She Became A Downfall Noble Lady
Chapter 566 - 564 Good Fortune

Chapter 566: Chapter 564 Good Fortune

If Jiang Yifan were to spend the New Year here, it would be even better if my daughter and he could grow closer," thought Madam Yin, a warm smile spreading across her face from within. "You’re being too modest, child; there’s no need for such formalities. It’s the New Year, a time for everyone to be harmonious and joyful, how could we leave you alone in the cold Yamen."

Even though Jiang Yifan knew that Madam Yin would agree, he hadn’t expected her to speak such intimate words. Overjoyed, he bowed deeply and said, "Thank you, Madam Xie, thank you for your indulgence. I won’t disturb you further while you entertain, I’ll take my leave now."

Watching Jiang Yifan leave, Lady Zhao couldn’t help but feel a tint of envy. She said to Madam Yin, "This Lord Jiang is quite exceptional in both character and appearance, surely he must come from a prominent family? My Ah Qiao is a child raised in a poor family; being looked upon favorably by Lord Jiang suggests he must be a magnanimous person."

Speaking of Jiang Yifan, Madam Yin was quite proud: "Yes, Yuanfan is indeed a good child. Not only does he excel in character, learning, and talents, but he is also sincere and patient. Our Brother Jia, being just a little child, also knows to cling to Yuanfan. Children are the most innocent and always know who treats them well."

"Think about it, the government officials in our area all have big beards, and here is Lord Jiang, so young, yet in charge of such a large county’s people, acting as a parental official. He must be very diligent in his studies," Lady Zhao chimed in.

Madam Yin laughed and said, "Indeed. The court holds the imperial examination once every three years, selecting Scholars from all over. How many aspiring scholars come to take the exam? Yuanfan, at his young age, managed to place third, becoming the youngest Imperial Scholar in nearly fifty years."

"That’s quite remarkable," Lady Zhao was genuinely impressed this time. Third place in the entire realm and the youngest Imperial Scholar in decades.

Although she didn’t know the specifics of the rankings, she was aware of the significance of achieving third place in the imperial examination. In their village and township, even having someone who had passed the provincial exams was a rarity, and the entire family would take great pride in it.

The conversation had reached a point where it would be indecorous to continue. Madam Yin was keenly aware that too much of anything can be counterproductive. It was tolerable to boast a little about her future son-in-law, but to continue might lead to disclosing the sensitive issue that this fine young man was her daughter’s former husband... better left unmentioned.

Madam Yin changed the subject, "With the New Year approaching, I’ve already sent for some fabrics to make two sets of New Year’s clothes for Madam Zhao and Miss Xiuqin. After lunch, Nanny Huang will bring over the material for you and your daughter to choose from, see what pleases you."

Lady Zhao had been eager to probe further into Lord Jiang’s relationship with the Ye Family. If what the wife of the heir apparent said wasn’t just a polite remark, and given Lord Jiang’s noble heritage and promising future, maintaining a good relationship with him might provide security for her and Ah Qiao’s future, right?

She had been frightened by her husband’s ordeal. Her family, poor as they were, had just begun to see better days, having managed to live in peace despite hardships. But just as they were moving into a newly rebuilt house, disaster struck.

To live a good life without fear of malevolence, one needed a few influential friends and relatives. Elder Brother Qi’s granddaughter from the Ye Family was a significant support, and to become acquainted with the promising Lord Jiang would surely add an extra layer of protection, wouldn’t it?

Before Lady Zhao had a chance to inquire, Madam Yin had already switched topics, talking about making clothes.

She hurriedly declined, "I couldn’t possibly accept, thank you for the generous offer, wife of the heir apparent. Xiuqin and I have brought our New Year’s clothes. These last few years, with Ah Qiao working, I have had a comfortable life, with no lack of food or clothing. We’re doing quite well, indeed."

Madam Yin laughed, "With Ah Qiao away, and as Lady Zhao is new to our home, we must replace Ah Qiao in taking care of your clothing and daily needs. Although you’ve brought clothes, the journey from Hezhou to Clear Water Village is long, and you could not have brought many. It’s better to have a few extra pieces to change into. This is a small token from Ye Zi and Old Master Qi, Madam Zhao should not feel obliged to refuse."

This was Xiuqin’s first time entering such a sumptuous and resplendent room. She had already spent half a day admiring the room’s furnishings and the clothing of the maids and old woman servants coming in and out, and her heart was filled with extreme envy. At that moment, upon hearing that this wealthy lady would provide them with clothes, her eyes lit up, and her gaze darted non-stop between Madam Yin and Lady Zhao.

Meeting Xiuqin’s gaze, Madam Yin smiled and said, "When the time comes, I’ll take out a few bright and colorful fabrics for Miss Xiuqin and your aunt to choose from. You can make two garments to your liking."

As she spoke, Madam Yin gestured for Cui Bai to bring over a tray, "I should have given a meeting gift to Miss Xiuqin when we first met yesterday. But it was too rushed, and I didn’t have the chance to prepare it. This meeting gift, although half a day late, is still a little token of a senior’s affection."

Jewelry as well?

Xiuqin was taken aback, then turned her gaze to the tray Cui Bai presented. On the tray lay two glittering hairpins, both intricately designed with a complex pattern and inlaid with a few small precious rubies and sapphires, along with a pair of silver bracelets with openwork carving and two pairs of gold and silver earring pendants adorned with precious stones.

These, these, were they for her? Xiuqin’s eyes widened as she turned her stunned gaze first to Madam Yin, then to Lady Zhao.

Lady Zhao was even more surprised and kept bowing as she spoke, "Thank you for your kindness, but these pieces of jewelry are too precious. We come from a poor family, and there’s no need for us to have such valuable items, it’s too much for us to accept. We take to heart Madam’s kind intentions, but the items are something we cannot take. We hope Madam will understand."

Madam Yin laughed and waved her hand dismissively, "It’s nothing of value, just a normal custom of the elders meeting the younger ones. Ah Qiao is capable, and who knows, in a few years when your family’s situation improves, Madam Zhao might not even fancy these trinkets. Hurry and receive them, let the child wear something new for the New Year."

Madam Yin then turned to Cui Bai and said, "Find a box to pack these items for Miss Xiuqin."

Seeing that refusal was not an option, Lady Zhao quickly stood up, and turning to Xiuqin, who was still in a daze, she said, "Hurry up and thank the wife of the Princely Heir."

Confused, Xiuqin stood and followed Lady Zhao in thanking Madam Yin and bowing her gratitude. Yet her heart was still overwhelmed with disbelief. Could it be true that the kind of jewelry only rich ladies and misses wore was being given to her just like that, to become hers?

Her gaze swept over Cui Bai and Nanny Huang, then took in the attire of Madam Yin, and finally settled on herself and Lady Zhao.

Their clothes were new, made especially for the coming New Year’s reunion with her aunt, as per a letter from their cousin in the autumn. In their village, such fine cloth jackets were considered the finest clothing and would be the envy of everyone.

The New Year’s clothes they had, made of the same fabric - a fine cloth jacket and single-layer trousers - were meant to be worn over cotton-padded clothes.

They were new clothes indeed, but they couldn’t compare to what the people inside and outside the wife of the Princely Heir’s chambers wore.

Xiuqin was filled with anticipation for the lunch break, curious about what kind of fabric Nanny Huang would choose for her and her aunt.

If it were like the ones Cui Bai and the other maids had, she would be satisfied. If it were the same as the wife of the Princely Heir’s, or just slightly inferior, then she would have to sincerely pray and thank the bodhisattva Guanyin for bestowing her with such good fortune.