Wen Ai stepped forward, took the contract, and quickly and efficiently skimmed through it.
She immediately spotted some problems.
“I remember I clearly conveyed that the Duchess wanted to rent for three years—why does it say only one year here? And I also stated that all the Furniture Golems must be replaced with new ones. Why isn’t that specified in the contract?”
The staff immediately came down, flustered.
It didn’t matter who was right or wrong. Since your status is lower than theirs, if there’s a mistake, it’s definitely your fault.
He hurriedly admitted his error: “I’m so sorry! It was my oversight! I’ll correct it right away.”
He picked up the quill from the counter and, hands fumbling, began making changes to the contract. The nib scratched across the page, making a faint, raspy sound.
Wen Lin then took out a heavy pouch filled with the full amount of gold coins from the bag she carried over her shoulder.
The revised draft was sent over again. Wen Ying carefully double-checked it, and after confirming there were no errors, handed it back to the staff.
The staff quickly went to prepare two official copies of the contract, and upon returning, handed them directly to Xie Er.
Xie Er glanced at it, picked up the pen, and with a flourish, signed her own name.
The staff carefully filed away the original and handed the backup copy to Ai Er.
With everything done, Xie Er didn’t linger for a moment and got up to leave. Wen Lian just quietly watched her go.
As soon as they stepped out of the reception room, Xie Er took out the Secret Speech Crystal and immediately connected to Ai Er.
At this moment, Aier was on her way to the Royal Hospital when the Secret Speech Crystal in her pocket suddenly vibrated.
“Hello? Master?”
“Tell the coachman to take you to 75 Ute Street. I’ve rented a new house for you.”
“Ah? Rented? You rented a new house?”
For a moment, Wen was stunned.
But she quickly recovered and replied at once.
[“Okay, Master. I understand.”]
After hanging up, Aier looked at the scenery passing rapidly by the carriage window, completely unable to make sense of the situation.
Why was there suddenly a new house rented for her?
Could it be that someone from the manor is coming and wants me out of the way?
No, that’s such a cliché! Like the “first love returns” plot in novels!
So this is to keep me from meeting the white moonlight and the true wife?
But that can’t be right… If this really is some first love returning, shouldn’t she be getting jealous and possessive…?
It can’t possibly be both at once.
Forget it, it’s not like I get to choose anyway. What’s the point of overthinking it?
Just as Aier’s mind was caught in a whirlwind, the Secret Speech Crystal began to vibrate again.
To be honest, seeing this thing light up now couldn’t help but remind her of last night’s events, sending a shiver down her spine.
Aier glanced at it—this time, it was a message from Tang Ying.
This guy… what does she want again…
[Hello! Aier!]
Aier didn’t reply.
[Are you okay?]
[Why aren’t you saying anything?]
[Hey! If you don’t reply, I won’t worry about you! Hmph!]
[It’s just that I suddenly had nothing to do, so I’m sending a message for fun! Hmph!]
The messages kept coming, and the vibration made it impossible for Aier to ignore them.
She picked up the crystal and quickly replied:
[I’m fine. Tang Ying, please don’t message me again in the future. I’ve suffered enough because of you.]
Tang Ying quickly replied:
“What’s with that attitude? What happened with that she-devil? How are you? Tell me, I’m really worried!”
Aier responded: [Nothing happened. Just mind your own business.]
Tang Ying: [(@ y“@ All right, fine! Tsk, I knew you cared about me!]
Tang Ying: [But… yesterday, fighting side by side with you felt so satisfying!]
Aier: [What do you mean, fighting side by side?]
Tang Ying: [We both ganged up on that habitual offender together!]
Looking at that message, Aier remembered yesterday’s grievances and Xie Er’s ruthless “punishment” afterward, and replied with a grumble:
[“You two are just as bad as each other!”]
Not a single decent person in the bunch. You all just bully me!
(@-AJ7 Grumbling
Aier huffed in anger.
[Remember to transfer the 50 gold coins!]
Just then, Tang Ying suddenly transferred 50 gold coins over.
“…”
Aier was stunned. This Secret Speech Crystal even supports payments? So advanced… Wait! That’s not the point!
Aier clicked the prompt, and upon inspection, it really was 50 gold coins! Not copper coins—gold coins!
Tang Ying: [As promised, here’s your reward, with a little extra as compensation.]
Boss really is generous!
In an instant, all of Aier’s previous frustration vanished into thin air.
Just a single notification—50 gold coins! That’s enough to pay off all her debts at once!
As soon as that thought crossed her mind, Aier quickly shook her head to clear it away.
No, no, no, going through something like that once was enough. She couldn’t risk her body just for some shiny coins.
Otherwise, who knows, the little bunny might chomp off all five carrot sticks at once… Terrifying!
If she kept working under Xie Er, she might actually get “played” to death.
Staring at the 50 gold coins that had arrived, Aier couldn’t help but swallow her saliva. Though she’d suffered a lot at Tang Ying’s hands, getting some compensation didn’t seem excessive… But this was really a lot…
Aier: [This… is too much…]
After hesitating for a moment, Aier decided she shouldn’t accept that much.
Tang Ying: [It’s only 50 gold coins. It’s nothing to me. Worst case, next time let’s go out together on the weekend, just as friends! Don’t worry, I promise it’ll be normal fun, nothing shady!]
If it was just going out together like friends, that didn’t sound so bad…
Honestly, Aier had wanted to keep her distance from Tang Ying before, but she was just too generous to refuse.
At this moment, Tang Ying, under house arrest at home, smugly tossed the Secret Speech Crystal aside.
“Such a little goldfinch, isn’t she easily caught?”
No wonder it was the advice of the Duke’s beloved Lady Labinya—truly effective!
Tang Ying contentedly hugged a shirt that still smelled like Aier and lay back in bed, humming with satisfaction.
Unnoticed, the carriage had already arrived at the Royal Hospital.
After getting out, Aier politely greeted the coachman before slowly approaching the hospital.
Remembering her little sister’s subtle reaction last time, Aier felt a bit conflicted inside.
But… it must have just been because it’s been so long since we last saw each other. She let her guard down for a moment, that’s all, right?
Aier tried to reassure herself, telling herself not to overthink things.
After greeting the familiar Nurse and guards at the entrance, Aier gently pushed open Xiqi’s ward door.
Two pairs of eyes met, both filled with the joy and excitement of seeing each other again.
Xiqi’s voice was still clear and full of energy: “Elder Sister, you came!”
“Xiqi, I came to see you!”
Xiqi’s condition had visibly improved—a lot healthier and looking much better than before.
The Nurse had just mentioned that she had already started some light rehabilitation exercises.
At the moment, her little sister was dressed in clean hospital clothes, her golden hair neatly combed, her whole person exuding the refreshing aura she hadn’t seen in so long.
The sisters sat by the bedside, exchanging stories of what they’d seen and experienced during this time.
Aier talked about the funny things at the Royal Academy—of course, she glossed over the details. She didn’t want to make her little sister worry and wouldn’t mention being punished or the incidents with Mary.
Perhaps it was also because, subconsciously, Aier was worried her little sister would act even more outrageously than last time after hearing such things.