She Became A Downfall Noble Lady
Chapter 732 - 730 Not a Bit of Reference Value

Chapter 732: Chapter 730 Not a Bit of Reference Value

Madam Jiang furrowed her brows tightly, staring at Ye Xinyan in silence. Among those attending the Spring Welcome Banquet today, aside from a few colleagues’ family members, the majority were female relatives from illustrious families. You, a woman whose reputation is completely ruined, do you deserve to have these prominent family heads vouch for you?

Ye Xinyan lowered her eyelids, "Of course, this is just the thought of a minor woman like myself. Many of those present today come from distinguished lineages, and they may not agree with the suggestion of a minor woman. But I will certainly seek justice in my own way."

After pondering for a moment, Madam Jiang proposed, "Miss Ye, having the family heads vouch for you truly isn’t proper. How about this? Most of the children present came with their elders, who are currently in the main hall. I can ask all the elder matrons and ladies to give you a guarantee, would that be alright?"

Even so, it would take wearing her lips thin to get those few to agree. Thinking that Madam Li, her own mother-in-law, was also in the main hall, Madam Jiang felt a headache coming on.

Ye Xinyan shook her head, picked up her cup of cold tea, and sipped it bit by bit, no longer speaking.

Those words were not merely unpleasant but venomous. Women with frail mental fortitude being discussed in such a manner would probably hang themselves.

If she were to let them off lightly just like that, who knows what people might say behind her back in the future? She did not possess the courage and bravery of the original owner, able to catch and beat each and every one of them.

Could she, perhaps, go from one family to another, reasoning with the female relatives? What a joke, not to mention it might not be effective; even if it were, she did not have the time, as she had more important matters to attend to.

Madam Jiang’s expression turned grave as she spoke to Madam Liu, "My lady, I wanted to mediate for your household, but I’m utterly helpless when faced with Miss Ye. Fortunately, my Sister Fang has not participated in any of this, so I will take her home now."

Ye Xinyan continued sipping tea.

Several people in the hall who had not joined in the gossip also stood up to leave, as they were innocents caught in the crossfire and were of course allowed to depart.

Those who participated in the gossip also showed signs of agitation. Ye Xinyan had not named everyone involved, and even if she had, with so many people leaving together, could she, Ye Xinyan, alone stop them?

Madam Liu gave a soft cough and whispered a reminder, "The Second Gate has guards posted."

Madam Jiang could no longer suppress her anger and exclaimed, "For General’s Mansion, General Huwei has fought on the battlefield for over a decade; can’t your prestigious household even guard its own gates, allowing outsiders to run rampant in your home?"

Madam Liu gave a bitter smile, "If you and the other households don’t mind escalating this matter, then those two Jianghu persons are certainly nothing in my General’s eyes. My General’s Mansion has plenty of people; we could even involve the Five Cities Military Command to capture villains."

Madam Jiang suddenly looked towards Ye Xinyan, realizing that this woman was just as arrogant as before, even more so, in fact, with a different approach.

Ye Xinyan put down her teacup and said indifferently, "Why doesn’t Madam Jiang seriously reflect on the few words her beloved spoke? Whether she was trying to pacify or to add fuel to the fire, anyone sensible would know. Humph, Princess Consort Wife of Prince Yu... Imperial Daughter-in-law..."

Both Madam Jiang and Han Yufang’s expressions changed dramatically; this woman, who cared not for proprieties, was once again using the princess consort and members of the Imperial Family to threaten them.

......

Jinrong and Jiang Yifan met outside General Huwei’s Mansion, with Zhao Gang and Lian Gui before them.

Jinrong looked at Jiang Yifan in surprise, asking, "How come you’re here?"

Lian Gui inquired of Zhao Gang, "Why is Vice General Zhao here?"

Jiang Yifan and Zhao Gang glanced at each other. Jiang Yifan said helplessly, "My senior brother sent someone with a message for me, saying Ah Yan is causing trouble again."

Zhao Gang was silent for a moment before saying, "A maidservant from my Great Aunt’s courtyard sent a message to Marquis Zhongyong’s Mansion, saying Miss Cousin has been wronged."

Jinrong and Lian Gui were both at a loss for words. In the past, when Miss Ye stirred up trouble, only Marquis Zhongyong’s Mansion would intervene, and if the situation got too out of hand, the Duke would step in to cover for her.

This time was quite the spectacle, with four households involved simultaneously. Not only did Duke’s Mansion appear first, but even His Highness Prince Yu also showed up. Could it be that he planned to stand up for the concubine?

Jinrong originally wanted to mock Jiang Yifan for not being able to control his wife, but considering Ye Xinyan’s temperament, he decided against it. It was already something to boast about that he had the qualifications to manage her.

Jiang Yifan glanced at Jinrong and reminded him, "My brother is now guarding the Second Gate at Shi Mansion. He says that without Ah Yan’s word, outsiders cannot enter or leave at will." He paused, then continued, "I found a helper for Ah Yan’s construction site today. He just arrived and is now leading two guards, watching over the back door of the inner court at Shi Mansion."

Jinrong: "..."

Zhao Gang: "..."

There were also people guarding the back door... Alright, this was Guan He’s usual way of doing things, making a fuss was his hobby.

In comparison, Lian Gui was relatively composed. He knew that Guan He came out with another person. No matter what, in the end, the Duke would have their back; there was nothing to worry about.

At this moment, General Shi Zongyi, upon hearing that His Highness Prince Yu was paying a visit, hurried out to greet him.

He was not supposed to be in the mansion today; after all, it was just a playful banquet for women. In Shi Zongyi’s eyes, that was not a significant matter.

However, he never expected that his esteemed General’s Mansion would be intruded upon by another household’s guards without permission, taking control of the Second Gate, and that his own guards couldn’t get close.

If it were someone else, he would have fought even if it meant his blood spilling right there, to maintain his family’s dignity and subdue those thugs. But the people leading the group were guards from Duke An’s Mansion, and it was said that the incident in the backyard started because of the trouble stirred by Miss Ye.

What was he to do...

Shi Zongyi first paid his respects to Jinrong, then turned to Zhao Gang with a less pleasant look, merely casting a cold glance at Zhao Gang before turning to Lian Gui with a wry smile, "Steward Lian arrived just in time. Please call back the Duke’s guards. Their presence at the Second Gate of my mansion is rather unsightly."

"Sure, sure." Lian Gui said awkwardly, sincere in his demeanor but unable to make any promises. Who knew what had happened in the Shi family’s backyard, what Miss Ye meant by her actions? Even if the Duke himself arrived, it might not change Miss Ye’s mind, let alone him.

Jinrong, of course, knew how difficult Ye Xinyan could be and asked Shi Zongyi, "May I know what has happened in your mansion’s backyard? How come the Duke’s Mansion guards are so unyieldingly..." He trailed off, implying that General Shi understood.

"...The officer does not know." Shi Zongyi stared blankly for a moment. From the current situation, if Miss Ye was able to arrange for guards to barge into his home privately, it meant that nothing uncontrollable had happened. You all are here now; surely the guards from the Duke’s Mansion should be withdrawn from my mansion as soon as possible, right?

Jinrong coughed dryly, "Well, General Shi must understand that Miss Ye is rather tough to deal with... No, that Elder Master Ye is rather tough to deal with."

Shi Zongyi was taken aback, and his gaze shifted away towards Jiang Yifan and the others. Had he heard wrong? Were these the words of a prince? Did you come here simply because your fiancée’s banquet ran into trouble and you came to save the day?

Shi Zongyi’s gaze landed on the more normal Jiang Yifan. "Lord Jiang came to persuade his fiancée, right?" He might have been a hardened soldier, but he understood the tactic of tackling the root cause of the problem.

Jiang Yifan nodded gravely, "Yes, if my fiancée causes trouble, I will certainly persuade her to go back."

Shi Zongyi bowed slightly, "Thank you, Lord Jiang. Lord Jiang, please proceed, and also please, Your Highness Prince Yu." If this didn’t work, he would have to request the Duke to intervene.

As Shi Zongyi turned to address Jinrong, he failed to notice the sympathy in Lian Gui’s eyes. General Shi was such an honest man. Such straightforwardness often led to shortcomings, and Jiang Yifan’s words had no value or sincerity at all.