After that incident, Jinrong saw no more of that radiant smile on the Royal Mother’s face, who had learned to be cautious and to behave in a meek and submissive manner.

And he, witnessing how his actions had led to the Royal Mother’s fall from grace and disillusionment, felt utterly helpless. He could only resolve in secret that, in the distant future, he would win back another glory for his mother, a more enduring one, a glory that would allow her to have the last laugh.

Jinrong didn’t respond to Hu Jing’s questions, instead, he went out to eat and drink with Xu Deng and others, making a ruckus for most of the day, only to return in the evening reeking of alcohol.

......

The addition of a new member to Duke An’s Mansion filled Duke An with uncontrollable joy. Duke An wanted to share his happiness with his granddaughter and to properly discuss his grandson’s education, but he received a letter from Ye Xinyan stating that the affairs in Clear Water Village were still unsettled, and she would not be returning for the New Year. The old man felt a tinge of disappointment, along with a sense of impropriety.

His granddaughter was away because she had matters to attend to, but the fact that his daughter-in-law had been gone for so long without showing any intention of returning to the capital, not even sending a single message, was concerning.

The daughter-in-law from the Ye Family, for the Ye Family to get any news, they had to inquire at Marquis Zhongyong’s Mansion, not to mention Duke An, even the Duchess, who normally didn’t concern herself with such matters, started feeling that it was not right.

At that time, Madam Yin agreed to follow her granddaughter to the villages of Yuyuan Prefecture partially to take her mind off things but more importantly because Maternal Aunt Zhao had just become pregnant, and they wanted her to rest peacefully through her pregnancy. But now, nearly a year had passed, and Madam Yin still had not returned, not even sending a simple letter... Had Madam Yin grown too comfortable with the situation?

However, considering the long distance between Yuyuan Prefecture and the capital, and considering his granddaughter had solemnly assured them that she would take good care of her mother, asking them not to worry, the Ye Family felt it would be improper to forcefully demand Madam Yin’s return for the sake of face for both Duke An’s Mansion and Marquis Zhongyong’s Mansion, creating an awkward situation that greatly troubled Duke An.

Thankfully, Clear Water Village was under the protection of the guards and servant women from Duke An’s Mansion, so there wasn’t worry about major mishaps. They could only wait for his granddaughter to wrap up her affairs in Yuyuan Prefecture and return with Madam Yin. At that time, he would officially recognize his little grandson Ye Yuan as Madam Yin’s child and have his granddaughter look after him; his life’s wish would then be fulfilled.

Unlike Duke An’s joy, Ye Hongyang, who had just had another son, felt extraordinarily troubled.

When Madam Yin was in the Duke’s Mansion, even though he never visited her chambers, and she was virtually non-existent in his life, at least he had a wife. But ever since Madam Yin left, it had been a year, and gradually, rumors began to spread. His usual companions had asked if the wife of the heir apparent was not planning to return?

The looks they gave him seemed pitying, regretful, and sympathetic, which was annoying, as if he was already wearing a colored headscarf on his head.

Returning home was equally unpleasant. Although Maternal Aunt Liu still flattered him as before, Maternal Aunt Zhao lived openly in the Duchess’s courtyard, with her newly born child who was showered with all the love and attention, clearly kept out of his sight. It was obvious that they had given up on him, equating him and Maternal Aunt Liu.

Ye Hongyang had initially wanted to escape the troubles at home and enjoy some opera to ease his mind. But no sooner had he begun to enjoy the show than an old friend, the Heir of Marquis Jingning, Qu Mao, approached him, and as soon as he sat down, started chattering, "Cousin, have you heard? Your daughter has made a scene again."

Ye Hongyang’s eyes filled with disdain, "Why bring up such a disgraceful matter? You know full well I don’t consider her my daughter."

Qu Mao sneered inwardly. Of course, he knew. If he didn’t, he wouldn’t dare to come over and talk.

He glanced around the table and, seeing no one paying attention to him, continued in a low voice, "How could I not know of Cousin’s troubles? But after all, she is a member of your family. Even if you can’t stand hearing about it, you should be mentally prepared. It wouldn’t do for something everyone knows to catch the Cousin himself unawares."

Ye Hongyang turned his gaze back to the stage, speaking absently, "Whether I’m kept in the dark or not makes no difference. I’m tired of hearing about that scourge’s affairs; you don’t need to tell me. Speaking of it only annoys me more."

Qu Mao stole a glance at Ye Hongyang, considering how to broach the subject.

Truth be told, their Marquis Jingning’s Mansion had been in decline since his father’s generation, barely sustaining itself due to the dowry brought by his mother, the daughter of a modestly wealthy family.

In his generation, not even daughters from modestly wealthy families were willing to marry into theirs, and he had only managed to wed a daughter of a minor eighth-rank official from the capital’s yamen.

If he did not find a way to marry his son to a wife capable of supporting the family, he feared that the next generation of Marquis Jingning’s Mansion might have to partition the courtyard and live off rental income.

Qu Mao’s thoughts churned, and with some heartache he said to Ye Hongyang, "Even if it troubles Cousin, there are matters that must be attended to, otherwise the problems will only accumulate. Cousin, take your mansion, for instance—the wife of the heir apparent has been away from home for quite some time now. You should have urged the wife of the heir apparent to return to the capital long ago. She’s been gone so long – aren’t you aware of what people are saying?"

Ye Hongyang’s expression stiffened, and he cast a somewhat angrily at Qu Mao before looking away again, trying to appear indifferent, "Let them say what they will; this is my family’s business. No matter how far Madam Yin goes, she is still a Madam of the Ye Family. What, should I fear she’ll actually run away?" Though he said so, Ye Hongyang was immensely uncomfortable at heart. That foolish woman, not even caring for her reputation, cavorting about with her equally stupid daughter – has she no sense of shame left at all?!

Qu Mao had spent his life observing others and immediately noticed the irritation and helplessness in Ye Hongyang’s heart.

"In my brotherly opinion, it’s all because your eldest daughter lacks discipline, leading the wife of the heir apparent astray and causing such foul air in your mansion. Without your eldest daughter misleading the wife of the heir apparent, where could a mere woman wander off to? She should have stayed properly within Duke An’s Mansion, living on the land you’ve provided. Cousin, am I right or not?"

Ye Hongyang liked what he heard and looked seriously at Qu Mao.

He, too, wanted Madam Yin to stay dutifully at the mansion, but what could he do? No matter how much he disliked and looked down on Madam Yin, she was still the wife of Duke An’s heir apparent, the daughter of Marquis Zhongyong, and the sister of General Zhenyuan. Now, rumors were spreading as if he had been kicked aside by Madam Yin, donning a cap of colorful cuckoldry that nearly left him unable to face anyone.

Ye Hongyang cleared his throat and said, "Brother Qu knows that despite my daughter’s outrageous behavior, she has legitimate affairs to attend to. His Majesty himself has taken the products created under her supervision to discuss with the Ministry of Works—there’s simply no one who can confine her."

Qu Mao coughed as well, lowering his voice further, "Cousin, we’ve been friends for so many years, so let me speak frankly. You’re aware of the state of our mansion—it can hardly hold out much longer. We have no choice now but to find someone who can earn some silver to feed the family."