She Became A Downfall Noble Lady
Chapter 644 - 642 Familiar With

Chapter 644: Chapter 642 Familiar With

Qi Jiaer, now seven years old, had learned from Nanny Jin and the many maid servants the difference between men and women. Upon entering, he stopped in the outer room, tugging at Jiu Yue’s sleeve to ask questions but dared not venture further inside.

"Sister Jiu Yue, where is my sister? Why isn’t she anywhere to be seen? Weren’t we supposed to go out for some pastries together? Brother Sanshun is waiting outside, and so is Uncle Guan. We’re all in a hurry."

Jiu Yue quickly held her index finger to her lips, speaking in a hushed tone, "Brother Jia, speak quietly, Miss Ye hasn’t woken up yet."

For ease of movement, Qi Jiaer was still dressed in his usual clothes, only the fabric was of a much higher quality now, a uniform cloud-patterned satin, with embroidery and stitching that was incredibly delicate and fine.

Upon hearing that Ye Xinyan hadn’t awakened, Qi Jiaer also lowered his voice, "Ah, then I’ll just wait. At noon aunt said that after we have the pastries, if there’s still time, she’ll take me and Brother Sanshun to buy New Year goods. We can buy whatever we like. Grandfather also gave me and Brother Sanshun some silver, all of which is held by Sister Zi Ning."

"You little rascal, living such a comfortable life. To have someone agree to buy whatever you want–it’s almost like the life of the original Miss Ye." Ye Xinyan grumbled to herself as she walked out.

When Qi Jiaer saw her, he immediately ran over, "Sister, are we going to have pastries with Lord Jiang? Lord Jiang hasn’t had any time off. Can we just have a few sweet soups today and not have the pastries? Afterwards, I can take Lord Jiang to eat something delicious. There are so many goodies on the street by the City God Temple, and we have quite a bit of silver."

"You just said something different to Jiu Yue," Ye Xinyan replied lazily, sitting down by the chair as Jiu Yue hurriedly brought over some tea.

Qi Jiaer’s eyes rolled as he said, "Aunt mentioned that Lord Jiang and sister have important things to discuss, and I thought to let sister finish quickly. Then we can go eat those delicacies–sister and Lord Jiang together, and we can also shop while we’re out."

Clever little guy, he didn’t want to miss out on anything.

Ye Xinyan answered, "Lord Jiang himself has many things to do, and it’s not convenient for him to be with us women and children. After having the pastries, we’ll go out for a walk and to shop, and let Lord Jiang take care of his serious matters."

Qi Jiaer looked at Ye Xinyan in surprise, asking, "Isn’t Lord Jiang supposed to be my brother-in-law? We’re family, so we should shop and have fun together. How is that inconvenient?"

Ye Xinyan almost spat out the tea she had just sipped at his words.

Wiping the tea spill with a cloth, she glared at Qi Jiaer, "Who told you that?"

"Everyone says so," Qi Jiaer stated matter-of-factly, counting off on his fingers for Ye Xinyan, "Aunt says it, Grandfather says it, Duke says it, and so do Nanny, Brother Sanshun, and Third Uncle Wong."

Ye Xinyan frowned in irritation, looking at the little rascal. It seemed she had already been sold out by everyone. Were they her relatives, or was Jiang Yifan? She had only just agreed with Jiang Yifan, and not only had these people harbored this idea for a long time, but they even let Qi Jiaer, a child, know about it. It was simply too much.

Qi Jiaer, however, looked back at Ye Xinyan with innocent eyes, barely able to hide his joy. How wonderful it would be if Lord Jiang became his brother-in-law; he would live in the same courtyard as his sister. Then, he and Grandfather could join Lord Jiang too. He would be able to talk and joke with Lord Jiang every day and, oh, study together as well.

Qi Jiaer felt a bit of slight depression, being with Lord Jiang meant that Lord Jiang would often ask about his studies.

Although Ye Xinyan was also feeling down, she still hurried early in the morning with her family to Shengyu Snack House and settled Qi Jiaer, Guan He, and the others in a large private room, noisily discussing and ordering various kinds of pastries.

Ye Xinyan herself went to another private room, quietly waiting for Lady Qin and Jiang Yifan to arrive.

Not far from Shengyu Snack House, on the street, Lady Zhao and Xiuqin, the mother of Wong Qiao, stood in front of a jewelry store, watching as Madam Yin with a group of people both big and small got off the carriage and were warmly welcomed by the manager of Shengyu Snack House and several boys.

Lady Zhao watched with mixed feelings until the figure of the following maid also disappeared behind the thick green cotton curtains, then she withdrew her gaze, sighed, and said to Xiuqin, "Old Master Qi always says he treats Ah Qiao like his own kin, but in the end, he’s not as concerned about him as about the Qi family’s own children. Look at the two children of the Qi family, not to mention brother Jia who is the grandson, even Qi Sanshun, a grandnephew, also gets to bask in the glory at Duke’s Mansion with the Qi family. Tell me, when does a nephew ever get more attention than a grandson?"

Xiuqin gave a vague grunt in response, not daring to join in. Being able to come to the capital was already a stroke of good luck that generations of her family would never have dreamed of, and she didn’t dare to hope for more.

Lady Zhao shifted her feet and continued speaking as she walked towards a carriage by the street corner, "Actually, to put it bluntly, our Ah Qiao is just working for the Qi family, which is just slightly better than being a common craftsman. The Chinese New Year is coming, and the children of the Qi family and Miss Ye are playing and enjoying themselves freely, while only our Ah Qiao still works incessantly day and night. Alas, after all, being employed means you can’t control your own fate."

Xiuqin continued to vaguely agree, but she stole a glance at her aunt. As someone associated with craftsmen, she knew a bit about them; even if her cousin’s craftsmanship was excellent, he couldn’t possibly reach such wealth. Her cousin is already doing quite well, isn’t he? His daily life and expenses were like those of Old Master Qi, which wouldn’t be possible for an ordinary craftsman. Her aunt lived a luxurious life every day, and even she, as a cousin, enjoyed the benefits.

The Qi family must be doing well, right?

During their conversation, the two had reached the carriage, and the coachman hurriedly put down the footstool, allowing them to board the carriage and head towards where the Qi family lived.

Jiang Yifan and Lady Qin had only arrived a quarter of an hour late, with Jiang Yifan helping Lady Qin out of the carriage, followed by Nanny Hong and two maids getting off as well.

A waiter from Shengyu Snack House, who had received instructions from Madam Yin, was waiting at the door. Seeing Lord Jiang helping a middle-aged woman out of the carriage, he hurriedly went to greet them with a smile, inviting them upstairs, while saying, "Our Miss has already arrived and is waiting for you both inside."

Lady Qin glanced at Jiang Yifan, thinking that this Miss Ye really had changed from before, not to mention anything else, at least she knew to come early and had developed some patience.

She paused, looking up at Shengyu Snack House’s impressive gilded signboard, then at the purple-red doors and windows, and the separate male and female entrances by the main door, as well as the constant flow of diners, and thought to herself: It seems that not only Miss Ye but also the wife of the heir apparent at Duke An’s Mansion has learned to manage business. The wife of the heir apparent I met before didn’t care about these things.

Lady Qin and Jiang Yifan were heading upstairs when another waiter dashed in to inform Ye Xinyan on the second floor.

By the time Lady Qin reached the door of the private room, a serving old woman servant from Shengyu Snack House opened the door, let Lady Qin and her party in, and then closed the door behind them.

As soon as Lady Qin entered, the first thing she saw was a young woman with a bright and serene presence standing not far from the entrance, and then she recognized that familiar face.