Iron Eagle Fortress, study.
After Xie Yier returned, she sat upright in the carved high-backed chair, her fingertips unconsciously tapping on the oak desk.
“Ailei.” She suddenly spoke.
“Lady, at your service.” Ailei appeared out of nowhere, bowing her head respectfully, and keenly sensed the icy, oppressive anger radiating from Xie Yier.
“Find a woman skilled in tracking and investigation. She must be discreet and tight-lipped.” Xie Yier’s voice betrayed no emotion, yet it carried an unquestionable command.
“Understood.” Ailei’s heart skipped a beat, thinking to herself: Has Aier gotten herself into trouble again?
Ah, little golden canary, I really can’t with you, you just donโt know how to behave.
Just an hour later, Ailei returned, bringing with her a plain-looking, simply dressed woman.
The woman kept her eyes lowered, posture humble, but when her gaze swept around, it carried a subtle sharpness and caution.
Ailei: “Lady, I’ve brought the person.”
Xie Yier’s gaze was as tangible as a blade, falling upon the woman.
“Starting tomorrow,” she got straight to the point without wasting a word, “your task is to watch someone. Every step she takes, everyone she meets, everything she does, even what she eatsโevery detail, you must report to me truthfully.”
Xie Yier clearly described Aierโs appearance and attire, emphasizing the key points that needed attention.
The woman listened quietly, only nodding slightly at the critical parts.
“I understand your orders, my Lady.” The woman’s voice was hoarse as she bowed her head in respect.
Before coming here, the woman had guessed many things: noble secrets, business espionage.
Upon hearing such a “simple” task, she couldnโt help feeling a little disappointed, but the other partyโs unfathomable aura and the promised generous reward made her accept without hesitation.
Xie Yier: “Donโt let her find out. Every evening, hand your report over to my Butler. Settle accounts once every seven days, expenses reimbursed as reported.”
“I understand, my Lady.” The woman bowed and slowly retreated.
Once again, only two people were left in the study. The air seemed to freeze, even colder and heavier than before the woman had arrived.
Though Ailei appeared calm on the surface, standing with closed eyes and waiting at the side, she couldnโt help but swallow nervously in her heart.
Xie Yier: “Ailei.”
“Here.” Ailei immediately became alert, standing with hands at her sides.
Xie Yier slowly lifted her eyes: “Before lunch, prepare hot bath water in the bathing room next to my bedroom.”
“Understood.” Although Ailei still didnโt fully grasp the purpose, combining the events before and after, the answer was clear as dayโAier, you really did get yourself involved with something you shouldnโt at the Academy?
She dared not delay, immediately leaving the study and hurrying to the kitchen, overseeing the maids as they boiled water and filled buckets. As the hot water was poured into the wooden tub, steamy mist silently spread.
The moist warmth lingered in the air, but Aileiโs worries only grew heavier.
After finishing the arrangements, Ailei was told to pick up Aier after school at noon.
At the Academy gates, it was the end of classes, and the crowd was thick.
Occasionally, you could spot couples among the students, hugging and clinging to each other as they left the school gate, being all lovey-dovey.
Ailei saw this and scoffed disdainfully.
As soon as her carriage stopped, she saw Aier looking around at the school gate.
Standing right next to her was that very same senior named Mary from the morning.
Aier remembered Xie Yierโs ordersโ”someone will pick you up at noon,” “come straight home after school”โand stood there like a wooden post, not daring to move an inch.
Ailei narrowed her violet eyes, instantly understanding why the atmosphere in the office had been so tense and cold that morning.
“So thatโs why Lady was so angry this morning. You little brat, you dare to flirt with other girls at the Academy? Just wait until you get home and see how you get dealt with.”
Aier also noticed Ailei, her legs wrapped in white stockings looking like milk ice cream, and she hurried over with a pitter-patter.
But Mary actually followed along too!
The carriage curtain was lifted a bit, and Aileiโs sharp gaze swept over Mary before finally settling on Aier: “Get in.”
Her voice wasnโt loud, but it carried an undeniable force.
Seeing it was Ailei, Aier looked as if sheโd been granted amnesty, hurriedly saying to Mary, “Goodbye, senior!”
Then she scrambled into the carriage on all fours.
“Hello there!” Mary smiled sweetly, stepping quickly to the carriage window and raising her voice to Ailei, “Would you mind giving me a ride?”
“No.” Aileiโs refusal was crisp and absolute, leaving no room for negotiation.
“Uhโฆ umโฆ” Aier inside the carriage wanted to say something for Mary.
“Shut up.” Without turning her head, Aileiโs icy rebuke froze Aierโs words before they could leave her mouth.
She ordered the coachman to depart at once. With a sharp flick of the reins, the wheels spun suddenly, flinging a cloud of choking dust right in Maryโs face.
Caught off guard, Mary was forced to step back, coughing as her sweet smile instantly stiffened and cracked, finally replaced by shame, anger, and gloom.
She bit her lower lip hard, her perfectly manicured nails digging into her palm, her slender, elegant brows tightly knit.
“Hmph~ Looks like winning over my little junior wonโt be so easy. Letโs see who wins.”
Aileiโs carriage was just an ordinary one, so cramped it felt suffocating.
The “da-da” of hooves on the stone road was the only sound.
Aier shrank into the cornerโs shadow, nervously twisting the hem of her clothes, her knuckles turning white from the force.
Fear, like a cold water snake, slithered up her spine.
“Ailei sisโฆ Did Iโฆ do something wrong?” Aier huddled in the corner, asking cautiously, her voice trembling noticeably.
Aileiโs voice came through the carriage curtain, flat and steady: “Lady is angry and already preparing to deal with you. I suggest you confess and admit your mistake when you get home.”
Aier was so startled by this warning that confusion and panic surged over her like a cold tide.
Did I do something wrong?
I was already being so carefulโฆ Could it beโฆ that accidental hand-holding? But that woman shouldnโt have seen itโฆ But if not that, then what else could it beโฆ
Inside the carriage, Aierโs thoughts tangled like a messy ball of yarn. An intense sense of unease welled up inside her, her sixth sense screaming that danger was nearโshe was in big trouble.
How many carrots was her little white rabbit going to be force-fed today?
Wuwuwu! I canโt even imagine! ๊ฐ๊งหะห๊ฑ
Returning to the castle villa, standing before the familiar bedroom door, she felt an invisible chill wafting from behind that thick, carved wooden door.
Aier took a deep breath and pushed the door open.
A cold, oppressive air instantly enveloped her.
Itโs overโฆ
Xie Yier stood with her back to the door, silently by the huge floor-to-ceiling window. Her figure resembled an ancient sword sheathed, slender and elegant, yet radiating a chilling aura, gazing down at the view outside.
Even the bright sunlight outside seemed unable to penetrate the low pressure surrounding her.
Though Xie Yier usually appeared gentle toward Aier, in truth, she was a ruthless character at heart.