She Became A Downfall Noble Lady
Chapter 625 - 623 Ji Mansion

Chapter 625: Chapter 623 Ji Mansion

Ye Xinyi, though she hated Ye Xinyan so much that her teeth itched, could not fight against the circumstances. She composed herself and inclined her body slightly towards Ye Xinyan, saying indifferently, "Thank you, elder sister, for informing me of the matters at home. Now that I am married, even though I’m worried about father and Maternal Aunt Liu, I must inform my in-laws and consult with my husband before I can return to my family’s home. I have been out for quite a long time, so if elder sister has no other instructions, I shall return now."

Ye Xinyan watched as she adjusted her hairpin and attire, preparing to leave the carriage, and couldn’t help but scoff inwardly. Maternal Aunt Liu’s daughter was really something, with her birth mother in such a dismal state, the first thing she thought of was herself.

As Ye Xinyan watched her step down from the carriage with the aid of a stool, she offered a suggestion, "In fact, if Second Miss wishes, she can go back to her family’s home without incurring grandmother’s wrath. You can express your concern to grandmother, telling her that you are especially returning to see your father. Although grandfather and grandmother have dealt with their son, the bond of blood and affection cannot be severed, and in the end, they still feel for their child. If you say this, grandmother would surely be consoled and would give you a warmer reception."

Having said this much, it was now up to Ye Xinyi whether she would go back or not.

Ye Xinyan genuinely hoped that Ye Xinyi would go back to see Maternal Aunt Liu, to witness her current situation and see how useless her father, who had lost his position as Princely Heir, really was. This would add to her distress, and let her understand that she would no longer have a chance to obtain through Ye Hongyang what she wasn’t entitled to.

Maternal Aunt Liu and her children were all incapable; their lives depended entirely on the Princely Heir Ye Hongyang. From now on, with Ye Hongyang leading a strained and dim existence himself, their future was predictable.

Ye Heng and Ye Yi were still alright, even if they were not very capable, with the background of Duke An’s Mansion, they would at least lead a better life than ordinary families.

But Ye Xinyi’s situation was different. Her husband’s family would not allow her to be barely better than an ordinary household. In such a family known for their noble and educational heritage, lacking the profound scholarly atmosphere of a family of scholars, and with a father who was no longer noble and prestigious, her plight in the presence of three sisters-in-law with influential maiden families, was imaginable.

More importantly, Ye Xinyan wanted Maternal Aunt Liu to see her daughter, to give Maternal Aunt Liu a reason to persistently live on.

Ye Xinyan was very disappointed with her ability to persuade. Ye Xinyi didn’t turn the carriage around to return to Duke An’s Mansion with Ye Xinyan to visit Ye Hongyang and Maternal Aunt Liu. Instead, she headed in the direction of Ji Mansion.

...

When Ye Xinyi returned, it was no longer early. She first freshened up before meeting with her mother-in-law, Madam Zhou. Fortunately, there was no one else in her mother-in-law’s room, and Madam Zhou was not in the mood to pay much attention to her. After paying her respects, she was dismissed by Madam Zhou.

She returned to her own courtyard, distractedly played with her son for a while, had lunch, and after much deliberation, finally brought up to Ji Chengru her wish to visit her parents when he returned in the evening.

Ji Chengru was still satisfied with his wife. Although she was born of a concubine, she didn’t carry the meekness and pettiness often associated with concubine-born daughters, and she raised their son well.

When he heard her wish to visit her family home, considering the recent rumors about Duke An’s Mansion, where his father-in-law was portrayed in such an unfavorable light, accused of even trying to harm his own legitimate daughter. That victim, his wife’s legitimate elder sister’s name, was once again on everyone’s lips, a subject of gossip that even he found humiliating and awkward.

But faced with his wife’s watery, large eyes and the mournful expression within them, his heart softened, and he said, "There has been much gossip lately, and I’m not certain if you can go. Let’s ask my mother after dinner."

"Thank you, husband. I knew you would be the kindest to me," Ye Xinyi replied joyfully.

So, in the evening, when the four ladies of Ji Family made their routine visit to pay respect to their mother-in-law, Ye Xinyi glanced at her three sisters-in-law and, plucking up her courage, inquired of Madam Zhou whether she might visit her family home.

Indeed, as soon as Ye Xinyi spoke, the previously indifferent gazes of her three sisters-in-law changed, with the eldest sister-in-law turning her face to look at her, her face full of disapproval.

The second and third sisters-in-law, though not as explicitly disapproving, also cast their eyes down, clearly displeased.

Madam Zhou’s face darkened even more. The rumors about Duke An’s Mansion had greatly increased her stress over the past few days, leading her to cancel several gatherings. She deeply regretted not listening to her husband initially and insisting on forming a marital alliance with Duke An’s Mansion.

The heir of Duke An’s unrestrained favoritism towards his concubines was well-known throughout the capital’s elite. Yet, it was precisely for this reason that the concubine-born daughter of the Ye Family was raised well, whereas the legitimate daughter was extremely lacking. At that time, she thought that a concubine-born daughter brought up in such a way was essentially a legitimate daughter.

She should have realized that in the inner quarters, a strong concubine and a weak wife are signs of a household in turmoil. Yet, she thought the Ye Family’s strong concubine was due to the wife of the heir apparent’s influence. Hadn’t that woman raised her daughter to be such a person?

Nobody expected Ye Xinyan’s previous disgrace to not be the worst of it; she later caused one scandal after another. After all, doing business and making a public appearance is a man’s job, isn’t it? When did it become the place of a divorcee to step forward?

This is the result of poor household discipline in Duke An’s Mansion!

The Ji Family too was unlucky, having failed to recognize people clearly and forming a marital tie with such a family. She now understood that having a hereditary title without proper household discipline was in no way a sign of a family’s prosperity.

Madam Zhou frowned and said, "Isn’t that inappropriate? Duke An’s Mansion has been pushed to the forefront of gossip these past few days. If you go back, won’t our mansion be subjected to ridicule by association?"

The Ji Family’s third daughter-in-law looked disdainfully at Ye Xinyi and was speechless at her lack of propriety.

Ye Xinyi looked timidly at Madam Zhou and said in a low voice, "After such a major incident, I am very worried about my parents and elder sister. Perhaps, I should take an ordinary carriage back. I must make sure it can’t be recognized as belonging to the Ji Mansion."

"Nonsense! Our Ji Mansion has always conducted its affairs openly and honorably. For a woman of the house to leave so clandestinely, what would that look like? It could tarnish the reputation of the Ji Family." Ji Xiaoyuan, who had been silent, spoke out angrily.

As Lord Ji, who had authority over the Imperial Academy, had always disdained Ye Hongyang’s mediocrity.

Still, the Ji Family formed a marital alliance with Duke An’s Mansion for their noble and prestigious hereditary title and for the virtuous and kind characteristics of their fourth daughter-in-law. Moreover, the marriage was for his youngest son, for whom they did not have many requirements beyond the woman’s virtue.

Thus, even though he was reluctant, Lord Ji known for his integrity, ultimately consented to the marriage arrangement orchestrated by his wife.

Any respectable family in the capital knew that the Duke’s Heir Apparent favored his concubines, and that his legitimate daughter was not up to standard. But, no matter how lacking she might be, she was still a daughter. Ye Hongyang had hastily married her off to a declining family without his parents’ or wife’s knowledge, without considering whether such a marriage would invite public censure, nor caring about the damage to Duke An’s Mansion’s reputation.

Were these even the actions of a reasonable person?

As soon as Ji Xiaoyuan spoke, Ye Xinyi knew she could not return to her parental home, her feelings indescribably mixed. She glanced at Ji Chengru, who had accompanied her, full of apology.