“For now, how about we, Swann… No, what if we share the training with the young master? When the young master becomes accustomed to mansion life, and Lady adapts to the new environment, wouldn’t it be better to reconsider at that time?”
Cedric nodded slowly. He, too, had similar concerns to Mayana, so her words were somewhat comforting.
Mayana spoke, “I happened to be organizing a room that was used as a warehouse. It’s on the side of Lady’s room… In my opinion, if we take out the luggage and clean it, it seems suitable to be used as a bedroom and a small study. How about letting Young Master Swann use that place?”
Cedric, after a moment of silent contemplation on where she was referring to, let out an ah, as if he understood.
“I get what you’re talking about. Well… that should be fine too. But that room is quite spacious. It would be challenging for the four of us to clean, so let’s send other servants.”
“Thank you.”
Mayana, slightly bending her knees, slowly moved her eyes and turned away.
Ash Lauren immediately became the hot topic in the Duke’s household.
He had created a topic that would be talked about for at least a year within just one day, and among them, the most sensational was when he told the maid who brought the tea, “Instead of useless tricks, do your job properly.”
Of course, it was true that the maid had done a “trick.” However, even though it might not be the most desirable attitude, there was no need to hear such cold and cruel words from her curiosity about a new guest.
Even the male servants began to look at Ash with hostile eyes, and Mayana, who heard this news from Veinti, sighed with a complicated expression.
Veinti grumbled, “Even if he’s close to the Duke, how can you entrust Lady’s education to such an arrogant person? Isn’t that right?”
Mayana also agreed with her words. She wanted to rush over and confront him about what he was thinking, but it seemed like spilled water. Mayana thought. He would come here tomorrow morning to teach Ariante, and it was obvious who would fall out first…
“Why don’t you talk to the Duke about it?”
As Veinti said, Mayana quickly turned her head as if asking what she was talking about.
“What do you mean, talk to the Duke? How should I bring it up?”
Veinti clenched her fist and grumbled, “That’s for you to think about! Why suddenly act so dull? The Duke would listen to anything you say, right? Is it really okay for such an ignorant… person to teach Lady?”
Her voice, while raising with excitement, had the ability to be discreet in crucial moments, a characteristic of hers. However, Mayana lowered her head, as if to dismiss the absurdity.
“What are you going to do about the decision you’ve already made? And as I mentioned. She didn’t come here just as the Lady’s governess. There were… circumstances. So, she’ll stay here until that is resolved.”
“Are you just going to leave it like this?”
“If we don’t intervene in matters that neither you nor I can handle, how can it be dealt with? Acting recklessly will only worsen the problem…”
Mayana’s voice, which had been murmuring quietly, suddenly stopped. Not only that, her hand, which had been sewing, also stopped. It was because Veinti poked her elbow.
Wondering why, Mayana raised her head, her eyes widening. Ash Lauren was standing in front of her.
Damn it. The only thought that crossed Mayana’s mind at that moment was a curse. Did this man hear the conversation between Veinti and herself? If so, it would undoubtedly cause trouble. He was definitely not the type to just let it pass…
“Do you have something to say?”
Mayana asked. Veinti tried to slip away from the spot,
“No, it’s fine. I’m not going to teach right away, so I’ll wait here.”
Saying that, Ash sat down abruptly in the seat where Veinti had been sitting just a moment ago. Then, as he did in Cedric’s reception room, he crossed one leg over the other.
Veinti muttered that she would bring tea and quietly disappeared somewhere. It might be a lie, but Mayana didn’t care. Considering Veinti’s personality, it might be better to just avoid her.
“How many people work here altogether?”
Mayana looked at Ash’s face.
“Here… if you mean…”
Then Ash gave Mayana a displeased look.
“I’m asking how many are taking care of Cedric’s daughter. Did I ask how many mansion employees there are?”
Well, he did tell her to ask the question precisely, this brat… Mayana suppressed her anger, forcing a slight smile.
“There are four, Mr. Lauren.”
“People who can read and write?”
“Three people.”
Ivy didn’t completely lack knowledge of writing, but her proficiency was limited to a few simple sentences and her name. She found reading more challenging than writing, so Bridget had been teaching Ivy to read whenever she had time recently, just for fun.
Ash shook his head.
“Out of four, three. That’ll do.”
“Excuse me, Mr. Lauren. What do you mean…”
“How many books is the child currently reading? How far has she studied arithmetic or history? Debating or poetry? Composition?”
After Being Cheated On, She Picked Up a Treasure (Female-dominant)
One-line summary: The husband I married on a whim had been secretly in love with me for a long time.
On the day when Jun Shao finally obtained the imperial decree for her marriage, Lan Qu, the person she had admired for six years, defied the decree and ran away.
Her gentleness and devotion, her promise of a lifetime together, were all disregarded by him. Instead, he dreamed of entering the palace to serve the Emperor’s sister as a sixth-rank attendant.
News of this incident spread throughout the capital, and the alleys in front of and behind the Lan mansion were crowded with people who came to watch the commotion.
Jun Shao should have been embarrassed and angry.
But someone stepped in to protect her dignity.
The figure was in a miserable state, yet still possessed an undeniable elegance and handsomeness.
The young lord struggled to climb the wall of the Lan mansion and shouted to her, “If he won’t marry you, I will!”
So, Jun Shao took advantage of the situation and married the person.
She thought the young lord did it to save the Lan family from the crime of defying the imperial decree, but never imagined that from beginning to end, what he coveted was her.
*
After the wedding, Jun Shao felt like she was living in a dream.
Her Wife-master was as beautiful as a fairy in a painting, skilled in the six arts, well-versed in poetry and literature, capable of being gentle and attentive, and also grand and dignified. Most importantly, she was the only one in his heart and eyes.
Jun Shao didn’t know how Lan Shiwu, as a illegitimate son without a father and blessed with beauty, had managed to preserve his purity, recklessly escape, and use his last ounce of strength to ruin his own reputation, all because of his love for her, just to stand before her.
She could only see him gazing at her with eyes full of love, and when she bestowed a name upon him, his eyes shone like stars.
“You have come to me like a weary bird perching on a branch. I shall call you A Qi.”
