Qi Younian quickly stepped forward, putting on a smile and said, "Ye Zi isn’t the kind of child without manners. It’s freezing out, and she’s been outside for the better part of the day—she must be terribly cold, probably rushing back to get warm. Please, forgive her rudeness, Sixth Master."
Is this what they call defending one’s kin? Jinrong glared at Qi Younian and huffed, "Your granddaughter—how could we not know whether she has manners?" She’s not ill-mannered? In the entire world, there’s no woman more lacking in manners than her.
Old Master Qi is a good man in many ways, but he is overly protective. His grandsons and granddaughters can do no wrong in his eyes; all are perfect in every way.
Jiang Yifan was quick to notice the mood, and before Qi Younian could respond, he stepped forward, greeted with proper etiquette, and said, "I have seen the Sixth Master. I noticed Ye Zi standing outside looking bored and thought to keep her company on a walk a bit farther out. She was extremely tired, so we gathered some firewood to warm up outside and rested longer than intended."
Jinrong looked at him with disdain and said, "I thought you had eloped with the girl and didn’t dare to return. It turns out you were merely accompanying her on a walk!"
Jiang Yifan replied seriously, "Sixth Master, please mind your words. Although Ye Zi is straightforward and easygoing, she is still a young lady. It’s one thing for you to speak about me, but it’s inappropriate to talk about Ye Zi like that."
Jinrong nearly burst into laughter out of irritation; this young man was shamelessly thick-skinned. Things he would dare to do himself, apparently can’t even be mentioned when it comes to others.
Guan He stepped forward from behind and chuckled, "Let’s move inside, why stand in the yard? Aren’t you cold? Let’s go back and talk."
Jinrong glanced at Guan He before telling Jiang Yifan, "Go wash up and change your clothes. I’ll be waiting for you in my room." Having said that, she didn’t head to the reception room but turned towards her own quarters.
Guan He arched an eyebrow as he watched Jinrong head back to her room, then turned to Jiang Yifan. Indeed, there’s enormous pressure in pursuing a woman also chased by His Highness Prince Yu.
Jiang Yifan also raised an eyebrow, matching his master brother’s teasing expression for a moment before looking toward Qi Younian.
At this time, Qi Younian looked somewhat worried; although he observed that His Highness Prince Yu was an open-minded man, things could be unpredictable in this regard. Many brothers had become estranged over a woman; who knew how deep the friendship between the Sixth Master and Lord Jiang was, whether it could withstand a test .
Jiang Yifan smiled at Qi Younian and said, "The old man can chat with master brother and Old Master Cheung. I will go to see the Sixth Master after I change clothes. It will be fine; I’ll have a word with the Sixth Master."
Qi Younian waved to Cheung Wusi and Wong Qiao, "Ye Zi always knows her own limits. She just stayed outside a bit longer than usual; it’s nothing. You all go about your own business, and we’ll just come out for dinner later."
Nanny Liu waited quietly until everyone had entered their respective rooms, then turned her attention to the people of Anshun’s Household, who were now at ease.
This morning, it was Nanny Qiao of Duke An’s Mansion who led two maidens from Miss Ye’s quarters to inspect the businesses, but when they returned around noon, they were alone—Miss Ye was not with them.
Additionally, both Lord Jiang and his steed were missing.
Despite Old Master Qi’s explanation, Prince Yu’s face darkened immediately, and he had people from Anshun’s Household brought in for questioning.
As it turned out, the servants of Duke An’s Mansion were not to be trifled with; despite being asked repeatedly, their only answer was: The Young Lady was speaking with Lord Jiang and told them to return first—the rest they did not know.
Nanny Qiao inquired whether Lord Jiang had brought his mount, but surprisingly, she said she hadn’t noticed.
The servant from Anshun’s Household saw Nanny Liu looking her way and smiled contentedly, saying, "Thank heavens, Lord Jiang and Young Lady are back, and all is well now. Otherwise, this old woman wouldn’t need to return to face Duke An and the Duchess; I might as well have ended it right here and now."
She was truly relieved that the two young ladies had returned. Although she favored a reconciliation between Miss Ye and Lord Jiang, she also didn’t want them to come to an unseemly end. If the pair had indeed gone elsewhere and stayed the night before returning, she would not know how to explain it to the Duchess and the entire Duke’s Mansion.
Jiang Yifan changed his clothes and quickly washed his hands and face before heading towards Jinrong’s room.
Confronting Jinrong, whose expression was grim, Jiang Yifan indeed felt somewhat guilty, yet he could only feel somewhat guilty; as for the rest... there truly couldn’t be any more.
Jiang Yifan bowed in greeting "I greet Sixth Master," he said.
Jinrong did not, as usual, ask Jiang Yifan to dispense with the formalities and take a seat. Instead, he scrutinized Jiang Yifan from head to toe before speaking coldly "It seems Lord Jiang has had quite the leisurely half-day."
Today’s prince was not like his usual self; he was truly angered. Standing respectfully in place, Jiang Yifan explained, "Sixth Master is overthinking it. I merely sat outside with Ye Zi for a while; there was nothing else."
Jinrong, with a dark countenance, glowered at Jiang Yifan. His expression seemed genuinely innocent, but one should not underestimate this young man. If he were cautious, he really wouldn’t let anyone see through his inner thoughts.
Standing his ground, Jiang Yifan met Jinrong’s glare and added, "Sixth Master is too anxious and simplifying matters. If Ye Zi could be easily swayed by someone unrelated, then Sixth Master wouldn’t have to invest so much care in her."
With a cold laugh, Jinrong said, "Are you an unrelated person?"
Jiang Yifan’s answer was tinged with sadness, "What Sixth Master is asking... I am not unrelated. I’m her estranged ex-husband," then looked at Jinrong, adding, "Is my situation even worse than that of an unrelated person? At least an unrelated person has no hostility in her eyes, and wouldn’t be met with her utmost guard."
If only Ah Yan did not have the history of being Miss Ye of Duke An’s Mansion, he and she could have had a fresh start, a beginning free from any shadows, without those dark and unbearable pasts.
Then she would not be so guarded and resistant towards him; she would surely see all of his good qualities. He could also wholeheartedly show her kindness, openly express his fondness and love, and give her everything he had.
Nobody knew how shocked, conflicted, and devastated he felt early on when he saw the so-called ex-wife, who was surprisingly intelligent, diligent, caring towards her younger brother, and treated a lowly old farmer, whom she had only recently acknowledged, with such respect and kindness.
During that time, two images of Ye Xinyan would often alternate in his mind.
One moment, it was Miss Ye, pointing at the mangled corpse of a maid, sneering coldly at him; another moment, it was Qi Ye, holding her weak and terrified younger brother, protecting the child’s carriage.
Then there was the young noblewoman, who had trashed his study. Followed by the cunning woman who persuaded him and the Sixth Master to start a cattle farm, eloquently discussing the myriad benefits of cattle farming...
That he hadn’t been driven insane by such bizarre thoughts was a stroke of luck. He had only just managed to separate Ah Yan from the shadow of the former Miss Ye, and there was no reason he should let her slip through his fingers. No matter how difficult the road to winning back his wife was, he had to succeed.
Listening to him speak this way, Jinrong felt slightly more at ease. Did it mean that he had not been favored by Ye Zi and was spurned?