Inside the Banquet Hall, the air was filled with the scent of muddy cologne and the aroma of food.
The ladies wore dresses of all hues, with heavenly crane patterns or silken green, while the gentlemen were dressed sharply in dark formal attire.
They conversed in low voices. Most of the topics revolved around trade, ports, and future collaborations.
Her Majesty was unable to attend due to ill health, so the heavy responsibility of representing Jiao’an fell to Xie Yier.
She wore only a simple, efficient long dark gown, plain in style, without any elaborate decoration. Her black hair was neatly swept up, revealing her slender neck and jawline.
Yet even so, her graceful figure, cool demeanor, and outstanding looks made her stand out among the crowd like a crane among chickens, drawing countless overt and covert glances.
Most people knew well her status and means, so when speaking with her, they maintained the utmost respect.
But there were always exceptions.
Xie Yier was quietly discussing the details of the port expansion in the Qianya district with several officials in charge.
Most of the main matters had already been settled, but some details still needed further study.
Just as Xie Yier was about to excuse herself to preside over the rest of the banquet, a hand suddenly, without warning, landed on her thigh.
Her body tensed at once, as if struck by an electric shock.
A wave of intense physiological disgust swept over her. With her pronounced sense of cleanliness, she found such actions deeply repulsive.
She turned her head, eyes frosty, staring icily at the person.
Her tone was exceptionally cold: “Remove your filthy hand.”
The owner of the hand—a young woman in a floral formal gown with bold red makeup—was so frightened she took a step back.
But the woman quickly put on a courteous smile and made a show of graceful etiquette.
“Respected official, please forgive my offense. I am Phil Sean, the next head of the Sean Family. Our family has guilds in every major city in the southern part of the Empire. I was hoping we might become acquainted.”
Her gaze roved over Xie Yier unabashedly, her thoughts clear without words.
Xie Yier didn’t even spare a look at the outstretched hand, simply said to the nearby officials, “Excuse me.”
She turned and strode out, leaving that Phil standing in place.
The official at her side felt a chill in his heart. The official is known for her aversion to such things—this Phil had better pray for herself.
The official immediately hurried toward the Minister of Internal Affairs, whispered a few words, and asked him to take over hosting duties under the excuse of “the official being unwell.” Then, gathering up her skirts, she quickly trotted out after Xie Yier.
Xie Yier walked straight out of the Banquet Hall and boarded the carriage waiting outside.
As soon as she got in, she hastily stripped off the contaminated overcoat and threw it out the window in disgust.
Upon returning to the Temporary Residence, the first thing Xie Yier did was order her maid to take away all her clothing for disposal, then she took a careful and thorough bath.
When she emerged, clad in clean home attire and still damp from her bath, her attendant was already waiting in the living room.
“Is it handled?”
Xie Yier dried her dripping hair with a towel, her voice having regained its usual cool composure.
The attendant’s silver hair hung down like a waterfall, respectfully replying, “Official, everything has been taken care of. I’ve already had someone teach that woman a little lesson. She’s probably busy packing her things now, preparing to return to the southern territory for a period of recuperation.”
Xie Yier nodded. “Good, you may go.”
The attendant quietly withdrew, closing the door softly behind her.
The living room fell silent once more.
“Looks like I won’t make it back today, either.”
Xie Yier leaned back against the enormous sofa, rubbing her tired brows.
Recently, she’d been preoccupied with official duties and social obligations, leaving her with little time to visit Aier.
She picked up the Secret Speech Crystal lying on the tea table, her fingertips lightly tracing its cold surface.
She wondered if her little Aier had been behaving in the Academy these days.
Academy Classroom.
Aier was wholly focused on solving a difficult alchemical reaction assigned by the Alchemical Instructor.
Her delicate brows knitted in concentration, her fingers unconsciously tracing formulas on the desk.
Tang Wan sat beside her, propping her chin with one hand, squinting languidly as she stared at Aier’s earnest profile.
So pretty…
In the silence, she unabashedly admired Aier’s beauty.
Just then, Aier’s Secret Speech Crystal vibrated cheerily.
Aier’s thoughts were interrupted as she took out the Crystal.
She glanced at it—it was her master!
Her heart skipped a beat, and she instinctively answered the call.
“Yes, Master.”
She glanced at Tang Wan, using her eyes to sternly warn her—Don’t speak.
Tang Wan watched Aier’s serious “Xie Yier mode,” and a wave of inexplicable jealousy surged up in her heart. She leaned in close, nearly touching Aier’s ear.
In a voice dripping with feigned affection, she asked, “Baby, who are you talking to?”
Aier nearly had a heart attack!
She slapped Tang Wan’s hand away in a panic.
“No! What nonsense are you spouting!”
What “baby”… Don’t use that kind of misleading address!
“Ai… you hung up on me…”
Tang Wan was caught off guard by the slap, both shocked and angry, grumbling incoherently as she rubbed her hand.
But at least she didn’t say anything more.
On the other end of the Crystal, silence reigned—an angry, heavy silence.
Aier was breaking out in cold sweat.
“Yes… Master…”
All that replied was the static of a terminated connection.
Aier felt as if all her strength had left her, and she loosened her grip on the Crystal.
She shot Tang Wan a fierce glare.
Tang Wan pouted pitifully, “Why so fierce! I was just joking! She… she sure is harsh, won’t even let anyone say a word.”
Though still grumbling, when she saw Aier’s expression, she felt a twinge of guilt in her own heart.
Temporary Residence.
Xie Yier’s hand, holding the Secret Speech Crystal, trembled faintly from exertion.
“Tang Wan.”
With a harsh crack, the unlucky Secret Speech Crystal was slammed to the ground.
The Crystal shattered into pieces, fragments flying everywhere.
She closed her eyes, her body tensed tightly as she leaned against the massive bed, her chest heaving violently.
She took a deep breath.
Simply losing a Secret Speech Crystal wasn’t nearly enough to vent her fury.
With her intelligence, Xie Yier naturally knew this was one of Tang Wan’s pranks—her little Aier was undoubtedly innocent.
Those three little troublemakers of the Tang Family were notorious for their mischief.
But! Even so!
No matter how fond they were of mischief, if they dared play games with her like this, Xie Yier would never tolerate it.
Did Tang Wan really think she was someone Xie Yier couldn’t deal with?
She allowed Aier some freedom only because she didn’t want Aier to be caught in the middle—but that did not mean she’d forgive that little… that little brat for troubling her precious darling.
At this moment, Xie Yier wished nothing more than to grab a whip and teach Tang Wan a lesson, and ask her where she found the courage.
After a long while, she slowly opened her eyes.
In those golden eyes, the raging anger faded, replaced by a cold, almost chilling resolve.
She suddenly thought of a good way to deal with her.
At once, she had Ailian fetch her a new Secret Speech Crystal.
After asking around, she obtained someone’s contact information.
She dialed immediately.