She Became A Downfall Noble Lady
Chapter 743 - 741: Nothing much about a daughter’s demeanor

Chapter 743: Chapter 741: Nothing much about a daughter’s demeanor

It’s no wonder Steward Zhang would have such an idea; the main reason is that when Miss Ye heard about the imperial edict being announced from the palace, her expression was too composed, giving one the impression that she was accustomed to receiving orders.

Ye Xinyan’s calm and collected demeanor just now gave Yuan Shang some reassurance, but he was still worried. The audacity of his family’s young miss was not ordinary – even if there really was a problem, he feared she wouldn’t panic.

At this moment, after hearing Steward Zhang’s sigh, Yuan Shang’s slight worry turned into pride, "My family’s young miss possesses exceptional courage and wisdom, naturally not comparable to ordinary young ladies from other families. Steward Zhang, rest assured, not only does my family’s young miss have extraordinary bravery and intelligence, but the work she manages is also outstanding. In the following days, she will undoubtedly have a satisfactory manor arrangement for you."

......

In this era, there isn’t the convenience of dialing a mobile number and being able to find someone’s location instantly. Even though the will of the Emperor is very prestigious, sending out people and horses to search for someone still requires effort, or rather, it mainly consumes time.

Fortunately, Ye Xinyan was able to ride a horse, which made up for the time she spent arranging the renovation of the manor.

When she entered Duke An’s Mansion and saw the three eunuchs bearing the imperial edict in the Flower Hall of the backyard, accompanied by Madam Yin, she couldn’t help but take an extra glance at the eunuchs, hoping to discern some clues from their faces. At the very least, she wanted to detect some signs of good or bad fortune to be mentally prepared.

At that time, Duke An was still out on official duties and hadn’t returned, leaving only Madam Yin, Ye Hongyang, and the steward Qiao Laiyun accompanying the Eunuch Proclaiming the Imperial Edict.

Duke An’s Mansion was not a family that could be casually neglected, and this Miss Ye was not only ranked in His Majesty’s consideration but was also known for not acting according to the rules.

Therefore, when the eunuchs saw Ye Xinyan hurry in, they hurriedly stood up with a smile.

Hmm, seeing the smile on the eunuch’s faces, Ye Xinyan felt a great sense of relief in her heart; it seemed they were not here to cause trouble.

She quickly stepped forward a few paces, knelt, and greeted them, "I, the unworthy woman, was not at the mansion due to some affairs, making you all wait for a long time. I hope the Eunuchs will forgive me."

Ye Hongyang let out a cold snort. Seeing that Ye Xinyan treated these eunuchs with such courtesy, yet often disregarded him, her own father, on a daily basis, he felt displeased.

The three eunuchs stole a glance at Ye Hongyang and hurriedly returned the bow to Ye Xinyan. The lead middle-aged eunuch said with a smile, "Miss Ye is too polite, we certainly don’t deserve such respect."

Who was it that said Miss Ye of Duke’s Mansion has no manners and is impolitely rash? What nonsense. Look at this beautiful and poised woman, so graceful and calm. How could she compare to the daughters of high officials?

Thinking this, the three eunuchs returned another bow to Ye Xinyan. Just for the genuine respect Miss Ye showed toward people like them, she outshone countless others in this world.

Although people generally treated these eunuchs announcing the imperial edict with courtesy, they could still discern genuine from insincere feelings. Like Miss Ye’s father, who clearly looked down upon them, and all his gestures were mere formalities.

The Eunuch Proclaiming the Imperial Edict, having formed a prior opinion, now looked at Ye Xinyan with great favor. No wonder Duke An and Marquis Zhongyong indulged her, no wonder His Majesty the Emperor held Miss Ye in special regard – she really was a good child.

During the time they waited for Ye Xinyan, all the necessary arrangements for the incense table had been properly prepared, simplifying the remaining procedures for receiving the edict.

With Ye Xinyan at the forefront, Ye Hongyang, Madam Yin, and the others knelt down as well. The lead middle-aged eunuch opened the bright yellow scroll and began to read, "By the mandate of Heaven, the Emperor decrees..."

The style of the initial eight characters still seemed normal, yet what followed was not so great.

Although the eunuch showed a pleasant expression towards Madam Yin and Ye Xinyan, suggesting that the imperial decree should contain some great good news, the content he read out was otherwise.

The imperial edict contained none of the usual praise, no words about precious character or virtuous and gentle demeanor. Instead, it devoted considerable length to reprimanding the legitimate granddaughter of Duke An’s Mansion. In essence, it criticized her for disregarding the dignity of the court officials, acting recklessly, and although there were hidden circumstances, indulgence was not permissible, and so on and so forth.

Ye Xinyan listened with growing irritation. If they knew there were hidden circumstances, why couldn’t they offer her some support? The Old Emperor’s sense of right and wrong seemed to be quite contradictory.

Weren’t usual imperial edicts supposed to be simple and clear, brief and to the point? How came it turned so verbose when it came to Emperor Qianqing, or when it came to her, Ye Xinyan? There was even a section encouraging her to devote more effort to the wooden track project.

As she continued to listen, Ye Xinyan realized that all this preamble was just a setup for what was to follow.

At the end of the edict, it stated: "In order for the Ye Family’s young lady to take this as a warning, after this year’s track project is completed, half of Guangsha Construction’s profits would be confiscated as punishment for yesterday’s incident involving the Ye Family’s young lady."

Damn it, there’s such a move? Ye Xinyan almost threw the incense burner in anger.

This Old Emperor was just too shameless. How desperately did the Great Xia Dynasty need money to start reaching for a woman’s purse?

Weren’t ancient people supposed to value face greatly? You are still the emperor, the face of the entire Great Xia Dynasty. Where have you thrown that face?

There must have been officials present when His Majesty the Emperor wrote this edict, right? Couldn’t the officials stop the emperor from such behavior that would tarnish their own court’s reputation?

Upon hearing that half of the profits would be confiscated as punishment, Ye Xinyan involuntarily raised her head and stared directly at the three Eunuchs Proclaiming the Imperial Edict standing in front of the incense table.

The eunuchs probably didn’t expect Miss Ye to so overtly display her dissatisfaction with the edict, and quickly coughed in a well-meaning way, as a reminder.

Straight after, Madam Yin tugged at her clothes, and Ye Hongyang glared at Ye Xinyan angrily, thinking that this calamitous creature would sooner or later drag Duke’s Mansion down with her.

Ye Xinyan, resigned, had no choice but to lower her head.

Emperor Qianqing, I’ll remember you. From now on, no one should expect me to serve the court or take on projects for the court.

As the middle-aged eunuch finished proclaiming the edict, he folded it up and held it above Ye Xinyan, saying, "Miss Ye, receive the decree."

Ye Xinyan quickly kowtowed, "Thank you for His Majesty’s great kindness."

Damn it, this is that ridiculous ancient conceit where ’the thunder and the rain are all Your Majesty’s grace.’ She’s being robbed of her silver, and yet she has to thank him.

For a eunuch to fare well in the palace, keen perception was vital. Throughout the edict reading, the middle-aged eunuch had noticed every reaction of Miss Ye.

Therefore, as he handed the edict to Ye Xinyan, the middle-aged eunuch bent even deeper, and in a low voice, said, "Congratulations, Miss. Today at the Imperial Court, His Majesty punished all officials involved by docking their salary for half a year because of this matter. His Majesty is treating Miss as..." The eunuch glanced at Ye Hongyang and swallowed the latter part of his sentence ’treating Miss Ye as if she were a court official.’

Ye Xinyan looked up in surprise, seeing the middle-aged eunuch nod slightly. So, to many people, this imperial decree was actually a good thing?

She quickly composed herself, received the decree with both hands, and after rising, she once again bowed to the eunuch, saying somewhat apologetically, "I behaved inappropriately, thank you, Eunuch, for your guidance."

The eunuch was even more pleased, returning the smile, "I dare not accept such thanks. I am but carrying out His Majesty’s tasks and must relay His Majesty’s intentions accurately." He still had to report back to His Majesty. Considering His Majesty’s interest in Miss Ye, he would surely ask about the edict proclamation process. He dared not conceal anything from the emperor; a young lady’s initial demeanor mattered little, but Miss Ye’s final response was of utmost importance.