She Became A Downfall Noble Lady
Chapter 653 - 651: Really Daring to Speak Out

Chapter 653: Chapter 651: Really Daring to Speak Out

Liu Ting’s heart cried out in despair—his Minister had instructed that the best outcome would be to settle the matter at double the price of an ordinary workshop, but it seemed this was no longer possible. He could tell that just a moment ago, Qi Younian had been about to agree, but after hearing Wan Yan’s words, he changed his tune. Liu Ting inwardly cursed Wan Yan for speaking out of turn, yet because of the power of the prince’s mansion, he dared not show his displeasure.

Zhang Cunhai, however, gave Wan Yan a look, and Wan Yan smiled back at him. Although Chief Steward Zhang naturally commanded respect and was someone he looked up to, the instructions of his own prince could not be disregarded either.

Zhang Cunhai wasn’t unhappy with Wan Yan. After all, he wasn’t there to discuss business with the Qi family but rather to indulge His Majesty the Emperor by observing the spectacle. What surprised him was the degree of trust and rapport between Qi Younian and Wan Yan, as Qi was willing to trust him so unreservedly.

Before long, Ye Xinyan came straight out of the back door of Duke An’s Mansion and entered the Qi Family Courtyard.

Upon entering, she cast a surprised glance at the circle of people in the room—an official, Wan Yan, another man who was clearly an eunuch, and Liu Qing.

What sort of gathering was this?

Liu Qing quickly stood up, stepped forward, and gave Ye Xinyan a respectful greeting.

Then, he introduced their group to Ye Xinyan and explained their purpose.

Miss Ye, ever mindful of decorum, paid her respects to each guest in turn. After giving Zhang Cunhai a very formal greeting, she unabashedly sized him up thoroughly.

So this was the Grand Steward Eunuch who was most favored by His Majesty the Emperor? He seemed quite dignified and honest, not at all effeminate as some might expect. Well, that just goes to show how movies, TV dramas, and legends can be misleading, turning a perfectly good person into a disaster.

Wan Yan coughed in embarrassment; when he first met Miss Ye, she had also examined him in this forthright manner. Without any pretense, she looked him over, then visibly relaxed, although a hint of discontent crossed her face.

Since then, she has treated him with the respect due to an elder, a practice she has maintained to this day.

However, he understood that Miss Ye was devoid of any cunning and was very straightforward in her dealings. As for Chief Steward Zhang, he was a decent man too, skilled yet not ill-intentioned.

But after so many years of being held in high esteem, would Chief Steward Zhang be willing to attract additional attention?

Wan Yan was relieved to see that Miss Ye’s scrutiny of Chief Steward Zhang was akin to observing a long-admired figure without much probing intent. Her relaxed facial expression after the examination made it seem as though she was immediately reassured, which made the person being scrutinized feel oddly at ease.

Looking at Zhang Cunhai, sure enough, there was no displeasure visible, and his expression softened considerably when he looked at Miss Ye.

Qi Younian was also feeling bewildered by the situation and quickly tried to smooth things over by inviting everyone to take their seats again.

Ye Xinyan, aware of her role, stood behind Qi Younian. Seeing the silence in the room and that no one was speaking, she looked towards Wan Yan and Liu Qing with surprise and asked, "Uncle Wan, Steward Liu just mentioned a wooden railway project, which seems to be a matter for the Ministry of Works. You both are from Prince Yu’s Mansion, how come you’re involved in this?"

Liu Ting and the other two officials winced at her frankness. Was she implying that the two men from Prince Yu’s Mansion were meddling in affairs that weren’t their concern?

Zhang Cunhai’s eyebrows twitched slightly. Was Miss Ye suggesting that the people from Prince Yu’s Mansion should stay out of this, or was she probing Wan Yan’s stance?

Wan Yan didn’t mind how Ye Xinyan spoke, and he clarified, "His Highness sent this old servant to introduce the gentlemen from the Ministry of Works, to ensure there would be no awkwardness in communication for lack of acquaintance with Miss Ye."

"I see," said Ye Xinyan, "that puts my mind at ease."

"Please excuse us, gentlemen. As the year draws to a close and the New Year is upon us, our family business has been bustling without pause, and our craftsmen and managers have not had a break before. At this year’s end, people need a few days to prepare and organize their household affairs for the New Year, so we won’t take on this job. Gentlemen, you work in the Ministry of Works and must have many people who can undertake this task, don’t you? Why not find some who are available to take on this project? What do you think?"

Zhang Cunhai slowly picked up his teacup and sipped from it. This Miss Ye was indeed direct; she didn’t ask further questions and responded right away, was this the prelude to raising the price?

Liu Ting was a bit dumbfounded as well. He had been sent by the Minister to negotiate the matter, with the goal of keeping the wages as low as possible. But here was Miss Ye, refusing to take the job right off the bat, not leaving him any room for negotiation.

Immediately after, Liu Ting felt somewhat irritated. Officials from the Ministry of Works, even folks with his rank, let alone the minor officials and artisans, had never endured such humiliation.

However, the person they were dealing with was the granddaughter of Duke An and the business partner of His Highness Prince Yu. Even if he was frustrated, he couldn’t afford to provoke her. But was he expected to humbly beg someone to do the job?

Zhang Cunhai served close to His Majesty the Emperor, and his presence at the Qi family’s estate was obviously because the Emperor wished for this matter to succeed. As for the price, that would have to be negotiated between the officials of the Ministry of Works and Miss Ye, provided that the job could be done before the New Year.

Zhang Cunhai looked towards Wan Yan, who in turn looked at Liu Qing. Liu Qing quickly stood up, first giving Qi Younian a bowing fist salute and repeatedly apologizing for troubling Old Master Qi.

Then he turned to Ye Xinyan with a smile to make amends, "Miss Ye, please forgive the intrusion. It’s just that, with the new year approaching, other places wouldn’t be able to complete it in time, which is why they’ve come to Miss Ye for help. This matter is urgent and cannot be delayed."

"Other places couldn’t complete it?" Ye Xinyan’s gaze slid past Zhang Cunhai and flitted over to Liu Ting and the two officials from the Ministry of Works; she briskly added, "Well then, we are all subjects of His Majesty, and it is our responsibility to alleviate the court’s worries. Let us reluctantly try and take on this task."

Zhang Cunhai’s mouth twitched slightly. She sounded so magnanimous, but he questioned whether that magnanimity could be maintained.

Sure enough, Miss Ye continued, "However, this is rush work, and it’s rush work before the New Year at that; the wages will likely need to be higher."

She then turned her eyes back to Liu Ting.

Liu Ting perked up; as long as she was willing to talk, there was room for negotiation. "Before coming here, my superior had instructed that for work rushed before the new year, we naturally have to pay the Qi family more. I wonder how many people your Construction Industry needs for this job? We can offer double the wage."

Upon hearing this, Ye Xinyan laughed and asked, "I wonder, how does the Ministry of Works calculate the wages for hiring people?"

Liu Ting promptly answered, "Three taels of monthly salary in silver per person."

With a smile, Ye Xinyan responded, "The grand steward’s abilities to manage are truly exceptional, being able to hire capable artisans with just three taels of silver. I won’t hide it from you, our chief manager’s monthly salary in silver is fifty taels, and there’s additional tip money during the holidays. If it’s rush work, wages are doubled, and special work before the holidays is calculated separately."

The color drained from Liu Ting’s face; this wasn’t hiring craftsmen for a job, it was akin to supporting grandees.

Ye Xinyan’s smile was very sincere, "This matter is urgent, and I must also get involved, but my wage isn’t calculated monthly."

Liu Ting was stunned. Who could afford to hire the Miss of Duke An’s Mansion? Who would dare to hire her?

"The Ministry of Works has officials who document construction projects. Please let us know how many people your Construction Industry is short of, and I will send them over immediately. Whatever you need done, just command them," Liu Ting said hastily, delighted with his own quick-wittedness. Now he could combine two tasks into one and report back to the Minister with his achieved merits.

"Oh," Ye Xinyan seemed to ponder for a moment before nodding, "Alright then, have three competent, construction-savvy officials sent over, with three hundred taels of silver each. As for the planning expenses for the construction, we’ll waive thirty taels for you."

Zhang Cunhai hurriedly put down the cup he was holding. Miss Ye really dared to ask for a high price. He had better put the cup down just in case his hand slipped later and he broke it—how embarrassing that would be.

Wan Yan and Qi Younian appeared unfazed, observing the back-and-forth between Liu Ting and Ye Xinyan.

Liu Ting immediately felt outmatched and asked foolishly, "How much is the construction silver? Who is paying whom the three hundred taels each?"