She Became A Downfall Noble Lady
Chapter 724 - 722: This is What Bai Said for Nothing

Chapter 724: Chapter 722: This is What Bai Said for Nothing

After recruiting the first batch of laborers from the Ministry of Revenue, the construction project undertaken by Guangsha Construction officially commenced. Yuan Shang was in charge of logistics, while the clerks from the Duke’s Mansion, Zhang Chang and Zhao Qiusheng, along with the newly recruited craftsmen Lai Changyou and Yang Jin from the Construction Industry, each led fifty laborers. They began at the starting point in Jiangbei Prefecture, segmenting and organizing the foundation of the track.

Since the site was close to the capital, Ye Xinyan also helped Qi Younian with the busy work, providing Qi Younian with some rest time. Besides inspecting the progress of the project, she also provided technical support to Zhang Chang and Zhao Qiusheng.

Additionally, Ye Xinyan brought along a young craftsman responsible for construction documentation and his two apprentices. She taught him to record the progress of the project at all times and, according to the Construction Regulations, cross-referenced the official documents regarding the track sent by the court to reproduce the construction documents and initial drafts of the track project. She aimed to cultivate him into a valuable all-rounder like Wang Qiao.

This young craftsman was named Li Jingnian, who was slightly older than Wang Qiao, around twenty-five or twenty-six years old. With experience and a solid foundation in the Craftsmanship Sector, he was considered skilled. However, his family was quite wealthy; his father was an excellent craftsman, and they could afford his education. Therefore, he began by studying construction documentation, and he lacked much practical experience.

The two apprentices were arranged by Ye Xinyan to serve as future reserves for the Construction Industry.

It had to be said that after working with Wang Qiao, everyone else seemed too rigid and lacking in Spiritual Energy to Ye Xinyan. It wasn’t just about having an epiphany at one point; even after repeatedly explaining, they remained clueless and couldn’t find their way.

Fortunately, Li Jingnian had been in contact with Ye Xinyan for more than two months and was thoroughly impressed by this noble lady. He also knew Ye Xinyan’s expectations for him, so he worked extremely diligently.

Comparing himself to Steward Wang, Li Jingnian was aware of his deficiencies. Even if Ye Xinyan made tough demands and he found it challenging to meet them, he didn’t dare to complain.

After noticing Ye Xinyan’s impatience with his lack of comprehensive understanding and that she was reluctant to guide him in detail, he didn’t dare to pester her with questions. Aside from focusing more on the construction work, he also frequently invited Zhang Chang and Zhao Qiusheng for drinks, seeking their advice on specifics.

Although Ye Xinyan assisted on site, Qi Younian was still very occupied, overseeing the material coordination and craftsmen allocation both on the construction site and at Guangsha Construction in the North City, in an effort to efficiently organize the workforce.

One day in mid-February, just after the Si Hour, Ye Xinyan was at the work shed outside the county government office of Ji County in Jiangbei Prefecture, examining the construction documents and drafts made by Li Jingnian and the apprentices. A servant from An Ping’s household came to report that the Eldest Lady had sent a message, asking her to hand over her responsibilities for a while and return home to stay for a few days.

Ji County wasn’t far from the capital, but a round trip would still take about two Shichen Chinese Time. Therefore, Jiang Yifan rented a residence near the Ji County office for Ye Xinyan’s temporary stay.

Usually, Ye Xinyan would return to Duke An’s Mansion every three to five days. She had been out for two days now, and if something couldn’t wait even a day or two, sending someone over to ask her to return immediately must have been something urgent.

When Ye Xinyan returned to Madam Yin’s quarters in Duke An’s Mansion and heard the reason, she couldn’t help but make a sour face. What was going on? She was very busy, alright? Her mother actually called her back for such a trivial matter.

The wife of General Huwei Shi Zongyi was hosting a Spring Welcome Banquet, inviting the female relatives from the noble families and officialdom of the capital. Duke An was regarded as Shi Zongyi’s former superior, and Shi Zongyi always respected Duke An as an elder. Therefore, the Duke’s Mansion must support the event and give face to the General’s Mansion, meaning that the Duchess, Madam Yin, and Ye Xinyan must attend the banquet.

Was this really a proper matter?

Ye Xinyan looked at Madam Yin with wide eyes for a long time, until Madam Yin’s displeased gaze caused her to dejectedly lower her own.

Never mind, this was proper business.

Not to mention ancient times, even in the modern world, necessary social obligations and networking were still important. Back then, work took precedence, and if one was occupied with work for the sake of their livelihood, any social obligation was understandable to decline. Everyone would understand.

However, that only applied to those who had work and needed to work. For full-time housewives and various officials’ and rich second generations, socializing and interacting were the most important parts of life – nothing could be more proper.

And to her, this job she currently held... In the eyes of the ladies in the Capital, it was truly considered idle work.

Ye Xinyan merely wiped her hands and face, too lazy to change her clothes, she sat on the couch and asked Madam Yin in a sulky tone, "If we’re going, we’re going. But isn’t there still a few days left before the time comes? Why call me back so early for nothing?"

"Oh, my Great Aunt, look at your face, all wind-burned and sun-tanned. If you don’t come back early to properly recuperate for a few days at home, how will you be presentable for going out and meeting people?" Madam Yin spoke with such heartfelt anguish.

"Really?" Ye Xinyan touched her cheek innocently, "Every time I go out, I wear a Veil Cap. Where’s there any chance of getting wind-burned or sun-tanned?" What was that even about? It’s not like she’s drying herself into a salted fish.

"I won’t mention this to you, but if you randomly pick a maid in this room or courtyard and stand beside the mirror together, take a good look at your face, and see if it still resembles the appearance of a young lady from a reputable family."

This daughter of hers was truly spoiled rotten by her. What time was it now, with the marriage arrangement almost settled, and she still didn’t understand to constrain her thoughts, running outside every day. This was all thanks to Yuanfan, who didn’t mind and if it were someone else, even if the engagement was set, they might have reconsidered.

"Ah Yan, it’s not that I want to say this, but you should really restrain yourself. You’re already betrothed, you have to be considerate of Yuanfan, you can’t always do as you please..."

She had been so restrained, only going out with her Veil Cap properly fastened. Wasn’t all this trouble taken just to consider Jiang Yifan’s feelings? Never mind, just let the old mother nag a bit; it’s best to just listen.

Ye Xinyan drank two sips of hot tea, picked a couple of candied dates to satisfy her craving, but found it not satisfying enough, she passed two walnuts to Jiu Zhen, signaling her to crack them. Meanwhile, she listened to Madam Yin’s nattering while peeling peanuts to eat.

"...Sigh, I knew it was talking to myself," said Madam Yin, halting reluctantly, yet couldn’t help adding another comment, "Ah Yan, I’ve wasted so much breath, can you at least half-listen to what I’m saying, please?"

Ye Xinyan peeled half of the walnut she got from Jiu Zhen and handed it to Madam Yin, "Mother, please eat. It has a bit of sweetness."

There, it was indeed talking to oneself in vain.

Madam Yin took it resignedly and handed it back, "You eat. These oily things aren’t good for my digestion."

At that moment, a child’s crisp and tender voice rang out from outside: "Elder Sister, Big Sister."

Cui Zhu looked towards Madam Yin.

Madam Yin nodded, yet her face did not show the same delight as when she saw Qi Jiaer.

Cui Zhu opened the door, and a little maidservant entered, leading Ye Yuan in.

Upon spotting Ye Xinyan sitting on the couch, Ye Yuan stumbled over, calling out, "Big Sister."

Ye Xinyan quickly slipped on her shoes and stood up to meet him, lifting him into her arms, "You must have ears that catch the wind; I’ve barely entered when you’ve found me already."