She Became A Downfall Noble Lady
Chapter 693 - 691: My Own Child Is Not Wrong

Chapter 693: Chapter 691: My Own Child Is Not Wrong

Yin Xiaocheng took the list and looked it over, managing only a bitter smile, yet what he said was a complaint about the Han family’s girl, "Prime Minister Han’s granddaughter really is clueless. Not to mention the Xinyan of today, but even in the past when Xinyan wasn’t using her head, where could she get any advantage over Xinyan? When she gets into a dispute with Xinyan, aside from taking losses and getting angry, what else could there be?"

An old servant who came in to refill the tea couldn’t help but twitch his mouth upon hearing Yin Xiaocheng’s words. Their Miss Cousin was famously unreasonable, and here the general was blaming the other young lady for being clueless, as if she had admitted defeat before even beginning the fight.

Yin Long put down his hand from massaging his temples and urged, "Alright, Xinyan has just gotten her marriage settled, we should still push this matter aside for the time being. You aren’t in the position to intervene in this matter, so first thing tomorrow morning, have Zhao Gang pay a visit to Duke An’s Mansion, and ask Xinyan about what happened. This list obviously looks excessively inflated, are our two families really in such need of her silver that she’s allowed to go on this wild goose chase? If the child hasn’t suffered any losses, just tell her to let it go and not pursue it further."

Having said this, Yin Long snorted heavily, apparently believing that the impudent girl wouldn’t be at a disadvantage. Otherwise, why would she simply present such a list and consider the matter closed?

Yin Xiaocheng shook the invoice, smiling as he said, "Father, just be content. No matter what, Xinyan has matured. At the very least, she didn’t engage in a verbal spat, nor did she rush forward to fight with the young lady herself. I reckon she hasn’t suffered any losses. This compensation list is probably just to give the Han family a bit of discomfort and is not to be taken seriously."

As Yin Xiaocheng was leaving, Yin Long added from behind, "Don’t mention this matter to your mother and your wife; we can avoid their nagging if they don’t find out."

Yin Xiaocheng chuckled, nodded in agreement, and turned to go find Zhao Gang.

...

The next day, just after Chen Hour had passed, Zhao Gang was already seated in the Duke’s Mansion’s Flower Hall, still assimilating the general’s instructions and lamenting that this was his Miss Cousin’s normal mode of operation—she hadn’t caused trouble in such a long time that he was truly not used to it.

Before Ye Xinyan even arrived, a young servant from Duke An came to invite him, saying that the Duke had questions to ask.

Zhao Gang, a soldier used to military life, naturally had a degree of respect for Duke An. However, the way his Great Aunt and Miss Cousin were treated in Duke An’s Mansion left him with some grievances towards Duke An.

Now being invited by Duke An into the study, Zhao Gang simply performed the proper courtesies and then stood silently to the side.

Duke An looked the capable subordinate of Yin Xiaocheng up and down, first offering him a seat and tea, before eventually speaking leisurely, "Does Vice General Zhao also bring with him a compensation list? May I have a look?"

Zhao Gang was only surprised for a moment before he understood. It seemed Prime Minister Han had received this compensation list, and not only had a copy been sent to Marquis Zhongyong’s Mansion, but Duke An’s Mansion hadn’t been left out either. This could be seen as both an accusation and a concession. The Han Mansion, upon receiving this list that was clearly full of fluff, did not resist fiercely but instead chose to address the issue in a spirit of consultation among the three families.

Zhao Gang handed the list he carried to Duke An, who, with just a glance, could tell it was identical to the one in his own hands.

When Duke An received the list the day before, he knew his granddaughter was being unreasonable and picking a fight, but given her level of greed, she couldn’t simply ignore it.

Yet he couldn’t outright say, "Granddaughter, stop asking for this money." Even if he could replenish the silver for his granddaughter, one must not show weakness or give others the upper hand. Moreover, at this point, Xinyan certainly couldn’t give any ground to Prime Minister Han’s granddaughter.

Before he had a chance to summon the guard that accompanied Ye Xinyan to ask what happened, Lian Gui came in to report.

The Miss had a verbal altercation with Prime Minister Han’s granddaughter while watching a variety show at the City God Temple. Then, Miss, instructed by Master Guan, sent the three Qi children to fight with the two Han family’s guards. The Young Master Qi did not lose out.

Another fight, and once again, no disadvantage was suffered, this time it was a child brawling with an adult and coming out unscathed. Duke An felt such delight upon hearing this, and after learning the details of the incident, his resolution to not compromise with Elder Master Ye solidified even more.

His grandchild was involved, and the one who laid hands on her was a servant from the Han Family. No matter how one looked at it, this was an act of lèse-majesté. Did the Han Mansion really think that Duke An’s Mansion would just tolerate bullying?

And what exactly did that little Miss from the Han Family say? How his granddaughter was—was that something a young girl from the Han Family was qualified to appraise?

Duke An was just about to discard that list and make Lian Gui comfortable, following whatever Miss Cousin commanded.

By chance, Zhao Gang arrived just then.

The attitude of Marquis Zhongyong’s Mansion toward their granddaughter’s upbringing has always differed from his, and he could easily guess Zhao Gang’s reason for coming over. Judging by the behavior of Yin Xiaocheng and Zhao Gang, they must be here to persuade his granddaughter to let go of this matter, and with Zhao Gang and Yin Xiaocheng stepping in, his granddaughter might indeed heed their advice.

How could that be acceptable?

Duke An could now recall a time when Yin Xiaocheng disciplined a young Ye Xinyan with a beating so severe that she struggled to get back on her feet for quite some time.

That was discipline, treating Ye Xinyan as his own child, a harsh but loving lesson. Not to mention that the current Ye Xinyan was sensible and understood right from wrong. Even back when she was involved in such troubling behavior, as soon as she got up from bed, she was fine and never resented Yin Xiaocheng as an enemy.

That old trickster Yin Long really knew his people, understanding that Zhao Gang’s presence could make Xinyan listen.

Duke An handed Zhao Gang’s list back to him and also gave him another identical one from his own desk, asking, "I’m not sure what the Marquis and the General have in mind?"

Zhao Gang looked at the list and handed it back to him respectfully with both hands, inclining his body slightly in a bow, and counterasked, "May I ask what the Duke has in mind?"

With a twist of his mustache, Duke An said, "Isn’t it obvious? As an elder, I naturally cannot allow my own child to be wronged."

Zhao Gang suddenly found it difficult to breathe. Elder Master Ye’s excellence in military leadership was undisputed, but his skills in child rearing—well, not so excellent.

He gave a formal bow and said, "I have yet to meet Miss Cousin and am uncertain what exactly transpired. But having seen only this compensation list, it’s clear there is a significant discrepancy. Allow me to consult Miss Cousin first before taking any action."

Dismissing the suggestion with a wave of his hand, Duke An said indifferently, "No need to consult Xinyan, the guards have already reported. Our child is not wrong; it’s the Han Family’s young Miss who lacks sense."

Zhao Gang was stunned, thinking about the items on the list: top-quality fabrics, skilled embroiderers, an exceptional Hetian Jade Pendant, and two strands of thumb-sized pearls. You actually have the audacity to say your child isn’t at fault... I truly admire you!

He took a deep breath and bowed, "I believe, as long as Miss Cousin wasn’t injured or did not suffer significant property damage, we can completely ignore what happened to Miss Han. However, this compensation list is another matter. Our Marquis and General have noticed its improprieties and do not support Miss Cousin in taking such actions."

Duke An was very reluctant, "Unacceptable! If Han Yanhui did not teach his child well, then the Han Mansion naturally must bear the consequences. There’s no reason why our child should suffer any injustice."