She Became A Downfall Noble Lady
Chapter 647 - 645 Settled

Chapter 647: Chapter 645 Settled

Ye Xinyan took advantage of Mrs. Qin’s distraction to give Jiang Yifan a fierce glare before lowering her eyelids and standing up. She composed herself and curtsied to Mrs. Qin, saying, "Although people often say it takes two hands to clap, the truth is that the fault in my previous interactions with the Eldest Son was mostly mine. Even if the Eldest Son was at fault, his mistakes were but a tenth or a twentieth of mine."

Jiang Yifan had initially been tickled by Ye Xinyan’s fierce look, savoring the feeling that she was no longer distant but seemed to show some intimacy towards him. Then he heard Ye Xinyan’s words and couldn’t help but be startled, quickly followed by a touch of heartache.

It had been he who had insisted on asking Ah Yan to marry him, but it was his mother who had brought her here to ask, causing her such humiliation.

Ye Xinyan caught a glimpse of Jiang Yifan’s unusual complexion and felt a stir in her heart. Perhaps this hastily arranged marriage wasn’t as forced as she thought.

She continued, "In the past, I was pampered at home and knew very little. These past few years of hardship have taught me some truths. Since the Eldest Son is interested in pursuing marriage again, I will earnestly treat the Eldest Son with sincerity."

As for respecting and serving her in-laws, since Mrs. Qin hadn’t asked, she didn’t mention it. What if she really couldn’t live up to the standards of an ancient good daughter-in-law? Wouldn’t that mean breaking her word?

Having finished speaking, Ye Xinyan first turned her eyes to Mrs. Qin, then lifted her gaze to tease Jiang Yifan, her eyes hinting at a future settling of accounts.

Regardless of whether the marriage proceeded, she had to recoup the day’s humiliation from him. Even if he did become the Ultimate Minister in the future, didn’t she still hold a significant share? Compensation with silver was also an option.

Jiang Yifan shrank his neck under Ye Xinyan’s gaze, immediately casting away any heartache and his face brimmed with a smile. Turning his head towards Mrs. Qin, he thought, with such an excellent daughter-in-law, who wouldn’t be satisfied? If not, his son would never marry. How could she possibly find another woman as outstanding as her?

Mrs. Qin knew her son had been eager to marry, and even though the girl was still of noble status, it was no small feat for her to speak such humble words.

Mrs. Qin subconsciously looked at Jiang Yifan, and his radiant smile pricked her, instantly bringing up a tide of helplessness. This boy was so devoted to getting a wife that he didn’t mind making such a fool of himself; how could he be so silly? She, as his mother, felt like burying her face.

Mrs. Qin quickly pulled Ye Xinyan to sit down. "Look at you, child, we were just having a chat. There’s no need for such formality. You both are still young. Those past matters don’t count for anything. As long as you can make a good life together, it will still be a blissful marriage."

That settled it!

Jiang Yifan’s eyebrows nearly leapt with ecstasy. He had known his mother would eventually agree but hadn’t expected it to go this smoothly or for her to say these words so willingly.

He glanced at Ye Xinyan with a smile. It was that simple. He’d said it before; Ah Yan was such a fine woman that anyone who looked at her would be impressed, and any man would fall for her.

Ye Xinyan, under Mrs. Qin’s watchful eye, did not dare to lift her head and naturally couldn’t see Jiang Yifan’s embarrassing grin.

Before Jiang Yifan could deeply savor his soaring spirits, a knock on the door was heard. Jiu Yu’s crisp voice came through the door, "Eldest lady, the Serving Sister-In-Law has brought some pastries and soup. Should I bring them in?"

Nanny Hong quickly sought the approval of Mrs. Qin and Ye Xinyan with her eyes before hurrying to open the door and saying with a smile, "Yes, bring them in. The masters are waiting."

The woman just now had led several girls in, carrying four trays. As they placed the dishes on the table, she said, "When I was passing the dishes, our Eldest Lady happened to be in the kitchen and heard about the few snacks the young Miss ordered, finding them a bit too simple. So she took the initiative to add a few more snacks and fruit to make a mixed platter.

Our Eldest Lady also said that she wanted Mrs. Qin and Lord Jiang to try all sorts of snacks to see which suits their tastes, so that the next time you visit, you’ll know what to order."

Indeed, besides the three sweet soups for the three of them, the remaining eight snack and dried fruit plates were all combined into mixed platters.

Lady Qin felt a little uneasy upon hearing that the Eldest Lady of Duke An’s Mansion had personally overseen their meal.

That was the wife of the heir of Duke An, even though her husband had now been stripped of the title of the Princely Heir, she was still the Eldest Lady of the Duke’s Mansion and the Great Aunt from Marquis Zhongyong’s Mansion. Someone of such heritage was so considerate in arranging their meal.

Lady Qin glanced at Jiang Yifan and said, "It turns out that the Ye Family’s Eldest Lady is here, we must not be rude and should go to pay our respects." As she spoke, she started to rise.

Ye Xinyan quickly stood up to stop her, "Madame need not be so polite, our snacks have already arrived, and some of them are better eaten hot. Moreover, my mother must be busy with the store right now. If we go now, it would not only delay our meal and conversation but also interfere with mother’s work. Let us sit for now, and after we have had our snacks, if my mother is still here, we can then go and pay her a visit."

Lady Qin hesitated, knowing that Madam Yin was originally from a distinguished family. Even now that she was technically a lady of plain status, she was still not someone ordinary gentry could compare with, and it would not be appropriate for Lady Qin to just sit casually waiting for her to visit.

"Would that be all right?" Lady Qin questioned hesitantly.

The woman smiled and said, "Our Eldest Lady just said, let Mrs. Qin help herself to the food. She’s busy at the moment and won’t come to disturb you. After she’s done with her work, if there’s still time, she will certainly come to meet and talk with Mrs. Qin."

Only then did Lady Qin relax.

Jiang Yifan also said with a smile, "Mother, you are a guest here, and it’s only right for a guest to eat comfortably and smoothly. That’s the true way to show appreciation for the host’s hospitality. Please be at ease."

Ye Xinyan pressed Lady Qin to sit down and put a fried shrimp ball into her plate, saying, "Madame, please sit and eat at ease. Try this fried shrimp ball while it’s hot; it’s crispier that way. Why don’t you taste it with this sauce and see if you’re used to it?"

Jiang Yifan chimed in with a smile, "Mother, please have a taste. It’s made of cheese; let’s see if you like it. In this restaurant, cheese is always served in limited supply. Perhaps these few were specifically prepared for us."

Lady Qin laughed in response, "I might indeed not be used to it. This year in Cloud Central Province, we also had cheese for sale, and our family spent a lot of money buying two pieces. We followed the shop’s recipe to prepare it, but besides your cousin and a few of your brothers, no one else took to it. I didn’t get used to it either."

Ye Xinyan smiled and coaxed, "Since it has been served, Madame might as well give it a try. It’s true that it may not be to your liking at first, but after a few more tries, you might come to appreciate the taste. Fried ones are easier to accept."

Jiang Yifan recalled the first time he tasted cheese in Clear Water Village. At that time, he had just realized his affection for Ah Yan; even as he ate the cheese, he found it more delicious than others did. With each subsequent taste, it became more and more palatable, just as Ah Yan increasingly occupied his thoughts.

Lady Qin took a bite of the crispy shrimp ball, watched as the thick and smooth cheese stretched and then snapped, and as she savored the taste of the crunch and creamy cheese flavor in her mouth, ... unexpectedly, it did not have that unfamiliar taste she remembered.