She Became A Downfall Noble Lady
Chapter 571 - 569: Painful and Desperate

Chapter 571: Chapter 569: Painful and Desperate

Shi Shu recognized the visitor as a craftsman from the Mechanical Workshop and promptly stepped forward, supporting the craftsman’s hands while interrupting him, "It’s you, elder brother! What a coincidence that we should meet on the road. Are you staying at this inn? Has Third Master Wong also returned?"

The craftsman quickly replied, "Yes, we’re staying here, we arrived in the afternoon. What are you all doing standing out here?"

Shi Shu replied with a wry smile, "We arrived in the county town a bit late and couldn’t find any rooms, so we were just wondering where to stay."

The innkeeper’s eyes darted back and forth as he observed them, thinking about the title ’Lord’ that he had just heard one of the guests say. Could it be that this group of people were officials from the court?

"Excuse me for asking, but I heard this guest address you as ’Lords’ just now?" the innkeeper ventured to ask.

Just as the craftsman was about to speak, Shi Shu diverted the topic: "We have long been acquainted with this elder brother, that’s why we were simply too surprised to see him on the way. It’s nothing."

The craftsman, quick-witted, seeing that Shi Shu did not intend to disclose their identities further, did not presume to offer any more courtesies, and instead inquired of the innkeeper, "Do you have any rooms left here that we could spare for these gentlemen? They are well acquainted with Third Master Wong. When I go back and report to him, we should be able to make some adjustments and free up a couple of rooms."

After saying this, the craftsman suddenly realized he had not asked for Jiang Yifan and the others’ opinion and looked somewhat embarrassedly at Jiang Yifan, "I don’t know what Elder Jiang would prefer, would you like to stay here?"

Jiang Yifan smiled and said, "Having a place to stay is certainly best, but I apologize for inconveniencing the masters."

The innkeeper was still uncertain whether these people were court officials, but seeing that the inn’s guests treated them with great respect, he knew there was nothing wrong with being extra attentive.

"I will try to find a way for the gentlemen right away, please wait a moment," he said.

The craftsman then invited them, "If Elder Jiang and the others would not mind, please come to our room to sit for a while and rest your feet. Chief Manager Wong, upon seeing you, will surely be delighted."

While they were talking, Wong Qiao from the inn had already received the news and came out to greet them.

"What a coincidence to meet Master Jiang here; Wong Qiao offers his greetings," said Wong Qiao with a big smile. Having been away from home for almost three months, he was genuinely pleased to encounter an acquaintance here.

Jiang Yifan quickly stepped forward to support him, "Ah Qiao is too courteous. Where is your room? Let’s go inside to talk. I’ll need to trouble you and rest in your room for a while."

Jiang Yifan left Shi Shu outside to handle the accommodation arrangements, and followed Wong Qiao into his room to settle down.

As the waiter brought in tea, Wong Qiao watched Jiang Yifan take a few sips before asking, "What brings Lord Jiang here, has your term ended and you’re being recalled to the capital?"

Jiang Yifan nodded, "Yes, I received a document from the court a few days ago. How about you, how’s the work in the capital going? Is it progressing smoothly?"

Wong Qiao replied with a smile, "It’s going smoothly. With both His Highness Prince Yu and Duke An looking out for us, how could it not be?" Wong Qiao then briefly recounted their journey so far.

At last he sighed, "When it comes down to it, the workshops and master craftsmen under the court really are formidable, with their fully equipped and exquisite tools. We folks, working among the common people, really thought we were capable. It wasn’t until I came to the capital that I realized what a gathering of talents truly looks like."

As Jiang Yifan listened to Wong Qiao talk about his experiences in the capital and his constant admiration for the craftsmanship and power of the court’s workshops, he couldn’t help but nod in agreement.

Gifted with a spiritual energy, an artisan like Wong Qiao stood out wherever he went. Just as Ye Xinyan had said, if Wong Qiao were to devote himself entirely to his craft, with the right environment and conditions, given time, he could definitely become a master craftsman of the highest order.

Even Wong Qiao, with such exquisite skills, was always able to see the strengths in others’ work. If he could remain true to his original aspirations and continue on this path, he would be able to make continuous progress and improvement. Even Confucius, with his vast knowledge, could say, "When walking in a company of three, there is bound to be a teacher among them." It goes to show that everyone has strengths—it’s only a matter of whether you are willing to find them and to learn from them.

And Wong Qiao was someone willing to discover others’ strengths and learn from their assets. Such a person, burdened by his shortsighted mother and marrying such a woman, was bound to receive no form of help but only setbacks.

"Ah Qiao, your mother already came to Clear Water Village at the beginning of the year," Jiang Yifan said abruptly.

Wong Qiao scratched his head embarrassedly and said awkwardly, "I was just about to ask Lord Jiang. My mother is just an ordinary woman, and I was afraid you might not have noticed her, so I didn’t dare ask rashly. Is my mother doing well? Staying at my uncle’s for the New Year, she must be very happy, right?"

Jiang Yifan said expressionlessly, "Aunt Wong didn’t come by herself; she brought your cousin along, claiming her to be a niece from her maternal family."

"Ah?" Wong Qiao was also stunned for a moment. Brought a niece? What for? To broaden her horizons or to find someone to marry in Qingyuan County?

Jiang Yifan nodded, "A girl named Xiuqin. Your mother said that it is this girl who has been accompanying her these past years, and she seems very pleased with her." Jiang Yifan paused before signaling to his servant to leave.

The artisans accompanying Wong Qiao saw Lord Jiang’s attendants exit the room and also excused themselves, understanding the hint.

When Wong Qiao saw that only he and Jiang Yifan were left in the room, his brow furrowed in concern and he asked, "Is there something wrong? Please do not hesitate, Lord Jiang; just speak freely."

Jiang Yifan said, "Your mother does not want you to marry Second Miss of the Zhou family, claiming that the family is of too high a standing. Your mother doesn’t want to suffer her whole life and then have to wait on her daughter-in-law in the end."

Wong Qiao immediately grew anxious, "Who did my mother speak with? Didn’t the wife of the heir apparent and my elder uncle tell her that Biyao is good-natured and would not be condescending towards her? Does Biyao know what my mother has been saying?" He looked almost ready to sprout wings and fly back to salvage his marriage.

Jiang Yifan said, "It’s not as simple as you think. Your mother isn’t criticizing Second Miss Zhou’s nature, rather she says that having suffered much in her life, now that you have grown up, she wants your wife to constantly serve her," Jiang Yifan raised his hand to stop Wong Qiao from interjecting, and continued, "Your elder uncle and fourth uncle have also suggested buying more servants, but your mother disdains the idea, saying they would not serve as attentively as her own daughter-in-law would."

"Both your uncles have tried to persuade her in many ways, but your mother says others can’t understand the hardships she’s been through. She believes you are a good son and will not go against her wishes."

Jiang Yifan watched Wong Qiao, waiting to see his reaction.

Lady Zhao’s reasoning sounded reasonable at first, but upon closer examination, it was clear she simply wanted full control over her daughter-in-law, to have all household matters go her way, with everyone and everything prostrating before her authority, all the while completely disregarding whether or not her son would be content.

Wong Qiao’s expression was one of torment, his brow furrowed then relaxed, then tightened again and again until it settled into deep resignation, followed by a look filled with pain and despair.