She Became A Downfall Noble Lady
Chapter 638 - 636: How to Return to Beijing?

Chapter 638: Chapter 636: How to Return to Beijing?

Jiang Yifan stubbornly believed that Ye Xinyan was only hung up on past issues; she probably hadn’t realized herself how differently she treated him from other men.

Otherwise, she wouldn’t have ridden on the same horse with him years ago, without asking about the place or the reason, going to the deserted wilderness to clear her mind. She probably hadn’t thought much about why she trusted him so much.

As Jiang Yifan reminisced about that day’s events, he blissfully planned that after he and Ah Yan got married, he could play the flute in harmony with Ah Yan, making her beautiful singing even more exquisite and pleasant to hear.

Ye Xinyan watched the suddenly foolish-looking Jiang Yifan beside her, somewhat puzzled. What’s going on here? Wasn’t this guy always so snobbish? Even if he had taken great care around her before, he was always so composed and smug, nothing like his current state.

In the past, people said that a woman in love has an IQ less than fifty, but could it be that Jiang Yifan had also fallen in love? So, does a man in love also have an IQ less than fifty? No, that’s not right, with the way he’s acting, even an IQ of twenty would be an overestimate—it’s clearly a case of overdue fees and imminent phone service termination.

......

As the evening approached the next day, Jiang Yifan met his mother, Lady Qin, and his younger brother Jiang Yiyuan with their carriage on the official road outside the city.

After a brief exchange of courtesies, Jiang Yifan led his mother and her party into the Jiang Family Residence in the capital.

The Jiang Family was considered a moderately sized gentry in Cloud Central Province, and Jiang Yifan’s grandfather’s line was just barely counted as the main branch, with quite abundant fields and properties.

Considering Jiang Yifan’s early success as an Imperial Scholar, with tax exemptions and smooth handling of various affairs over the years, his reputation and wealth had grown considerably within the clan.

Even his previous marriage annulment with Duke An’s granddaughter and taking up official posts elsewhere had not affected him as much as it could have, especially because it was better than when his older clan uncle was appointed county magistrate in his thirties.

There was originally no residence for the Jiang Family in the capital, but after Jiang Yifan became an Imperial Scholar, he stayed in the capital for his post and became connected with Duke An’s Mansion, leading him to buy a three-sectioned courtyard house in the capital.

Having returned to the capital this time, Jiang Yifan only had a dozen or so young servants and attendants, so he resided in just one section of the courtyard, leaving the rest unused. Only after receiving a letter from home a few days prior did he tidy up the remaining two sections, purchasing several maids and old woman servants to handle daily chores.

As the weather remained cold during this season, there was little conversation on the way, and they simply pressed on. Once Lady Qin and her seven or eight maids and old woman servants were settled into the warm and cozy rooms in the back courtyard, Lady Qin freshened up and changed her clothes before calling Jiang Yifan inside.

Jiang Yifan and Jiang Yiyuan came to Lady Qin’s room and greeted their mother once again.

Having already asked his younger brother about the trip while in the outer yard, Jiang Yifan, after the greetings, simply inquired about how Lady Qin was feeling and whether she felt tired. He then thanked Nanny Hong, who had taken care of his mother on the way.

Nanny Hong was a kindly-faced woman in her forties, of average build, who had served at Lady Qin’s side since her youth and had practically watched the Jiang boys grow up, resulting in a close relationship.

Hearing Jiang Yifan’s polite words, Nanny Hong hurriedly deferred, claiming she couldn’t possibly accept thanks from the Eldest Son, and they exchanged several courteous words.

Jiang Yiyuan, at nineteen, resembled Jiang Yifan by about seventy to eighty percent, but he was slightly shorter and seemed somewhat frail. He had specifically accompanied Lady Qin to the capital.

Once Jiang Yifan sat down again in a chair, Lady Qin mustered her energy and asked Jiang Yifan, "Yuanfan, the letter you sent was not very clear. What exactly is going on? That girl from the Ye Family... haven’t we already annulled the marriage? Didn’t you handle the situation clearly at the time?"

Jiang Yifan was stunned, and to think he had assured Ah Yan that his mother would be pleased with their reunion. Hearing his mother’s questions, it was a blessing Ah Yan hadn’t heard them—if she had, might she decide to call off the wedding?

"Mother, Ah Yan and I... Didn’t I write to you before, about going into business with Ah Yan? This time, we genuinely got along well. And it was I who took the initiative to ask to marry her again. I ask for Mother to come and discuss the betrothal." Jiang Yifan stumbled through his explanation.

Back when the marriage was arranged with Duke An’s Mansion, it caused quite a stir for Jiang Yifan and the Jiang Family. Jiang Yifan adamantly refused, and it took the concerted efforts of his family’s uncles and numerous relatives sent by his mother to finally settle the matter.

After that, Jiang Yifan had a miserable time. Not long after the wedding, the two maidservants responsible for attending to him died, and the rest were sent back to the Jiang Family by Jiang Yifan. His mother was even more worried and felt guilty.

Therefore, after the divorce, before he took up his post in Qingyuan County, he returned home, and his parents didn’t blame him.

Having finally divorced such a woman, why seek her out again? She was the granddaughter of a first-class noble and prestigious family of the Great Xia Dynasty, the same woman... How could he confidently justify his actions?

Jiang Yiyuan was also surprised and blurted out, "Eldest brother, that woman... How did you manage to be reassigned back to the capital? Please don’t tell me it was because you agreed to reconcile with her?"

"What are you talking about?" Jiang Yifan glared at him fiercely, "Do you think your brother is that kind of man?"

Jiang Yiyuan felt wronged, "Then why? That woman isn’t good at all, no, she’s evil, she even caused such a scandal at the banquet. Could she really have changed her ways and become a kind, gentle, virtuous and gracious lady?"

"Ahem, she has learned from her experiences and is now a good woman. Over these past few years, I have observed her doing business, even partnered with her on a few ventures, I can’t be wrong about her."

Lady Qin frowned and after a long while said, "Yuanfan, that woman comes from a wealthy and powerful family, so no matter how virtuous and gracious she may be, she wouldn’t condescend to serve you. There’s no lack of good women in the world, why must you marry one of such social standing? Mother is just concerned and afraid you are being foolish, that’s why I rushed over here. Listen to me, the women I’ve looked at for you before are all fine choices, and they will surely attend to you diligently and respect you."

Jiang Yifan looked at Lady Qin’s somewhat weary face and said, "I understand. Mother, you’ve just arrived, and dinner is already prepared in the kitchen. Let us eat first, and after the meal, you should rest early. We can talk about everything else tomorrow." Saying this, he glanced at Jiang Yiyuan.

Jiang Yiyuan quickly echoed, "That’s right, Mother, what’s the hurry with this matter? You have rushed all the way here and must be exhausted. Better to eat earlier and then we can have a rest. We can discuss further tomorrow."

Lady Qin nodded and said to Jiang Yifan, "Then let’s have dinner. Have someone take Nanny Huang to the kitchen to help with the preparations and let Nanny Hong supervise."

Nanny Hong promptly responded and followed the young maid summoned by Jiang Yifan to the kitchen to get everything ready for dinner.

The following day, Jiang Yifan requested leave again. He got up early in the morning and, after washing up, went to the back courtyard to pay his respects to Lady Qin.

Seeing that Lady Qin’s complexion had improved, he smiled and asked, "Did Mother sleep well last night? Your complexion looks much better."

Lady Qin was a straightforward person, and while still worried about Jiang Yifan’s marital issues, she had managed to sleep soundly despite the exhaustion. Hearing her son’s question, she smiled and replied, "Mother slept very well, indeed. It seems that you have learned some practical matters while serving as an official. Even this house, lying idle for a few years, you’ve managed to keep it warm and comfortable."