Chapter 271: Chapter 255: Return to Nuta City_2
Lady Karol and Li Jiya wore court dresses of similar design, adorned with lady’s hats. Lady Karol’s dress was maroon, while Li Jiya’s was light blue. One exuded richness, the other elegance.
After several days of intensive training, Li Jiya had made impressive progress in court etiquette. She maintained her posture, stomach in and chest out, chin slightly raised. In one hand, she held a tray with a teacup. With the other, she used a small silver spoon to scoop a spoonful of white sugar from the sugar bowl on the table, sprinkling it evenly into her tea. Then she stirred it slowly. Her little finger was slightly raised, looking every bit the refined lady.
Yan Xing, clad in armor, saw the two women and strode over, picking up the teapot and taking big gulps from the spout. After quenching his thirst somewhat, he set down the teapot and gazed unabashedly at Li Jiya.
"So this is Miss Li Jiya... She’s even more beautiful in person than in the magic image," Yan Xing said, playing up his rugged persona and making no effort to hide his admiration for the beautiful woman. He then addressed Lady Karol, "After receiving the message you sent, I rode hard to Nuta City, just to see Miss Li Jiya as soon as possible. Here, please take these Grain Tickets as a token of my gratitude for introducing Miss Li Jiya to me."
Yan Xing placed a stack of Grain Tickets on the table and continued to stare at Li Jiya, as if trying to see through her clothes.
Lady Karol’s expression shifted at the sight of the stack of Grain Tickets. Why does it feel like she’s the madam of a brothel?
But seeing Yan Xing’s fixation on Li Jiya, she knew her beauty trap was working well. If Li Jiya could distract Yan Xing, making him focus all his energy on women, then she, Karol, could confidently and boldly entertain Prince Elrado. If Li Jiya could ensnare Yan Xing and dissolve his alliance with Count Theodore, Nuta City could smoothly revert to the Duchy’s direct control. If she could also uncover Yan Xing’s secrets and bring Thunderous Swamp into their hands... then neither Elves nor Orcs would have a foothold on the Wildwind Highlands.
Lady Karol picked up the Grain Tickets and put them away. She said to Yan Xing, "When I mentioned you, Sir Yan Xing, to Li Jiya, she became very interested. In the capital, she’s pursued day and night by noble scions, but she holds no regard for those who rely merely on ancestral achievements.
"Women... they all fancy true heroes.
"I’ve just remembered something I must attend to. You two chat here; later, I’ll take Li Jiya to the Rose Court."
Lady Karol stood up, creating a space for Yan Xing and Li Jiya to be alone.
Yan Xing said, "Why leave? Stay here after dinner. My embassy has many rooms, the beds are large and soft, and the bathrooms have hot water all day."
Lady Karol knew Yan Xing’s place was full of prying eyes. She wasn’t afraid for herself, but Li Jiya was different. She was too young and prone to mistakes.
"Sir Yan Xing, I am a widow, so staying at your place wouldn’t raise eyebrows. But Li Jiya is the daughter of a high-ranking official in the Duchy; she should return to the Rose Court at night."
Yan Xing said regretfully, "Alright. Miss Li Jiya will return to the Rose Court at night, and during the day, she can come to visit me here. I have many interesting things from Thunderous Swamp.
"Lady Karol, you may leave now.
"Miss Li Jiya is in good hands with me."
Lady Karol gave Li Jiya a look and then turned to leave. She had a negotiation to conduct with Prince Elrado.
Beneath the shady umbrella in the back garden, only Yan Xing and Li Jiya remained. Silence fell between them. Yan Xing continued to watch Li Jiya.
Li Jiya, feeling his burning gaze, felt a mix of anger and shyness that turned her ears crimson. The dress of the nobility was significantly different from that of the common people, with court attire for noblewomen featuring very low-cut necklines that exposed a large area of skin, which was uncomfortable for Li Jiya, accustomed to commoner clothes. Already finding the dress too revealing, now she had to endure a man’s scrutiny. One can imagine the embarrassment.
If it had been anybody else, Li Jiya would have already left in a huff, but she had a mission to fulfill. As a secret agent for the Duchy, she was always prepared to sacrifice herself for her country.
Recalling the talking points Lady Karol had taught her, Li Jiya took the initiative to break the silence, "Sir Yan Xing..."
Yan Xing put his finger to his lips. "HUSH," he whispered, signaling for her not to speak. "That’s right, don’t break this moment. I’m going to take a nap; these past few days have been really exhausting."
Having said that, Yan Xing adjusted his chair into a recliner and lay down, then actually fell asleep.
Li Jiya sat there alone, not knowing what to do. Lady Karol hadn’t prepared her for such a scenario!
Li Jiya could only sit there obediently, waiting and observing her target. A few days ago, she and Terence had been planning how to assassinate him, but now she was supposed to seduce him. However, faced with a man who simply lay down and fell asleep, how was she supposed to seduce him?
Yan Xing was truly exhausted. He was constantly juggling his responsibilities between the Magic World and the real world. The establishment of Thunderous Company, in particular, required his personal involvement in every detail. Then, he had also made a trip to Gryphon Island. After delivering the griffons, he conducted an on-site inspection of the island he had only seen in photos, to see if it was a suitable habitat for them. His estate presented a myriad of matters requiring his attention daily, with the army’s reorganization and training being of utmost importance. He wondered when he would finally have some leisure time.
After sitting for a while and seeing no sign that Yan Xing was waking up, Li Jiya also adjusted her chair to a reclining position and lay down. These past few days, Li Jiya had been very tired too, as there was too much for her to learn. Apart from nobility etiquette, she had to memorize a vast amount of information: the names, positions, and family backgrounds of Duchy officials; the roads and departments of the Duchy’s capital; and details about the Eldofin Family members, including their occupations, family lands, properties, and even their agricultural income. It wasn’t to say her knowledge was flawless, but she had to ensure it was enough to fool Yan Xing.
It’s so comfortable!
Li Jiya, lying in the recliner, felt that owning such a chair was an absolute blessing. Her whole body was perfectly cradled by the chair, providing a comfort she had never experienced before. If only the corset could be a little looser.
Li Jiya placed her hands on her abdomen, closed her eyes, and savored the moment of brief relaxation. She then accidentally fell asleep.
When Li Jiya opened her eyes again, the sky outside the shady umbrella was dark. She instantly realized her mistake. She shouldn’t have fallen asleep here.
Li Jiya sat up abruptly, first scanning her surroundings and then looking toward Yan Xing...
The recliner was empty.
Had he discovered something?
Li Jiya was filled with regret. After finally being reactivated and entrusted with an important task by Lady Karol, she had fallen asleep during the mission. It was all the recliner’s fault for being so comfortable!
Now, with the situation unclear and Yan Xing not here, she didn’t know how to remedy the situation.
"Miss Li Jiya." A woman’s voice called out beside her.
Li Jiya stood up, and a blanket that had covered her slipped to the ground. She hurriedly picked it up, held it in one arm, then composed herself before turning to the maid standing by. "I’m sorry, I actually fell asleep. Do you know where Sir Yan Xing is? I need to apologize to him."
The maid smiled, curtsied to Li Jiya, and said, "Miss Li Jiya, Count Theodore asked my master to go to the Lord’s Mansion to discuss important matters. Before my master left, he ordered us not to disturb your rest. He also told me to give you this photo when you woke up."
"What is a photo?" Li Jiya asked. Relief washed over her at hearing Yan Xing wasn’t there, though she immediately lamented her serious blunder. Her mind was in disarray; she feared she would make even more mistakes in front of him. Lady Karol held Yan Xing in very high regard. Indeed... Considering he had managed to keep the Assassin’s Guild off balance to this day, it was clear Yan Xing was someone with a rough exterior but possessed very cunning methods. She had to be extremely careful around him. Since he wasn’t here, she would compose herself and return tomorrow.
Li Jiya took the palm-sized wooden frame from the maid’s hand, then saw the photo within the frame.
It was a magic image.
But why was this magic image so clear! So clear it looked just like a real person!
In the photo, a woman in a court dress leaned back in the recliner, soundly asleep. Her face was turned to the side, her eyes closed, lips slightly parted as she slept so peacefully. Light filtered through the shady umbrella, falling upon her face and body, as if the world itself had stilled just for her.