Chapter 6

Page 1/3

Song He complied and sent out the message. Xie Yao ordered someone to bring the young emperor. The five-year-old child already knew how to read expressions; he understood that although the regent had saved him from misery and elevated him to the throne, his life hung by a thread at any moment.

Xie Yao only inquired briefly about the boy’s studies and instructed the Grand Tutor, “Let him focus on his learning. If he doesn’t do well, punish him—but no hitting, no starvation, no exposure to cold.” No matter how much a puppet he was, he was still the emperor. No one dared strike him, let alone allow him to suffer hunger or cold. The Grand Tutor wondered if the regent was hinting at abuse. Boldly, he looked up to find Xie Yao’s expression cold and commanding, his authority unspoken and severe. Without even glancing at him, the Grand Tutor hurriedly agreed in fear.

After everyone left, Xie Yao changed clothes, preparing to leave the palace when a secret guard reported on the Xie household’s situation. “The doctor says her leg has healed; she walked today.” A cold glint flashed in Xie Yao’s eyes. “Shatter her knees; no need to treat them anymore.” The secret guard nodded and left. Xie Yao’s movements slowed as he changed, then just as he finished and was about to go, Song He stopped him. “Master, wait a moment before you go.” “Why?” “You’ll frighten the princess.” Xie Yao paused, approaching the mirror. Indeed, his appearance was somewhat terrifying. He forced a stiff smile; he hadn’t smiled in three days and seemed to have forgotten how.

—

Before Jing Yu informed Xie Yao of his return, Yu Li was in the kitchen experimenting with replicating lemon chicken feet. This was an alternate timeline where certain ingredients had not been introduced late; whatever she wanted was available at the Western Market. She had finally found lemons and first made a glass of lemon water before starting the chicken feet.

In truth, her cooking skills were average; she was far behind Old Hu in controlling heat, timing, and seasoning. Old Hu listened to her description and, with advice from three other chefs, helped her replicate several dishes that only existed in modern times. At first, Old Hu feared her ingredients would not meet standards and that she might be unfairly punished. But later, he discovered she had eaten shrimp and crabs from the East Sea, drunk sour milk curd only found in the palace, and even knew how to use lemons, something he had never seen before, to season food.

Old Hu felt humbled and realized his ignorance. It seemed Madam was a gourmet who had lived a life of luxury before marriage—no wonder her temperament was so unique.

However, when she heard that the young master was coming, her smile immediately vanished. She put down her kitchen work, washed her hands, and prepared to leave. Old Hu, drawn from the palace kitchen and instructed not to ask questions, focused wholly on cooking and pretended to know nothing. Following Yu Li’s instructions, he carefully deboned the lemon chicken feet and refined the other dishes she made.

Yu Li hurried back to Mingyue Residence; the flower hall was as usual. She sniffed and detected a faint smell of smoke and a greasy feel on her face. She wanted to wash her face but hesitated and instead ordered water to take a bath. The big boss was coming. After three days of eating his food and using his chef, having worked only two hours, she had to give her utmost effort—ideally perfect.

Yu Li’s bath was obviously for the young master’s arrival. The entire household of maids cooperated fully, bringing fragrant lotions and flower petals. Xi Yun, nervous, chose a slightly colorful outfit for her, scented it with incense, and wanted to dress her after the bath.

Yu Li hesitated but still wore her usual narrow-sleeved short jacket. That meant she wouldn’t be doing makeup or hair styling either. Xi Yun urged her to go greet the young master but found it nearly impossible to convince her. Thinking that if Xie Yao found her indifferent, a mere flick of his finger might mean she would never see Yu Li again tonight, she finally spoke up.

Xi Yun said, “Since you know the young master is coming, madam, why not go greet him outside?” She was anxious, her face natural but afraid Yu Li would refuse; her heart pounded.

Yu Li paused. “Yes, you’re right. I should go to the gate to greet him.” Xi Yun quietly exhaled in relief, grateful though Yu Li was unaware. Yu Li suddenly grasped Xi Yun’s hand, took a deep breath, and said, “I’ll go.” Still nervous and scared, Xi Yun clasped her hand back, both laughing and crying.

Yu Li told Xi Yun to stay and had Jing Yu guide her, then went alone to the second gate. Seeing a few guards stationed there, she realized Xie Yao was watching her closely. If she even thought of running away, she would be caught and brought back...

Page 2/3

Yu Li’s scalp tingled; she would never dare step beyond this mansion’s walls. But then she thought, having guards was a good thing. Back in Xihe County, she always worried her striking looks would attract lechers, that someone might break in and assault her.

The house there was small and fragile, seemingly defenseless. Now, the courtyard walls were high, and guards patrolled day and night; she would be safe.

Yu Li relaxed, thinking that regardless of Xie Yao’s motives, at least for now, all this was his doing. He wasn’t just her employer but the principal; attending to the principal’s needs and providing emotional value was crucial.

She imagined herself as a high-end private restaurant server, with Xie Yao as the sole patron. She came to the door to welcome him in for his meal; after he ate, drank, and chatted, he would leave, and the place would be her free domain again.

Thinking this warmed her heart, and she smiled naturally and cheerfully. When Xie Yao arrived, he saw Yu Li standing under the second gate, smiling gently, waiting for him.

As he approached, Yu Li knelt with a respectful bow, imitating Jing Yu and the others. Xie Yao stopped in his tracks and stood still for a moment.

Yu Li was surprised and wanted to invite him in but realized he was waiting for her to address him properly. She couldn’t bring herself to call his name but calmly said, “I have prepared the meal, please try it, husband.”

Though he didn’t hear the title he desired, seeing her come out to greet him and smile naturally, he seemed to think she was no longer afraid of him. Dissatisfied, he let it go.

Yu Li raised her hand to indicate he should go ahead. Xie Yao said, “You are the lady of the house, not a maid. Do you need me to teach you how to behave as a mistress?”

Yu Li was stunned for a moment, then smiled and said, “I forgot.” Nervous in her heart, he seemed displeased. What should she do to satisfy him?

Xie Yao looked at her. “Walk ahead of me.” “Okay.” Yu Li turned and led the way, Xie Yao following silently behind.

Her slender, tall figure moved with shoulders sometimes slumped, sometimes tense, as if carrying a dangerous burden inside. Xie Yao walked without sound; she would occasionally glance back and smile, and each time her eyes met his, the path from the second gate to Mingyue Residence seemed endlessly long.

Though Xie Yao’s lips betrayed no emotion, his expression was inscrutable, seemingly unsatisfied.

Yu Li thought she had been attentive enough; he must be that kind of person—mad and ruthless—not someone easy to please.

At Mingyue Residence, the dishes were already set. Besides a few dishes Yu Li made herself, the kitchen prepared other dishes—soup, dessert—all very light to balance her heavy-flavored dishes.

Yu Li loved the kitchen’s meticulous care and realized all this was arranged by Xie Yao’s people, easing her mood considerably.

After Xie Yao sat down, Yu Li took a seat across from him with a stool between them. She picked up her chopsticks first and ate. The lemon chicken feet, deboned by Old Hu with exquisite knife skills, were beautifully plated, appearing intact.

Yu Li tasted one; crisp, sour, spicy—a delightful treat. She ate happily and used the communal chopsticks to place one chicken foot on an empty plate in front of Xie Yao.

“I made this, husband, please try.”

She said “husband” smoothly, with a flattering tone, and Xie Yao did not refuse.

He tasted it, his brow slightly raised.

Watching his expression, Yu Li offered him other dishes, but he did not move a muscle. Finally, she gave him another chicken foot; he ate it and glanced at the remaining ones on the plate.

He seemed to like it. Yu Li raised the communal chopsticks to offer him more.

“Eat,” Xie Yao said, looking at her.

Yu Li did not insist and focused on eating her own meal.

Her dishes were salty and somewhat spicy; she could not eat much and preferred the chef’s dishes—lightly stir-fried tender leaves and fragrant, smooth milk soup fish. She left some of her dishes unfinished but ate most of the chef’s.

In the end, there was still some leftover; she felt embarrassed but simply could not eat more.

Xie Yao had put down his chopsticks long ago and ate very little. He was tall, at least 1.88 meters by Yu Li’s estimate. In modern terms, talking to him would require craning her neck. He should have a large appetite.

But Xie Yao said nothing, so she did not ask.

Page 3/3

The maid came to clear the dishes and brought a pot of clear tea.

Yu Li sipped quietly, at a loss for words, waiting for him to rise and leave.

Xie Yao stood, and she rose as well, smiling warmly and kindly, turning toward the door as if ready to see him off at any moment.

Xie Yao regarded her but did not leave. Instead, he turned toward the side room where the wardrobes and dressing boxes were kept.

Xi Yun was nowhere to be seen; only the two of them remained.

Xie Yao scanned the room, then focused on Yu Li and asked, “Why don’t you use what I prepared for you?”

Here it came—the tone of reproach.

Yu Li gathered all her strength and smiled, “I’m used to these narrow sleeves; they make my work more efficient. I’ll keep those for when I go out. Is that okay?” She added the last three words softly.

In her previous life, she never tried so hard to please her bald boss because he gave too little. She did only her required tasks and no more. When she also managed the front desk, she talked to the bald boss with biting sarcasm. Where else could he find such a cheap, hardworking beast of burden? He had no choice but to grit his teeth and endure.

But Xie Yao was different—deep and unfathomable. Regardless of what he gave, he was a ruthless boss, a lawbreaker who could cause physical pain at any moment. He was far harder to get along with.

Yu Li thought that after these two hours of work, she would need a long time to recover.

Xie Yao only gave a faint “hmm.”

Yu Li thought the matter was dropped.

She kept smiling, standing neither too close nor too far from him, like a real estate agent accompanying a client on a house tour.

Professional yet affable, Yu Li thought she was impeccable.

Once the client finished the tour, she could clock out.

Xie Yao lifted a jade hairpin, caressed it in his hand, then looked up at Yu Li. “Come try it on.”

Yu Li’s smile faltered slightly but she went over.

She wanted to take the pin to wear it herself, but Xie Yao showed no intention of handing it to her. Understanding, she turned her back to him.

Xie Yao raised his hand, adjusting the hairpin in her bun, speaking quietly.

“When I got this pin, I wondered what it would look like in your hair. Now it seems it does not suit you.”

Yu Li smiled politely.

Xie Yao continued, “I also imagined arranging your hair and painting your eyebrows.” Having chosen the spot, he inserted the pin. Yu Li felt a sharp pinch on her scalp.

“Though it doesn’t quite suit you, I want to fasten my wife’s hair.”

His voice was slow and even-toned, without joy, rather chilly.

Yu Li froze, afraid to move.

“We are husband and wife, Yu Li,” he said softly. “Do you know that spouses sleep together every night?”

Yu Li’s breath tightened; she did not reply.

Xie Yao knew what she was thinking: she did not love him and did not want to be close. He did not mind but could not let it always be her way.

“Hmm?”

Xie Yao hummed.

He wanted her to answer—and it had to be yes.

“I know,” Yu Li answered tremblingly, voice breaking as if on the verge of tears.

Xie Yao’s hand paused. “Turn around.”

Yu Li still wore a smile, forced though it was. She struggled to maintain it, her eyes glistening with tears—truly frightened to the point of weeping.