Chapter 615: Chapter 613: Duke An Seeks an Audience for a Matter
Ye Xinyan’s face imdiately fell upon hearing Madam Yin’s reasoning. She hadn’t expected that the biggest obstacle in her well-laid plans was herself.
Originally, after finishing her al, Ye Xinyan was going to take a nice nap and then contact Song Ping to decide whether or not to finalize the deal on that shop.
But the blow from Madam Yin left her unable to sleep. As she tossed and turned, Jiu i ca in to report that Duke An had requested her presence and she was to go there imdiately.
Ye Xinyan rose, full of wonder. What could the old man want? Why was he so urgent in summoning her that she wasn’t even allowed to take her nap?
Indeed, this morning’s incident had taken a heavy toll on the old master; his inability to sleep was understandable.
In the study of the outer courtyard, Duke An sat behind his desk with a sullen expression. His face didn’t lighten up at all as he watched Ye Xinyan enter and perform her courtesies. He simply waved his hand dismissively at the servants, signaling for them to leave.
Only the grandfather and granddaughter remained in the room when Duke An finally pointed to a chair beside him and said to Ye Xinyan, “Sit down and talk.”
As Ye Xinyan took a seat, Duke An began without hesitation, “What plans do you have for your own marriage?”
“I…” This was the first ti Ye Xinyan had faced Duke An looking at her with such a cold face, and the sternness of his expression truly made her heart tremble.
“Well… I don’t have any particular plans. Grandfather, didn’t you want to take good care of Ye Yuan? Marriage isn’t sothing that needs to be rushed, right?” Ye Xinyan replied cautiously.
It was clear that Duke An didn’t intend to discuss this issue with her. No sooner had Ye Xinyan finished speaking than he continued on his own, “If you have soone in mind, speak up. If this person’s character and family background are acceptable, I will ensure your wishes are fulfilled and make arrangents for an early marriage.”
Ah? It was hard for Ye Xinyan to believe. It was exactly this scenario before when the original owner of this body took a liking to Jiang Yifan, and Duke An’s Mansion, regardless of the wishes of Jiang Yifan himself, pressured him along with the uncle of the Jiang Family to marry his granddaughter.
This ti… was he planning to repeat the sa old tactic?
Ye Xinyan widened her eyes and looked at Duke An, noticing his gaze growing darker. She quickly diverted her own gaze.
But the words she was about to say got stuck, “I don’t have anyone in mind. However, I feel that life as it is now is quite good, and it’s more convenient for taking care of Ye Yuan and Qi Jiaer.”
Ye Xinyan wanted to add that if Duke An felt embarrassed by her, she could move out and not live in Duke An’s Mansion anymore. But after glancing at Duke An’s cold face and sensing the harsh aura emanating from him, she swallowed her words and remained silent.
Duke An, watching Ye Xinyan’s evasive eyes, was very satisfied with his strategy. This girl was extrely difficult to deal with, and without putting pressure on her, forcing her into a corner, she might mingle aimlessly for a lifeti.
“If you don’t have soone in mind, then let it be Jiang Yifan,” Duke An said, his voice devoid of emotion, as if discussing a topic that didn’t interest him in the slightest.
But Ye Xinyan sensed acutely that all the preceding talk was a setup, building up to this very statent.
Ye Xinyan raised an eyebrow at Duke An. Was the incident this morning not troubling enough for the old man? And yet he still had the energy to play these convoluted gas with her.
“This, I’m afraid that won’t do, will it? The granddaughter never got along with him. Could it be… could there have been a mistake when matching our horoscopes?”
Duke An said coldly, “You didn’t get along before. You’re not one to hold your tongue now, so think about it, what is the reason for your disharmony? Whose fault was it?”
Ye Xinyan didn’t bother to hide her disdain and thought to herself, of course it was your granddaughter’s fault, and it had nothing to do with .
But she dare not voice that thought.
“Right or wrong, it’s already like this. The granddaughter has never blad Jiang Yifan, nor anyone else. But the granddaughter has her own affairs to attend to and doesn’t wish to marry soone devoted to a political career.”
Duke An sneered and asked coldly, “You don’t want to marry soone devoted to a political career? What kind of man do you want to marry? Do you think a man like Wong Qiao would dare to marry you? Would you be willing to marry soone like Prince Yu?”
Ye Xinyan was taken aback.
It was one thing for Duke An to bring up Jinrong, given the obvious intentions Jinrong had, it wasn’t surprising that Duke An could see through them. But how did he know about Wong Qiao?
Ye Xinyan recalled the events just after the New Year, when she inquired about Wong Qiao and was rejected, and Anshun’s Household was present. It must have been soone from Anshun’s Household who reported to Duke An. It was Anshun’s duty, as commanded by Duke An, to supervise her, and it was to be expected that they would report to Duke An on her movents.
But was there really a need to expose one’s shortcomings like this? She was sowhat annoyed.
She rolled her eyes, speaking displeased, “Grandfather, you should be more careful with your words. Wong Qiao and Second Miss Zhou’s marriage is already arranged; such talk is not good if others were to hear.”
Duke An showed no sha, still wearing a frigid expression, “Since you know it’s not good, then you should be all the more aware that at your age, still delaying marriage, it’s no good for this old man, nor for you.”
“If you were like your father, devoid of rit, naturally you wouldn’t have such troubles. Unfortunately, you yourself want to go out and do things, you’ve made such a spectacle, drawing the attention of many families in the capital who want to marry you into their clans, to revitalize their fortunes.
“If you persist in not marrying, what is your reason? If soone cos to ask for your hand, what reason should this old man, should your mother use to refuse them?”
“I…” I choose to remain single, is that not acceptable? Ye Xinyan, though deeply resentful, couldn’t bring herself to say these words aloud.
Even speaking such words in the modern era a thousand years later would subject one to the scornful glances of many upstanding citizens, with few able to withstand it.
Many beco sullen and depressed under those peculiar gazes. Even more people cannot bear the nurous challenges and the pressure from family and friends, eventually settling for a hasty marriage, opting for humanity’s mainstream way of life.
Seeing Ye Xinyan speechless, Duke An’s expression softened sowhat, “Your marriage to Jiang Yifan, back then he was unwilling and it was you who insisted, desperately wanting to marry him. After marrying him, how did it end up? Isn’t it true that the greater fault lies with you?
“Jiang Yifan is not a scoundrel; on the contrary, he is a gentleman of integrity. Even after marriage, despite the many wrongs you committed, Jiang Yifan didn’t mistreat you. In the past, you might have thought it was because he lacked courage or ability. But after spending such a long ti together with Jiang Yifan in Yuyuan Prefecture, do you still think he lacks the ability to deal with you?”
Ye Xinyan rolled her eyes and raised her eyebrows, “Don’t try to fool with that; he might have the ability, but he sure doesn’t have the guts. I’m not just anybody; if he had done away with in secret, it would have cost him his life. Even if you, old man, aren’t fond of this granddaughter, you surely wouldn’t let soone challenge your authority like that, right?”
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