She Became A Downfall Noble Lady-Chapter 56 - A Noble Visitor to the Village
Chapter 56: Chapter 56: A Noble Visitor to the Village?
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Chapter 56 -56: A Noble Visitor to the Village?
Jiang Yifan took his leave to return to the county government office, his unease growing more profound. After all the trouble to finally divorce that woman from the Ye Family and rid himself of her, now he wondered why he felt their ties would not be so easily severed in the future?
Jinrong’s estimation was quite accurate; Qi Younian’s background check turned out to be very straightforward.
Qi Younian was legitimately in business, and the Yamen had detailed records of him: his family name, given name, and where he was registered—it was all clearly documented. Their records were not very old, a clerk could simply flip through the ledgers to find out.
That very afternoon, Hongzhi, acting on Jinrong’s assignment, set out to investigate the Qi family’s exact circumstances and foundations, curious as well about the craftsman capable of drawing up blueprints.
He did not probe in secret; instead, he rode directly to Clear Water Village. Under the curious gazes of the villagers, he inquired about Qi Younian’s residence and paid him a visit.
Watching Hongzhi ride away, the two villagers who had offered directions exchanged baffled looks.
“Is this… could he be looking for Old Master Qi of the second branch of the Qi family?” the tall, thin middle-aged villager asked hesitantly.
The other villager of average build nodded, “It should be. The man’s clothes are decent, and he’s on a tall horse; definitely not a commoner. He must be someone of status, right?”
An idle man who had come out for a stroll chimed in, “When did Old Master Qi start knowing people of status? Could it be some noble he met during his time outside the village?”
“No, that’s a young man, doesn’t look over twenty, and the age gap with the old master is too wide. When the old master was adventuring, this guy probably wasn’t even born yet.”
“What? What? Is someone causing trouble for the Qi family?” yet another onlooker came over to inquire.
The villagers speculated among themselves and gradually made their way towards the northwest part of the village. However, they held back from knocking on the door out of respect for the young man who had entered the Qi Family Courtyard on his tall horse.
As Hongzhi had accompanied Prince Yu to the morning snack stall twice, Qi Younian naturally recognized him. Hearing the hoofbeats from afar growing closer, then suddenly seeing this distinguished looking young man dismounting and bowing, he was extremely surprised and quickly returned the gesture. “The presence of such a rare guest is truly a surprise. Please, come in.”
Hongzhi led his horse inside, smiling, “You flatter me, sir. Let’s go inside to talk.”
Qi Younian ushered Hongzhi into the courtyard. He then apologized to the villagers who had gathered outside before closing the door and tending to his guest.
Ye Xinyan and Nanny Jin were working inside the room. Hearing voices from the courtyard, they came out to investigate.
Qi Jia, who had been following Qi Younian, stayed in the courtyard to watch his grandfather work. Seeing Hongzhi enter, he continued to stand behind his grandfather, curiously staring with wide eyes.
Following Qi Younian’s directions, Hongzhi tied his horse to a post beside the animal shed. Then he turned around and, from a distance, greeted Nanny Jin and the others with a bow, taking the opportunity to look around.
Qi Younian hurried into the room, inviting Hongzhi. “Our humble farmhouse is very modest and rudimentary, which must seem laughable to you. Please, come into the house, young sir.”
Hongzhi quickly responded with a courteous bow, “You speak too humbly, sir. In this world, how many can live in great wealth and luxury? The life of an ordinary family is just like this. It’s very hot, I won’t go inside. It’s fine for us to talk here in the courtyard.”
Living here was the legitimate granddaughter of Duke An himself; the old man dared to call his home simple, but Hongzhi, a mere servant, certainly wouldn’t dare to follow suit with any reckless comments.
“Very well then.” Qi Younian moved a couple of chairs over.
Nanny Jin brought out another high stool from the room, made some tea, and took the occasion to lead Qi Jia back to the room.
Hongzhi and Qi Younian sat down to speak only then.
Feeling immense psychological pressure facing His Highness Prince Yu’s trusted confidant, Qi Younian went straight to the point and asked, “I won’t beat around the bush with you, young man. May I ask, what brings you to our humble and remote location?”
Qi Younian knew his household offered little to attract such a visitor, considering it best to stick to the matter at hand and to send the guest on his way as soon as possible, for the comfort of both parties.
Hongzhi casually mumbled, “As you know, our Sixth Master has spoken highly of your family’s rice tofu. I’ve come to find out how your family makes it. If it’s simple, we can have our mansion’s chefs learn to make it. It would be more convenient to make it ourselves.”
When Qi Younian heard this, understanding that Prince Yu was inquiring about their money-making business, he instinctively glanced in Ye Xinyan’s direction.
The courtyard was originally quite small, and Ye Xinyan, who was sitting at the doorway of the outer room picking through broken rice, could hear every word spoken between the two men in the courtyard clearly.
On the surface, Ye Xinyan was the legitimate granddaughter of Duke An, though her core had long since changed. Facing the personal servant of His Highness Prince Yu, even someone as common as Ye Xinyan felt tremendous pressure, not daring to treat the matter lightly or to disregard him.
It is often said, “All under heaven belongs to the emperor, and all who live along its shores are his ministers.” When the emperor’s son asks about the making of rice tofu, could we really dare to withhold the information? Not to mention that Prince Yu would certainly not covet such small transactions, even if he truly fancied this petty cash and wanted to take over the business, they would still have to honestly divulge everything.
Besides, Ye Xinyan did not believe that Prince Yu, noble as he is, would be so keen on a street food that he would send a personal servant all the way to the countryside just to inquire about its preparation. As for the real reason behind Hongzhi’s visit, they would have to patiently wait for the young man to reveal it.
Seeing her grandfather looking her way, Ye Xinyan nodded subtly, signaling Qi Younian to tell him.
Qi Younian felt the same, but as he was unfamiliar with the ways of the nobles in the capital, he sought Ye Xinyan’s opinion first.
Qi Younian did his best to explain the method of making rice tofu to Hongzhi, but Hongzhi did not seem to listen attentively, his eyes wandering over the small rural courtyard. Eventually, Hongzhi’s gaze settled on the woodwork that Qi Younian had just been working on.
Once Qi Younian finished his explanation, Hongzhi made no comment on the making of rice tofu. Instead, he abruptly pointed to three small wooden wheels and something resembling a stand, asking, “Did you make this, old man?”
After earnestly recounting the process of making rice tofu, Qi Younian was prepared to share everything in detail, including the ratio of rice milk to water and the quantity of lime water. Yet, after listening, the visitor immediately switched the topic.
“That? Children from farming families don’t have many toys to play with, so I’m making a pedal bicycle for my little grandson,” he explained.
As soon as Hongzhi heard this, he knew he could satisfactorily conclude his task.
He stood up and crouched in front of the parts, picked up the wheel with the small pedal, and asked, “A pedal bicycle? Is it moved by stepping on this wheel?”
Qi Younian stood up as well, saying with a chuckle, “It was an idea my granddaughter came up with. Once it’s finished, kids can sit on it and move by pedaling with their feet. It sounds novel, but after giving the design some thought, I believe it should work.”
Qi Younian had already discussed the structure and transmission system of the pedal bicycle with Ye Xinyan in detail. He believed that as long as the material for the wheels was durable and robust, the bicycle would surely be able to move.
Having seen Miss Ye and Grandma Jiang in the capital, Hongzhi was even more intrigued when he heard that the invention was Ye Xinyan’s idea. He couldn’t help but glance towards the door, his mind filled with questions.
The old man says the idea came from Miss Ye of the Ye family? Does that mean that the sketch in the Sixth Master’s hands was also drawn by her? Could Duke An’s rash granddaughter possess such ingenuity? Why wasn’t this spoken of before?
