Chapter 4

By the hour of the Dog, a maid came to deliver a message: the young master would not be coming tonight.

Yuli let out a heavy sigh of relief, promptly washed up, changed into comfortable clothes, extinguished the lamp, and went to bed.

She fell asleep quickly that night and slept soundly until dawn. Knowing that Xie Yao was not there, Yuli rested peacefully and only got up when the day was fully bright.

Having gone a full day and night without seeing Xie Yao, and with a good night’s sleep, Yuli felt much more spirited today. She ate an early piece of red bean cake, as if regaining her sense of taste, exclaiming how delicious it was.

She sampled a few other dishes, all sweet but not cloying, exquisite and tasty.

Besides pastries and cakes, there was mushroom and lean pork porridge, apparently slow-cooked; it was light and fragrant, with just the right consistency. Unfortunately, there was no side of pickled vegetables, or she could have eaten three big bowls.

Compared to barely nibbling anything yesterday, Yuli today seemed to come back to life. The two maids attending her exchanged glances, secretly relieved.

Seeing Yuli eat so heartily, the two maids gathered the remaining scraps with joy and left.

Yuli seemed to sense the sincerity in their smiles and simply attributed it to her good mood from being well-fed, giving it no further thought.

This meal, full and satisfying, made Yuli feel as if she was recovering from a serious illness.

Life was truly good. After all, she had merely been transported into a brutal story of forceful seizure and abuse. Since she knew the plot, she just needed to avoid acting like the original female lead and not oppose Xie Yao.

She treated it as a new job, following the wishes of her new boss, and life would go on smoothly.

With this thought settled, Yuli felt a weight lift from her heart. Her appetite at lunch was good, and she noticed that each dish not only tasted wonderful but was beautifully plated, comparable to a modern star-rated restaurant’s VIP set.

The only problem was there was too much food; she couldn’t finish it all.

Yuli found an excuse to send the two maids away and invited Xiyun to eat with her.

At first, Xiyun felt shy, but after Yuli encouraged her and repeatedly praised how delicious the food was, she couldn’t resist tasting a bit. Once seated, she didn’t get up again.

It seemed that although Young Master Xie was intimidating, he provided Yuli with the best food and clothing. Perhaps his feelings for her were genuine.

Xiyun ate until she was half full, leaving some dishes uneaten. Yuli asked a maid to inform the kitchen not to prepare so many dishes for her anymore. If it was just her and Xiyun, one meat dish, one vegetable dish, and one soup would suffice.

The kitchen dared not take her words lightly, merely reducing the portions of each dish but still prepared seven or eight dishes.

In the evening, just as Yuli was wondering what dinner would be, Xie Yao arrived, dressed simply in plain clothes.

Though she had prepared herself mentally, Yuli was still nervous.

After nearly two days apart, his expression seemed less terrifying. Though he still stared at her, the coldness had lessened, and the corners of his mouth curved upward slightly from being straight before.

With this expression, seeing Yuli was no longer so afraid, his smile relaxed further, becoming more natural.

The kitchen learned of his arrival and hastily prepared several additional dishes, nearly filling the entire table.

Xie Yao barely touched the food, and much remained on the table. Given his tall stature, one would expect him to have a large appetite.

Yuli felt it was wasteful and couldn’t help but urge him, "Young Master Xie, please try this; it’s really delicious."

When she spoke to him, he immediately set down his chopsticks and looked steadily at her.

His dark, profound eyes made Yuli feel uncomfortable all over, and she regretted meddling.

He seemed to have something to say to her. She was already full and also put down her chopsticks.

The maids quickly cleared the dishes and served clear tea.

Xie Yao sipped the tea before speaking: "We are already husband and wife; calling me Young Master Xie is inappropriate."

"Then what should I call you?" Yuli asked with a polite and kind smile.

He said it was up to her.

Xie Yao countered, "What do you think?"

Yuli considered calling him "Boss" or "President Xie," but that was impossible.

At work, using titles was proper. Wearing a perfect yet friendly smile, Yuli said, "Husband?"

Xie Yao’s eyelashes trembled slightly, but her smile was somewhat strange in an indescribable way.

Xie Yao said, "Call me Mingyan, my courtesy name."

After speaking, he fixed his gaze on her, waiting for her to call him.

In modern times, Yuli had never called a man by his given names; it sounded even more intimate and sentimental than saying "husband."

But since Xie Yao had spoken, Yuli had to comply.

"Mingyan," she called out, feeling goosebumps all over and pressing her lips together.

Seeing her discomfort, Xie Yao made no move to change his demand and asked again, "And what should I call you?"

Yuli smiled again, "Just call me Xiao Song, hehe."

Xie Yao paused, his gaze deepening as he softly called, "Yuli."

Yuli was momentarily stunned but smiled, "That works too." Next time, please don’t ask me; whatever pleases you.

After these few words, Xie Yao continued to watch her, making her heart race. She avoided his gaze but did not look away, as if on purpose.

Yuli’s face and ears flushed hot. She wanted to get up and leave but couldn’t step out of the courtyard. If she went inside, what if he followed her?

In the silence, Xie Yao suddenly said, "Let me see the injury on your neck."

Yuli gasped. Xie Yao was sure she heard him clearly and just stared at her, unwilling to repeat himself.

"No, it’s not necessary. It’s already healed," Yuli guardedly replied, instinctively leaning away from him.

Xie Yao remained silent, only watching her intently, his smile vanishing, replaced by an unfathomable depth.

He was displeased.

"Fine," Yuli relented.

She wanted to call Xiyun for help, feeling safer with a third person present, but when she looked around, Xiyun was nowhere to be seen. She didn’t even notice when she left.

Yuli was stiff with anxiety as Xie Yao stood behind her.

Lowering her head, she sat rigidly.

"Pull down your collar a bit," Xie Yao’s voice sounded above her.

"I’d rather not..."

"Hmm?"

Startled, Yuli jumped up and took three steps to the side.

Xie Yao’s eyes darkened, curling into a terrifying smile.

Yuli wanted to make amends and should have loosened her collar for him to see, but she simply couldn’t. What if he wanted to do something else? What if he decided not to leave tonight?

Xie Yao’s face grew stern. Was he really that scary?

But Yuli’s resistance and fear softened his heart, though he couldn’t let her have her way.

Wearing the smile he had practiced for two days, he said, "I have other matters. I’ll look and then leave."

Yuli was stunned, her tension easing noticeably.

Xie Yao noticed her reaction, a dark flicker passing through his eyes.

Suppressing her resistance, Yuli stepped beside him, turned her back, and raised her hand to pull her collar down an inch. The pale pink wound showed, much improved from yesterday.

Xie Yao relaxed, wanting to blow on it, but from her smooth white neck, his gaze drifted to her chest.

He could tell her breathing was uneven and rapid, so he gave up.

He hummed softly, and Yuli fixed her collar and stepped aside.

She stood in the room, looking at Xie Yao and then at the door.

After a long while, Xie Yao calmly watched her for a moment before leaving.

Yuli exhaled deeply again, adjusting her smooth collar that showed no abnormalities.

After Xie Yao left, Xiyun returned. Yuli didn’t ask where she had been but recalled Xie Yao’s erratic movements. Seeing Xiyun’s calm, smiling face, she asked her to inquire when Xie Yao would come again.

Xiyun stiffened, feeling as if heading to her death, but her smile remained unchanged as she went.

Following her, Xiyun questioned several guards and was led to a courtyard.

Xie Yao had not left but was resting there. Upon entering, Xiyun sensed a completely different aura than at Yuli’s side — it was like entering a tiger’s den, where one could be bitten at any moment.

Xiyun asked what Yuli wanted her to: "Madam asked me to inquire about the young master’s usual schedule and whether he would come tomorrow, so she can prepare in advance."

Yuli wanted to brace herself psychologically against his arrival, while Xiyun’s words sounded like concern for him.

No wonder the county magistrate’s daughter was reluctant to part with her — she was a maid who knew how to please her mistress.

Xie Yao praised her, "Quite clever. In the future, when I come, I will have someone notify you in advance. You should come to the second gate to meet me."

Xiyun felt like crying but agreed and left without trouble.

With Xiyun’s report, Yuli felt even more at ease.

He was the Regency Prince. Less than half a month had passed since the late emperor’s death, and the funeral had not yet taken place. He had placed a five-year-old prince on the throne.

The change of power was imperceptible to a commoner in Xihe County, but at the center of authority, the atmosphere must be full of intrigue and turmoil. He was undoubtedly busy beyond measure.

Busy was good — better if he was too busy to come, so she could stay peacefully at home and take it easy.

Yuli adjusted her mindset. In other words, she had found a job with meals and lodging included, only needing to accompany her boss during his visits, tending to his mood and providing emotional support.

Moreover, the boss did not come every day, and each visit lasted only about two hours, effectively working every other day for two hours each time.

He would notify her in advance, and the rest of the time was hers entirely.

No need to wake early, no commute working from home. Though salary was not yet settled, she had no worries about food or clothing, and the courtyard was spacious. This was truly the dream of a carefree, relaxed life.

Suddenly, Yuli’s spirits lifted, and she smiled as never before.

Xiyun smiled alongside her, but her heart was troubled. Next time Young Master Xie came, how would she persuade Yuli to meet him?

The next day, Yuli only vaguely awoke at dawn, turned over, and fell asleep again soundly.

She slept until fully awake, then leisurely got up. Xiyun came in to knock as she was dressing.

Yuli noticed her pale face and asked if she was unwell.

Xiyun shook her head. "No, just didn’t sleep well."

Yuli said, "We no longer have to travel, and I get up late now. You can sleep more in the morning. I can dress and wash myself."

Xiyun’s heart warmed. Previously, at the magistrate’s house, the young mistress only cared for herself, sleeping until the sun was high, but any trivial matter at night would wake Xiyun, who would do her utmost to satisfy her, earning the mistress’s reliance.

Xiyun also received the highest monthly wage there and felt content. Yet meeting Yuli showed her what pure kindness was.

Yuli never called for service at night, and in the morning, she dressed and washed herself. Had she married into an ordinary family without so many maids arranged by Xie Yao, she might have even helped with household chores.

Xiyun smiled, "I naturally wake at the appointed time. If I can’t sleep, I just lie there, but it’s better to get up and do something."

Having worked as a corporate drone in modern times for years, Yuli knew this was due to life’s pressures. She looked at the other maids; they were the same.

The two maids were discreet; after they left, Yuli told Xiyun, "I used not to like sleeping late either, but these days, having settled down, I can sleep until dawn. You should try it."

Xiyun was taken aback. Sold by her parents to the magistrate’s household since childhood, although the wife of the magistrate claimed to treat her like family, it was clear that any disobedience was met with dislike. She was a servant and had long accepted that. Sometimes she resented it but had grown used to bearing the hardships alone.

Today, hearing Yuli say this, she realized her efforts were seen and valued. It was a different feeling.

Xiyun was very happy and smiled, "Madam, don’t persuade me. I’m just the type who gets restless when idle."

Yuli said no more. The mansion was huge with plenty to do, and with so many maids, she couldn’t oversee everything.

Besides, they earned their keep with their own hands and had no need for her pity. After all, she was also one of Xie Yao’s employees. Everyone just had different roles. They were colleagues, and she just needed to avoid causing them trouble.

With her mindset settled, Yuli felt even more at ease.

When the maids brought breakfast, she took the tray from them as if at home and set it out herself.

The maids looked nervous, but Xiyun smiled at them and said, "Don’t mind it. Madam likes to do what she can by herself."

The two maids exchanged glances, lowered their eyes respectfully, and withdrew.

Just as Yuli was about to ask if they had eaten, she turned to see someone already at the door. She could only call Xiyun to eat with her.

Xiyun pretended to be busy for a while, then sat down and quickly ate after Yuli was nearly finished.

Today’s breakfast included pastries Yuli had never tried before, each with its own unique flavor. Even those she wasn’t used to, she could tell the chef’s care and skill.

After Yuli finished, the two maids came in to clear away the dishes. When Yuli offered to help, they looked terrified, almost falling to their knees.