Aier used to get flustered about these glorious messy leftovers, but once she cooked a pot, it would take three days to finish them.
Even though she’d deliberately used fewer ingredients this time, there was still a lot left over in the end.
As for the rest, she’d just let the diligent servants handle it, they might even be happy about it.
At least today, she wouldn’t have to cook again.
Once everything was ready, Aier turned to go wake Lady Xie Yier.
As soon as she turned around, she found herself pressed into a warm, generous chest, and there was even a faint boingboing sensation.
“So soft! So bouncy! It really feels like I just got slapped by something amazing.”
Aier’s face flushed as she jerked her head up, only to see that, at some point, Lady Xie Yier had appeared behind her without a sound.
“Hee? Master, you’re already up?”
“My little Aier is up early for once? I was going to have someone bring me breakfast, but it looks like I’m in for a treat instead.”
Lady Xie Yier’s voice was rich with indulgence and a hint of surprise. She wrapped her arms around Aier’s waist, then nuzzled intimately against her, leaving a gentle kiss behind Aier’s ear.
“I… I didn’t know if you’d want to eat, Master, so I only made something simple…”
“As long as it’s made by my little Aier, it’s always worth eating, no matter what.”
“Hee? Ma, Master, it’s still early…”
Aier’s back was pressed against the corner of the table, and Lady Xie Yier lifted her up for an unexpectedly forceful hug.
It almost felt like she was being coddled like a naughty, spoiled wife.
Still, deep inside, Aier protested~ Why did she have to be ambushed first thing in the morning!
(So mean when she’s mad!)
When it was finally over, Aier wiped the tears from the corners of her eyes and glanced away, “Master, let’s hurry and eat… or we’ll be late for school…”
“Haha, alright.” Satisfied with Aier’s flustered look, Lady Xie Yier finally let go, “I’ll go freshen up first.”
In the bathroom, Lady Xie Yier braced her hands on the stone sink, looking at her reflection, her cheeks flushed with a rosy glow. She couldn’t help but smile with satisfaction.
“Falling in love really does wonders for a person, my skin even looks better now.”
On the sink, the toothbrush already had toothpaste squeezed out, and the water in the cup was just the right temperature.
In her mind, she pictured Aier busy in the kitchen, her figure bending gracefully amid the morning steam, and a subtle warmth surged up inside her.
“So cute. My little Aier will definitely be a good wife in the future, come home and there’s always a hot meal waiting.”
Lady Xie Yier, after washing up, started daydreaming in front of the mirror.
“Master? Breakfast is getting cold…” came Aier’s gentle voice from outside the door.
“Coming.”
Lady Xie Yier responded, noticing her still-blushing cheeks. She quickly splashed her face with cold water, suppressing her fluster, before stepping out of the bathroom.
At the dining cabinet, Lady Xie Yier picked up a wooden spoon, scooped a mouthful of porridge, and tasted it.
She usually preferred rich, heavy flavors, so she hadn’t expected much from this simple fare, but since Aier made it, she gave it a try without hesitation.
Yet when the steaming porridge filled her mouth, the fragrance of grains mingled with the gentle sweetness of vegetables, spreading across her tongue, leaving her feeling unexpectedly comfortable.
“Mmm? The taste is actually pretty good.” Lady Xie Yier’s beautiful eyes sparkled, shining with an unusual brilliance.
She suddenly thought maybe Aier changing up the menu now and then was a good thing.
Aier let out a sigh of relief, her lips curving with a satisfied smile. “As long as you like it, Master.”
She hesitated, then softly added, “You’ve been drinking strong black coffee every morning… Actually, that’s not really good for you. Having something hot like porridge in the morning is better for your stomach…”
Lady Xie Yier instinctively touched her abdomen.
It really did feel warm, with a soft and cozy sense of being cared for. This morning, it seemed, she hadn’t suffered that usual heartburn.
“Is that so? If you hadn’t said anything, I wouldn’t have noticed.”
She deliberately took another leisurely spoonful of porridge, gently licking the edge of the wooden spoon, her gaze fixed intently on Aier.
Aier felt her cheeks begin to burn again under that steady look.
These casual teases were just too much to handle!
“What’s wrong? Are you worrying about something bad again?”
Lady Xie Yier put down the spoon, reached out to tilt Aier’s chin, making her raise her head, and gently brushed Aier’s lips with her thumb, her gaze seductive and captivating.
“N-nothing…”
Aier hurriedly brushed her hand away and quickly buried her head, gulping down several mouthfuls of porridge to ease her embarrassment.
A woman Lady Xie Yier’s age… she really couldn’t compete with the allure of a grown woman.
A mature woman’s charm was so different from a young girl’s.
“I’ll walk you to school later. You can come home on your own after.”
The new house was close to the Academy, and lately there’d been a lot of troublesome outsiders around. After thinking it over, Lady Xie Yier decided it was best not to arrange a Carriage to pick up Aier just in case.
“Alright~” Aier nodded with a small smile.
It didn’t matter to her if there was a Carriage or not. In fact, she’d always hoped she could walk home by herself; this way, she’d have more free time on the way.
“I’ll stop by later to check on the servants. The meals will be prepared, and they’ll leave before you get home, so they won’t disturb you.”
“Um… Master, will you be home for dinner tonight?”
“We’ll see. But I’ll definitely come home to see you tonight. Might be a bit late, though, so don’t wait up—get some rest early.”
“Okay.” Aier replied, then got up to clear the table. “I’ll go wash—”
“No need,” Lady Xie Yier caught her hand. “It’s late; we’ll be late if we don’t leave now.”
She led Aier to the door, picked up a pair of delicate leather boots, and placed them in front of Aier.
“Come, help Master put on her shoes. My feet are a bit sore from yesterday.”
Aier obediently knelt down and helped Lady Xie Yier put on her boots.
Lady Xie Yier naturally placed her hand on Aier’s head.
After they finished changing, the two walked out of the house together, close and intimate.
As they stepped out the front gate, the door of the house opposite just happened to open.
Aier (Ai Yi), with her silver hair shining, came out and instantly spotted the two holding hands at the door.
She paused mid-step, then acted as if she’d seen nothing, casually stepping back inside and gently closing the door behind her.
Her movements were so smooth, it was as if she’d only come out to check the weather.
“Hmm?” Aier (Ge Er) seemed to catch the faint sound of the door closing and glanced over curiously.
“It’s nothing.” Lady Xie Yier acted as usual, taking Aier’s hand and walking toward the waiting Carriage.
As they rode away from the house, neither of them noticed that, behind them, a pair of heterochromatic eyes was watching from another Carriage.
“What luck! I just happened to run into them here! I looked for her all night yesterday and didn’t find her, but now she’s delivered herself right to my door—how could I not take a good look?”
Mi He let out a laugh, then ordered the driver to keep their Carriage discreetly following behind Aier’s.
When they reached the Academy gate, Aier was about to get out of the Carriage.
Lady Xie Yier pulled her close, cupped her face, and placed a soft goodbye kiss on her lips.
“Be good today. Go straight home after class.”
“Mmm—” Aier’s cheeks turned red, and she hopped off the Carriage, dashing into the Academy.
See you later, mua~*
At that moment, Mi He’s Carriage also stopped quietly nearby.
She watched Aier’s figure disappear into the Academy, then looked up at the crest above the gate.
“So, she’s studying at the same school as me? Well, well—now I really need to properly pamper my darling little cutie. Delivered right to my doorstep—how could I not have a little taste?”
Mi He licked her lips, a slow, meaningful smile spreading across her face.