She Became A Downfall Noble Lady
Chapter 592 - 590 Visiting the Mansion

Chapter 592: Chapter 590 Visiting the Mansion

However, Jiang Yifan was well aware of the limits, he kept offering Qi Younian and the two kids porridge and dishes at the table, occasionally chatting with Qi Younian about things in the Capital but refraining from flirting excessively or fawning over Ye Xinyan.

After breakfast, as they sat and chatted leisurely, Ye Xinyan said, "My old man has probably finished breakfast and rested a bit by now, we should head over. The sooner we get done, the sooner we can pack it up and go about our own business."

Jiang Yifan immediately agreed, "Ah Yan is right, the Duke is likely waiting." While speaking, he stood up, appearing to plan on going along.

Ye Xinyan asked in surprise, "Lord Jiang also plans to go meet Duke An?"

"Yes," Jiang Yifan replied, equally surprised and confused as though his relationship with Duke An’s Mansion was so close that it would be improper not to go.

Ye Xinyan glared at him for quite a while, but not a trace of cowardice was visible from him, which made her poke at his sore spot, "Back in the day, you were so disrespectful to the old man, could he truly be so magnanimous as to let bygones be bygones?"

Qi Younian coughed repeatedly, unsure if it was to alleviate the awkwardness for Jiang Yifan or if he was genuinely choked up by Ye Xinyan’s words.

But Jiang Yifan wasn’t the least bit embarrassed, his shamelessness was simply beyond what a square-ruler like Qi Younian, an old-fashioned gentleman, could imagine.

"If Ah Yan can forgive and forget my past actions, even if the Duke is annoyed, he would have to show me some leniency for Ah Yan’s sake," Jiang Yifan claimed unabashedly.

Qi Younian coughed again. Alright, he was truly too old, unable to keep up with the thoughts and speech of the younger generation.

In the past, he thought only his Ye Zi could achieve the feat of speaking without a filter, without any regard for what others thought.

Who would have expected that the originally upright Lord Jiang, after associating with Ye Zi, began to follow in his footsteps...

Alright then, at least it was just family members talking behind closed doors, not heard by outsiders. Even if there was a little... what’s it, it didn’t matter.

Ye Xinyan was astounded for quite a while, still unsure what to say. Then, looking at Qi Sanshun who pretended nothing was wrong and was counting on his fingers, and Qi Jiaer who was stealthily glancing at her, she decided, in the future, she’d speak less with Jiang Yifan to avoid embarrassment and keep from leading the kids astray.

Ye Xinyan had left through the corner gate at the back of Duke An’s Mansion when she arrived. As Qi Younian was making a formal visit and was her grandfather, it was only natural to go around the alley and enter through the front gate.

With the eldest daughter of the Qi family leading the way, the doorkeeper didn’t make them wait and immediately swung open the mansion doors.

Having been waiting in the gatehouse, Qiao Laiyun came out to greet them, paying respects to everyone. While sending someone to inform Duke An, he led Qi Younian inside, "Old Master Qi is truly in robust health, traveling such a long distance from Yuyuan Prefecture to the Capital, yet you remain so spirited."

As he spoke, he turned to Qi Jiaer and Qi Sanshun, "The two boys are as adorable as ever. Now that’s nice, from now on, as the boys will be staying in the Capital more often, our mansion will be lively again. Ever since the two boys left last year, it turned quite quiet here. It wasn’t until a few days ago, when the Duke heard that the eldest daughter and the boys were returning, that he stopped mentioning it."

Standing in front of the grand entrance to Duke An’s Mansion just a moment ago, Qi Younian felt a sense of unreality. When he entered the city yesterday, it was already dark, and he could only catch glimpses of street views in the haze, marveling at the prosperous Capital, truly a place of outstanding people and remarkable landscapes, the street architecture alone was dazzling.

Now, the residence of Duke An, a first-rank noble and prestigious family of the Great Xia Dynasty, was right before him. Simply the stone lions in front of the gate and the grandeur of the gate and its tower made Qi Younian question whether such a mansion was really somewhere he could enter? And the gates were wide open, at that, inviting him in as a guest.

Fortunately, he had spent the past few years associating with Jinrong, Jiang Yifan, and others, and had indeed seen officials and the wealthy. He had also truly undertaken several major projects. Although his heart was shaken, he still had some confidence. Walking through the layers of exquisitely surrounded courtyards, he was not utterly timid.

His companion Jiang Yifan, along with Qi Jiaer, who was holding his hand steadily and hopping about quite comfortably, also gave him considerable reassurance.

Hearing the steward of this distinguished household speak so affably, Qi Younian understood that it was entirely the face of the granddaughter he had acknowledged that allowed the esteemed steward of the mansion to wait upon and flatter him.

Qi Younian hurriedly responded, "They are children from the countryside, not familiar with the rules, very mischievous. I’m afraid these two boys have caused the mansion quite a bit of trouble."

Qiao Laiyun bowed with a smile and said, "Not at all. The two young masters are lively and cheerful, really quite endearing. Especially our Duke, who simply wishes that the boys would grow up in our mansion."

When Qiao Laiyun said these words, he was very sincere. It was true, the Duke himself was really reluctant to see the two boys from the Qi family leave. It was rare for the children to not be timid and to have courage and kindness, making the Duke genuinely fond of them. Speaking of which, the character and temperament of the two boys from the Qi family were indeed much stronger than those of his own sons.

The two elders exchanged pleasantries as they entered the guest hall.

An Nian, standing at the entrance of the hall, bowed deeply and opened the door, saying, "Old Master Qi, please, my Duke has been waiting for you."

Duke An was sitting in the guest hall, and upon hearing An Nian speak, he looked up to see Jiang Yifan accompanying a robust old man inside.

He stood up with a smile and said, "Old Master Qi, is it? Indeed, a man of great spirit, please come in." Then he turned and ordered a servant by his side, "Serve tea to Old Master Qi."

Qi Younian quickly stepped forward several paces, bowed deeply, and said, "This humble old man, Qi Younian, pays respects to the Duke."

Duke An supported him, laughing, "We are of similar age, and moreover, we are relatives, so let’s not be so formal. I’ll take the liberty of acting as an older brother. Come, come, Younger Brother Qi, please have a seat."

Qi Younian, insisting he dared not, bowed again to express his thanks, then straightened up and turned to look at Qi Jiaer and the other.

Before he could give an order, the two Qi boys had already knelt before Duke An, performing the kowtow greeting, "We pay respects to the Duke, may the Duke be well."

Duke An hurriedly pulled them both up, "You two little rascals, so heartless, to leave without looking back. The Duke doted on you so much for nothing."

Qi Sanshun, being a few years older, naturally felt a generation gap with Duke An and was merely blushing, insisting he dared not accept such words.

Qi Jiaer, being younger and with his sister and the wife of the heir apparent as family, was not very concerned, and looking up with a smile, he said to Duke An, "Grandfather Duke, I have always missed you. It’s just that the journey is too far, and my sister said it’s not convenient to travel back and forth. This time we’re going to stay here for a long while, I will often come to pay my respects to Grandfather Duke."

Qi Younian was helpless, his grandson, always following his granddaughter and taught by Master Guan, was just too bold.

Duke An, however, liked such a child and, smiling while twirling his beard, said, "Hmm, that is what makes a good grandson for Grandfather Duke. Grandfather is looking forward to having Brother Jia and Brother Shun accompany him every day."

Ye Xinyan listened speechlessly. This old man, wasn’t he just taking advantage? When did the child ever say he would come to pay respects every day?