Jiang Yifan had already warmly initiated a thorough inquiry with Cheung Wusi and Wong Qiao, from where they were originally from, and the local customs there, to what they did for a living, and what they excelled at, and even the condition of their journey, and whether they had registered with the government office. He discussed everything, both great and small, in casual conversation.
It seemed like ordinary questioning, but Ye Xinyan could hear that through Jiang Yifan’s casual questioning style, the jumpiness of the topics, and the laid-back, gentle way he spoke, he had practically turned Cheung Wusi and Wong Qiao’s family affairs upside down.
Ye Xinyan had once read a line in a novel, "As long as you ask the right questions, you are bound to get the answers."
She had once doubted this statement for being too absolute, but after traveling back a thousand years, she unexpectedly had the opportunity to witness the true version of this line. It turned out that through the way questions were asked, you could indeed get all the answers you wanted.
She glanced at Jiang Yifan again. This guy was also quite unlucky, having such a mind, to be ruined by the original host of Ye Xinyan. At the same time, she admired the original host to the utmost, considering Jiang Yifan’s intelligence and yet the original host managed to leave him completely harried and helpless—it was a skill indeed.
Everyone sitting in the room, aside from Qi Yougui, who hadn’t visited the county town more than a few times in his life, was a clever individual who had seen much of the world.
Even Cheung Wusi and Wong Qiao, newcomers though they were, after experiencing round after round of what seemed like Jiang Yifan’s gentle and casual onslaught and having their family backgrounds exposed, also understood that for some reason unknown to them, they had been marked by the Magistrate Sir of Qingyuan County.
After a cordial conversation with Cheung Wusi and Wong Qiao, Jiang Yifan seemed very satisfied with the outcome of the talk, and he appeared to be in a particularly good mood.
He laughed and said something rather insipid, "The two of you are held in high regard by Father-in-law Qi, I gather you must be people of loyalty and righteousness. With both of you assisting the Qi family, future undertakings will certainly be carried out even more effectively."—which he used to conclude the questioning.
He then turned to Jinrong and asked, "Did Sixth Master Rong have something to say just now?" People’s gazes, either overtly or covertly, turned toward Jinrong.
Jinrong glared at Jiang Yifan, this fellow might appear gentle and harmless on the average day, but in reality, he was someone capable of striking viciously. Now he was setting Jinrong to lead the charge.
Jinrong said, "If I may suggest, since the Qi family is surely to become wealthy, even exceedingly fortunate, it is very necessary to establish rules early on. As Lord Jiang suggested, starting with the current housing situation is very secure indeed."
Ye Xinyan didn’t even glance sidelong at Jinrong.
Her gaze landed on a New Year’s picture on the wall of her Great Uncle’s house, a chubby, peachy-cheeked child holding a big fish was charmingly painted, with auspicious patterns surrounding the child that also conveyed a sense of festive joy.
Ye Xinyan was moved; the traditions and skills of the Chinese nation had been tenaciously preserved for thousands of years, only to collapse suddenly under the extremely rapid onslaught of the electronic age within less than half a century, virtually vanishing without a trace. How utterly regrettable.
Qi Younian, the head of the second branch of the Qi family, picked up his teacup, sipping the tea slowly. All at once, he seemed to develop a profound interest in the clear and golden tea soup that Nanny Liu had prepared and also displayed a curiosity to explore the art of tea tasting.
Jinrong, rather obliviously, asked Ye Xinyan, "What do you think about what Lord Jiang and I were discussing, Lady Qi?"
Cheung Wusi and Wong Qiao’s gaze swiftly shifted between Jinrong and Ye Xinyan, not understanding why Sixth Master Rong would set aside Qi Younian’s opinion and instead ask the opinion of Qi Younian’s granddaughter regarding the construction of the Qi family’s house.
Ye Xinyan’s response surprised them even further.
Ye Xinyan said, "Sixth Master Rong didn’t inform me earlier that in order for him to assume management duties, there needed to be housing conditions that included several compounds. Had you mentioned it early on, I, a woman from a humble household, would have never dared to take up your service, Sixth Master."
Cheung Wusi, after all, was a bit older and had experienced many ups and downs in his life. He could be considered weathered and worldly. At this moment, he had begun to sense the undercurrent and discreetly nudged Wong Qiao. They both then composed themselves and, without looking at anyone in particular, merely listened quietly to the conversation.
Wong Qiao was pulled by Cheung Wusi, and although he knew there was likely some inside story they were unaware of, he was still astonished.
The Ye Zi from the Great Uncle’s family actually dared to speak to The Leader of the Family with such undisguised sarcasm. And that imposing Sixth Master Rong, as well as the high and mighty Lord Jiang, seemed to take Ye Zi’s rudeness in stride, as though such a scene were completely ordinary.
Jinrong cleared his throat again and said, "I am only considering Lady Qi’s best interests. Everyone knows how fearsome gossip can be, and that old saying ’A clear conscience fears no accusation’ is merely to deceive the honest; Lady Qi must have profound feelings about this. Perhaps..."
After glancing at Qi Younian, Jinrong continued, "I could lend Father-in-law Qi some silver to get the house built first. How does Lady Qi feel about this?"
Receiving Jinrong’s hint, Qi Younian naturally did not dare to disregard or even speak against it as Ye Xinyan had, but he also did not want to push Ye Xinyan into the fire.
"Sixth Master Rong, the current living conditions of my humble household will not last very long. Once the new courtyard is built, my granddaughters will move in along with your estate’s Nanny and maids. My brothers, nephews, and I will take on other construction tasks, and living with the craftsmen of Water Wood Works will be more convenient," he stated.
As soon as Jinrong heard this, he immediately smiled broadly, "Father-in-law Qi truly understands the greater picture." He favored this arrangement.
Seeing Jinrong’s smiling face made Ye Xinyan’s face darken. These high and mighty figures had no shame, confidently saying whatever they want and doing whatever they please. The idea of separating a family was executed so effortlessly, so casually.
"Lord Jiang, Sixth Master Rong, our Qi family is just an ordinary family among the tenants, with no need for such grandeur or strict etiquette, nor can we afford so many servants and maids. Moreover,"
Ye Xinyan looked seriously at Jinrong, "Borrow money? It’s easy for you to say, Sixth Master. Borrowing implies repayment, and with my family’s current financial state, we have no capacity to repay."
"Then, how about not repaying it at all?" Jinrong said something quite foolish, drawing sideways glances from everyone present. Were they to believe that Sixth Master’s intention was to suggest that Lady Qi only made such remarks to shirk her debts?
Jiang Yifan also wore a helpless expression. It was fortunate that everyone knew he was only Sixth Master Rong; otherwise, wouldn’t it tarnish the face of the Imperial Family?
As expected, Ye Xinyan’s expression grew even darker as she said coolly, "Sixth Master truly has a way with words. It seems that all these words I’ve spoken are all to cheat people of their money. I am truly enlightened by the perspective from which Sixth Master views things."
Jinrong didn’t consider his proposal foolish, only feeling helpless that his goodwill was unrequited, "So, what would Lady Qi have us do?"
"There’s no need for the loan; we can’t repay it. If Sixth Master Rong would settle your household’s daily expenses with me, that would suffice. As for building another layer of house, my family will find a way on our own, and I’m sure we will satisfy Sixth Master," Ye Xinyan spoke with utmost frankness, her complexion neither flushing nor paling, as if her statement and request were the most normal and reasonable.
The others in the room were dumbfounded by this speech of Miss Ye (Ye Zi). How could she be so confident and assertive? What kind of mental fortitude did it take for her to deliver such unreasonable remarks with such composure and without a change in color?
This woman, she simply had no regard for propriety; Jiang Yifan felt so embarrassed he almost wanted to cover his face.
Every time he thought he had come to understand and could follow some pattern in dealing with this woman, reality harshly proved him wrong. Would his inadequate grasp of this woman continue indefinitely?
After those bitter three years of marriage in the capital, Jiang Yifan plunged into deep self-doubt about his own intelligence once again.