Chapter 6
Song He acknowledged the order and passed the message along.
Xie Yao then summoned the young emperor.
The five-year-old child already knew how to read people’s expressions. He knew that although the regent before him had saved him from a sea of suffering and placed him in a high position, he could also have him killed at any moment.
Xie Yao only asked a few questions about his studies and instructed the Grand Tutor, “Have him concentrate on his studies. If he doesn’t learn well, punish him. But no hitting, and no letting him go hungry or cold.”
No matter how much of a puppet he was, he was still the emperor. No one would dare to hit him, much less let him go hungry or cold. The Grand Tutor wondered if the regent was hinting at abusing him. He boldly looked up, but the regent’s expression was cold and naturally imposing. He wasn’t even looking at him. The Grand Tutor fearfully agreed.
After everyone had left, Xie Yao changed his clothes, preparing to leave the palace. A shadow guard came to report on matters at the Xie Residence.
“The physician said her leg has fully recovered. She was able to walk on it today.”
A cold glint flashed in Xie Yao’s eyes. “Shatter her kneecap. There’s no need to treat it again.”
The shadow guard took his leave.
Xie Yao’s movements slowed as he changed.
When he was done and about to leave, Song He stopped him. “Master, perhaps you should wait a little longer before going.”
“Why?”
“You will frighten the Princess Consort.”
Xie Yao paused and walked to the mirror. He did look a bit terrifying. He stiffly curled his lips. He hadn’t smiled in three days and seemed to have forgotten how.
*
Before Jingyu came to inform her that Xie Yao would be returning, Yuli was in the kitchen, trying to recreate lemon chicken feet.
This was a fictional time and place, so there were no historical constraints on when certain ingredients were introduced. Anything she wanted could be found in the West Market. After much effort, she found lemons. She first made a glass of lemonade to drink before starting on the chicken feet.
In reality, her cooking skills were average. In terms of controlling heat, timing, and seasoning, she was far inferior to Old Hu.
With her descriptions and the advice of the other three head chefs, she managed to recreate several modern dishes today.
At first, Old Hu was afraid that her ingredients were not presentable and that he would be punished for no reason. But later, he discovered that not only had she eaten prawns and crabs that were only found in the East Sea, but she had also drunk the sour milk curd that was only available in the palace. Even lemons, which he had never seen before, she knew how to use for seasoning.
Old Hu felt deeply that he was ignorant. It seemed the Mistress was a true gourmet, and had lived a life of immense wealth before her marriage. No wonder her temperament was so special.
But when she heard that the Young Master was coming, the smile on her face immediately vanished. She put down her work in the kitchen, washed her hands, and was about to leave.
Old Hu had been transferred from the palace. His superiors had told him not to ask what he shouldn’t. He was devoted to cooking and didn’t care much for other matters. Now, he just pretended not to know anything and, following Yuli’s instructions, personally deboned the lemon chicken feet and garnished the other dishes she had made.
Yuli hurried back to Mingyue Residence. Everything in the parlor was as usual. She sniffed herself; she smelled a little of smoke and her face felt greasy. She wanted to wash her face, hesitated for a moment, and then decided to have someone bring water for a bath.
The big boss was coming. It had been three days. She had eaten his food and used his chefs, and she only had to work for these two hours. She had to do her best, preferably perfectly.
Yuli’s decision to bathe was clearly for the Young Master’s arrival, and all the maids in the residence cooperated fully, bringing her fragrant dew, flower petals, and other things.
Xiyun, also filled with apprehension, chose a colorful dress for her, scented it with incense, and wanted to help her put it on after her bath.
Yuli hesitated for a moment but still chose to wear her usual narrow-sleeved short jacket.
In that case, she certainly wouldn’t be doing her hair and makeup. Xiyun tried to persuade her to go and meet him, but she hardly knew where to begin.
The thought that if Xie Yao felt she wasn’t diligent, he could just lift a finger and she might not see Yuli again tonight, made her speak up.
Xiyun said, “Since you know the Young Master is coming, why don’t you go outside to meet him, Mistress?” She was very apprehensive. Her face was calm, but she was so afraid Yuli would refuse that her heart was about to leap out of her chest.
Yuli paused. “Mm, you’re right. I should go to the gate to meet him.”
Xiyun secretly let out a breath. Although Yuli didn’t know the full story, she still gratefully squeezed her arm.
Yuli suddenly pressed her hand, took a few deep breaths, and said, “I’m going.”
She was still nervous and afraid. Xiyun squeezed her hand back, not knowing whether to laugh or cry.
Yuli had Xiyun stay behind and had Jingyu lead the way, going to the second gate alone.
At the second gate, seeing the guards scattered outside, she finally realized how tightly Xie Yao was watching her.
If she had even the slightest thought of escaping and was caught…
Yuli’s scalp tingled. She would never take a single step out of this residence.
But on second thought, it was good to have guards. Back in Xihe County, she was always worried that her looks would attract unwanted attention, that someone might break in with ill intentions.
The houses in Xihe County were so small and not sturdy, looking as if they could be knocked down with a single blow. It was better now. The courtyard walls here were high, and there were people patrolling day and night. She would be very safe.
Yuli relaxed. She thought that no matter what Xie Yao’s motives were, at least for now, all of this was given by him.
He was not only her boss but also her client. Taking care of the client’s needs and providing emotional value was of utmost importance.
For now, she would act as a waitress in a high-end private restaurant, and Xie Yao was the only customer. She would welcome the customer at the door, wait for him to eat and drink his fill, chat a little, and then he would leave. Once he was gone, this would be her free world again.
Thinking this, Yuli felt a sense of joy and put on a natural, pleasant smile.
When Xie Yao arrived, he saw Yuli with a gentle smile, waiting for him at the second gate.
As Xie Yao approached, Yuli curtsied like Jingyu and the others.
Xie Yao stopped and didn’t move for a long time.
Yuli was puzzled. She was about to invite the guest in when she realized he was waiting for her to address him.
She couldn’t bring herself to say his name, so she calmly called out, “Husband. I have prepared a meal. Please, Husband, have a taste.”
Xie Yao didn’t hear the name he wanted, but seeing her come to meet him and smiling so naturally, he figured she was no longer afraid of him. He was not satisfied, but he let it go.
Yuli raised her hand slightly, gesturing for him to go first.
Xie Yao: “You are the mistress of this residence, not a maid. Do I need to teach you how to be a mistress?”
Yuli was stunned for a moment, then smiled. “I forgot.” She was nervous inside. He was a little displeased. What should she do? What could she do to satisfy him?
Xie Yao looked at her. “Walk in front of me.”
“Alright.” Yuli turned and went first. Xie Yao followed slowly behind her.
Her back was slender and tall. Her shoulders would sometimes sink and sometimes tense up, as if she were leading a dangerous creature into the house.
Xie Yao walked without a sound. She would occasionally turn back to give a friendly gesture, and each time she would meet his eyes, making the long walk from the second gate to Mingyue Residence feel endless.
Although Xie Yao’s mouth showed no emotion, his expression was inscrutable the entire way, and he didn’t seem very satisfied.
Yuli felt she had been thoughtful enough. He was probably just that kind of person. A psycho, after all, wouldn’t have an approachable personality.
When they arrived at Mingyue Residence, the food was already laid out. Besides the few dishes Yuli had made herself, the kitchen had also prepared some other dishes, including soup and dessert. However, to balance out the heavy flavors of her dishes, they were all very light.
Yuli was very fond of the kitchen’s meticulousness. The thought that these were all people arranged by Xie Yao made her feel much more relaxed.
After Xie Yao took his seat, Yuli sat on the stool next to him, with one empty stool between them.
Yuli picked up her chopsticks and started eating. She had made lemon chicken feet. Old Hu had personally deboned them with excellent knife skills and arranged them beautifully on the plate, so they still looked like whole chicken feet.
Yuli tasted one. It was crispy, refreshing, sour, and spicy, very satisfying. Yuli ate happily and used the serving chopsticks to place one on the empty plate in front of Xie Yao.
“I made this. Husband, have a taste.”
She called him “Husband” quite smoothly, with a slightly fawning attitude. Xie Yao did not refuse.
Xie Yao tasted it, his eyebrows slightly raised.
Yuli observed his expression and served him other dishes. He didn’t move his eyebrows again. Finally, she served him another chicken foot. He ate it and even glanced at the remaining ones on the plate.
It seemed he quite liked it. Yuli picked up the serving chopsticks, wanting to serve him more.
“You eat,” Xie Yao said, looking at her.
Yuli didn’t insist and focused on her own meal.
The dishes she made were a bit salty and spicy, so she couldn’t eat much. She still found the chef’s dishes more delicious. The stir-fried vegetable leaves were fresh, tender, and fragrant, and the creamy crucian carp soup was savory and smooth. She didn’t finish her own dishes but ate most of the chef’s.
In the end, there were still some leftovers. She was embarrassed but couldn’t eat anymore.
Xie Yao had put down his chopsticks long ago. He ate very little. He was tall—Yuli estimated he was at least 1.88 meters. At her modern height, she would have to crane her neck until it was sore to talk to him for a few sentences. Logically, he should have a large appetite.
But Xie Yao didn’t say anything, so she didn’t ask.
The maids came to clear the dishes and serve clear tea.
Yuli sipped her tea, unable to find anything to say, waiting for him to get up and leave.
Xie Yao stood up, and she stood up too, putting on a gentle and friendly smile, her body turned towards the main door, as if ready to see a guest out at any moment.
Xie Yao glanced at her, but didn’t leave. He turned and went to the side hall, the room with the wardrobes and dressing cases.
Xiyun had long since disappeared. Now, they were the only two in the room.
Xie Yao looked around the room, then turned to Yuli and asked, “Why don’t you use what I’ve prepared for you?”
Here it comes, here it comes. The accusatory tone.
Yuli summoned all her energy and smiled. “I’m used to these narrow-sleeved clothes. They’re more convenient for work. I’ll save these for when I go out.” She added three words, “Is that okay?”
In her past life, she had never tried so hard to please her balding boss. Because he paid too little, she would only do what was required of her and never anything more. After he made her take on the receptionist’s duties, she spoke to him with sarcasm. Where else could he find such a cheap and hardworking workhorse like her? He could only swallow his anger with a green face.
But Xie Yao was different. He was dark and inscrutable. Setting aside what he had given her, he was a black-hearted boss, an outlaw. A single misstep could lead to physical suffering. He was much harder to get along with.
Yuli thought, These two hours of work will probably take half a day to recover from.
Xie Yao only hummed faintly.
Yuli felt that the matter was probably over.
She maintained her smile, standing at a distance that was neither too far nor too close, like a real estate agent showing a client around a house.
Professional yet approachable, Yuli felt she was impeccable.
Once the client finished viewing the house, she could get off work.
Xie Yao raised his finger and picked up a cyan jade hairpin, stroking it in his hand. He looked up at Yuli. “Come and try it on.”
Yuli’s smile faltered for a moment, but she still walked over.
She wanted to take the hairpin and put it in herself, but Xie Yao had no intention of giving it to her. Understanding his meaning, she turned her back to him.
Xie Yao raised his hand and held the hairpin against her chignon, searching for a suitable spot, and spoke to her.
“When I got this hairpin, I wondered what it would look like in your hair. Now it seems it doesn’t quite match you.”
Yuli forced a smile.
Xie Yao continued, “I also imagined doing your hair for you, painting your eyebrows.” He chose a spot and inserted the hairpin. Yuli felt her scalp tighten.
“Although it doesn’t match very well, I want to put a hairpin in my wife’s hair.”
His speech was slow, his tone flat, with no hint of joy, but rather a slight chill.
Yuli stood stiffly, not daring to move.
“We are husband and wife. Yuli,” he said softly. “Do you know that a husband and wife are supposed to share a bed every night?”
Yuli’s breath hitched. She didn’t answer.
Xie Yao knew what she was thinking. She didn’t love him, didn’t want to be close to him. He didn’t mind, but he couldn’t let her have her way forever.
“Hm?”
Xie Yao hummed.
He wanted an answer, and it had to be an affirmative one.
“I know,” Yuli answered, her voice trembling, as if she were about to cry.
Xie Yao’s hand paused. “Turn around.”
Yuli was still smiling, a very forced smile, but she tried her best to maintain it. Her eyes were shimmering with tears; she was truly about to cry from fear.