She Became A Downfall Noble Lady
Chapter 553 - 551 Speaking

Chapter 553: Chapter 551 Speaking

Ye Xinyan was startled when she saw the stack of technical drawings. In truth, the little girl was quite capable; most of those drawings had been done by her, not to mention the discarded ones. It seemed that it was time to cultivate a few people who specialized in technology and archival management, or else the girl would exhaust herself to the point of spitting blood.

Ye Xinyan said coolly, "Take them to the backyard and draw in the wife of the heir apparent’s room. If the wife of the heir apparent feels sympathy for you and is willing to speak on your behalf, and you can guarantee that from now on you won’t be as idle as those gossipy women, then the matter of drawing can be put on hold."

"Ah?" Zhou Biyao, clutching the drawings, was stunned. This happiness had come too suddenly, hadn’t it? "Sister Qi, are you serious, you’re not kidding?"

Jiang Yifan entered and immediately saw Second Miss Zhou’s face full of grievance, guessing that Ah Yan must have bullied the young lady again. Hearing Zhou Biyao’s incredulous question, he couldn’t help but laugh and say, "I come with matters to discuss with Miss Ye, and I believe that what Miss Ye told Miss Zhou is true."

"Thank you, Lord Jiang. Thank you, Lord Jiang." Zhou Biyao immediately beamed with joy. She didn’t regret having just spoken well of Lord Jiang, who indeed was a modest gentleman. Zhou Biyao hastily gathered a bunch of stuff and, with a hasty courtesy, cheerfully scampered off, even happier than when she had no tasks assigned.

Ye Xinyan had clearly been the one to say that the drafting work could be delayed, but Zhou Biyao ended up thanking Jiang Yifan?

Ye Xinyan watched Zhou Biyao run off and then glanced at Jiang Yifan, once again feeling wronged for herself. He really knew how to play the good guy, and now Zhou Biyao was sure to believe that Jiang Yifan was a modest gentleman and generous, while she must be considered the petty villain.

Faced with Ye Xinyan’s gaze, Jiang Yifan asked with a smile, "Is Ah Yan feeling uncomfortable?"

"No." Ye Xinyan only dared to roll her eyes inwardly, straightened her demeanor, and gestured for him to sit. "Lord Jiang, please take a seat." She wouldn’t dare to engage with Jiang Yifan’s vaguely insinuating tone; who knew what sort of curveball this thick-skinned fellow might throw next—she wouldn’t be able to handle it.

Bi Ning brought tea over, and Jiang Yifan accepted the cup before smiling at Ye Xinyan, "The matter is rather urgent, and I haven’t yet paid a visit to the wife of the heir apparent."

Ye Xinyan answered promptly, "Don’t worry about it, if Lord Jiang has urgent matters, there’s no need to visit. My mother knows that Lord Jiang is busy with public duties; she will surely understand." It was a stopgap measure, but she knew that even with such a sincere suggestion, Lord Jiang would still visit her mother afterward, and then, her mother would nag for days about how dutiful Jiang Yifan was.

She wondered, why was her fate so bitter? Thinking of the original host, who was so senseless, so arrogant, so lacking in consideration for others—basically, all sorts of unreliable. And yet, Madam Yin always thought her daughter was good in every possible way, good at all times. Jiang Yifan? Of course, he was nothing but trouble, often called by Madam Yin to be reprimanded.

And now, here she was: so sensible, so capable, so gentle, so kind, so obedient, and her talents so outstanding... oh, that didn’t seem like her, did it? But surely, she must be much better than the original host.

So why did her mother always say she was wrong, constantly nagging her? And yet, Jiang Yifan, an outsider, was always in her good graces. It truly wasn’t like having one’s own mother; even if the wife of the heir apparent did not know her daughter had been replaced, her subconscious still knew to afford different treatment. Her lot was tough.

Caught in her lament, Ye Xinyan heard Jiang Yifan say, "It would be rude to pay a visit later, how could I not go? No matter how busy one is, there is always time to see one’s elders."

Ye Xinyan frowned and couldn’t help but glance away. Jiang Yifan’s way of wooing a lady, even if applied in modern times, would be considered skilful. He was not too hasty, nor too forceful, but neither would he let go—instead, he made great efforts in front of the parents and didn’t even spare General Zhenyuan’s attendants.

Last year, Zhao Gang came, clearly showing disapproval and disdain for him. But from beginning to end, Jiang Yifan maintained the utmost respect. That patience, what was that word again? Right, unparalleled.

No one could surpass her patience and composure.

Ye Xinyan withdrew her gaze and said, "Lord Jiang is here for the bolts and the lathe, right? What does the court intend? The blueprint for the lathe that processes threads has been copied, and all the detailed manuals are prepared and ready to be taken at any time. However," Ye Xinyan remembered the words Jiang Yifan had just said, "just now, Lord Jiang mentioned that the craftsmen who make the threads and lathes also need to go to the capital?"

Jiang Yifan did not answer this question, but simply glanced at Song Ping’s Household and Jiu Yue standing by the door.

Song Ping’s Household looked at Ye Xinyan and, seeing Ye Xinyan signaling for them to leave, quickly pulled Jiu Yue out and closed the door again.

Watching the door close, Jiang Yifan nodded and said, "The Ministry of Works says that the construction of the railway has already started and is urgently waiting for bolts to fasten. They worry that if the lathe’s blueprint is taken, other craftsmen might not be able to produce it without delay, so they asked for skilled craftsmen from your side to be sent over. But you don’t have to worry too much. Given Prince Fu’s control over the railway project, they should just need some guidance at the beginning and won’t be involved more than that. I expect they will be able to return soon."

Ye Xinyan frowned and hesitated before saying, "If Prince Fu wants to exploit the issue of processing threads, could the craftsmen going to the capital be in danger? For example, could they be silenced?"

"No. Upon the craftsmen’s arrival in the capital, they will be received by Prince Yu’s Mansion. At that time, two guards will be assigned to accompany them wherever they go. There should be no problem with safety. As for the Ministry of Works’ assignments, let Sixth Master arrange them. Try to have them explain things in public. When it’s something everyone knows about, there will be no talk of silencing anyone."

Seeing that Ye Xinyan was still not heartened, Jiang Yifan continued, "There’s so much to talk about concerning the court’s accounts, Prince Fu wouldn’t offend Sixth Master and you over a few craftsmen. No matter what, you are the esteemed granddaughter of Duke An and have been acknowledged by His Majesty. Ah Yan, you can rest easy."

"Really, it’s nothing serious?" Ye Xinyan asked again.

Jiang Yifan smiled and said, "Really, there’s nothing to worry about. Or you can send another message to Duke An, asking Elder Master Ye to also keep an eye out. These people are your breadwinners, and I think the Duke would be willing to help."

"Forget it." Ye Xinyan shook her head, "Lord Jiang, you came in such a hurry, it seems you’re urging the craftsmen to set off. I might as well arrange for more craftsmen to go. Silencing is always done one by one, they wouldn’t silence a whole group."

Jiang Yifan smiled, unable to stop shaking his head.

Ye Xinyan raised an eyebrow, "What’s the matter? Am I wrong?"

"Right, right, right, how could Ah Yan be wrong?" Jiang Yifan hastily agreed, "I was just admiring Ah Yan’s method for being truly simple and effective. We’ll do as Ah Yan said; we’ll set off in two days, and I will send someone over one day in advance to escort them to the capital. How many people are you planning to send, Ah Yan? So I can prepare enough carriages."

Ye Xinyan’s teacup in her hand trembled, nearly spilling the tea. This guy, Jiang Yifan, was beyond shameless with his talk. Was such obvious flattery necessary? It was quite embarrassing, wasn’t it?

Jiang Yifan stared at Ye Xinyan’s hand, his face one of innocence. Was there something wrong with agreeing with one’s wife? How did it come to almost scalding her hand?

He looked at Ye Xinyan and asked, "I didn’t say anything wrong, did I?"