She Became A Downfall Noble Lady
Chapter 564 - 562: That’s Called a Pitiful Hurry

Chapter 564: Chapter 562: That’s Called a Pitiful Hurry

Zhou Biyao was initially bewildered when she listened, and even after Ye Xinyan had finished speaking, she stared blankly at Ye Xinyan, slowly processing the meaning of those words.

Only then did the stern face of Lady Zhao appear in her mind, and following the scenes described by Ye Xinyan, she could see herself, like an aggrieved daughter-in-law, serving a senior who did not like her day after day. Any slight disobedience would lead to the elder complaining to Third Brother Wong, asking him to stand up for her.

The mothers-in-law she had heard about all made their daughters-in-law comply in this manner.

What would Third Brother Wong do in that situation? Would he staunchly defend her and take his mother’s complaints lightly?

Probably not, right? That was his mother, the one who raised him single-handedly without a husband to protect and provide for the family.

Zhou Biyao looked up at Ye Xinyan with a face full of sorrow, "How could this be? Third Brother Wong is Lady Zhao’s only son, isn’t her son’s happiness a mother’s wish?"

Ye Xinyan sighed and said, "I believe Lady Zhao also wants Third Brother Wong to be happy, but more than her son’s happiness, she would prefer her son to still consider her as the most important person."

"I, I..." Zhou Biyao opened her mouth several times before realizing that she hoped she would be the most important person in Third Brother Wong’s life, which was absolutely in conflict with Lady Zhao’s wishes.

Ye Xinyan took out a handkerchief and handed it to Zhou Biyao, saying, "Alright, crying won’t solve the problem. You should think carefully about what you really want. If marrying Third Brother Wong is your only goal, no matter how aggrieved or downtrodden you live your life, even if you can completely give up on yourself, then, given your family background, even if Lady Zhao opposes, you will likely get what you wish for."

Seeing Zhou Biyao wanting to speak, she raised her hand to stop her, "Don’t rush to talk. This is a matter for a lifetime, you need to think through everything thoroughly.

We still have some things to attend to before the new year, you can continue working on them slowly, or not, just calm down first, go home for the new year and then we’ll talk. Third Brother Wong won’t return until February, and it might even be later. Before he comes back, if you can figure things out, that would be good."

Zhou Biyao sniffled hard, took several deep breaths, but still felt a suffocating congestion in her heart.

"Why do I still feel so choked up, like I can’t catch my breath. Sister Qi, what did you do when you were sad?" Zhou Biyao asked.

"I..." Ye Xinyan abruptly stopped the words that were about to come out of her throat.

When she was sad... she had Jiang Yifan coax her into the wilderness, where she belted out songs for half the day. That was only because Jiang Yifan had an incredibly strong psychological endurance; if it was someone else who saw that scene, they would probably think she was insane.

"Yes, Sister Qi, what did you do?" Zhou Biyao looked at Ye Xinyan with tears brimming in her eyes, filled with expectation. In her heart, Ye Xinyan was her role model; she admired her in every way, and there was nothing Ye Xinyan couldn’t solve.

Ye Xinyan chuckled awkwardly and said, "Biyao, you know that I am a rough person, not like you, a cultured and elegant lady raised in seclusion. What do I know about being sad? Whenever I feel upset, I’ll naturally think of a way to pick a fight, to make a scene. Cough cough, your situation doesn’t lend itself to picking a fight, though."

It seemed a bit unkind to say such things, and so Ye Xinyan suggested, "How about this, I find you a few bolts of coarse cloth, and you rip them into pieces, that might make you feel a bit better." It would have an effect similar to belting out in song, right?

With her eyes still red, Zhou Biyao rolled her eyes at Ye Xinyan, "That’s such a waste, it would be better to make some clothes for the village kids."

Ah! Ye Xinyan stared at Zhou Biyao; she had made the suggestion for the benefit of Second Miss Zhou, didn’t she?

However, there are always two sides to every story, huh.

"Well then, I’ll just have to reluctantly help you find some bolts of better-looking coarse cloth, you can make do and create some clothes of different sizes for the village kids. It’s a meaningful way to heal a grieving heart."

Zhou Biyao was taken aback. Wasn’t that just something she said offhand?

Not long after, Qi Younian heard from one of the junior workers that the entourage of Magistrate Sir had been spotted.

Qi Younian did another round of inspection in the workshop, then sauntered back to the courtyard.

As soon as he entered the courtyard gate, Song Ping approached him, "Elder, Lord Jiang has arrived. He saw that you were not here and did not want to disturb your work; he went to Master Guan’s room."

"Mhm, Lord Jiang comes often; it’s fine. Let the two of them have a good chat."

As soon as Qi Younian finished speaking, the door to Guan He’s room opened, and Jiang Yifan came out, smiling, "I heard the elder had returned, and here you are indeed. I was just having a drink with my senior brother; come join us, let’s all chat together."

Qi Younian did not decline and walked over while asking with a smile, "Do you have any snacks to accompany the drinks? If not, have them prepare a couple."

"We do; salt-boiled soybeans and sauce meat, perfect for chewing and savoring slowly."

Guan He made room for Qi Younian in the center of the kang bed and refilled the drinks.

Qi Younian raised his cup, gestured to the two men, and asked Jiang Yifan, "The end of the year is approaching; how are things at the Yamen?"

Jiang Yifan replied, "All is well; I made sure everything at the county government office was in order before coming here."

Guan He chuckled, "This young man... if he doesn’t come to visit often, I’m afraid he’d have no mind for work."

Qi Younian, however, was quite satisfied with Jiang Yifan’s approach. Since Ye Zi was neither warm nor cold towards Jiang Yifan, he should visit more often to show enough sincerity to move Ye Zi’s heart.

He laughed heartily, "No worries, come whenever you wish; we’ll always keep a set of tableware ready for Lord Jiang."

Jiang Yifan hurriedly expressed his gratitude, refilled Qi Younian’s drink, and said, "I mainly came to see if Third Brother Wong’s mother has arrived and if there’s anything I can help with. Another thing," Jiang Yifan appeared a bit embarrassed, "the county government office will be on holiday in a few days, may I spend the New Year with you here?"

Guan He almost burst out laughing. His junior brother was really something, eagerly going to his potential future Yue Family, asking if he could stay at their place for New Year’s...

Jiang Yifan shot him a displeased glance and then looked back at Qi Younian with hopeful eyes.

He couldn’t count on his senior brother at such a critical time. Not only did he not speak up for him, but he also seemed to take joy in his misfortune. Look at him, barely containing his laughter, was he about to get hurt from holding it in?

The year before last, he spent his first New Year in Qingyuan County. Back then, with Jinrong there, Jinrong simply sent word to the Qi family, and they moved into the Qi family’s residence with authority.

Last year, with Ah Yan and Jinrong both in the capital and no Jinrong around, and since he wanted to ask for the granddaughter’s hand in marriage, he naturally couldn’t just send someone to deliver the message. So last year, he came to ask Qi Younian just as cautiously, and was only able to stay with the Qi family over the New Year period.

Back then, he was worried sick that Ah Yan would settle the marriage in the capital or be whisked away by Jinrong; all the while, he acted as if everything was normal, chatting with Qi Younian and Cheung Wusi, enjoying a small drink, and occasionally taking Wong Qiao for a walk nearby to hunt pheasants or hares.

He had been utterly anxious and desolate.