Wen Er was honest to a fault. Whenever the lady physician asked a question, she answered whatever was asked, her guileless manner making people fond of her.
At the same time, Xie Yier looked so much like a good student that it was hard to imagine she had ever worked in a place with incense and wine.
“What did you do at the tavern?”
“Wa…waitress.” Wen Er thought for a moment. Accompanying customers with drinks was a kind of service too, so it didn’t really count as lying.
“Alright~ Then how did you get hurt? It shouldn’t be an injury from falling off a building, right? Was it your family’s eldest sister who did it?”
The lady physician’s eyes shone like a lion spotting its prey.
“It… it was from falling! I slipped and missed a step.”
Wen Er stuck to her story, certain it was what she was supposed to say. The lady physician pondered it—Xie Yier must have told her to be careful about what she said, and to keep what shouldn’t be spoken tightly shut in her heart.
“Oh~” The lady physician deliberately dragged out the sound.
Looking at Wen Er’s appearance, she seemed very well-behaved. Either she was a wolf in sheep’s clothing lying in wait, or she’d already suffered enough that she had no extra thoughts at all.
Still, to receive such special treatment from Xie Yier wasn’t something just anyone could enjoy.
Xie Yier was cold and indifferent to everyone else, but toward Wen Er, she was gentle, attentive, and patient—a female duke, and yet she showed true feelings only to her.
It was even the sort of thing one would brag about during afternoon tea with the nobility from other countries; in front of friends at the Royal Academy, it was definitely a source of pride.
Of all the countless flowers vying for attention, she would fall for you alone.
After much tossing about, it was finally noon when the lady physician’s examination ended.
“Milady, the examination is complete. It’s just a bit of bruising, nothing major. The diagnostic crystal shows you’re in good health overall.”
The diagnostic crystal was a special crystal crafted by the Alchemical Workshop, used to check a patient’s condition.
Xie Yier nodded: “Good. Give her a prescription for medicine—make sure it’s effective.”
“The prescription’s already prepared, and someone’s been sent to fetch it.”
Not long after, the door outside knocked, and Ailei came in, carrying several packages of freshly prepared medicine.
“Milady, the medicine has been brought as instructed.”
During work, Ailei spoke in a cool tone, but when she looked at Aier, her gaze lingered on Aier’s collarbone for a long moment, making Xie Yier’s face flush. Instinctively, she raised her collar to cover the fresh red marks.
“Thank you for your trouble.” Xie Yier said, “Just leave these things on the table. You can go take care of your own work.”
Xie Yier paid no special attention to Ailei, her focus entirely on Aier.
Afterward, under the guidance of the lady physician, Xie Yier carefully applied the medicine to Aier’s body.
All of the medicine was for external use. Once applied, it just needed to be wrapped with a fine bandage, and after a few days of rest, the pain would subside.
Originally, the bandage only needed to be wrapped around her chest, but Aier felt the marks on her collarbone were too obvious—really unpresentable—so she also requested to have her collarbone bandaged.
Xie Yier didn’t mind at all; in fact, she rather liked that the marks she left could be seen by others. After all, this was her imprint.
But under Aier’s repeated requests, Xie Yier reluctantly agreed.
“Milady, if there’s nothing else, I’ll take my leave now.”
“Alright, thank you for your hard work.”
Xie Yier instructed Ailei to escort the lady physician out. When she returned, she saw Aier quietly sitting on the couch.
“What are you thinking about, little Ai?”
“Noth… my throat’s still a little sore.”
“Are you upset that your master hurt you?”
Xie Yier gently lifted Aier’s chin with her jade-like fingers, teasing her.
“No, no. It was because I didn’t behave and made Master unhappy. Little Ai deserves to be punished.”
Wen Er’s pitiful look made Xie Yier feel even more tender toward her.
Xie Yier picked up Aier, sat her in her lap, and while playing with her hair, asked, “Are you still going to the Royal Academy this afternoon? Or would you rather take a nap with your Master somewhere cozy?”
“I want to go… I still have classes this afternoon.”
“Oh, you have classes, or are you actually planning to secretly meet up with that classmate behind my back?”
“Master… I’d never lie to you. Since I’ve accepted your favor, I will fulfill my duties until our contract ends. I won’t ever betray you.”
Hearing Aier’s words, Xie Yier’s eyes narrowed slightly.
She chuckled softly: “Oh—my little Ai is so obedient. Are you telling me this to reassure me so I won’t get too jealous?”
Wen Er timidly curled her toes, “Um… can I say yes?”
“Alright, I understand. I’ve gotten the answer I wanted. I trust you, little Ai.”
Even as she spoke, there was still much Xie Yier left unsaid in her heart.
Hmph~ My little darling, as long as our contract isn’t over, you won’t betray me… Our relationship is far from finished. If you ever try to leave, I’ll just imprison you, that’s all!
After a simple lunch, Xie Yier personally escorted Aier to the School.
Before they set out, Ailei reported Xie Yier’s busy schedule for the afternoon. It was clear Xie Yier had many official duties to attend to, but even so, with a single word, she postponed all her appointments by an hour, regardless of the reason.
She was determined to personally see Aier off to the School.
Such willfulness gave Aier a headache. Even her usual attempt at a calm and cool expression faltered, her brows knit slightly.
But she also knew that once Xie Yier made up her mind, no one could change it.
For Wen Er, it was the same. She also wished for more time to herself.
Moments later, the carriage slowly stopped at the gates of the Royal Academy.
“We’ve arrived at School. Go on, and if you still feel uncomfortable anywhere, Teacher Lu said I’ve already informed the school.”
“Okay—thank you, Master, for bringing me to school.”
“Right. Later, I’ll get you a private message crystal. That way you can contact me at any time if anything happens.”
“Alright… okay! I understand, Master.”
Wen Er forced a smile, feeling anxious inside. It seemed she would never be able to refuse the private message crystal.
She was worried that if she ever took a few seconds too long to reply, she’d be questioned immediately.
Even though she hadn’t received the message crystal yet, Aier could already foresee all sorts of troubles.
But what else could she do? She could only be careful.
“Master, I’ll go in now.”
Having finished her thoughts, Aier waved her hand, turning to enter the school gate.
Wait.
Just as Wen Er was about to step forward, Xie Yier called her back.
She carefully straightened Aier’s clothes, and then, hugging Aier, placed a gentle kiss on her forehead.
The sudden, warm touch left Aier stunned where she stood.
Xie Yier leaned close to Aier’s ear and whispered, “Be careful. Don’t get too close to other girls, especially those two.”
Wen Er stepped back and nodded, “I understand, Master.”
“Alright, go on. I need to get back to work.”
Xie Yier reached out her right hand and gave Aier’s little hand a gentle squeeze.
Only when Wen Er’s figure disappeared into the gates of the Royal Academy did Xie Yier instruct the coachman to drive to her meeting.
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