“Master, Master… Please spare Little Ai, Little Ai’s about to make a mess of the bed…”
“It’s fine, just do as you like. The servants will clean up anyway.”
“Master, Little Ai really can’t go on, it’s already been three times…”
“Keep at it, you can do it. Usually, you can handle five times in a row.”
“Xiao Die, stop talking nonsense. This time, unless it’s less than three hours, you’re not allowed to stop.”
“Ro Ming Tuan.”
In the manor of the Tezhi Weisi family.
The old Count thundered at the Butler and the maids, “Lock her up in her room! Without my permission, she’s not to take a single step outside! Keep a close watch on her! If anyone lets her out, I’ll hold them responsible!”
“Yes, sir!” The servants responded in trembling voices.
Inside the bedroom, Ting listened to her father’s furious shouts and the muffled sounds of things being thrown outside. Not only was she not angry, she actually swayed her slender waist in satisfaction.
She walked to the intricately carved wardrobe, opened the willow-wood door, and carefully took out a perfectly neat Academy Uniform from the innermost part.
It was the one she’d secretly hidden away, the one infused with Xie Yier’s scent.
She hugged the uniform to her chest and plopped herself down onto the soft mattress.
“Hmph! Lock me up if you want! Who wants to go out anyway!”
After speaking, she pressed her face into the uniform, taking a deep breath.
That faint, fresh scent burrowed into her nose, soothing much of her irritated mood. Her pointed ears even unconsciously perked up.
“I-it’s not like it’s for you or anything!”
She spoke into the air, as if arguing with an invisible person.
“I just… just think this uniform feels pretty nice! It’s comfy to hug while sleeping!”
“Fu Liang Wen’er, don’t think I’m thinking of you!”
She hugged the uniform even tighter, even stamping her cheek against it.
Upstairs in the parlor.
Madam Tezhi Weisi, unable to hold back any longer, questioned her husband’s still smoldering expression, “Why are you treating our daughter like this? You even locked her up! Isn’t she just… a bit lively, that’s all?”
The old Count furrowed his thick brows, still fuming, “Lively? She’s utterly reckless! You didn’t see the Duke’s face yesterday. If we let her out again, who knows if she’ll drag us all down!”
“It’s not as serious as you say…,” the Countess murmured, then frowned again, “But… are you really going to have our precious daughter marry into that family that’s just trying to get us to survive?”
The old Count replied irritably, “It’s not that I want to, but I was just trying to follow the Duke’s wishes and have both families share a meal as a formality. If the children aren’t interested, then that’s the end of it. But who knew that girl would pull such a stunt and now I’ve managed to offend the Duke!”
Madam Tezhi Weisi hesitated, “Is it really that bad? Would the Duke hold a grudge for long? And why is the Duke so involved in Shang Miu’s marriage?”
The old Count sighed, “Didn’t you see? The Duke clearly cares about that girl Xie Yier. Tang Ting just had to challenge her, and in front of the Duke, even calling herself a girlfriend. Isn’t that just asking for trouble?”
Hearing this, Madam Tezhi Weisi grew indignant, her protective side flaring up. “Don’t belittle our own child! Is our daughter any worse than that Duke? She’s younger, prettier, has a better personality, and is much stronger too!”
The old Count thought about Shang Miu’s temperament.
And indeed… she did have some strong qualities.
“Fine, fine, I can’t outtalk you. Anyway, locking her up for a few days is for her own good. I’ll have to go apologize to the Duke as well. Just make sure she doesn’t sneak out in the next few days. If the Duke’s anger isn’t appeased…”
He didn’t finish the sentence, but his meaning was clear.
Madam Tezhi Weisi nodded, “Alright… I’ll keep an eye on her for the next few days. Hmph, though, our Ting isn’t afraid of anything anyway.”
She added quietly, her tone full of affection for her daughter.
Iron Fortress Manor.
The next day, after Wen’er got up, she saw the sun shining brightly outside—a beautiful day.
After washing up, she walked to the dining room and saw Xie Yier already sitting at the table.
An array of food was spread out on the table, filling the air with an appetizing aroma.
“Master, good morning…”
“Morning.” Xie Yier smiled gently at Wen’er. “Come, have breakfast.”
Perhaps because she’d appreciated Xie Yier’s water magic performance last night, her mood today was rather pleasant.
Wen’er sat down and picked up a piece of bread, nibbling on it.
Seeing this, Xie Yier picked up a slice of toast with bacon and egg, placing it in her own mouth and taking a delicate bite.
Her dining manners were elegant, chewing softly and unhurried.
“Little Ai, Master has quite a bit to take care of today, so I might come home a bit late. You stay at home and don’t run around, alright?” Midway, Xie Yier spoke up.
It seemed she was still warning Wen’er, reminding her not to get entangled with other girls like before.
“Then… I want to go visit Xi Qi, is that alright, Master?”
It had been a while since she’d visited her younger sister, so Wen’er felt a little guilty.
Still, she doubted Xie Yier would agree so easily, especially since she’d just caused trouble yesterday. But she still wanted to try her luck.
Sure enough, after a brief silence, Xie Yier’s stunning face softened and she nodded, “Go ahead, Master allows it. But don’t forget, you have to report to me every two hours.”
Wen’er was pleasantly surprised by Xie Yier’s unexpected approval.
A radiant smile blossomed on her face, sweeping away all the gloom from before. “Thank you, Master!”
Hmph, this little Ai is really sweet. Is she like this with other girls too?
Xie Yier thought to herself, her possessiveness toward Ai’er growing ever stronger.
At this thought, her slender brows furrowed slightly.
Because starting today, the household would probably become restless again.
Not because of any grand event like an invasion—rather, because her good-for-nothing “little sister” was returning to the Royal Capital tonight.
Calling her “good-for-nothing” was because, as one of the Royal Capital Three Left Heads—the most powerful figures in the Empire—her own little sister spent all day obsessed with Alchemical Research.
She had no fief, no residence, and no servants.
She didn’t manage any of the Royal Capital’s affairs, and simply holed up in the Experiment Room all day, fiddling with all sorts of strange objects.
A few years back, even their Empress Elder Sister couldn’t stand her constant explosions every few days and simply sent her off to other countries for exchange studies, leaving her for others to deal with.
Xie Yier wasn’t worried her sister would blow up the house—she was worried about how she’d set her sights on Wen’er.
After all, this younger sister was, like herself, a proper bell-and-copper*.
If she barged in and tried to snatch Little Ai from her every day, Xie Yier couldn’t guarantee she wouldn’t resort to drastic measures.
Though the three sisters had always been inseparable, Xie Yier’s cleanliness obsession did not extend to her own sisters—but Little Ai was different!
That’s exactly why Xie Yier agreed to Wen’er’s request to visit Xi Qi. While Wen’er was out, she could set up some precautions at home ahead of time—there was no way she’d let her little sister discover her own “secret.”
With that in mind, Xie Yier’s slender fingers unconsciously tapped on the table.
“I need to think of something…”