She Became A Downfall Noble Lady
Chapter 552 - 550: The Whole Family Acknowledges

Chapter 552: Chapter 550: The Whole Family Acknowledges

Zhou Biyao’s question caused Ye Xinyan, who had been perusing the accounts, to pause. She looked sidelong at Zhou Biyao, thinking that this girl was becoming cheekier by the day, unafraid to speak her mind. No wonder Zhou Bingyi and his wife were considering marrying her off to Wong Qiao. With such a personality, if she were to marry into one of the Aristocratic Clans, wouldn’t they find her unbearable?

Zhou Biyao faced Ye Xinyan’s disapproving gaze without care, whether it was crooked or straight, and in a lowered voice continued her fearless inquiry, "Sister Qi, I see that both His Highness Prince Yu and Lord Jiang seem interested in you. Whom are you really going to marry?"

"Cough cough cough," damn, who said ancient women were all so demure and reserved? She was nearly suffocated by such misleading notions. "Zhou Biyao, you have to understand, it’s the deep of winter now, and there’s not much to do. Would you believe me if I said I’ll pack you up and send you back to Yuyuan City right now?"

"I, I didn’t say anything too outrageous, did I?" Zhou Biyao immediately played the victim, spreading her hands wide, "Sister Qi, can’t you see that I’m just concerned about you?"

Concerned my foot.

Ye Xinyan decided to engage Zhou Biyao in a proper tussle so that she wouldn’t feel guilty about giving her work to do later. She set down the account book, lifted the teapot from the small clay stove, and as she poured the tea, she said, "I didn’t notice. All I feel is as if the entire village’s busybodies have gathered around my ears, gossiping and stirring up trouble."

Seeing that Ye Xinyan was in the mood to talk, Zhou Biyao’s interest also perked up, "How can this be considered stirring up trouble? Sister Qi, I’m truly concerned for you. If you don’t make a decision soon, once we’re back in the capital, and if Duke An makes the decision for you, finding someone you don’t like, what will you do?"

Ye Xinyan, sipping her tea and smiling slyly, looked at Zhou Biyao, "So you mean, you’re better off than me. You managed to sway your parents, allowing you to marry your beloved The Perfect Gentleman, while I can only suffer in silence, being forcibly married off by my elders to a family I dislike."

"No, no, that’s not what I meant," Zhou Biyao’s face turned red with embarrassment, and she stammered, "Sister, why would you say such a thing? I, I meant to say, Lord Jiang is very good, and His Highness Prince Yu isn’t bad either, they’re both The Perfect Gentleman."

If both are so perfect, why are you clinging so stubbornly to Wong Qiao? Ye Xinyan glared at Zhou Biyao, waiting for her to say something even more unreliable.

Zhou Biyao, with an air of mystery, analyzed for Ye Xinyan, "Sister, look. Lord Jiang is handsomely featured and upright. He’s deeply devoted to you, and he’s even your former husband. You were married. It would be best if you married Lord Jiang."

Ye Xinyan nodded, "You’re right, Biyao. When I get back to the capital and see His Highness Prince Yu, I’ll tell him that you recommended I marry Lord Jiang."

"..." Zhou Biyao’s face froze, thinking, would Prince Yu end up having her father dismissed and investigated? Maybe she should try to redeem herself.

"Sister, I haven’t finished yet. His Highness Prince Yu is also very nice. He’s mild-mannered and as a prince, His Majesty seems to have a special regard for him. Just imagine, Sister, if you were to marry Prince Yu, you’d be a princess consort, how prestigious that would be," Zhou Biyao said these words with some hesitation, sneaking a glance at Ye Xinyan and murmuring softly, "It’s just that, Sister, you should consider carefully. Becoming a princess consort probably won’t allow you the freedom to work as you do now."

Hearing this, Ye Xinyan felt slightly touched inside. The girl truly had her best interests at heart. But she still needed to correct her behavior.

Ye Xinyan put down her cup and stood up, "I just remembered, the Mechanical Workshop produced only one copy of the parts drawings last month, which isn’t very safe. Biyao, why don’t you take the time before the New Year to make another copy?"

Draw it all over again... seriously?

"I, I, I..." Zhou Biyao stuttered several times without finishing her sentence. Alright, she knew Sister Qi didn’t want to bring this subject up, but she really couldn’t help but speak out.

When her father had gone to the capital to report for his duties, their family went with him, and from a distance, she had seen a few princess consorts. If Sister Qi became like that in the future, she probably wouldn’t be able to do the things she liked anymore, nor would she be as happy, right?

She said with a pained expression to Ye Xinyan’s back, "There are so many drawings, they can’t all be finished by the New Year."

Without turning her head, Ye Xinyan replied, "Then take them home to finish." The little girl, she really was The Perfect Gentleman’s type. To find The Perfect Gentleman and only pay such a small price, hasn’t she already made a bargain? If the little girl doesn’t feel a bit of discomfort, how can she find solace for her troubled heart?

Ye Xinyan stepped out of the office and happened to see Jiang Yifan coming from the main house, seemingly looking for her.

Ye Xinyan paused in her steps. Ever since her mother had become convinced she had acted inappropriately towards Jiang Yifan, it seemed the whole family had treated Jiang Yifan as the gentleman she was to marry in the future. Zhou Biyao’s words just now were actually a roundabout way of persuading her too.

Fortunately, Jiang Yifan seemed to have had a moment of madness back then but hadn’t used it as a pretext to court her afterward, which had relieved her somewhat. However, every time she saw Jiang Yifan after that, she still felt uncomfortable and deeply regretted her impulsive actions at that time.

Not to mention in ancient times, even in modern times, she wouldn’t casually touch a man’s forehead. It was all because Jiang Yifan had been too foolish back then, uttering such illogical words that made her forget the propriety between men and women in her surprise.

Jiang Yifan noticed the fleeting discomfort on Ye Xinyan’s face and kept his own expression unchanged, pretending he hadn’t seen it.

Every time he thought back to that day’s incident over the past half year, Jiang Yifan couldn’t help but laugh to himself. He certainly had spoken those words to confess his feelings and move Ah Yan, but they were also true.

If Ah Yan truly wouldn’t marry him, with his heart harboring feelings for Ah Yan, how could there be another woman in this world who could catch his eye? Without a woman he was interested in, there was no need to cause suffering for both parties; not only would he be miserable, but he would also ruin the life of another woman.

He believed that, in this world, he was the only man who had ridden on the same horse with Ah Yan and had his forehead touched by her. Thus, he was willing to give her time to think things over.

Jiang Yifan concealed the affection in his eyes, stepped forward, and said to Ye Xinyan, "Ah Yan, I’ve received a letter from the capital and came over to discuss with you about sending craftsmen there."

Calling her Ah Yan again, who gave him permission?

Suppressing the discomfort in her heart, Ye Xinyan peered toward the main house and asked in surprise, "Did you talk to my grandfather first?" She glanced at the firmly closed door of the main house; both her grandfather and her mother Madam Yin couldn’t wait to hand her over to Jiang Yifan, disappearing without a trace knowing that Jiang Yifan was coming to talk to her.

"Mm, talked a bit about the Construction Industry," Jiang Yifan vaguely answered, then continued, "Let’s go inside and talk, the court has instructions concerning threaded fasteners."

Jiang Yifan was in charge of the Construction Industry too? Ye Xinyan was suspicious in her heart. It wasn’t good to talk in detail outside in the cold winter, so she turned around and headed back, letting Jiang Yifan into the office.

Zhou Biyao was frowning as she spread out paper and brushes, taking a stack of blueprints from the cabinet. There were so many blueprints, and this was just a part of them—how long would she have to draw!