Dinner preparations would take some time. Aier sat at the wide dining table, curiously observing her surroundings.
The dusk’s afterglow bathed everything nearby, casting long shadows across the lawn.
Only now did Aier realize she had never really taken the time to calmly appreciate the scenery around the villa.
But that was understandable she was usually wrapped up in tense emotions, with no leisure to pay attention to her environment.
Taking advantage of this rare chance, Aier carefully took in the evening view surrounding the villa.
The gardeners had trimmed the bushes into variously sized cubes, arranged so neatly they looked like soldiers standing at attention.
Beneath the golden-red sunset light, these deep green cubes were edged with a dazzling golden hue, laid out so orderly they resembled massive, heavy golden bricks forming a grand golden structure.
Beneath this golden architecture, clusters of colorful flowers swayed gently in the breeze.
There were white roses, violets, and tulips, but the most numerous were the pink roses, entwined to form a splendid sea of blossoms.
“So beautiful…”
Aier couldn’t help but whisper in admiration.
“Do you like the scenery here?” Xie Yier’s voice sounded from behind her.
“Mm, it’s quite spectacular. Feels… only slightly smaller than the royal estates?”
She recalled her parents’ descriptions of the buildings in the Royal Capital from her childhood.
“That’s not necessarily true~ If I told you the largest private garden actually belongs to the Teluowei Si family?”
“Huh? The Donna family?”
Aier only knew that Donna’s family held the title of Count, but she never expected their estate to be so grand.
They actually had a garden bigger than the palace? That was just outrageous.
“Is her family some kind of hidden powerful noble house?”
“Something like that. Their family started in shipping and trade, controlling eighty percent of the Empire’s maritime commerce, bringing in massive foreign exchange and exotic goods. The Empire of Dawn’s strength today owes a great deal to the Teluowei Si family.”
Aier’s mouth dropped in shock. She hadn’t realized the Donna family was so formidable. No wonder Xie Yier had to show them respect today.
Now she understood. No wonder Donna was so generous her family simply had money to spare.
“So, spending a fortune on a garden is nothing to them.”
“Then what industries do you mainly manage?”
Suddenly recalling the times she’d sat in Xie Yier’s lap watching her handle official documents, Aier remembered seeing many reports and analysis data related to Alchemy and Potionmaking research.
Could it be that Xie Yier was actually a medieval investment master?
Xie Yier replied calmly, “The Royal Capital’s public security and all matters regarding Alchemy and Potionmaking research are basically under my charge. After all, my sister, who handles countless state affairs, can’t possibly oversee every detail. Someone has to share the load.”
Is it really good for you to be such a hardworking empress…
Still, Aier gave her full emotional support, clapping her hands softly.
“Wow, Mistress, you’re really amazing.”
Clap clap clap~
Although Xie Yier spoke casually, managing the complex public security of the Royal Capital alone while tightly controlling innovation in Alchemy and Potionmaking is a clear testament to her exceptional managerial skill.
Aier sincerely admired Xie Yier’s capability, and her genuine praise clearly pleased her.
At the sound of Aier’s compliment, a distinct curve appeared on Xie Yier’s lips.
“Speaking of which… do you want to know what kind of family Mary Senior you know comes from?”
Aier’s expression froze slightly, tentatively asking, “Mary Senior? Also involved in trade?”
Could it be that the senior from another Count family was also a hidden powerhouse?
Xie Yier’s face broke into a meaningful, mischievous smile. “Gray industry.”
Aier’s mind blanked. She’d only ever heard of the white industry and black industry before what was gray?
“Gray means industries that operate on the edge of the law neither completely legal nor entirely illegal. Understand?”
Hearing this, Aier’s tongue seemed to falter in nervousness.
“Is it… the underworld?”
“Underworld? You mean gangs… those don’t really exist anymore, at least not openly. Now it’s all about guilds. Those ‘rats’ scattered in the slums of the Royal Capital all basically have their own guild organizations. The Ross Family manages quite a few such guilds. Together with Mageli’s family, they oversee those trades that can’t be put out in the open but still lie beyond the reach of the law for now.”
Aier silently absorbed this information.
So Mary Senior’s family… controls the underground world?
She recalled Mary’s gentle, refined, and graceful demeanor—it was impossible to imagine her being involved with such an industry.
Some kind of mafia heiress…
Although Aier’s father was also a Count, it seemed utterly incomparable to the backgrounds of Donna and Mary. They were top-tier nobles, possibly even making the royal family give them some respect.
Thinking this, Aier swallowed hard.
The next time she met these two, she’d have to be more cautious.
Whether it was Xie Yier, Donna, or Mary, none of them were people she could afford to provoke.
Awooo… what should I do now? Being caught between three powerful factions, I’m going to get steamed like a hot water heater.
While Aier’s face paled and she frantically brainstormed, Annie’s voice broke the silence.
“Milady, dinner is ready. Would you like to be served now?”
She pushed the serving cart slowly into the garden’s open-air dining area.
Xie Yier smiled and didn’t continue the topic.
“Serve the food.”
Upon her command, the maids waiting outside entered one after another as usual.
One plate after another was set down on the white tablecloth.
Aier had to put those thoughts aside temporarily and sat back down in her seat.
Tonight’s dinner featured extra fried cod and roasted fish, along with specialty cheeses, quail eggs, fruit tarts, and the ever-present black pepper steak.
Honestly, although the aroma and presentation were tempting, Aier couldn’t taste any of it.
Not because the food wasn’t good, but because her mind was elsewhere—still worrying about the two young ladies she couldn’t afford to offend.
One was a heiress of a financial empire, the other a mafia heiress. Both could erase her existence with a snap of their fingers.
Though Xie Yier was protecting her now, what if she left Xie Yier?
If she offended these two, even if she successfully escaped Xie Yier, she probably wouldn’t escape their grasp—unless she became Xie Yier’s golden cage forever.
No way I want that~~~~
Aier glumly pushed her food around her plate, wondering why her life was so miserable.
This meal was completely flavorless.
Every reaction of Aier’s was clearly reflected in Xie Yier’s sharp golden eyes.
She had deliberately told Aier about Donna and Mary’s family backgrounds to make her understand one thing:
She could only rely on herself.
Now, only on her. In the future, only on her. Forever, only on her.
Little Aier, you belong to me. There’s nowhere else for you to go~